A 15-Year-Old Saudi Girl Has Just Made History By Being The Youngest English-Based Author In The Kingdom

The Jeddah-born, Leena Althekair, is fifteen years old and is already the youngest Saudi author to pubilish a novel in English.

According to Arab News, the admirable teenager who has just got her novel ‘Foreshadow: Trapped In Her Own Mind’ released at Virgin Megastores around the region, actually started writing it last summer at age 14.

AMAZING!

The book ‘Foreshadow’ is Althekair’s debut novel

The author told Arab News that the idea for the book came from a school writing assessment. It tells the story of a young girl who’s set to start high school, Meghan, who hangs out with her older brother of whom has a knack for physics. An accident in his lab causes a shift in her life that leads to an array of adventures.

My first EVER book signing session is coming up! RT and tell EVERYONE!

اول جلسة توقيع ليا باذن الله حتقام قريبا؛ قولوا لكل معارفكم! pic.twitter.com/MUDJ8EK32V

— Leena Althekair ????✨ (@LAlthekair) August 28, 2018

A book signing even took place on on Friday at the Roshana Mall in Jeddah

Leena also took to her Twitter account to express her excitement for the novel’s release and official book signing at the Virgin Megastore in Roshana mall. Her family stood by her side in full support.

أكتر يوم اتحمست فيه واستمتعت جدا … شكرا لكل من حضر جلسة توقيع روايتي امس الجمعة ???????????? وشكرا لفيرجن لاستضافتهم ليا .. وللطفهم وتعاونهم وكل مساعدتهم لجعل ليلة امس ناجحة – واللي بفضل الله اقدر اقول انها كانت اكثر من ناجحة … https://t.co/fZFDrVf5pJ pic.twitter.com/LqEwAbOj4I

— Leena Althekair ????✨ (@LAlthekair) September 8, 2018

So inspiring!

Leena already has ideas for a second book and we’re sure a lot of young aspiring Saudi writers will take her success as great encouragement.

We’re also definitely keen on grabbing a copy.