Fatiha Rais

Bio

Fatiha Rais is a U.K. based writer of Indian and Tanzanian descent. She spends her time writing empowering female characters so she can vicariously live out her dreams of queendom through them. She has a PhD examining how female storytellers in Arabic literature and Islamic history spin tales as a mode of resistance against patriarchal and colonial regimes. Her short stories have been published in magazines, ebooks and physical books. She lives, breathes, and bleeds writing but does occasionally enjoy hiking, bouldering and traveling.

As an individual from a working class and ethnic minority background who has had the privilege to enter many different spaces, Fatiha knows that it’s vital, now more than ever, to support those of underrepresented backgrounds and of marginalised identities to navigate the publishing space. She is open to mentoring in the YA, NA and Adult categories in fantasy, romance and mystery. You can find her MSWL below.

MSWL

  • All kinds of fantasy! High fantasy, low fantasy, romantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, cozy fantasy, steampunk etc. I love them all.

  • Must have romance. It can be a main plot (romantasy) or equally important to the fantasy elements (fantasy romance) or a sub/b-plot (fantasy). But it does need to be there for me to enjoy and champion the book. I love spice but to me the romantic tension is far more important. And I can really help with that element as a mentor

  • Stories based in BIPOC cultures to be written by BIPOC writers 

  • Fun fantasy stories with characters from ethnic minority backgrounds, sexual identities, disabilities. An exploration of postcolonialism in a high concept fantasy story. I want their experiences to be true and relevant to the story, but I also want it to be a compelling story. 

  • Strong, intelligent female characters (they don’t have to be physically strong or book smart). I’d love for these to be written by people who identify as women or gender-neutral writers

  • Elements that I’m particularly interested in right now include: horror leanings, mystery elements.  

  • Fantasy with a strong mystery plotline. THE GOD AND THE GUMIHO hit my absolute sweet spot of fantasy, romance and mystery and I want something like that! THIS MONSTER OF MINE also has a really intriguing mystery plotline. 

  • For YA or NA characters who are figuring out their place in the world whilst also navigating plot/character stakes. For Adult, I’d love to see characters in their 30s and 40s figuring things out and falling in love. 

  • Studio Ghibli pitches are a win for me, but I especially love Studio Ghibli vibes in pacy, and plotty novels.

  • I love webtoon, anime, k-drama, and c-drama comps! 

  • Nuanced characters that aren’t just good or bad. Morally grey is a favourite of mine. I also love villains as main characters. If villain why hot is a refrain in this house. 

BOOKS TO GET TO KNOW ME:

  • Cassandra Clare’s THE INFERNAL DEVICES for the incredible characterisations, especially Will Herondale, and the sense of humour

  • Cozy fantasy a la WOOING THE WITCH QUEEN by Stephanie Burgis

  • Contemporary fantasy like THE GOD AND THE GUMIHO

  • Chloe Gong, THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS for the exploration of history from a colonised nation’s standpoint. Historical or second world! 

  • Morgan Rhodes FALLING KINGDOMS for its epic storytelling and slow-burn romance

  • THIS RAGING SEA by De Elizabeth for its horror elements and yearning

  • THE CRUEL PRINCE by Holly Black for Cardan

  • I AM MADE OF DEATH by Kelly Andrew for its eldritch horror elements and slightly toxic romance.

  • HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE (I love the movie)

  • I loved Shalini Abeysekara’s THIS MONSTER OF MINE for the combination of dark romantasy, mystery in a legal system. Glorious. 

  • N.K. Jemisin’s THE BROKEN KINGDOMS

WHAT I’M NOT THE BEST FIT FOR:

Anything literary fiction or stories with literary leanings. I’m firmly a commercial writer and reader and we have many mentors who would be a better fit for literary styled fantasy/mystery/romance. 

Stories set in schools, whether that be dark academia or not. 

Stories that explore adultery committed by the main character or love interest are generally not for me.