International Women's Day: Meet The Trailblazing Women Shattering Barriers In 'Literary' Sense

Women are dominating the literary scene! At the Gala Opening of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the 2025 recipients of the First Chapter ELF Seddiqi Writers' Fellowship were announced, marking a triumphant moment for up-and-coming literary talent.

Now in its fourth year, this renowned program—unique in the region for its alignment with international standards—provides a life-changing opportunity for aspiring fiction writers working on their debut novels in Arabic or English.

Out of nearly 100 submissions, 10 exceptional voices were selected to receive personalised mentorship from globally published authors, participate in intensive workshops, and gain privileged insights from publishing industry experts. And the icing on the cake? Every single winner this year is a woman!

For these writers, the fellowship is more than a stepping stone; it's a potential gateway to an international publishing deal. I had the privilege of learning from six of this year's winners, who shared what this recognition means to them and the dreams it ignites for their literary journeys.

Ahlam Jahaf

1. Can you share the moment you realized you wanted to pursue a career in writing and literature?

I've loved reading since I was young, and that passion deeply influenced my desire to write. For me, writing is a powerful way to express thoughts and emotions while helping others make sense of life. It began with jotting down my diaries and personal reflections, then evolved into crafting articles on topics that sparked my curiosity.

2. What role did the Emirates Literature Festival play in your journey as a writer, and how has it influenced your career?

The Emirates Literature Festival has opened incredible doors for me. It's a platform to connect with publishers and literary agents, engage with a vibrant literary community, and learn from renowned writers through shared experiences. The workshops have honed my skills, and the exchange of ideas with fellow writers has been invaluable.

3. How do you think your background and culture have shaped your writing style and the themes you explore in your work?

My cultural background profoundly shapes my writing. The proverbs I grew up with, along with the traditions of my country and family, leave a distinct mark on my work. They influence not only my style but also the lens through which I view the world and its events.

4. Winning an award at the Emirates Literature Festival is a significant achievement. How has this recognition impacted you?

Absolutely, this achievement has been transformative. It's boosted my confidence, opened doors to prominent publishing houses, and brought attention to my future projects. It's a milestone that reinforces my commitment to writing.

5. Who are some of your literary influences, and how have they inspired your writing?

I draw inspiration from a wide range of literary figures—I read voraciously, and every unique voice moves me. I'm particularly captivated by writers who use striking metaphors and compelling narratives that stir deep emotions and provoke philosophical reflection.

6. What advice would you give to emerging writers who aspire to achieve success in the literary world?

My biggest advice is to never stop reading—explore all kinds of works and authors. Don't mimic others; find your own voice and style. Attend writing workshops, and make writing a daily habit. Persistence and authenticity are key.

Ellie Salkeld

1. Can you share the moment you realized you wanted to pursue a career in writing and literature?

I've always written, especially children's stories, but six years ago, something clicked. I read a celebrated children's book and thought, "I could do that!"—a wildly arrogant notion in hindsight. Around the same time, I became a teaching assistant at RGS School in Dubai, and the stories children shared daily fueled my ambition to turn writing into a career.

2. What role did the Emirates Literature Festival play in your journey as a writer, and how has it influenced your career?

The Emirates Literature Festival was central to my writing plan—I'm a planner by nature. My original (naive) goal was to write a brilliant book, submit it to the ELF competition, win, and rake in millions. Six years later, reality has tempered that dream, but I'm thrilled to have won a piece of it. I've entered every ELF competition—deadlines keep me disciplined—and the festival's courses and events have been a goldmine of inspiration and advice.

3. How do you think your background and culture have shaped your writing style and the themes you explore in your work?

My novel explores a teenager's quest for identity and self-acceptance—a universal theme I've seen in young people across 30 years of living and working globally. My early career in humanitarian disaster response sparked my fascination with nature's destructive power, a core idea in my book. My style blends these experiences with humor, which I find essential to life.

4. Winning an award at the Emirates Literature Festival is a significant achievement. How has this recognition impacted you?

I'm still processing it! This win motivates me to seize every opportunity and write more despite my busy work and family life. It's also inspired me to give back—I'm launching a creative writing club at school and can't wait to connect with the ELF Fellowship community to support its growth, especially around the 2025 theme of 'community.'

5. Who are some of your literary influences, and how have they inspired your writing?

I'm inspired by everything—books, films, even reality TV. As a young reader, Alan Garner and Arthur C. Clarke captivated me; later, P.G. Wodehouse and John Irving shaped my love for humor. Arabic poetry in translation stirs my soul, while Kafka and Ibsen awe me with their brevity. Modern children's and YA authors like Elle McNicoll, S.F. Said, Marcus Sedgwick, Nazima Pathan, and Philippa Dunn teach me worldbuilding and speculative storytelling. The rise of female authors breaking barriers also drives me.

6. What advice would you give to emerging writers who aspire to achieve success in the literary world?

Write and read relentlessly—writing is a muscle that grows with practice. Follow ELF and online writing communities for support, and enter the ELF-Seddiqi First Chapter competition as often as you can. Don't chase perfection in your first draft—just finish it. It won't be flawless, but it has to exist, so start now!

Habiba Tahir

1. Can you share the moment you realized you wanted to pursue a career in writing and literature?

It wasn't one defining moment but a gradual pull. I've written stories since I was five, and whenever I drifted away, life nudged me back. Eventually, I saw it was more than a hobby and took a leap of faith, abandoning my education and career path for writing full-time. Wins like this fellowship make that risk feel worth it.

2. What role did the Emirates Literature Festival play in your journey as a writer, and how has it influenced your career?

Writing can feel isolating—endless research, drafting, and battling writer's block. But the Emirates Literature Festival reignited my passion. Meeting authors, agents, and readers reminded me why I started: to tell stories. Connecting with my fellow mentees and others chasing the same dream has been incredibly motivating.

3. How do you think your background and culture have shaped your writing style and the themes you explore in your work?

I come from a collectivist culture but value individuality, so my stories often explore group conflicts in unique settings—like mythical islands—across genres like thrillers and sci-fi. My engineering background sharpens my plotting and planning, giving my narratives structure and precision.

4. Winning an award at the Emirates Literature Festival is a significant achievement. How has this recognition impacted you?

The ELF Seddiqi Fellowship confirmed I'm on the right path. I used to shy away from calling myself a writer—how do you explain a 90,000-word project that takes years? Now, I embrace it. The long hours rewriting feel validated, and this win drives me to finish my novel.

5. Who are some of your literary influences, and how have they inspired your writing?

I devoured Agatha Christie's mysteries growing up and adore Ted Chiang's work. Books like Neverwhere and Dune shape my style. These authors inspire me by taking genres and infusing them with their distinct voices—something I strive for in my own writing.

6. What advice would you give to emerging writers who aspire to achieve success in the literary world?

Seek out writing communities—they offer tips, feedback, and motivation to start or finish your novel. They'll connect you to competitions and keep your storytelling disciplined. Above all, being around writers feeds your soul and keeps you going.

Rend Beiruti

1. Can you share the moment you realized you wanted to pursue a career in writing and literature?

It's hard to pinpoint a single moment. Every day, small sparks—like reading a book I love or jotting down an idea—reinforce my desire to write. That longing has been with me for as long as I can remember.

2. What role did the Emirates Literature Festival play in your journey as a writer, and how has it influenced your career?

The festival's very existence is a beacon for writers in the region, inviting us to persist. It's an inspiring force, uniting diverse voices from around the world, and I'm endlessly grateful for its presence and impact.

3. How do you think your background and culture have shaped your writing style and the themes you explore in your work?

My background and the cities I've lived in are woven into my work—sometimes as themes, sometimes as characters. I blend these roots with influences from other writers, art forms, and fields, aiming to capture the vibrancy of my culture in my stories.

4. Winning an award at the Emirates Literature Festival is a significant achievement. How has this recognition impacted you?

It's both a validation and a responsibility. I'm excited to honor my mentors and loved ones by making the most of this opportunity and pushing my writing further.

5. Who are some of your literary influences, and how have they inspired your writing?

Too many to list, but Arundhati Roy, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and Toni Morrison stand out. Their words are magic, and their storytelling mastery is what I aspire to achieve.

6. What advice would you give to emerging writers who aspire to achieve success in the literary world?

Read endlessly—it's the foundation of everything. Immerse yourself in stories, and let them fuel your own.

Shalaka Paradkar

1. Can you share the moment you realized you wanted to pursue a career in writing and literature?

Reading and writing were joys of my childhood, encouraged by my parents and teachers. But I wasn't sure about a writing career, so I studied architecture instead. After practicing briefly, I realized my heart wasn't in blueprints—it was in words. I switched to journalism, and writing has guided me ever since, no matter the detours.

2. What role did the Emirates Literature Festival play in your journey as a writer, and how has it influenced your career?

The Emirates LitFest has been a constant in my Dubai life. As a journalist, I've interviewed its notable guests; as a parent, I've watched my kids thrive in its workshops and competitions. It's an inspiring platform that fosters a storytelling community. The Emirates Literature Foundation's year-round support, especially through the ELF Seddiqi Fellowship, has given me coaching, industry access, and the confidence to claim my voice as a writer.

3. How do you think your background and culture have shaped your writing style and the themes you explore in your work?

Growing up in Bombay (now Mumbai), I was steeped in mythology, Bollywood, literature, and oral tales. Visits to Strand Book Stall with my father are cherished memories. Living in cosmopolitan Mumbai and now multicultural Dubai has shaped my worldview, infusing my writing with diverse perspectives and values.

4. Winning an award at the Emirates Literature Festival is a significant achievement. How has this recognition impacted you?

It was an unexpected turn! As a journalist, I'd honed my craft, but this win emboldened me as an aspiring author. My mentor, Greg Mosse, has been instrumental in refining my voice. Best of all, joining the ELF Fellowship community of supportive storytellers has been invaluable.

5. Who are some of your literary influences, and how have they inspired your writing?

My parents and teachers sparked my love for words. My father's bookshelf—rescued from Partition—introduced me to Steinbeck, Naipaul, Maugham, Han Suyin, and Austen. My brothers added Wodehouse and Ludlum. Through my daughter, Anyka, I've explored BookTok and Madeline Miller. Favorites like Arundhati Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri, Ruskin Bond, Vikram Seth, William Dalrymple, and Amitav Ghosh move me deeply—I'd love to evoke even a sliver of their impact.

6. What advice would you give to emerging writers who aspire to achieve success in the literary world?

I'm not published yet, but I've learned this: don't obsess over a perfect first draft—just get the story down, as our mentor Annabel Kantaria advises. Read voraciously—it fuels you through writing's solitude. Most importantly, tell the stories only you can; we need fresh, diverse voices in fiction.

Shylin Sam

1. Can you share the moment you realized you wanted to pursue a career in writing and literature?

Writing has been with me forever—at 10, I stapled pages into "books" about a girl solving crimes. That love for storytelling grew through my teens and twenties, but winning a national short story competition in my mid-twenties made me see writing as a viable path.

2. What role did the Emirates Literature Festival play in your journey as a writer, and how has it influenced your career?

I'm new to the program, but its impact is already huge. Meeting world-class writers at the festival and discussing my work-in-progress with them has been a thrill. My talented cohort inspires me daily—their energy is contagious.

3. How do you think your background and culture have shaped your writing style and the themes you explore in your work?

My horror stories draw heavily from the folklore of Kerala, India, where I grew up. Its rich myths—full of eerie, alluring creatures—fascinate me. I use these tales to craft modern, socially relevant narratives that explore complex ideas.

4. Winning an award at the Emirates Literature Festival is a significant achievement. How has this recognition impacted you?

The ELF Seddiqi Fellowship gave me the courage to call myself a writer—something I'd hesitated to do. While we don't need validation to claim that title, this win has lifted my confidence and quieted my self-doubt.

5. Who are some of your literary influences, and how have they inspired your writing?

As a horror writer, I look to Edgar Allan Poe, Shirley Jackson—whose atmosphere mastery I admire—and Daphne du Maurier. Modern authors like Grady Hendrix (horror-comedy), T. Kingfisher, Jamison Shea (social horror), and Silvia Moreno-Garcia shape my style and approach to the genre.

6. What advice would you give to emerging writers who aspire to achieve success in the literary world?

Read widely—across genres—to find your voice. Experiment with ideas and styles, and if you're writing commercial fiction, study story structure. Keep pushing; your unique perspective is your strength.