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 Ali Al Saeed was born in 1978. He grew up in Bahrain. In
2004, Ali became the first from his country to publish a novel written in English. QuixotiQ became a national best-seller and won the 2004 Bahrain Outstanding Book of the Year Award. Prior to taking the plunge towards a writing career, he was a journalist for six years, writing for two local daily newspapers. Today he contributes regularly to several publications.
FACTS SHEET
= Winner of the Bahraini Outstanding Book of the Year
Award 2004 announced in July by the directorate of Culture & Heritage,
for being the first novel written in English by a Bahraini.
QuixotiQ entered straight into the Top Ten Bestselling fiction
titles in Bahrain in the first week of its local release, at number
four.
Over 70% of total stocked copies were sold during the book launch
and signing session held at Booksplus, October 21st. Sales reached up
to 90% within two weeks.
Book launch held under the patronage of (now former) Information
Minister, Nabeel Al Hamer, and attended by a number of dignitaries and
officials, including the US Ambassador to Bahrain.
Novel first introduced to the public at the opening of the 12th
Alayam Cultural Festival in Bahrain (Oct 20 to 29), after the author
received an invitation from the organizers.
The very first novel written by a Bahraini author directly in the
English language and one of the very first voices of mainstream
fiction to emerge from the Gulf region.
The launch of QuixotiQ was named by Gulf Weekly as one of the ten
most "memorable and influential" events of 2004 in Bahrain.
Praise for QuixtioQ:
"An important achievement." – Nabeel Al Hamer, former Minister of Information.
"Genre-bending… a refreshingly original story," – Cavan Terrill,
author of Blurred Line.
"A landmark in Bahraini literature," – Neil Marr, co-author of Bullycide.
"An impressive debut," – David Kelly, manager of Booksplus.
"By far the best book I've read this year!" – Reem Ebrahim, editor
of COEDS magazine.
"Exceptionally gentle in style," – Renee Ballerini, poet, editor and
publisher.
"Highly entertaining, fast-paced thriller." – Susie Hawes, Coffee
Cramp Reviews.
"Captivating… a page-turner." – Beatrix Berczi, journalist (United
International Press).
"Insightful and thought provoking," – Literati Magazine.
Published:
QuixotiQ: A Novel – iUniverse (August, 04)
Uncle Monkey & the Tree of My Life – Writers Stories (August, 04)
Moments – Fictionline (September, 04)
Empty Spaces – New England Rouge Journal (September, 04)
That Will Be The Day and The End Death of Spirit – Fugitive Author
(October, 04)
Bow – Coffee Cramp Reviews (October, 04)
The Purple Rose – Glimmer Train Press "Very Short Fiction Award"
finalist (November 04)
Ezrael's Leaf – Gold Dust Magazine (October 05)
The Red Hand of Ottoman – Sky Magazine (later this year) and Glimmer
Train Press "Open Fiction Award" finalist (November 04)
Alone – Words Magazine (later this year)
Interviewed by and Featured in:
The Oman Daily Observer (Oman)
The COEDS Magazine
Gold Dust Magazine (UK)
Akhbar Al Khaleej
Coffee Cramp Reviews
Literati Magazine
Bahrain This Month
The Gulf Daily News
The Khaleej Times (UAE)
Bahrain Tribune
Open Talk (Bahrain Channel 55 television program)
Fugitive Author Online Magazine
Gulf Weekly
Health & Style
Fallen Angel Reviews
Ohlala! Arabia (French/English)
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MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Became the first from my country (Bahrain) to have written and publish a novel in English.
- My debut novel, QuioxtiQ, won the Bahrain 2004 Outstanding Book of the Year Award.
- My online journal, QuixotiQ Writings, was voted best Bahrain Blog and won the Best Arab Blog Award.
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MY FAVORITE LINKS:
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MY RESIDENCE INFO:
City: Isa Town
State/Country: Kingdom of Bahrain
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BOOKS PUBLISHED:
 Synopsis for the novel 'QuixotiQ':
Guy Kelton is a young man with a troubled mind. His shattered dream and the relentless mundane life he's been living, alone and broken away from his family, takes an unexpected toll on him, driving him to extremes he never imagined he would contemplate, violent, reckless extremes, dragging him deeper and deeper into a bloody abyss; extremes that would eventually lead him to the most devastating discovery about his existence.
Going through his mid-twenties, Patrick Roymint, lost and confused, still struggles to come to terms with the loss of his whole family many years ago. But soon as he decides to change all that and try to rebuild the future he's not had, he finds himself dragged into the unseen, disturbing and filthy underworld of the little, diminishing Okay County, learning secrets that could threaten his life.
As both men go through a series of mysterious and bizarre events, their lives take dramatic turns that lead them to new revelations about their past, present and future. They somehow find their fates connected with one another by some mystic, unfathomable power. And that their lives, and the lives of the people around them, and their pasts, would affect them forever.
‘QuixotiQ’ is a story about hate, love, and self-realization and how when we are faced with incomprehensible revelations and unexplainable incidents we either cope with it and survive it or give into its destructive forces and fall. It is a story that takes place in a place we have all been or will be at some point in our lives, a place where we feel lost, confused, disorientated and delusional… a place where we feel secluded and targeted and vulnerable.
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