Irum Zahra's Blog, page 2

Literature is the essence of civilization in a society and striving to get literature the importance it deserves is exactly what people at 'Daastan' are doing. 'Daastan - A Literary Forum' held its brand launch in the city of Lahore at Arfa Kareem Technology Park on April 16, 2015. The event, in itself, was an inspiring experience for the 50+ young literary enthusiasts present there.

The show started with Syeda Aisha Ameer, co-founder of Daastan, welcoming the guests followed by a video displaying the journey of Daastan so far. The video had been prepared by Abdul Wahab from Revolution Flame: an NGO. Once the guests had witnessed Daastan's accomplishments in its short journey, Daastan's young founder, Ommar Amer came forward to share his views. He emphasized upon the crucial status of literature from every dimension and explained how 'writing' is way more significant than the credit people of Pakistan happen to give it. He also shared his beliefs about how Daastan aims to fill the gap and that his brand would soon be the center of international attention for the quality writers it would produce.

Interests further heightened when young speakers from various literary backgrounds were given a chance on the stage. These included Mughees Anwar: founding member of AniMAG, the first ever anime magazine of Pakistan; Hassan Siddiqui: Pakistan's first comic book writer; Ghalib Khalil: founder of Rescue Pakistan Youth Forum with its applaudable projects for the country including the magnificent Project Azaad Pakistan and Rutaba Yaqoob: the emerging singer/songwriter who has been a part of Nescafe Basement. The author Irum Zahra was there who is our country's first Free Verse Gothic Poet and there she launched a poetic masterpiece named 'Psychaotic: See The World In Black And Red' which promises a strict reality check! She talked to the media and also distributed signed copies of her book among her readers.

The event's closing ceremony came last with Sarah Tariq Gilani, the assistant manager of Plan 9, distributing awards and shields to partners of Dastaan including its media partners which were SBN, Da Artist, Radio FM 89 and Express News.

The mere fact that they were all young people there achieving all these milestones was a wake up call for people who somehow still don't believe in our youth. Pakistan's literature industry has done its rightful share of waiting and now it deserves a sincere effort towards the fulfilment of Daastan's aims.

Credits: Noor.ul.Ain from Beyond Sanity Publishing

Best Poets Published in *Mirrored Voices*
Today, Mirrored Voices : Best New Poets Anthology has been released in print version with all additional versions to soon follow. I have been honored with the grace of working with such brilliant and talented authors such as Aric Cushing, Jason Hein, R.M Romarney, Jill M. Roberts, Mark Green, David Russell, Regis McCafferty, Carolyn O’Connell, Ben Ditmars, Roberto Carlos Martinez, Irum Zahra, Frederick Espiritu, Charlotte Cuevas, Louise Lake, Kristy Rulebreaker, Janice T, Nichia Morales, Koyel Mitra, Tim Ellis and Leesa Abbott. I thank these individuals immensely for taking part in this new poetry anthology and look forward to having our readers getting introduced to such high caliber artistic minds. These poets have been selected for their outstanding writing talents, achievements and grasp on the concept of expressive poetry. The various writing styles, topics and talent pool truly makes it impossible to pick a personal favorite. What I enjoyed specifically about this project was seeing what these authors had to offer up as their own creative voice. Seeing the body of work come together in harmony has thrilled me immensely. It was as though this collection was meant to be together and fill the same pages. Every time I re-read a poetry passage I pick up on new things I have either missed, feel a different emotion more intensely about, or see things a new way. This book is packed with over a hundred poems of scholarly and impressive established and upcoming authors from all walks of life, some of which have been already noticed and won various awards. I hope you enjoy this selected collection of poetry as much as I have.
“Letters are meaningless unless put together correctly. Words are worthless unless backed by truth. Sentences are handed out and judged accordingly, but only genuinely honest men or women can create writings that change the world forever.” –Paul Morabito
-This text is taken by Paul’s website. To know more, See:
http://www.paul-morabito.com/blog-page

My Dear Ariel

I was there when you were born
Red and little, so fragile
So beautiful
You were my angel
And my companion
My pillar of hope
And all that I wanted
I taught you how to ride a bicycle
And fell and broke your arm
I was sorry but you got better
And I knew no one can do you harm
One day our toys broke
And all our story books got soaked in the rain
We went to live under the sun
With glass walls around us
There were people who wanted to hurt you
And I kept all of them away
We prayed for a roof of our own
And God showed us a new way
I bought colors and pages for you
And you drew us and a cozy weather
You built new toys and I watched you play
Our walls started to grow weak
And we had to leave again
We had grown past the plants
And the kittens born in our yard
They were no longer little
They had lives of their own
I taught you how to smile
When you felt like hell inside
We made golden masks
With smiles fixed on them
We fooled everyone
Our friends and our foes
We sold all our toys
And started having fun
Day by day we lost
Every little part of us
And the masks became us
We stayed by each other
And you taught me how to stay me
I broke my walls like you broke your arm
I fixed myself too, but I was never that strong
Hush, dear rabbit
We’ll be okay
When the world crashes
And the glass walls shatter
We would still have each other
Arm in arm and it would be better
We’ll buy new toys for us
And we can’t afford them,
We’ll learn how to make them by ourselves
We’ll cry every night to sleep
And drink coffee everyday
You’ll be stronger than me
And I’ll lean on you then
When I’ll lose myself
You can pull me from the river
We’ll stay up all night
And pray to the All Giver
I’ll always love you
As you will love me
We’ll cry together just as we laugh together
We won’t let the stones shatter our glass house
Even if they do
My dear Ariel
I’ll let no stone touch you.
Hush, dear flower
You’re my only hope in this world.
May you always find love,
In places I didn't
And may you get all your toys back
Along with your childhood

Psychaotic: See The World In Red And Black

Dear All,

Follow this link to enter a giveaway for two Signed copies (US, Canada, Australia) and 5 ebooks (International).

The Contest ends Feb 5,2015 So better hurry up!

Here is the link:

http://tometender.blogspot.com/2015/0...

Dear All,

I am delighted to inform you that you can now follow news, giveaways and promotions on wordpress by me.

Here is the link:
http://irumzahra.wordpress.com/

I would love to subscribe to your blog(If you have one there or your friends do)

Remember, There are more giveaways and merchandise coming so do keep up with all the networks.

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BeyondTheEdg...

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...

And do drop an email here
[email protected]

if you want a signed copy! :)

Happy Reading!

This combined poetic anthology embraces free thinking of the untapped mind and spirit. A vast array of talented emerging poets from around the globe share their voices together in harmony. Only by glaring into the depths of ones own reflection can we find our true selves. It is here where the mirrored voices of our souls speak and can be heard.

Authors include Paul Morabito, Aric Cushing, Jason Hein, R.M Romarney, Roberto Carlos Martinez, David Russell, Regis McCafferty, Carolyn O'Connell, Mallory Smart, Jill M. Roberts, Isabella J. Mansfield, Ben Ditmars, Mark Green, Frederick Espiritu, Irum Zahra, Aaron L. Speer and Jaideep Khanduja.

http://www.amazon.com/Mirrored-Voices...

Have A Look!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Dear All!
I know how much everyone loves free books, so I am announcing free giveaways on Smashwords of
Psychaotic: See The World In Red And Black

All you have to do is open this link and download your copy of this Gothic treat!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

When you download the copy, Make sure you mark the book here as to-read( or Reading if you start it right away) and review it here!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Happy Reading Everyone!

Everyday I see and enter so many giveaways by authors and I have decided to do the same. I already have one giveaway listed here and I am planning to always have a giveaway running. So after the current giveaway, I'll be announcing another giveaway with some Cool merchandise too!
So hurry up, share the giveaway link on your Facebook or twitter pages and Inbox me. I'll enter you in my personal update and merchandise giveaway list!
Happy Reading (and winning) !

Psychaotic: See The World In Red And Black

These three words popped into my head when I woke up today.
5 days have gone from 2015 and I already feel as if I have let go of things and I'm ready to move on.
I am going to be happy and I'll be living my life with no regrets. No, Not anymore.
I've had enough of those :)
There is a HUGE wish list I'm keeping for this year. This year is going to be the most important year for me as a writer.
I will be launching my first book in Pakistan and Will be announcing many, many giveaways!
There will be plenty of book signings and visits to cities. Hopefully!
Happy Monday!

This year is one day shy of a new year, and I am swarmed with thoughts and resolutions in my brain.
There are so many things I want to change, in me and around me in 2015 and there are even more things that I DON'T want to change in 2015.
One must know and separate things they want to keep and things they have to let go.
This is my new year resolution.
I will let go of things and people, even... who are in way of me growing as a person mentally and spiritually and I will hold onto people who I love and they love me for who I am. It's my suggestion to everyone too. Life is too short for dragging people who will only make you feel bad.
Celebrate with people who appreciate you.
Cheers!