We Wrote in Symbols

It is a little-known secret that Arabic literature has a long tradition of erotic writing. Behind that secret lies another - that many of the writers are women. We Wrote in Symbols celebrates the works of 75 of these female writers of Arab heritage who articulate love and lust with artistry and skill. Here, a wedding night takes an unexpected turn beneath a canopy of stars; a woman on the run meets her match in a flirtatious encounter at Dubai Airport; and a carnal awakening occurs in a Palestinian refugee camp. From a masked rendezvous in a circus, to meetings in underground bars and unmade beds, there is no such thing as a typical sexual encounter, as this electrifying anthology shows. Powerfully conveying the complexities and intrigues of desire, We Wrote in Symbols invites you to share these characters' wildest fantasies and most intimate moments.

Selma Dabbagh is a British Palestinian writer of fiction. Her debut novel Out of It (Bloomsbury) was named a Guardian Book of the Year by Ahdaf Soueif and Marina Warner. Her radio play The Brick was nominated for the Imison Award and produced by BBC Radio 4. She has also published numerous short stories with Granta, Wasafiri, Saqi, Telegram and International PEN, and is a PEN and Pushcart Nominee. Her work has been translated into Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French.