Faiqa Mansab’s novel enters the European market, reflecting a shift in global literary dynamics
Pakistani author Faiqa Mansab has secured a notable international publishing deal, as the Italian rights to her novel The Sufi Storyteller have been acquired by Newton Compton Editori.
Based in Rome and founded in 1969, Newton Compton Editori is one of Italy’s established commercial publishers, known for its wide-ranging catalogue and strong presence across European markets. The house has a longstanding reputation for publishing both classic and contemporary works for a broad readership.
The acquisition marks a significant step for Mansab’s work in reaching new international audiences. The Sufi Storyteller, first published in 2025, has already seen multiple international editions. The Indian edition was released by Penguin India in March 2025 to critical acclaim, while the UK edition was brought out by Neem Tree Press.
The novel centres on Layla, a scholar of women’s histories at a small American liberal arts college, and Mira, a Sufi storyteller confronting a troubled past. Framed as a contemporary murder mystery, the narrative moves between the United States and Afghanistan, blending elements of literary fiction, women’s writing, and a character-driven exploration of trauma, memory, and reconciliation.
Commenting on the development, Faiqa Mansab welcomed the partnership, noting the publisher’s extensive reach within Europe. She also confirmed that a follow-up to the novel is in progress, with publication anticipated in 2027. The forthcoming book is expected to function as both a continuation and a standalone narrative.
The deal reflects a broader trend of increasing international interest in literature from Pakistan and the wider South Asian region. Works rooted in local histories and spiritual traditions are finding wider circulation, contributing to a more diverse global literary landscape.
Faiqa Mansab’s latest achievement underscores the growing visibility of Pakistani fiction in international publishing, highlighting the potential for regionally grounded narratives to secure readerships beyond their original markets.
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About the Book
Layla is a scholar of women’s histories and stories. Her life is a carefully constructed set of routines in her small American liberal arts college, but all of that is about to change…
Mira is a renowned Sufi storyteller who is running from a terrible past. When she learns that the murdered woman in the library was carrying a note from the killer addressed to her, she is presented with an opportunity to break a cycle of trauma and hurt. To confront her past, she must disclose the truth to Layla.
Together they enter the realm of Story, but can Layla find the forgiveness in her heart necessary to lead them to the answers they are looking for?
This contemporary murder mystery takes readers from small town America to the mountains of Afghanistan.
About Faiqa Mansab
Faiqa Mansab is a Pakistani writer. Her first novel, This House of Clay and Water was published by Penguin India in 2017. It was an Amazon Editor’s Pick, Amazon International Women’s Writing pick and was shortlisted for the Getz-Pharma Literary Award and the German Consulate Peace Prize in 2018. The novel has been translated into Turkish and is available as an audiobook by Blackstone Publishing USA. It has also been optioned for screen adaptation. Faiqa’s work in English has also appeared in Lucy Writer’s Platform, Cambridge; The Missing Slate, London; Medusa, London; and in Punjabi she has written for Barahmah, Pakistan. The Sufi Storyteller is her second novel. She lives with her family in Lahore.
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