Hello!
I'm Karen Osman, a novelist, writing coach, and entrepreneur. I'm also a long-term expat (currently living in New York), traveller (when not in a pandemic), and mother, raising two boys.
I have been writing since graduation as a journalist and content writer but it was only when I won the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Novel Writing Prize and went on to secure a 3-book deal with UK publisher, Head of Zeus, that I stared writing fiction.
I wrote The Good Mother while pregnant and looking after a toddler and this experience inspired my debut novel. Motherhood is also a theme in my second book The Home and my third book, The Perfect Lie.
Even though I was an experienced writer, I found it very challenging writing my first novel and I set up my writing courses to help aspiring authors achieve their dream of seeing their name in bookshops and libraries around the world.
Like most writers, I love reading and Karen's Bookclub is my happy place where I can share my love of books with others.
Thank you for being here and I do hope you find the content useful whether you're a reader or a writer! I also share a lot of reading recommendations and writing tips on Instagram.
I love hearing from readers as well as those looking to write their own books so please do stay in touch!
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Official Bio
Karen Osman is a best-selling novelist and writing coach. Following her win at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature Montegrappa Novel Writing Award 2016 with her crime-thriller novel, The Good Mother, renowned literary agent, Luigi Bonomi of LBA Books, secured a three-book deal with UK-based publishing house Head of Zeus.
Since then, The Good Mother, which was published in October 2017 and her second novel, The Home (September 2018), were both number one bestsellers. Her third book, The Perfect Lie, was published in August 2019 and she is currently working on her fourth novel.
In July 2020, Karen launched her signature online writing course, Kick Start Your Book With Karen, designed for budding authors to help write their books. She also offers a six-month one-to-one coaching programme.
In January 2019, Karen launched Karen's Bookclub, a free online bookclub where she shares reading recommendations, giveaways, and a behind-the-scenes look into her author life.
Karen has also been a featured author at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature giving talks and workshops as well as giving writing masterclasses in partnerships with brands such as Costa. In 2019, Karen was chosen by Global Woman Magazine as one of the top 10 inspirational women making waves around the world. In 2017, Karen was included as Ahlan’s Hot 100 People, an accolade recognising the pioneers and game-changers shaping the UAE’s social and cultural landscape. In 2022, Karen was awarded a Golden Visa in recognition of her services to literature in the UAE.
In addition to being an award-winning author, Karen founded niche communications company Travel Ink in 2011, providing content writing and strategy, public relations, social media, training, and translation services to hotels, airlines, and tourism establishments.
Karen uses her commercial experience in luxury hospitality, combined with her academic qualifications, which include a BA in Linguistics and English Language from the University of Durham and a Teaching (TEFL) Certificate from the University of Cambridge.
In her role as Managing Director, Karen oversaw a team of writers, editors, and PR and social media consultants to deliver quality content for exceptional results. As a testament to its success, Travel Ink was shortlisted as a finalist for the SME Advisor Stars of Business Awards in two categories (Hospitality & Tourism and Communications) just one year after the company’s inception.
Karen has been recognised for her achievements in the areas of the written word, entrepreneurship, and luxury travel and has featured in various regional and international publications including Hello!, Stylist, Forbes, The National, Ahlan!, and Gulf News to name a few.
Karen lives in New York with her husband and two young sons.
To learn more about Karen, please visit the media kit.
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