Ep. 77: Syed M. Masood (Author of The Bad Muslim Discount)

<p><strong>In Episode 77, Syed M. Masood (author of <a href= "https://amzn.to/3aVH69h" target="_blank" rel= "nofollow noopener">The Bad Muslim Discount</a>) joins me to talk about the evolution of <a href="https://amzn.to/3aVH69h" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Bad Muslim Discount</a>, writing about serious topics with humor, and what it’s like the publish 3 books in 18 months.</strong></p> <p><em>This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!).</em></p> <h2>Highlights</h2> <ul> <li>Syed’s inspiration for <a href="https://amzn.to/3aVH69h" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Bad Muslim Discount</a>.</li> <li>How early drafts of the book were different from the final version.</li> <li>The spectrum of levels of devotion to the Muslim faith covered in the book.</li> <li>Syed’s literary hero.</li> <li>How he felt about using irreverent humor to talk about religion (and why he chose to do this).</li> <li>Whether Anvar and Amir’s parents and grandmother are based on his real life parents and grandmother.</li> <li>How Syed used the theme of destiny in the book.</li> <li>How the immigrant experience is a condensation of the broader human experience.</li> <li>His connection to the game of Checkers, which plays a role in the story.</li> <li>What it was like for Syed to publish 2 books (one adult and one YA) within 6 months of each other.</li> <li>The process differences between writing adult and YA.</li> </ul> <h2>Syed’s Book Recommendations <a class= "spp-timestamp">[31:51]</a></h2> <p><strong>Two OLD Books He Loves</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://amzn.to/3uBWnnp" target="_blank" rel= "nofollow noopener">The Plotters</a> by Un-Su Kim | <a href="https://amzn.to/3uBWnnp" target="_blank" rel= "nofollow noopener">Buy from Amazon</a><strong><img src= "https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sarsbooshe04-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B01BD1SSO4" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /></strong><strong><img src= "http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.