Rekha Waheed ( bn, রেখা ওয়াহিদ রহমান; née Waheed) is an English novelist and writer of Bangladeshi descent. She has written four novels including 2004's ''The A-Z Guide to Arranged Marriage'', and 2010's '' Saris and the City'' and '' My Bollywood Wedding''.

Early life

Rekha Waheed was born in Shepherd's Bush, London, England to parents of Bangladeshi origin. She completed her MSc in economic development at the

School of Oriental and African Studies SOAS University of London (; the School of Oriental and African Studies) is a public research university in London, England, and a member institution of the federal University of London. Founded in 1916, SOAS is located in the Bloomsbury a ...

University of London The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in post-nominals) is a federal public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The university was established by royal charter in 1836 as a degree ...

. Whilst pursuing her passion for writing she travelled the world as a corporate consultant. However, she soon caught the attention of a literary agent delivering public readings at the Harrow Writers' club.

Career

In October 2005, Waheed's debut novel ''The A-Z Guide to Arranged Marriage'' was published by Monsoon Press. In April 2010, her second novel '' Saris and the City'' was published by Little Black Dress, followed by her third novel ''Adam Akbar – Master of Poverty'' by Perfect Publishers in June 2010, and then her fourth novel '' My Bollywood Wedding'' by Little Black Dress in December 2010. Waheed says her natural writing style is

first-person narrative A first-person narrative is a mode of storytelling in which a storyteller recounts events from their own point of view using the first person It may be narrated by a first-person protagonist (or other focal character), first-person re-telle ...

. Her distinct style has been described as "bridging the gap between old world traditions with new world savvy". In June 2005, Waheed co-founded Monsoon Press Publisher with

Rabina Khan Rabina Khan ( bn, রবিনা খান; born 15 September 1972) is a Bangladeshi-born British writer, politician, former councillor for Shadwell and Cabinet Member for Housing in Tower Hamlets Council, community worker and author of '' Aye ...

. Rekha Waheed Through Monsoon Press, she works with the Arts Council and Penguin to raise the profile of British Ethnic and Muslim literature. She has previously worked as a columnist for ''

Bangla Mirror ''The Bangla Mirror'' ( bn, বাংলা দর্পন) is a British English-language weekly newspaper marketed to British Bangladeshis. It is owned by the Bangla Mirror Group. Content The ''Bangla Mirror'' was launched in October 2002. It ...

'' and sat on the board of Women in Publishing. In addition, she has worked voluntarily as a treasurer for a Bengali community organisation. She is currently represented by MBA Literary Agency. In 2006, Waheed read at the London Literacy Event. In 2007, she read at the Spitalfields Literacy Event. In 2006, she was cited by '' Asian Woman magazine'' as one of the "Faces to Watch" and one of the fastest rising

British Asian British Asians (also referred to as Asian Britons) are British citizens of Asian descent. They constitute a significant and growing minority of the people living in the United Kingdom, with 6.9% of the population identifying as Asian/Asian Bri ...

s in media. She is regular guest on

BBC Asian Network BBC Asian Network is a British Asian radio station owned and operated by the BBC. The station's target audience is people "with an interest in British Asian lifestyles", especially British Asians between the ages of 18 and 34. The station has ...

, women's programmes, and literary and social events to debate social issues affecting British Asians in the west.

Personal life

Waheed is a Muslim.

Novels

References

External links