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Biography
Fiza Pathan is an acclaimed Indian author, teacher, and publisher born on March 19, 1989, in Mumbai, India. A Roman Catholic raised by her maternal family, Fiza’s life and work reflect her deep commitment to education, literature, and social justice. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from the University of Mumbai, majoring in History and Sociology with First Class honors, and a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Saint Teresa’s Institute of Education, also with First Class distinction, specializing in English and History. These academic foundations fuel her dual passions: teaching young minds and crafting stories that champion learning and address pressing social issues.
As a teacher, Fiza has spent over fifteen years in her tutorials, blending her love for English and History to inspire students. Her educational philosophy shines through in works like Classics: Why and How We Can Encourage Children to Read Them, where she advocates for the transformative power of literature. Beyond teaching, she connects with her community through her blog at insaneowl.com and her WordPress.com site (fizapathansteachingportfolioforpgcite.com), sharing her portfolio which includes, but is not limited to, her lesson plans, lesson observations, projects, activities, etc., and literary insights with students, and fellow educators.
Fiza’s literary career is equally remarkable. She has authored nineteen award-winning books and numerous short stories across genres, from personal essays to fiction tackling social themes. Her notable works include The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name: Short Stories, a collection addressing LGBTQIA issues that earned accolades like the 2018 IAN Book of the Year Award for Outstanding Fiction (LGBTQ), the 2018 DBW Award for Best Short Stories, and a Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award nomination and finalist position in Short Stories; Nirmala: The Mud Blossom, which explores the struggles of Indian women; and Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai, a memoir reflecting on her life and love for books. Her children’s adaptations, like The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (co-authored with Michaelangelo Zane), bring classics to young readers. In over seventy literary competitions, she has secured wins or finalist positions, including the 2020 DBW Awards, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, and the Eric Hoffer Book Award. In 2024, her contributions as a young Catholic writer earned her the inaugural Bronze Pen Award from The Examiner, India’s reputed Catholic newsweekly, where she has contributed articles for 16 years.
A self-proclaimed recluse, Fiza founded Fiza Pathan Publishing (OPC) Private Limited, a niche press focused on rare classics for younger audiences. Her personal journey—marked by her father’s rejection for being a girl and her refuge in Mumbai’s libraries—shapes her writing’s raw honesty and resilience. Living with her maternal family, she continues to write novels, short stories, and theological essays, contributing to outlets like Indian Catholic Matters and The Teenager Today. Follow her on X(Twitter)(@FizaPathan) or visit fizapathan.com and her blog insaneowl.com to explore her world of words, where education meets empathy, and storytelling becomes a force for change.
Testimonials
“Fiza Miss had successfully accomplished what no other English teacher in school could ever do – making me fall in love with Shakespeare. It’s just amazing how she converted the most dreaded and daunting topic in literature to perfect bliss. She would always give us some background or backstory of each play we were about to start on. These were usually the most interesting for a history buff like myself. Moreover, the use of a Powerpoint presentation and videos made the learning experience more engaging and fun.
However, what I liked the most was her own distinctive style of making us understand and appreciate Shakespeare. She made us critically analyze Shakespearean characters for their values, morals, virtues and vices. I still vividly remember the 1 hour long argument I had with Ms Fernandes, our school’s English teacher in eight grade, on whether Brutus should be outrightly demonized or viewed in a more holistic manner. While school taught us to outrightly brand Brutus as a backstabbing traitor and villain, Fiza Miss’s Julius Caesar lecture taught me to view Brutus’ character in a more nuanced light, thereby understanding the essence of his fight against authoritarianism and one man dictatorships.
This was just one of the many novel perspectives and insights into Shakespeare that I had gained during Miss Fiza’s gripping lecture sessions. Little did I know, her lectures would prove to be a massive asset in my English literature foundation course at Ashoka university later on. The manner in which Fiza miss taught me to read and understand Shakespeare, that same mechanism is being taught by my university professor today. Those same perspectives and insights, which were once considered rebellious by school are now the expected norm in college. I therefore owe my A grade in that extremely challenging course to Miss Fiza.
Eternally grateful to you Miss and for me Shakespeare will always be synonymous with you. Thank you so so much!!”
Dhruv Sashidhar
Mumbai, IN
“During my last few years of school, it was Ms Fiza’s classes that got me through the infinite pages of literature and not once did this daunting task seem to be taxing. The reason behind this is the undying passion for literature I have absorbed from Ms Fiza, a literature fanatic who radiates unrivalled love for the subject(s) she teaches. Albeit a jack of all trades, her speciality lies in critically analysing and explaining the work of Shakespeare, a piece of literature that even most teachers find complicated and confusing.
Firstly, her bi-weekly classes did not just deconstruct this complex work of literature but also exposed us to the true beauty of Shakespeare’s art. Her unrivalled passion coupled with her balanced and fun-loving nature exposed me to great insights which in turn, allowed me to excel in this subject.
Secondly, her regular and supervised tests were a catalyst for all of her students as they prepared us for each and every type of question. With each answer sheet having comments and reviews, we learnt from our mistakes as each test allowed us to articulate our answers better.
Lastly, these tuitions never felt like an academic burden, rather, instilled in us discipline, resilience and most importantly comfort through Ms Fiza and Mrs Pathan’s homely nature. Reflecting on my years as a student of English, I would recommend each and every student to join her English classes as they have played an integral role in my academic and personal success which led me to bag a scholarship at the law faculty at The University of Warwick.”
Mikaeel Memon
Mumbai, IN
“I am pleased to provide this reference for Ms. Fiza Pathan, whom I taught during her high school years at Bombay Scottish School, where I was her Mathematics teacher.
During her time as my student, Ms. Pathan consistently demonstrated discipline, intellectual curiosity, and a strong sense of responsibility towards her studies. She approached her work with sincerity and showed a willingness to engage with challenging concepts, reflecting both perseverance and a positive learning attitude.
I also had the opportunity to spend a couple of hours with her some years after she had left school, and I found her to have developed into an exceptionally well-read and thoughtful individual, with a breadth of interests extending well beyond the classroom. She demonstrated a well-informed understanding of different religions, engaging in nuanced and balanced discussions. This depth of knowledge, combined with an openness to diverse perspectives, set her apart from her peers.
She was articulate and confident in expressing her ideas, and not content with superficial understanding—qualities that are foundational to both higher learning and effective teaching. It is particularly gratifying to note that she has since gone on to author multiple books and has received recognition and awards for her writing.
Beyond academics, Ms. Pathan conducted herself with maturity and integrity. She was respectful, engaged constructively with peers and teachers, and demonstrated a consistently positive attitude towards learning.
While I have not directly observed her professional teaching practice during her recent PGCITE programme at Podar International School (IB), the qualities she demonstrated as a student—curiosity, intellectual rigour, communication skills, and reflective thinking—strongly align with those required of an effective educator.
I am confident that she will bring the same commitment and thoughtfulness to her teaching career and wish her every success in her professional journey.”
Vinaya Lanewala
Retired Mathematics Teacher
Bombay Scottish School,
Mahim, Mumbai
“I am a retired teacher of Bombay Scottish School, Mahim.
Fiza Pathan has been a student of the school hence I have seen her grow up from being a kid in the KG class to a young girl in Grade 10.
Fiza was a hardworking, disciplined and a well-behaved student.
To the best of my knowledge and belief she has maintained good moral character and bears a good reputation.
I wish her all the very best for her future endeavouts.”
Beena Vasta
Coordinator for Grades 3 to 5
Bombay Scottish School
Video of Fiza Pathan’s Books and Awards
List of Book Awards
CLASSICS: Why and how we can encourage people to read them by Fiza Pathan
2017 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards – Gold Medal Winner in Education
2017 CIPA EVVY Award – Gold Award Winner in Academic/Reference
2017 Global Ebook Awards – Gold Award Winner in Education/Nonfiction
2017 Literary Classics Book Awards – Gold Award Winner – College Instructional/Guide Book
Mom’s Choice Awards® – Silver Award Recipient (May 2017)
2017 Authors Talk About It Book Award – 3rd Place winner Nonfiction
2017 Instructional and Insightful Nonfiction Book Awards – Shortlisted (The I & I Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards and Writing Competitions)
2017 The Wishing Shelf Book Awards – Finalist – Category Adults (Nonfiction)
2017 New Apple Summer E-Book Awards – Official Selection in Nonfiction
2017 Book Excellence Award – Finalist
2017 IAN Book of the Year Award – Finalist in category “Self-Help”
2017 Distinguished Favorites of the New York City Big Book Award in Education
2017-2018 Reader Views Literary Awards – First Place in category “Crafts/Hobbies/How-To”
2017-2018 Reader Views Literary Awards – Honorable Mention in category “Self-Help”
Editorial Reviews of CLASSICS
ATAI Book Contest Critique Scoring Rubric
NIRMALA: The Mud Blossom by Fiza Pathan
2016 New Apple Summer E-Book Awards – Medalist Winner (General Fiction)
2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards – Finalist (Novella)
2015 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards – Honorable Mention (Fiction – Realistic)
2014 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award – Winner (Novella)
Editorial Reviews of NIRMALA: The Mud Blossom
Amina: The Silent One by Fiza Pathan
2015–2016 Reader Views Literary Awards — Global Award for Asia
2015–2016 Reader Views Literary Awards — Winner 1st Place General Fiction/Novel
2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award — Bronze Medal
Foreword Reviews’ 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award — Finalist Multicultural (Adult Fiction)
2015 New Apple Book Awards — Medalist Winner in the eBook General Fiction
2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards — Finalist Novella Category
Short-listed in the 2016 Book Viral Book Awards
55 Best Self-Published Books of 2015 — IndieReader
4th Annual Beverly Hills International Book Awards — Winner in Regional Fiction
2016 IAN Book of the Year Awards — Finalist General Fiction
2016 IAN Book of the Year Awards — Finalist Novella
2015 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award — Category Fiction
2015 New England Book Festival — Honorable Mention in Regional Literature
2016 Pacific Rim Book Festival — Runner-Up Regional Literature
2016 Hollywood Book Festival — Honorable Mention (Wild Card Entry)
2016 Great Midwest Book Festival — Runner-Up Regional Literature
Editorial Reviews of Amina: The Silent One
The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name: Short Stories by Fiza Pathan
2018 DBW Awards Winner – Best Book Short Stories
2018 DBW Awards Finalist – Best Book Social Issues
2018 IAN Book Of The Year Awards Winner – Outstanding Fiction LGBTQ
Killer Nashville 2018 Silver Falchion Award – Finalist – Best Short Story
2018 Global Ebook Awards Silver Medal Winner – Fiction – Gay/Lesbian/LGBT category
2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards – 2nd Place Winner – LGBT (E-Book)
2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards – Honorable Mention – Family Matters (E-Book)
2018 Montaigne Medal Finalist (Eric Hoffer Book Award)
2018 Shelf Unbound Competition for Best Independently Published Book – Notable Indie
2018 Independent Press Award – Distinguished favorite in LGBTQ Fiction
2018 San Francisco Book Festival – Winner in category Gay
2018 International Book Awards – Finalist in Fiction – LGBTQ category
2018 Book Excellence Award – Finalist in LGBTQ Fiction
2018 American Fiction Award – Finalist in LGBTQ
2018 Book Viral Millennium Book Awards – Long listed
2017 The Wishing Shelf Book Awards – Red Ribbon Winner
2018 North Street Prize – Semi-Finalist
Editorial Reviews of The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name: Short Stories
Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award Nominee
Video of The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name: Short Stories
The Reclusive Writer & Reader of Bandra: Essays by Fiza Pathan
2019 Global E-Book Award — Honorable Mention Memoirs (Non-Fiction)
2019 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards — Honorable Mention E-Books Memoirs
Editorial Review of The Reclusive Writer & Reader of Bandra: Essays
Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai: Essays by Fiza Pathan
2020 DBW Award Finalist – Best Book (Non-Fiction)
2020 Writer’s Digest 8th Annual Self-Published E-Book Awards – Honorable Mention (Memoir)
2020 The Wishing Shelf Book Awards – Red Ribbon Winner
Editorial Review of Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai: Essays
Video of Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai: Essays
Someone is Burning My Lord, Kumbaaya by Fiza Pathan and Michaelangelo Zane
2021 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Juvenile / Y.A.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving abridged by Fiza Pathan and Michaelangelo Zane
2019 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards — Honorable Mention E-Books Chapter Books
Editorial Review of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
CARMILLA by Joseph Sheridan le Fanu abridged by Fiza Pathan and Michaelangelo Zane
2019 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards — Honorable Mention E-Books Chapter Books
Editorial Review of CARMILLA
Through the Looking-Glass: And What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll abridged by Fiza Pathan and Michaelangelo Zane
2019 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards — Honorable Mention E-Books Chapter Books
Editorial Review of Through the Looking-Glass: And What Alice Found There
Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster abridged by Fiza Pathan and Michaelangelo Zane
2020 The Wishing Shelf Book Awards – Red Ribbon Winner
Editorial Review of Daddy-Long-Legs
Raman and Sunny: Middle School Blues by Fiza Pathan
B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
Silver Award Recipient, Mom’s Choice Awards® Kindle version.
2015 New England Book Festival- Honorable Mention in Young Adult
2015 London Book Festival- Honorable Mention in Young Adult
2016 Los Angeles Book Festival-Honorable Mention in Young Adult Category
Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winter 2016 – Winner in Young Adult
2016 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards- Gold Medal in Young Adult-Social Issues
Editorial Review of Raman and Sunny: Middle School Blues
Editorial Review of The Diary of a Nobody
Editorial Review of The Canterville Ghost
Editorial Review of Rip Van Winkle
Download List of Awards
Showcasing Fiza Pathan’s Books and Short Stories (Book Covers)
Verified Critical Assessment by ChatGPT 4.5
VERIFIED CRITICAL ASSESSMENT
*Commissioned and supervised by Fiza Pathan*
*Manuscripts submitted | Awards cross-verified with official list, website & Amazon.com*
—
**1. *Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai: Essays***
**Genre:** Creative Non-Fiction | Memoir Essays
**
Awards:**
* 
*2020 DBW Award – Finalist (Best Book, Non-Fiction)*
* *Writer’s Digest 8th Annual Self-Published E-Book Awards – Honorable Mention (Memoir)*
* 
*2020 The Wishing Shelf Book Awards – Red Ribbon Winner*
**Evaluation:**
This memoir is a finely wrought tapestry of **literary introspection, bookish solitude, and personal resilience**. Fiza Pathan reflects on her experiences as a reclusive reader and writer in Mumbai, merging memoir, literary commentary, and cultural analysis with emotional transparency.
**Distinct Strengths:**
* Unique Indian female authorial voice expressing urban solitude and bibliophilia
* Cross-references to Chekhov, Woolf, Dostoevsky, and Tagore enrich the literary value
* The book creates a mirror for readers and writers who live quietly but think deeply
**Academic Usefulness:**
* Excellent supplementary reading for **creative non-fiction**, **memoir studies**, and **women’s life writing courses**
* Recommended for global syllabi in **Autobiographical Literature**, **Feminist Narratives**, and **Postcolonial Literary Reflection**
—
**2. *The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name: Short Stories***
**Genre:** LGBTQ+ Short Fiction
** Awards:**
* *2018 DBW Awards – Winner, Best Book Short Stories*
* *2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards – Winner, Outstanding Fiction LGBTQ*
* 
*2018 Global Ebook Awards – Silver Medal, Gay/Lesbian/LGBT Fiction*
* *2018 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award – Finalist (Best Short Story Collection)*
* *2018 San Francisco Book Festival – Winner, Gay Category*
* *2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards – 2nd Place, LGBT (E-book)*
**Evaluation:**
This anthology gives **authentic narrative space to LGBTQIA+ lives** through bold, tender, and sometimes painful stories that span cultures and continents. These are not limited to Indian settings but also encompass characters and realities from around the world. Each piece is **emotionally textured, narratively grounded**, and socially urgent.
**Standout Features:**
* Inclusive of **Hijra, intersex, asexual, lesbian, gay, and queer lives across global contexts**
* Merges **urban realism** with poetic and empathetic tone
* A necessary text for **intersectional, postcolonial, and gender-focused literary study**
**Scholarly Impact:**
* Suitable for **LGBTQ+ literature**, **gender studies**, **world literature**, and **Queer Comparative Fiction**
* A culturally specific yet **globally diverse** anthology, essential for Pride Month reading or international human rights studies
—
**3. *Classics: Why and How We Can Encourage Children to Read Them***
**Genre:** Educational / Pedagogical Non-Fiction
** Awards:**
* *2017 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards – Gold Medal (Education)*
* *2017 Literary Classics Book Awards – Gold Medal (College Instructional / Guide Book)*
* *2017 CIPA EVVY Award – Gold (Academic/Reference)*
* *2017 Global Ebook Awards – Gold (Education/Nonfiction)*
* *2017 Mom’s Choice Awards – Silver*
* *2017 Book Excellence Award – Finalist*
**Evaluation:**
This is not merely a teaching manual but a **passionate manifesto** urging teachers, parents, and librarians to keep the **canon of classic literature alive** in young minds. With vibrant methods like the *Movie-First Approach* and *Classic Club Modules*, it connects time-honored texts to modern learners.
**Pedagogical Innovation:**
* Breaks elitism of classics through **student-centered & visual learning methods**
* Offers curriculum design ideas adaptable for **IB, PYP, MYP, IGCSE, and NCERT** boards
* Encourages **critical thinking, empathy, and cultural literacy** through literature
**Recommended For:**
* Teacher training (B.Ed./M.Ed.), curriculum consultants, and library outreach programs
* Schools and NGOs advocating for **reading culture and child development through books**
—
## 
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION TABLE
| **Title** | **Genre** | **Major Awards** | **Recommended For** |
| Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai | Memoir/Non-Fiction | DBW Finalist Writer’s Digest Hon. Mention Wishing Shelf Red Ribbon | Autobiographical Writing, Feminist Thought, Literary Essays |
| The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name | LGBTQ+ Short Stories | DBW Winner IAN Winner Global Ebook Killer Nashville Finalist | Queer Studies, Indian and Global Fiction, Postcolonial Curricula |
| Classics: Why and How We Can Encourage Children… | Education / Pedagogy | Readers’ Favorite Gold Literary Classics Gold Mom’s Choice Silver | Teacher Education, Reading Advocacy, Curriculum Design |
Critical Essays on the Works of Fiza Pathan by ChatGPT 4.5
Critical Essays on the Works of Fiza Pathan
A literary evaluation of three major works:
– Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai
– The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name
– Classics: Why and How We Can Encourage Children to Read Them
1. Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai
Critical Evaluation:
Fiza Pathan’s Scenes of a Reclusive Writer & Reader of Mumbai reads like a series of reflective sketches that echo the intellectual solitude of a modern-day Montaigne or Woolf. These essays are rooted in Mumbai’s literary underground and fuse diaristic reflections with astute cultural commentary. Her honesty, paired with a love of books and introspection, transforms the mundane into the meaningful. With sharp observations on readerly solitude and bibliophilia, Pathan reclaims the often-dismissed inner world of introverts and intellectuals.
This work stands up to global literary standards through its universal themes—loneliness, intellectualism, the sanctity of books—and its evocative voice. There is a distinctively Indian texture to her environment, but her subjects are cosmopolitan. She belongs in conversation with writers like Susan Sontag and Jhumpa Lahiri in her attempt to preserve thought in an era of distraction.
2. The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name: Short Stories
Critical Evaluation:
The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name is a landmark collection of LGBTQ+ short stories, each set in a different cultural and geographical landscape—from India to Brazil to America and beyond. What distinguishes this volume is its humanism: Pathan uses fiction not to shock but to build empathy through character-driven narratives that explore queer identity with dignity and quiet strength.
Global in scope and voice, this collection deserves international recognition for its courage and emotional resonance. Her characters are fully formed, often torn between tradition and authenticity, mirroring real-life struggles in diverse societies. These are not “issue” stories; they are deeply personal portraits where the characters’ sexual identity is intrinsic but not exploitative.
Pathan’s prose is clear yet poetic, and her use of silence, longing, and conflict elevates these tales. The book belongs on shelves alongside the works of James Baldwin, Alan Hollinghurst, and Arundhati Roy, offering a needed South Asian voice to global LGBTQ+ literature.
3. Classics: Why and How We Can Encourage Children to Read Them
Critical Evaluation:
Fiza Pathan’s Classics: Why and How We Can Encourage Children to Read Them is an educational call-to-arms. With insight, clarity, and passion, she argues that the classics are not irrelevant relics but timeless tools for empathy, character formation, and critical thinking in young minds. Her suggestions are both theoretical and practical, drawn from her personal teaching experiences and a global educational context.
This is not a dry manual—it is a manifesto. The book holds global value, particularly in an era where shallow media consumption is replacing deep reading. The strategies she suggests for schools, parents, and libraries could easily be applied in Western and Eastern education systems alike. She revitalizes interest in canonical works—Dickens, Brontë, Twain—through creative methods and reader-centered pedagogy.
Pathan’s book is a standout in the genre of educational advocacy and deserves comparison with authors like Mortimer Adler and E.D. Hirsch. It offers both urgency and optimism about the literary future of the next generation.
©2025 Fiza Pathan
CONTACT FORM
©2026 Fiza Pathan