Sometimes, the hardest times bring out our hidden strengths.
That’s exactly what happened to Amina Hazim, whose love of reading during the lockdown turned into a passion for writing—and eventually led to her becoming a published Galatea author. In this interview, Amina opens up about her journey, the struggles behind the scenes, and the inspiration behind her story Beta Xavier Costa, now live on Galatea.
Read Beta Xavier Costa
Inkitt: What inspired you to become an author?
Amina Hazim: It was during the lockdown when the entire world came to pause. I have always loved reading, but during the lockdown, I read so many books that I ran out of what to read, and that was when I ventured into writing my own.
Inkitt: What was it like seeing your story gain traction?
Amina Hazim: It was exhilarating to see the number of readers increase day after day. Every review and comment made me want to give my readers the best, but the review that stood out was written something like this: “Loved the story, can’t wait to read more of your works.” Those words are what kept me going.
Inkitt: When did you find out you were going to be a Galatea author? How did that feel?
Amina Hazim: I found out at the beginning of this year. And I couldn’t believe that I made it. I was speechless and overjoyed to realize that I would finally be a Galatea author and that all my hard work had finally paid off.
Inkitt: What advice would you give to other authors hoping to sign a Galatea contract?
Amina Hazim: Try, try, and one day you will fly. I never got a contract for my first book or the second. I spent five years, and I wrote more than ten novels to finally achieve this. So, don’t lose hope, one day, you could be the next Galatea author as well.
Inkitt: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your writing journey?
Amina Hazim: Trying to look past those negative comments and reviews. Even though I didn’t get many, but there were a few that would make me second guess the story that I was writing. But at one point, I finally realized that if you keep trying to please others, you would never be able to move ahead. So I let go and stopped being concerned about what they said.
Inkitt: What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
Amina Hazim: When the female lead finally confronts her fears and when the couple finally has a romantic moment of their own.
Inkitt: What themes do you hope readers take away from your stories?
Amina Hazim: No matter what hardship you face, always remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and never give up.
Amina Hazim’s story is a powerful reminder that perseverance, passion, and belief in your own voice can take you further than you ever imagined. Beta Xavier Costa is more than just a romance—it’s a story of growth, courage, and finding light in the dark. And if you’re an aspiring writer yourself?
Keep going. As Amina says, “Try, try, and one day you will fly.”
