Project Calm – July 2019

women’s stories. I contacted as many as I could and

tried to set up interviews with them. As I moved

forward, I learnt more about these incredible women,

and it inspired me every step of the way. Everything

was coming along really well so when I’d written quite

a few chapters, finished designing the cover of the

book and had completed the portraits, I looked into

the logistics of printing. Now, I’m a broke full-time

university student who works on the weekends at an

art store so I can pay for my train ticket to university...

How on earth was I going to pay to print a book?

When I researched it, I realised how expensive it was

to get done well. I’d heard a little about Kickstarter

which I’d seen on a reality show, Shark Tank. It

seemed like a ray of hope. I watched loads of YouTube

videos and read articles about how to run a successful

Kickstarter campaign and gave it a go!

As soon as I announced my book, there was an

outpouring of support, not only from Pakistanis but

from people internationally. These were supporters

who cared about female empowerment and wanted

to learn about strong women. When it looked likely I

could afford to get my book printed, I went to several

printing shops in Pakistan for quotes. I finally came

across a local printer in my home city, Karachi, who

did a great job both with the printing and laying it all

out for me. They brought in several paper samples,

and because it’s a book focused on art as much as the

words, I spent time deciding on paper stock. I wanted

paper that would print true to the bright colours of

the portraits. I published my book on 4 March 2019.

It’s sold out twice and I’m now preparing for its third

print run. I’m so happy with how it turned out and

how much it’s been loved by its supporters.

Pakistan for Women: Stories of Women Who Have

Achieved Something Great, by Maliha Abidi, is out

now, £15.99. Project Calm readers can get 25% off

a copy of Pakistan for Women by direct messaging

Maliha on Instagram at @maliha_z_art. See Maliha's

current Kickstarter campaign for a third print run

of Pakistan for Women at kickstarter.com/profile/

pakistanforwomen/created

“Imagining this book

in the hands of little

girls kept me focussed.

If the women I featured

could achieve their

dreams through hard

work, so could girls

the world over.”

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