Graduates co-found publishing company to champion underrepresented writers

English Literature graduates co-found independent publishing company to champion the talent of British South Asian writers.

Sara Razzaq (English Literature BA(Hons) 2018) and Habiba Desai (English Literature and Creative Writing BA(Hons) 2018) established Bradford-based Fox and Windmill Books to give a platform to underrepresented writers in the publishing industry to tell their stories. The ambitious graduates reflect on how the support and encouragement of their lecturers helped them realise their vision. 

“Fox and Windmill Books was a culmination of five years of conversations between our professors, Dr David Rudrum and Dr Michael Stewart. They encouraged us to fill the gap in the market and to create a platform for writers of British South Asian backgrounds.

We want to make publishing as accessible and inclusive as possible and show that great stories can be found from communities like ours. If we publish a book that resonates with our audience, then we’ve achieved our goal.”

“Our lecturers encouraged us to fill the gap and to create a platform for writers of British South Asian backgrounds." 

Sara and Habiba, from Fox and Windmill Books

It wasn’t just the support of teaching staff that led Sara and Habiba to establishing their own publishing company. Both were able to gain valuable, relevant work experience whilst studying for their undergraduate degrees.

Real-world experience

Habiba undertook a placement at a publishing company which helped her prepare for her role as Publishing and Partnerships Director at Fox and Windmill and shape how it is run.

Sara’s part-time employment as a Social Media Representative at the University enabled her to develop the skills needed to grow and engage with an online audience.

Alongside their roles at Fox and Windmill, Habiba is continuing her studies with a taught Master’s while Sara is also returning to academia to pursue a Master’s by Research in English Literature.  Both Sara and Habiba found that the support they received from the University during their undergraduate degrees continued after graduation, as Sara explains: “Once I left I always knew I would go back because of the amazing network and the quality of teaching, which is exceptional. My lecturers helped me with the application process for postgraduate study. I’m so grateful for their support.” Habiba adds: “the University stays with you after graduation; you’re part of the alumni community.” 

When asked to recall a stand-out memory from their time so far at Huddersfield, for Habiba this was easy. “As a student ambassador I was asked to give a campus tour to a group of students. Little did I know they were from my hometown and visiting as part of First Story, a programme where I’d been a mentee. I felt so incredibly proud when I learnt some of the students had been inspired to apply to uni because of me - someone who looked like them and from the same background – that meeting had helped them overcome their fears.”

For Submissions Director Sara it was being able to expand on learning beyond the classroom, such as one literary adventure to London where she watched a Shakespeare play and visited the Sherlock Holmes museum.

Advice for future students

Finally, Sara and Habiba offer this advice to future University of Huddersfield students: “Enjoy every moment of being a student at university and take hold of every opportunity that comes your way. You’ll never know where it’ll take you in the future.”

 Follow Sara and Habiba’s journey with Fox and Windmill Books on Instagram and Twitter @foxandwindmill as well as Linkedin