Hazawi Podcast

Every aspiring writer will question whether they should self-publish their book or go through the traditional publishing route. In this episode, I speak to the poet F.S. Yousaf, who has experienced both self-publishing and traditional publishing, as he shares the advantages and disadvantages of both worlds. We also delve into the world of poetry, discussing his writing process, routine, photography, social media and much more.
F.S. Yousaf is the author of four poetry books and has a background in teaching. Currently, he dedicates his time to writing full-time.
Enjoy!
Timestamps:
0:00 Promo
1:07 Yousaf background
3:50 When poetry were born
14:40 Immigrant parents and children’s dreams
26:50 Art, making money, and social media
44:52 Self publishing
49:39 Self vs Traditional Publishing
1:00:50 Audience after publishing
1:02:20 Writing full time, process
1:14:04 Film cameras and photography
🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUSAF
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fs.yousaf
Website: https://www.fsyousaf.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fs.yousaf/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fsyousaf_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fs.yousaf
🔗 CONNECT WITH HAZAWI
Join our newsletter: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HazawiStories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HazawiStories
Website: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast/
📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED
Serenity: Poems: https://amzn.to/3OwL5Nb
Euphoria: https://amzn.to/3YcNsrR
Sincerely: https://amzn.to/43Mlg0a
Prayers of My Youth: https://amzn.to/3YdPUyr
🎙️ABOUT THE PODCAST
Hazawi Podcast demystifies the writing and publishing process. It’s for emerging writers who want to improve their writing, discover the roadmap to publishing their work, and explore diverse writing careers.
🤝LEAVE A REVIEW
If you enjoyed this episode give the podcast a 5-star review on Spotify to be part of its growth
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hazawi-podcast/id1645790556
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9
🙏Thank you for listening and keep on creating.

The stories we read during our childhood, the places we visit, and the challenges we overcome are all the bedrock of our upbringing; they shape our adulthood. In this episode, I speak to Jasmine Bager about her experience as a Saudi journalist, her upbringing, education, and writing on arts and culture. During our conversation, we uncover the inspirational stories that have shaped Jasmine's journey.
Jasmine Bager is a journalist from Saudi Arabia. She has an art degree, and she writes about women and the arts with a focus on the Middle East. She was one of the first Saudis to earn a degree from Columbia Journalism School. Her work has appeared in TIME, BBC, Refinery29, and Architectural Record.
Enjoy!
Timestamps:
0:00 Promo
1:04 What is Hazawi?
2:09 Jasmine's Upbringing
12:33 Imitating Other Writers
15:00 How to Find Your Writing Style
16:08 Who Does Jasmine Write for (Audience)
17:23 How to Make Your Writing Fit the Magazine You Submit to
25:34 How Much You Should Put Online About Yourself
29:04 What Makes A Journalism Piece Successful
33:10 Structuring Stories
36:27 Where to Find Stories
42:38 Finding a Writing Community
47:53 What Does Jasmine Hopes Readers Feel
50:56 Advice for Young Writers
🔗 CONNECT WITH JASMINE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminebager/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JasmineBager?s=20
🔗 CONNECT WITH HAZAWI
Join our newsletter: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/newsletter
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HazawiStories
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HazawiStories
Website: https://www.mohamedsmorshed.com/tag/podcast/
🎙️ABOUT THE PODCAST
Hazawi Podcast demystifies the writing and publishing process. It’s for emerging Muslim writers who want to improve their writing, discover the roadmap to publishing their work, and explore diverse writing careers.
🤝LEAVE A REVIEW
If you enjoyed this episode give the podcast a 5-star review on Spotify to be part of its growth
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hazawi-podcast/id1645790556
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4LOnODlp3DVg6Fa2Nos5aS?si=348a0222e8f94fb9
🙏Thank you for listening and keep on creating.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Husam Kaid, who is an accomplished activist, and avid reader. We started our conversation by discussing the impact of childhood television shows and how they shaped our upbringing in Yemen. He also shared his reading and note-taking strategies, and his favorite books. I found our conversation to be insightful and thought-provoking, and I'm confident you will too. So sit back, relax, and enjoy my conversation with Husam as we explore his diverse background and his journey to becoming the person he is today
To get the latest updates, podcasts, blog posts, and other cool things, sign up for Mohamed's weekly newsletter, Increments: https://www.mohamedthewriter.com/#/portal/
Thank you for listening and keep on creating!
Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:18 What is Hazawi?
00:03:45 Childhood Shows and Perception
00:10:15 Moving to the US
00:19:55 How We Met
00:25:08 Take the Train to Read and First Book Husam Read
00:28:36 Introduction to Book Reading and Current Reads
00:33:41 Type of Books Husam Likes to Read
00: 35:01 Favorie Poet
00:36:15 Most Recommended Book
00:38:04 Note Taking Techneq and Information Retention
00:46:00 Mohamed's Note-Taking Techniq
Books:
Orientalism: https://amzn.to/3IoB1Tv
Covering Islam: https://amzn.to/3XvkiCj
The Question of Palestine: https://amzn.to/3YzmWZ2
(مائة من عظماء أمة الإسلام غيّروا مجرى التاريخ)
One hundred great people of Islam changed the course of history: https://amzn.to/3IlPVKe
Social Media:
Hazawi:
Website: https://www.mohamedthewriter.com/
Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/hazawipodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hazawipodcast
Follow Husam:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/husam_khaled/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Husam_Khaled1

My guest in this episode is Priyanka Taslim. She is a teacher by day and a writer by night. She began as a fantasy writer before writing young adult romance fiction. In the podcast, we talk about her experience as a young writer, and her emphasis on writing Bangladeshi characters, which she didn’t grow up reading. She has a strong sense of stories, so we talk about their elements and what makes a story successful. Also, we talk about balancing day jobs and pursuing one's passion by night. And finally, her new book “The Love Match” which the Kirkus Review says is “candid, textured, and amusing: a novel readers will devour in one sitting.” Out January 3rd, and you can preorder here
Thank you for listening, and keep on creating!
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:00:10) When did you start thinking of yourself as a writer?
(00:04:23) What are the top three elements that make a successful story
(00:20:22) How to find a writing community
(00:25:52) The Love Match (the book)
(00:29:26) Writing about the community with empathy
(00:31:45) Balancing day job and writing
(00:36:35) Advice for younger self and representation
(00:43:33) Craft books
(00:48:07) Advice for aspiring writers
(00:51:13) The Love Match is OUT where to get it and stay connected
Follow Priyanka Taslim
Website: priyankataslim.com
Instagram: @bhootbabe
Twitter: @bhootbabe
Tiktok: @bhootbabe
Follow the Hazawi Podcast:
Website: mohamedthewriter.com
Instagram: @hazawipodcast
Twitter: @hazawipodcast
Tiktok: @hazawipodcast

My guest in this episode is Sajidah, better known as S.K. Ali. She’s a fiction author. Her book, Saints and Misfits was the 2018 William C Morris Award finalist and was featured in multiple lists of Best Teen Novels of 2017.

Her book Love from A to Z, which we talk about on the podcast, was on several 2019 YA lists, including Kirkus and Entertainment Weekly’s top ten. And her picture book The Proudest Blue was co-authored with Ibtihaj Muhammad, the Olympic fencer, and was listed as a New York Times Bestseller.

Her latest book, a sequel to Love From A to Z will come out on October 18, titled Loved from Mecca to Medina. It's the most anticipated YA book in October on Goodreads.
You can now preorder it from wherever you get your books or by clicking this link

Our conversation revolved around her growth as a writer, the navigation of the publishing industry after studying it for close to 10 years, her writing process, how to deal with self-doubt, the shift of perspective before and after publishing, and her new book Love from Mecca and Medina. Sajidah has a very solid understanding of the roles a writer play, the writing part, and the business side of things, and she breaks down how to play both. I’m excited about this episode and am sure aspiring writers will find it very beneficial. If you do, please consider leaving a comment on Apple Podcast [link]

Mentioned Links:
Pacemaker

Timestamps:
(00:04:09) Immolation as an aspiring writer
(00:09:38) The Learning Process Cross Fields
(00:13:00) When Do You call Yourself a Writer
(00:15:17) Time After College and Before Publishing
(00:19:24) How to Get Published?
(00:26:26) What It Takes to Become a Writer?
(00:33:20) Craft and Framing Devices to Make Stories Familiar
(00:38:19) Capturing the Muslim Experience and Avoiding Over Explaining
(00:42:50) Who Do You Write For?
(00:45:44) What is Your Daily Writing Process?
(00:49:31) Self Doubt After Publishing
(00:52:05) Advice For Young Writers
(00:53:49) Love From Mecca to Medina

Follow Mohamed:

Instagram: @moethewriter
Twitter: @moethewriter

Follow the Hazawi Podcast:

Instagram: @hazawipodcast
Twitter: @hazawipodcast
Tiktok: @hazawipodcast

Follow Sajidah:
Instagram: @skalibooks
Twitter: @SajidahWrites