Living in Turkey we’re used to seeing belly dancers at different restaurants and events throughout the year, but as the political climate moves the country away from secularism it’s anyone’s guess how that impacts what’s considered acceptable entertainment. So I was intrigued by today’s author who’s been working as a foreign bellydancer in Arabic countries. In her book, Fire in the Belly, she sheds light on the sinister side of working in the entertainment industry in this part of the world, and introduces us to a cast of characters that add flavor and flamboyance to her first travel memoir. Zaina chats to us about her writing and self-publishing adventures, and shares an eclectic mix of images from her travel and performances.
Author Interview: Zaina Brown
How would you describe the type of books/genre you write?
My book Fire In The Belly: A Memoir of Falafel, Flings, and Shiny Things is a travel memoir.
What motivated you to start writing?
I had an interesting story to share. I’m a bellydancer by profession, and for six years, I worked with a Lebanese entertainment agent in numerous Arab countries, from Tunisia to the Emirates and even Yemen. While I was mostly contracted into five star hotel nightclubs, there was a sinister side to his business dealings.
During those years, I also traveled solo around Africa and the Middle East in between work contracts. Throughout all of this, I got to know the Arab world in ways the common traveler never will. It is not as conservative or religious as people may think…The nightlife is an underworld where anything goes.
Tell us the journey you went on to get your books published (e.g. direct on your website, self-published, assisted-publishing, traditional publisher)
I knew from the get-go that Amazon will be the most straight-forward and logical option. After all, it’s where I buy my books!
What publishing elements do you most enjoy and most like to avoid, and why? (e.g. design, marketing, formatting etc.)
The Amazon website is a maze once you’re on the author side. It could use a serious revamp. It takes a while to find you way around. Like many writers, I too dislike the technical side of things, such as formatting. Things like that are best outsourced, thankfully my husband was able to sort that out for me.
What tips or advice would you give an aspiring indie author who is looking to self-publish?
Work hard at building an audience and start that process as early as possible. Also, make sure your book has something new and different to offer.
What marketing or promotional tools or techniques do you use to reach your readers?
Social media, first and foremost. My main audiences are people interested in travel and bellydance, and both groups are big on Instagram and Facebook, not really Twitter. Additionally, there are blogs and websites to reach both audiences. Locally, I will do book readings wherever I have the chance, starting in Thailand where I currently live.
What impact do you want your books to have on your readers?
I hope my story encourages readers to go on their own trips, wherever they want, without fear. I’d like to promote travel to Sub-Saharan Africa, my big travel love. It’s a shame it gets so few visitors. And, the readers will learn about places they might never go to, such as Western Sahara, Algeria, or Palestine. No doubt, it will make them see the Arab world in a new light.
What’s your book’s elevator pitch or key selling points?
Fire In The Belly is a unique travel memoir: it takes the reader to numerous obscure destinations, and into the fringes of Arab societies. You’ll meet characters like the gay Libyan pimp, the Egyptian girl choosing between dance and prostitution, and the go-go dancers locked up in a Bahrain hotel.
What’s next on your writing journey?
For now, I’m happy to take a break from big projects! I’ll slowly get back to writing articles for different publications whenever an interesting topic comes my way. As for books, I could see myself writing narrative nonfiction in the future.
Get writing and #selfpub inspiration in the #AuthorInterview with travel writer and filmmaker Zaina Brown, author of Fire in the Belly, a #Memoir of Falefel, Flings and Shiny Things. #Bellydancing Click To Tweet
About the Author
Zaina Brown is a professional bellydancer, relentless traveler, writer, and filmmaker. She’s the creator of World Of Dancers, an online community of art lovers. Her book Fire In The Belly: A Memoir of Falafel, Flings, and Shiny Things (2019) uncovers the seedy Middle Eastern entertainment industry, and takes the reader on a journey across Africa and the Arab world. Her documentary Traveling Bellydancer In India (2015) is the winner of the Canadian Accolade Award and has screened at film festivals in the US. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
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