Ace novelist and an award-winning writer, Awais Khan talks to Bold about the importance of breaking the cycle of societal conventions and his own literary pursuits in the world of books.

The best part about my job as an editor in one of the leading publishing houses is that I get an advance copy of the books. So while everybody is waiting anxiously, I get to secretly enjoy the privilege of reading it before everyone else. I am glad “No Honour” was one of those. It was an emotionally heavy read and made me want to speak to the author to delve deeper into the notion of writing this book.

 BOLD: What triggered you to write about honour-killings? It is a rather sensitive subject. Was it the social structures which contribute to the occurrence and perpetuation of the practice in the rural areas? Are you primarily pro-feminist? Or did you want to address the complicit role of state institutions and law enforcement agencies and a web of vested interests? Or all?

First of all, thank you so much for your kind words. I am very delighted to hear that you enjoyed reading No Honour. As a Pakistani writer, I have always felt that I should use whatever influence I have to shine a light on the social injustices that exist in this country. I remember reading about the ‘honour’ killing of a major social media celebrity of Pakistan in 2016, and that got me thinking that if someone with exposure and some degree of influence could be murdered so ruthlessly, what chance did women in the rural areas stand? Who would be their voice? As a writer, one can only hope that one’s work would someday be the catalyst for meaningful social change and that is what I was thinking when I wrote No Honour.

What is your stance on the influence and interference of feudal lords on state institutions, in particular, law enforcement agencies?

Pakistan has progressed a lot over the years, but sadly, the feudal system still wields significant power in our rural areas. My stance will always be that of equality. I believe in equal opportunities for everyone. The fact that feudal lords are able to evade the law and manipulate the lives of the people working for them really bothers me. It goes without saying that in patriarchal feudal societies, women are not treated very well at all. Nobody should be above the law. Things are changing in Pakistan now, but not fast enough.

Could you talk about promoting education that challenges a patriarchal and feudal mindset in the community, and how important it is for a nation like Pakistan that is riddled with such issues?

Education is possibly the only thing that will help us emerge from these dark times. There are a lot of initiatives being taken to educate young people in rural areas, which is very admirable. Education is empowerment. It will automatically loosen the grip that feudal lords hold over people in the rural, and to some extent urban, areas. That is precisely why feudal lords in interior Sindh challenge educational initiatives because they fear that educated, empowered people would be difficult to control. I firmly believe that education will pave the way for a progressive future.

Have you ever gotten reader’s block?

I’ve had writer’s block many times, but I haven’t quite had reader’s block. Reading informs my writing and it’s become a way of life for me. It also serves as an escape for me when daily life becomes too stressful. I’ve got over 4000 books in my library and that in itself compels me to keep reading, if only to make a dent in my TBR (to be read) pile.

What does literary success look like to you?

For me, literary success is all about people being able to relate to your work. If your book has made someone out there feel better or has made them feel heard, there can be no greater success. I was very close to my paternal grandmother, and when she passed away in 2020, I was absolutely inconsolable. During that time, I started reading a book called The Weekend by Charlotte Wood, and although the book wasn’t entirely about loss, something in it struck a chord with me, and ended up really helping me. Isn’t that what literature is supposed to do, and isn’t it amazing when it happens? I remember reaching out to the author and her publisher just to tell them how much their book had helped me.

Having said that, I wouldn’t mind those glittering red carpet appearances, the seven figure book deals and film adaptations. Everyone wants that, don’t they?

Your literary pursuits are not limited to writing books. Could you let the readers know about The Writing Institute, what it features for the aspiring writers and what is your aim, going forward?

I set up The Writing Institute in 2016 when I returned to Pakistan and found there to be a significant dearth in creative writing courses in the country. Sure, there are plenty of wonderful online courses that aspiring writers can take, but not everyone can afford to pay thousands of pounds for these courses. I wanted to offer an affordable alternative that wouldn’t compromise on the quality, but also wouldn’t cost the earth. I’ve stuck with that vision all these years. We recently celebrated 10,000 students, and even after all these years, my courses remain super affordable and high-quality. That is something I am incredibly proud of.

Has a book ever changed your life? If so, how?

There are many books out there that have changed the way I see the world or have helped me when I really needed an escape. There have also been books that have made me change my perception about something. I don’t know whether my life has changed or not, but I can safely say that reading in general always has a tremendous impact on me. Books that have had a huge impact on me would include: The Secret History by Donna Tartt, This House of Clay and Water by Faiqa Mansab, Better Confess by Alan Gorevan, She’s Mine by A.A. Chaudhuri and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, to name a few.

You are always out and about, speaking with fellow authors, talking about books in workshops and literary festivals, advising budding writers, sharing wisdom and encouraging works of South Asian authors. Is it a spiritual practice to live amongst the author community that comes to you innately?

You’ll be surprised to know that I used to be an introvert. Speaking to people or to the public at large did not come naturally to me, but it was after I signed up with a literary agent and stepped into the world of authors and publishing that I realised what I’d been missing all my life. Here was a community that not only understood me, but supported me too. And after my books were published, the support literally quadrupled. It always humbles and delights me in equal measure that I have so many amazing people to turn to for help and support. I’ve never looked back, and in turn, I do my best to support as many authors as I can and also help out aspiring authors in Pakistan through my Writing Institute.

How do you choose what books you want to read? Do you prefer to read one book at a time or several at once?

I love fiction. I can read anything as long as the story is good. That is what I look for in a book. Good writing is essential, yes, but so is storytelling. I used to be a one-book-at-a-time person, but ever since the pandemic started, my mind has been all over the place and now, I can read up to ten books at the same time. It’s a nasty habit, but I love it.