authors studio

Write and Shine: A Year with Daybreak Press

Unlock Your Writing Potential: A 12-Month Program for Fiction and Nonfiction Writers
Daybreak Press is excited to invite Muslim women writers to apply for our exclusive 12-month Authors Studio. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, this program is designed to take you from the early drafting stages to a polished, submission-ready manuscript. With personalized mentorship, expert guidance, and a supportive community, this is your opportunity to elevate your writing and achieve your publishing goals.

To support this goal, we are launching a 12-month Authors Studio designed to guide writers from early drafting to a completed, polished manuscript!

Accepted writers will attend monthly online classes that focus on writing craft, manuscript development, and editing. Each writer will also be assigned an editor mentor who will guide her through the program, offering individualized feedback and support. At the end of the program, writers will be encouraged to submit their completed manuscripts to Daybreak Press for potential publication.

Program Structure

The Authors Studio is structured to guide you through every step of writing and editing a manuscript. Each month will focus on a key aspect of the writing process, ensuring that by the end of the year, you have a completed manuscript. The program includes:

The studio is ideal for established and aspiring Muslim women authors who are passionate about storytelling, committed to the writing process, and ready to take their manuscript to the next level. Whether you’re new to writing or have experience, if you’re serious about your craft, we encourage you to apply.

  1. Upload a favorite writing sample (2,000–5,000 words)
  2. Respond to a writing prompt (500 words)
  3. Share your book idea: What do you hope to work on in the Authors Studio? (500 words)
Bonus Benefits
Program Cost
$ 3,000
  • Weekly Writing Sprints
  • Monthly Live Workshops
  • Monthly 1:1 Mentorship
  • Quarterly Guest Speakers
  • Professional Editing
Important Dates

Applications Open: October 1, 2024

Early Bird Incentive: Apply by October 15, 2024 to receive a 5% discount on the program fee.

Final Application Deadline: November 24, 2024

Notification Date: December 1, 2024

Program Start: January 2025

Criteria for Acceptance
  1. Quality of Writing Sample
    Writing samples should demonstrate originality, clarity, and strong storytelling or argumentation, with room for growth.
  2. Proposal Alignment with Daybreak Press Values
    The proposal should reflect Islamic values and promote positive cultural change, aligning with the mission of Daybreak Press.
  3. Commitment to Dedicated Writing Hours
    Applicants must agree to dedicate 5–10 hours a week to writing, workshops, and meetings, with clear writing goals in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Authors Studio offers both fiction and nonfiction tracks. Projects across a wide range of genres are welcome. However, all work should align with Daybreak Press’s values, reflect Islamic principles, and promote positive cultural change.
 

Yes, participants are welcome to continue working on an existing manuscript or begin a new one for the Studio.

We welcome writers of all experience levels. Whether you are just starting or have written before, the Studio is designed to help you grow and refine your craft.
 

Participants should expect to dedicate 5–10 hours per week, including working towards your writing goals, completing writing exercises, participating in weekly sprints, and attending monthly workshops and quarterly events.

If you encounter any issues with your mentor, you can reach out to the studio advisor via email or during her office hours for assistance and resolution.

If you are unable to attend a scheduled workshop, please notify the studio advisor via email in advance. Recordings of all workshops will be available.
 

Submission to Daybreak Press is optional, but highly encouraged. We offer feedback to help prepare your manuscript for submission to any publisher.

Meet the Team
Daybreak Press Publications

At Daybreak Press, we’ve published a wide range of books that reflect diverse Muslim women’s voices. Our publications represent the creativity and depth of the Muslim women’s writing community.

Want to learn more about Daybreak Press? Sign up here for our monthly newsletter, The Daybreak Dispatch! Get sneak peeks at upcoming releases, cover reveals, exclusive access to sales and pre-orders, behind-the-scenes insights from our team, and updates on all things reading, writing, and publishing! View past issues.

Join the Daybreak Writers Circle! This free online class meets on the first and third Thursday of each month. Enjoy writing activities, project support, and occasional guest speakers, all while connecting with a supportive community of like-minded writers. Sign up to receive Zoom links and join our WhatsApp group.

Follow Us
Najiyah Maxfield
Instructor

Najiyah Maxfield is an experienced editor, teacher, and author with a background in English and history, having taught in both the US and the Middle East. She has written numerous articles, poems, and short stories, including the award-winning young adult novel Sophia’s Journal, which also inspired a companion curriculum. As an instructor at the Ribaat Academic Institute, she teaches writing and public speaking and leads workshops on convert care and personal development.

Shabnam Mahmood
Instructor

Shabnam Mahmood holds a graduate degree in English with a focus on children’s and British literature and has taught at multiple universities. She coaches a middle school literary competition, Battle of the Books, where her team is the reigning champion. In addition to her involvement in food writing, Shabnam volunteers at her masjid as the newsletter editor.

Leanna Abdelmaged
Studio Advisor

Leanna Abdelmaged holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Prairie View A&M University and a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix. She has worked for over 15 years as an educator in both public and private schools in the US and abroad.

Jessica Hassan
Mentor

Jessica Hassan holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota and an editing certificate from the University of Chicago. She has more than ten years of editing experience and has worked with Cambridge University Press, Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, Claritas Books, Ruqaya’s Bookshelf, and Qalam Research.

Fatema Hakim
Mentor

Fatema Hakim has worked as a freelance copywriter, editor, and designer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Queen Mary University of London and an MPhil in English studies from the University of Cambridge, graduating as a medieval specialist.

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