S. K. Ali is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of several books, including Saints and Misfits, a finalist for the William C. Morris award, winner of the APALA Award and Middle East Book Award, and Love from A to Z, a Today Show‘s “Read with Jenna” Book Club selection.
We chat with S. K. all about her latest release Love from Mecca to Medina, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, S. K.! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi, I’m the author of books featuring Muslim characters for readers of all ages and backgrounds. One of my goals is to write every kind of story I loved reading when I was young…but featuring a Muslim protagonist. (Just kinda worried about replicating my fascination with horror during my tweens. So maybe I won’t write every kind of story.)
When did you first discover your love for writing?
When I was eleven (and into horror a la Dean R. Koontz and Stephen King), I used to recount the stories I’d read to my sister at night (she was a sensible nine-year-old not into horror) and, at one point, she expressed dissatisfaction at the endings by the actual (professional) authors. I decided it was time to add my own twists, and lo and behold, she was even more horrified at my versions of things. Then of course, the next step was to try writing my own brand of eleven-year-old horror (which still featured lots of old men chewing tobacco in cowboy hats, as well as steely-eyed middle-aged women with secrets, just like the books I was reading). So, yes, I guess fanfiction launched me into writing.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
First book I ever remember reading: Taro and the Tofu by Masako Matsuno
The one that made me want to become an author: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
A book I can’t stop thinking about: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Your latest novel, Love from Mecca to Medina, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Cosy, gripping, spiritual, romantic and deep.
What can readers expect?
Two characters reassessing what it means to be in love, during their journey to Mecca and Medina, amidst the noise of several issues, like intrusive former love interests and a smear campaign on campus.
How was it to return to the Love From A to Z series and its characters?
It was fun! And challenging – because I’m very aware that readers may know these characters, especially Adam and Zayneb, more than I do; thus, the apprehension that I could get something wrong was very present. (I did however try to melt that fear by seeking help from readers via social media whenever I wasn’t sure about something. And they definitely came to the rescue!)
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing Sausun, a character who has thus far shown up in each of my novels. She has a bigger part to play in this Adam and Zayneb novel than she did in Love from A to Z and I hope readers love her role here. (She really just takes over any scene she enters; I’m seriously mulling writing a novel with her as the main character.)
What’s next for you?
Working on checking off that list I told you about in the first question; next up is a speculative fiction project, then an adult rom-com and I’m making my way to my favorite genre, Mystery/Thriller. (Sorry, Horror, you did not make the list!)
Lastly, what have been some of your favourite 2022 reads? Any 2023 releases our readers should look out for?
I loved As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh and All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir. In 2023, I’m looking forward to The Next New Syrian Girl by Ream Shukairy and Forty Words for Love by Aisha Saeed.
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