Meet Nazia Islam | Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nazia Islam and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nazia, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want people to remember me for which I might have changed in their life or that I have led them to learn. I follow the words “inspire as much as you are inspired”. Which I always try to do. I want to remembered for being kind, helpful, and impactful. 

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Being proud of things I do, I don’t come easy to me. Because my thinking is always focused on something else. rather what motivates me is hearing compliments from my close ones and hearing stories of people who have found something interesting or intriguing or hearing different of what I say, which is interesting.

I got where I’m today magically. I somehow got a publishing deal on sale, then I started writing in my freshman year of high school and finished wring in my senior year and published right one day before my graduation. I started writing to write my experience, and perspectives others found interesting then it transformed into writing to inspire others with my experience and views with soethjg common we all face in life “problems” which I as a teen and others around me often found something too difficult to adapt to. No one can have problems but knowing others have problems too is a big adoption rather than being in a small bubble by ourselves.

All through it all happened magically with Allah’s (God) will it didn’t come easy like anything else. As a new author, I knew nothing about books or authors or publishing a book. The only book I had read was We’re at school, and the few books I had read in my free time were completely different from the book I wrote. Which also lead me to making lots of mistakes. Which I find funny because my book is about how teens can face problems better and my book cover is perfect example of that. Cause my book title which should have been “Through the Eyes of a Teen: A book written by an Immigrant, Muslim, and a teenager” turned to “Though the Eyes of a Teen: a book written by an Immigrant, Muslim, and a Teenage”. Our lives can’t be without problems and by making mistakes we learn through this I learned to not rush things over-excitement and to do some research before getting into anything. They’re much more marketing mistakes I have made I came to realize but it was overall a learning experience. Another point for me is to check my thinking as I tend to overthink a lot which I brought up in my book.

But I was able to overcome the challenges of overthinking by starting painting, while my book cover has not been settled, I’m not happy as from the reviews I can see my readers can understand my message through the book.

My story has started and don’t know when it would end but I hope my book brings inspiration, ideas, and better views to young teens. My experience isn’t mine alone but others too cause I’m an immigrant like many others, Muslim like many others, and a teenager like countless others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As an immigrant, the first place I set foot on is New York, Queens, and though I moved I’m still near, right in Brooklyn. It’s a mix of all people, cultures, and religions. It’s now like my home but yet not home because I don’t own a home yet. There is Howard Beach in Queens which my brother often takes me and my mom to. Thats wind blows away all my problems making me feel fresh, and free leaving me always happy, so I will take them there. But I still love my home country Bangladesh the most that’s full of greens and water all year round. with all kinds of fruits and vegetables right in our garden grown by my parents and animals right outside my door. So if they find nature interesting my home country is their go-to place, Though, it’s small, populated, and polluted it’s full of people who love and care.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Every person in my surroundings has helped me in my story. without them, I wouldn’t be who I’m today. Whether positive or negative impact from them, they shaped my thinking, actions, and ideas at every moment. But without Allah’s (God’s) will, and my family it wouldn’t have been possible. Who were and are always my pillars in any situation. My support, my laughter, my partners, my friends and so much more. And lastly, my friends who inspired and encouraged me, and my high school teachers, who saw for who I’m and pushed me forward. And this shout-out wouldn’t be complete without appreciation for my readers, a few wonderful author friends I made after my book publication who have given me advice, the teachings I have been given, and everything I have. 

Website: https://www.amazon.com/Through-Eyes-Teen-Written-Immigrant-ebook/dp/B0C93J1KKG

Instagram: https://instagram.com/islamnazia2005?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazia-islam-98898a275

Image Credits
Ali Amzad