S.K. Ali: Fashion Design, Writing Process & How to Get Published | EP 2
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My guest in this episode is Sajidah, better known as S.K. Ali. She’s a fiction author. Her book, Saints and Misfits was the 2018 William C Morris Award finalist and was featured in multiple lists of Best Teen Novels of 2017.
Her book Love from A to Z, which we talk about on the podcast, was on several 2019 YA lists, including Kirkus and Entertainment Weekly’s top ten. And her picture book The Proudest Blue was co-authored with Ibtihaj Muhammad, the Olympic fencer, and was listed as a New York Times Bestseller.
Her latest book, a sequel to Love From A to Z will come out on October 18, titled Loved from Mecca to Medina. It's the most anticipated YA book in October on Goodreads.
You can now preorder it from wherever you get your books or by clicking this link
Our conversation revolved around her growth as a writer, the navigation of the publishing industry after studying it for close to 10 years, her writing process, how to deal with self-doubt, the shift of perspective before and after publishing, and her new book Love from Mecca and Medina. Sajidah has a very solid understanding of the roles a writer play, the writing part, and the business side of things, and she breaks down how to play both. I’m excited about this episode and am sure aspiring writers will find it very beneficial. If you do, please consider leaving a comment on Apple Podcast [link]
Mentioned Links:
Pacemaker
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:04:09) Immolation as an aspiring writer
(00:09:38) The Learning Process Cross Fields
(00:13:00) When Do You call Yourself a Writer
(00:15:17) Time After College and Before Publishing
(00:19:24) How to Get Published?
(00:26:26) What It Takes to Become a Writer?
(00:33:20) Craft and Framing Devices to Make Stories Familiar
(00:38:19) Capturing the Muslim Experience and Avoiding Over Explaining
(00:42:50) Who Do You Write For?
(00:45:44) What is Your Daily Writing Process?
(00:49:31) Self-Doubt After Publishing
(00:52:05) Advice For Young Writers
(00:53:49) Love From Mecca to Medina
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