KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Malaysian author Hanna Alkaf, 39, continues to make waves in the literary world, captivating readers with her distinctive voice and powerful storytelling.

A former journalist, she has since shifted gears to focus on writing fiction and has six books to her name, with her latest release, The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s, generating buzz after hitting shelves last September.

It has garnered praise with three starred reviews from publications Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and the Bulletin of the Centre for Children’s Books.

A book with a message

While the novel is a gripping read, it also carries a strong message.

It addresses heavy themes such as grooming, manipulation, and sexual assault.

Hanna is deeply frustrated by how victims of these crimes are often only believed if they fit a certain mould.

In the book, she wants to show that girls who speak out-regardless of whether they meet society’s expectations-deserve to be heard.

The novel also explores themes of friendship and sisterhood, as young girls grapple with a world that punishes them for being too loud, too soft, too hard, or too gentle.

Hanna believes that society often places girls in conflicting boxes, expecting them to be one extreme or the other, and that these expectations lead to silencing their voices.

So what’s next?

She’s currently working on The Beasts Beneath the Winds, an anthology for young readers set to be released in 2025.

The collection will feature 17 short stories about South-east Asian mythical creatures, accompanied by illustrations.

"I believe this will open up our mythology to kids worldwide,” she said.

"There are so many of our legends that aren’t written in a way that’s accessible or enjoyable for young readers to understand and appreciate.”

In addition to the anthology, Hanna has a middle-grade novel in the works, though the release date is still uncertain.

When it comes to exploring genres like sci-fi or superhero stories, she’s not limiting herself.

"If the right idea comes along, I’m open to writing all kinds of stories,” said Hanna.

A dream of film adaptations

It’s become a dream for many authors to see their books adapted into films, and Hanna shares that vision, particularly for her novel The Girl and the Ghost (2020).

She’d love to see it adapted into an animated film in the enchanting style of Studio Ghibli, with its magical, Hayao Miyazaki-esque charm.

"But that’s just a dream.”

Though she’s expressed that she doesn’t write with movie adaptations in mind, she views any such opportunity as a bonus if it ever happens.

The future of Malaysian publishing

When asked about the local publishing industry, Hanna acknowledged that her experience with the Malaysian scene is limited.

However, she sees a lot of positive signs, especially in the English-language sector.

"Novels are doing really well, with great designs and cool covers.

"It’s encouraging to see more people interested in publishing, writing, and attending local book events,” she added.

Despite the global concerns about reading habits, Hanna remains optimistic about the future of books.

"I don’t think books are a medium that’s going away.”

Looking ahead, she hopes to see more Malaysian literature gain global recognition, with local works translated and made available to readers outside the country.

What are Malaysians reading?

Hanna points out that while horror and romance remain staple genres, there’s currently a surge in quieter, slice-of-life magical realism.

A great example of this is Days at the Morisaki Bookshop (2009), a Japanese novel that resonated deeply with readers.

According to Hanna, these types of stories are connecting with audiences in a meaningful way right now.

Advice for aspiring Malaysian writers

For young writers, Hanna has a few key pieces of advice.

"First and foremost, to be a good writer, you need to be a good reader,” she says.

You need to read beyond just enjoying the story, you need to analyse it.

Figure out what works and why.

Understand the structure, character development, and emotional impact.

But reading is just the beginning.

"Be open to feedback,” Hanna advises.

She said that no book is perfect in its first draft.

It’s essential to accept constructive criticism from critique partners and editors.

Hanna also encourages writers to think about who they’re writing for.

"Don’t focus too much on the broader publishing industry or how to sell your book internationally.

"Instead, ask yourself who you’re writing for and what message you want to convey.”