AMPTHILL EVENT: 21 NOVEMBER 2024 7PM

AMPTHILL EVENT: 21 NOVEMBER 2024 7PM

by | Nov 10, 2024 | News and Events

tasneem abdur rashid
I’m excited to share that I’ll be in Ampthill on Thursday 21st November 2024 at 7:00PM, talking all things books and writing!
I participated in the Ampthill Literary Festival a couple of years ago, and honestly, it was my favourite festival that year. The audience was incredible, Katie Packman is a fantastic host and I had such a brilliant time! I can’t wait to go back!
Tickets can be purchased via the link below!
See you there x 
Tasneem Abdur-Rashid makes YA debut at DFB

Tasneem Abdur-Rashid makes YA debut at DFB

by | Oct 19, 2024 | News and Events

tasneem abdur rashid
Romantic drama Odd Girl Out has ‘all the enticing and familiar angst of romance, friendship and broken families, with a bit of the glitz and glamour of Dubai and grey streets of London thrown in’
 
David Fickling Books has signed Odd Girl Out, a YA romantic drama by British Bengali writer Tasneem Abdur- Rashid. Commissioning editor Rosie Fickling bought world all language rights from Abi Fellows at DHH Literary Agency, and the novel will be published in April 2025.
Described as a ‘modern riches-to-rags’ story, Odd Girl Out follows Maaryah, whose parents’ divorce forces her to bid farewell to the glamour and glitz of Dubai and hello to dreary London, where things get complicated. There are house parties, annoying-yet-fit boys, and the isolating reality of being the only hijabi in a massive school…

 

Rosie Fickling said, “Odd Girl Out is first and foremost brilliant fun to read. It’s impossible not to love and care about Maaryah, the feisty, confident teenage protagonist. Her wisdom and youthful naivety make her completely compelling, and the twists, turns and ultimate mega-shocks in the book leave the reader constantly engaged and excited to read on. Tasneem has cleverly crafted a dramatic and entirely believable teenage story with all the enticing and familiar angst of romance, friendship and broken families, with a bit of the glitz and glamour of Dubai and grey streets of London thrown in, all woven alongside the insidious and ignorant racism still so present in our country. It’s an exceptionally good read and yet you feel somehow wiser and more switched on after reading it too, which I think makes it a pretty special and rare book!”

 

Tasneem Abdur-Rashid said: “Odd Girl Out is a book that is very special to me. As a visible Muslim who came of age in London in the ’90s and grew up feeling othered, this is the book I wish I’d had available to me as a teenager. It is inspired by my niece who made the massive move from Dubai to London, and struggled with navigating her new life and how she could fit in. Given the current political and racial climate, books like Odd Girl Out are more important than ever not only to challenge existing narratives and stereotypes and inspire critical thinking, but also create love and understanding. I hope that readers enjoy Maaryah’s story – her grit, wit and her humour – and find a piece of her journey that they can relate to.”
Abdur-Rashid is a British Bengali writer born and raised in London, who has worked across media, PR and communications both in the UK and in the UAE. Her adult rom-com Finding Mr Perfectly Fine was published by Zaffre/ Bonnier in 2022, and her second adult novel The Thirty Before Thirty List was out in 2024. She co- hosts the award-winning podcast Not Another Mum Pod.

 

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On Being a Writer Unable to Write

On Being a Writer Unable to Write

by | Oct 12, 2024 | Blog

I’m supposedly a writer but right now, I can’t write. 

I’m sitting here with my laptop literally on my lap but I can’t bring myself to open it and type out words that may or may not end up in a book somewhere, some day, one day.

Instead, I doom scroll. I weep. I wonder why and how this past year happened, if things will ever change, if Palestine really will be free. Some day. One day? 

I wonder if there is such a thing as justice. I wonder how humans can be so abhorrent. 

I wonder if happiness really does exist, or is it just a fleeting moment of increased endorphins..a chemical reaction that dies as quickly as it comes.

I wonder if I will ever smile from the heart again.. if it will ever be more than lips contorted upwards in an attempt to project normality? 

Then I feel guilty about wondering, instead of actually doing something.

366 days of genocide that much of the world has ignored. 76 years of misery.

Free Palestine.. inshallah. 🇵🇸🍉

A Night of Soulfulness: Dar Aminah 10 Year Anniversary

A Night of Soulfulness: Dar Aminah 10 Year Anniversary

by | Sep 19, 2024 | News and Events

tasneem abdur rashid

You know how sometimes, life can be exhausting and sad and stressful and heavy… …and just rubbish? And then something happens and for a couple of glorious hours, your load is lightened and you experience utter and complete joy and fulfilment?

Yesterday was that for me ❤️

I had the honour of participating in a panel with some of my FAVE people on Instagram – @sofia_reading @readwithsamia@tasneimzyada @imr4na.m to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Luton’s renowned Dar Aminah Book Club. 

The conversation and room was full of love and laughter – we spoke about books (of course), the arts, faith, community … we ate delicious food, we prayed, we signed books, we got to watch @tasneimzyada perform hard-hitting spoken word poetry… AND we were given the most beautiful gift of olive trees being planted in our names in the West Bank.

Honestly – I don’t think I could have asked for more! 

A massive thanks to @imr4na.m for organising the night and inviting me to take part – it was an absolute privilege, and thank you to everyone who bought tickets and showed up and had a good time – we honestly didn’t want the night to end and literally had to be kicked out 🤣🤣❤️

Until next time, Luton town xoxo

Leeds Lit Club – August 2024

Leeds Lit Club – August 2024

by | Aug 31, 2024 | Blog

It was an absolute honour and privilege to attend Leeds Lit Club in person for the very first time to talk about The Thirty Before Thirty List! I first met Dr Sofia Rehman when the club read my debut, Finding Mr Perfectly Fine, two years ago. Since then I’ve run into Sofia at various events and she has been an absolute rock of guidance and support. Many readers in the Muslim Bookstagram community haven’t felt like reading fiction since October 7. It all feels so frivolous doesn’t it? In fact, I felt frivolous writing about romance when my brothers and sisters in Palestine are fighting for their lives. But Sofia reminded me that what I’m doing is important; I’m creating stories and worlds where Muslims can feel safe and seen, when there’s so much of the world where we feel discomfort.


The Book Club was full of love and laughter and despite meeting many of the lovely ladies for the first time, by the end I felt as though I had known them forever. We spoke about how my book helped them overcome reading slumps; we chatted through the various themes and characters in my book, how we met our spouses, my writing journey and process, where I find inspiration and what’s coming up next. We laughed loads, I signed books and had a gorgeous meal … if all book clubs are like this, then sign me up right now!