We were lucky to catch up with Azra Rahman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Azra , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Writing, by itself, is a meaningful endeavor for me. Most of what I write is heartfelt and is written with the desire to connect with readers through words.
If I have to pick one project which means slightly more than the others, I would pick volunteering with Al Mustafa Foundation of Utah, a local NGO; in putting together the history of Muslims in Utah. The reason I have ranked this project a notch higher than my personal projects is because of its importance, not merely on an individual level, but also towards outlining the thread of Muslim presence and contributions in the greater tapestry of the larger Utah community.
This project is also unique because most of the volunteers and the leaders of it are Muslim women.
Our team was also recently awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Historical Society of Utah in recognition of the relentless efforts of the many volunteers and contributors towards preserving an important aspect of the state’s history.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The first thing anyone should know about me is that I am not a superwoman.
I am a homemaker who loves to write and who is striving hard, albeit slowly, towards making a niche in the writing/publishing world.
My name accumulates all aspects of my personality: me, the wife, the mom, the writer, the daughter, the friend, the sister…and many others. I don’t bind myself to one facet as it would restrict the many sides of life to merely one dimension.
Recently, I registered my publishing house called AMR Publishers LLC. Although I am still exploring the ins and outs of the industry and trying to optimize my time and finances to reach the goals I have set for myself, I find myself being proud of not giving up easily despite the many setbacks.
Currently I am focusing on setting up my publishing house and continuing my writing journey through my blogs.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

My debut novel, ‘The Mother of my children’ came out in the December of 2023. Most of 2024 was spent in traveling for book signings. Including Utah, I managed to travel through four states. Each single event was successful. All the copies were sold out. A few bookstores invited me back and the return book signings were also sold out.
Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it?
And yet, the most valuable lesson I learnt was during a book signing in Idaho.
When the store manager orders books, I usually prefer to have them order paperbacks instead of hardbacks. The reason is because paperbacks are less costly than hardbacks. I used to have this mindset and even though I made good sales, my belief that hardbacks were harder to sell, would soon be challenged.
I was in Idaho for a couple of signings. During one of them, I walked into the store in the morning around 10. I checked in with the manager and they showed me to my table. Guess what greeted me?
Yup.
Hardbacks.
All of them.
Not one paperback.
I stood there for a minute, shocked and trying to process it.
How on earth will I sell the hardbacks?
Who will even buy it from a newbie author?
I am no Jeffrey Archer or Dan Brown or JKR that people would giddily spend $30 for a signed copy and a meet & greet.
Hell, they’d even spend a $100 if it was either of these famous authors. But me? Practically unknown. Who would even be interested in spending so much money for my first book that is?
I told the manager as much. That it will be hard to sell the hardbacks. She agreed and apologized for the trouble. She was also sweet enough to assure me that I shouldn’t stress myself and just do my best. It’s not a problem.
As I sighed and had a fit internally, it dawned on me that honestly, what did I have to lose?
I have already accepted that most likely none of the copies would be sold. So why not give it my best shot?
I relaxed myself and put on my game face.
Guess how many copies I sold?
All of them.
I think at end of it, I was in as much disbelief as the manager. She was happier than I was, while the relief and surprised feeling never left me.
That particular signing taught me that for any endeavor to be successful, I should first believe in its success. Then give my best without any reservations. Convinced authors, convinces their readers.
If I do not believe in my work, who will?

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me the act of creating, whether it’s through writing or art, is the most rewarding in itself.
The multiple ways in which our thoughts and ideas can be portrayed on paper and canvas, which in turn can be interpreted in different ways by each individual, is a fascinating process. One learns through creating as much as they teach others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wordsfromazra.home.blog/
• Instagram: @rahmanofmanzer
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AtmH9YY3m/
• Linkedin: Azra Rahman