Saman Shad

Saman Shad is a writer, journalist, and playwright whose storytelling spans stage, screen, and page. In the UK, she was a scriptwriter for BBC Radio, and after relocating to Australia she created programs for the ABC and became a sought-after voice in journalism, contributing regularly to The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, ABC News, and SBS. Her plays have been commissioned by theatres in both London and Sydney. She has received development funding from Screen Australia for a feature film, as well as contributing to a number of screen projects.

Her debut novel, The Matchmaker, was published by Penguin Australia in 2023, earning praise for its witty exploration of modern love and cultural identity. Her latest novel, The Sex Lives of Married Women is a raw and funny exploration of the secret lives we all lead and the friendships that keep us going. It was released in April 2025 through Penguin Australia.