This is my first post and it’s about the delay in my book’s release. That’s right. NOURA’S CRESCENT MOON is coming out on April 16th now God Willing. Dates change due to many valid factors. Sometimes authors have to wait another year (or more- GULP!) for their releases.
There’s an interesting reason for the change in my book’s release date. I might share it one day. It’s a story of its own that is seeped deep in politics and Cape Hope plays its part. Yup. Hope. That feeling I have for my book right now.
I am grateful for my lovely agent Stephanie Fretwell-Hill at Red Fox Literary and my fabulous editor, Mary Lee Donovan (and the amazing Candlewick Press team I know of- Juan Botero and Laura Rivas). Without their encouragement and belief in NOURA’S CRESCENT MOON (and the talented Nabila Adani), my book wouldn’t be here.
I must give a special shout out to my incredible critique partners. They are my cheerleaders. My fall backs. My go to people for anything. Aimee Haburjak is my bff and critique partner. She told me to write my religious and cultural stories. She showed me how to weave the heart into a book. Without Edna Cabcabin Moran, I wouldn’t have picked up on the details in the rough illustrations and seen the whole picture.
A final shout out goes out to my family for their ever enduring patience and support and to everyone else I’ve forgotten to mention.
This journey has taught me the value of cheering everyone. To raise everyone up. That is why I am donating a portion of my proceeds to Givelight.org. This charity has aided 1000 orphans around the globe. They have supported single mothers, provided orphans with beautiful homes to live in, and given them a chance to be successful adults in society through even a college education.
Spread the light!
Warmly,
Zainab
