Saudi English authors hope to appeal to an international audience

RIYADH: Saudi English-language authors are taking advantage of new publishing opportunities and aiming to spreading cultural awareness to an audience of international readers.

The Riyadh International Book Fair, which has long been a focal point for literary activity in the Kingdom’s capital, is supporting emerging authors who cater to English readers at home and abroad.

Fatemah Abdullah Al-Qahtani is a professor of creative practices at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.

In the past she faced rejections from regional publishers, who advised her to write in Arabic instead, before British publisher Austin Macauley this year decided to publish her book, “Creativity and Conservatism.”

Speaking to Arab News at the book fair, she described how her writing is aimed both at foreign audiences and the younger generation of Saudis who read English fluently.

“It’s an international language, especially with this new generation of teenagers now in Saudi Arabia.”

“Creativity and Conservatism” is described as an investigation into the formation of Saudi female artistic identity.

The book links the rich history of religion to the emerging artistic scene in the Kingdom.

“I talk about this from a pro-faith perspective,” she said. “I don't try to underestimate all of these schools of art. No, actually, the Saudi woman is smart enough to use it, to express it in her art practice.”

Al-Qahtani’s work argues that art from the Najd region — home of the Hanbali school of Islam — is influenced by the concepts of halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden).

In the Eastern Province, Al-Qahtani links the prevalence of surrealist art emerging from the region with its high percentage of Shia Muslims.

Western cities such as Makkah and Madinah are the centers of religion in the Kingdom, and they have historically been the most multicultural areas in the Kingdom.

For Al-Qahtani, this can be seen in the quality of artwork produced in the west, notably the trailblazing Safeya Binzagr who passed away earlier this month.

The author argues that the Shafi’i school of Islam in the south of the Arabian Peninsula influenced the art of the region, with its geometrical shapes and bright colors often seen adorning doors on local homes.  

Religious history laid the foundations for a collective understanding of art, according to Al-Qahtani.

“Even though I believe in the principle of individualism, especially in art, you need to be completely free: Art for art. However, it’s hard to avoid all of this. It’s rooted deeply in our mind, in the subconscious,” she said.

Halah Alshathri works full time as a vice president of admin and financial services at Jazira Group in Riyadh.

She draws on her experiences in the corporate world and in her spare time writes motivational material, providing advice to readers on how to master their chosen field.

Her new book — “Values of Mastery” — was a bestseller at the fair and was sold out soon after a public signing.  

“I was eager to publish in the English language,” she said, “because we have a good chance and a good opportunity to introduce how our society is coming out and supporting women in the working field.”

Focused on reaching the widest possible audience, Alshathri wants the world to know about the successes of Saudi women in business today.

Asked why she thought her book was so popular, Alshathri said that the growing competitiveness in the Gulf job marketplace was leading people to search for new ways to find an edge.

“The working environment has been very competitive … especially now in Saudi Arabia and in the GCC, for men and women.

“Everyone wants to do well, do better, and make a better social life and a working life and maybe also financial life.”

With a little adjustment, she believes anyone can optimize their life, make the most of their talents, and seize opportunities to better themselves.

“If you have the right values, with the right skills, you will get the opportunities right in front of you. You will work smarter and not harder.”

“You will not just be a working machine,” she added. “Actually, you use your mind, your soul and your heart in there, because you think of yourself, you think of others.”

Leen Al-Tamimi is a children’s author who wants her allegorical work to tell a universal message, not linked to any specific culture.

The best way to do that, for her, is to write in English, and to base her stories in far-off lands.

“The Farmer with a Heart of Gold” is a tale that teaches children the importance of behaving well, even in difficult circumstances.

“These are all universal values, not related to a certain culture or religion,” she explained. “This is why it was important for me for the story to be in English, and for the story to be for children, to kind of share those universal values that we all have as humans, not because we’re Saudi or we’re English or because we’re American or whatever we are.”

Al-Tamimi first wrote the story 10 years ago, when she was 16. At the time, she could not find an avenue for publication.

“Back then, things were a bit different. They weren’t as easy and they weren't as clear how to move forward with publishing a book,” she said.

“The support that we see today from publishing houses is amazing, honestly, compared to what existed back then.

“The book fair was a huge bonus for me for finding the best publishing house for the story,” she said.

As well as transcending cultural barriers, Al-Tamimi, like Al-Qahtani is interested in spreading her moral message to the next generation of Saudis.

“I always believe that children are the key to making the changes that we’re looking for in society,” she said.

“If you want to make a change, if you want to spread something positive, I always believe that you start with the children, and you create a better generation moving forward.”