Who are prominent Saudi women writers in Riyadh International Book Fair 2025?
The Riyadh International Book Fair 2025, held in the Saudi capital, focused on the work and creativity of Saudi women writers this year, highlighting their presence in the kingdom’s growing literary scene. Several well-known and emerging female writers presented their latest works at the fair and also discussed their backgrounds.
Maha Al-Rashed — book name “Stories of My City”
Saudi author Maha Al-Rashed, through her new book “Stories of My City,” has highlighted the aspects of urban life where old streets and modern lifestyles intersect. In the book, she writes that stories are hidden in the corners of the city that take the reader on a journey through time, emotions, memories, and places. Mahar Al-Rashed said that it took her about 18 months to complete the book, and she calls it a tribute to the cities that shape us as much as we shape them.
Najah Salama — “book name Quoot: The Jewelry Collector”
Najah Salama, a renowned fantasy writer, has published her fifth book, “Quoot: The Jewelry Collector” in Arabic. It is a novel based on a charming fantasy world, which includes mermaids, giants, and pirates, and each character hides a different secret within themselves. According to Salama, her story is based on a sea fantasy journey where giants and mermaids join forces with pirates, and characters from the future travel back in time. Her inspiration comes from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean and ancient mermaid tales.
Munira Al-Aidan — book name “In the Depth of Our Minds”
New author Munira Al-Aidan has released her debut work, “In the Depth of Our Minds,” a collection of poems and short stories. The book explores the emotional and psychological challenges of humanity in today’s fast-paced world. Al-Aidan said that the book is the result of three years of thinking and writing. According to her, her goal is to inspire readers with courage, gentleness, self-awareness, and the emotions that people often hide.
Amal Hamdan —book name “Amal’s Impression”
Amal Hamdan also launched her first book, “Amal’s Impression,” at the fair. She has summarized her four years of journalistic and cultural experience in the book and described meeting readers as a valuable opportunity. Amal said that publishing her first book is “a dream come true.” She wants young Saudis to develop their literary and artistic talents and contribute to the cultural landscape of the kingdom.
The Riyadh International Book Fair is organized by the Literature, Publication and Translation Commission, a subsidiary of the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The 10-day fair is being held at Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh, and Uzbekistan is this year’s Guest of Honor.
This year, separate platforms were established for female and male writers at the fair, where readers had the opportunity to meet different writers and discuss their work. According to experts, such book fairs play a fundamental role in encouraging new writers. They provide them with an opportunity to reach out to a wider audience, present their ideas, and receive useful feedback.
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