By Sarah Fuller
Ayesha N. Rahmaan is a best-selling children's book author based in the UAE. Her books include My Quran Alphabet Book, Sajjadati and The Power of Dua, Prophet’s Sunnah, Different Together and the award-nominated Call Me By My Name. She is also the CEO & founder of Alif2Yaa book publishing and toy company based in Toronto, Canada.
Ayesha was raised in Denver, Colorado, and is a world traveler. While she has a degree in computer science, her passion lies in writing diverse books and creating educational resources to help enrich children’s lives.
In this interview, Ayesha reveals what drew her to writing children’s books, why she chose self-publishing over traditional publishing, and how she measures success as an author.
Sarah: How did you decide to write your book(s)?
Ayesha: My writing career unfolded rather unexpectedly. For many years, I owned and ran a successful children's bookstore, offering a wide selection of books for babies, kids, and tweens. After spending so much time in the book business and being exposed to various genres, I began developing the art and skills needed to write children's books. As an educator, my experience working with children gave me valuable insights into their needs, helping me create stories that truly resonate with young readers. In the end, writing children's books was a natural progression—something that started organically and blossomed into a fulfilling career.
Sarah: Tell us about your publishing experience. Have you faced any significant challenges during your journey? How did you overcome them?
Ayesha: Navigating the publishing process can be a challenge for first-time authors. Understanding publishing options, especially deciding between traditional publishing and self-publishing, can be overwhelming. After researching the publishing industry and all the different options available, I realized that traditional publishing wasn't the right path for me. I wanted to take charge of the genre, narrative, illustrations, and target audience. Self-publishing gave me the freedom and flexibility to control every aspect of my books, making the process more personal and empowering.
The publishing industry can be complex, and as a self-publishing author, I quickly learned that I had to juggle many tasks—everything from marketing and promotion to time management, networking, and scaling my publishing company. These are the kinds of roles that would typically be handled by an agent, but as a self-publisher, I wore all those hats. While the initial challenges were tough, I was able to overcome them by truly understanding the market and remaining committed to my vision and goals.
Sarah: What do you wish you knew before you wrote your book?
Ayesha: Publishing often takes longer than expected, whether through traditional publishing or self-publishing. Authors sometimes wish they’d known that delays in editing, cover design, formatting, or even marketing are normal, so they could set realistic timelines.
I never set out to be a writer, but after completing my first book, I realized just how powerful stories can be. Through my writing, I have the ability to positively impact the lives of children. In the stories I create, children can see themselves, fostering a sense of connection and belonging in the world around them.
Sarah: How do you market your work? What impact has social media had on your writing and publishing experience?
Ayesha: As a children's book author, I market my work through a variety of activities, such as school visits, story readings, book fairs, creative writing workshops, and teaching classes. I also participate in educational seminars and conferences. I believe networking is key—connecting with others, both in and outside of the field, is essential for any writer. Through my large social media following, I’ve seen the power of spreading the word about my books, educational toys, and my company. Social media has allowed me to reach a wider audience and build connections with others in the literacy world and book industry.
Sarah: How do you measure success as an author?
Ayesha: As an author, I believe success is a blend of both external and internal milestones. I define success not just by sales or awards, but by the impact my books have on readers—how they inspire a love for reading. Getting my books into the hands of young readers and parents is key. While reaching sales goals, making bestseller lists, or earning a sustainable income are important achievements, they don’t define success on their own.
For me, success is measured by the feedback I receive—whether it's a testimonial from a reader, a teacher using my book in their classroom, or hearing that a single reader felt empowered, inspired, or comforted by my work. Positive reviews from respected publications, literary awards, or nominations also bring satisfaction, but recognition from educational organizations and inclusion in school reading lists are especially meaningful to me.
Ultimately, my journey as an author is about balancing the pursuit of these goals with the joy and passion I feel for writing children's books. That balance, I believe, defines my success.
Sarah: What advice would you give aspiring authors looking to get published?
Ayesha: If I had known how much I would enjoy writing children's books, I would have started my writing career much earlier. My advice to aspiring writers is this: it’s never too late to begin. The publishing world is vast, and the opportunities are endless. The first step is to figure out which path suits you best, whether it’s self-publishing or signing a contract with an established publishing company. Both options have their value, but it’s crucial to understand the market. By gaining insight into the publishing industry, you’ll better grasp the differences between self-publishing and traditional publishing, and how each path shapes your journey as a writer and author. As you start your journey, take time to savor the process and celebrate each small win along the way.
Register here for Ayesha's creative writing workshop for kids.
Register here for a panel discussion and Q&A session featuring Ayesha and a few other UAE-based authors.