• Fidha Fahmy on her debut novel The Girls from Istanbul 

Friendship and personal growth are central themes in Fidha Fahmy’s debut novel, The Girls from Istanbul. The coming-of-age story published this year by The Jam Fruit Tree follows four girls as they navigate adolescence and identity while building friendships that influence their lives. Set in Istanbul, the novel focuses on how people are shaped by the connections they make and the experiences they share.

For Fahmy, the book reflects her interest in preserving memories and emotions through writing. She believes stories can capture moments that might otherwise be forgotten and allow readers to connect with experiences that feel familiar.

A personal connection to writing

Fahmy says writing began as a way for her to express thoughts and emotions. Before becoming an author, she used writing to process experiences and reflect on her feelings.

“I’ve always been someone who feels deeply about memories, emotions, and the connections people leave behind,” she said. “Writing gave me a space where I could truly be honest with myself.”

Her interest in storytelling developed from reading books that created strong emotional connections. She believes writing can preserve important moments and experiences.

“I wanted to become an author because I realised writing had the power to preserve moments that would otherwise disappear,” she said.

This belief became one of the main reasons she decided to write The Girls from Istanbul.

Interest in coming-of-age fiction

Fahmy is particularly interested in romance, contemporary fiction and coming-of-age stories. She enjoys books that focus on relationships, identity and personal development.

“I’m mostly drawn to romance, coming-of-age, and contemporary fiction because I love stories that feel emotional, personal, and real,” Fahmy said.

While romance is an important part of many stories, Fahmy is also interested in friendships, especially friendships between young women. She believes these relationships can be just as meaningful as romantic ones and often have a lasting impact on people’s lives.

“There’s something so special about the bond between girls,” she said.

This interest became one of the foundations of her debut novel.

The story behind The Girls from Istanbul

The novel follows four girls as they grow up together and experience important moments in their lives. Through conversations, shared memories and personal challenges, they develop friendships that influence who they become.

According to Fahmy, the story focuses on the role friendships play in shaping a person’s identity.

“The story focuses on the deep emotional bonds between girls, the kind of friendships that become part of who you are,” she said.

The inspiration for the book came from her own experiences. Fahmy says her school introduced her to Turkish culture and connected her with friends, teachers and families who had a lasting influence on her life.

“My school introduced me to so much about Turkish culture, and through that experience, I met some of the kindest friends, families and teachers who left a lasting impact on my life,” she said.

These experiences encouraged her to explore Turkish culture further and eventually helped shape the setting of the novel.

Why Istanbul matters

Istanbul plays an important role in the story. Fahmy became interested in the city through Turkish dramas, music and culture. Over time, she felt that Istanbul would be the right setting for the story she wanted to tell.

Rather than using the city only as a backdrop, she wanted it to be closely connected to the lives of the characters.

“I wanted the city to feel alive in the book, almost like another character alongside the girls,” Fahmy said.

As a result, readers follow both the experiences of the four girls and the environment around them. The setting helps support the themes of memory, belonging and personal growth that run throughout the novel.

Putting friendship at the centre

One of Fahmy’s main goals was to focus on friendship rather than making romance the central relationship in the story. She believes friendships between girls often have a major influence on people’s lives but are not always given enough attention in fiction.

“Romantic relationships are often centered in stories, but I think the bond between girls deserves just as much attention because those friendships can shape who we become,” she said.

The friendships in the novel are built on trust and loyalty. These relationships help the characters navigate challenges and support one another through different stages of their lives.

“The friendships between the girls are really the heart of the story,” Fahmy said.

Their connection drives the narrative and provides the foundation for many of the novel’s key moments.

Through these friendships, the novel highlights different forms of love and support. It shows how friendships can have a lasting effect on personal development and how they often remain important long after specific moments have passed.

Future plans

Although The Girls from Istanbul is her first novel, Fahmy plans to continue writing. She says the experience of completing the book confirmed that storytelling is something she wants to pursue in the future.

“While writing it, I realised storytelling is something I truly want to continue doing for a long time,” she said.

She expects future projects to continue exploring themes such as memory, relationships and personal growth. Her interest in psychology also influences her writing and her curiosity about how people are affected by their experiences.

“I’m fascinated by the way certain people, places, and moments leave permanent marks on us, and I want my stories to capture those feelings honestly,” she said.

More than anything, Fahmy hopes her work creates a connection with readers. She says the most meaningful response would be hearing that one of her books helped someone feel understood or supported.

“If one day someone tells me that my book made them feel understood, comforted them during a difficult time, or reminded them of someone they loved, I think that would mean everything to me as a writer,” Fahmy said. 

With The Girls from Istanbul, Fidha Fahmy introduces readers to a story about friendship  and growing up. The novel marks the beginning of her writing career and reflects the themes she hopes to continue exploring in future work.