You're Out of Luck Alina Butt - Ambreen Butt-Hussain

KLiC: What was your inspiration for YOU'RE OUT OF LUCK, ALINA BUTT? 

ABH: You’re Out of Luck Alina Butt is largely inspired by my own childhood. Since a big part of this book takes place in Pakistan with Alina’s family, my summer trips back home were a huge inspiration - along with all the colourful and warm memories I made there with my grandparents and cousins. I wanted to show a real version of Pakistan - not what is always shown in the media, rather Pakistan and the two very different worlds of the rich and the struggling that exist there, alongside the beauty and love which the country exudes. 

KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take you to write and sell this book? 

ABH: My writing process starts with a lot of thinking. I take time to think about my story for quite a while - what I want it to be, where I want my characters to go, what I want them to discover, before I start officially planning. Every time I get a great idea, no matter where I am, I jot it down. Then I begin planning the story - the beginning, middle, end, and some but not all of the details in between. I don’t spend too long on this part, as I like to give myself some freedom to be creative and change things up as I write. I go back and forth between my outline and story, being flexible about adding and removing parts. You’re Out of Luck, Alina Butt  was sold very quickly as it was the second part to the Alina Butt series. My publisher was very interested in continuing on with Alina’s journey! 

KLiC: What Kind of research did you do?

ABH: Even though I am from Pakistan, and I have visited there many times, I had to research the different sites Alina explores in the city of Lahore. I wanted to make sure I did the country justice and didn’t get anything wrong, in terms of the names of sites, accurate descriptions of places/ buildings/ traditions. I had lots of fun doing it! 

KLiC: What’s the one thing you want children to take away from your book?

ABH: I hope this book helps kids focus on the blessings in their lives, and helps them to learn to always look for the bright side in every situation, establishing a positive/ growth mindset. 

KLiC: Do you have any tips for pre-published authors?

ABH: Just start writing - do not wait for the perfect time, because there is none! And once you start, don’t stop! Keep at it! Please don’t worry about making it perfect, because you will have plenty of time to do that (during the hundreds of edits you do after you finish). Let your creativity flow, and get those thoughts that turn into words onto that Google doc! 

KLiC: What’s next for you? 

ABH: I am currently working on the third part of the Alina Butt series!

Ambreen Butt-Hussain is the author of the middle-grade Alina Butt series, which consists of the books, The Unlovable Alina Butt and You’re Out of Luck, Alina Butt. Ambreen was born in Pakistan but lived in England and Scotland before finally settling in Canada for many years. She has a bachelor of science from the University of Toronto and a master of education from Queen’s University. She continues to move around and has recently made Princeton, New Jersey her new home, with her husband and two sons. She teaches middle schoolers by day and writes for them by night! Ambreen is currently working on the third part of her series.


You’re Out of Luck, Alina Butt
Book cover: Julie McLaughlin