Sarah Kushairi on Writing, Failure, and Finding Her Voice
Sarah Kushairi is a clinical pharmacist and lecturer from Malaysia who never quite shook off her childhood dream of becoming a writer. Armed with a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and an MSc in Clinical Pharmacy from University College London (UCL), she splits her time between the world of pharmaceuticals and storytelling.
At twelve, Sarah ambitiously started her first Harry Potter-inspired novel. Two chapters in, she decided to "come back to it later"—she never did. But her love for writing found other outlets. Her health and beauty articles have appeared in Malaysian newspapers, and she's shared her expertise on TV and radio.
Her personal piece "Tudung Mana?" was featured in the anthology Hijab: Everyday Stories of Muslim Women from Singapore and Beyond (Helang Books, 2023).
When Master's coursework at UCL became overwhelming, Sarah turned stress into creativity, self-publishing her first travelogue Snippets of Travels: Musings and Travelogues across 5 Countries (Amazon KDP, 2024). Her upcoming non-fiction book The Art of Embracing Failure (Karangkraf, 2025) explores finding strength in setbacks.
Jannah is ^NOT Average marks her return to fiction—her debut novel inspired by true stories from her days as a science stream student in 2006–2007 Malaysia. Sometimes the best stories come from writers who've taken the long way around.
Sarah Kushairi:
I would like to say "I don't. I'm really tired!"—just like that one famous interview on the internet. Hahahah.
Okay, let's get serious. For me, after-working hours, weekends, and public holidays are very precious. I try not to bring work matters home. I optimise my working hours towards doing only work stuff. Once I'm home, I dedicate my time to my passions—reading, writing, crafting, playing musical instruments, or just relaxing and watching Netflix.
I feel it's important to create a barrier between your "profession" and "passion" hours, so you can really focus on each in their specific time.
Sarah Kushairi:
In Jannah is ^NOT Average, it was her late grandmother who inspired her. In my own journey, it was my late mother.
Growing up, I never really felt immense pressure to make her proud. She wasn't too strict or harsh on me or my siblings—and yet we turned out well. I think she had always been proud of us, no matter how small the achievement.
Even when she's no longer here, I'll try my best to make her proud. That means continuing to do my best and being resilient when facing adversities.
Sarah Kushairi:
When I was a teenager, I loved fantasy and magical stories. But later I realised that life isn't easy—especially as an adult with responsibilities.
I wanted to write something that could comfort or motivate people, something that makes them feel seen and heard. Doing this heals me as well. I believe that when you help others, you're also helping yourself.
Sarah Kushairi:
A friend once told me, "It's nice being you," and I was puzzled.
People only see what we choose to display publicly. They don't see the hurdles and setbacks we've had to overcome. The reason people appear successful is because they managed to win their unseen battles.
This book is my way of helping others embrace failure and move forward, and to live life to its fullest.
Sarah Kushairi:
Both, of course! Fiction and non-fiction are equally important. Fiction teaches us things that non-fiction can't. So I have to write both.