The story behind the story

A book begins long before its first reader.

Cut Flowers grew from conversation, research, imagination and a belief that fiction can give young people language for what adults struggle to say.

Aneeta Prem MBE with Nicky Morgan at the parliamentary launch of Cut Flowers — Aneeta Prem MBE and Nicky Morgan at the parliamentary launch of *Cut Flowers*

Publication history

A novel, not an instruction manual.

Its serious purpose matters. So do the jokes, the music, the friendship, the misunderstandings and the suspense. That balance is the reason the story can travel between a young reader’s bedroom, a classroom and a professional discussion.

The idea

A difficult subject needed a real story.

Aneeta Prem began with a novelist’s problem: how could a young reader encounter FGM/C without the book becoming a lecture? Katie and Sophia supplied the answer. Their friendship, separate summer adventures, humour and loyalty allow the truth to emerge through character and consequence.

The writing

Language had to be honest without overwhelming the reader.

The manuscript developed around family secrets, a journey to Africa, a seaside singing adventure and the moment two friends turn private knowledge into a public voice. Safeguarding gives the novel its purpose, but plot and character carry the reader there.

2016

The novel entered public life.

Published by Prem Publishing, Cut Flowers became Aneeta’s second novel. Its public history includes a parliamentary launch with Nicky Morgan and a separate event at Reed Smith attended by Miriam Margolyes, who wrote the foreword.

In schools

The story became part of a wider educational resource.

Freedom Charity developed accompanying Key Stage 3 and 4 teaching resources with the PSHE Association. The Quality Mark applies to those resources, giving teachers a structured route into discussion while the novel remains a work of fiction in its own right.

Now

Each new reader continues the history.

The book speaks to young people, families, teachers, professionals and general readers. Copies bought through this website are sold by Freedom Charity, and income from each sale goes to the charity’s work.

Two public moments

Parliamentary recognition. Literary support.

The photographs belong to the book’s documentary record. They show a novel moving beyond the manuscript and into education, public discussion and civic life.

Open the visual archive →

Miriam Margolyes OBE with Aneeta Prem MBE at the Cut Flowers event hosted by Reed Smith — Miriam Margolyes OBE and Aneeta Prem MBE at Reed Smith

Continue the history

The next chapter begins with a reader.

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