Zakiya N. Jamal

Zakiya N. Jamal is a storyteller shaped by New York—born in Queens, raised on Long Island, and now based in Brooklyn. She holds a B.A. in English from Georgetown University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, with a focus on Writing for Children and Young Adults, from The New School.

Her debut novel, If We Were a Movie, introduced her voice to readers and continues to gain attention among fans of heartfelt and character-driven fiction. Jamal is also expanding her audience with her first novel for adults, Sparks Fly, published by Berkley.

Whether writing for young readers or adults, Jamal brings humor, heart, and a deep understanding of contemporary relationships to her work. She remains committed to telling stories that reflect joy, complexity, and the many dimensions of Black life.

Photo credit: Viscose Illusion.

Learn more at Zakiya N. Jamal’s official website.