Sealed Gaze

Fatima ElKalay has been captivated by poetry since the age of six, and her journey as a poet and editor has spanned over two decades. As Rowayat’s Poetry Editor, fatima@rowayat.org, she brings a wealth of experience, passion, and creativity to her role. Fatima holds an M.Litt in Creative Writing from Central Queensland University, where she honed her craft as a storyteller and poet. Her work has earned critical acclaim, including being shortlisted for the London Independent Story Prize and the ArabLit Story Prize for short fiction in translation.

In 2022, Fatima published her first collaborative collection, Dessert for Three, blending fiction and memoir in a rich exploration of human experience. She is also the author of Basel’s First Trip, a children’s story featured in Rowayat’s Young Readers Edition. As a prolific translator of Arabic literature, Fatima’s contributions span poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, making her a dynamic voice and advocate for cross-cultural literary exchange.