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What does it take to keep believing in a story through rejection, rewrites, and years of uncertainty?

Middle grade author Shafaq Khan joins me to talk about her debut novel, Zaina: Lost and Found, a historical adventure inspired by the real-life Hippie Trail through Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey in the 1970s. We discuss balancing research with fast-paced storytelling, writing about identity and belonging, and the emotional resilience required to survive the long road to publication.

Shafaq also shares the behind-the-scenes reality of querying, revising after difficult feedback, finding community, and learning to trust her voice as a writer.

If you’re deep in the messy middle of your own writing journey, this conversation is a reminder that persistence matters—and sometimes the long road is part of becoming the writer you’re meant to be.

Timestamps
 00:00 – Grounding Through Story
 07:12 – The Premise of Zaina: Lost and Found
 11:42 – Research vs. Storytelling
 24:07 – Querying and Rejection
 30:00 – Tough Feedback and Big Rewrites
 35:12 – Learning to Trust Her Voice
 41:59 – Advice for Writers

Links Mentioned:

Shafaq Khan Website

Instagram

Tiktok 

SCBWI

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