A teacher in my son's HS mentioned taking
@tdsb
's new workshop on anti-Palestinian racism, and some kid piped up to say that, actually, it's Palestinians who need a workshop on anti-Jewish racism.
In case you were wondering why we needed workshops on anti-Palestinian racism.
I'm grateful to the Giller protestors for not letting writers off the hook.
They have forced this community into a stand.
And to be clear: you have to take a stand. You are not allowed to hide quietly today, and expect us to beam as you collect some award a year or two later.
Today is the publication day of my book, HER FIRST PALESTINIAN, by
@HouseofAnansi
It's a special day because I get to join -- at least on my own shelves -- great writers who were my icons for a lifetime. I feel both belonging and undeserving.
But there's another reason. (1/3)
The pronouncements from public officials at virtually every level of government in this country have made this clear:
Canada is among the least safe spaces for Palestinians in the world, outside Israel.
We are dehumanized here, assumed to be threats, and de facto criminalized.
Honoured to be taking part in this conversation with
@Nadia_Shammas_
and
@noor_naga
to talk about where we are, and our path forward. Taking place online and in-person.
This needs to stop.
This needs to stop.
This needs to stop.
This needs to stop.
This needs to stop.
How is not everyone saying this?
Please say it.
This needs to stop.
If your conscience is not just a facade, you have to say it.
This needs to stop.
We at Arsenal Pulp Press denounce the atrocities currently being committed in Gaza, as well as the years of occupation and apartheid that have led to this moment. We mourn all victims in Gaza as well as in Israel, and stand with those who call for an immediate ceasefire. (1/3)
Weird couple of days tbh.
HER FIRST PALESTINIAN is number 1 on the indie lists in the book's first month out.
Thanks to all who picked it up from the indie bookstores that are so important to writers like me. Special shout-out to
@AnotherStoryTO
for being there from the start.
I love when we conduct conversations about Palestinians in absentia. 🎉
To be clear, having such conversations is good, but cannot possibly be complete without the main figures who get silenced.
Today’s podcast - a big conversation: people in the art world who express a pro-Palestinian position are punished or silenced.
We talk about the stifling of speech.
My guests:
@mariskreizman
,
@joshgondelman
,
@joshokane
, and
@JenSookfongLee
Listen:
"Is that what the aim of the Gaza offensive has been all along? To extinguish our ability to imagine a future homeland?"
I consider the work of our imagination in these vicious times.
@thenewquarterly
I am giving away 20 signed copies of my book Her First PALESTINIAN. All you have to do is create a public awareness post about Palestine or Gaza. Details in image below.
Shipping to US and Canada. Drawing closes October 30.
Please share this widely.
Proud of the more than 1500 writers and writing community members in Canada who have stood up for the right to protest injustice and mass killings.
Must-read article in
@globeandmail
in the post below.
❤️ this by
@caseyplett
: “Knowing these galas, it sounds like attendees were, at best, mildly inconvenienced by the protesters. I can’t muster much sympathy for anyone who thinks the right reaction is to throw those protesters in jail.”
#DropTheCharges
The Harvard Law Review refused to run this piece about genocide in Gaza. The piece was nearing publication when the journal decided against publishing it. You can read the article here:
In studio today
@cbcradio
.
If you'd like to hear me on your local
@cbcradio
station, tune in if you're in one of these areas: Calgary, Victoria, Halifax, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Yellowknife, London, Windsor, Kelowna, Quebec City, Edmonton or Saskatchewan.
As I see the dictum issued by
@MayorOliviaChow
essentially forbidding Palestinians from exercising charter rights of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, I am reminded of words I wrote in one of my stories.
I know that even my book's title is a declaration. It says: this book is about a particular people, Palestinians.
Many would rather forget and marginalize and outright erase those people. In its own small way, this book says: try again later.
To me, that's special too. (2/3)
📢We are excited to share the nominees for the 2023 Evergreen Award! This is the Forest program that features the best in Canadian adult fiction and non-fiction. Read more about this year's nominees:
I hope these stories give you a modicum of pleasure, wonder, and surprise. I hope they make you feel things.
If you read them, I'd love to know your thoughts. (3/3)
This is probably the most important journalist covering Gaza since the start. Among normal states, it would be unfathomable that someone like this would be targeted and shot, war or no war.
There should be unbelievable outrage everywhere over this.
BREAKING:
Al Jazeera journalist Wael Dahdouh, who's wife and children were killed in Oct, was just shot by Israeli forces and has been hospitalised.
Another wounded journalist is in critical condition.
When thousands of Palestinian innocents were "collateral damage" of the Israeli aggression, there were no such demonstrations in Israel.
Three Israeli lives, however, and the streets are flooded with grief and outrage.
BREAKING:
⚡ 🇮🇱 Huge protests against the Israeli government in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and other cities
The protesters demand the hostages to be returned home & some are demanding the fall of the entire Israeli cabinet.
This comes after the Israeli military admitted to
Coming oh-so-soon: HER FIRST PALESTINIAN by
@saeedteebi
!
“A gorgeous debut collection of short stories so complex and rich they make me think that Saeed Teebi has been writing for many years.” —
@HNamir
Learn more and preorder here:
The launch of HER FIRST PALESTINIAN will take place on September 21 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, as part of this year's Toronto Palestine Film Festival!
Register below. Hope to see you there!
Special thanks to
@CanArabLaw
,
@AnotherStoryTO
, and of course
@TPFF
ACLA is thrilled to copresent
@saeedteebi
's book launch for Her First Palestinian at the 15th
@TPFF
(Sept 21) Register ➡️ Read more about Saaed's roles as a lawyer and author ⬇️
It's been a whole year since we started publishing our one-of-a-kind Independently Published Bestsellers list! Huge thanks to creator/compiler Noelle Allen of
@wolsakandwynn
and the wonderful independent bookstores for contributing their data.
It seems that this morning
@Sid_Seixeiro
was standing behind my book on
@breakfasttv
talking to
@writerstrust
.
I'm 100% sure this was not a sentence that the me of 10 years ago -- watching Sid deliver basketball highlights on
@theScore
-- would have ever conceived of writing.
My review of Her First Palestinian - an amazing short story collection - got a pretty unhinged letter complaining about it, and they let me publish my entire response!
Thrilled to be on the CBC shortlist, which was selected by a dream panel. Now you can read my short story, "Her First Palestinian" at the link below.
@cbcbooks
@banffcentre
@CanadaCouncil
I taught "The Red Bow" yesterday in writing class. I hadn't meant to bring to mind current events; I'd assigned it long ago.
But Saunders' depiction of a society run by its fears is bracing.
Read it. For some minutes, at least, its grisly reality will take your mind off ours.
Re Refaat Alareer: to grieve a Palestinian man in English is a torture. This language, written on the rockets that killed you, orders us to qualify you for grief before grieving - to absolve you of your sins: your geography, religion, skin colour, gender, and belonging.
رفعت العرعير: تأبين غير كامل| "أن تنعى رجلاً فلسطينياً باللغة الإنكليزية يعني أن تعذب نفسك. تأمرنا هذه اللغة، المخطوطة على الصواريخ التي فتكت بك، أن نؤهلك للعزاء قبل العزاء، أن نبرئك من خطاياك: جغرافيتك، ودينك، ولونك، وجنسك، وانتماءاتك"
Obviously not quite as incredible as any of these other
@CookeMcDermid
clients, but HER FIRST PALESTINIAN will also be released this month - tomorrow, August 2.
Can't believe my good luck to have had
@shiratherose
take an interest in my writing. Totally amazing to work with and I'm so proud to have been her first acquisition.
@HouseofAnansi
As a writer, it's horrifying to see journalists call for the ban and prosecution of public demonstrations.
In essence, this is meant to prevent stories from being told. To eliminate Palestinian stories specifically.
Journos/writers who accept this betray writing itself.
Canadian journalists are asking federal ministers about prosecuting Palestinian solidarity protestors. Not only does this reporting support criminalization of speech, criminalization of a specific citizenry - it also erases threats & hate speech against Muslims/Arabs in Canada.
We know that submitting to a literary prize can be a daunting task. That's why, with the CBC Short Story Prize open for submissions, we asked some literary award-winners and finalists for their best tips.
GG finalist
@aaronkreuter
reviewed HER FIRST PALESTINIAN for
@reviewcanada
.
Aaron saw my collection so clearly, and understood it so perfectly, it was almost frightening. I'm so grateful for this thoughtful, long piece.
Some news: I will be teaching a short fiction writing course at U of T (
@UofTSCS
) this February/March.
We will analyze great stories, talk about how to write them, and workshop some of your own.
Details below. Enrolment is open if you're interested!
"The only way in and out [of Gaza] is with the Israeli military, and when we go in with them we have to abide by their restrictions, that means we only film what they allow us to film, we only go where they want us to go"
Mark Stone with an important reminder.
My first translated story is "Her First Palestinian", and the language is Bosnian.
Such a wonderful thing. Thank you
@dunjalucar
and Minja Pješčić. I hope your Bosnian readers enjoy it.
I had the pleasure of reading Her First Palestinian by
@saeedteebi
, a collection of short stories that follow characters so evocative, they feel like half-siblings or dear cousins. I cannot recommend the book enough. Congrats, Saeed, on a wonderful collection you brought to life!
It shouldn't take a movie star (or 40) to legitimize a cause that has been important and urgent for over 70 years now. Make an effort to normalize solidarity with Palestinians in your circles.
Great to see film stars vocalizing their solidarity with Palestinians.
Let's not forget about Palestinian people who get attacked for advocating for their rights & whose stories don't make headlines.
Support & defend Palestinians in your circles, not just people who have fame.
" 'Woodland' by Saeed Teebi is one of the best short stories I’ve ever read." (Dafna Izenberg)
Thanks
@thewalrus
for including this very kind mention of my story in this roundup.
In one of my short stories, set during the May 2021 offensive on Gaza, an Israeli military commander gives a speech that is harsh, but doesn't come close to this level of violence and dehumanization.
Certain readers said that my portrayal was "cartoonish" and "unrealistic".
Canadian writers and friends pay tribute to celebrated Palestinian poet, Refaat Alareer, who was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza.
His final poem, ‘If I must die,’ called a new symbol of Palestinian resistance.
#CeasefireNOW
#GazaUnderAttack
My debut collection of stories, HER FIRST PALESTINIAN, arrives on August 2. Thanks to the incredible team
@HouseofAnansi
for bringing these stories to the world.
Working on the Anansi 2022 list, spending my days typing: “Our Voice,” Her First,” “Last Good,” “No Stars,” and “All the Shining.”
I don’t currently have the mental space for Wordling.
I will save everyone from the overwrought earnestness I want to indulge in. But I do hope you will consider buying my debit collection HER FIRST PALESTINIAN or requesting it from your local library.
Very good, very exciting news!: You can now preorder HER FIRST PALESTINIAN by
@saeedteebi
!
"These stories are rich and deep, with elegant, tragic, or funny twists that will stay in my mind for a long time.”—
@farzanadoctor
Learn more:
I remember well the first time I went to the Toronto Palestine Film Festival, many years ago. It felt like a bit of a miracle to see Palestinian film on a big screen, with a big crowd, in Canada.
Tonight, my book launch kicks off the 15th Annual
@TPFF
.
I hope you can join me.
Happening today! Join
@saeedteebi
2022 Atwood Gibson
@writerstrust
Fiction Prize finalist at today's book launch for Her First Palestinian! He will be joined in conversation with writer
@_hudahassan
Register here:
#TPFF2022
Dear friends. trace is a feminist, decolonial, bipoc-run small press. If you’d like to contribute $10-25/mth, we’re working on several Palestine-centred projects that your support can help bring to fruition.
This is what this world has done to Palestinians.
But it's okay by us! I am sitting at a desk right now, in nice clothes, just watching this. It's obviously okay for me too.
I hope you understand how utterly okay it is for you too.
Biden doesn't have confidence in the Gaza death toll: "I have no notion if Palestinians are telling the truth...I'm sure innocents have been killed & it is the price of waging war..Israel should be incredibly careful to ensure they're going after the folks propagating this war."
I am giving away 20 signed copies of my book Her First PALESTINIAN. All you have to do is create a public awareness post about Palestine or Gaza. Details in image below.
Shipping to US and Canada. Drawing closes October 30.
Please share this widely.
Had a wonderful, in-depth conversation with Nur and Tom from
@CJPME
on their excellent podcast. We talked about my roots in Palestine, my process for writing stories, and lots more.
Some news: I will be teaching a short fiction writing course at U of T (
@UofTSCS
) this February/March.
We will analyze great stories, talk about how to write them, and workshop some of your own.
Details below. Enrolment is open if you're interested!
Thank you to
@TheNationalNews
(UAE) for this very nice feature on HER FIRST PALESTINIAN.
Bonus: contains a little teaser about what I'm working on now.
Pleased to share this Booklist (
@ALA_Booklist
) review of my "exquisite" (!!) collection:
"Teebi perfectly captures intergenerational and intercultural tension in stories as brilliant and cutting as finely hewn diamonds."
🎉 Coming soon: HER FIRST PALESTINIAN! 🎉
“This beautiful collection not only brings to light the varied and sometimes fraught experiences of diasporic Palestinians but does so with masterful storytelling...” —
@farzanadoctor
Learn more:
TPFF is proud to host author Isabella Hammad! Following our conversation with her, she will be signing copies of her books. This is event is organized jointly with
@AnotherStoryTO
📍 TIFF BELL LIGHT BOX
🎟️ Tickets RSVP here:
🕗 September 30 at 5:00 PM
Each and every one of those children look like my son, and my daughter.
And they could've been my son or my daughter, had my grandparents (whose ancestral homes are in what is now Tel Aviv) not been chased north to Lebanon instead of south to the modern day prison called Gaza.
By the Lake Book Club is back! Between February & December, spend six evenings with leading Canadian authors Tanya Turton, Adrienne Shadd, Saeed Teebi, Cody Caetano, Sarah Polley & Alissa York at
#AssemblyHall
. Learn more & get tickets:
#CanLit
@culture_to
"Writers of fiction have a responsibility to create good art. If positive change follows from good art, that’s a welcome bonus." -
@saeedteebi
in conversation w/ Katherine Jin
Read interview here:
This tiny baby shivers while being treated for shrapnel burns following the bombing of the Gaza Strip.
As we listen in horror to the news coming out of Al Shifa hospital, Gaza’s largest hospital, Israeli forces continue their genocidal bombing campaign across Gaza.
ATTN my fellow short story lovers: U DO NOT WANT TO MISS
@saeedteebi
’s debut. The stories will astound n startle u w their intensity sensitivity n humour. The range in content tone structure 🤯. Buy this, devour it then dm me so we can blather endlessly abt the craft!
#canlit
Catch me on
@cbcradioq
today!
Important: that hand on my shoulder in the picture is that of none other than
@tompowercbc
. (I'm sure you recognized it instantly.)
Thanks for this wonderful first review from
@miramichireader
and
@Hollay2
"Each story in Teebi's collection cackles with wit, intensity and elegance... A probing and absolutely unforgettable book."
I guess I want people to know that by ignoring the crimes that are being committed by Israel, you are telling me personally that you don't care about me or my children. Accepting inhumanity is inexcusable.
📣 We're delighted to present our 2022 Festival Reading List, featuring 115+ exceptional books and authors who will be joining the Vancouver Writers Fest from Oct 17–23! 📚
There is something in these pages for every reader. Discover the full lineup now:
In this interview, I talk about HER FIRST PALESTINIAN, what unites my stories, how I write short fiction, and more.
Thanks so much
@OpenBookON
for the opportunity and the kind words about my book.
"A novelist has to be more of a giver... a short story writer has to be more of a withholder"
We spoke to
@saeedteebi
about his brilliant short fiction debut, Her First Palestinian (
@HouseofAnansi
), writing diasporic characters, & the demands of the genre
Haaretz has published (in Hebrew, not English) an incomprehensibly vile article in the style of a lifestyle cooking feature, about Israel's soldiers finding and cooking with ingredients in the kitchens of Gazans who had to flee their homes and are now starving.
Palestinian-Canadian author
@saeedteebi
will be joining the next meeting of IJV's book club to discuss his phenomenal book "Her First Palestinian". Wednesday, December 14th at 6pm ET. All are welcome to attend!
Participation link:
Lovely, insightful, and extensive review of Her First Palestinian by a third-gen Palestinian Canadian. Thanks to Zachary Jericho Couture and
@Montrealserai
for this piece.
Read this profile of my brilliant editor
@shiratherose
, who is responsible for finding and championing HER FIRST PALESTINIAN, which comes to the world this summer from
@HouseofAnansi
Meet this month's Editor for Life: Shirarose Wilensky, Editor at House of Anansi Press and winner of the 2021 Tom Fairley Award for Editorial Excellence!
@shiratherose
@HouseofAnansi
#amediting
I'm recommended reading now, thanks to
@salmahwrites
! Go read "Her First Palestinian" on
@cbcbooks
or, better yet, wait until this August for my book by the same name to drop from
@HouseofAnansi
Cannot explain how honoured I feel 2 b included in
@TheFiddlehd
’s Bipoc Solidarities issue. We hv so much talent & so much oftn goes unrecognized. Humbled that my writing found a spot here. Buy a copy & in the interim, check out my readng/listenng reccos:
Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking at the launch event for
@sheridancollege
's ESL community website .
So touching to be surrounded by so many folks who, like I had to, are navigating their way in the world while learning a new language.
Book plug! Recently had the pleasure of reading this book by
@LBrideau2
- a penetrating, smart, propulsive look at a near future littered with climate refugees trying to escape their realities. Very recommended.