“Speaking” to me does not mean words. It is about a feeling.
It is about connecting. It is about feeling the pulse of that one individual or maybe several individuals sitting across the table or the room, from me.
I see their silence. I hear their silence.
Having been on this journey of silence for almost five decades, I recognize it in others. I see the silence in their eyes.
My mission now is to “speak” to those individuals who are looking for a similar voice. Who are looking for someone just like them.
I work with individuals directly or in groups.
I speak to them about finding their voice. I speak to them about taboos that society has burdened us with and how not to bend or break under those taboos. I speak to them about it never being too late. I speak to them about this silence surrounding so many of us and how to find our way and our strength out of all this.
Reach out to me, and let’s find your voice and your purpose, together!
I work with individuals directly or in groups.
I speak to them about finding their voice. I speak to them about taboos that society has burdened us with and how not to bend or break under those taboos. I speak to them about it never being too late. I speak to them about this silence surrounding so many of us and how to find our way and our strength out of all this.
Reach out to me, and let’s find your voice and your purpose, together!
~ UPCOMING & RECENT EVENTS
• The Himalayan Literature Festival – Panelist & Reader
Shabnam is headed to Kathmandu in Nepal as a panelist and reader at the Himalayan Literature Festival on the 27th and 28th of May. Her panel proposal on Cultures of Silence, was accepted by the organizers, where she will be addressing the many ways voices and lived experiences of women have been silenced, marginalized or erased. She will also be reading from her book A Fractured Life.
27 & 28 May 2024
• The Festival of Libraries
In August of 2023, Shabnam, who is the founder of the Panchgani Writers’ Retreat was invited to participate as a speaker on a panel called “Read, Research & Reflect: Literary Residencies“ by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. This two-day event in New Delhi highlighted iconic libraries from across the world and initiated conversations around literary residencies across India.
Aug 2023 | Watch here
• Speaking to Good Morning Frederick about being an author and a motivational speaker
15 May 2024 | Watch it here
~ PAST EVENTS
• Talk with students from Mithibai College in Mumbai and Belongg Social Club in Delhi
09 Jan 2021 | Watch it here
• Speaking at the Kalinga Literary Festival
29 Nov 2020 | Watch it here
• A Journey from being abandoned to being an influencer. On the Women Influencers Talk Show
18 Oct 2020 | Watch it here
> Click here for more
• Finding Your Voice: An Interactive Memoir Workshop with author Shabnam Samuel
Washington County Free Library, Maryland, USA {via Zoom}
09 July, 30 July, 13 August & 27 August 2020
• COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Human Society: Divergent Voices & Perspectives
Online International Conference organized by Nirmala College, Ranchi University, India.
19-21 July 2020 | Watch it here
• Keynote Speaker at Awaaz San Antonio, Texas
– a nonprofit organization that provides community awareness and culturally appropriate assistance for South Asians to break the cycle of domestic violence and abuse.
04 May 2019