Sondos Al-Saqqa
A voice emanating from the vibrant heart of Gaza, Sondos Al-Saqqa was born on January 9th, 1995. She has lived through numerous wars, including the latest devastating war. She cherishes reading, writing, and conversations with friends.
Her debut book, Aerie Tales, was first published in Japan in September of 2024 in collaboration with its illustrator Ken Tanaka, and has gone on to be sold around the world with translations into multiple languages including Japanese, Chinese, French, Italian, German, and Catalan. Her latest book, The Heart’s Gaze, is illustrated by Ken Tanaka and Maya Lall.
My dear reader,
I wrote these words especially for you. Open your eyes and take a long breath. Look at the mirror and hear to the sound of your heart! It is the sound of love! Love yourself. Sing to yourself. You are the light. All places belong to you. All flowers belong to you All things belong to you. You are the definition of life. The world needs you. The world needs your smile. Love yourself again, always, and forever. —Forward, Aerie Tales.
When asked why she writes, Sondos replied:
“They say grief is medicine, but I believe writing is the truest medicine. Writing gives a voice to the voiceless, transforming emotions into words. It offers you every feeling you need at the perfect moment. Whether you are searching for hope, joy, or a sense of life itself, you will find it. Or, if you need to experience moments of sadness, you will find that truth reflected within its lines. Writing is a reflection of the soul—a mirror for yours, for theirs, and for mine. I always repeat the words, ‘The bullet that doesn’t kill me, it gives me life again!’ From this truth, I begin new chapters of writing in my life.”
Want to support Sondos?
Contribute to her fundraiser.
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Email: sondosas199@gmail.com
Send proof donation to coastallinespress@gmail.com to receive a digital or print copy of Aerie Tales or The Heart’s Gaze. For print copies, include your full name and address in the email.
Links to other writings by Sondos:
https://thenorthmeridianreview.org/blog/three-poems-and-other-poems-sondos-a-al-saqqa