The Desi Collective

04/02/2022

In 2022, we're publishing one issue, our fifth issue overall! Yes, this is a change from how we did things in the past, but by putting our energy into ONE issue, we feel we can produce an overall book that looks, feels, and reads so much better than before! Our theme for this issue is, 'Transformation'.

As always, the theme is broad so that you can create as freely as you like using the theme as your guiding light. Non-theme-related submissions are also totally acceptable. Given current resources, we cannot accept submissions in any other language other than English, however, if that changes, it will be updated and mentioned on this page!

Now, for the submission guidelines:
✨ The deadline for submission is 1st May 2022.
✨ Email your submissions to [email protected]
✨ Word limited are as follows- Fiction / Nonfiction - 3000 words and 1 story/essay per person / Poetry - 3 poems of any length (can send less than 3, but not more) Photographs / Digital Art - 3 articles of either, not both
✨ When submitting, please ATTACH your submission to the email you send over. The submission should not be in the body of the email. Emails without attachments will be deleted
✨ Send your submissions (if there are multiple) together in one email.

Now, get to creating! We cannot wait to see your work :)

17/08/2021

Journey Of A Few Steps by

He told me not to go, again. How could he even suggest that? I mused.

'What's the point?' He said.

'How can you ask me that?' My eyes questioned him. He just walked away, as always masking his emotions.

And I wondered why he wasn't making the same journey with me today. It wasnt far, just a few steps away. I knew he had his reasons, but they were his, how could I make them mine?

Alone, I walked towards the river, the silent monster slumbering in the winter.

It had been six months.

I stood at the edge of the mountain, one more step and I could easily become part of the river, floating in its icy water. The thought was oddly comforting, as always.

But I never could. Crossing the border between the living and the dead was not up to me. I was still needed here , even though deep inside of me, I knew I didn't deserve it.

So I sat by the edge, and watched as a mineral water bottle floated in the river, plunging where the water surged, reappearing as it slowed. And I wondered if...

The thought gave birth to a whirpool of emotions; anger and grief waged a battle inside of me, until it all came flowing through the tears. But the tears were never enough, I could never stop blaming myself.

Two withered parts of a bridge silently hung from each side of the mountain.

It had been an unusually hot summer day. She had begged me to come play with her.The scorching sun didn't look inviting, so I made excuses.

'Too much work in the kitchen, beta.' I had brushed her aside.

I got busy. It was when I was filling a pot with water for boiling the rice, I heard the piercing cry shatter the silence of the mountains. And I knew.

'Alia...' My heart cried as I dropped the pot of water, its contents spilling on the floor, following my steps as I dashed out.

The dangling threadbare bridge the only sign that she had been there.

It was summer, the monster underneath had just woken up–raging and hungry.

So each day I sit here, the last place her tiny soles touched. The border too great between us to cross, no matter how my heart ached to.

But today was different, alone I could see the border dimming.

14/08/2021

Redefining Borders by Noor Khwaja

The lines,
the borders,
the boundaries sketched on maps are artificial constructs.

They are unnatural, they are
Fake to us as they are to birds flying over.

The lines,
the borders sketched on the maps are not known to fresh breeze,
as it flows for every one.

These boundaries are not understood by sun shine,
it warms up without any discrimination.

These lines,
these borders sketched on maps are nothing known to flowing waters,
it flows for everyone,
without any division or boundaries.

When a nature and its blessings don’t follow any borders,
why do need borders?

There isn’t any border,
there are only horizons to fly to connect,
to share,
to smile,
to hold on to humanity and love.

Borders are just a line sketched on a map.
Because according to nature’s rule true border only lies between day and night,
Between life and death, between hope and loss, and between love and hate.

(image courtesy Express Tribune)

03/08/2021

Just because we're on a hiatus, doesn't mean we can't share stories, ideas and thoughts.

From the 14th of August onwards (depending on amount of submissions), we'll be posting your stories on our feed, which means this is an open call for all of you to send in your poetry, creative non fiction and flash fiction. The catch however is that it should be 450 words or less! Of course we can make exceptions for pieces that truly deserve it.

The theme for our Instagram Issue is "Borders". As always, the theme is vague and broad so that you may do with it as you please.

Send in your work to our email address [email protected]
Submissions will be accepted till the 14th of August.

Again, this isn't an open call for a digital or print issue, but rather for a little campaign we're doing on this page, just to keep our community of writers engaged, and thinking!

Happy Writing.

21/05/2021

Hello Everyone!

This is a post I have written in my phone's notes and kept there for quite a while. The Desi Collective has, and will always be something I am so proud of. I love this magazine and what it has come to represent for me, and more importantly I love what it represents to all of you.

This is why this decision, and announcement is difficult but also necessary.

My mind is always abuzz with ideas on how to make TDC better and bigger. However, the one thing that isn't abuzz, is time, or resources. I cannot bring myself to produce another issue, print or digital because I feel like it will be the same thing, without innovation and without the growth I see for it in my mind. TDC needs to be a better platform for young desi writers and right now, it isn't doing that job too well.

This break is going to be my time to figure out a lot of big questions in terms of the magazine and how it's future looks. I'm not going to promise a "coming back" date, but it isn't going to be in 2021.

This break also doesn't mean the death of TDC as an account. This account will remain alive. We'll do little Instagram writing prompts, maybe even come back with another edition of "Writer's Block Party". The pandemic really put a stop to my dreams of having TDC be a place of learning, along with a place to publish. For now, the publishing is taking a little rest, but the learning must continue and it will.

Also, I want to thank all the writers who have submitted to TDC, and who got published through it! Without you, this wouldn't be possible. I am so honored that you chose to trust me with your writing.

Keep Writing! And keep your eyes peeled, there is going to be stuff happening right here!

15/05/2021

Thinking of change this Eid:

Eid seems to bring with it its familiar comfort yet is not quite the same at each reoccurance. In the midst of many sweet constants - the sheer khorma, the enmeshment of familiar embraces with muffled greetings and new outfits adorned with years' old jhumkis and chappals - there are newer ways with which we must exist and celebrate.

Rituals are relearnt and recomposed in the abscence of and with the memories of people that are with us no more, relationships that have been changed or broken, and the many ends and beginnings that irrevocably reshape our lives.

The overzealous social energy that surrounds Eid often suppresses these personal and intimate moments of reflection. Nostalgia of the past and the deliberation on life's changes is something we often do yet rarely bring up in conversation.

Be it visiting the graves of loved ones, reminiscing memories of years past, or no more sending wishes to a friend that once was dear, to inviting those you have recently grown fond of or simply just embracing new challenges. We experience change as both moments of preservation and renewal and just as with many sweet festivities, Eid is a day that reflects this nostalgic and celebratory duality of life.

Contribution from:

12/05/2021

Eid, a day I would look forward to all year. Sitting in front of the TV right after iftar and then waiting for the announcement of the sighting of the moon. Going every 10 seconds and updating my family and them saying: “Yeh Eid karwa ki hi chhoray gi”.

Right after the announcement, pestering my parents to leave right away to enjoy and finish last minute things left for Chaand Raat. Driving through the streets of Do Talwar, Tariq Road etc., getting stuck in that brutal traffic whilst listening to Master Sahib on FM 96. Making a random stop at some eatery place and eating in the car whilst fighting with my siblings on the most absurd things.

Waiting inside the car while mom and dad would go to some random shop to get me a purse for my Eidi collection, even though there would be several of them lying in the drawer at home but me being me would not reuse anything on Eid. Getting matching bangles and making a stop at forum to get earrings while my mom would get her mehendi done. And then after all this sometimes stopping at Red Apple to have some proper food or going directly home at around 4ish to sleep. Waking up earlier than usual, the next morning and dressing up in my Eid attire and being the first one to greet my brother and dad right after they would come back from the Eid Namaz and then making that innocent face to get Eidi.

This was Eid for me. A fond old memory that will never leave my side. I wish I could go back in time and experience this again and again. The most important day for me after my birthday!


Contribution by

Eid Mubarak! Stay safe everyone ❤️

(Pic Courtesy DAWN)

11/05/2021

A love letter to Sheer Korma

I remember being told, pretty early on, that to get Eidi at someone's house, you must eat their Sheer Korma. I'm not saying thats why I've come to love it, but that's definitely a contributing factor.

I'd never tell my mother this, but my favorite spoonfuls of Sheer Korma habe always been the ones I've snuck into the kitchen to take. Be it on Chaad Raat, as its simmering on the stove, or as and when guests would come over and I'd have the duty of refill the serving dish. Those sluething slurps of sheer korma goodness are and will forever be my favourite.

Each person's memories with sheer korma are so vivedly different. my best friend's father would always ask for a little sheer korma to take home. it would remind him of his muslim neighbors from when he grew up in Delhi. he'd have it warm, and always call my mom the next day to thank her. our own neighbors would always prepare hers with ice cream, because that was the only way her daughter would eat sheer korma.

For me, this simple dish stands as a symbol of the festival. It's thick, it's fulfilling and it's satisfying. It will always remind me of home, no matter where i go in the future, and no matter where I celebrate eid next.

Contribution by

03/05/2021

This year, yet again a lot of us in South Asia will be celebrating Eid in lockdown, or in a socially distanced context. Eid means and signifies different things for different people bit at the root of it is: community.

So this Eid, we want to tap the literary community and see how everyone here reflects on Eid, why they love it, or why they don't, their favorite memory or a piece of flash fiction or poetry.

From the 10th of May, till the 16th, we'll be posting your submissions on Instagram and Facebook, with the theme of "Reflections on: Eid". So you have till then to send something our way. You can record yourself doing a reading, or send in artwork, or just send in a piece you've written under the theme. You can send it in via DMs or on our email, [email protected]

(Word limit is 450 words!)

We can't wait to read all of your submissions.

(Also to everyone who has submitted for the next print issue, we've begun going through submissions. Please bear with us as we go through them and begin getting back to you all)

28/03/2021

TDC is in the press once again! Thank you to Sarang Aamir for covering our third issue, "Letters to my inner child"! His review of the issue is up on "The News on Sunday".

Ever since we've started running TDC we've been seeing a steady increase in the number of creative outlets in Pakistan, be it digitally or in person. We hope that this trend continues, especially as we continue to battle the ~rOnA~. We need art and artists to keep us going.

Our third issue is available through the order form in the link in bio. Additionally, our fourth issue (which is fully digital) can also be bought through our Patreon so check that out too!

18/03/2021

Hello TDC fans!

As promised, we're now launching our first digital issue, themed, 'Shackles'. What's unique about this issue is that there is not only literature and writing included but art and photography too! This issue is full of amazing artists who really took the theme of 'Shackles' and ran with it. Their interpretations of the theme are varied, unique, and mind-opening.

We cannot wait for you all to check this issue out and enjoy what all it holds.

You can get our digital issue from our Patreon account, which you can access here:
https://www.patreon.com/tdcofficial

(Cover Art by Kanza Naveed @/kyounnahi on Instagram)

06/03/2021

Look at we got in the mail today!

"The Children of the North" by is a new Pakistani book that launched towards the end of February. This is Niddal's debit novel and is inspired by true events.

It's really heartening to see local Pakistani writers use local publishers to get their book out there. We're super pumped to read this book and also speak to Niddal himself this coming Tuesday at 9 PM on Instagram live so don't forget to tune in.

To learn more about the book and how to order it, head over to !

10/02/2021

This illustration by is giving us all the road trip vibes, so much so that we've been dreaming of them ever since seeing this.

If you don't already know who Umair is, he's a fantastic digital illustrator and founder of a Pakistani super hero comic series called
which you must absolutely check out!


• • • • • •
A road trip to the north 🌕

Since I’m still fairly new to environments, I had to go through my own photo library to find references and I found one from my 2017 trip to the north. This road is probably close to Nathia Gali 👀

My second illustration for follow the page for more updates!!

Swipe for reference and final image —->

30/01/2021

We have a very important announcement to make, especially for our followers who are outside Pakistan.

We're launching our Patreon channel today and with it we're kicking off our please to go a little bit digital in 2021. Patreon is a platform where you, the consumer can directly support us, the creator. We're beginning this process by launching a digital issue of "Letters to my inner child". You can go to the link in bio and find our Patreon page and get access to our digital issue.

We'll also be using this platform to launch our purely digital issues later this year so do keep an eye out for that as well!

So if you're abroad and want to go a copy, you can find yourself a digital version on Patreon! (Unless you don't want to go full Desi and have us ship a copy to your cousin's BFF who's visiting Karachi.

So just to reiterate, if you want a digital copy, you can go to the patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/tdcofficial

And if you want to order a physical copy (Option available within Pakistan only), then you can go to the following link: https://forms.gle/mJA2ZE6C3nC21bh86

28/01/2021

We spoke to from earlier this week following the launch of our third issue!

We even had our writers, and speak to Sabah for this piece too! Check out her piece on the Arab News website and follow the link in the bio for ordering the issue!

15/01/2021

The New Issue is here, HOT OFF THE PRESS!

This issue features fantastic new stories and poems that are nostalgic, poignant and beautiful!

We're so grateful to all our writers for trusting us with their work and their craft! Also we're thankful to .books for working with us and of course, for making this engrossing cover for us!

Go to the link in bio to place your order! Our digital issue will be out on our Patreon page in a few days.

This issue is priced at PKR 700.

10/01/2021

We recently came across this fabulous account, .ghar! This house is an old pre-partition home in the middle of Lahore's Model Town, and the current generation living there has taken up the mantle of preserving this house and sharing it with all of us.

This account, and obviously this house, looks fabulous and we cannot wait to go there and experience it's awesome atmosphere! We could even do a writing circle there! ☺️

We also got to speak with Suraj Ghar's family. They had this to share about their home and it's history:

"Our family moved to Model Town back in 1947 during partition. The original owner, Mr. Ram Nath Kyshap, himself migrated to India and unfortunately had to leave, what was meant to be his retirement home behind.

Built in 1932, the architecture is reminiscent of the narrow tall buildings of old lahore. Unlike most other houses in model town; i.e. white bungalows, this house was one of only three constructed in red brick.

Since partition, 4 generations of our family have lived in this house. It has seen alot of neglect but also alot of love and has been the cornerstone of our family. And whilst it will always remain so, it is time that this grand old house become a part of Lahore and its people's collective heritage."

07/01/2021

(Repost from )

“All my life, I have seen my community suffer discrimination, bigotry, and violence. This was true before I was born. This was true when I was 5 and this is true today. Due to our facial features, we are easily spotted and attacked. We feel like we are captured in a cage. We think 100 times before going out of our homes or out of the boundaries drawn around our towns. We are not permitted to go to the market or go past the army check posts. Some in my community wish to leave the country and settle overseas. We have no hope left. People make posts about us for a day and then we are back to living in fear. Waiting for the next attack on our community. So, I am here to tell you how you can support our community.
You can help us by creating safe, educational resources. In a country where millions of girls are out of school, girls are even further discouraged because our families fear for our safety and withdraw us from schools. Most of the girls were withdrawn from universities after a terrorist attack on Sardar Bahadur khan Women University on June 15, 2013.
You can also help women run a small business from home so they can feed their families. In case our men continue to be kidnapped and murdered by the terrorist groups, while no justice is served. This is how our families can at least be safe financially.
Help young boys and girls with university opportunities. With university applications, with scholarships, with accommodation as students.
Once we graduate, help us in securing a job, and with the representation of our community in government, companies, businesses, and other parts of the country because this is our country too. We have little to no representation, except for the minimal news coverage we get after an attack.
And Lastly, you can help us by making us feel safe in our own country.
We are intelligent, driven and ambitious people who have been systemically oppressed for decades. We want justice, peace and freedom for current and future generations.”
So grateful to who wrote this heartfelt letter & also is the voice of the animation. She is a talented creative from Hazara!

01/01/2021

🎇👯‍♀️🎊🌟 We promised you a cover reveal and here it is! 🎇👯‍♀️🎊🌟

Our fabulous cover for our third issue, "Letters To My Inner Child" was designer by none other than our fabulous friend , who spent hours and hours perfecting this design!

This cover has had us obsessed ever since we saw it in our email inbox! It's really captivating, and the longer you look , the more mesmerized you become. Also AR has done a great job of adding some fun details into the design.

We're really excited to share this issue, the cover and very soon, the writing too! Just a few more days!

30/12/2020

N E W Y E A R N E W M E

As 2021 is about to ring in, we at TDC, are planning to change things up a little!

This upcoming year promises more stories for you all to tell and enjoy and gives us the ability to explore so many other ways of storytelling.

Our very first issue of the year is a continuation of our 2020 plan. We'll be launching the third issue, officially on January 15th!

We're also going to post all the 2021 details tonight so keep your eyes on this space!

30/12/2020

Here you have it! All the themes and deadlines are HERE!

For a our issues this year (digital or otherwise) we encourage writers and artists to send in work. We want to create not only a space for young writers but also a space for young creatives in our part of the world, so whether you're a digital artist, illustrator or photographer, you can send work in to us!

A few notes on submissions:

1. Email your submissions in at [email protected]
2. send your submissions in as ATTACHMENTS to emails
3. You're allowed to send one short story or three poems in a submission. Word limit for prose and non fiction is 3500 words.
4. If you're sending in art or photographs please send in a high resolution version, upon confirmation of your work being selected.
5. There's no submission fee
6. Any work sent in after mentioned deadlines will not be accepted.
7. Please mention in the title of your email which issue you're submitting for.

Other than all this- GET TO CREATING!!

27/12/2020

December 26th is the death anniversary for acclaimed Pakistani poetess, Parveen Shakir.

Parveen Shakir was a civil servant, however her poetry gained her popularity, making her a household name. She spoke openly of the tribulations of the life of women in Pakistan. Her poetry still echoes true today. This particular piece rings true in the context of the Me Too Movement in the country.

The original post, made by includes a translation below.


• • • • • •
Parveen Shakir speaks the truth like no other. Rough translation: My credibility will be challenged (as a woman) even when I speak the truth but he will mesmerize everyone even when he lies.
My translation does not do justice to her beautiful Urdu.

09/12/2020

Catch this very interesting and potentially super fun live discussion tomorrow on Kaarvan Crafts Foundation's page!

I'm super excited to have an e-reunion with my two good friends .t.abbas and


• • • • • •
Kaarvan Conversations
What is the Future of Books in a Digital Age?

Tomorrow Thursday 9th December 2020 at 9:30 pm, tune into our Facebook Live Session withTaiba Abbas, Founder of Ala Books and Authors and Arslan Athar, Founder of The Desi Collective. Moderated by Mehr Husain, Media and PR Manager at Kaarvan.

11/11/2020

In continuing with our birthday celebration (yes, we're celebrating a birthday week because that how it should be done) we're doing a FANTASTIC giveaway.

The rules are simple:
1. Like this post
2. Tag three friends
3. Follow .pind , and if you haven't yet, follow this page too!
4. Share this post on your stories!

There will be two giveaway winners, each of whom will win, one fantastic candle from Meem Candle Studio, a vibrant notebook from Mediocre by Mahrukh, an enamel pin from Pin'd and a copy of the "The Unseen Issue" of The Desi Collective.

You all have till the 15th of November 8 PM to do the four things we've asked you too. Winners will be announced on Monday, so fingers crossed you start next week off, feeling like a winner 🏆

GET LIKING, TAGGING, AND SHARING! GO GO GO!!

(Applicable for participants in Pakistan only at the time being)

11/10/2020

And just like this, the party is over!

The Writer's Block Party was an experiment on our part to see if this is something that is feasible and something we can manage. So far, it seems like we kinda sorta pulled it off?

We couldn't have done this without the support of our FANTASTIC panelists and of course, you guys the audience. We currently working on cutting and processing the videos for IGTV and they will begin to come up today, so fingers crossed for that.

There were a lot of people we spoke to for this festival and a lot of people who showed interest. We really couldn't accommodate everyone but now that we've sort of gotten the hang of things, we might attempt a second party, so keep your eyes glued on here for updates.

11/10/2020

10/10/2020

09/10/2020

08/10/2020

On Saturday we will be discussing the importance of being on Instagram both as a reader and a writer. Along with worrying about finishing that manuscript do we, as writers, now also have to worry about our Instagram presence?

We will be exploring this in as much detail as possible and it will hopefully bring out some interesting outcomes.

08/10/2020