Khadijah VanBrakle is the author of Fatima Tate Takes the Cake, and My Perfect Family, and strives to depict characters that reflect the intersection of the Black Muslim American experience. She graciously took the time to answer my questions about representation, her sophomore novel, and what’s coming next. Enjoy!

1. When did you begin writing and how did you balance your work as an accountant while working on your debut?

My 2012 new year’s resolution was to finish a draft of a novel. It took me nine months to complete a MG fantasy. It was terrible; no character development or meaningful world building to be seen. It was during a workshop in speculative fiction, a few years later, that I solidified the idea for the main conflict in what would later become my Contemporary YA debut, Fatima Tate Takes The Cake.

When I was first writing back then, I had to micromanage my daily schedule to fit in working, family and then on top of that, writing. Eventually, I stopped working for others and then closed my tax business since I couldn’t continue to juggle everything.

2. What drew you to YA genre in particular?

Almost ten years ago, in 2017, I discovered there wasn’t a single traditionally-published title in the Contemporary young adult genre featuring a Black American Muslim protagonist. Both a local librarian and I looked but found nothing. That lack of representation drove me to write stories that feature teens that share my dual marginalization.

3. Did you feel any pressure representing your community, knowing it’s such a vast community, but might be the first or only experience from readers?

I feel a ton of pressure from outside and within my community since stories like mine aren’t well represented in today’s traditional publishing landscape. But hearing from teens, both Muslim and from other faith communities, that they identify and see themselves in my characters, encourages me to keep writing. I strive to tell realistic stories that aren’t didactic but show situations and challenges that any teen and/or person can identify with. 

4. Continuing from that: Your novel tackles the serious issue of toxic relationships. I know some might see this as reflecting badly on the community, why did you feel this was important to tackle? (This can be cut if you want) 

When I write, giving my protagonists an impossible choice is always the goal. Having been asked this question before, I admit that writing about sunshine and rainbows isn’t my thing. I want readers to delve into my books and see characters and culture that may be different from their own but themes are universal. Showing that Muslims are human and can face the same challenges as anyone else is important to me.  Books can be a bridge to building empathy and compassion while expanding people’s world view.

5. On a lighter note, you were partly inspired by your daughter, a baker. What did you learn from your research?  

In my debut novel, Fatima dreams of becoming a pastry chef. Since my middle daughter graduated from a culinary program, I asked her so many questions that she lent me one of her thick textbooks. Getting the terminology right was important to me. I learned that professional bakers are super talented and the numerous techniques and science they use to make their dessert creations is impressive. 

6. Your latest novel. My Perfect Family, follows Leena after she finds out about her extended family. Unlike Fatima, she wasn’t raised in a religious household, and the story follows her journey exploring faith. Did you discover new things for yourself and your relationship with Islam?

To write about a teen who’s finding out about her mother’s religious background for the first time, I tapped into the interactions and conversations I’ve had with other people who aren’t familiar with Islam. I didn’t shy away from the uncomfortable questions because those issues come up in real life and I wanted them reflected in My Perfect Family.

I found having modern day teens ask relevant questions within the story made me examine my own faith and solidify my core beliefs.

7. You also tackle financial disparities within the community. Why is this a topic that is dismissed and why was it important for your characters to confront it?

The privilege and advantages of wealth are issues every community faces, Islam is no exception. This is a human problem which can affect any person from any background. Sometimes people don’t want to address such an uncomfortable topic but I see a desperate need to write about these kinds of things to give my readers an insight into them and hopefully provides them fuel to engage in relevant conversations.

8. What do you hope readers will take away from My Perfect Family? 

I love to answer this question like this: Sometimes getting what you’ve always wanted threatens what you already have. Sixteen-year-old Leena is a high school sophomore who’s not sure what the future holds but she’s astute enough to know that her mother keeping deeply-held family secrets from her, for almost two decades, is wrong.

9. What strides do you hope the industry continues to improve upon in diversity and representation? 

I hope the industry continues to expand in both the diverse stories they acquire and promote. One way to achieve this, in my humble opinion, is to improve the representation in all the staff positions within traditional publishing houses. From editorial, marketing, publicity and other departments that play a part in getting books into the hands of readers, educators, and librarians. Everyone deserves to see themselves within the pages of a book, this is especially true for today’s children and teens.

10. Any upcoming news you’d like to share? 

My Perfect Family just won the 2026 Zia Award for Young Adult books. This award, from the NM Press Women, is for women authors of children’s books who have a strong connection to New Mexico, through their settings, characters, and/or themes.

Since the award switches genres every year, this award represents books published from 2023 through 2025.

As far as future books from me, inshaALLAH, many more to come.

You can learn more about Khadijah and her works on her website: https://www.khadijahvanbrakle.com/