Ask the Author: Rajia Hassib
Answered Questions (4)
Rajia Hassib
Dear Kathy: Somehow I just now saw your comment. I'm so sorry I didn't respond sooner! Thank you so much for your enthusiasm about my new novel--I wish it was coming out sooner, too! Only five weeks left till it's published, though, so that's good. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Best wishes,
Rajia
Best wishes,
Rajia
Rajia Hassib
Dear Kathy: I apologize for not responding earlier--I just saw your question right now, ten months after you posed it, apparently. First, I'm thrilled to know that you consider In the Language of Miracles one of your all time favorites--that's the most flattering thing you can tell an author, I think, and I thank you for letting me know. And the answer is yes: I've been working on my next novel for over four years, now, and it is scheduled to be published by Viking in August of 2019! The title is Hearts as Light as Feathers. I do hope you enjoy it; I poured my heart into it. Keep an eye out on my website, rajiahassib.com, or my FaceBook page for further updates. Thank you so much for your question, and I apologize again for taking so long to reply.
Best wishes,
Rajia
Best wishes,
Rajia
Rajia Hassib
Dear David: I'm sorry it took me ages to reply to this; for some reason, I only saw your question now, even though I've been on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ daily! Anyway: so, so glad you enjoyed the novel! Ameena is not a throwback to the other Ameena you mention, no--I just like that name tremendously. In Arabic it roughly translates to "honest," and I like using Arabic names that have meanings, even if I know the reader will most likely never pick up on that. I haven't published that short story yet, but I may still do it, if I find a good fit for it and find a place willing to take it.
I hesitate to answer your question about Khaled and Brittany, and it's causing me to mark this entire answer as a spoiler (just in case someone is reading this but hasn't read the novel yet--you have been warned! ), but I will point out to the fact that I have not mentioned anything about any future plans that involve both of them. If you still want to see a possibility of a relationship there other than friendship, you are free to do so, of course. Vague enough for you? Sorry!
As for Ehsan: she is not based on any one specific person, but rather on a group of women who all fit the maternal role that she plays and whom I've interacted with throughout the years. So she is a collage of several women, if that makes sense, and she is also her very own character who, in some ways, is different from anyone I know.
Thank you so much for your question, and I apologize again for taking so long to reply.
Best,
Rajia
I hesitate to answer your question about Khaled and Brittany, and it's causing me to mark this entire answer as a spoiler (just in case someone is reading this but hasn't read the novel yet--you have been warned! ), but I will point out to the fact that I have not mentioned anything about any future plans that involve both of them. If you still want to see a possibility of a relationship there other than friendship, you are free to do so, of course. Vague enough for you? Sorry!
As for Ehsan: she is not based on any one specific person, but rather on a group of women who all fit the maternal role that she plays and whom I've interacted with throughout the years. So she is a collage of several women, if that makes sense, and she is also her very own character who, in some ways, is different from anyone I know.
Thank you so much for your question, and I apologize again for taking so long to reply.
Best,
Rajia
Rajia Hassib
Hey, Sherrie. Thank you so much for your inquiry. I do not collaborate on writing projects, no, but I'm flattered that you asked, and I do wish you the best of luck with your story. I'm not sure which memoir you have in mind, but Egypt's history is very rich, so a story set there would certainly give you a lot of writing material to work with, which is always a good thing. And thank you for sharing my book! I truly appreciate that.
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