Rahla Xenopoulos
AuthorProfessor
South Africa
Rahla Xenopoulos is a South African author and professor whose books include the memoir A Memoir of Love and Madness and the novels Bubbles, Tribe and The Season of Glass. She teaches creative writing and has served as an adjunct professor at Manhattanville College. [1][2][6]
Career and work
Xenopoulos has published fiction, memoir and journalism. Her work includes A Memoir of Love and Madness, Bubbles, Tribe and The Season of Glass, and her writing has appeared in a range of magazines and newspapers. [1][2]
Alongside her writing, she teaches creative nonfiction and writing workshops in South Africa and internationally and has taught in Manhattanville College's graduate creative-writing program. [2][6]
What has been publicly discussed
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
Penguin Random House South AfricaA Memoir of Love and Madness Publisher material supporting Xenopoulos's 1992 bipolar disorder diagnosis, memoir and publicly described experiences.
Rahla Xenopoulos — Official website Biographical information covering her books, journalism, teaching and public speaking.
Independent Online“Heroines in our midst” Interview covering Xenopoulos's childhood depression and experiences of elevated mood and mania.
View all 6 sources
Bipolar Disorders / International Society for Bipolar Disorders“Love and madness: Living with bipolar disorder” First-person conference contribution covering medication, fertility treatment, psychiatric and social support, motherhood and long-term stability.
SA Jewish Report“South Africa has talent” Interview containing Xenopoulos's comments on living a full life with illness.
Rahla Xenopoulos — Westport Writers' Workshop Professional biography documenting her teaching and membership of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders' lived-experience committee.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Rahla Xenopoulos and their experiences.
- World Bipolar Day “Ask Me Anything” 2026 — CREST.BD
Xenopoulos joins clinicians, researchers and other people with lived experience to answer public questions about bipolar disorder.
- “Of romance, rugby and refugees”LitNet
Coverage of a literary festival discussion about writing difficult subjects, including mental illness and autobiographical exposure.