Not writers getting motivated by a deadline (the participation rate was 54% a short while ago) Anyway the participation rate in most class action suits averages much lower, apparently, but most class action suits are not about people’s livelihood.

My latest for @markaz-review.bsky.social "In Paradiso 17, Sufien’s life — his travels and exploits — is the plot, and Assadi uses a clever technique to move the narrative forward in circular fashion: Each chapter title is also the final line of the chapter."

In my experience, this kind of “intensification” was already happening without AI. US work culture rewards reactionary responsiveness and the individual grind more than careful thought and collaboration

For Eid, we get the Washington Post publishing a hit piece on Zohran Mamdani by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. My response: الله اكبر

New story set in the golden era of Egyptian cinema 🌴🇪🇬 www.kwelijournal.org/fiction/2026...

Going to AWP for the first time next week. Will be commuting 40+ minutes each way to Balt up I-95 each day. Writers, give me other bad advice for surviving the massive lit conference.

Loved her suspense and was obsessed with the Merlin books.

Book criticism is not dead. This review by Layla AlAmmar nearly moved me to tears. themarkaz.org/art-and-disi...

"The plight of the Post is simply the inevitable result of journalism under a corporate structure. ... With the death of traditional media outlets comes an opportunity for the birth of new ones, built on a healthier business model." Amen

Another Ramadan essay. Across the Ummah, Gaza is always on our minds. @alaaalqaisis.bsky.social arablit.org/2026/02/19/r...

In honor of Ramadan, here's one of my favorite articles about fasting. I may share a few others over the month. "Being hungry is clarifying. It forces a kind of focus." www.nytimes.com/2019/05/21/s...

Looks so cute, and perfect if you’ve ever wanted a residency that could include a visit to the John Waters Restrooms at the Baltimore Museum of Art …

"A consumer is a person whose preëxisting tastes you strive to satisfy over and over; a reader is someone you hope to change, convince, and surprise." Must-read explanation by Becca Rothfeld of what we are losing with Book World's shuttering: www.newyorker.com/books/page-t...

If The Post is going to stop covering the things that matter to me, as a resident of the DMV, the US, and the world, then ... I finally cancelled my subscription, guys.

For those looking for freelance work in the wake of WaPo layoffs: I'm an editor at large overseeing Ideas & Culture at Bloomberg, including our Books coverage. Find me at [email protected]

So The Post is becoming The Hill? Is that what’s happening?

Baltimore and environs people: see you at the Mess & Friction Reading tonight?

As a novelist I say: It was also a career high for me to have my debut novel reviewed at the Post. As someone who’s reviewed books: Book criticism is being kept alive by smaller, scrappier publications. @markaz-review.bsky.social @thenewarab.bsky.social

New reporting on AI cos. theft of copyrighted material. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...

It's cold, you're stuck inside, and you need something to read. Here are some #Kindle deals! Nothing over $2.99 w/ works by @emanquotah.bsky.social, @stephenking.bsky.social, @gwendolynkiste.bsky.social, @spookywv.bsky.social, @tananarivedue.bsky.social, & more! #ad #booksky amzn.to/3Kj4Uoq

Happening soon in the DMV! 1/17, 2pm, A Literary Celebration of Muslim American Heritage Month, Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library with Authors Eman Quotah and Majda Gama @emanquotah.bsky.social @mcpllibraries.bsky.social #poetry #fiction #DMV REGISTER: mcpl.events/muslim-american

Who needs book reviews? My novel has been beadazzled. 🪩

Doing some local events this month. Please come! A Literary Celebration of Islamic Heritage Month W/ @majda.bsky.social 2 pm 1/17 McGee Library Silver Spring mcpl.libnet.info/event/15369848 @theinnerlooplit.bsky.social January Reading 7 pm 1/20 Shaw’s Tavern DC www.eventbrite.com/.../the-inne....

Looking for a scary read to distract you from 🌎🧨? The Kindle version of my second novel is on sale this month for $2.99. #horrorbooks #folkhorror

Stay tuned for the latest episode of America’s Got Autocracy

The only Venezuelan-Americans I know are in a husband & wife rock & roll band called Teen Cobra. They were able to flee while younger and on college programs. Let’s center Venezuelans today and not just the expected cheerleaders of regime change. Let’s hear from the artists. youtu.be/kAnrEDC2xn4?...

"Mamdani walks in an older Jewish tradition. Not that of ritzy Upper East Side synagogues, but of so many of our great-grandparents: the socialist sweatshop workers who fought for a better and more beautiful world." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

This will work 😂🙃😆

Just delighted to be on the Washington Unbound list of recommended books for winter 2025-2026 in poetry! If you’re looking for your next read you’ll find fiction and nonfiction here as well. #DMVWriters www.washington-unbound.com/bookreviews/...

Hey, hey, novelists and aspiring novelists: I'm teaching novel revising in the spring. Sign up! www.litcleveland.org/classes-work...

I posted about AI on LinkedIn and got way more views and comments than my posts usually do there. 😱 So now I'm here looking for people talking about whatever the opposite of AI is ...

A new #fallforthebook Podcast has dropped. Poet Majda Gama discusses her new collection In the House of Modern Upbringing for Girls. It spans growing up in the Saudi Arabia, her time in the DC Punk scene, and the power of music in her work. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i... @majda.bsky.social

One of my favorite classes to teach, one of my most popular classes with students. I’ll stuff your brain so full of info, you’ll feel like you ate a million brain burritos. writer.org/event/book-p...

F*&^, I missed that Tom Stoppard died over the weekend. RIP to a wordsmith extraordinaire.

new & restocked horror now available at b&n sioux falls!

Join me and Amy Freeman of @thewriterscenter.bsky.social tonight at 7pm, online! #horrorwriters #horrorbooks writer.org/event/eman-q...

As.someone who used to work in advocacy communications, I know this kind of data from companies is part of a communications and lobbying strategy. Nothing necessarily wrong with that, but it's not neutral data created for research, to build knowledge, or to inform the American people.

the other thing about this is that there is no reason to pit these candidates against each other? each are good fits for their respective electorates and each shows the value of vigorous campaigns focused on the stated material problems of voters.

"Among Asian adults [in the U.S.], 29% of Democrats have hidden their culture from others, compared with 9% of Republicans."—Pew Research Center, 2023 Puts the audacity of Zohran Mamdani's authenticity into perspective, eh? (this says nothing about _Muslim_ Asian Americans in R spaces)

From a fun q&a about my new book: If you could only describe your novel in five words, what would they be? Creepy, atmospheric, and weirdly fun. What can readers expect? Readers can expect a feminist fable about violence, paranoia, and perfumery. thenerddaily.com/eman-quotah-...

See you tonight? At @solidstatebooksdc.bsky.social on H St, 7 pm sharp. I'll be discussing my new book, THE NIGHT IS NOT FOR YOU, with @verakurian.bsky.social #literaryDMV

My 80-something-year-old uncle writes text messages like they're letters. I really miss letters. 📧

Heck of a week for books! Look at these lovelies from #JihyunYun, @upfromsumdirt.bsky.social & @emanquotah.bsky.social

THE NIGHT IS NOT FOR YOU is out! This spooky novel is inspired by folk traditions of the Arabian Peninsula and the Maldives, rural SW Saudi, psychological suspense, and our effed up world. @orbitbooks.bsky.social @headlinebooks.bsky.social @wildfirebooks.bsky.social @hachetteaudio.bsky.social

Fright Girl fall! What a cool collection of books to be a part of.

TFW you're less than a week from publication #thenightisnotforyou

Build your @spookyseason TBR with these #horror new releases: @emotrophywife.bsky.social @markwaddell.bsky.social @jennykiefer.com @angelaslatter.bsky.social @johnhornor.bsky.social @christaqua.bsky.social @emanquotah.bsky.social @kaychronister.bsky.social @pickyourpotions.bsky.social

I got some fantastic #bookmail at work today!! Both of these came from @orbitbooks.bsky.social from the new Run For It imprint!! Thank you so much!! I’m so excited to read these books by Beatrice Winifred Iker and @emanquotah.bsky.social they sound so good!! #books

Alhamdulillah!