To Be A Writer in This Time: UAE Authors Reflect on Their Art and Practice during War

Amandeep Ahuja is the author of The Frustrated Women’s Club, a book that captures the
chaos, comedy, and catharsis of modern womanhood. A consultant by day and a storyteller
by heart, she navigates the world of geopolitics while secretly plotting her next literary
adventure.

Bhoomika Ghaghada (@bhoomikag9) is a writer from the UAE. Published in Wasafiri, Jadaliyya, Rusted Radishes, Postscript, Unootha and more, she writes women-centered stories in the Gulf. She is the recipient of the Mudun Short Story Prize 2021, and Middle East North Africa Trauma Alliance's recognition 2024. She has an M.A. in Media Studies from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn. Her original play “Murder at the Majlis” is due for a third run in 2026 through U.A.E.-based theatre company, 06 Theatre. She facilitates workshops of creative play and rest through A Better Where (@a.better.where).

Hafsa Lodi is a journalist who has been covering fashion and culture for more than a decade. She has a BA in journalism from Ryerson University (Toronto) and an MA in Islamic law from SOAS, University of London. Turbulence is her first novel, and became a #2 Amazon UAE bestseller in women's fiction after launching at the 2026 Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.

Shahd Thani is an Emirati poet, short story writer, and author. Her writing explores themes of heritage, spirituality, and identity. She takes an active role in the UAE’s literary community. She has curated, led, and participated in events at House of Wisdom, Emirates Literature Festival, Etihad Museum, and Kutubna Cultural Center. Passionate about nurturing emerging talent, Shahd is a founding member of Untitled Chapters.

Tamreez Inam is a writer, speaker, and cultural practitioner based in the UAE. Her work explores literature, identity, and creative community building. She is known for her thoughtful and inclusive approach to storytelling, and has led public workshops across the region that help participants access the power of their own voice.

Tessy Koshy is an independent art and culture journalist with over two decades of writing experience. She has chronicled the evolving Middle East art scene through her award-winning blog and website, Middle East Masala www.middleeastmasala.com and middleeastmasala.wordpress.com. An avid reader, she created Power of Pages, a book club community in 2022, to help women in Dubai read and bond over motivational and self-help books. Her full-length and in-depth features on a range of issues have been published in Khaleej Times, Gulf News, The National, Arab News, The Ethicalist, Fast Company Middle East, and many other publications. Her writings can be read here.

Tessy Koshy is an independent art and culture journalist with over two decades of writing experience. She has chronicled the evolving Middle East art scene through her award-winning blog and website Middle East Masala www.middleeastmasala.com and middleeastmasala.wordpress.com. An avid reader, she created Power of Pages, a Book Club community in 2022, to help women in Dubai read and bond over motivational and self-help books. Her full-length and in-depth features on a range of issues are published in Khaleej Times, Gulf News, The National, Arab News, The Ethicalist, Fast Company Middle East, and many other publications. Her writings can be read here.

Yosr ElSherbiny is an Egyptian author, architect, and systems thinker, raised and living in the UAE. She has been writing fiction since learning to read, and the library remains her favorite room in any space. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Bristol, a BA in Architecture from the American University of Sharjah, and a Master in Architectural Management from IE University. Her debut novel, The Last Silk Thread, is historic fiction inspired by her grandmother’s life in the 1950s.