Waiting for the results of the nyc mayoral election feels like it’s the presidential election 😩

First Kissinger and now Cheney, Bluesky doesn’t disappoint

Quick Update: I’ve been closed to queries since Sept and I’ve responded to all queries by then with a final decision or an expected timeframe for when you will receive one. If you sent a query/didn’t get a reply, please resend it when I open on December 5.

Fashionably late to Blue Sky but sharing nonetheless! This novel is incredibly informative on how muslims were spied on post 9/11 and the implications it had (and continues to have) on community trust and immigration.

Channeling all my feelings of rage and helplessness at what is happening to mi gente right now into a VERY special new poetry collection. Stay tuned.

I’ll be taking (and providing live feedback for) one-on-one pitches at the 2025 Online Pittsburgh Writing Workshop on May 9-10! Sign up before slots fill up! pittsburghwritingworkshop.com

School library update! We’ve almost filled an entire bookshelf at my school for unaccompanied migrant children. They are thrilled to have new books to read (in 8 different languages!) 📚 Thank you all SO MUCH for your kindness and generosity 🙏🏼

I’ll be opening to queries starting April 15! If you sent a query between December and now, you’ll have to resubmit for a response. Can’t wait to read the great work you all have!

Hate to say it but this novel about infiltrating Muslim/activist communities is relevant as ever and is still open for editors to grab it. Can share details over email!

Just letting the publishing universe know it’d be great to have ✨good news✨ for my clients in Ramadan (March)

Exciting things are happening!

Hoping it’s not AI, but I’ve seen an uptick in book proposals for fiction work instead of the manuscript when a query comes in. Please don’t do that. Only nonfiction needs a proposal, and I don’t take nonfiction either

Announcement! All the practical stuff in #kidlit publishing, coming up 3/16 + 3/18! Join me for a jam-packed 2-night course covering everything from book types to contracts and the publishing process—plus a chance to ask your pressing questions! More details: tinyurl.com/mtadfe5u Please repost.

A reminder that fiction — books, film, games, what have you — is always political. The willful absence of “politics” in any work is itself a political choice and a political act. Who gets to tell (and sell) stories is political. It might be an undercurrent — covert, not overt. But it’s there.

I’m currently closed to general queries but I’ll be taking one-on-one live pitches at the 2025 San Diego Writing Workshop (virtual) on February 7-8. Hope to see you there! sandiegowritingworkshop.com

I’m on sub again for my picture book, Jaci and the Jaguar: The Legend of Yerba Mate 🧉 FRY BREAD x CHANG’E ON THE MOON The Guaraní moon spirit risks it all to descend to earth for one day. Confronted by the Amazon’s fiercest hunter, she is saved by a young boy. How can she reward his generosity?

I’m closed to queries as of Dec 1 and will reopen sometime early next year. Queries sent to me will be deleted, unread. I may solicit in pitch events or via liking an “agent’s guide” post but otherwise, please send your query when I’m open next year! Thanks!

It’s my one year Agentversary with @atifabooks.bsky.social 🥳 I couldn’t have asked for a better, more supportive literary agent. Thanks for taking a chance on me, Atifa!

Learning about a white journalist wearing a hijab and trying to get muslims to talk about Hamas on the same day my client’s novel about informants in the Muslim community received a pass is just crazy. This has never been fiction for us and is *exactly* why these stories need to be published.

Closing to queries at the end of the month (before things get busy for me near the new year)! My mswl is always MG/YA SFF!!

Did some health insurance math and I overspent $1200 this year because I was on the wrong plan…yall know what I coulda done with that much money?? 😩

Everyone tells you to “stick to one genre” and “make it more commercial,” but here I am writing poetry, prose, and picture books in THREE languages and one of those books sold in less than a week on sub. There will always be people out there who support your work and want to read it. Don’t give up!

I take this back, the year hasn’t ended yet and good news can still arrive! 🙂‍↕️

It’s always great to get an author-signed copy!! If you’re in Brooklyn, Abdullah Yousef is signing books at the Windsor Terrace Library today from 2-4pm!

In happier news, I finally got a mug made with my Publishers Marketplace deal report! ☕️

Clara’s ability with words—and her messages here—is fire. I’m very fortunate to be her agent 🥹

Oh this was not it

Eid Mubarak!!

Nothing but good news for 2024, God willing 💜

When you’re happy to hate on a community, you aren’t allowed to claim to be a champion of said community. Like ever.

✨🎉 I AM AGENTED!!! 🎉✨ So excited to announce that I am now represented by @authoratifa.bsky.social at Crescent Literary ✨ I couldn’t have asked for a better champion for my words than Atifa! I’m proud to be the newest member of the “A-Team!”

Bluesky passed the vibe check tonight

Introducing myself: -Bengali/Bangldeshi American -Env Scientist, water focus -Author of Sitara, Lady of the Lotus (Winter 2024) -Junior Agent at Crescent Literary, acquiring MG+YA SFF