Imminent August Arrival: Sara Hamdan's Optimistic Novel Set to Lift Spirits This Season
Ready to Launch: Debut Novel by Sara Hamdan
Sara Hamdan, a passionate wordsmith with a penchant for fiction, couldn't ignore the call of the written word back in 2015. She's no stranger to the corporate world, having worked as a banker at Merrill Lynch, dabbling in tech at Google, and gracing the pages of numerous high-profile publications. But it was her love for crafting compelling tales that truly seized her heart.
"I yearned for a book brimming with robust, Arab female leads, void of politics or despair. So, I penned one myself," Hamdan candidly admits, speaking about her first novel, What Will People Think.
This captivating work, poised to hit bookshelves in a week, introduces Mia, an intriguing protagonist, a young Palestinian American woman, who doubles as a stand-up comedian in the bustling NYC scene.
"The narrative unfolds as a hilarious quest for love and cultural identity," Hamdan elaborates. "Striving to steer clear of political discourse, it aims to be heartfelt, amusing, and thought-provoking."
Born to Palestinian parents in Greece, Hamdan now makes her home in Dubai, where she resides with her spouse and two kids. Her fascination with theatrical arts during her college years at Berkeley fueled her love for penning characters that remain etched in memory.
"I poured my soul into crafting Mia as a character who dances on the precipice of self-discovery, yearning for acceptance while holding on to her unique identity," Hamdan shares. "Her nuanced contradictions and emotional depth come to life best through humor. I ardently believe in comedy's power to bring people together. Mia's struggles and emotional depth provide the humor its substance."
Venturing into the publishing world is no walk in the park. Overcoming competition and the sting of rejection isn't for the faint-hearted. But Hamdan persevered.
"Two manuscripts gathered dust while languishing in a drawer alongside agent rejection letters, when fortunes finally started to change," she recounts. "Snagging prestigious awards for shorter pieces paved the way for agent interest. I simply kept writing. Eventually, something struck a chord. The self-doubt and rejections are all part of the creative process. If they deter you from writing, then writing isn't for you—that's the cold, hard truth. Yet, I've had my fair share of emotional outbursts in the shower after an email shattered my dreams."
Winning a coveted Netflix UK award and an esteemed Emirates Literature Foundation fellowship for a year-long program transformed Hamdan from an unheard writer craving any agent's attention to a sought-after talent.
"Write, write, write—that's the sole mantra. Write daily to hone your craft and remember your passion for it," Hamdan advises. "Ignore the noise around you—those who didn't make it, those who fail to grasp your ideas, or label writing a mere 'hobby.' The dedication springs from within."
Links:LinkedIn: [Link]Website: [Link]Editorial Standards: [Link]Forbes Accolades: [Link]
Enrichment Insights:Sara Hamdan is a Palestinian American author, recognized for her debut novel "What Will People Think?". Her novel explores themes of identity, family secrets, and personal expression, through the character of Mia Almas, a wallflower office worker moonlighting as a New York City's underground comedy club performer. Hamdan's novel is published by Henry Holt & Co. and is set for release in May 2025. Her work is being keenly anticipated, as evidenced by its inclusion in several new release lists. Hamdan participates in literary events, including a discussion of her novel at the Harvard Book Store. Her journey to publication likely involved stages such as manuscript development, finding a publisher, and pre-publication marketing, contributing to the growing representation of diverse voices in literature, particularly for Palestinian American voices.
- Sara Hamdan, author of "What Will People Think", a captivating new love story set for release in May 2025, offers insights on her writing journey and the novel's development.
- A former banker and tech worker, Hamdan utilizes her diverse background in crafting compelling characters and narratives, with a focus on strong Arab female leads in her fiction.
- In addition to her debut novel, Hamdan is active on social media, sharing updates on her writing process, upcoming literary events, and personal lifestyle, blurring the lines between fashion-and-beauty, entertainment, and books.
