Young Author In Qatar Captivates Readers With Fictional Tales And Ambitious Dreams

Doha, Qatar: At the heart of the 34th Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) stands 13-year-old King's College Doha student Harnoor Kaur, as a writer of three books with an upcoming fourth.

In an interview with The Peninsula, Harnoor shares valuable insights into her writing craft, her love for literature, her experience at the DIBF 2025, and how she managed to marvel her audience and fans with an outstanding literary talent at such a young age.

Harnoor has written three fictional stories where her characters resemble a growth of a young child throughout different stages of life.

Harnoor began her literary journey with her first book,“The Saddest Boy in the World,” published during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was only 8 years old.

This interactive story invites her readers to follow a set of instructions like turning the page slowly, or catches them when they do something unexpected like turn pages quickly, adding a playful game-like instructiveness into the short story.

“It's so funny because it checks if you followed the instructions,” Harnoor said, showing enthusiasm for what's clearly her favorite work.

The book, initially self-published in Qatar with 50 printed copies, gained popularity, leading to a formal publication in India and many online sales.

Her other works, The Strongest Girl in the World and The Rudest Girl in the World, showcase her ability to weave engaging narratives with relatable characters.

Harnoor herself appears as 'Grace,' a detective in her stories, searching for the titular characters and transforming their stories-like turning the rudest girl into the kindest.

Filled with her original illustrations alongside contributions from hired artists, her books reflect vivid imagination and visual storytelling.

A passion fueled by reading

Harnoor's writing is deeply influenced by her voracious reading habit.

Having read over 550 books, primarily in paperback from her school and national libraries, she draws inspiration from authors like Robin Stevens and titles such as“Arsenic for Tea” and“A Good Girl's Guide to Murder.”

“I read so many books, and I like the way they're written, like the overall structure,” she said, explaining her shift toward suspense thrillers as she grows older.

Her mother, Simran Kaur, emphasized Harnoor's commitment to reading over screen time, as she says,“Children must not be given gadgets before the age of 15,” encouraging young people to read more books.

Harnoor herself shares this sentiment as she limits her screen time usage to school computers for studies and learning; meanwhile, she relies on what you can call a 'dumb phone' for emergencies and to avoid any potential harmful use of social media.

A beacon of inspiration at literary events

Harnoor has become a familiar face at Qatar's literary events, including the DIBF, school book fairs, and the Kids Expo.

At these events, she signs copies, takes photos with fans, and discusses her stories.

“It was really fun to talk about my books with my fans,” she said, recalling the excitement of meeting readers who praise her work.

Her books, available on Amazon, Kindle, Flipkart, and White Falcon Publishing's website, consistently sell out at school fairs, with print copies running out in minutes.

Her mother, who manages her publishing and public appearances, noted Harnoor's growing popularity.

“All the students in the school know they have an author in year nine [class],” she said, highlighting her daughter's role as a reading ambassador who conducts classroom sessions for younger kids at King's College.

Ambitious projects on the horizon

Harnoor is currently working on two new books: 'The Filthiest Girl in the World,' the fourth and last of her initial 3 books long series, is expected to be published in time for the next Doha International Book Fair, while an untitled murder mystery marking her foray into adult-oriented suspense thrillers is still in the concept stage.

Despite her busy school schedule, Harnoor remains dedicated to writing. Her books are written with characters and scenes visualized through her drawings.

“When I write stories, I also imagine pictures,” she said, describing her creative process.

Beyond writing, Harnoor is a violist in her school orchestra, a choir member with performances across Qatar, and an artist whose drawings enhance her stories.

Looking ahead, the young author envisions a future filled with writing, regardless of her career path.

“I'm going to write more books,” she said confidently, open to exploring new genres.

Her mother believes Harnoor may be Qatar's youngest author, a claim supported by her early start and prolific output, as she continues to captivate readers with her imaginative stories and infectious enthusiasm.

Book lovers can look forward to her next release in 2026, when 'The Filthiest Girl in the World' is expected to hit shelves, further cementing her place in Qatar's literary scene.

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