The recently-opened Dubai International Writers’ Center, which hosts talks, coaching and workshops.
I’m thrilled to return to Dubai, that hot, impossibly complicated and dizzying place of high rises, including the world’s tallest building. It was more than 100 degrees on my first trip in September 2013, and it will be about 100 degrees later this month. Sense a pattern? I’m packing light.
Last time I was a guest instructor for Bethany Kehdy, who runs Food Blogger Connect in London. Aside from the all-day workshop and fabulous meals, my husband and I took a food tour of the old city and ate way too much falafel, knafeh and other treats. I loved seeing the mix of international people and natives in traditional and Western garb, hearing Arabic — which my family spoke — and eating well. While ultra-modern Dubai is very different from the San Francisco Bay Area, where I live, I felt very comfortable.
This time I am a guest of the Dubai International Writers’ Center, a new government facility, which hosts visiting teachers. I am only the third teacher to be invited — a big honor. The Writers’ Center also also runs the annual Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. As for my events, if you’re interested in:
- food blogging trends and best practices
- freelance writing or getting a book published
- a private conversation about your career or writing
there’s something for you. At the end of May I am offering several private coaching appointments. I’m teaching a workshop on food blogging, and teaching another workshop on getting published, whether in print or online. I’m also giving a talk May 31 during a Saturday lunch at the World Trade Center. I’d love to see you in Dubai.
Welcome to Dubai! I just wanted to book for a half an hour session with you – the dates scheduled are 28th, 29th and 30th May but the calendar that’s attached is for June. So I couldn’t book in. I would like to book a time on May 28th please.
Hey Ishita! Lovely to hear from you. I sent this info to the center and someone will contact you. Look forward to seeing you.
How wonderful and fascinating, Dianne. Looking forward to hearing about your experience during this journey.
Thank you Nancie! Have you been?
Very cool! Congrats!
Thank you Maureen. I’m feeling very fortunate indeed.
So wonderful! Always wanted to travel to Dubai!
You are a lucky girl!
Thank you for sharing your most lovely travels!
Indeed I am. Dubai is fascinating. It’s modern and old at the same time, full of professionals from India, England, Australia and Europe, and of course, the workers from Asia who do all the building, tending and serving.
What a brilliant idea of the Dubai government – to create an international writing center. Surely good for writers and readers will be the result. Yes, it is an honor for you to be invited, and you deserve it, Dianne.
Thank you Toni. I wanted to write that it was a great use of tax dollars, and then Owen reminded me that there may not be taxes in Dubai. This is true unless you’re a foreign bank or an oil company. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_the_United_Arab_Emirates
Oh, I am so jealous! Have a great time and eats lots of delicious food.
Hah! Thanks Roberta, I will eat my weight in Middle Eastern food in your honor.
What a wonderful opportunity for those in Dubai to be able learn from you, Diane!
Oh thank you Kate. I’ll be there for five days, staying in a guesthouse in the old neighborhood where the writers’ center is based. My clients will likely be foreign nationals.
I am amazed at you Dianne! You are such a great example to others. Do your job…do it well ….everything else will fall into its place
I haven’t been here for a while…long story but I do follow your exciting trips, book publishing and riding to the top of the world (the tallest building in Dubai)
Congrat…Jayne
Thanks Jayne. I haven’t heard from you in a while! Hope all is well. I went last time to the Burj Kalifa. I spent at least an hour at the top, not only looking out at buildings followed by sand, but at people watching as families and tourists enjoyed themselves.
Oh what a fascinating experience. Except for the heat it sounds marvelous. I just love new adventures and Dubai certainly has a mystique about it. Can’t wait to hear more about your trip.
Thank you Susan. I’m hoping for an “excellent adventure,” as Ted would say.
What an wonderful honor and opportunity for you, Dianne. Congratulations! I would love to visit some of the mega-projects in Dubai that I’ve watched being built on television. What a great adventure that will be for you and your husband.
P.S. I loved reading the article about your mother. I grew up in a Navy family, next door to a Filipino-American family (also Navy) with 5 daughters. They were like family and remain so to this day. Growing up next to them gave me a unique view of the culinary world, no doubt. Friends often ask “what’s that?” when I mention a favorite food or something I’m cooking. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thank you so much Eric. I didn’t know if anyone would follow all those links but I’m thrilled you read the piece about my mother. So cool that you grew up with people different from you next door. It makes you more empathetic in general, I think.
Welcome back to Dubai Dianne. It’s never too late to learn to write so I booked the session on how to get published, see you soon.
Please reserve time for taking food tour with Dubai based blogger Arwa and her Frying Pan Adventures. Must have experience to see authentic parts of Dubai, some places which are not shown in travel programs. Not to forget the best, the food glorious food cooked by natives from countries their restaurant is from.
Looking forward to seeing you and learning about publishing strategies. Just learned that you have few drops Arabian heritage in you.
Ahlan wa sahlan ya Dianne. Welcome to Dubai.
Minna! How wonderful to hear from you. I’m thrilled that you will take one of my classes again. Thank you.
I went on the Frying Pan tour when I was there last and enjoyed it immensely.
Yes, my family is originally from Iraq, both sides, and my ancestors spoke Arabic.
We don’t hear much about Finns who speak Arabic, eh? That’s you.
Really looking forward to the food blogging workshop next Friday 🙂 I just bought your book so I’m doing my homework! Welcome to Dubai!
– Carla
Nice to meet you Carla. I love your blog header — it’s really fun. See you soon in my class, and thank you.