Amal El-Mohtar Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Collections

Publication Order of Graphic Novels

Publication Order of Doctor Who Anthologies

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Amal El-Mohtar
The Canadian author and poet Amal El-Mohtar is extremely well known for her distinctive and creative approach to writing as a whole. With a strong and unique voice, she speaks with a high degree of power, articulating herself through her work to her audience of readers worldwide. Saying something that’s different, she’s adept in a number of different styles and forms, allowing her words to really resonate. This is something that not only the general public has responded to, but has also gained her critical acclaim over time as well. Regardless of where readers are from, her work has reached an ever growing audience, thanks in large part to her addictive and compelling style.

Setting herself apart from fellow writers as well, she manages to say something that’s entirely different and unique. Receiving numerous good reviews for her work, she fully understands the form, speaking and writing in a manner that’s direct and to the point. Taking huge imaginative leaps through her work as well, she’s largely focuses on the genre of speculative fiction, tackling numerous different themes and ideas. This has proven to be a hugely successful formula for her, as she really makes the stories her own, whilst drawing from a range of different inspirations. With elements of science-fiction and fantasy in her work, she really knows how to make the genres work for her and her characters.

When it comes to her characters they really ring true in a manner that’s down-to-earth and grounded, drawing readers in on a personal level. Whilst her stories deal with fantastical ideas and concepts, it’s the human heart at the center of them that really drives them forwards. It’s this, in part, that offers her readers a gateway in, allowing them to fully invest themselves in her stories and her world. Asking big questions through her concepts, she knows what she wants from her books from the outset, and it’s this confidence that also helps carry the reader. There’s plenty more to come from her writing career as well, and she isn’t planning on stopping, so is definitely one to watch for the future.

Early and Personal Life:
Born in Ottawa, Canada, on the 13th of December, 1984, El-Mohtar is of Lebanese descent, she grew up with an interest in literature from an early age. Living in Lebanon for two years from when she was six, she take in a lot of inspiration from the world around her. This would help come to form a lot of her ideas that were to follow, allowing her to find her own style as a writer. Attending the Cornwell Campus at the University of Exeter, she’d study for a PhD there, focusing on English Literature.

Working at both the University of Ottawa, along with Carleton University, she has tutored as a creative writing instructor. She’s also hosted the podcast ‘Writing Excuses’ alongside fellow writer Brandon Sanderson for its thirteenth season, dedicated to creative writing. Living between Ottawa and Glasgow, she’s been married to her husband Stuart West since 2015, as she continues to write regularly to this day.

Writing Career:
Starting out writing short fiction, contributing to various different literary volumes and collections, the first book that El-Mohtar would provide work for would be ‘The Honey Month’ in 2010. Over the years her work has also appeared in many different publications, both online and off, as she’s made a name for herself in the literary world. This has grown over time, allowing her to advance as a writer, becoming a more prestigious voice, which can also be seen through the many awards she’s received. Winning the Rhysling award in 2009 for her ‘Song for an Ancient City’ poem, she would also receive a Nebula nomination too.

Many of these are for short-stories she’s had published over the years, along with her various different poems and prose. Her first novel, ‘This is How You Lose the Time War’, written in 2019 with fellow science-fiction writer Max Gladstone, would also win a Nebula that year. This has seen her become a highly prolific and influential figure throughout the literary industry, often speaking on her craft. Maintaining a strong presence online as well as off, she has a lot more to come too, with her writing career continuing from strength-to-strength.

This is How You Lose the Time War
Written alongside the science-fiction writer Max Gladstone, this would first come out in 2019 on the 16th of July. Operating as a stand-alone novel, it would not be a part of any series as such, working within a completely self-contained narrative. Published through the ‘Saga Press’ publishing imprint, it would also be released on the Kindle platform, as it was received with critical acclaim.

Constructed with fantastical style of prose that immediately captures the readers imagination, holding them there throughout. Moving in and out the minds of the characters, it handled with expert precision, really bringing its subject matter to life. Lyrical, it’s creativity flows across the page, the story being both compelling and entertaining in equal measure every step of the way.

Finding a letter amongst the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandment discovers the words ‘Burn before reading’. This leads to an ongoing correspondence between the agents of two warring factions, both looking to secure the safety of their respective groups. A bond grows between them both, one which could threaten their very lives, as war continues to rage around the both of them. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles they face? Is the war ever going to truly end? What will happen as they realize ‘this is how you lose the time war’?

Various Contributions and Short-Stories
Providing short-stories, such as her work for the flash fiction collection ‘Nevertheless She Persisted’ in 2020, El-Mohtar has offered a variety of different pieces. Working for the ‘New York Times Book Review’ in 2018, she would also review many fantasy and science-fiction books as well. Providing an entry into the ongoing ‘Bookburners’ series of novellas too, she’s worked alongside fellow writers on countless occasion. This has seen her again become a prominent figure, with many the world over continuing to discover her work every day.