ABOUT
The Kaftan Writer is no alias for a contemporary literary great, I assure you. It is merely a humble attempt at a Christie’esque guise for an otherwise boring name: Shaahima Fahim.
ABOUT ME
Quite summarily, I am a Sri Lankan born creative writer raised (and currently based) in the United Arab Emirates. I write as much as I read, but neither as much as I hoard (books).
All throughout school and university, I was adamant that I would never pursue a career in literature; the sole reason being that I loved it too much. And that there never was a more certain way of killing a passion than having to do it, was a mantra I’d keep saying to myself as I’d churn out the occasional opinion piece to a student/university publication, and willingly take on requests from fellow uni-chums to write-up their post-grad university application cover letters.
However, while scanning the appointments pages for work options with my Biotechnology degree proverbially in hand, denial was effectively quashed when I found my eyes lingering more longingly at media positions over the vocation I had chosen. Who was I fooling?
I have since settled for a PR day-job, and am now officially moonlighting as a freelance writer, by night (and most weekends).
ABOUT THIS BLOG
This blog is a repertoire of both, bona fide blog posts from The Kaftan Writer and articles published by Shaahima Fahim. I’d separate the two, but more often than not what I’ve been commissioned to write is far more interesting than my occasional blather, and possibly even (albeit less so) vice versa.
A healthy debate is encouraged on posts that call for that sort of thing, and constructive criticism invited on all. Conversation after all is the best of inspiration.
Baseless, cussword-generated, mud-slinging however, can be checked at the door.
THE KAFTAN WRITER’S QUILL FOR HIRE
The Kaftan Writer’s pen is for blatant hire, and although I do ink-sling on a miscellany of topics ranging from Literature, Current affairs, Culture, Travel and Islam, I lean more fondly towards the foremost.
I have covered the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature quite extensively in the past, and have interviewed many an author across local lit-fests and other platforms – namely Alexander McCall Smith, Yahiya Lababidi, Shehan Karunatilake and Sadaqat Kadri, among others.
I am currently a regular contributor to lifestyle and design magazine Khaleejesque (online and print), and have written for The National, MidEast Posts, Muslim Matters, as well as a few other publications based out of both Sri Lanka and the Middle East.
Probably my biggest claim to fame however, was being approached by a mystic to help pen her autobiography. Out-of-body experiences not being my forte’, I declined.
Email me on shaahima@gmail.com
Follow me on Twitter at @Shaahima
