Page 113 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - JUNE 2025

6/4/25, 2:20 PM Dubai-based Sara Hamdan’s debut novel received well globally
talent and passion for storytelling. This is a pivotal moment, one that continues to pave the way for the Fellowship and strengthens the importance
of such a platform to nurture writers in the region. Congratulations once again to Sara and we look forward to supporting her on this incredible
journey for years to come,” said Hind Seddiqi, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Seddiqi Holding.

Currently ranked as the number one best-seller on Amazon UAE in the Humorous Fiction category, What Will People Think has struck a global
chord with its heartfelt, funny, and deeply relatable narrative. It was recently featured in The New York Times’ list of “24 Books Coming in May” and
praised by Publishers Weekly as a novel that “will linger in readers’ minds.” Palestinian-American comedian Mo Amer described it as “Superb... A
timely yet timeless story”. The novel’s international momentum began with a sold-out virtual book launch hosted by the Harvard Book Store on 19
May 2025. Hamdan is set to embark on a U.S. book tour in Fall 2025. The book is available in the UAE online on Amazon and in store in
Magrudy’s and other bookstores.

“I am so proud to tell a story that centres on strong, warm, funny Arab women and so grateful that the world is connecting with the universal,
emotional themes,” said Hamdan. “Our stories matter. This moment feels bigger than me; it’s a win for the incredible fellowship and for Dubai – a
city of dreams that has served as my home for twenty years.” Sara Hamdan, a proud recipient of the ELF Seddiqi First Chapter Writers’
Fellowship, is a Dubai-based writer whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Forbes, and Conde Nast Traveller. Sara Hamdan was
announced as a fellow of the inaugural ELF Seddiqi First Chapter Writers’ Fellowship in February 2022. Within a year, she signed with literary
agents Meredith Miller (UTA) and Sheila Crowley (Curtis Brown) and secured a landmark two-book deal with US publisher Holt after a highly
competitive auction. Sara will be doing a US book tour in fall 2025.

The First Chapter Fellowship, supported by Seddiqi Holding, provides selected UAE-based writers with invaluable mentorship, including 6 hours of
one-on-one coaching from internationally renowned authors, 40 hours of industry workshops, introductions to global agents and editors, and
access to international writing courses, including those from the Gotham Writers Centre in New York. Applications for Year Five of the First
Chapter Fellowship will open in September 2025.

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