Alaa Al-Barkawi
Alaa Al-Barkawi is a first-generation, Iraqi-American Shia Muslim writer. Alaa’s novels center around messy Iraqi characters navigating complicated family dynamics, Shia faith, weighty responsibilities, and culture. While her stories mostly take place in contemporary worlds, she infuses speculative twists with unexpected narrators inspired by Iraqi heritage and Islamic elements.
Her young adult debut novel, IN THE COUNTRY I LOVE, will be published in Summer 2026 by Peachtree Teen.
If you like author Alaa Al-Barkawi here is the list of authors you may also like
Buy books on AmazonTotal similar authors (3)
-
Loretta Chefchaouni
Loretta Chefchaouni is a former early childhood educator from Florida who writes for teens. Her fantastical tales turn grief and fear into myth and monsters and explore all the scary parts of being human within the safe space of stories. She is made of coffee stains and cat fur, and if you were to cut her open, you'd find a marshmallow center. The Lustrous Dark is her debut novel.
Buy books on Amazon -
Cass Biehn
Cass Biehn (they/them) writes messy queer characters in messier situations—and always with angsty kissing. They hold a Master of Library Science degree from Aberystwyth University in rainy Wales and currently live in the Utah desert, where they split their time between cosplaying and wrangling their dogs.
Buy books on Amazon
Cass' debut novel, VESUVIUS, will release Summer 2025 from Peachtree Teen.
Learn more about them at cassbiehn.com or @cassbeewrites on Twitter and Instagram. -
Loretta Chefchaouni
Loretta Chefchaouni is a former early childhood educator from Florida who writes for teens. Her fantastical tales turn grief and fear into myth and monsters and explore all the scary parts of being human within the safe space of stories. She is made of coffee stains and cat fur, and if you were to cut her open, you'd find a marshmallow center. The Lustrous Dark is her debut novel.
Buy books on Amazon