I translate fiction and non-fiction for adults and children, with a particular interest in children's literature (from picture books to young adult) and graphic novels for all ages.
I translate the voices that tell their stories on their own terms. I am especially interested in well-informed stories involving migration, and nuanced Muslim characters.
I translate the voices that tell their stories on their own terms. I am especially interested in well-informed stories involving migration, and nuanced Muslim characters.
Published works
Shorter pieces
MY FLEETING RETURN TO SYRIA (in An Anthology of New Feminist Translations)
Essay by Najat Abed Alsamad. The Emma Press, 2025
SECOND-HAND LIFE (in Slender Thorns: Award-winning Flash Fiction in English and Arabic)
Short story by Laila Hashemi. ArabLit Books, 2025
A CHICKEN'S DIARY
Illustrated zine by Rawand Issa. The Markaz Review, 2025
STRANGER IN MY OWN LAND
Poem by Zena K. A. Elhout. The Massachusetts Review, 2024
FIRST TOUR OF THE OLD WORLD (extract from Fearless and Free)
Memoir by Josephine Baker. Co-translated with Sophie Lewis. The Paris Review, 2024
GILGAMESH'S SKULL
Graphic novel extract by Hooda Shawa. Co-translated with Nadiyah Abdullatif. ArabLit Quarterly, 2024
THE TIME OUR FRIEND FORGOT HIS PHONE
Short story by Basma Alnsour. ArabLit Quarterly, 2022
FOUR STORIES FROM IN THE TENDERNESS OF WAR
Short stories by Najat Abed Alsamad. The Stinging Fly, 2022
*Winning entry for the Stinging Fly New Translator's Bursary*
FROM IN THE TENDERNESS OF WAR
Short stories by Najat Abed Alsamad. Gulf Coast, 2022
*Winning entry for the 2021 Gulf Coast Prize in Translation*
HOW TO HIDE IN LEBANON AS A WESTERN FOREIGNER
Extract from YOGHURT AND JAM... by Lena Merhej. The Markaz Review, 2021
HOW FOOTBALL IS LIKE WRITING AND WRITING IS LIKE FOOTBALL
Essays curated by Huda al-Daghfaq. ArabLit Quarterly, 2021
OVER THE LINE
Short story by Najwa Bin Shatwan. SpLitera Cultural Association, 2021
AN EXCERPT FROM MAHMOUD SHUKAIR'S ME, MY FRIEND, AND THE DONKEY
YA fiction by Mahmoud Shukair. Arablit.org, 2021
Essay by Najat Abed Alsamad. The Emma Press, 2025
SECOND-HAND LIFE (in Slender Thorns: Award-winning Flash Fiction in English and Arabic)
Short story by Laila Hashemi. ArabLit Books, 2025
A CHICKEN'S DIARY
Illustrated zine by Rawand Issa. The Markaz Review, 2025
STRANGER IN MY OWN LAND
Poem by Zena K. A. Elhout. The Massachusetts Review, 2024
FIRST TOUR OF THE OLD WORLD (extract from Fearless and Free)
Memoir by Josephine Baker. Co-translated with Sophie Lewis. The Paris Review, 2024
GILGAMESH'S SKULL
Graphic novel extract by Hooda Shawa. Co-translated with Nadiyah Abdullatif. ArabLit Quarterly, 2024
THE TIME OUR FRIEND FORGOT HIS PHONE
Short story by Basma Alnsour. ArabLit Quarterly, 2022
FOUR STORIES FROM IN THE TENDERNESS OF WAR
Short stories by Najat Abed Alsamad. The Stinging Fly, 2022
*Winning entry for the Stinging Fly New Translator's Bursary*
FROM IN THE TENDERNESS OF WAR
Short stories by Najat Abed Alsamad. Gulf Coast, 2022
*Winning entry for the 2021 Gulf Coast Prize in Translation*
HOW TO HIDE IN LEBANON AS A WESTERN FOREIGNER
Extract from YOGHURT AND JAM... by Lena Merhej. The Markaz Review, 2021
HOW FOOTBALL IS LIKE WRITING AND WRITING IS LIKE FOOTBALL
Essays curated by Huda al-Daghfaq. ArabLit Quarterly, 2021
OVER THE LINE
Short story by Najwa Bin Shatwan. SpLitera Cultural Association, 2021
AN EXCERPT FROM MAHMOUD SHUKAIR'S ME, MY FRIEND, AND THE DONKEY
YA fiction by Mahmoud Shukair. Arablit.org, 2021
Translations seeking a publisher
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PLAYING WITH SOLDIERS (novella for adults) **Winner of a PEN Presents x International Booker Prize** Written by Tariq Asrawi Originally in Arabic | Takween Publishing (2024) Ziyad and Tamim are 14-year-old boys living in Jenin, Palestine, under Israeli occupation. One day, they witness something that must be kept secret. This is a book about resistance, responsibility and the loss of innocence. TETA AND BABCIA (picture book for older children) Written by Miranda Beshara, illustrated by Heba Khalifa Originally in Arabic | Dar al-Balsam (2019) An intercultural coming-of-age memoir told through grandmothers’ recipes from Egypt, Syria, and Poland, accompanied by strikingly inventive artwork. Suitable for all ages, starting from middle grade. |
IN THE TENDERNESS OF WAR, Najat Abed Alsamad
Short story collection | Originally in Arabic (Syria)
My translation sample won the inaugural Stinging Fly New Translator's Bursary, the 2021 Gulf Coast Prize in Translation, and was longlisted for the 2021 John Dryden Translation Competition.
Published extracts: The Stinging Fly, Gulf Coast, National Centre for Writing
- Video readings: National Centre for Writing and Bila Hudood Festival
- Featured on the British Council's list of must-translate Arabic books
ME, MY FRIEND AND THE DONKEY, Mahmoud Shukair
Young adult | Originally in Arabic (Palestine)
My proposal was longlisted by The Emma Press following their September 2021 call for submissions.
- Published extracts: ArabLit and World Kid Lit
- Video reading: Jill!
Related work
- Judge for the 2025 Translators' Association First Translation Prize, Society of Authors
- Judge for the 2025 ALTA Travel Fellowships
- National and regional judge for the Anthea Bell Prize for Young Translators, 2021–2025
- Visible Communities translator in residence for the National Centre for Writing, 2021 and 2023
- Virtual Travel Fellow for the ALTA Conference 2021
- Emerging Translators Mentee, National Centre for Writing, 2020/21
