Latest news with #TheDreamworkCollective
Gulf Today
08-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Book tackles mental health issues in motherhood
The Arabic edition of 'This Is Postpartum' has been launched in the UAE coincide with Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, a global campaign dedicated to creating conversations and changing attitudes towards mental health challenges in motherhood. The book is a translation of the English title which was first published in 2020 and authored by Tilda Klumpenaar, a therapist specialising in prenatal and postpartum depression (PPD) and is published by Dubai-based publisher The Dreamwork Collective. Born out of her own experiences of postpartum depression, Klumpenaar's book is a fuss-free compilation of real-life stories and tried-and-tested tips to help parents get their life back, and feel more confident, happy and balanced in their new role. Explaining her motivation for writing the book, Klumpenaar said, 'When I went through postpartum depression I felt so guilty and ashamed. I wondered how other moms were doing all of this. I felt so lonely all the time. When I finally got mental help through an amazing therapist, she told me most women don't talk about it, that all moms feel ashamed and guilty when they have PPD and that's the reason I had never heard of it. When I finally started to feel better, I decided to write down everything that I found helpful. If I could help just one mom to get out of her isolation during PPD, the book would be a success for me.' Speaking about her journey in creating the book, she said, 'The writing process was effortless for me. I loved writing it so much because I was ready to break the taboo around maternal mental health issues. I wanted to keep the book very real, which is why I also share stories of others, besides my own. I felt a sense of humour should also be in there, because PPD is such a serious topic. I wanted to keep it light too.' Having published the English edition of the book almost five years ago, Klumpenaar already knows how the subject resonates with mothers, and believes that it is important to extend these critical conversations into Arabic-speaking families.
Gulf Today
15-04-2025
- Gulf Today
Author gives unique perspective on ‘Home, Identity, Belonging in the UAE'
The UAE presents a rare opportunity to rewrite our stories, free from others' labels, and embrace a future defined by our own terms. Bosnian-born author Nadina Ronc stated this while talking to Gulf Today. Her memoir 'Daughters of Dissidents Need Not Apply' was recently published by The Dreamwork Collective in the UAE. While reflecting on home and belonging she said, 'As a refugee, I struggled with questions of identity, feeling torn between my Bosnian heritage and a British society that never fully embraced me. For many, searching for a home may never reach a definitive conclusion. But in this ongoing quest, we understand that belonging is not a destination but a journey. It's found in the quiet moments of connection: a shared conversation with a colleague, the comfort of a familiar accent, or the joy of seeing a neighbourhood that feels like 'home'.' The UAE's population totals 9.36 million, with 8.84 million immigrants. Dubai is home to 3.6 million people, 75% of whom are foreign-born. All this raises complex questions about identity, belonging, and the elusive concept of home in a transient world. For many immigrants in the UAE, home is fluid and evolving—a blend of memories, relationships, and places that feel alive. Many seek distance from governments, cultures, or identities that no longer fit. The country offers the chance to reinvent oneself and find new belonging. For those of us carrying the weight of war or persecution, the anonymity allows us to shed past identities and forge new stories, free from old labels.' On Immigration and Identity 'Immigration is rarely as simple as seeking a better life. For those fleeing war, political persecution, or instability, the process carries immense emotional weight—leaving behind family, language, and the comforting familiarity of home. In the UAE, however, immigration often represents a conscious choice—a decision to trade one kind of uncertainty for another, seeking the potential for opportunity and success. Yet even voluntary migration involves trade-offs. While the UAE offers freedom, it also demands flexibility. You must navigate a society that balances cosmopolitan influences with conservative traditions. The mix of cultures creates a dynamic social environment where individuals rise through skills and aspirations, transcending cultural and geographical divides. By maintaining their traditional identities and social circles, Emiratis coexist with a highly diverse population of over 200 nationalities. This pluralistic society fosters a sense of belonging within smaller communities based on shared interests, professions, or cultures while contributing to the country's collective progress.' Nadina fled Bosnia as a child in 1992 and found refuge in the UK. 'Writing my memoir was more than an exercise in storytelling; it was an effort to reclaim autonomy over my narrative. Dubai offered a unique platform to explore these themes further, and that is why I decided to publish my book here. When I began working with my editor at The Dreamwork Collective, she didn't just help me write; she guided me to open a portal to my past, to revisit the child I once was through the eyes of the adult I've become. I began to see the countless obstacles I had to overcome to get to where I am today. That process of truly diving into my past, of peeling back those layers of fear and memory, allowed me to take the reader on a raw and bumpy journey with me.' The 'Daughters of Dissidents Need Not Apply' published by The Dreamwork Collective is available on their website and on Amazon.
Khaleej Times
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Ramadan Reads: Female Muslim authors pen reflections on modern Islam
As Muslims mark the holy month of Ramadan, two books from Dubai-based publisher, The Dreamwork Collective are offering readers the opportunity to explore different perspectives on the modern-day practice of Islam. Dream Du'a Do: A Millennial Muslimahs' Guide to Achieving Your Wildest Dreams, by Ruzina Ahad, delves into the world of self-help grounded in spirituality, while Mathilde Loujayne's Big Little Steps tackles women's common concerns in finding a balanced lifestyle while embracing the Islamic faith. Born out of her own desire to realise her wildest dreams, Ahad began to pen her book during the 2020 lockdown. Like many people at that time, she was looking for a positive outlet for her thoughts and dreams but found that there was a lack of self-help literature connected to the Muslim faith. As she began to note down her own ambitions, the idea of Dream, du'a, do was born. Written in three parts, the book begins by encouraging readers to identify their dreams and articulate what they want to achieve in life. A big believer of manifesting ambitions through the power of prayer, Ahad dedicates the second part of the book to du'a, the Arabic word for prayer, taking readers through the journey of achieving their wildest dreams. The third section of the book provides practical tips to link dreams and prayers, weaving principles of neuroscience and positive psychology with the teachings of Islam. Originally aimed at the Millennial Muslimahs, Ahad says, 'As a young Muslim woman who was trying to find her way, there was not enough literature out there for me, but I've also discovered that non-Muslim women have loved my book as well. The text assumes that the reader knows nothing about the Islamic language and breaks down complex stories into simple prose, with some gentle humour along the way.' Also drawing on her own experience of a gap in Islamic literature, French national, Loujayne, set out to write the book she felt was missing from the bookshelves when she converted to the faith. Big Little Steps is labelled as 'a woman's guide to finding a balanced lifestyle and a glowing heart in Islam'. The book reflects on Loujayne's journey of conversion and explores the questions that she, and those around her, had about the religion. Reflecting on her personal experiences of grief, moving countries, work, marriage, and motherhood, Loujayne set out to explore women's common concerns and break through the myths of gender in Islam. Based on interviews with more than fifty women from different countries, Loujayne gathered all the questions she and her Muslim sisters had encountered in their Islamic education, to develop a one-stop guide to help women to tackle these topics. Aimed at readers who are simply curious about Islam, as well as those who have already embraced the faith, Big Little Steps is an accessible book for non-Arabic speakers, with Islamic terminology expressed in the English language. Speaking about her hope for the book, Loujayne says, 'My mission is to share what I've learned over the years, backed up by beautiful verses from the Quran and narrations of the Prophet Mohammad. I want to unearth what Muslim women have achieved in many fields over the centuries. I also want to shed light on the way women were treated before the Quran was revealed, and how ground-breaking Islam was.'
Mid East Info
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
The Dreamwork Collective launches Nadina Ronc's ‘Daughters of Dissidents Need Not Apply' - Middle East Business News and Information
New book charts real-life story of survival, identity, and the relentless search for justice Dubai-based publisher, The Dreamwork Collective, has launched a new title by Bosnian-born author, Nadina Ronc, charting the story of her life as a refugee after fleeing the war in her homeland. Now a journalist and foreign policy analyst, Ronc has released her memoir, Daughters of Dissidents Need Not Apply, to shine a light on the untold struggles in the aftermath of conflict. Exploring the themes of identity, loss, resilience, and the complex, lasting impact of war, the book explores the often-invisible challenges faced by refugees. Ronc, who fled Bosnia as a child in 1992 and found refuge in the UK, provides a deeply personal account of healing in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. The book follows her experience of the breakup of a country and the breakup of her family, and the political forces at play in both. Explaining her motivation to write the memoir, Ronc said, 'It was an overwhelming need to speak up and to confront the harsh realities that the world too often chooses to ignore. The injustice that still lingers, the voice that remains unheard, and the scars that never heal. When I began working with my editor at The Dreamwork Collective, she didn't just help me write; she guided me to open a portal to my past, to revisit the child I once was, through the eyes of the adult I've become. I began to see the countless obstacles I had to overcome to get to where I am today. That process of truly diving into my past, of peeling back those layers of fear and memory, allowed me to take the reader on a raw and bumpy journey with me.' Sharing one of the most vulnerable and perhaps relatable moments of her memoir, Ronc said, 'In Bosnia, there's this conservative mindset—this expectation that family life is always perfect, that everything is fine behind closed doors. But that's not the reality for everyone. By sharing these intimate details, I've torn down that facade and exposed the raw truth. I wanted to show that it's okay to acknowledge the flaws, the pain, and the fractures that exist in our personal lives, even when it's uncomfortable or difficult to do so. I hope to shed light on a truth that's often ignored or hidden—because healing starts when we stop pretending everything is 'peachy.'' The book's narrative is multi-layered, with a key focus on the strength and resilience of women in the post-war context. Ronc believes that the memoir will resonate with those who are passionate about understanding deep human emotions and the complexities of survival in the aftermath of conflict, and anyone with a curiosity about how war shapes identity, societies, and the future. Speaking about the messages that she hopes readers will take from the book, Ronc said, 'Through my personal journey, I aim to make visible the unseen struggles faced by those displaced by conflict, those who are forced to rebuild their lives—I want readers to understand that the scars of war go far beyond the battlefield. My hope is that this book sparks empathy, reflection, and a deeper understanding of the human toll that political conflicts impose, and that it reinforces the necessity of holding those in power accountable—both on a global scale and in our personal lives.' Meet Nadina Ronc at Kutubna Cultural Centre today. Daughters of Dissidents Need Not Apply is available online at The Dreamwork Collective
Gulf Today
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Book offers confidence-boosting tips for kids
DUBAI: Long-time Dubai expat and best-selling author, radio broadcaster, and mum of two, Helen Farmer, has launched her second children's book, 'My Family's Secret Superpowers.' The book, published by The Dreamwork Collective, explores how to cope with the anxieties of day-to-day life and offers tips to boost kids' confidence and alleviate their worries and fears. Following on from Farmer's best-selling debut book 'My Mummy's Secret Adventures,' the new heart-warming children's tale follows a young girl named Ruby, who realises that she sometimes feels nervous when doing new things. The story reveals that she's not alone, as her Mum, Dad, and big sister Olive share that they too have times when they don't feel so good. Ruby finds out what makes them worried, and together, they come up with strange and fun ways – their secret superpowers – to help them feel better. The book features charming illustrations by Pavithra Suresh and playful characters to help young readers discover Ruby's tips and tricks for untangling knots and feeling more confident. The publication was launched at this year's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and unveiled at a community event for families last week during Children's Mental Health Week. Renowned for her authentic and relatable take on life and motherhood, Farmer juggles a career in broadcasting with her main role as a mum to her two daughters. She extended her portfolio of talents to children's literature last year, as a way to help parents broach tricky topics with their kids and start a conversation about things they might be struggling with. As anxiety continues to dominate as the primary mental health concern for young people, My Family's Secret Superpowers aims to reassure children that they're not alone with their worries and there are ways to overcome their concerns. Farmer said about her new book, 'Anxiety isn't something to be 'fixed' — it's something to be understood and managed. By talking openly, using simple techniques, modelling coping strategies as adults, and embracing the power of storytelling, families can help children build confidence and resilience. In doing so, they teach kids one of the most important lessons of all: It's okay to feel nervous, and they have the tools to handle it.'' My Family's Secret Superpowers, published by The Dreamwork Collective, is available at Helen Farmer is a BBC-trained broadcast journalist, juggling a career in broadcasting and writing with her main role as a mum to her two daughters.
