a wordsmith of folklore & flavour

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A writer’s membership community

This is your sanctuary for slow, intentional writing and genuine community.

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I found freedom in flavour & words

A SANCTUARY OF SPICE & STORY

ll good writing starts with trusting your own voice. The stories we create are about community, creativity, connection, and kindness to ourselves. Here you’ll find comfort in flavour, creativity in the craft of writing and wisdom through the art of words.

You’re one of us.

A

READY TO SHAPE YOUR STORY?

I’D LOVE TO WORK WITH YOU.

MENTORING

my one-on-one writing mentoring helps your writing receive the care it needs. Find out more about how I can help you craft your book or writing project.

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THE WRITER’S DRAFT

Find your confidence as a writer in this eight month paced course. Turn self-doubt into self-belief

Launches:

EARLY 2025

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WORDSMITH

discover your writer’s voice with my 21-day audio & writing prompt email course that inspires & supports.Join this self-led email course for instant access.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT MY MENTORING & COURSES

A HAVEN OF
CREATIVITY, HERITAGE
AND HEART

sumayya

I found my writing voice through food

Welcome to this space, a sacred sanctuary of spice and story.

I’m Sumayya, an author, writing mentor and the creatoress of Qissa - it’s wonderful to have you here.

This space is for putting pen to paper. For creativity and connection.

I wandered the world on board merchant ships in childhood, later grew up in Pakistan and now I live in beautiful Scotland. My heritage is infused into all that I do and what I offer. Here you will discover your writing voice but also uncover the village, something that is at the core of my culture, a strong community that nurtures and inspires one another.

My passion lies in helping writers unearth their creative confidence in their voices and developing their craft through Qissa, my monthly membership community, my online courses and mentoring.

I found my writing career in my forties and my way back to university in my fifties, doing my PhD in Creative Writing.

So I know that it’s never too late to tell your tale.

HERE'S MY STORY

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"SUMAYYA IS A GENEROUS AND CREATIVE SOUL WITH A STEADY GUIDING HAND. She has a unique way of honing in on just the right points with clarity and honesty, in a gentle and thoughtful way."

Sonya P
"I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND WORKING WITH SUMAYYA TO ANYONE WHO IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THEIR WRITING AND WANTS NURTURING SUPPORT TO CREATE IN THEIR OWN VOICE.”

Shauna H.
“I LOVED THAT SUMAYYA EMPHASISED INTUITIVE COOKING AND NOT BEING MARRIED TO A RECIPE, BUT TO FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS WITH SPICES.”

Katrina Brink
“SUMAYYA’S COOKING IS A JOY FOR THE SENSES”

Collette Sherriffs
“SUMAYYA’S FOOD IS FRAGRANT, BEAUTIFUL, FULL OF FLAVOUR AND FABULOUSLY PRESENTED If you want to learn more about spices, create amazing Pakistani cuisine and become an accomplished cook of mouthwatering curries then look no further.”

Claire Major
“WHAT SUMAYYA SHARES IS WHAT MAKES HER CLASSES SO MAGICAL.” “It’s not just the techniques, knowledge and understanding that shines in Sumayya, it’s the cultural passion of a land she grew up in as a child, and the numerous tales and experiences. What Sumayya shares in the classes is what made both experiences so magical.”

Julian Rolfe
"I WOULD RECOMMEND SUMAYYA TO ANYONE WHO IS FEELING EMOTIONALLY STUCK WITH THEIR WRITING EFFORTS. IT HAS HELPED ME CONTINUTE TO NURTURE THE WRITER IN ME WITH SELF COMPASSION"

Yolanda Fernandez
"sumayya's structured programmes with gentle writing prompts, advice and guidance was just what I needed."

Muna Al-Mousa
"Working with Sumayya has given me such inspiration. Her guidance is always very personal, accompanying you on the subject you are interested in”

Marianne Kitzing
"being in sumayya's qissa membership has really given me space and time to think about what it is i want to say and how i want to write. I'm having a great time indulging myself

Halona Black
"in a stroke of serendipitous fortune I found sumayya usmani's qissa membership. her approach in writing is wholistic and it takes into account all facets of life. Within a short period i have gained insights into my projects and really sunk into the nuance of the work. Thanks sumayya!

Pauline English