Welcome to the fourth article showcasing the participating editors and presses of my new indie-press centered pitch event, #SmallPitch. (If you are hearing about #SmallPitch for the first time, you can find information about the event here.)

I asked a few questions to Samiha Hoque from Shaherazad Shelves, a Muslim-owned, New York-based independent book publisher aiming to diversify bookshelves all over the world.

Can you introduce your press?

Shaherazad Shelves is a small independent press founded in 2021. We take about 3-5 titles a year, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the submission year. Currently, it’s run by myself (Samiha) and editorial interns. ShSh has three imprints (Saladeen Books, Shush Books, and Sorra Books), and we take a variety of children’s to adult fiction.

What will you be on the lookout for during #SmallPitch?

Shaherazad Shelves typically looks for children’s fiction, from chapter books to YA, that is magic-less fantasy, low/emotion-driven romance, and has Muslim main characters, side characters, or Muslim-friendly themes like friendship and family. I look for the same in Adult fiction, although books with Muslim protagonists dominate that space.

If we like a pitch and invite an author to submit, all our guidelines are on our website. If we participate in a pitch event when our general submission window is closed, just shoot me a DM, and I have a special query manager link for those.

What’s your favorite part of being an editor at your press?

My favorite part about being an editor is reading great books! Especially when receiving submissions that fit ShSh’s guidelines because it makes it easy for me to whip up marketing details.

Writing editorial letters is a close second. It’s fun being able to sharpen an already good story to make it shine.

What’s your favorite writing advice you’d like to share with aspiring authors?

Be open to editing your story. And if that means reading suggested edits and walking away for a few hours or days, then do that! Most editors want what’s best for your book. I know I do.

Also, you don’t have to incorporate all suggestions to edit! You’re the author and know the story best. Communicate that with your editor if you ever think something doesn’t align or feels off.

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Find Shaherazad Shelves at: