Endorsements

 

“Some books are important. Some books you can’t put down. Out of the Shadows of Men is both. Laila El-Sissi has given us a ground-breaking memoir of two young sisters growing up in Egypt whose courage, devotion to each other, and struggle for their own autonomous lives will make you fall in love with them and remember their story forever.”

Ellen Bass, author of The Courage to Heal

 

“Out of the Shadows of Men is a powerful story of a courageous young Egyptian girl who defies all odds of culture, religion and power to change her destiny. Laila El-Sissi’s story is captivating and meaningful and her writing is superb.”

Geraldine Solon, bestselling author of Love Letters

 

“Out of the Shadows of Men takes readers into the mind and heart of a young woman battling against the odds within an oppressive family to gain her freedom and live the life of her dreams. Laila El-Sissi has given us a memoir written in a voice that’s unforgettable: it is the voice of a girl discovering her womanhood as she struggles to understand the conflict between her desires and the rules of her environment.”

David Paul, Co-author, Souls in the Hands of a Tender God

 

“From the first time that Laila began to read her story to us at a Fremont Area Writers Open Mic Night a couple of years ago, I thought immediately that what I was hearing were the polished words of a published writer. Only when she was finished reading did we find out that this was her first book. Wow! Laila has the talent, drive, desire, and capability to go a long way in the publishing world. Her story captivated all of us that evening and should do the same to many readers worldwide.”

Robert A. Garfinkle, President California Writers Club

Congratulations on your award…   

August 16, 2010

Dear Laila El-Sissi,

    Congratulations on your Honorable Mention Award for your fine piece, “Out of Alexandria,” in the New Millennium Writings competition that closed January 31, 2010. Your name will appear on a special Awards page in our next issue of New Millennium Writings, 2011, due out in December, along with other finalists in our 29th Consecutive Awards. The winners and runners-up, including your entry, were selected from about 1,200 total submissions in four categories. The quality was high, and you should be proud of your accomplishment. We certainly are. Feel free to forward or copy this letter to anyone, to post it to blogs or paste it to other applications in order to print and or keep in a suitable format.

    By August 31, we’ll contact any Honorable Mention winners we’d like to publish. You’ll receive your free copy of next year’s issue before the end of January. 

   In answer to other frequently asked questions, no, your good showing does not disqualify you from entering this or any other contest as often as you like, with this or any other work of your choosing. We accept non-contest general submissions in the months of January through March only. If you’re interested in our next contest, which has a deadline of Nov. 17, 2010, please visit our website at www.writingawards.com, now undergoing re-design, or follow guidelines below.

    Mostly we just want to say we appreciate your interest in New Millennium Writings and the part you play in our success. Please tell others about us. Again, congratulations on your achievement.

Sincerely yours,

Don S. Williams

Don Williams, Editor and Publisher