Farah Naz Rishi
Author Interview - Farah Naz Rishi
Author of Sorry for the Inconvenience
Pakistani American Farah Naz Rishi’s first year of college was perfectly, thankfully, uneventful. After all, she was in college to learn and forge a path of self-sufficiency, especially after her last relationship fell apart—dashing her mother’s aspirations for an early marriage. What could Farah expect, anyway? For the ideal guy to just conveniently waltz into her life? Life isn’t a love story.
Enter Stephen, a Jamaican student with an open smile and a disarmingly laid-back attitude. It’s not love at first sight. And there’s no way Farah’s mother would approve of him as marriage material. But they have something an inexplicable connection. Through a series of impossible tragedies, grief, and trying to find her place in the world, Stephen is always there as Farah’s confidant, champion, and, most of all, best friend. Anything more could ruin a perfectly good thing…Right?
Spanning thirteen years of complex family dynamics and a surprising kinship, Farah Naz Rishi’s story explores the unpredictability of love—familial, platonic, and romantic, but never truly instant.
Author Interview - Farah Naz Rishi
Author I draw inspiration from:
Tamora Pierce, Brian Jacques, Sylvia Plath, bell hooks, Jane Austen, Octavia Butler, George Saunders
Author Interview - Farah Naz Rishi | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
In bed, after midnight--when it feels like the rest of the world is asleep. Bonus points if it's raining.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
My first answer would be Clifford the Big Red Dog--I don't think I'd feel as safe with any other character--but then I realized he probably wouldn't fit in the elevator with me, sadly. My second choice would be Bartimaeus from the Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud. He'd a djinn, and I love South Asian folklore, so I feel like we'd have lots to discuss.
Author Interview - Farah Naz Rishi | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
After I finished playing through the Mass Effect video game series. Once I'd finished sobbing through the credits, I decided that I wanted to create stories that made me feel the same way.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
Hardback copies are often too big and heavy for my wrists, I find. I prefer the feel of paperbacks. I don't listen audiobooks as often as I should, but I love that I can listen and do chores at the same time. I read ebooks the most: ereaders are light to carry, and it's incredible that I can carry around an entire library in my purse.
The last book I read:
Sunshine by Robin McKinley. Robin McKinley is a legend, and I really enjoyed Sunshine. I just wish there was a sequel!
Author Interview - Farah Naz Rishi | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
I use the computer to do a majority of my writing, but I like to use pen and paper for my outlining/planning. Truthfully, I'd prefer to use only pen and paper for writing, but sometimes my thoughts pour out too quickly and my hand can't keep up--and if I don't write down my thoughts IMMEDIATELY, I'll forget them.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
I'm pretty confident that Ramy from RF Kuang's BABEL and I would get along swimmingly. I feel special affection for him, but also, I feel as though we have much in common.
Author Interview - Farah Naz Rishi | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
Probably an environmental lawyer or a wildlife biologist.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I like 80s fashion. The big, charismatic hair, the bold, colorful makeup--it all looks so fun and expressive. Maybe I've just been deeply influenced by The Labyrinth.
Place I’d most like to travel:
I want to go to Kashmir. I'm not sure there's a more beautiful place on earth, and my ancestors are from there, so I feel a special tie.
My signature drink:
I can't decide between a cup of slightly-too-sweet coffee, or a cup of peppermint tea.
Favorite artist:
Currently, I'm really vibing with both Hozier and Chappel Roan.
Number one on my bucket list:
I think I could die happy if I got the chance to swim with blue whales. I have a scuba diving license, so I'm halfway there!
Anything else you'd like to add:
Thank you for sticking with me this far!
Find more from the author:
instagram.com/farahnazrishi
tiktok.com/farahnazrishi
About Farah Naz Rishi:
Author Interview - Farah Naz Rishi
Farah Naz Rishi is a Pakistani-American Muslim writer and voice actor, but in another life, she’s worked stints as a lawyer, a video game journalist, and an editorial assistant. She received her B.A. in English from Bryn Mawr College, her J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School, and her love of weaving stories from the Odyssey Writing Workshop. When she’s not writing, she’s probably hanging out with video game characters. You can find her at home in Philadelphia, or on Twitter at @farahnazrishi.
