“DWELLS,” published by Daastan, is a captivating poetry collection written by poet, author, and editor Fatima Ahmed.
This collection is thoughtfully divided into six chapters, each representing a letter in its title: Desire, Wonder, Ecstasy, Love, Life, and Sadness. The book is a meditation on introspection and the raw, ordinary emotions of everyday life.
In her recent interview with Daastan, Fatima talked about her journey as a writer. She shared that her love for self-awareness and “slice of life” storytelling inspired her to give a voice to common people and their unspoken struggles.
Fatima Ahmed: The Poet
Fatima Ahmed is a published author, poet, and editor based in Karachi, Pakistan. She first published DWELLS in 2021, followed by a revised edition in 2025.
She graduated in journalism from the University of Karachi. Editing is her profession. Writing is also her career, as well as her favourite hobby.
About her hobbies, she shared:
“Besides that, I am fond of collecting candles and reading extensively about architecture.”
DWELLS
When we asked Fatima Ahmed to share her thoughts about her poetry book “DWELLS”, she shared:
“My book DWELLS is a book on the significance of introspection in life and the fact that one shouldn’t run away from oneself and instead, embrace their strengths and weaknesses wholeheartedly.
In other words, there is nothing wrong in dwelling in the different aspects of your life. Self- awareness is the most heightened form of intelligence that there is.
The book is divided into six chapters; each chapter is actually based on the acronym DWELLS. As in,
D- Desire
W- Wonder
E- Ecstasy
L- Love
L- Life
S – Sadness”
The Inspiration Of Fatima Ahmed Behind “DWELLS”
When asked about the inspiration behind “DWELLS,” Fatima responded:
“By 2021, I had been composing poems for a long time, so it only felt right to finally compile them and give them a proper theme; hence, I conceived the idea for DWELLS.
What inspired me to write this book was being able to give a voice to everyday, common people. I love to write about the raw and ordinary moments in their lives, about them and their struggles; especially for people who have a hard time recognising and exploring these emotions within themselves.
If my writing can mirror their thoughts and feelings and help them cope, then most certainly, why not? I am all for things like ‘slice of life.”
The Role of Daastan as a Book Publisher
“DWELLS” is published by Daastan, one of Pakistan’s top publishing houses. Daastan supports writers from across Pakistan and around the world.
You can purchase this anthology poetry book from MeraQissa, Daastan’s online bookstore, where readers can discover and buy books by a wide range of authors.
Fatima Ahmed’s Experience in Her Own Words
“Team Daastan has been incredibly cooperative throughout the entire publication process. I highly respect their dedication to the principle of ‘quality over quantity.’ When it comes to their publishing services, they truly deliver on what they promise.
As an aspiring author based in Pakistan, the biggest challenge is simply getting a book published; the lack of access to major publishing houses makes the journey tenfold more difficult.
However, Daastan made this entire process easy and far less daunting than it initially seemed. All in all, it was a wonderful experience working with them.”
Key Takeaways Of “DWELLS”
According to Fatima Ahmed:
“The book begins with a quote that I wrote long before I worked on compiling DWELLS: ‘This world won’t ever be mine to know, but within, I’ve known a world so sure.’ This is the key takeaway from DWELLS.
Put simply, we cannot tackle everything at once in the environment around us, but we can definitely manage our response to it. Moreover, it is about keeping our emotional strengths and weaknesses in check.
Being aware of how to utilise our strengths to their fullest potential and how to overcome our weaknesses so that we can contribute to the larger cause within society.”
Message Of Fatima Ahmed to Her Readers
At the end of the interview, we asked Fatima Ahmed if she had any message for her readers.
She responded:
Yes, one thing I would like to share with my readers is never stop seeking knowledge in the world and in that regard, never let the curiosity within you die.
Check out more author blogs.
Investing in a new writer is always a risk, but Daastan took that leap of faith and showed me “Ek Kiran Andheron Mein” and gave me a “Shanakht” as a writer.
I’m truly grateful for the opportunities and guidance Daastan provided me, from encouraging to mentoring and publishing. For me it’s more than just a platform—it’s a place where new writers find their voice and recognition. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wishes to begin or enrich their writing journey.
Their team is super supportive and professional. They walked me through every step of the process, from editing to printing, and even helped me with marketing. I've heard amazing things about their work, and I'm not surprised - they're clearly passionate about what they do.
What I love about Daastan is their inclusive approach. They're all about empowering emerging writers, and it shows in the quality of their publications. I've recommended them to friends and fellow writers, and I'll continue to sing their praises!
If you're thinking of publishing your work, look no further. Daastan is the way to go!
I have worked with many publishers in Pakistan, of which Daastan tops among independent publishers on account of transparency, quality and earlier response.
Their publishing process was exceptionally smooth and reassuring. After I registered, Narmeen, their consultant and editor, handled my manuscript with remarkable professionalism, guiding me through every stage with clarity and patience. With their support, I successfully published two books: Love, Lucknow aur Lahore, which received immense appreciation, and a short story titled Gol Roti.
What truly elevates Dastaan is the authenticity of their team. Ommar, Narmeen, and every member of their staff were warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in my growth as a writer. Their encouragement turned what could have been a daunting experience into an inspiring milestone in my creative journey.
As a first-time author venturing into the literary world with both excitement and hesitation, I could not have found a better publishing partner than Daastan Pvt Ltd. Under the thoughtful leadership of Syed Omar Amer, the team at Daastan was unwaveringly supportive, responsive, and professional, guiding me with care and insight through every step of the publishing process. Their facilitation turned what could have been an intimidating journey into one marked by encouragement and trust.
The quality of the finished product speaks for itself - readers and recipients of my books consistently comment on the exceptional standard of printing and presentation, especially preservation of the design colours. The books look and feel beautiful in the hand, which has enhanced both their reach and reception. For any author, whether stepping into print for the first time or seasoned in the craft, I wholeheartedly recommend Daastan as a go-to publisher and printer. They are capable, creative, and above all, committed to the stories their authors want to tell. I am truly delighted that I found my way to them.
Dr Haroon Awan
