We recorded this interview with Deen in January 2022, just as her debut urban-fantasy trilogy Shubeik Lubeik (“Your Wish is My Command”) was coming out in English. This original and beautifully illustrated story imagines that wishes of varying quality can be bought and sold in contemporary Cairo, with unpredictable and poignant results. It has been widely celebrated and nominated for a Hugo Award.

While the US edition from Pantheon keeps the title “Shubeik Lubeik,” the UK edition from Granta uses a literal translation: “Your Wish Is My Command.”

Find more of Deena’s work at http://deenadraws.art and on Twitter and Instagram as @itsdeenasaur.

The original Arabic three volumes were published by Dar Mahrousa and are available in the US through Maamoul Press.

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