SAN ANTONIO — A local middle schooler was awarded first place in his school’s writing competition after publishing his first novel.
Muhammad Abdur Rahman Kadher Sulaimon was an 8th grader at Jack C. Jordan Middle School during the 2023-2024 school year.
During the final awards ceremony in late May, Abdur Rahman was crowned the winner of the Ann Jordan Writing Award for his novel “Just Rewind.”
Abdur Rahman had submitted the novel and another short story but was told by a staff member that he unfortunately didn't win, so he was truly shocked when his name was called.
“I was surprised. I was not expecting it,” Abdur Rahman said.
Abdur Rahman had realized his love for writing in the 5th grade after a former classmate wrote a short story and read it in front of the class. Abdur Rahman said he was slightly jealous of this accomplishment and wanted to see if he could create his own short stories.
“I found out that I liked it and that I was good at it,” he said.
Over spring break, Abdur Rahman expanded on one of his short stories and turned it into the novella “Just Rewind.”
The story centers around a boy who loves chemistry and creates a time machine. The boy eventually goes back in time to save his friends’ mother who was kidnapped two years prior but later must face the consequences of his actions. Abdur Rahman said he even wrote himself into the story.
“It was a fun concept,” he said.
Abdur Rahman said it took him about a week to write most of the story but he didn't immediately pursue publishing it.
He said he was inspired to publish after frequently seeing a teacher’s sign outside her front door that read “I’ve been published.”
Abdur Rahman admits he got a little competitive and wanted to prove he could be a published writer as well so he decided to self-publish.
“It was fairly straightforward,” he said.
He said it cost a bit of money but in the end, it only took about a month and a half for him to receive a published copy of his book.
Abdur Rahman said he is proud of his novel and the story he created.
“[It’s] Funny, unexpected and crazy,” he said. “Some parts you’d have to really think about in order to get the joke. You can’t guess what the next page holds.”
During his free time Abdur Rahman can be found reading books. He said he enjoys reading different genres including sci-fi, time travel, fantasy and anything abnormal.
And like most middle school boys he avoids romance novels and nonfiction. He also credits books for helping shape him as an author.
“I learned quite a bit from reading books," Abdur Rahman said.
Abdur Rahman is not sure what he wants to do once he graduates high school but he has plenty of ideas.
“I think I might start a business or become a full-time author. But every year I have a new passion,” he said.
When Abdur Rahman is not reading or writing he enjoys playing chess and speed cubing which is a competitive activity where the participant tries to solve a Rubik’s cube in the quickest amount of time. Abdur Rahman recently competed in speed cubing in Austin. He said he was allowed to look at the cube once before he was blindfolded and forced to solve it by sole memory.
Abdur Rahman does plan to write and publish more books. In early June he was working on chapter three of his sequel.
If you would like to purchase a copy of his book, click here.
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