AWAKENING A LITERARY SPIRIT: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF HAFEEZ O.A TAQI (YOU HAVE TO READ)

In a world whisked along by the relentless current of technology and fleeting trends, it can seem rare to find young people lost in the pages of books or the world of their own written words. And yet, sometimes, great stories start quietly, nurtured by family, sharpened by curiosity, and eventually, bursting forth in ways that surprise even the dreamers themselves.

The Making of a Young Writer

Hafeez O. A. Taqi’s story is as much about family as it is about the individual. Raised in a home where books filled every available space and conversation often circled back to stories; especially those penned by Black and African authors. Reading was never a chore, but a daily pleasure. The encouragement he received did more than validate his early scribbles; it laid the foundation for disciplined creative habits. Those habits: reading widely, writing regularly, and keeping an open mind to feedback, became his ladder up the mountain of literary ambition.

Hafeez’s childhood was awash with diversity, from the magic-laden streets of “Harry Potter” to the mythic quests of “Percy Jackson,” and through the reflective prose of African writers. Each influence carved a unique groove in his developing style, showing just how global the process of writing can be for the modern young author.

Challenges, Growth, and the Unexpected Launch

Like many young creatives, Hafeez wrestled with the universal question: “Will anyone care about what I write?” Self-doubt loomed, but he had an answer built into his environment: a family ready with both encouragement and constructive criticism. The process, from drafting his stories to selecting which would make it into his collection, was one of growth and compromise.

And then, just as another round of edits seemed routine, something extraordinary occurred. Guess what? well a surprise book launch. Hafeez’s family coordinated a celebration that was both a culmination of his hard work and a joyful springboard into the literary world a few weeks ago at his 21st birthday celebration. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, with reviews and encouragement pouring in, affirming that his voice had found an audience eager to listen.

“Divine and Other Short Stories”: Lighting New Paths

What makes Hafeez’s story remarkable is not just the talent or the publication. We would say it is the journey of a young writer who, despite still being a student, managed to thread his individual dreams into a larger mosaic. His first published work of passion and art: “Divine and Other Short Stories” is more than a collection of speculative tales; it is a quiet affirmative action, a call to persistence, cultural pride, and the transformative power of routine, family, and open-mindedness.

For Hafeez, storytelling is a lens through which to reimagine the ordinary, challenge social stagnation, and offer readers that essential “wow factor” that once captivated him as a child. By sharing honest glimpses of his worldview, he invites others to see familiar topics anew and perhaps to reignite their own creative ambitions.

Unlocking Portfolio Careers and Hope for Emerging Economies

Hafeez’s story illustrates that literary passion does not exist in a vacuum. Today, young people like him often juggle multiple interests and ambitions: law, literature, music, sports; creating “portfolio careers” that make them more resilient and innovative. In countries like Sierra Leone, such multidimensional paths yield benefits that ripple outward:

• Cultural enrichment: New voices diversify national narratives.

• Inspiration: Youth see achievable role models.

• Economic impact: Creative industries fuel jobs, entrepreneurship, and global recognition.

• By nurturing creativity alongside other career pursuits, young people help their societies adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

We couldn’t help but ask Hafeez  to share a few words to other aspiring young writers ; especially those in budding African writing communities and this is what he had to say (very wise man, we are certain that you would agree yourself): 

1. Make reading and writing a daily habit, not a sporadic one, even if it’s just a sentence of each. Progress is progress, no matter if it is at a run or a walk.

2. Seek feedback from those you trust, but own your creative vision.

3. Allow your creative ideas to evolve and welcome revisions as a sign of growth.

4. Don’t box yourself in: skills from other passions will feed your art.

5. Remember that every story, no matter how small, can touch someone deeply.

How to Join the Journey: Invest in your own copy

If you are inspired by Hafeez’s journey or simply love the thrill of new perspectives woven through fiction, “Divine and Other Short Stories” is now available for purchase.

The collection can be found on major online platforms including Amazon, where it is being offered in paperback format. Simply search for “Divine and Other Short Stories by Hafeez O. A. Taqi” to bring home a piece of this remarkable journey. Click away on amazon.  . In Freetown, you can purchase a copy for only SLL 250.

Email: hafeeztaqi88@gmail.com/ fa2cole@yahoo.com

Call : +23278655998 or +232 78 655 111

In Hafeez’s own words, “Stagnation is the worst thing that can happen to a creative.”

Every page of his work and every reader it reaches, helps keep the vital spark of imagination alive.

We encourage our fans, readers and community to support his bright dream! Share this blogpost on. Leave him words of encouragement and applause.