A Diary of Darkness
A follow-up to the award-winning zine, In the Depth of Gaza, this collection of poetry and narrative articles is a profound and unnerving portrait of a genocide administered through successive wars and endless cycles of displacement and scarcity. Beginning with the author’s experience of war as a child and ending with her father’s search for flour, the diary is like a flickering candle in a spiraling downward passageway that has no end in sight.
Editions: English
Letter to the Reader
Dear Reader,
My name is Samah Zaher Zaqout. I graduated in English Literature from the Islamic University of Gaza as one of the top students in the faculty of Arts.
Writing has been my passion since I was in preparatory school. In 2023, I published my first piece in English on Politics Today, just before this current genocide. Since then, I've been published on platforms including The Electronic Intifada, We Are Not Numbers, and Mamamia. I also share my writings via Medium and Substack, where I was one of the top ranked publications in 2025.
My first zine, In the Depth of Gaza, won the Best Political Zine category at the Wellington Zinefest in 2025. I have also participated online in several events held abroad, and my writings have been featured at major events held in Canada, Berlin, and the United States, as well as in a play performed in the US. I have so many things to say after surviving this genocide, have witnessed so much, have lost a lot, and have been displaced countless times.
I am grateful to have my second zine published and thankful that you're reading it!
Request for Recognition
Gaza has been under an intellectual embargo for decades. We ask members of the literary community to lend the strength of their voices to our authors. This zine has yet to receive words of recommendation. If you are an established author willing to read and recommend this zine, email us at coastallinespress@gmail.com to receive a digital or hard copy.
About the Author
Samah Zaqout is a Palestinian writer, translator, and lecturer based in Gaza. She graduated from the Faculty of Arts, English literature, as one of the top students, and worked as an English lecturer at the university, a translator at a local institution, and an online tutor on Preply. Samah shares her writings on Medium and Substack and has contributed to Politics Today, Electronic Intifida, and We Are Not Numbers.
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