Eman Quotah
@emanquotah.bsky.social
Novelist, essayist, comms professional. Author of THE NIGHT IS NOT FOR YOU (Wildfire Books; Orbit US/Run for It) and BRIDE OF THE SEA (Tin House).
“Many European writers, artists and theatre-makers have showcased their work in the Gulf over the last decade. Isn’t it about time to reciprocate and bring the work of Gulf artists to Europe?”
A Gulf of Misunderstanding: On Pasolini’s Pétrole and Portrayals of the Khalij
An otherwise daring stage production falters when it comes to depictions — clichéd and outdated — of the Gulf.
themarkaz.org
Seeking a Creative Nonfiction Associate Editor (or two)! Associate CNF Editors Wanted! JMWW applications are open until June 14th.
Seeking a Creative Nonfiction Associate Editor (or two)!
Associate CNF Editors Wanted! JMWW applications are open until June 14th.
jmwwblog.wordpress.com
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.
Anthropic Settlement Update: 91.3 Percent of Books Claimed in Settlement - The Authors Guild
Yesterday, class counsel in the Bartz v. Anthropic lawsuit filed papers apprising the court that 440,490 of the 482,460 eligible works had been claimed—a remarkable 91.3 percent rate (the typical clas...
authorsguild.org
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."
“Ehna rajiun”—a review of Hannah Assadi’s Paradiso 17
The protagonist is a complete individual, but also a product of forces that have shaped and exiled many Palestinians.
themarkaz.org
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
Carl Quintanilla@carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 7mo agoHARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW: “.. In our in-progress research, we discovered that AI tools didn’t reduce work, they consistently intensified it.” hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
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...
Struggle in the Valley by Eman Quotah — KWELI / Truth From the Diaspora's Boldest Voices
Ezzeldine didn’t understand what it was like to be an actress surrounded by male directors and male everything. Why should she be the one to lose the part? The sacrifice wasn’t fair. Nothing in the wo...
kwelijournal.org
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.
Jeff VanderMeer@jeffvandermeer.bsky.social · 7mo agoWhat I am doing instead of watching the devil: Rereading Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave for the first time since I was 13. This novel made a huge impact on me as a teenager and was a big early influence. I am relieved almost to tears that, halfway through, it is as wonderful as I remember it.
Book criticism is not dead. This review by Layla AlAmmar nearly moved me to tears. themarkaz.org/art-and-disi...
Art and Disillusionment in Saleem Haddad's Floodlines
Layla AlAmmar examines the Arab melancholy, tragedy and grief at the heart of Saleem Haddad’s second novel.
themarkaz.org
"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
Jen Howard@jenhoward.bsky.social · 7mo ago"It's better to let the Washington Post die than descend into darkness": The editorial board of the Daily Tar Heel, pulling no punches. www.dailytarheel.com/article/opin...
Another Ramadan essay. Across the Ummah, Gaza is always on our minds. @alaaalqaisis.bsky.social arablit.org/2026/02/19/r...
Ramadan Kareem, ya Gaza
“Gaza does not resemble herself in Ramadan.”
arablit.org
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...
How the Deprivation of Ramadan Helps Care for the Spirit (Published 2019)
nytimes.com
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 …
K.C. Mead-Brewer@kcmeadbrewer.com · 7mo agovery very excited (& nervous! stage jitters!) to share news of a project that my person & I have been working on for so long now we're starting a tiny artist residency here in Baltimore; say hello to The Doll House! www.thedollhouse.studio
"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...
The End of Books Coverage at the Washington Post
Becca Rothfeld, a former critic at the Washington Post, on the death of the paper’s books section.
newyorker.com
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 skillingswo2@bloomberg.net
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
Shannon Sanders@shanders.bsky.social · 8mo agoThe @washingtonpost.com ending its Books section is so sad. My first book was reviewed there, and while the review was by far the least positive one that book got, I cherished it because its my local paper and I’ve always dreamed of having a book reviewed there. I was hopeful about this one.
New reporting on AI cos. theft of copyrighted material. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
How Silicon Valley built AI: Buying, scanning and discarding millions of books
Court filings reveal how AI companies raced to obtain more books to feed chatbots, including by buying, scanning and disposing of millions of titles.
washingtonpost.com
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
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
The Night Is Not for You
The Night Is Not for You - Kindle edition by Quotah, Eman. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Night Is Not for You.
amazon.com
