Writer · Poet · Teacher · Story Collector
Exploring memory, migration, family, and the stories we inherit and pass on.
I am a Pakistani Pashtun American writer, poet, and educator whose work explores memory, family, migration, inheritance, and belonging. Raised in California in a large immigrant family, I grew up surrounded by stories carried across languages, borders, and generations. Much of my writing begins with listening: to family histories, to silences, to the fragments of memory that shape who we become. I am drawn to the ordinary moments that reveal larger truths about love, loss, identity, and home.
I hold an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University, where I graduated with Distinguished Honors. My work has appeared in literary journals and anthologies, and I have been honored with fellowships, awards, and residencies supporting writers and artists. I am a member of The Writers Grotto and The Authors Guild. Alongside my writing, I teach creative writing through organizations including The Writers Grotto, the San Diego Writers Festival, and Litquake's Elder Project, where I work with older adults to explore memory, story, and lived experience through writing. Whether in classrooms, workshops, or community spaces, I am passionate about helping writers deepen their craft and discover the stories only they can tell.
I believe writing is an act of attention. It asks us to slow down, look closely, and listen deeply to ourselves and to one another. As a writer and teacher, I am interested less in perfect answers than in meaningful questions. The work that moves me most is rooted in curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to remain open to complexity. My goal is to create stories and learning spaces that honor lived experience, encourage risk-taking, and remind us of the power of language to connect, preserve, and transform.
Bibliography
Poetry, flash fiction, and essays exploring memory, migration, and what it means to hold multiple worlds at once.
What My
Mouth Holds
Poetry Collection · Manuscript
A debut collection reckoning with Pashtun and American identity, the silences passed between mothers and daughters, and the language that survives migration. Forthcoming.
Anomaly
Poetry
A journal committed to expansive, boundary-pushing writing. Sabina's work appears alongside some of contemporary literature's most vital voices.
Visit JournalSWWIM
Poetry
SWWIM publishes one poem daily by women and nonbinary writers. Sabina's inclusion reflects the lyric precision and emotional depth her work brings to every page.
Visit JournalRising
Phoenix
Poetry
A journal dedicated to literature by and for writers of color and underrepresented communities, where Sabina's work has found a vital home.
iO
Poetry
A journal celebrating innovation and urgency in contemporary American poetry. Sabina's work in iO showcases her voice at its most formally inventive.
CRAFT
Flash Fiction · Recognition
Her flash fiction has been recognized by CRAFT Literary and shortlisted for the SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction — among the most prestigious honors in short-form prose.
Also published in anthologies and literary magazines. Short story collection in progress.
Praise
"Add a blurb from a writer, editor, or publication about your work here."— Name, Publication
"A second blurb — from a colleague, student, or workshop participant — can go here."— Name, Publication
"A third quote capturing the impact of your teaching or writing."— Name, Publication
On the Road
Catch Sabina reading and talking craft at these upcoming events. Add your events below.
📍 Location TBD
Check back soon for upcoming readings, panels, and events. To invite Sabina to read or speak, use the contact form below.
Get in Touch →Recognition
Grateful for the recognition of work that grows from community, memory, and the belief that stories matter.
2× Semifinalist
California State University, Fresno
Her debut collection What My Mouth Holds was selected as a semifinalist twice — one of the most prestigious prizes for a debut poetry manuscript in the U.S.
Shortlisted
SmokeLong Quarterly
Shortlisted for one of the most celebrated prizes in flash fiction, recognizing her precision and emotional resonance in short-form prose.
Recognition
CRAFT Literary
Recognized by CRAFT, a leading publication dedicated to excellence in the craft of writing across fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.
Fellowship
San Francisco State University
Awarded for the intersection of creative work and community engagement — reflecting Sabina's commitment to writing as a civic and social practice.
Fellowship
MVICW
A prestigious summer fellowship for emerging writers, awarded in recognition of exceptional promise and achievement in literary craft.
MFA with Distinction
San Francisco State University
Graduated with Distinguished Honors from the SFSU MFA program, one of the leading creative writing programs on the West Coast.
Award
San Francisco State University
Awarded at SFSU for outstanding achievement in creative writing, recognizing the breadth and depth of her literary work.
Craft & Pedagogy
I teach writing as a practice of attention — to language, to memory, to the self that shows up on the page. All levels welcome.
An accessible entry point into writing poetry — no prior experience required. Students discover their own poetic voice through prompts, reading, and playful experimentation with form and image.
Writers Grotto →A deeper dive into structure and form — how the architecture of a poem creates meaning. Students examine how line breaks, white space, and syntax carry emotional weight.
Writers Grotto →An exploration of sound in poetry — rhythm, repetition, breath, and the sonic architecture that makes a poem sing. Students learn to hear their own work in new ways.
Litquake →A workshop exploring fragmentation, memory, and the architecture of lyric essays and prose poems. How do we write what resists a straight line? How do we return to what we've left behind?
SD Writers Ink →A craft workshop on movement, momentum, and energy in writing. How do you make a poem or story move — propel a reader forward, create urgency, build toward something felt?
Get in Touch →Part of Litquake's beloved Elder Project, these workshops bring the joy and healing of creative writing to older adults — honoring a lifetime of stories that deserve to be told.
Learn More →I work one-on-one with writers at all stages — from first sparks to final revisions. Whether you're writing toward a manuscript, submitting to journals, or simply trying to find your voice, I'd love to work with you. Limited spots available each season.
Inquire About Private SessionsTalks & Readings
Interviews, readings, and talks — Sabina in conversation about history, poetry, and the power of storytelling.
Featured Talk
Part of the #HistoricMuslimah Ramadan Series hosted by The Women's Mosque of America. Sabina introduces Malalai of Maiwand — the Pashtun poet-warrior whose words rallied her people and whose legacy echoes through generations.
Watch on YouTube →Immersive Writing
Step away from the noise. Spend a few days writing, reading, and going deeper — in beautiful places, with good company, and room to finally hear your own voice.
Let's Connect
For readings, workshops, teaching inquiries, or just to say hello — Sabina would love to hear from you.