“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.
About the Emirates Literature Foundation:
The Emirates Literature Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which supports and nurtures a love of literature in the United Arab Emirates and the region, through a programme of varied cultural initiatives.
Established in 2013 by Royal Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Foundation aims to foster a love for literature, with a focus on the Arabic language.
In line with the National Reading Policy of the UAE, the Foundation has implemented several long-term projects including the First Chapter, the School Librarian of the Year Award, Kateb Maktub, and From the Inside Out, as well as conducting year-round student education programmes, book clubs and mentorship programmes. The Foundation’s previous initiatives included the 2020 International Literary Festivals Conference, the 2017 Dubai International Publishing Conference and the 2016 Dubai Translation Conference.
The Foundation is in official relations with UNESCO and is also the governing body of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the UAE’s premier literary festival.
2 June 2025, Dubai, UAE: The Emirates Literature Foundation, in partnership with Fiker Insitute, hosted a special evening for the launch of What Will People Think, the highly anticipated debut novel by award-winning writer and journalist Sara Hamdan.
The exclusive event was held at the Fiker Institute in Alserkal Avenue on Sunday, 1 June 2025 and featured a fireside chat with the author led by Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation, followed by a book signing and celebratory reception. The evening brought together leading voices from Dubai’s cultural and literary community, including representatives from Alserkal Avenue, Art Jameel, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Department of Economy and Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, Seddiqi Holding, and a number of local authors and publishers.
“This is a landmark moment not only for Sara but for the entire literary ecosystem in Dubai,” said Ahlam Bolooki, CEO of the Emirates Literature Foundation. “Her journey from an aspiring writer to a published author topping international bestseller lists is a shining example of what’s possible when talent is matched with opportunity. It’s also a powerful reminder of the transformative impact that mentorship, community support, and targeted initiatives like the First Chapter Fellowship can have on a writer’s path. At the Emirates Literature Foundation, we believe in nurturing local voices and amplifying stories from this region on a global stage. We are honoured to have played a role in supporting her from her first draft to the world stage, and we hope her story inspires a new generation of writers – the world is ready for our stories. It’s time we write them.”
“At Fiker Institute, we are honoured to host the regional launch of Sarah Hamdan’s debut novel, and are proud to champion the voices of Arab authors and creatives on the global stage—amplifying stories that shape our cultural and intellectual landscape.” Dubai Abulhoul, Founder of Fiker Institute.
“We are thrilled to witness the amazing response Sara’s book has received globally and look forward to local audiences discovering her 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.
About the Emirates Literature Foundation:
The Emirates Literature Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which supports and nurtures a love of literature in the United Arab Emirates and the region, through a programme of varied cultural initiatives.
Established in 2013 by Royal Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Foundation aims to foster a love for literature, with a focus on the Arabic language.
In line with the National Reading Policy of the UAE, the Foundation has implemented several long-term projects including the First Chapter, the School Librarian of the Year Award, Kateb Maktub, and From the Inside Out, as well as conducting year-round student education programmes, book clubs and mentorship programmes. The Foundation’s previous initiatives included the 2020 International Literary Festivals Conference, the 2017 Dubai International Publishing Conference and the 2016 Dubai Translation Conference.
The Foundation is in official relations with UNESCO and is also the governing body of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the UAE’s premier literary festival.
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