Linda D. Delgado, also known by many as Widad, earned a bachelor degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and is a 26-year veteran police officer. She retired with the rank of Sergeant from the Arizona Department of Public Safety in November 2000.
In 2004 Linda, established the Islamic Rose Books retail and self publishing business for her work. In 2005 she decided to expand her (IRB) business to include the publishing of other Muslim authors and created Muslim Writers Publishing as a division of IRB.By December 2009, Linda had published 22 paperback books, 13 pdf format ebooks, and six pdf format teacher study guide booklets for some of the Islamic Fiction novels she has published. In April 2010 she published the first book in an adult mystery-detective fiction series. The second book in this series is scheduled to be published mid-October 2010.
Linda was born in the USA and reverted to Islam in March of 2000. She began her writing career shortly after her retirement. She is the mother of three children, grandmother of eight grandchildren and has three great grandchildren. She currently lives in Tempe, Arizona.
Organization and Group Membership/Affiliations
Member - Arizona Book Publishers Association Member - Arizona Authors Association Director - Islamic Writers Alliance Member - Islamic Writers women’s group Member – Publishers Forum Member – Fraternal Order of Police Member – Arizona DPS Retirees Coalition Member - AHPA
Published Work
Linda D. Delgado is considered by many as one of the leading experts in writing, publishing and promoting Islamic fiction. Her body of work with Islamic fiction includes the following:
A. As a Writer of Islamic fiction
--Writing and publishing the Islamic fiction book series *Islamic Rose Books. First published in 2003 and republished in 2006.
Book 1: The Visitors
Book 2: Hijab Ez Friends
Book 3: Stories
Book 4: Saying Goodbye
In seven years she has received over 40 reader’s comments and book reviews for the IRB series.
*The Association of Muslim Women in America, Inc. (AMWA) selected Linda D. Delgado to receive the 2005 Excellence in Media, Literary Arts award based on her work as author of the youth book series, "Islamic Rose Books".
A credible book review of the Islamic Rose books series by notable Islamic fiction author and educator, Brother Yahiya Emerick, is published at the Islamic Education Foundation at: http://www.islamicedfoundation.com/rose_book.htm
--Writing and publishing Islamic fiction short stories:
--"No Roses for Grandma"- Published in the IWA anthology-Many Voices, One Faith II –Islamic Fiction Stories -2009
--"Blue Planet Adventures" - A Children’s Story- Published in the IWA Anthology – many Voices, One Faith 2004
--"Don’t Look Back" – Published in the IWA anthology-Many Voices, One Faith II –Islamic Fiction Stories -2009
--"Rym Umar" – Sleuth Extraordinaire
--NEWS FLASH-PHOENIX AZ
--"Best Friends"
--"Mama’s Steamer Trunk"
--Writing and publishing Poetry
*My Hero Is Your Hero
Come Walk With Me - Come Talk With Me
Daddy's Girl
Forgiving
'O Africa
I Thought...I Was Wrong
African Emotions
He’s Coming!
Who Will Stand Up For Me?
*American Poet Takes Top Adult Prize in Prophet Mohammad Poetry Contest The winners of the first annual Praise the Prophet International Poetry Competition were announced online at http://www.islamicpoetry.com. The top prize in the adult category went to Linda Delgado for her submission titled My Hero Is Your Hero. (2006)
--Articles written and published related to Islamic Fiction
Why is Islamic Fiction Different from Other Fiction Written by Muslims?
My Response to a Reader’s Comments About Islamic Fiction
Ever Look At a Book and Say: “It Costs Too Much!”
What’s Happening In the Book Publishing Industry?
AHare and Tortoise Story
The Muslim Publishing and Retail Industry (Part 1)
The Muslim Publishing and Retail Industry (Part 2)
A Discussion About Translating Published Books
-- Interviews about Islamic fiction
Linda Delgado, Director of the Islamic Writes Alliance- Islamic Ink
The Crescent Times Newspaper (Australia) 2008
Summer Islamic Reading Challenge – Interview- June 2009
Azizah Magazine -2008
The Muslim Voice-UK – 2006
IQRA Newspaper - 2007
Cii Radio –South Africa -2008
Caravan Radio – Canada - 2010
An-Najm Publishing-Win bar – United Kingdom -2009
B. As a Publisher of Islamic Fiction
-- Published 16 Islamic fiction print-paperback books 10 authors
-- Published 11 Islamic fiction ebooks 4 authors
-- Wrote one and published 5 teacher study guides for 5 Islamic fiction novels
-- Published 3 Arabic translated Islamic fiction ebooks
--Contributed poetry/published booklet: Voices for Africa
Muslim Writers Publishing has sold Islamic fiction books to Muslims world-wide including but not limited to the following countries: South Africa, India, West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands, UAE, Saudi Arabia (individuals), Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Jordan, France, Indonesia, Spain, Kuwait, and Morocco,etc. – up to August 2010
Muslim Writers Publishing currently sells Islamic fiction books to sixteen (16) Muslim book retail stores, up to August 2010
C. Wrote, collaborated with and published non-fiction books related to Islamic fiction
-- A Muslim’s Guide to Publishing and Marketing
--Star Writers- How to Write Out-of-this-world Islamic Stories
Also wrote and published an International cookbook titled, Halal Food, Fun, and Laughter in 2007.
D. Created, wrote, and had published in print and online eight Islamic fiction comic strips at IslamOnline, Crescent Times Newspaper, Our Rising Star Magazine in 2005/06.
First Place Adult winner in the Praise the Prophet Poetry Contest in 2007 for the poem: My Hero is Your Hero.
2005 Excellence in Media, Literary Arts Award: The Association of Muslim Women in America, Inc. (AMWA) selected Widad to receive the 2005 Excellence in Media, Literary Arts award based on her work as author of the children's book series, Islamic Rose Books.
