Malaka Gharib is the author of I Was Their American Dream, a graphic memoir about being first-generation Filipino Egyptian American, and It Won't Always Be Like This, a graphic memoir about her summers in the Middle East. On today’s show, Annmarie and Malaka talk about the American immigrant experience, how to be a working writer, and what it means to be the realization of our parents’ greatest dreams. Episode Sponsors Novelette Booksellers – Nashville's only queer-owned bookstore. We are a fun, vibey, safe space for book lovers of all ages. We boast a highly curated selection of both fiction and non-fiction books by diverse authors, and a great selection of graphic novels. With an eye toward inclusivity and the celebration of our differences, Novelette strives to welcome people of all backgrounds. Stop by or shop online at novelettebooksellers.com Skylark Bookshop – A fiercely independent bookstore where we strive to find new ways to celebrate literature and our community. Some books give us knowledge and perspective; others simply give necessary space to breathe. Putting the right book into the right hands is a deeply meaningful act. We believe that we can find that book for everyone who walks through our doors. We embrace enjoyment, entertainment, and the beauty of Skylark Bookshop. Stop by or shop online at skylarkbookshop.com.   Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: I Was Their American Dream, by Malaka Gharib It Won’t Always Be Like This, by Malaka Gharib Uzma Jalaluddin Liana Finck Blue Sky Through the Window of a Moving Car: Comics for Beautiful, Awful and Ordinary Days, by Jordan Bolton Follow Malaka Gharib: Instagram: @MalakaGharib Substack: @Malaka malakagharib.com Photo Credit: Leah Margulies **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing with other women on retreat, consider joining Annmarie and co-leader Athena Dixon for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. Or you can join Annmarie and co-leader Phyllis Biffle Elmore for a writing retreat in France. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true.  As of this moment, we only have 2 spots left for France, but you can click this link for $900 off.  Enter the password RetreatWriteRepeat  and the coupon code is 25AK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices