Nadia Najar’s The Touch of Light explores the experience of blindness, shaped by her research into its causes and history. The novel took four years to complete, influenced by the pandemic. Najar writes daily, often in cafes or her office, and is now considering ideas for her next project, with characters and concepts in development.
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Mohamed Samir Nada’s A Prayer for Anxiety began as a poem in 2017 and evolved into a novel over four years. He views writing as a personal journey, valuing silence for creativity, and is focused more on the process rather than on publication, recognition, or external validation, finding joy in the act itself and embracing the challenges it brings.
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Ayman Ragab Taher’s The Lamplighter began in mid-2022, inspired by the soldiers of Ahmed Orabi’s army who, after their defeat, turned to professions like lamplighting. Taher spent six months writing the novel, often in his home library. He doesn’t follow specific writing rituals but writes daily when a creative idea strikes.
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The Women's Covenant began in early 2022, inspired by the author’s long observations of women’s struggles and societal norms. Writing took a year, mostly in Lebanon and finished in Berlin. The author writes daily after breakfast in a quiet space, valuing routine for creativity. Their second novel is set to be published in 2025.
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Taissier Khalaf began The Andalusian Messiah in late 2022, inspired by a study on Andalusian migration to Istanbul. After a year of research and writing, he chose a first-person narration. Khalaf writes in busy places and visits locations he writes about. His next project may focus on a historical murder in Damascus.
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