Lara Haworth

Haworth was born in Brussels^[1] and grew up in South London.^[2] She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English and Drama from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2006. She completed a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at the University of British Columbia in 2010.^[3][4] Later in 2018, Haworth enrolled in the Novel Studio at City, University of London.^[5]

Haworth began her career as an artist. Haworth's poem "The Thames Barrier" was commended for the Norfolk Prize at the 2021 Café Writers Poetry Competition.^[6] Her extract-turned-short story "Monumenta" was highly commended in the Short Story category at the 2022 Bridport Prize.^[7]

In 2023,^[8] Canongate Books acquired the rights to publish Haworth's debut novel Monumenta in 2024.^[9][10] The novel deals with historical memory in contemporary Serbia, following widow Olga as her Dedinje house is repurposed for a massacre memorial, her adult daughter Hilde and son Danilo, and three architects.^[1][11] The setting was inspired by Haworth's Serbian friend, whose grandmother's house was sold in 2019, reminding Haworth of her own grandparents' house.^[2] Monumenta was shortlisted for a 2024 Nero Book Award in the Debut Fiction category^[12] and the Society of Authors' 2025 McKitterick Prize. ^[13]

Haworth lives in Nunhead, South London with her partner, the artist Annie Frost Nicholson.^[14][15]