Islamic Ink - April 2008

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Issue 4, April 2008

Letter from the Editor

As-Salaamu Alaykum,

Since the last issue of Islamic Ink was published, the Islamic Writers Alliance Board has been busy wrapping up last year's business and planning its 2008 agenda. Part of our efforts focused on Islamic Ink. We want our publication to better reflect IWA's goal of serving as a resource and professional network for our members.

To accomplish this, we've changed Islamic Ink from a bi-annual bulletin to a quarterly online magazine. We've spruced up the contents by adding news briefs to keep you up-to-date with what's happening in the IWA and in the writing and publishing industry. We've also added a section to introduce you to members of the IWA.

You'll still find the other content that has been our Islamic Ink hallmark: feature interviews with IWA members, writing and publishing advice, book reviews, and literary pieces.

Don't forget to enter our 2008 Poetry Contest - the deadline is May 15th. Keep reading, and keep writing!

Sincerely,

Christine (Amina) Benlafquih

Publications Officer, IWA

Your feedback and comments are welcome.

Letters to the editor may be addressed to

magazine@islamicwritersalliance.net.

Back to Contents

Letter from The Editor

IWA Headlines
News from the Islamic Writers Alliance

Spotlight IWA
Sis Zabrina "Life Storyteller"

Global Connections
Malaysia

And Introducing...
Meet some more IWA members

Inside the Industry
Writing and Publishing News

The Tip Off
A Catastrophe Brewing…Under Your Byline

by Amel S. Abdullah

Book Review
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

Review by J. Samia Mair

Reflections
Muhammed - The Guide

by Nazaaha A. Amin

Be Considerate to Others

by Sis Zabrina

Short Fiction
Seize the Moment

by Sabah Negash

Vanished by S.E. Bhamjee

Poetry
Humility by Tiel Aisha Ansari

The Moon is Always Full

by Irving Karchmar

Support Our Sponsors:

Iqra! Newspaper

Our Rising Star

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WWW.ISLAMICWRITERSALLIANCE.NET

IWA - The first Alliance for Muslims who are aspiring writers and published authors!

Director: Pamela K. Taylor

Assistant Director: Mahasin Shamsid-Deen

Secretary: S.E. Jihad Levine

Financial Officer: Linda D. Delgado

Marketing Officer: Irving Karchmar

Publications Officer: Christine (Amina) Benlafquih

Copyright © 2008 IslamicWritersAlliance.net. All Rights Reserved. No portion of this magazine and no content of any document herein may be reproduced, distributed or republished without the express permission of the Islamic Writers Alliance. For reprint permissions, please contact our Publications Officer.

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IWA Headlines

News from the Islamic Writers Alliance

IWA Fourth Annual Poetry Contest - Submit Your Poems Now

Submissions to IWA's Fourth Annual Poetry Contest are being accepted through May 15, 2008. Children, adults and IWA members are all invited to submit poetry which reflects the theme, "Iman." For more information and guidelines, please visit IWA's home page.

IWA Third Annual Poetry Contest Winners Announced

The IWA Board is pleased to announce the winners of the 3rd Annual IWA Poetry Contest, coordinated by Assistant Director Mahasin D. Shamsid-Deen.

Adult Category Winner: Yahia Samir Lababidi for "Desert Revisited"

Adult Honorable Mention: S. Malika Rushdan for "21st Century Slavery"

IWA Member Category Winner: Julinar Diab for "Unequal"

IWA Youth Category Winners (Tie): Raneen Hijazi for "My Birthday" and Nabeela Dana for "SNOW"

Brother Irving Karchmar Elected Marketing Officer

IWA has elected Brother Irving Karchmar to serve as its marketing officer a new Board position. Brother Irving has been a writer, editor, and poet for many years. His first book, Master of the Jinn: A Sufi Novel, has been translated and published in Russian, Turkish, and Bahasa (national language of Indonesia); it is also being translated into Japanese, Spanish, German and Urdu. Brother Irving is currently at work on a sequel entitled Tale of the Jinn.

IWA 2007 Annual Book Award

Al-Hijra School (Canada) has received the Islamic Writers Alliance 2007 Annual Book Award of $300 to be used towards the purchase of books for the school's library. The Board selected A-Hijra School for its dedication in providing quality reading literature to students, and for its strong support of Muslim authors. The school participated in the Teacher Study Guide-Student Field Test project for Islamic fiction, conducted by Sister Iman Kouvalis.

IWA Catalog Released

The Islamic Writers Alliance is pleased to announce the release of its first IWA Catalog, a comprehensive listing of books written by, or including the work of, IWA members. The catalog includes children's books, English Language Islamic Fiction for adults, teens, youth, and children, inspirational non-fiction, poetry, magazines, and CDs. Special thanks to Sister Linda D. (Widad) Delgado for proposing the project and managing it to completion, and to Sister Iman Kouvalis of Optimize It! Designs for her design work.. You can download the catalog here.

Sophia's Journey: Time Warp 1857

Sister Najiyah Diana Helwani announces the January 2008 release of her historical science fiction novel, Sophia's Journey: Time Warp 1857. Written for older children and teens, the book tells the story of a modern day girl who falls into a river and is swept downstream - and back in time. Sister Najiyah is a teacher and freelance writer who lives in Syria; this is her first novel. Sophia's Journey: Time Warp 1857 was published by Muslim Writers Publishing, owned by Sister Linda D. Dlegado.

The Runaway Scarf

Sister Corey Habbas and Muslim Writers Publishing announce the February 2008 release of The Runaway Scarf, written and illustrated by Sister Corey. The book, which tells the story of a young slave girl who is wrongly accused of stealing a jeweled scarf, helps convey Islamic values of human rights and equality to young readers. Sister Corey, a freelance writer living in Minnesota, has had work published in print and online. Her poetry has won several awards, including the 2006 Andalusia Prize for Literature.

The Beautiful Names

Sister Saaleha Bhamjee announces the March 2008 release of her illustrated poetry collection for children, The Beautiful Names, published by Muslims Writers Publishing. In her poetry, Sister Saaleha uses everyday examples to illustrate the qualities of Allah. Sister Saaleha is a South African freelance writer whose articles, poetry and fiction have been published in print and online.

Ripples
Fans of Sister Jamilah Koloctronis' Echoes series will be pleased to learn that the fourth title in the series, Ripples, has recently been published by Muslim Publishers Writing. In Sister Jamilah's latest book, three cousins face uniquely personal challenges as they grow into adulthood. Sister Jamilah holds a PhD in social sciences education. Her other books include Islamic Jihad, Innocent People, Echoes, Rebounding and Turbulence.

Khalidah's Khimar

Sister Nazaaha Amin announces the March 2008 release of her second self-published children's book, Khalidah's Khimar, which tells the story of a Muslim girl who struggles with growing older when her parents encourage her to wear a khimar. In addition to writing the story, Sister Nazaaha, who is a teacher in Baltimore, also illustrated her book.

Iqra! Newspapers Expands Into Deen Media

Sister Amatullah Abdullah and Sister Cara announce that Iqra! Newspaper has expanded into Deen Media, Inc., a multi-media organization offering a variety of services including graphic design, audio editing, publishing services, start-up website design and media consulting.

Islamic Fiction Website Launched

Sister Linda D. (Widad) Delgado has launched Islamic Fiction Books, a new website to promote English Language Islamic Fiction. A number of IWA members contributed to her efforts and research. Sister Widad is also the founder and owner of Muslim Writers Publishing..

Illume Magazine to Publish Bi-Monthly

Brother Javed Ali, owner/publisher of Illume Magazine, announces that Illume will publish bi-monthly in 2008. The magazine will sport a new look with glossy print format, and will continue to be available online at www.illumemedia.org. Watch for IWA member and author profiles to appear in upcoming issues of Illume.

Call for Submissions to Anthology

Sister Christine (Amina) Benlafquih announces that submissions are being accepted for the anthology style book Open Letters, Open Hearts. An-Najm Publishers, London, UK, founded by IWA member Umm Junayd bint Naim, will publish the book. Deadline for submissions has been extended to May 31, 2008. Click here for details and submission guidelines.

-- Compiled from reports by IWA Secretary S.E. Jihad Levine

Want to read more about IWA happenings and member accomplishments?

Visit the IWA News Archives.

Back to Contents

Spotlight IWA

This issue's feature interview with an Islamic Writers Alliance Member

Zabrina A. Bakar

Zabrina Abu Bakar's first book, Life is an Open Secret, was released in Malaysia in July 2007 and quickly drew media attention. Only six months later, second print editions are already on the market. Christine (Amina) Benlafquih interviews Sis Zabrina to find out more about the self-dubbed "Life Storyteller" and her marketing strategies.

Amina Benlafquih: Assalamu alaykum. Thank you for sharing your time with Islamic Ink.

Sis Zabrina: Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatullah. It is a great pleasure to be here, alhamdulillah

AB: Let's start with what you call yourself - "life storyteller." Can you explain how you came up with this slogan, and what's behind it?

Sis Zabrina: Well, as a new writer, I was very much like a sponge, learning from everyone and everywhere. One of my gurus told me that I must have a branding as it will help me focus and help my readers know who I am. Being a business student, it made sense to me. So, I asked myself then, What is my brand?

So, I thought, basically, I tell stories in a writing form, right? Then, it hit me. I am a storyteller! That's when I decided to stick with the brand "storyteller."

I came out with, I think, more than 20 branding names that incorporate the word ‘storyteller'. Words like "motivational storyteller," "inspirational storyteller" and "your storyteller" are among them. The final decision was made after I realized that I only write stories about life. I mean, I don't write articles relating to fiqh, or politics, or science fiction. That is not my strength. My forte is telling and writing stories about manners, morals, challenges, ups and downs of life, success, failures and triumphs a person faced in his or her life.

When I wrote down the words 'Life Storyteller' I could feel tingling in my whole body, my face flushed and my heart just started pumping so fast - I think I was about to burst. That was when I knew it was the right choice, insha Allah. You know, light bulb moments! Yes, it was that moment that I decided to use the name Sis Zabrina, 'Life Storyteller'. Alhamdulillah.

AB: At what age did you start writing?

Sis Zabrina: I started writing from the age of seven, as this was when my stories began to be selected for the school magazines. I always enjoyed writing but of course, at that time, I simply knew it as English homework! You know - to write a story about family vacations, my pet, my best friend or about my parent - the usual topics teachers have always asked grade one students to write about.

This went on until I graduated from high school, after which I pursued an accounting degree. From that moment, I was in drought for almost 15 years. Not a single word written by me except, of course, my term papers and assignments. Alhamdulillah, it was only about one and a half years ago when I rediscovered my passion - my love for writing. Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah for that. I basically found my purpose in life, my strength. Something that Allah has given me to use to serve Him. Alhamdulillah.

AB: I assume that you used that accounting degree. What kinds of professional positions have you held?

Sis Zabrina: Actually, even though I have an accounting degree, I did my MBA just two years after that. So, all the professional positions that I held were based on both my accounting degree and MBA.

My last position was as a Deputy Chief Executive Officer for the Administration and Finance Division of a large private international college. I was responsible for nine departments. It was a real challenge but I loved every minute of it. Holding that post has helped me grow and has allowed me to push myself and discover my real potential.

And before I was promoted to this position, I was lecturing in a few other universities, alhamdulillah. Lecturing is something I just love to do. I actually miss it a lot. I love being with students and exploring the world with them. I love to see their eyes twinkle and go wide when they discover an amazing fact and finally "get it." You know what I mean. I love to see a shy one developing into a confident person upon graduation. That was satisfying to me.

AB: What was the turning point that made you decide to return to writing?

Sis Zabrina: I was doing my doctorate when this happened. I studied and worked at the same time until I reached my data collection period when I know that I needed time off from my work. I requested for a study leave from my CEO.

My dissertation is about managing knowledge using the storytelling method. So, the two main literatures that I read were knowledge management and storytelling. As I get deeper into storytelling - its usage, environment, techniques, methods, styles, mental models, etc, I found myself getting the itch to write some stories too. And I decided to "scratch" that itch. And it felt good! Alhamdulillah.

That's when I began writing, again, after 15 years, alhamdulillah.

AB: Have you devoted yourself full-time to writing, or are you still working?

Sis Zabrina: Alhamdulillah, I am now a full-time writer. And for me, living in this passion of mine is a journey I should have started long time ago.

AB: Tell me about your new book, Life is an Open Secret. What is it about? How did the idea for the book originate?

Sis Zabrina: Life is an Open Secret is a book written with the beautiful and ancient art of storytelling. It represents the reality of life challenges faced by all of us, living in this so-called modern society. The stories are based on issues that are commonly found across geographical, race, faith, gender and age boundaries.

I shared with my readers in total 19 stories - eighteen stories plus one from my blog. These stories are aimed to tease my readers with a variety of mind-boggling questions. Personally, I love mind-boggling questions, you know, questions that can make us all think and ponder for hours.

All stories in Life is an Open Secret are to inspire the readers to ultimately reflect and change (should need be) according to the guidelines from the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). I strove very hard to make sure that the stories in Life is an Open Secret are refreshing to the soul, inspirational, motivational and humorous. And most importantly, that all these stories, even though wittily crafted, do not lose any of their substance, insha Allah. The beautiful message of Islam must be delivered, insha Allah.

AB: Did you self-publish or use a professional publishing house?

Sis Zabrina: I self published Life is an Open Secret, alhamdulillah.

AB: Why did you decide to go that route?

Sis Zabrina: I remember the shock I got when I was told that authors have to do their own marketing. With my background, I know what marketing entails, the demand of it, the money that involves, the creativity that is needed.

And with the percentage that authors "might" receive, I didn't believe that it was doable for me.

That's when I knew that I must find another way to publish my book. I searched and asked questions about publishing. IWA members have been very supportive in answering my tons of questions on this matter, alhamdulillah.

AB: Have you had any stumbling blocks along the way?

Sis Zabrina: Stumbling blocks? Of course! That is expected. The bumps on our road in life are welcome as it helps us grow, alhamdulillah. Bumps like finding an editor for the Islamic content; finding a professional editor, illustrator, book cover designer, and layout designer; developing my book website; distribution and many more. I must say that I really learned what they mean when they say writing is just 10 percent of the process. And the best part is that, I got to learn and grow along the way. The challenges that I faced were good for me, alhamdulillah.

AB: Based on your experience, how would you advise other writers who are considering self-publishing?

Sis Zabrina: Wow, there is a lot to say here. It will be a long story, really. But the shortcut version is this - learn from other published authors, ask questions, open your eyes and look for blueprints. It is everywhere. Get a writer coach, if you will. I am a writer coach to a few aspiring writers now. Alhamdulillah, we are moving in a good speed to the right direction. I always tell aspiring writers that we don't have to repeat all the processes if we can quickly identify what works.

And to self-publish means we must be bold, creative, daring, unrelenting. There is a lot of work involved in getting a book published. We have got to have that drive. The stumbling blocks we talked about earlier? We must be able to get up no matter how bad the stumble was.

We must be humble enough to learn from others and be bold enough to make decisions. Indecisiveness is a big NO-NO here. We must decide on every single thing like size of book, color, design, concept, paper used, etc. We must know what works. What is a good price? How to prepare the market for your book? How to promote it? Where to print? Offset? Digital? How to pitch your book? How different is your book from others? How do you position yourself in the market?

To sum up, my advice is learn, learn, learn. And learn quickly, insha Allah, and always remember that we are responsible for our books, no one else. So, with Allah as our Lord, ask from Him, strive to your best and He will shall give us success, insha Allah.

AB: You've had a favorable response, masha Allah, from the Muslims and media in Malaysia. But have you had any feedback from non-Muslims?

Sis Zabrina: Yes, the reaction from non-Muslims has been wonderful too. I had about six non-Muslims review my book and I published them all in Life is an Open Secret. From their reviews, I felt in my heart that Life is an Open Secret would be a book that could be accepted by the non-Muslims for many reasons. Maybe they want to know more about Islam, maybe they want to know how Muslims live their lives, maybe they want to get to know how Muslims think or maybe they are just plain curious. I have personally sold and autographed Life is an Open Secret to a few non-Muslims at the booth during the grand launching, alhamdulillah. Even on my blog, I have received comments from the non-Muslims too.

The most recent endorsement I received is from a business coach known as Dave Rogers, who made a short promo for Life is an Open Secret, and he uploaded the clip on youtube, subhan Allah.

AB: Can you share a few strategies that have proven successful in marketing your book?

Sis Zabrina: Sure, I would be glad to. I remembered being told that writing is just 10 percent of the work as an author and that is the easy part. The other ninety percent is about marketing the book you wrote.

Firstly, I learned from a prominent international bestselling author to always talk about my book even if it is in writing stage. So, I did just that. If anyone asked me, I told them I am writing a book - a motivational book - and if they want to read a sample, they can always go to my blog for a "taste" of my writing. I took quite an effort to overcome this shyness we authors always have, but, after so many times doing it, right now, I do it just like how I breathe air, automatically, alhamdulillah.

Secondly, as I speak to everyone I meet about my book, it's rather challenging to explain and re-explain again to the same group of people about my book every time someone new joins the conversation. So, I used a mini booklet which is also a name card to give away to people. The mini booklet has a story from my book, the book cover, the blog address, my personal contact details and some reviews I received, alhamdulillah. It helps me to promote the book and it allows my new readers to read my stories at their own time too, alhamdulillah.

Thirdly, I engaged a brother who is a film producer based in the UK to help create a Life is an Open Secret book trailer and upload it on youtube.

And I also would like to thank Sheik Yusuf Estes for writing a foreword for Life is an Open Secret, alhamdulillah. This is a major boost of confidence on the Islamic content of Life is an Open Secret, alhamdulillah.

AB: Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Sis Zabrina: Insha Allah, always believe in your work and know your stuff well. Write about things that you are passionate about, write from your heart. New writers must also understand that it takes a lot of thinking and planning as a writer to do well in the industry. You cannot hide behind doors and then expect your writing to be accepted or your book to sell.

Also, keep on learning. I have not stopped learning and insha Allah, never will. As long as Allah gives me the opportunities, I will continue to learn from everyone.

One thing that I found after I launched Life is an Open Secret is that I met many aspiring writers telling me that they have always wanted to write. My question to them is - what is stopping you? If we really have the drive and the passion, we should be doing it instead of talking about it. There is a story in Life is an Open Secret that addresses this issue - Secret 9 - "Say the Word and Do the Action." I quoted an Arabian proverb that says, "A promise is a cloud, fulfillment is the rain."

So, in anything that we wish to do, be it to be a writer, to slim down, to learn cooking, to travel, whatever it is, always remember that we can always talk till the cow goes home. We can always get awed at the clouds but, it is really the rain that really matters. We can have many clouds with us, but, if it doesn't rain, we will still have drought.

My personal quote on writing is this: "There is never a good time in the future to start. The good time is always now."

So, start writing.

AB: You say it's essential for writers not to hide behind doors and expect their book to become successful. Yet many writers find that they're unable to help market their own books - perhaps they have limited time or are unable to travel. What words of encouragement or advice can you offer those writers who don't have the flexibility or means to strongly promote their own books?

Sis Zabrina: There are many ways to do this. The aim is to get your name and your book name out there. Creativity is always the answer, insha Allah.

Let us take from the example you gave just now - limited time. Since time is limited, the author must research methods that would give her the highest exposure with the least amount of time. If she has an article, to get the highest exposure to her name, that article must be sent and published at a place where there are lots of readers. If she is going to do a public appearance, that appearance must be at a venue and event when there are a high number of participants. Don't go for the smaller ones. Find the one that would expose you the most. All this takes a lot of thinking and we need to strategize.

The other hindrance you mentioned is inability to travel. In this case, I believe we must capitalize on two things - technology and leveraging. I must admit that 60 to 80 percent of my writing and promoting is done on the net. Use that. It is cheap, most of the time free and we can expose our work to the world, insha Allah. And leverage. Find other authors that would want to partner with you in marketing and promoting. If you cannot be there physically, you can take the responsibility to, say, write a press release, email the press and media, identify events and contact the organizers, etc. Basically, you take charge of most of the background work and your partner or partners could do the traveling around promote your book together with their book. You can do bundling too, insha Allah.

Subhan Allah, I truly believe that there are tens if not hundreds of ways to do this. We just have to sit down and think together. Insha Allah, we will succeed.

AB: Do you have any other book projects planned?

Sis Zabrina: Yes, absolutely, alhamdulillah. I have got a few books under Life is an Open Secret series such as Life is an Open Secret for Women, teenagers and others. I am also writing a mini book, insha Allah that contain inspirational words and anecdotes of life.

Other than that, Life is an Open Secret e-book and audio book are in the pipeline, insha Allah.

AB: Jazaki Allahu khayran, Sis Zabrina. May Allah continue to bless your efforts.

Sis Zabrina: Wa eyyakum, insha Allah sister. Ameen to your prayers and may Allah bless us all with His Love, His Blessings, His Mercy and give us success in this world and hereafter, Ameen.

Christine (Amina) Benlafquih is a freelance writer and the current publications officer of the Islamic Writers Alliance. A former publications and public relations director, she lives in Morocco with her husband and six children. Read some of her online work at Arabisto.com and Suite101.com.

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Global Connections

IWA is a U.S. based organization with members from all parts of the globe. Our Spotlight IWA interview subject, Sis Zabrina, is Malay. Here are few facts about her homeland.

Country: Malaysia

Location: Southeast Asia

Bordering Countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines

Population: 27 million

Where Sis Zabrina is from: Kuala Lumpur, the capital

Climate: Tropical

National Language: Malay

Sis Zabina's Languages: Malay, English, Arabic

National Religion: Islam; more than half of Malays are Muslim

Main Exports: natural rubber and palm oil

Example of a Famous Malaysian Dish: Satay (sweet and spicy meat on skewers)

Some of Sis Zabrina's Favorite Foods: Chocolate chip cookies and Magluba (a Palestinian/Jordanian dish)

Malay proverb:

To bend a bamboo, start when it is a shoot.

"Our ancestors had the opportunity to observe their surroundings and gather life lessons from them. One proverb reflected how they had observed the beautiful bamboo trees. Bamboo tress as we all know is very strong and hard. However, they observed that the bamboo shoot (Bamboo shoots are the edible shoots - new bamboo culms that come out of the ground) can be shaped and bent. Hence, they came up with the wonderful Malay proverb that reminds us that if we want to shape something - for example kids, new companies, new culture - we have to start early and not wait until it becomes big."

-- Sis Zabrina

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And Introducing...

Meet Some Other Members of the IWA

Amatullah Abdullah

Amatullah Abdullah is originally from Chennai, India. Her articles have been published in numerous Islamic print and online publications, including Muslims Weekly (USA), The Muslim Weekly (UK), Young Muslim Digest (India), IslamOnline.net, and thetruereligon.org. She enjoys writing about Islam, women rights, children rights, hope and tolerance. She currently works as managing editor of Iqra Newspaper and maintains a blog at http://writerinislam.blogspot.com/.

Amatullah Al-Marwani

Amatullah Al-Marwani, who passed away on April 29, 2005, was a founding member of Islamic Writers Alliance and beloved by her many peers and sisters in Islam. To honor her memory and work, she remains as an honorary member of Islamic Writers Alliance. Sister Amatullah was a California resident, mother, public speaker, teacher, author, web-developer and president of ISLAM in Action. Among the books she wrote are the Zaahir and Jamel the Camel picture books and Star Writers (How to Write Out-of-This-World Islamic Stories). At the time of her death she was employed as a librarian at the Granada Islamic School.

Amel S. Abdullah

Amel S. Abdullah is a freelance writer and editor of Italian-American heritage who enjoys writing about topics of interest to the Muslim community. With the encouragement of her mother, Amel wrote her first (unpublished) book at the age of four and started a home-based magazine catering to bird lovers when she was nine (circulation: 1 family member). She has since had more than sixty articles published in more established magazines, including Al Jumuah, Azizah, and Arab Health. She is a staff writer for California's largest Muslim newspaper (Southern California InFocus), a regular contributor to IslamOnline.net, and the managing editor of Our Rising Star Magazine. When she is not writing, Amel likes reading, drawing, and spending time with her family. Visit her blog for Muslim writers at http://www.muslimwriters.blogspot.com/.

Christine (Amina) Benlafquih

Christine (Amina) Benlafquih is a freelance writer whose work includes articles, opinion pieces, personal essays and occasional fiction and poetry. A former publications and public relations director, she earned a B.A. in Journalism from Duquesne University. Her experiences as an American convert to Islam, both in the United States and in Morocco, serve as inspiration to much of her work. Amina is the current publications officer of the Islamic Writers Alliance and a member of the Muslim American Journalists Association (MAJA). She is a blogger at Arabisto.com and a contributing writer for Suite101.com. Originally from Rochester, NY, she has also lived in Pittsburgh, PA, Washington, DC, and now resides in Casablanca, Morocco with her husband and six children.

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Inside the Industry

News briefs from the world of writing and publishing

Amazon Releases Kindle

E-book buyers have several options for reading their lengthy downloads: read the manuscript on the computer, print out a copy, or purchase an e-book reading device. Now a new contender in the last category comes their way with Amazon's November 2007 release of Kindle, an electronic device which utilizes wireless technology to allow instant access within the U.S. to tens of thousands of titles. (Overseas travelers will be able to download through a USB adaptor.) Kindle's memory is sufficient to store up to 200 books. Other features include the New Oxford American Dictionary and the ability to bookmark pages, highlight passages and write, edit, delete and export notes. Although pricey at $399, Amazon's first offering of Kindle sold out in less than six hours.

Amazon Tightens Grasp on POD Industry

Writers Weekly has been probing accusations that bookseller giant Amazon is trying to monopolize the fledgling print-on-demand (POD) industry. According to underground reports, representatives of Amazon-owned POD publisher BookSurge have been calling customers of other POD publishers, notifying them that their titles' "Buy" buttons on Amazon.com will be disabled if they don't publish with BookSurge. Stay tuned to Writer's Weekly for updates on this evolving story.

HarperTeen Partners with MySpace

Facebook and MySpace have fast become Internet social networking icons, with both sites boasting millions of members each. Not only teens and college students are logging in; career professionals, celebrities and even religious leaders are using the sites to connect with colleagues and peers and reach new audiences. But how's this for marketing savvy? HarperTeen, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, takes the networking trend one step further by teaming up with MySpace to launch its own HarperTeen/MySpace community. Author blogs, message boards and forums are just part of the lure for teen readers, who can create profiles, upload photos and their own creative writing, and take part in polls. Teen members will, of course, be sure to receive steady reminders of the latest HarperTeen titles on the market.

Entertainment Writers Strike Ends

Members of the Writers Guild of America voted February 12 to end their three-month strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. On February 9, the guild's board approved a tentative agreement which allows writers to share in revenue from digital broadcasts. Some 12,000 writers joined the strike, which cost the entertainment industry and the Los Angeles economy about $3.2 billion. A similar strike in 1988 resulted in an entertainment industry loss of 500 million dollars.

Class Action Electronic Copyright Case Suffers the Blues

Writers worldwide expressed disappointment with the precedent set by the recent second circuit court ruling in the landmark class action electronic copyright case: Authors seeking settlement for unauthorized electronic use of their writing unless are not entitled to compensation unless they had previously registered their work with the U.S. Copyright Office. It's a big blow to U.S. writers, who might not find it cost effective to register every piece of writing which appears with their byline.

Photos, Anyone?

It's not just writing that is deliberately or unwittingly distributed on the Internet. The Washington Post reported in January that unauthorized commercial use of personal photographs uploaded to websites has becoming a legal problem as well. Perhaps that's not surprising, but did you know that even the big guys are to blame? Microsoft, Fox, and HBO - all of whom have both the legal counsel available to know better and the money available to pay for professional photography - were some of the companies named in the article.

-- Compiled by Christine (Amina) Benlafquih

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The Tip Off

Writing and Publishing Advice

A Catastrophe Brewing...Under Your By-line!

by Amel S. Abdullah

A pet peeve among many freelance magazine writers is having their work edited and significantly altered before it is published. The worst is when an editor actually inserts a typo or factual error under your by-line. If you have ever experienced this, then keep in mind the following tips that may help you avert a potential catastrophe before it's too late.

Follow the Guidelines

Most publications have a set of guidelines they expect their writers to follow. These include everything from word count to style considerations. It is important to respect an editor's time by following the guidelines closely. If an article is too long, the editor will likely cut it. If it is too short, the editor may add new material. If your writing is too preachy, the editor may decide to change your style. Do not ever think you are above the guidelines; they exist for a reason.

Proofread your Work

Many writers are in such a hurry to finish an assignment that they don't send in their best work. This really shows when an article is filled with typos, awkward sentence structure, illogical ideas, and other problems, leaving an editor no choice but to edit the article so that it becomes fit for publication. Don't give the editor a valid reason to alter your words. Revise and polish your articles until you have done your personal best.

Less is More

Skilled writers will tell you that the secret to good writing is being concise. The next time you write an article, try deleting the first paragraph. Nine times out of ten, you will find that the second paragraph goes straight to the point and makes a better introduction. Find passages where you repeat yourself, and replace them with new ideas or facts. Space is a valuable commodity in print publications, so make sure that every word you write is worth the paper it is printed on.

Leave Time for Revisions

In this deadline-oriented industry, time constraints may leave an editor rushing to proof your article. Do not contribute to this problem by turning in your articles late. Send them in by deadline - or even earlier. Mention that you are available for immediate revisions. This will help ensure a more balanced edit.

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

Do not assume that an editor will show you a revised version of your work before it is published. More often than not, this is something you must request. Editors are busy, but those who are reasonable will honor your preference. If the proposed edits make you cringe, take a deep breath and prioritize your requests for change. Politely point out any glaring errors in the text and negotiate other items of importance. You may need to compromise on some points - or withdraw the article.

Draw the Line

Before writing an angry e-mail to an editor who's changed your work, try to see things from his perspective. Analyze why a particular change may have been made. Is it something that you can accept? Being flexible is a great quality to have and makes you easier to work with. But you don't have to be a doormat, either. Draw the line when an edit harms your personal integrity, puts words in your mouth, or promotes something you don't believe in.

The Aftermath

So, your article was heavily edited and then published before you saw the final draft. Is there anything you can do?

First, take an objective look at the edits and evaluate if they were fair. Did you follow all the guidelines and provide the editor with your best work, or did you send in a jumbled mess of ideas two days before the magazine was to be printed? If needed, write a brief note to the editor and open a polite dialogue concerning the changes. Is heavy editing a policy of theirs, or was there something you could have done better?

Again, it is important to have an open mind. Learn what you can from the editor's response, even if it is not what you want to hear.

What if the editor misspelled someone's name or inserted a factual error into your article? Request that a correction be placed in the next issue. Then do damage control with the people who may have been affected.

Finally, realize that no writer is immune from the editing process. While some editors make changes sparingly, others are, for a variety of reasons, more heavy-handed. This is not necessarily a reflection on you or your writing. With time and more experience writing for magazines, you will find it increasingly easy to negotiate an edit you can feel good about.

Amel Abdullah is a freelance writer and the managing editor of Our Rising Star Magazine.

Visit her blog for Muslim writers at http://www.muslimwriters.blogspot.com.

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can publish your work, visit the Islamic Writers Alliance website.

Book Review

A Review of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

A Web of Debt:

The Tyranny of Promoting

U.S. Economic Interests Abroad

By J. Samia Mair

Book: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

Author: John Perkins

Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

Pub. Date: November 2004

Page count: 250 pages

ISBN-10: 1-57675-301-8; ISBN-13: 978-1-57675-301-9

U.S. Price: $ 24.95 (hardcover)

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins will immediately appeal to conspiracy theorists, but the book should be read by anyone interested in understanding some of the reasons why the world is in the horrific state we now find ourselves.

Perkins exposes in a clear, easily-read style the collaboration among leadership in the U.S. government, World Bank, and some U.S.-dominated international aid agencies, to force other countries to adopt policies that enrich an elite few while wreaking havoc on most everyone else.

Perkins should know. He was an "economic hit man" or EHM as those in the field affectionately call themselves. In the late 1960's, Perkins turned down a job with the National Security Agency (NSA), the U.S.'s largest spy organization at the time, to accept a Peace Corps position in Ecuador. To his surprise, a high-level NSA executive supported his decision telling him, "Loaded with oil [Ecuador]...We'll need good agents there...people who understand the natives. You might end up working for a private company instead of the government." And that's what happened. After the Peace Corps, Perkins accepted a position as an economist with an international consulting firm, whose largest client was the World Bank, thereby beginning his illustrious career as an EHM.

Perkins began writing his tell-all in 1982 to expose a system promoting U.S. commercial interests abroad which he describes as "far more dangerous than [any] conspiracy." He finally finished the book after 9/11, after two decades of threats and bribes. He could no longer "sit idly by" watching EHMs turn the American republic into a global empire.

The system he describes is remarkably simple. By providing false and misleading information, EHMs convince foreign governments of the "wisdom" of taking out enormous loans (trillions of dollars) to develop massive amounts of infrastructure such as electric generating plants, airports, and highways. The loans require that U.S. engineering and construction companies build these projects assuring the companies enormous profits. But profits are not the only, or even main, impetus behind the ruse. The goal is to make a loan that is so large that the recipient government will default on its payments within a few years creating long-term financial dependence and political loyalty. Part of the new payment plan includes: control of UN votes, installation of military bases, and access to valuable resources such as oil.

If the EHMs fail or the strategy does not work for a particular country (i.e., foreign capital is not needed), the so-called "jackals" step in. As the name indicates, they do not mess around. The jackals specialize in overthrowing heads of state or making sure they die in violent "accidents." And if the jackals happen to fail, which they sometimes do (e.g., Afghanistan and Iraq), U.S. military action ensues.

Somberly, Perkins argues that many of us share in the perpetuation of this global empire by believing the myth that "all economic growth benefits humankind, and that the greater the growth, the more widespread the benefits."

Perkins offers a series of what might be described as case studies (e.g., Columbia, Ecuador, Panama, Iraq) to prove his point, which reads like chapters in a U.S. history book, but from a much different perspective. Many readers will find themselves reading for the first time from an inside source what they had always suspected was going on anyway. The realization that one is right offers little comfort especially when the reality appears to be far worse than even a die-hard conspiracy theorist could conceive. Indeed, a subsequent book, A Game As Old As Empire: The Secret World of Economic Hit Men and the Web of Global Corruption, written by other EHMs and investigators provides additional evidence supporting Perkins' claims.

The "corporatocracy" described in Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is insidious, brutal, and diabolical involving willing participants who seem to show no remorse or mercy as they enrich themselves at the expense of thousands and thousands of innocent lives. One cannot finish the book without wondering whether the orchestrators of these policies are full-fledged sociopaths or are simply weak human beings blinded by greed, self-righteousness, and the seduction of power. Either way, the tyranny must end.

J. Samia Mair has degrees from Smith College (BA in geology), University of Pennsylvania Law School (JD), and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (MPH). She has published many articles in public health literature. She currently resides in the Northeastern United States with her husband and two daughters. In addition to raising children at home, she continues to write and edit.

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Reflections

Essays and Flash Non-Fiction

Muhammad - The Guide

by Nazaahah A. Amin

The ominous sky loomed overhead, pregnant with clouds that had the promise of rain. The captain of the ship looked above at the threatening sky and became full of despair. He knew there was no way he could safely guide his crew back to land for he had no compass or map telling him which way to steer the vessel.

This is how my soul would feel if the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not in my life. Just as a compass shows a ship the direction towards land, he shows me the path to righteousness. Without him I would be just as lost as a captain battling the turbulence of the sea. My turbulence would be inward, in my heart and my storm would be my decisions.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent to mankind with nur (light) in his heart. Just as a lighthouse guides a lost captain to shore, he guides me out of the darkness of ignorance into the illumination of knowledge.

When I am in doubt as to what to do, I can always refer back to the seerah (life of the Prophet) and think of what the Prophet did or what he advised his Sahaabah (close friends and companions of the Prophet) to do. He informed them that they were living in days of jahilliyah (ignorance) and that they needed to follow his teachings so they would be forever blessed and saved from Allah's wrath. Fortunately those teachings have been passed down from generation to generation of Muslims and they have ultimately reached me. I feel blessed to be in this religion and to be given a guide that was intended for all mankind. I know that as long as I have my firm faith in this religion and sincerely practice Muhammad's (peace be upon him) teachings, I won't be lost. We will never be lost as a Muslim ummah (nation) because we were given the best example to follow and base our lives on.

I am forever grateful to Allah for sending us one of his most noble creations.

I pray that if I do hit those rocky shores in the sea of life, Muhammad, my guide will show me the way back to the tranquility of Islam.

Nazaahah A. Amin is an aspiring artist/writer/designer. Her most important roles are being a dutiful servant to the Almighty, a grateful wife, and a devoted mother. Art, like writing, has always been her life long passion. In 1997, Nazaahah published her first book, Let's Practice Our Deen. She had a ten year hiatus from publishing and published her next book, Jannah's Story, in 2007. Nazaahah received a degree in Graphic Design in 2003. She currently teaches at the Islamic Community School in Baltimore, Maryland, where she resides with her husband and their young son, Asad.

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Be Considerate to Others

by Sis Zabrina

That day I was in the city and the traffic was horrendous. The city was jam-packed, bumper to bumper all the way. Needless to say, the whole affair was 'patience-testing'. I took one hour for a journey that should only take 10 minutes.

The condition of the traffic was not the only test I had to endure that day. The worst was the ill-mannered drivers.

Yes, you know who I am referring to - the queue cutters and the over-takers! They truly get on my nerves. As I witnessed a few drivers shifting lanes thoughtlessly, with many more trying to cut queues, these questions came into my mind.

Why can't people learn to be less selfish and more considerate towards others? Why can't people learn to respect another's rights and not only think about their own convenience?

If these queue-jumpers would only stay in line, then the traffic would not be congested as such. Granted, there would still be traffic. But at the very least, the queue would still move no matter how slowly.

Haven't these individuals ever thought of the feelings of the people behind the wheels at the back of the lane, spending minutes after minutes crawling, only to see that some rude drivers took the emergency lane and cut the queue to be in front of them?

No matter how small you might think this issue may be, let me show you one reward one potentially could receive with good manners.

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "And what is most likely to send people to Paradise? Being conscious of Allah and good manners." (Sahih Bukhari, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, and Ahmad)

Subhan Allah.

A paradise on one hand, and cutting queue on the other - an easy choice?

Sis Zabrina is the author of Life is an Open Secret. She is a "Life Storyteller" who writes about daily happenings in life, viewed and analyzed from a unique perspective and blended with the Quranic verses and Ahadeeth of the Prophet (peace be upon him) for a solution to illustrate the easiness, simplicity, relevancy and completeness of Islam to today's world. She maintains an active blog at http://wisdomthruwords.blogspot.com.

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Fiction

Short Stories and Flash Fiction

Seize the Moment

by Sabah Negash

Ten to five and still I was not done. Anisa was heading out the door when she yelled over her shoulders, "Don't forget, the show starts at seven."

"I'll be there," I called back.

"That's what you said last time," she grumbled, "and you didn't show. Can't that wait until tomorrow? This night is really important; you have to be there."

"Don't worry, I just have a few more i's to dot and t's to cross," I said, trying to sound convincing and sincere. She looked at me. "Okay, but if you miss my performance I will never forgive you."

"I will be there, I promise."

She blew a kiss and left the room. I smiled to myself. I was quite proud of Anisa. Of all my friends, she was the most quiet, timid and reserved person I had ever known. She had some real self-esteem issues when we first met due to her misfortunate upbringing. But she has changed. Ever since she volunteered at a shelter for homeless kids, she has blossomed. A year ago today, I could not get her to speak in front of our sisters' group, now she's performing on stage for an audience at the Islamic Convention for Women Against Violence!

I quickly delved back into the pile of files on my desk. Obsession with completion and accuracy has always been my problem. I could stay up all night perfecting a perfect document. Now was no different. I was just closing the last file with a smile of achievement when the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Fatimah Abdul Kadir?"

"Yes."

"Are you a friend of Anisa Mahmoud?"

I gasped. "Anisa!" I looked at my watch, ten-thirty. I did it again. Where had the time gone? She'd never forgive me this time.

"Yes, I'm her friend."

The gloom in the speaker's voice began to frighten me. My heart began to race. "Is she okay?" I asked feebly.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but she has been killed in a car accident. We will need you to come and identify her body."

Dead! Anisa was dead! How could that be? I hung up the phone and sank into the couch. Allah have Mercy, I broke a promise. I let her down by not being there for her and now I can't tell her I'm sorry and how proud I was of her for her achievements. Why didn't I seize the moment when I had the chance? How could I let my obsessions occupy me so much that I could not make it to her final performance?

The next day, the papers were filled with praise and sorrow. They told of a promising, guiding light for disadvantaged children of the inner city, which was put out by a drunken driver when he slammed into her car as she was driving home from the Alpha Theater, where she gave a stunning performance. A young lark, she learned to fly - and now she has flown away never to return.

Originally from California, Sabah Negash is a lover of world travel. Her teaching career has provided her with the opportunity to travel and work abroad. It was through her teaching that she came to love writing stories to encourage good morals and character in her students. Her stories are filled with fun, love and role models whom Muslim children can look up to. She also enjoys writing poetry from time to time. Read her blog at http://www.familyshipstories.blogspot.com/.

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Vanished

by S. E. Bhamjee

She sat on the couch. The one by the window. Each time a car swept by, she'd pull the curtain aside. Would it be him?

A tear trickled out from one eye. It slipped down her cheek and touched the corner of her mouth. She licked it away. She could not taste the saltiness. She hadn't been able to for oh so long. He'd taken her senses when he left.

She lay down. Closed her eyes. The images flickered against the blackness of her eyelids with alarming clarity. She saw them argue. Well perhaps argue is not the right word. It was her, all her. Talking, crying, eyes flashing when the tears dried out. HE just sat. His silence more painful than any insult could ever have been.

She twisted words, bent them, spread them. She even poked with them, hoping, hoping…for something.

It never came. The only sound that ended her monologue was that of the door being closed firmly as he stepped into the chilly June air. She saw his breath rise in clouds before his face. Saw it vanish. Saw him vanish.

How long ago had that been?

Three weeks, as the clock struck ten. Three weeks of little sleep. Three weeks of frantic phone calls. No, he wasn't at work. Had called in sick the first week. Now they simply said he'd resigned. No, he wasn't at Umar's. Not at his mother's.

The police had found nothing. As though he had never been. The only sign that remained of his ever having been a part of her life was the cupboard full of his clothes. The neat line of polished shoes in the cupboard that he had made with his own hands some weeks before. And the occasional flutter she felt in her belly as his child reminded her that it still was.

Saaleha Bhamjee writes between having babies and rearing them. She seems to have convinced herself that she can do this thing and is hoping to have a published book to her name in the next lifetime. What's life without hope, right? Visit her blog at http://afrocentric-muslimah.blogspot.com/.

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Poetry

Humility

by Tiel Aisha Ansari

Hats? Oh, not for me; I never care
to cover up my head. I like the feel
of openness, of wind in ruffled hair.
I'm always one who'd rather stand than kneel—
you'd never find me walking at the heel
of someone called a shepherd, called a guide.
Everyone said I had a will of steel
and whispered of my cold cast-iron pride.

It's all gone now, sand fortress in the tide,
the surf came in and washed the beaches clean
and left untrodden silver sands inside
my heart. The rippling hand of wind wrote: Deen.
I kneel now, with covered head, unshod
where turning tides inscribe the Names of God.

Tiel Aisha Ansari is a Sufi, martial artist, and computer programmer living in the Pacific Northwest. Her poetry has appeared in Islamica Magazine as well as several online poetry journals. You can read more of Tiel's writing on her blog at http://knockingfromtheinside.blogspot.com/.

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The Moon is Always Full

by Irving Karchmar

The moon is always full

Our human eyes

See only its phases

Love is always here

Our human heart

Sees only its shadow

Joy is always present

Our human mind

Reasons it away

God is always near

Our human spirit

Knows this without words

O Moon, display your full beauty

to my inner eye

O Love, come into the light that casts

no shadow

O joy, overflow my cup of reason

with your wine

O God, fill me, fill me, fill me

with Your knowing

That my heart may rejoice in You

My eyes may be filled with You

My reason overcome by You

My spirit abound in You

Ameen!

Irving Karchmar is a writer, editor, poet, and darvish of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order since 1992. He is also the author of Master of the Jinn: A Sufi Novel, a mystical adventure tale on the path of love, and writes the popular Darvish blog. He has been published in Islamica Magazine and Sufi Journal, among other publications.

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