Author and journalist Dina Samak is holding a book signing event for her first novel ‘Ayahuasca’ on Thursday 18 November at Dai Gallery in Mohandessin at 6:30pm.

The characters of the novel, which was published in June, embark on a journey of self-exploration while attempting to solve a mystery.

“I wanted a mysterious introduction that would engage the reader from the very beginning,” says Samak, who is the managing editor of Ahram Online.

“What we’ve learned in 25 years of journalism is that you really need to start with something catchy, because if you lose the attention of the reader in the first paragraph, you won’t be able to grab it again. So, I think it is the journalist in me that wrote the prologue, which some of my friends, after reading the first draft, had said needed to be edited because it was ‘too journalistic.’ However, I insisted on giving the journalist the lede she was looking for,” Samak says with a smile.

Although this is Samak’s first novel, it is not her first book. Some 20 years ago she published her first self-help book titled ‘How to Manage Your Time.’

Programme:

Thursday, 18 November at 6:30pm

Dai Gallery

Ahrar Street, from El-Batal Ahmed Abdel-Aziz, Mohandessin