Welcome to my substack!

A place where I'll share publishing and other news, writing tips and strategies, and maybe some advice. Plus book recommendations and other things I love! Let's chat.

First posts are awkward,

so let’s not make it that way. This the first time I’ve dipped my toe into the newsletter waters and I’m not sure what I’m doing. But I have a few ideas. First off, I plan to keep this newsletter free, please ignore any prompts to upgrade. Secondly, I won’t barrage you with emails. You’re busy, I’m busy, we’re all busy, I’ll send this out maybe once or twice a month? Let’s see how it goes. Next, my focus will be on the following: writing, cooking, living the creative life, updates on my latest projects, life as a Muslim woman in Canada, parenting, and tv and book recs. Mostly, I see this newsletter as a cosy-drink-chai-funny-writing-ain’t-life-wild type of vibe.

My actual first post

Note: I wrote this first post earlier this year, when I first started thinking about starting a newsletter. And then I got busy with other things and months passed. So, while I have since sold the book I had on submission at the time I drafted this post, I still think it’s a good way to start off my newsletter, if only because rejection is an evergreen topic for anyone embarking on the creative life!

I want to talk about rejection. The word makes my stomach knot. At the moment I’m writing this, I’m waiting for an answer from a publisher. It’s not a fun place to be, because it ignites all sorts of anxiety…even after four published books! Will they give me the answer I’m looking for? Or any answer at all? Am I good enough? Will I ever write again in this industry???

Yah. A lot of feelings. I don’t really like to give advice because, you know, YMMV. But I can share a bit about how I manage the rejection of it all.

Firstly, I try to remind myself that if I’m waiting to hear back about A THING, that means that I did the hard thing. I put myself out there. I tried out. I took my shot and I bet on myself. For years, I was too scared to do any of those things, so yay me.  

Next, I remember that every published book is literally paved on rejections. Every book I love, someone looked at that same book and said nah, I’ll take that other one instead.

It’s not personal. I’ve worked with amazing people in publishing. Seriously, the best. But everyone has to answer to someone else, and market forces, late stage capitalism, all of this conspires to change things up constantly. The world in which I wrote my first book, second, third, fourth, each world was different. Nothing is guaranteed. (This last bit is easier to write than accept by the way).

Rejection sucks. It’s hard not to feel bitter and angry and ashamed when it comes for you. What could I have done? Why don’t they like me? I can chaaaaaange!! It’s easy to stew in the pity party. I usually complain to my husband and friends, mope for a couple of days, and then let the feelings fade as they’re swallowed up by the rest of my life.

Because they do fade. The sting and bitterness might never entirely go away, but I eventually move on. Because dinner needs to be made, and we just ran out of milk, and my kid needs attention, and I have a deadline and ten emails to answer.

That’s what I’ve realized about publishing, about life, about all of it: no matter what I’m feeling RIGHT NOW, I will eventually return to a baseline emotion, which usually involves me sitting on my couch, watching something funny, drinking chai, and feeling okay about it all. Even the highest highs – like when my book was reviewed in the NYT – don’t last as long as you think. It’s the little moments of every day that build a life.

Until next time, friends.

Uzma J

My books!

If you’ve enjoyed this post, you might enjoy my other work. I write hilarious, dramatic and feel-good rom-coms that feature South Asian, Muslim Canadians:

Ayesha At Last

– Pride and Prejudice retelling set in a cosy Toronto neighbourhood, featuring quirky South Asian family, secrets, and lots of heated glances. Buy links: Canada United States UK

Hana Khan Carries On

Hana Khan Carries On – enemies to lovers, fated mates, rival halal restaurant owners, podcasting, and delicious food. Optioned for film by Mindy Kaling and Amazon Studios. Buy links: Canada United States UK

Much Ado About Nada

Much Ado About Nada – the New York Times said “it was, in a word, brilliant.” Persuasion retelling, with angsty yearning, speed dating, hilarious Muslim rockstars, redemption. Buy links: Canada United States UK

Three Holidays and a Wedding (co-written with Marissa Stapley)

Three Holidays and a Wedding – A Good Morning America buzz pick, it’s a multi-faith holiday romcom! Christmas, Hanukkah and Ramadan rep, with two love stories for the price of one. Buy links: Canada United States UK

Have questions or want to share? Email me at ujalaluddin@outlook.com or insta @uzmajalaluddin

To find out more: uzmajalaluddin.com

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