🎧 From publishing to podcasts: Presented by Diwan co-founders Hind Wassef and Nadia Wassef, Fil Diwan is a new podcast exploring topics relevant to writers, publishers, and creatives across disciplines. Since launching in September, seven episodes have been released. Centered on stories of cultural entrepreneurship, Fil Diwan covers everything from content creation and cinema to the economics of creativity. Each 45-70 minute episode typically features in-depth interviews with prominent guests.

Lessons from an Egyptian novelist: In one standout episode, Fil Diwan hosts novelist and screenwriter Ahmed Mourad, who traces his journey from studying cinematography and working as a photographer to becoming a novelist. Mourad discusses developing a unique narrative style, and shares crucial lessons from the publishing world — particularly regarding writer-publisher relationships and the question of when writers should rely on publishing houses as opposed to going independent.

The conversation shifts to explore how screenwriting influences narrative prose, touching on Mourad’s experience with the 2017 film El Asliyyin, which debuted on screen before being adapted into a novel. The episode effectively translates an industry veteran’s insights into actionable lessons for aspiring writers while contextualizing them within the contemporary creative landscape.

Piracy isn’t publishing’s only problem. Mourad argues that the Egyptian publishing industry’s struggle extends beyond piracy to include weak investments in advertising and distribution. This explains why many authors choose to publish independently, shouldering the burden of designing, marketing, and distributing their own books — an approach that often hinders success. For Mourad, the publishing industry cannot withstand today’s economic challenges without being treated as a fully integrated industry with cohesive production, marketing, and investment strategies.

Fil Diwan bridges culture and creativity, examining how creative work can exist within sustainable and profitable economic systems. Through conversations with guests including Ziad Bahaa El Din, Mai Salama, Omar Taher, and others, Fil Diwan is a promising podcast poised to enrich and inspire aspiring creative entrepreneurs.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anghami | YouTube | YouTube Music.

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