Mentor & Program Committee Member: S. K. Ali

S. K. Ali is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of several books, including SAINTS AND MISFITS and LOVE FROM A TO Z, both named as top ten YA titles of the year by various media including Entertainment Weekly and Kirkus Reviews. Her newest novel, MISFIT IN LOVE, is a People magazine best book of summer 2021. Her other books include the critically-acclaimed middle grade anthology ONCE UPON AN EID and the New York Times bestselling picture book, THE PROUDEST BLUE.

From S. K.:

“There’s no doubt that the publishing industry lacks Muslim voices and that our communities have struggled with misrepresentations for far too long. An opportunity, through this grant, to provide a welcoming space for Muslim writers to develop the stamina, skills, and networks to be successful, allows this state to be reversed and for our communities to develop and thrive creatively.”

How will Muslim children see themselves in your stories?

“Muslim young people are allowed to just be and breathe and love on the pages of my books, as they are, without apology or shrinkage or fitting themselves into narrative boxes, or pinging – even slightly – stereotypes expected of them. They roam their stories like they belong in their wholeness. ”