Kawthar al-Jahmi

I began writing under pseudonyms... I chose a pseudonym because I feared judgment and was always afraid of a question that no one has actually asked me to this day Who do you think you are to writ (1)

Kawthar Al-Jahmi’s Journey: From ‘Bint Tripoli’ to Award-winning Novelist

June 8, 2026

Today, Kawthar al-Jahmi talks about her writing and reading journeys, the role of literary prizes, submitting her novel to the publisher a day before giving birth, and developing a writing practice while working and raising children.

POETRY

New and featured poetry in translation.

FICTION

Short fiction from the Maghreb and Mashreq.

INTERVIEWS

Talks with authors, translators, publishers, & more.

BETWEEN TWO TRANSLATORS

.An exploration of power and language with Yasmeen Hanoosh

Reviews

A look at Arabic literature and Arabic literature in translation.

May Ziadeh

More on our translation of May Ziadeh's Musings of a Young Woman.

Podcast

Listen to the latest from BULAQ, an Arabic books-centric podcast.

Lit Lists

Listicles of bilingual books, medieval poems, short-short stories and more.