Intisar Khanani

Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. 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 she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy. 

Intisar is the author of The Sunbolt Chronicles, and the Dauntless Path novels, beginning with Thorn. Her novels, A Darkness at the Door and Memories of Ash were both Kirkus Review picks for Best Young Adult Fantasy Novels of the Year. She is deeply honored to serve as the 2026 Writer in Residence for the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library. 

For more information, visit booksbyintisar.com.

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library's Writer-in-Residence serves as the Library's literary ambassador to the community by fostering engagement between the Library and local writers, providing instruction on the craft of writing, both online and in-person, and serving as the Library’s representative in the local literary arts scene.