introducing

QISSA

A membership sanctuary for aspiring authors and writers

THE JOURNEY OF A WRITER IS SLOW AND SOLITARY

In a world that rushes, Qissa offers sanctuary.


The word Qissa means ‘a story, a fable, a narrative’ in Urdu and it is the ethos of this membership community.

Stories develop with time, patience, support, and self-belief. Qissa membership is designed to support you not only to gain confidence as a writer but also to build a practice that will help progress your writing aspirations.

With slow writing at its heart, nothing is forced or feigned inside Qissa.

Designed intentionally to offer you a space where you can progress through different stages of becoming a successful writer while building your confidence and connection with the craft. Qissa will help you grow your writer’s voice, find compassion for your inner doubts, gain confidence in your writing, and build your platform as a writer - slowly.

Qissa is a space that allows you to weave writing holistically into your life while building your career as an aspiring author.

THE STORY INSIDE QISSA

This isn't just another writing membership. This is your writing home.

THE WRITER’S WAY: TOOLKIT

Inside the membership lies a repository of resources that keep growing. These are there to dip in and out of when you like, they are there to help your growth as a writer. Divided into four main categories - these are:

  • The Book: Deep dive into craft and editing

  • The Belief: Nurture your writer's mindset

  • The Business: Navigate the publishing world

  • The Bookshelf: Find your place in the market

LIVE WEEKLY WRITING

The main feature of Qissa are our weekly live writing sessions. These help with building community, accountability and support that is so important as a writer. Here is what you get:

  • Three weeks of focused hour of co-writing

  • One week of prompt-based creativity together

  • Helping you build consistency & accountability

COMMUNITY AND COACHING

The Literati is our community forum where you can make connections, share openly, and support each other. This is what happens inside:

  • Monthly focus topics

  • Rich writing resources

  • Thought-provoking discussions

  • Supportive writer conversations

THE AUTHOR QUARTER

The Author Quarter takes place four times a year. This is when we have a live special gathering including (but not limited to):

  • Guest author sessions or

  • Deep-dive writing discussions

  • Community connection and celebration

my promise to you

I will help you progress your writing slowly - from working on writing practicalities, platform building, supporting your mindset and nurturing your creativity.

If you’ve ever wanted to find support to help build your writing or dreamed of becoming an author, then Qissa is right for you.

Inside, I will support your writer’s dreams intentionally and intuitively

About Sumayya

Your mentor and guide

I’m Sumayya, I believe in slow writing.

I became an author in my forties, before this I was a high-flying lawyer but the higher I climbed the ladder the further I moved away from my calling - passion for writing and creativity. I tapped into what inspired me the most, and I began writing. All I did was share my stories with authenticity and soul. I grew from a food writer to a creative writing mentor. Now as fifty-one, I stand before you  - a writer, a mother, a mentor. 

Building a professional writing career can be overwhelming. I know this because I have been through the same struggles. This is why I created Qissa, to help aspiring authors and writers like you to find support, community and mentoring to build and nurture your creativity. My aim to to help you find your way out of the overwhelm and into the calm of creativity. 

WRITER TO WORDSMITH

Let me help you turn from 

And help you achieve your dreams for a writing career or just make time for your writing in a nourishing and nurturing way

BECOME A MEMBER

YOU’LL LOVE QISSA IF:

01

You dream of writing but struggle to begin


04

You want to grow at your own pace


02

You're writing but feeling isolated

05

You value gentle guidance over rigid rules

03

You crave structured guidance and support


06

Your’e seeking your writing tribe


WHATS INSIDE QISSA

The Details…

    • Three weeks of focused co-writing

    • One week of prompt-based creativity

    • Build consistency and accountability

    • Find flow in community

  • Monthly resources covering:

    • The Book: Deep dive into craft and editing

    • The Belief: Nurture your writer's mindset

    • The Business: Navigate the publishing world

    • The Bookshelf: Find your place in the market

  • The Writer’s Way incudes this special section:

    • Master writing fundamentals

    • Learn when to break the 'rules'

    • Develop your authentic voice

    • Push creative boundaries

  • Here we meet, chat and connect but it hs here that I also share a monthly focused chat:

    • Monthly focus topics

    • Rich writing resources

    • Thought-provoking discussions

    • Supportive writer conversations

  • Four special gatherings yearly featuring:

    • Guest author sessions

    • Deep-dive writing discussions

    • Community connection

HAVE YOU GOT QUESTIONS?

I have answers for you

Do you have any other questions about Qissa? Please contact me here.

START YOUR STORY

If you’d love to be a part of a nurturing and nourishing writer’s membership inside Qissa, pick the option that works best for you.

PAY MONTHLY

Recurring payment, cancel with four weeks notice

£25

PAY QUARTERLY

3 months investment, then recurring every 3 months.

£75

PAY ANNUALLY

12 months upfront, then recurring every 12 months.

£275

MONEY BACK PROMISE

Try Qissa for 14 days. If it doesn't feel like home, I'll refund your investment.

“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

“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

KIND WORDS FROM MEMBERS

Qissa is a beautiful program that has your writing journey not as a strict guidance but a beautiful companionship to honing your inner spirit of writing. I find Qissa to be not an ordinary writing program. It is exquisitely sensuous and it has Sumayya's nurturing mentorship in it is visually so aesthetic . I  did not expect it to be so rich and wholesome experience. As the name denotes, its is a beautiful storytelling journey in which Sumayya literally holds your hands takes you along and takes you along as gives you the ownership in this self based program. I would high recommend this to anyone who believe in taking thing slowly and doesnt want overwhelm or time constraint challenges.

- Shaza K

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

    — Marianne K

  • "Sumayya's structured programme, gentle prompts, guidance and advice was just what I needed"

    — Muna M

  • "I would recommend Sumayya's programme to anyone who is feeling emotionally stuck with their writing efforts. it has helped me commit to nurture the potential writer in me with self-compassion."

    — Yolanda F

14 DAYS promise

Why don’t you try Qissa for 14 days? If you don’t feel Qissa is for you, I’ll happily return your investment - no questions asked.

(allow 4-5 working days for a refund if you request one)

START YOUR STORY

If you’d love to be a part of a nurturing and nourishing writer’s membership inside Qissa, pick the option that works best for you.

PAY MONTHLY

Recurring payment, cancel with four weeks notice

£25

PAY QUARTERLY

3 months investment, then recurring every 3 months.

£75

PAY ANNUALLY

12 months upfront, then recurring every 12 months.

£275