Welcome to Ink and Spirits by NAIRA
Review a Book
Every story has a deeper layer, and this is where I unravel the mysteries behind my books, share the real-life inspirations behind my stories, and offer insights into the writing and publishing journey.
Here, you’ll find:
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We live in a world that loves clarity. We want things labeled, categorized, and explained in a few neat sentences. When we hear the word abuse, we often think of bruises, broken bones, or screaming arguments. The kind of pain that’s visible — the kind that fits neatly into news
Grief has a way of undoing you. It dismantles the beliefs you thought were unshakable, questions every answer you ever trusted, and leaves you standing in the rubble of a life that suddenly feels unfamiliar. When loss arrives—whether it’s the death of someone you love, the end of a relationship,
There are days when faith feels easy—when life is smooth, prayers are answered, and hope feels natural. On those days, belief doesn’t require effort; it flows freely. But there are also days when faith feels impossible. Days when everything falls apart, when silence replaces answers, and when the waiting never
There comes a moment—often quiet, unplanned, and unexpected—when you look at yourself and realize you’ve changed. It’s not always something dramatic. Maybe you no longer enjoy the same songs that once felt like home. Maybe you outgrew people who used to mean everything. Maybe the goals that once drove you
It’s strange how love can end and still live within you.How someone who once held your hand through every storm can now exist only as a memory — and yet, that memory still shapes the person you’ve become. We’re taught to measure love by its longevity. As if the only
Desmond Tutu Taught Us: Healing Begins with Recognition, Not Excuses Archbishop Desmond Tutu taught the world that true healing begins not with technicalities or excuses, but with recognition of harm and truth-telling. In the Epstein and in many abuse stories, people ignored that crucial step. Survivors Denied Agency from the
There are moments in life when creativity doesn’t feel like something we do — it feels like something that happens to us. Words appear as if whispered from another realm, melodies arrive in dreams, and images seem to flow from an unseen current of energy that moves through us rather
Stories have always been the heart of human connection. Long before psychology was a field of study, storytelling helped people understand emotions, fears, and hopes that couldn’t easily be spoken. Today, the worlds of psychology and storytelling overlap in profound ways—revealing how fiction doesn’t just entertain, but heals, teaches, and
Pain has always been a powerful teacher. It shapes our understanding of life, identity, and resilience. For writers, pain often becomes something more than suffering—it becomes story. Writing through pain transforms wounds into words, isolation into connection, and grief into growth. It is both an act of survival and a
Every unforgettable story begins with a character who feels real. Readers might not consciously analyze why they connect with a protagonist, but they know when a character’s actions and emotions ring true. That authenticity comes from more than just good dialogue or clever backstories—it comes from understanding how the human
Throughout history, women have used words as weapons, shields, and bridges—tools to challenge injustice and illuminate hidden truths. In societies where women’s voices were once silenced or dismissed, literature became a space of resistance and self-definition. From diaries and letters to novels and poetry, women have transformed personal experience into
Stories have always been part of human survival. Long before science and psychology gave us terms like trauma and healing, people told stories to make sense of pain, loss, and transformation. From ancient myths of rebirth to modern novels exploring the scars of abuse, fiction has offered a mirror to
Women Overcoming Trauma: Stories of Strength and Survival Women surviving, healing, and reclaiming their lives are also part of unresolved trauma. No two healing pathways are the same. Each story shows us that resilience is not a straight line but a winding road shaped by personality, resources, relationships, and all
Introduction Trauma leaves scars that do not fade with time. When powerful men cause harm, disbelief, gaslighting, and the weight of institutions that protect themselves magnify the impact. Survivors must not only endure the pain of their experience but also prove their truth in a world that often prefers silence.
Trauma doesn’t just live in the past — it often shows up in how we love, trust, and connect today. If you’ve ever wondered why relationships feel harder than they “should,” you’re not alone. This blog explores how trauma affects relationships, why resilience after abuse is possible, and how healing
Unresolved trauma often hides in plain sight. If you’re here, you may already wonder why certain habits, emotions, or patterns keep circling back no matter how hard you try to move on. This guide is for survivors—for anyone living with the lasting imprint of tough experiences. It isn’t here to
She Was Convicted for Trafficking Children. No One Was Convicted for Receiving Them. Ghislaine Maxwell is behind bars for grooming and trafficking underage girls to powerful men.But here’s what should unsettle us all: not a single man she allegedly trafficked to has been charged. The justice system prosecuted the facilitator—but
The Quiet Before the Gunshots: What Society Missed in the Menendez Case Summary: The Menendez Brothers Case In August 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez shot and killed their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. At first glance, the crime seemed like a cold-blooded act of greed
In the short but potent work André’s Story, Naira Khan dares to venture into one of the most difficult corners of trauma fiction: the inner world of a man shaped — and damaged — by early abuse. Rather than writing a redemption arc or a sensational tale, Khan offers readers
Silk, Cliché, and Control: Why the Diddy Defence is so Dangerous.ByNaira KhanThey called it a “modern love story.” She called it survival.They said the texts were “beautiful.”They said what the prosecution calls a crime scene was just his “private sex life.”And they called him the victim — misunderstood, unfairly targeted,
Sean Combs’s defence called it a “modern love story”. Here is why that narrative is dangerous- and what other defences his legal team could have taken instead. Why do powerful men pay so much for a weak defence? Because the defence isn’t for the jury. It’s for: The public, to
Tucked in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands, Mount Nyangani is more than the country’s highest peak — it’s a place where ancestral reverence meets whispered fear. Known for its sudden mists, inexplicable disappearances, and profound spiritual significance to the Shona people, the mountain has long fascinated storytellers, hikers, and spiritual seekers alike.
In the crowded world of fiction about surviving domestic violence, few novels explore the intricate legacy of intergenerational trauma with as much courage and emotional clarity as Sun on Your Back. Naira Khan’s powerful novel goes beyond survival to examine how cycles of abuse are perpetuated, silenced, and — ultimately
1) The Predators: Architects of Control Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jeffrey Epstein, and Harvey Weinstein each wielded immense power in their respective industries—music, finance, and film. They leveraged their influence to manipulate, exploit, and silence their victims. Sean Diddy is accused of orchestrating a decades-long sex trafficking operation, involving coercive “freak-off”
A Question That Won’t Go Away “Why is it that even when a woman is more powerful, more intelligent, or more successful than a man, he still treats her like she exists for his pleasure?” That question, posed to me by a client, refuses to fade. It echoes in the
It’s time to stop asking why she stayed and start asking why he was allowed to keep abusing her for so long. Why do we blame victims instead of holding abusers accountable? It’s a question that lies at the heart of many high-profile abuse cases. Too often, we hear comments
Despite decades of activism, legislation, and public education, the truth is sobering: myths about domestic violence still persist. They slip into courtroom arguments, media narratives, casual conversations—and too often, into the minds of victims themselves. As a psychologist and writer, I’ve sat with survivors and imagined characters like Sophia Kruger
The question was: “Why was she silent?” “Why didn’t the child tell someone?” People ask these questions—rarely with compassion, often with judgment. But the question should be is this: Did the world make it safe for them to speak? Too often, the answer is no. Silence as Survival Women and
Meta Description: Abusers often appear ordinary—trusted, respected, even beloved. This article explores how society enables abuse through silence, denial, and misplaced loyalty.SEO Keywords: childhood trauma book themes, author advocating social justice, novels with generational wounds, Zimbabwe UK literary fiction Red Flags We Miss: How Society Enables Abusers They don’t wear
They don’t show up as monsters. At first, they show up as magic. Narcissists often begin relationships with overwhelming charm, attention, and promises of forever. But slowly, subtly, the dynamic shifts—from admiration to control, from warmth to withdrawal, from love to emotional devastation. Narcissistic abuse is one of the most
We like to think of honour killings as something that happens “elsewhere.” In another country. In another culture. But so-called “honour-based” violence has claimed the lives of girls and women right here in the UK—while the systems meant to protect them have often failed. These killings are not about honour.
An Author’s Reflection on Sophia Kruger in Sun on Your Back In Sun on Your Back, Sophia Kruger is a character who has haunted readers. Her story is not simply one of violence, but of silence—a silence so thick and long-lived it begins to masquerade as devotion. Sophia is the
Meta Title: Why Do Men Abuse Children? | Sun on Your Back BlogMeta Description: Not all paedophiles were abused. And a good deal re-offend. This post explores the psychology of child abusers, exposing dangerous myths through fiction and fact.SEO Keywords: childhood trauma book themes, author advocating social justice, novels with
Bronte Echoes in Ara’s Story When Ara walks the cobbled streets of Haworth in Mist and Unappeased Spirits, she isn’t just sightseeing. She’s stepping into the world of the Brontë sisters — and more importantly, into the wild soul of Emily Brontë, whose haunting prose and poetry have lived inside
Their story was never going to be simple. From the moment Ara began reading aloud to a comatose William in a quiet Edinburgh hospital room, the thread of connection was undeniable — delicate, but strong. Set across Zimbabwe and the UK, Mist and Unappeased Spirits is a powerful piece of
Meta Description: Explore subtle racism, Islamophobia, and class bias in Mist and Unappeased Spirits through the character of Lady Robertson. A cross-novel reflection on women of colour navigating love, identity, and conditional acceptance. URL Slug: lady-robertson-prejudice-mist-unappeased-spirits Target SEO Keywords: Muslim woman protagonist, subtle racism in fiction, Islamophobia in literature, prejudice
Sometimes I wonder how many times I’ll have to say the same thing before someone actually hears it. People have hurt children. That silence protects abusers. That fiction isn’t a threat—it’s a way to tell the truth when the truth gets ignored. Despite that, there are people who flinch at
Note: This post discusses themes of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual trauma. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to local or international helplines. You are not alone. The Silence Around Family Abuse When I wrote Sun on Your Back, I wanted to give shape
How unresolved grief lingers in silence—and in the mist Keywords: ambiguous loss, missing persons, Mount Nyangani, unresolved grief, trauma, Mist and Unappeased Spirits, emotional aftermath, disappearing without closure Some Losses Don’t End. They Echo. There’s a kind of loss that doesn’t come with certainty. No last goodbye. Nobody to bury.
The Mountain That Swallows People Authentic stories of disappearance on Mount Nyangani—and the pain of not knowing There are places in the world where silence is heavier than sound. Mount Nyangani, in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands, is one of them. For years, that mountain has drawn me. Not only because of
“Writing a book is one thing. Getting people to read it? That’s a whole different story.”
When I first started out, I had no idea how much social media would shape my journey as an author. I thought writing the book would be the hardest part—but then I entered the world of marketing, algorithms, and endless content creation.
I had to teach myself everything from scratch:
It was overwhelming. It was frustrating. It was time-consuming. But eventually, through trial and error, I started to understand what resonates with readers and how to use social media as a tool rather than a burden.
The reality is: social media isn’t just a promotional tool—it’s an extension of your storytelling.
It allows authors to connect with readers, build communities, and showcase the heart behind their stories. But it requires:
✅ Patience (because success doesn’t happen overnight)
✅ Adaptability (because platforms change all the time)
✅ Creativity (because engagement matters more than just posting)
So, if you’re an author feeling lost in the sea of hashtags, algorithms, and content creation pressure—know that you’re not alone. It’s a learning curve, but one that can transform your career if approached with curiosity and persistence.
Here are some of my posts that performed very well on social media.
