Author Interview: Seema Yasmin and Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can

 Happy Monday, Everyone. Today, I’m honored to have Seema Yasmin here to share about her upcoming MG nonfiction, Maysoon Zavid, The Girl Who Can. Seema is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, a medical doctor, professor, and an author. Her book sounds like a riveting story of how Maysoon became one of the first woman Muslin comedians and was an actress on her favorite TV show. 

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

 

From the prolific Pulitzer Prize–nominated Muslim reporter Dr. Seema Yasmin comes an exciting nonfiction chapter book about one of America’s first female Muslim comedians—Maysoon Zayid—the first in the riveting and inspirational Muslim Mavericks.

This is the story of the girl who could!

Maysoon Zayid was just a girl from New Jersey. She might have sometimes felt like she was in the shadow of her three older sisters, but in her dreams, she was Mimi—an amazing actress, comedian, and dancer! The only problem? People kept telling Maysoon her dreams were impossible!

Achieving her goals certainly wasn’t easy; as a Palestinian Muslim girl born with cerebral palsy, Maysoon faced all sorts of challenges—both physical and societal. But Maysoon didn’t dare give up. Instead, she followed her heart all the way to the screen and stage to become one of America’s first ever women Muslim comedians and an actress on her favorite TV show. 

Hi Seema! Thanks so much for joining us. 

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer.

I am a queer, Indian-Muslim author, born and raised in the UK and calling the USA my home for the last 15 years. After medical school, I attended journalism school and my first forays into writing were as a science reporter at the Dallas Morning News in Texas starting in 2013. I began writing poetry in 2016 and published my first book in 2018. 

2. You’re also a journalist, doctor, and professor. What made you decide to write for kids?

Writing for kids feels like the most hopeful work I do. Children’s books are often the first place we encounter ideas about who matters, who belongs, and what’s possible. I love to write stories that expand those possibilities—especially for kids who don’t see themselves in books. Middle grade readers, in particular, are curious, thoughtful, and ready to engage with complex ideas when they’re presented with care and honesty. The first book I wrote for younger readers was a non-fiction young adult book called What The Fact?! Finding the truth in all the noise. WTF is a fun guide to the worlds of misinformation and disinformation with instructions on how to BS-proof your brain. I haven’t stopped writing for younger readers since WTF. The fact that I get to write for younger readers thrills me. It is a huge pleasure and a privilege. 

3. Where did you get the idea for Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can? 

The idea came from a mix of admiration and frustration. I’ve long been a fan of Maysoon Zayid’s comedy and activism, and I was struck by how rarely kids get to read about disabled Muslim women who are funny, ambitious, and unapologetically themselves. I wanted the first book in the Muslim Mavericks series to feature someone who immediately shatters stereotypes…and makes you laugh! 

4. It sounds like a great start to your series. What research did you do to learn about Maysoon Zayid before telling her story? Did your experience as a journalist make the research process easier? 

I interviewed Maysoon, reviewed her stand-up performances, talks, essays, and interviews, and researched cerebral palsy to make sure my age-appropriate explanations were still medically accurate. My journalism background absolutely helped—it trained me to fact-check rigorously, ask follow-up questions, and center the subject’s voice. But this project also required something beyond reporting: collaboration. Maysoon was deeply involved in reviewing the manuscript, and her feedback shaped the final book in meaningful ways. 

5. It’s great how Maysoon collaborated with you. Did you plot out your chapters or just start writing? Why did this process work for you? 

I did outline the book, especially because nonfiction for kids requires clarity and structure. That said, I stayed flexible. As I learned more from Maysoon, the emotional arc of the story became clearer, and I adjusted accordingly. This balance—planning with room to listen—works well for me, particularly when I’m writing about real people. 

6. What are you hoping that kids will learn from Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can? How did you share this message in your book without being preachy? 

I hope kids walk away understanding that there is no single way to dream, succeed, or belong. Maysoon’s story isn’t about “overcoming” disability; it’s about living fully, creatively, and truthfully. I have let Maysoon’s humor, determination, and voice carry the message. Kids are incredibly perceptive—they don’t need lectures, they need stories that feel authentic. 

7. You’re the author of five books and have three upcoming books. You also have an impressive bio of accomplishments and other non-writing projects you’re involved in. How do you juggle your fiction and nonfiction writing for kids with your other jobs and stay so productive?

I rest a lot. I schedule rest like it’s my job. I am hyperproductive in bouts and my creativity and productivity demands deep rest. I also play a lot through improv and clown performances. Because I’m always working on more than one project at a time, each project is in different states of wholeness. For example, right now, I owe my editor a revised version of my next novel, but I am waiting for notes from another editor for my next middle grade book. I am also working on my stand-up comedy special and am producing a one woman clown show. All of these projects are different but feed into each other. Because I have so many ideas, I have to be good at time management in order to honor all of them!

8. I like your idea of scheduling rest breaks! Your agent is Lilly Ghahremani. How did she become your agent, and what was your road to becoming a published children’s author like?

I did not have an agent for my first two book deals and didn’t think I needed one because I did not plan on writing any more books. But when a viral tweet led to a book proposal for Muslim Women Are Everything in 2017, the illustrator I was working with suggested I meet with her agent, Lilly, to discuss representation. I thought I’d sign on to work with Lilly for that one nonfiction project. And here we are 15 book deals (and one oracle deck deal) later… 

9. Do you have any plans to promote Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can? How?

Yes! I’m excited to share the book through school visits, library events, festivals, and conversations with educators and parents. I also love engaging directly with young readers, whether through virtual visits or classroom discussions. This book is meant to spark conversation, and I’m eager to be part of that dialogue, especially as anti-Muslim hate is at record high levels right now in the UK and the USA.

10. It sounds like you’ve got a solid marketing plan. Are you working on any other projects for children?

Yes! I’m continuing to work on the Muslim Mavericks series, which will spotlight more Muslim trailblazers across different fields. My second illustrated picture book Inshallah is coming out with Simon and Schuster next year alongside my second YA novel, which is also being published by Simon Schuster in 2027. I am also developing two very different middle grade series. 

Thanks for sharing all your advice and for all the good work you do, Seema. You’re an inspiration! You can find Seema at https://seemayasmin.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/drseemayasmin/. 

Giveaway Details

Seema’s publisher is generously offering a paperback of Maysoon Zayid, The Girl Who Can

for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by Febrary 21st. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address. 

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow Jacqueline on her social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S. 

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops

Wednesday, February 11, I have an agent spotlight interview with Tamara Kawar and a query critique giveaway 

Sunday, February 15, I’m participating in the Wish Big Giveaway Hop 

Monday, February 16, I have a guest post by Michael P. Spraudlin and a giveaway of his MG The Spider Strikes 

Monday, February 23, I have an interview with Christyne Morrell and a giveaway of her MG The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite 

Wednesday, February 25, I have an agent spotlight with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway 

Sunday, March 1, I’m participating in the Lady Luck Giveaway Hop 

Monday, March 2, I have a guest post by Donna Galanti and a giveaway of her MG The Secret Winners Club 

Wednesday, March 4, I have an interview with Stacey Lee and a giveaway of her YA Heiress of Nowhere 

Monday, March 9, I have an interview with Ciera Burch and a giveaway of Olivia Gray Will Not Fade Away 

Wednesday, March 11, I have an agent spotlight interview with Lindsey Aduskevich and a query critique giveaway 

I hope to see you on Wednesday!