DEARBORN – A local 16-year-old Arab American high school student has turned her passion for writing into a career with the publication of her first novel. 

Jamila Nasser, a junior at Dearborn High School, struck a deal with Author House Publishing for her romance novel, “What He Never Knew.” The book is expected to be available at Barnes and Noble in just a few weeks.

Nasser told The Arab American News that her 670 page book is a love tale involving two teenagers. It took her two months to complete the book before she began pursuing publication opportunities.

“It wasn’t easy at all,” Nasser said. “Writing the book was easy, but finding people to get it published wasn’t. I spoke to many people from New York and the offers I was getting weren’t good enough. Then I came across another company [Author House Publishing] and they were making an offer that was good enough.”

Nasser said she’s been pursuing writing since she was in the fifth grade. When she entered middle school, she began sharing her work with students and teachers. She ended up developing a positive reputation as a writer among family and friends, routinely being asked to submit articles and short stories at school.

She would end up submitting her work in statewide writing contests and receiving recognition for her contributions. Nasser said she’s had the desire to pen an original novel since before she entered high school.

“I was inspired by my mom to write this book and I wanted to find a way to make her proud,” Nasser said. “I had long nights of writer’s block and it was really my mom who motivated me to finish this.”

Along with the moral support provided by family and friends, Nasser’s mother financially backed the project as well. When students and faculty at her high school caught wind of the news that her book would be published, she received an overwhelming amount of support.

Jamila Nasser.

The principal at Dearborn High is in the process of presenting the book to the board of education so it is included in Dearborn Public Schools’ book catalog. English teachers there are also considering working the novel into classroom curriculum, where it would be read by students as part of a class assignment. 

“Everyone around me is excited for this release date and are anticipating to read the book,” Nasser added. “I am kind of nervous, but I have to remember that I didn’t do this for publicity. I did this for myself and for my family. I’m curious to see what people say about the plot and storyline.” 

Nasser’s cousin, Dounya Zeineddine, 20, said her entire family is proud of Nasser’s accomplishments.  

“Her writing is amazing. We’ve had reporters come from China to speak with her and she’s been doing this since middle school,” Zeineddine said of her cousin. “I hope she continues to write. I can see her becoming a reporter or a successful author and I wish her many years of success to come.” 

Zeineddine writes on her spare time as well. She had a collection of her poetry, titled “Gifted,” published in 2012 by World Poetry Movement. A follow up piece titled “Tolkien” was published in 2013 as well.  Like her cousin, Zeineddine developed a passion for reading and writing at a very young age.

Zeineddine said she continues to read and write on a daily basis, viewing it as an escape from when she needs to turn her mind away from the medical field. She is currently enrolled as a student in the nursing program at Baker College and works as a medical assistant. She also holds a position with Blue Cross Blue Shied. 

Nasser and Zeineddine encourage others in the community to follow in their footsteps if they feel passionate enough to share their work. 

Like many writers, both Nasser and Zeineddine said they were insecure about sharing their work with others at first. 

“If they have it in them, they should go ahead and show it.” Zeineddine said.  “It’s not something you should be hiding. You should put it out there.  I’m a medical assistant and what gets my mind off things is reading and writing. People need to know there is nothing wrong with that.”

Nasser added that there seems to be a stigma in the community in the field of journalism and writing. Many Arab Americans end up pursuing careers in medicine or law due to family pressure. 

“Law and medicine is all about writing and reading,” Nasser said.  “If you are good at it, put the doctor degree on the side and see where writing could take you. At the end it’s about what makes you feel good and what you enjoy doing.”

Nasser said she has no plans of slowing down with her writing. She is looking to explore writing in other genres and also potentially penning a sequel to her first published novel if all goes well. 

“I kind of want to see where this book takes me, but I am definitely interested in writing more,” Nasser added.  “If this goes well it would be something I’d enjoy going to school for in the future. I have a couple of ideas for a couple more books that I would like to write.”