CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library's 2026 Writer-in-Residence is eager to share her writing experience with the local literary community.
The Library Foundation has selected young adult author Intisar Khanani as the 2026 Writer-in-Residence. Her acclaimed YA series, The Sunbolt Chronicles (Sunbolt, Memories of Ash, and Debts of Fire) and Dauntless Path (Thorn, The Theft of Sunlight, and A Darkness at the Door), feature “mighty girls and diverse worlds.”
“I think it’s so vital that young people and people of all ages see the world in its complexity and beauty,” said Khanani, “because that’s the only way we humanize the people we live with. That’s really important in my writing. You’ll see that across my stories.”
During her tenure as Writer-in-Residence, Khanani will act as the Library’s ambassador to the local literary arts scene, foster engagement between the Library and regional writers, and provide instruction in the craft of writing, both online and in person. Khanani will also host a Library podcast, contribute to the Library’s blog and newsletter, hold office hours, and lead workshops and various events aimed at engaging readers and writers of all ages. Through this residency, Intisar aims to give back to her community.
“Stories are a part of how we understand the world,” said Khanani. “And I just can’t state enough how incredible it is to have this kind of a resource in our community in such an amazing system as CHPL.”
Khanani will be welcomed as Writer-in-Residence at a public transition event on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Mariemont Branch Library. The afternoon will also celebrate Mary Kay Carson, CHPL’s outgoing 2025 Writer-in-Residence. Mary Kay will read from her new work, completed during her residency.
For additional information about Intisar and her residency, please visit chpl.org/writer-in-residence and the Library Foundation at supportchpl.org.
Charitable donations support the Writer-in-Residence program, including the generous contributions of Naomi Tucker Gerwin and The Library Foundation.
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ABOUT INTISAR KHANANI: Intisar Khanani grew up as a nomad and world traveler. While she now resides in Cincinnati, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah, on the coast of the Red Sea. Previously, Intisar wrote grants and developed projects to address community health and infant mortality with the Cincinnati Health Department, which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now, Intisar focuses on her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. A resident of Cincinnati, much of her work for her six books were written in CHPL locations, especially at the Deer Park and Blue Ash branches.