Kia Abdullah has moved away from the use of cultural stereotypes in her latest novel, writes Nick Elvin

For Kia Abdullah, this is an exciting time to be in the arts.

According to the novelist, changing attitudes mean that many Muslim writers are steering away from the use of cultural stereotypes, such as the portrayal of Asian women as subservient wives and daughters, even though those stereotypes might help to bring commercial success.

The 27-year-old, who was born and raised in the East End and now lives in Leyton, recently published her second novel, Child’s Play, which centres on a young woman recruited by a covert government unit that entraps paedophiles. The story does not focus on Asian characters, and she is proud to be doing something different with her writing.

“The idea came from a debate I had with friends about national identity cards. I started thinking about how far we were willing to go in the name of law enforcement. At what point is it okay to encroach on a person’s right to privacy? What if that person is a paedophile? Would it be okay to entice them into committing a crime? There is some pretty graphic stuff in there, but it’s there for a reason – not for shock value.

“I always ask people ‘How many Asian writers do you know that have found success with crime, thriller, sci-fi or any type of commercial fiction that doesn’t tout ethnicity?’ They usually can’t name any, so I certainly hope that Child’s Play will inspire Asian writers to try something different.”

Kia believes mainstream publishers have constrained British-Asian writers to stereotyping, but culture has also played a part.

“Many authors feel they have to throw in a few references to the hijab to get noticed,” she says. “If talking about Islam and sexual inequality and terrorism are in vogue, and a publisher is presented with a young female Muslim author, they’re going to want her to write a certain type of novel that panders to the public appetite.

“British-Asian artists, musicians and writers are working hard to create a middle ground. What we’re trying to say is that we can be a bit subversive, a bit different, but also respect our culture. We can talk about sex and drugs without betraying our values.”

Kia’s first book, Life, Love and Assimilation, which featured issues such as drug addiction, upset members of her own family when it was released in 2006.

“It was based on my life and so it inevitably talked about my family,” she adds. “This time, family members were able to read from a more objective point of view. My sisters absolutely loved it. They couldn’t quite believe I had written it because of the disturbing elements, but they’ve come to realise that I’m a storyteller. It’s my job to make up strange, crazy and shocking things.”

Kia Abdullah is one of a number of female authors who will be appearing at Wisewords Book Fest, which takes place on Friday and Saturday, 2pm-10pm, at The Women’s Library, Metropolitan University, Old Castle Street. Details: www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk