Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Uzma Jalaluddin

Uzma Jalaluddin is well-known for her debut novel, Ayesha at Last, which is a Pride & Prejudice retelling featuring Muslim protagonists, as well as her parenting column in The Toronto Star called Samosas and Maple Syrup.

Her new book, Hana Khan Carries On, is a modern-day retelling of You’ve Got Mail! The title character, Hana, is an intern at a radio station, and her family’s restaurant is on the verge of shutting down due to their new neighbor, Aydin’s, new restaurant. Hana starts a podcast to talk about her feelings. When her aunt and cousin arrive in a surprise visit to help out at the restaurant, Hana becomes aware of various family secrets. Then, a hate-motivated attack brings Aydin and Hana together, but Aydin might not be a complete stranger. When Hana’s finally given a chance to tell her story, she needs to learn how to use her voice to stand up for what she believes in.

Pop Culturalist had the opportunity to speak with Uzma about Hana Khan Carries On.

PC: What is your writing routine/process like?
Uzma: I have a tendency to write in bursts. Since I have so many jobs and responsibilities, I will devote perhaps a few months to a big project, like writing a play, or devote six months to finishing the draft of a novel. I’m also a high school teacher and I write a regular column in The Toronto Star newspaper, so those jobs are usually humming alongside my other writing projects. I find if I can get an hour or so every day devoted to writing, within a few months, I’ve made a lot of progress. If I’m off on school holidays, I tend to spend the better part of my days working on my writing projects. I write in my basement office, and I often listen to music as I draft.

PC: In Hana Khan Carries On, podcasts are a huge aspect of the book. Do you have any favorite podcasts or podcast recommendations?
Uzma: I love podcasts! The very first one I listened to was Serial on NPR. Now, I listen to podcasts while doing chores, on long drives, or when I want to relax and think about something different. I listen to a lot of podcasts. Some of my favorites are Code Switch, This American Life, Planet Money, S-Town, Alone: A Love Story, Dolly Parton’s America, Invisibilia, Heavyweight, Scriptnotes, Across Her Table, and several more I can’t think of right now. I admire podcasters so much, and I enjoy long-form storytelling. I knew I wanted to include podcasts in my next novel in some way.

PC: Who or what was your writing inspiration for Hana Khan Carries On?
Uzma: Hana Khan Carries On has an origin story, and it’s sort of funny: my husband and I were celebrating my birthday back in April 2017, and we were out for dinner at a halal restaurant that serves American-style food—steak, roast chicken, burgers, ribs, that sort of thing. Looking around at this nice restaurant, I remarked that growing up in Toronto, this had never been an option for observant Muslims who only ate halal food. If I wanted a halal burger for instance, back in the ’90s, my parents would have had to make it at home. The only halal food available was mostly ethnic cuisines, such as Indian or Lebanese. Yet, my children now live in a world where they can get halal cheeseburgers and steaks any time they like. The restaurants would be a contrast between older establishments that sell ethnic cuisines, such as Asian food, and the newer, flashy restaurants that serve burgers and tend to attract a younger crowd. Hana Khan Carries On is really a conversation about the way that successive waves of immigrant communities change over time, expressed through their food preferences.

PC: Do you have any advice for writers who want to write unapologetically Muslim characters?
Uzma: I’m so happy to see more Muslim authors and creators writing their stories into existence. It is exciting to see this. Growing up, I had very few Muslim authors to look to for inspiration. The more stories there are, the less pressure there will be on individual Muslim writers to capture the “entirety” of what it means to be a Muslim. That being said, I think I can do without some of the tropes that have been paraded around a little too often—please no more storylines about violent extremists. I’d love to see more supportive parents and more gentle Muslim men. But in general, I’m all for honesty in representation and not being afraid to discuss difficult subjects as well as light-hearted ones.

PC: If you are currently working on another project or will be working on a project, can you give us a little bit of a teaser of what to expect?
Uzma: I’m currently working on a funny comedic play for a Muslim arts organization in Canada. Due to COVID, the process has, of course, been delayed, but I’m excited about it. I also started writing my third novel. It will take place in the same neighborhood as my first two novels, but I’m in the early stages, so I can’t say much more, as I’m still figuring out the story.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: I love both of your books. I was wondering, do you see more of yourself in Hana or Ayesha?
Uzma: This is an interesting question. I don’t think I really see myself in either of them, really. The character I really resonated with in Ayesha At Last was Khalid, and in Hana Khan, I see some of myself in her mother. Hana is a lot braver and more impulsive than I was at her age!

PC: Without giving too much away, was there a particular scene that resonated with you?
Uzma: I really like one of the last scenes in the novel, where we see Aydin take charge of a particularly tense situation and resolve it in a way that makes a point but is still light-hearted. I also love the scenes that showcase the city of Toronto, my hometown. There are a lot of scenes I think readers will enjoy.

PC: Do you have any advice for writers who are looking to get their books published?
Uzma: Remember that the road to publishing is a marathon, not a sprint. Find supportive allies and friends who will cheer you on and can hopefully also be good critique partners. Never stop working on your craft. Help others who come behind you.

PC: What is one thing that you hope readers will take away from your book?
Uzma: I hope readers will be entertained by my stories, and I hope they will cheer Hana Khan on as she tries to figure out what kind of adult she wants to be. Ultimately, this story is about Hana’s journey as a young Muslim woman growing up in Canada while trying to discover her voice and take ownership over her power. It is also about the stories that make us, and the family and community that binds people together.

PC: Is there a scene that was cut that you wish made it to the book? If yes, can you tell us a little more about it?
Uzma: Everything that was cut needed to be cut, for sure! There was one scene involving a Muslim gala fundraising that I was fond of, but I think the final draft works much better without it.

To keep up with Uzma, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and check out her website!

Pick up your copy of Hana Khan Carries On today.