Interview with Fida Islaih

Published 2017-06-10.
When did you first start writing?
I've been writing for almost a decade.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I was interested in learning about the process. As I looked into the poetry world, it is the path that most poets choose.
What's the story behind your latest book?
I've been participating in Page Flutter's six word challenge over on instagram. As I wrote and shared them I noticed a continuous theme. There was a bigger story in the six word stories. I wanted somewhere to showcase the story. That's how Smile Back came about.
How do you come up with the title?
As I read one of my six-word stories the phrase "Smile back" stood out to me. As I read the other six word stories I saw that message play out and decided to stick with it as the title.
How do you approach cover design?
I imagine a person or setting behind the poem. I look for pictures that are similar to what I imagined and replicate it.
What are you working on next?
I have a poetry collection about hijab in the works. I also have a book of poetry prompts being revised.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

Swallow
Price: $5.99 USD. Words: 12,040. Language: English. Published: June 25, 2021 . Categories: Poetry » Themes & motifs » General, Poetry » Female authors
With the pandemic and isolation it made room for self reflection. These poems helped me with accepting my pain and healing from it. It’s about seeing my identity and finding self love in the midst of trying to belong in a community, living in a pandemic and other injustices. It shares the journey of doing the work to unpack repressed emotions, memories, and properly processing them.
Her Durian
Price: $5.99 USD. Words: 6,930. Language: English. Published: November 12, 2019 . Categories: Poetry » American poetry » Asian American, Poetry » Female authors
Her Durian is about Islaih’s travels to Malaysia. The poems will make your mouth water with the different foods, fruits and dessert. It covers everything from family and to culture.
Rising Soul
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 9,540. Language: English. Published: March 26, 2019 . Categories: Poetry » Female authors, Fiction » Cultural & ethnic themes » Asian American
From an identity crisis and being naive about my beliefs, Rising Soul is about accepting my identity and understanding the depth of my faith. Rising Soul covers topics of womanhood and self love.
Wilting Mind
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 9,850. Language: English. Published: April 24, 2018 . Categories: Poetry » Female authors, Poetry » Themes & motifs » General
Taking her writing to new levels, Islaih shares her struggles with mental illness and chronic pain. This collection is her emotional journey through grief and the need to escape. Her writing takes us through the darkness of almost losing a loved one to actually losing a loved one, then ends with uplifting pieces of self-love.
Love Yourself: A Journey to Healing
Price: $6.87 USD. Words: 3,310. Language: English. Published: November 7, 2017 . Categories: Nonfiction » Self-improvement » Emotional healing, Poetry » Themes & motifs » Love
This prompt book is divided into three parts. The first is of loving your body, mind and taking care of it. The second part is about appreciating culture. The last part is about being honest with yourself and the activism we do.
Smile Back
Price: Free! Words: 500. Language: English. Published: December 14, 2016 . Categories: Poetry » Female authors
(5.00 from 1 review)
Smile Back is a series of six-word stories that follows a Muslim girl's journey. It covers the struggles of wearing the headscarf to loving nature. There is a battle between negative space and finding positivity. She is learning to love herself.
Blossoming Heart
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 3,480. Language: English. Published: July 19, 2016 . Categories: Poetry » Female authors, Fiction » Inspirational
Blossoming Heart is a compilation of poems on the process of loving yourself. Acknowledge your fear and forgive yourself. Learn and love yourself in your journey. Let your brokenness find hope and peace. Through faith, you will heal.
Her Treasures
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 3,780. Language: English. Published: October 1, 2015 . Categories: Poetry » Biography
Islaih shares her travel to Malaysia. She continues on to share more of her thoughts on Palestine. More poems include her love for her sisters, faith, and words.
Her Olives
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 4,630. Language: English. Published: May 4, 2015 . Categories: Poetry » Middle Eastern poetry
Possessing a powerful love for both Palestine and its people, Fida Islaih works to understand their struggles as she endures her own. Though she has yet to travel to Palestine, a deep rooted desire to do so inspires her and comes through in her lovely poetry. Join Fida on her poetic journey through life and share her inspiration.
A to Z Poetry
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 5,850. Language: English. Published: September 19, 2013 . Categories: Poetry » Biography, Poetry » Spiritual
From A to Z there are 100 poems about being Muslim, handling emotions and the beauty of nature. In this collection you'll find a bit of sadness and humor on subjects from doodling to sports and even colors. May these poems help you improve yourself and your outlook on life as they have on the author.