Hello!
As you can tell from the subtitle above, I’ve been trying to be more productive this year— taking account of goals on a quarterly (rather than yearly) basis.
I’ve enjoyed following Ali Abdaal (Youtuber and productivity guru of sorts) and was introduced to the idea of the 12 Week Year (by Brian P. Moran and Michael Linnington). It’s a great, and rather intuitive concept, and if you’re someone who is feeling sluggish this year, consider taking the time to go through the book and follow the steps to set up your calendar.
I will be honest here: I haven’t followed through with updating my planner as meticulously as the program suggests, but it’s helped me enough to know that I need to take stock of my writing (and other goals) more often.
In January I launched a new section on my website for writers. I am now offering classes on the craft of writing, as well as manuscript critiques. This is big (both, in terms of accomplishing a goal I set myself last year, and continuing to do what I love to do—teach!) and has been very rewarding. I’ve critiqued several manuscripts, sold multiple classes and have been receiving some amazing feedback.
I am currently offering three types of critiques:
Query Letter Critique (for those looking to enter traditional publishing)
Picture Book Manuscript Critiques (for rhymers, non-rhymers, fiction writers, non-fiction writers, self-publishers and/or those looking to traditionally publish)
Novel in Verse Critiques (first 10 pages of an MG or YA NIV)
In additional I am also offering AMA calls for anyone who is confused about what their next steps should be/ needs some hand-holding/ wants to ask specific questions about publishing, or simply needs some cheering on when the going gets tough.
Sign up for a critique from Marzieh
I am also offering classes on the craft of writing after great feedback from attendees at the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge webinar on PB structure that I conducted last year, and a class on revision that I taught through The Writing Barn on self-editing and revision.
Sign up for a Class taught by Marzieh
March was the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, and I love to reset and realign my purpose with my passions. I also treat it as a time for resolutions and journal about my dreams and hopes for the year. I often divide these goals into categories; broadly speaking they are spiritual, professional, physical, financial, psychological and personal.
Do you set clear goals for the different areas of your life?
With all that has been happening around the world, and the inevitable spillover into publishing, and subsequent drop in sales, I have been constantly questioning why I’m doing what I’m doing. I keep wondering if I am making the best use of my time. I wonder if I should shut my social media accounts and go into a shell. I wonder what the future holds in a world that is so broken. I wonder if sending out manuscript after manuscript (only to gather rejection after rejection) is the right way to go.
I’ve been speaking to lots of people in publishing—editors, agents, authors— and everyone sees a bleak future for publishing (and the world in general).
But that only made me dig even deeper for answers. Answers that reminded me:
So here I am: persevering, persisting, resisting!
A thoughtful gift from a dear friend:
Feedback from clients, especially those who’ve availed my services multiple times:
New coasters that match the gorgeous cover (illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat) of my upcoming novel, Aarzu All Around (to be released on July 29, 2025):
As I’m gearing up for the release of my debut MG novel in verse, Aarzu All Around, I am drafting another novel in verse which is very close to my heart. It revolves around the diagnosis of a child on the spectrum and how their neurotypical sibling deals with all the challenges that come with it. This project (which I hope to call a book someday) is proving to be a journey of self-discovery and introspection. I am roughly 9000 words in and just let me say: there have been a lot of tears (the emotions are still raw, the path is still messy, and the future is still uncertain) but also a lot of gratitude and submission and growth. I don’t want to give away too much, but if you’re someone who knows where I’m coming from, please drop a comment, and let’s connect! Also, prayers are more than welcome!
I’m also a mentor (for the third time... Wohooo!) for PB Rising Stars and will post more about the program and my mentee in my next newsletter.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear what has been keeping you busy!
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