Pencil In is a writers’ group created to provide a supportive environment for writers to write alone, together! We at 421 love the idea of body-doubling (working near or around someone to help stay focused and engaged) when we are working, writing, and creating.
In these communal writing sessions, we invite you to polish your writing skills while receiving valuable feedback from experienced peer reviewers in English and/or Arabic, having active conversations with other like-minded writers, and enjoying a safe space to share personal texts and works. Take part to enhance your skills as a writer, or just to write alone with little to no interruptions or judgments. Pencil In will be mentored by an artist or writer from the community.
These sessions are designed for writers to practice their craft without the pressures of producing a final outcome. Drop-ins are welcome.
Each session includes a free cup of coffee from Auro cafe for participating writers.
Open to ages 18 and above.
No prior experience is required, just a love for the written word!
About Peer Reviewers:
Maha AlKindi
Maha Alkindi is a passionate Emirati writer and poet who has been interested in poetry since middle school. It became a way for her to express and regulate her emotions. In her senior year of high school, she was recognized for her talent and she won first place in the Children’s Day art and literature competition, as well as a talent show where she recited an original poem. During the pandemic, she attended online writing workshops to reconnect with like-minded people worldwide. This experience inspired her to start hosting her own workshops, called "Writers Unblocked," to help aspiring writers overcome writer’s block with fun yet challenging prompts.
In 2022, Maha published her first poetry book, “Poetry Socks”, which focuses on the themes of personal mental health struggles, nature, love, and loss. As a writer, her confidence and social circle grew through joining the open mic community in the UAE, where she also won a medal for being the "most improved" performer of the year. Maha believes writing is more than just a hobby; it's also a form of healing and self-expression. Looking ahead, Maha dreams of incorporating poetry and art into her career as a social worker, with the goal of helping adults and teens facing challenges find purpose and hope.
Shahad Alsaqqaf
Shahad Alsaqqaf is an Emirati writer, poet, and multidisciplinary artist who explores storytelling through poetry, music, acting, and spoken word. She is currently a senior at New York University Abu Dhabi, studying Literature and Creative Writing with a minor in Anthropology. Shahad moves fluidly between languages and artistic mediums, embracing the intersections of language, performance, and identity to connect with human experiences.
Her work is deeply rooted in both Arabic and English, weaving between the two to create layered narratives. She has performed at cultural events such as NYUAD Art Center’s Hekayah and Rooftop Rhythms. As a member of Al Diwan, she has published original poetry in its Archival Poetry Collection and led an Arabic poetry writing workshop in collaboration with the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Beyond the page, Shahad experiments with performance as a mode of storytelling. In New York, she co-wrote and starred in The Real AD show, explored improvisational theater at London’s BRIT School, and made her acting debut in Hamour Doesn’t Leave the Cubicle directed by Reem Almenhali. She has also served as an MC at international events, including the Sharjah International Film Festival, attended by HH Sheikh Sultan Al Qasemi.
Whether through spoken word, music, or performance, Shahad sees storytelling as an act of translation—between languages, emotions, and lived experiences. Her work seeks to be intentional in honoring the beauty of expression across every medium.