I was born in Rawalpindi but spent most of my childhood in Karachi. An only sister to two brothers, I grew up as a tomboy traipsing the streets around our house. Reading was a habit from the very beginning. A change of location to New Jersey meant that instead of devouring Umro Ayyar, I began reading Babysitters’ Club and Sweet Valley High. Writing followed naturally. Editing came with the package, as friends and family began relying on me to review essays, school assignments, and cover letters. True to Pakistani mentality, I entered college with the ‘family intention’ of acquiring a degree in Computer Science. However, I dropped out soon enough, favoring Journalism and English Literature instead (thank God). I like to focus on social issues when it comes to journalistic writing, and indulge in therapeutic, creative, and academic writing as per need. In Pakistan, I have taught English Literature and am currently conducting motivational reading workshops along with working on an educational guidebook regarding effective teaching of English Literature. I enjoy reading to and writing for children. My first children’s book, A Special Garden, was recently published (Ferozsons, 2008). Some of my favorite works of fiction are Atlas Shrugged, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Brave New World. These days, however, my bedside table is often cluttered with titles such as Little Women, Dilly Dinosaur, and Wheels on the Bus – thanks to Hajrah, Hasan, and Ahmad, my three children!