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Reposted by Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying

Deena 🇵🇸 دينا @deenahelm.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

She’s out today :)

A photo of Deena holding a copy of the US edition of Our Cut of Salt. Behind her is a bookshelf with copies of the novel, both UK and US editions.

Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino. It is framed as a conversation between Kublai Khan and Marco Polo, interspersed between prose poems describing fictitious cities. The structure also follows a strict mathematical pattern.

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Sophia-Maria Nicolopoulos @sophiamweaves.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Newsletter's going out soon! If you'd like to learn more about my Flights of Foundry panels, my romance workshop (online), and my writing journey, you can sign up below: sophiamarianicolopoulos.wordpress.com/join-my-news...

sophiamarianicolopoulos.wordpress.com

Join my Newsletter!

Let’s connect! I won’t bother you too much; my newsletters will be hidden treasures of writing updates, writing tips, reading announcements, and inspirational words! I’d love to k…

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Downgrade a song. The Kitchen Knives of Brixton by The Clash.

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Does anyone know what happened to this good show?

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Deena 🇵🇸 دينا @deenahelm.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Genuinely honored to have three more blurbs from such authors I look up to so highly!! Thank you SO much to @kmenright.bsky.social , Daisy Pearce, and EL Chen for such lovely words - everyone go check out their books as well! 💘

"A visceral exploration of generational trauma and the harsh costs of facing the past...Our Cut of Salt examines the horrors of genocide and colonization in an unflinching, timely tale."
- K.M. Enright, Sunday Times bestselling author of Mistress of Lies

"The strands of generations are so beautifully woven together and the writing is deft, lyrical and completely gets under your skin."
- Daisy Pearce, Author of Something in the Walls

"Our Cut of Salt throbs with the longing for family lore that many of us second- and third-generation kids bear. In this moving exploration of mother-daughter relationships, and generational trauma and grief, Helm provides a timely reminder that the real horrors can be found in history."

- E.L. Chen, Author of Slasher Summer and One of Us is Already Dead

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

This is one of my favourite poems. Interestingly, Abu Nuwas, known for modernising Arabic poetry, mocked this trope & instead championed an in medias res opening. Here's a witty example: "Tell the one weeping over a vanished trace, Standing there: what would have happened if he’d just sat?"

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Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

My interview with audible about THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY audio book. If you're interested in revolutions, Arabfuturism or conlangs, why don't you give it a listen?

audible.com

“The Republic of Memory” dares to make rebels of us all

With his debut novel, Mahmud El Sayed arrives as a bold new voice in Arabfuturism.

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

A fairly common view among many in the region.

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Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

It's Launch Day for THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY and I am so proud that my strange Arabfuturist story is out there in the world for readers to discover. (1/5)

Two copies of THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY on a glass garden table

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Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

The Guardian says that THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY is a "thoughtful, exciting space opera" with Nupol adding a "distinctive flavour to a speculative fiction its author calls Arabfuturism." O my brothers, that's molti-bona and no flies! www.theguardian.com/books/2026/m...

theguardian.com

The best recent science fiction, fantasy and horror – review roundup

The Republic of Memory by Mahmud El Sayed; The Rainshadow Orphans by Naomi Ishiguro; No Ghosts by Max Lury; Palaces of the Crow by Ray Nayler; Moon Over Brendle by Jeff Noon

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Multilayered characters, nuanced worldbuilding, political and social upheaval. THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY is sci-fi at its best. Easily one of the best books this year!

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Deena 🇵🇸 دينا @deenahelm.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

hello!! there is a goodreads giveaway for 50 copies of my debut novel, Our Cut of Salt, running until 5/31 (US only). you can enter here 🖤 www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...

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Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

I've been reading a lot of Arabic poetry for my current wip so here's some Muhammad al-Maghout. Tomorrow, o beloved, tomorrow We will awaken early with the sailors and their sails, And we will rise on the wind Like birds, Like raging blood, And roam over the desert As lips roam over lips.

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Mel Reynard @meljrey.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Thank you so much for all the support on this hastily-chucked in pitch for #QuestPit yesterday! I didn’t know it was on, didn’t make a list - utter chaos, but it got some publishing interest 👀 If I’m not here much - yes it’s because it’s Chelsea, but I’m also working on the WIP!

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Authors Lobby Podcast @authorslobby.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

A podcast where authors talk about their books in their own words. Each episode will spotlight one book, and will feature an interview with its author. We'll dive into the characters, themes, and messages of each story with a healthy dose of humor. Join us this winter!

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Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

A really lovely review of THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY from @princejvstin.com but more an interesting rumination on generation ship stories in general.

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Finished The Republic of Memory by @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social. What a great debut with excellent political and social commentary, exploration of language and memory, and many clever POV choices and experimental literary techniques.

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Rania the Writer @raniathewriter.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

@menapitch.bsky.social #MENAPIT #menapitchevent A desperate writer accepts an invitation to an elite retreat that guarantees publication...and slowly realizes what it's *actually* harvesting from its residents. #Pub #Qu #H #SF #A #NA #OWN The Centre x Catherine House x Bunny Professionally edited.

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Taurus @tauruswrites.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

WARCROSS X BLOOD DEBTS While tech-savvy Viva uses magic and coding to stop the army of undead, her twin sister, Tasia, is resurrected by witches forcing her to kill. 🔮 MAGIC VS 👩‍💻 CODING 🤖 AI VS 👻 SPIRITS 💻 TECH VS 🍁 NATURE WHO WILL WIN? #SF #F #MENApit #YA #Qu

smart glasses, grimoire, high tech world, voodoo doctor

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Rawiya Beirut | راوية بيروت @rawiyabeirut.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

When a rebel witch is betrayed and sentenced to death, the executioner saves her by claiming her as his bride—forcing them to navigate a fake marriage, colonial politics, and traitors, all while secretly dismantling the empire that is destroying their home. #menapit #a #f #wip

a moodboard of images;

- a bouquet of flowers in the top left, feathers in top center, a hand holding a thread (IMAGE BY Stephanie Rew Fine Art) in top right
- a skull covered by a translucent sheet in the center left, center image has a woman covered by thread (PHOTOGRAPHED BY Becca Geden), and center right has a sword in snow
- bottom left has a spider on a web, bottom center is a photo of a flower underneath the petals, and bottom right is a loom

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Yalda is AGENTED💫 @yaldacollection.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Have you heard? 👀 WORKED 2 DEATH has gone under the knife 🔪 : A ransom plot goes horribly awry when a trio of cash-strapped colleagues kidnap their nepobaby manager on a work trip, and find themselves embroiled in the lethal world of Fintech’s elite. #menapit #agented

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🚀 Hadiyah 🍉 @hadiyahsama.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

What We Can Know x CW's The 100 Enemies by circumstance Imani & Elijah must put aside their differences to stay alive & to find the other survivors when their space station crashes onto a ravaged Earth. #MENApit #WIP #A #SF #Dystopian

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Athena Lambrou @athena-lambrou.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

They Hate Each Other X Imogen, Obviously Ares needs to do 3 things in life so he doesn’t let his family down: -Date a nice Cypriot girl -Get into a good university -NOT fall in love with his rival, the brother of his sister-in-law ✨Big 5 imprint editor interest #MENAPit #YA #C #R #LGBT #OWN #Qu

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🚀 Hadiyah 🍉 @hadiyahsama.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

TGUWG x I Feed Her to the Beast In a kingdom where necromancy is illegal, budding necromancer Sera fights her way to the top of the court. Discovery means death, but Sera has always wanted to make an impact and she won't let morals get in her way. #MENApit #WIP #A #DF

PITCH: In a kingdom where necromancy is illegal, budding necromancer Sera fights her way to the top of the kingdom court. Discovery means death, but Sera has always wanted to make an impact and she won't let something like morals get in her way.

EXCERPT:
They would be, Sera thought, the blood thrumming in her ears. The dead here had been raised. En-masse, probably. She could only imagine the power that had taken. A whole village’s dead, raised in one night. She could see the figure now in her mind’s eye, a Harbinger cloaked in black under the light of a silvery full moon, the crimson wash of his Necromantic power seeping into the soil like blood and unleashing horrors, an army of the dead clawing their way out of their final resting places. She shivered.

Unlikable female MCs, Death Magic/Necromancy, Fall Arc. Women's Wrongs.

Comps: Gideon the Ninth, I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me, To Gaze Upon Wicked Gode, The Poppy War, Sabriel

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Emma Al-munshi @emmaalmunshi.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

When a card game has telepath Mona fleeing town, a handsome djinn spy drags her to an underwater kingdom where she awakens old djinn magic. But with the oceanic sky failing, will inner demons drown her before she can save her people or will warring factions claim her? #MENApit #Qu #RF

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Safah @safahamjad.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

The Miles Between Us, which features: ✅ a crime story with deep emotional resonance; ✅ an exploration of themes like grief, racism, and identity; ✅ ordinary citizens stepping into investigative roles; ✅ MCs who seem worlds apart, and are yet so similar; ✅ a romantic subplot. #MENApit #WIP #A #L #T

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Jelena @jelenawrites.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Some lucky readers will get their hand-wrapped copy of Love Lethal, Death Divine, swag included.

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Danai Christopoulou | VILE LADY VILLAINS out NOW @danaiwrites.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

My book is out today in the UK! If you like Shakespeare, this book might be for you. If you hate Shakespeare, this book might be for you. But if you hate Agamemnon… this book is definitely for you! www.penguin.co.uk/books/470416...

A coffee mug and a book on a table. The mug features the PM announcement of Danai’s book, Vile Lady Villains, and next to it is the hardback cooy of the book

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

"Giving up writing is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times." Mark Hussain

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Thrilled to finally snag a copy of THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY by @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social, a political sci-fi destined to become a classic. #SWANA #Arabfuturism #Scifi

Book cover of The Republic of Memory by Mahmud El Sayed.

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Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

🚨 Goodreads giveaway alert 🚨 Enter below for a change to win an early copy of THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY from Saga Press. www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Rereading God Emperor of Dune and realising Leto II is basically Jabba the Hutt. Mythic boss aura? Gone in a second. #Dune

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

Unpopular opinion: Paul is not bad. He's just a warning. #Dune

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Jelena @jelenawrites.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Care for an original, 100% human made dark fantasy inspired by my Slavic and Mediterranean heritage? Check out Love Lethal, Death Divine.

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Deena 🇵🇸 دينا @deenahelm.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

my furious and murderous palestinian haunted house book is now up to request on netgalley & edelweiss!!

A graphic with the cover of the book OUR CUT OF SALT by Deena Helm and text above that says "NOW AVAILABLE TO REQUEST ON NETGALLEY AND EDELWEISS"

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Here it is. The final issue. I am going to miss this beautiful magazine.

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D.S.B. is Querying @dsbcreativewriting.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

#queryingauthors if you write #SFF, my virtual writing group of querying authors is looking for 1-2 more members. We're a small group sharing advice and critique on select projects, and offering support as we navigate the complexities of publishing. Let me know if you're interested in joining us!

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Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

"If stories that represent me aren't [set] in the future, then something terrible must have happened to me in the present.” THE REPUBLIC OF MEMORY 🚀 is out in May with @sagapressbooks.bsky.social & @gollancz.bsky.social

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Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Just me, gazing into the far-flung sci-fi future, on the front page of The Bookseller 🚀

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Mahmud El Sayed @mahmudelsayed.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Aspiring global majority authors based in the UK, if you write SFF check out this year's Future Worlds Prize before it's too late. It could change your life!

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

One thing that makes A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms great: it spotlights the little people, not just princes and lords. #AKOTSK

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Hussain A. Ayoub - is Querying @dreadunderarm.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Fellow #amquerying writers doubting our craft: It's a marathon of more downs than ups. My hack? Scroll Goodreads 1-star reviews of fave famous books: Sometimes they hate it for why you love it. Remember, you're just 2 yeses away from publishing. Keep going! #WritingCommunity

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