Exclusive : Catch a Fish From the Sea

Nasreen Akhtar is the perfect example of living her dream. She’s a publisher and writer whose first book Catch a Fish From the Sea ( Using the Internet ) has been chosen from hundreds of submissions to reach the long-list in the annual World Book Day,Books to Talk About 2009, an initiative honouring books that don’t simply entertain, but give scope for discussion and greater food for thought. The shortlist will be announced on 30th January, but whatever the outcome, this is a glowing first chapter in Nasreen’s career. Here she tells us how she began her remarkable journey.

There is a scary truth in the saying, ‘Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true’...

If someone had said to me years ago that not only would I write a book, but I would design and illustrate the cover too; that with help from the Prince’s Trust I would set up the publishing company that would publish that book; that the broadcaster and journalist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown would write a glowing foreword to that book; that it would go on to be nominated for the Book to Talk About 2009; that the media would dub me the ‘real life Asian Bridget Jones’ and that my autograph would appear on the other side of the page to Sir Paul McCartney ... then I would never have believed them.
(It is amazing how far a little drive and an ounce of determination can get you isn’t it?)

I still remember that day when, purely by chance, I looked at my postgraduate study from a non-academic angle. I was a poor student back then and instead of focussing, I began to wonder how entertaining it would be if my work were a book. I had been searching for Mr Right for just over a year and gradually this also became my academic work - a study on my linguistic experience of trying to find a lifetime partner entitled, Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Mo ... Catch a Fish from the Sea (Using the Internet). 

During the years that followed, many people told me that I should write a book but I did not take this idea seriously and so, life just got in the way...

After my nervous breakdown I needed to get my life together but no-one would hire me. So rather than wait for someone to give me a job, with help from the Prince’s Trust, a wing and a few prayers, I decided to give myself a job. Sometimes all you need in life is a chance and what can be better than giving yourself a chance?

Besides I was determined more than ever to penetrate the tinted glass ceiling of the publishing industry which was closed to people like me - I was ‘visibly’ Muslim at the time, i.e. I wore the headscarf and it became extremely difficult. One new small publisher had come on the market and on the phone and on paper they loved my application for a voluntary placement at their company. When I turned up, they told me that they would let me know even though on the diary in front of me, I had been scheduled to start that week. This was post 7/7.

Plus, at that time, the industry was waking up to the merits of diversity which up until then was not even on the radar. Now they have all sorts of schemes which encourage inclusion of ethnic minorities but back then it was a different story altogether. So I figured if that is how it was, who would ever want to consider my work for publication? And I did not want it to end up on the slushpile, because I know what it is worth.

So greenbirds, my publishing company was born and my intention was to write my book as its first title. But when severe writer’s block got the better of me, I abandoned this ambition until someone very important came into my life and told me that he wanted me to do something with my writing as he believed that I could create something fantastic. When he shared his thoughts with me, how could I not honour his request?

It took me four months to write and over a year to edit. As it started to come together, I knew that I could make a success of it despite the fact that I was a novice in the fiercely competitive publishing world. I would learn and I was not afraid to make mistakes and every time I did, I would pick myself up and keep going; this much I knew.

I am glad I kept going because six months after it had been released I received an email from the World Book Day co-ordinator telling me, the publisher, that a panel of industry experts had selected Catch a Fish from the Sea (Using the Internet) by Nasreen Akhtar for The Book to Talk About 2009 long list...

This book is my pride and joy. It is the only thing I can call my own. In my life, nothing has ever been mine but no-one can take this from me. It is my baby and that is why we are going to go on to touch great heights of success together.

This is my dream and I intend to carry on living it because why have dreams if you do not realise them?

© Nasreen Akhtar 

Greenbirds are offering Open readers 20% off the RRP of £12.99 for Catch a Fish from the Sea ( Using the Internet ) making it a recesssion-busting £10.39 including postage and packing.
To take advantage of this special offer, please email openmag.special@greenbirds.co.uk.
If you'd like a signed copy or a message/dedication please give details in your email.