BIOGRAPHY
Thalia S. A. is a young author, illustrator, and voice-over artist from the UK. Born in Manchester and raised in Warwickshire, she developed a love of books from an early age and is now recognised for her creativity across writing, performance, and the arts.
She is the 2025 Young Muslim Writers Award winner in the Play Script category for her work Error 404: Sister Not Found. Thalia has also been shortlisted twice for Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate and is a member of the Warwickshire Libraries Youth Advisory Board, where she helps shape services and opportunities for young people across the county.
At the age of ten, during the pandemic, Thalia wrote and published her debut chapter book, Mermaid Lagoon. Her book is available on Amazon, in Warwickshire libraries, in a London bookshop, and through TCS Malaysia. It has also been featured in Malaysia’s New Straits Times and is displayed at the Langkawi Royal Customs Gallery alongside works by her late grandfather, the acclaimed Malaysian poet Jamaludin D.
Alongside her writing, Thalia has built experience in voice-over work, including explainer videos, commercials, e-learning narration, and a project for the Usborne Foundation. Her poetry has appeared in anthologies, including Silent Rebirth with Theatre in the Rough, and she has taken part in community literary events such as Poetry Night for Palestine.
Thalia is also the co-founder of Muslim Bookworms, a platform encouraging Muslim families to discover and discuss books suitable for young readers. Beyond writing, she enjoys art, squash, and baking. She jokes that she “hates maths,” though she admits her engineer father has a way of making numbers feel a little like magic.
Currently studying at a leading all-girls’ state school, Thalia continues to develop her passion for literature and the arts. She has been invited to schools and community events for author visits, where she shares her writing journey and encourages young people to explore reading, writing, and imagination. Feedback from these visits often highlights how inspiring children find it to meet a real author close to their own age, making her sessions especially relatable and memorable.
Thalia is available for school visits, literary events, author talks, and creative writing workshops.
Follow her creative journey on her parent-managed social media platforms.
CREATIVE AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
2026
CAAB Publishing
- Chosen for anthology - Short Story (Panic with Peppermint)
2025
Young Muslim Writers Awards
- Winner for Key Stage 3 - Play Script (Error 404: Sister Not Found)
- Shortlisted for Key Stage 3 - Screenplay (Diet Popular)
Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate
- Shortlisted - Poetry (1. Frostbite 2. C€N$0R$H1P 3. Rebels Don't Ask for Permission)
The Muslim News Awards for Excellence
- Shortlisted for Imams Hasan & Husayn Children's Awards for Excellence
Hive Young Writers 24/25
- Commended for 14 - 16 - Short Story (It Never Rains but it Pours)
Warrior Cats short story competition "An Icy Plunge"
- Shortlisted for 13+ category in top ten
2024
The Solstice Nature Prize for Young Writers
- Highly commended for 12-14 category - Poetry (Robin)
Young Muslim Writers Awards
- Shortlisted for Key Stage 3 - Short Story (Miss Mirror)
- Winner for Key Stage 3 - Screenplay (Bittersweet)
- Winner for Key Stage 3 - Playscript (Pretty Much Psychic)
- Winner for Key Stage 3 - News Report (Cycle to School Week - Healthier, Happier Students)
Warwickshire Young Poet Laureate
- Shortlisted - Poetry (1. River's Eyes | 2. A Menu of Tales | 3. Row Your Boat)
Warwickshire Libraries Bookmark Competition
- A winner
MCS - What Ramadhan Means
- Winner 1st place for Reflective Essay - (What Ramadhan Means)
2023
The Muslim News Awards for Excellence
- Shortlisted for Imams Hasan & Husayn Children's Awards for Excellence
Young Muslim Writers Awards
- Winner for Key Stage 3 - Playscript (The Misfit's Guide to Surviving Detention)
Eye Level Literary Award
- Silver 3rd place for UK ranking - Writing (Hidden Gem)
Wild Words National Eco–poetry Project
- Chosen for anthology - Poetry (Silent Rebirth)
SGGS Interfaith Week
- Winner 1st place - Poetry (My Choice)
SGGS National Poetry Day
- 2nd place for Year 8 category - Poetry (Refuge Is)
2022
Young Muslim Writers Awards
- Winner for Key Stage 2 - Poetry (I'm Still Waiting)
- Winner for Key Stage 2 - Short Story (Unpredictable)
Muslim Kids TV - So You Wanna Be a Doctor Contest
- Winner 1st place
2021
Young Writers Creativity Award
- Chosen for anthology - Short Story (Frost Fairy)
- Chosen for anthology - Poetry (My Cat Silky)
Young Muslim Writers Awards
- Shortlisted for Key Stage 2 - Short Story (Compass Catastrophe)
2019
Young Writers Creativity Award
- Chosen for anthology - Poetry (Happy Gobblefunk Birthday!)
- Chosen for anthology - Poetry (The Naughty Children)
2018
Young Writers Creativity Award
- Chosen for anthology - Poetry (My Mum)
MY BOOK
Mermaid Lagoon
Mermaid Lagoon is a place full of wonder, mystery and secrets. A place where the most magical things can happen. Is it for real… or just a myth?
Called upon by a great power, Lilly and her friends leave their normal lives to embark on a daring adventure to a mysterious but special school in the middle of the ocean, Ocean Academy.
But when they get there… a whole mystery begins to unfold!
Will they discover some clues in order to track down a legendary object? An object that is rumoured to be powerful enough to save the seas… and the world beneath it!
Along with the ancient artefact, can they figure out who is trying to stop them- and why?
Splash in the sea with Lilly and her friends as a sneaky spy tries to ruin their plans for victory.
Like the fictional sea creatures in this magical story, we must use our own powers to save our oceans and all that live within. They need us now- more than ever! Let us be their heroes in protecting them and their future.
Book Reviews
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◉ Becci Murray, British children's author from GloucestershireList Item 1
It was written by a person who is the age of its target audience, which means the voice of the narrative speaks naturally to this reader-group
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◉ Sarah Pervez, Storyteller and author living in CanadaList Item 2
A mystery filled with exhilarating adventures with an author's voice that will read naturally to all middle graders.
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◉ Alexandra Antipa, Writer from GermanyList Item 3
A beautiful book, which brings together everything young readers might look for: mermaids, a school in the middle of the ocean, and an intriguing mystery. What’s even more interesting is that this story full of wonder was written by a talented young girl, when she was only ten years old.
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◉ Samia Aziz, Freelance writer and blogger living in Bedfordshire.
This sweet book for younger readers is written by 11-year-old Thalia. It is a story of bravery, friendship, determination and adventure. In Mermaid Lagoon we follow four friends on a mission to save the mermaids, following clues and trying to tell the difference between illusions and reality.
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◉ Fozia Shah, Blogger from Cambridgeshire
The story touches on topics such as friendships, finding your strengths and touches on pollution by talking about keeping the oceans clean. Something that really does need to be discussed. It was also nice to see a mention of the hijab and the head teacher explaining why she wears it.
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◉ Author Gentleman Jim, American children’s author from Florida
5 stars. Wonderful adventure chapter book.
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◉ Kim Wilch, American author from Nebraska
Am I a bit jealous? Yes.
In awe? Most definitely!
Inspired by this young author? You bet.
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◉ Mina Rehman, Blogger from London
It's an extremely timely book as it includes discussion points about the environment, particularly saving our oceans and marine life. I absolutely loved the inclusion of miss Jannah, the headteacher, and the curious and innocent conversation around her headscarf.
Shop
ACTIVITIES
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Mermaid Lagoon book review template
Dear my awesome reader!
Did you love exploring "Mermaid Lagoon"? I want to know all about your favourite parts!
How to Share:
- Download the template, print it out and write your book review
- Snap a pic of your review & optionally include your candid shot with the book
- Follow and share on Instagram, tagging @misst_masterz
- Use the hashtag #SeeYouSoonAtMermaidLagoon
Monthly Prize Fun: I will pick a winner monthly for a cool prize!
By tagging me, you're giving permission to share your awesome pic.
Happy Reading!
Love, Thalia S. A.
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How to get an idea for a story…List Item 1
Thinking of a story is hard. ‘You just have to brainstorm’, everyone says, but it doesn’t work for me. Maybe you are just like that too. So here are some ideas of how to think of a story, in my way.
Idea Number One: Use a dream. If you had a nice dream, use it in a story. Dreams give you the best ideas sometimes. They are full of magic and fun.
Idea Number Two: Do you like to play with toys? You could think of your favourite toy as a real character, and put it into a story.
Idea Number Three: Base a story on a real-life experience. Maybe you went fishing… and discovered a legendary fishing rod. Maybe you baked a cake… and accidentally used magical ingredients. Maybe- well, you get the idea!
Idea Number Four: Think of a classic story (like Cinderella or Little Red Riding Hood) and turn it into a new story. Red’s cloak could belong to a witch, or Cinderella could be the evil character instead of her stepmother.
Well, those are some ideas. Hope you can use one of them! But there is one more idea you can use; sit down for an hour and wait for an idea to come… Kidding! That takes forever. Ha ha!
-Thalia S. A.
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How to draw mermaid LillyList Item 2
Learn to Draw Mermaid Lilly!
Follow this easy step-by-step guide to bring Mermaid Lilly to life! Perfect for young artists and mermaid fans, this fun activity will help you create your own magical sea character.
🎨 Simple and beginner-friendly
📥 Free to download
📸 Share your masterpiece on Instagram and tag @misst_masterz – I’d love to see your artwork!
Download the template below and start drawing!
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Mermaid Lagoon Wordsearch
Dive into a Magical Wordsearch!
Explore the wonders of the deep with this Mermaid Lagoon Wordsearch! Packed with enchanting ocean-themed words, this fun and engaging activity is perfect for young explorers who love mermaids and sea adventures.
🔹 Free to download
🔹 Great for kids and families
🔹 Perfect for a quick brain challenge
Click below to start your underwater adventure!
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Mermaid Lagoon Colouring Pages (3 Designs)
Mermaid Lagoon Colouring Pages! ✨
Bring the magic of Mermaid Lagoon to life with these three enchanting colouring pages! Inspired by the world of Mermaid Lagoon, these designs are perfect for little artists who love underwater adventures.
🌊 Free to download
🖌️ Three unique designs
📸 Share your masterpiece on Instagram and tag @misst_masterz – I’d love to see your colourful creations!
Download your pages below and let the colouring fun begin!
