Skip to main content
Faculty Directory

Aminah Mae Safi

Antioch University Los Angeles

Aminah Mae Safi is a Muslim-American writer who explores art, fiction, feminism, and film.

She loves Sofia Coppola movies, Bollywood endings, and the Fast and Furious franchise. She’s the winner of the We Need Diverse Books short story contest, and her story “Be Cool, For Once” can be found in the anthology FRESH INK (Crown Books For Young Readers). She is the author of NOT THE GIRLS YOU’RE LOOKING FOR (Feiwel and Friends), TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL (Feiwel and Friends), and the forthcoming THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT (Feiwel and Friends, June 2020).

Originally raised in Texas, she now lives in Los Angeles, California, with her partner, a cat bent on world domination, and another cat who’s just here for the snacks.

Educational History

  • University of Chicago, Chicago, IL – Master’s in Islamic Art History (Medieval and Modern/Early 20th century).
  • University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA – Bachelor’s – Major in Art History, minor in French.

Teaching Statement

I was training in academic writing, so I am a big believer in asking questions to help you think through and find the best solutions to your own work. I also believe that learning to critically evaluate and constructively give feedback to others is one of the most essential skills to develop, as it teaches a writer to find their editorial eye with their own work. I love granular details in language, I love pulling back and talking about overall structure. I think that understanding the rules is essential to breaking them (though, most writing rules are like the Pirate Code and are more like guidelines anyway). I believe I can help a writer find the best way to tell their own stories.

Novels:
Travelers Along the Way (Feiwel & Friends/ Macmillan)
Not The Girls You’re Looking For (Feiwel & Friends, 2018)
Tell Me How You Really Feel (Feiwel & Friends, 2019)
This Is All Your Fault (Feiwel & Friends, June 2020)
Travelers Along the Way (Feiwel & Friends/ Macmillan)
Short Story:
“Be Cool, For Once” in Fresh Ink (Crown Books for Young Readers, 2018)
Essay:
Why I Write carefree Muslim girls, Salon
Essays on writing, Pub Crawl

“We Need Diverse Books” Young Adult Short Story Award Winner
Not the Girls You’re Looking For — A Junior Library Guild Selection
Tell Me How You Really Feel — A Junior Library Guild Selection, A summer Indie Next pick, and an Autostraddle Best Book of 2019

Affiliate Faculty,

MFA in Creative Writing Program

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email
Personal Website

Welcome back! Please check your e-mail regularly for updates specific to your courses and campus, and view helpful resources and Coronavirus updates.

Skip to content