Salaam and Greetings of Peace:
Alhamdulillah! I have been named the Marketing Director of The Islamic Writers Alliance, whose website you can view by clicking HERE. And I urge all Muslims in the literary arts to join this worthy organization.
From the IWA website:
The Islamic Writers Alliance is a national professional organization with an international membership for Muslims involved in the literary arts — published and aspiring authors, novelists, poets, essayists, publishers, editors, illustrators, journalists, spoken word artists, and playwrights. We support one another in our goals as writers, whether it be honing our craft, seeking publication opportunities, or promoting our published works to both the Muslim and non-Muslim world. We are dedicated to writing about, presenting, and supporting positive Islamic fiction and non-fiction reading materials, in all genres, for all ages.
The IWA is an inclusive organization and welcomes Muslim men and women of all races, ethnicities, linguistic backgrounds, abilities, and creeds.
This is true. All members of the IWA – whether they write books, plays, poems, newspaper articles, blogs, or are graphic designers of the written word – have one thing in common. Each is dedicated to portraying Islam is the best possible light in both fiction and non-fiction, and to advancing the cause of quality Islamic Children’s Books, and Islamic Fiction and Non-Fiction for teens and adults.
Many of the Muslimah in the group write Islamic Children’s Books, which are sorely lacking in schools and libraries, especially in masjid libraries. They are also excellent to use for Muslim home-schoolers.
The dues for joining as a full member are only a nominal $25.00 per year. If you cannot afford it, or live in a country where it is difficult for you to pay in US dollars, there is a fund set aside to provide your membership fee. And you get your own webpage and bio, plus a sales link to your book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc., or to your website or blog if you wish. And it’s a great way to network for writers :)
You also will receive the quarterly magazine Islamic Ink, to which all members are encouraged to contribute stories, poems, and articles.
Once again, click HERE to visit the Islamic Writers Alliance website, and check out the catalog of books by its members, including many excellent children’s books.
Join me in supporting this worthy and growing organization by becoming a member today.
Ya Haqq!
May 1, 2008 at 4:01 am
Waw, Good you informed it. I was thinking why Muslim writers don’t have such a website, so that they can share their thoughts and get united, without focusing on labels. We needed it.. :)
May 1, 2008 at 6:22 am
Thank you for this invitation to join the IWA. I recently learned of this organization but decided not to join. With your enthusiastic endorsement, I now reconsider. I will join.
BTW, I am nearly finished reading your book, Master of the Jinn, and I love it! The suspense continues to build, and the story continues to take intriguing and unexpected turns.
May 1, 2008 at 9:27 am
Mashallah some more good news! Thank you for inviting us.
May 1, 2008 at 11:29 am
As Salaam’Alaykum
Thank you br. Irving for posting an announcement for the Islamic Writers Alliance (IWA). I am the founder of this organization and want to also add my invitation to any Muslims who would like to join our organization.
I have also read your exciting adventure book, Master of the Jinn, and am waiting for its sequel to be published. I realy enjoyed the book and the art work incorporated in the book adds a plus to the overall excellence of the story telling and showing!
Salaams,
Widad AKA Linda Delgado
May 1, 2008 at 3:47 pm
This is great news, dear brother!!! I’m so happy for you! :) Alhamdulillah! I discovered this organization through your blog and I’ve been nervous about joining because then it would be official…I’d have to call myself a writer and artist, not just someone who dreams of being one. LOL! Oh, brother, your skills are needed and we are all so blessed to know you.
May 1, 2008 at 6:43 pm
My goodness Ya Haqq! You just don’t cease to amaze me! Super CONGRATULATIONS with a cherry on top! Now back yo earth, may your and everybody’s efforts make this a total success and benefit to all. Allah knows best…
sincerely, barbara
May 2, 2008 at 5:13 am
This is really good news – you are the perfect person for the job. Many congratulations dear friend.
May 2, 2008 at 10:38 am
Congratulations, and congratulations on the interview!
May 2, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Alhamdulillah what good news.
Assalamu alaikum brother Irving and wa alaikum assalam dear Widad.
May 3, 2008 at 8:02 am
Alhamdulillah!
Dear brother Irving,
I rejoice that you have been selected for this position. I can think of no one who will bring more reverent love to this work than you my brother.
God bless you and your dear family,
Love and peace, Maithri
May 3, 2008 at 9:20 am
Salaam Dear Sisters and Brother:
Thank you all for the kind comments :) Please remember that bloggers are writers too, and that joining the Islamic Writers Alliance and spreading the word about your own blogs and writings would be a blessing and a boon for Islamic writing everywhere.
Both Muslim children and adults need more Islamic literature to fire their imagination and expand their knowledge.
Ya Haqq!
May 5, 2008 at 6:47 am
Alhamdollillah! Congratulations! it is through you that I came to know of the Islamic writers Alliance.
Would my humble self be eligible for the honor of membership and what would I have to do to keep it?
May Allah continue to bless you in your work in the path of Deen.
May 8, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Br Irving, Sister Widad told me what you are doing, and I want to thank you for this unexpected and very generous gift. Perhaps I will be permitted to return the favour in some form one day. For now, my heart is full and I remember you to our Rabb.