Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. <a href="https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack</a>: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome<br /><br />Today's guest is Omar Mouallem, author of the historical travel memoir Praying to the West: How Muslims Shaped the Americas. In writing the book, Omar couldn’t explore its subject matter without also reexamining his own relationship with the religion he had grown up with—and grown apart from. In this interview, he takes us through the entire book-writing process, from his early days as a ghostwriter to landing his book deal, securing extra funding for his global research trips, and working through the editing process with Simon &amp; Schuster. Follow Omar on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/omar_aok/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram @omar_aok</a>.<br /><br />The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtneykocak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram @courtneykocak</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/courtneykocak.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social</a>. For more, check out her website <a href="https://courtneykocak.com/links" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">courtneykocak.com</a>.<br /><b></b><br /><b></b><b>Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:</b><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><br /><ul><li><a href="https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylines" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns</a>: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylines</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Multi-Passionate Writer's Life</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak</li></ul>

The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing

Courtney Kocak

Omar Mouallem on Blending Faith, History, Travel & Memoir in "Praying to the West"

MAR 24, 202557 MIN
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing

Omar Mouallem on Blending Faith, History, Travel & Memoir in "Praying to the West"

MAR 24, 202557 MIN

Description

Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. <a href="https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack</a>: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome<br /><br />Today's guest is Omar Mouallem, author of the historical travel memoir Praying to the West: How Muslims Shaped the Americas. In writing the book, Omar couldn’t explore its subject matter without also reexamining his own relationship with the religion he had grown up with—and grown apart from. In this interview, he takes us through the entire book-writing process, from his early days as a ghostwriter to landing his book deal, securing extra funding for his global research trips, and working through the editing process with Simon &amp; Schuster. Follow Omar on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/omar_aok/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram @omar_aok</a>.<br /><br />The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtneykocak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram @courtneykocak</a> and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/courtneykocak.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social</a>. For more, check out her website <a href="https://courtneykocak.com/links" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">courtneykocak.com</a>.<br /><b></b><br /><b></b><b>Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:</b><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><br /><ul><li><a href="https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylines" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns</a>: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylines</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar</li><li><a href="https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Multi-Passionate Writer's Life</a>: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak</li></ul>