she publishes "pretty pictures books" , and you should be aware that they are not "just for kids". They are indeed, pretty, you see, and a feast to the eye and a winter holiday for the literary appetite.
However, they are not just for kids.
They belong to anyone who values words that are as easily swallowed as rose petals, and admires illustrations we are allowed to pass on like a family secret.
or better still, a family heirloom.
We meet in the Art Deco inspired, romantic multi - functional restaurant, "Salon Beyrouth" in our beloved Wardyeh area, an eminent part of Ras Beirut.
It is a hot summer day, and this is the perfect time to talk about one of the books Her publishing house LUQOOM has offered us, voracious readers,
55 slightly sinister stories.
55 stories 55 words each No more. No less.
And the minimalist illustrations are signed by Lynn Atme, who captures the essence of each story through one simple illustration, very prolific in its essence and ability to convey the message.
Be it a moonlit night or a glimmery afternoon, nothing beats a beautifully illustrated story we might devour with our slithering moods for breakfast!
Racha mourtada operates LUQOOM in her house, basically all by herself.
For she knows exactly what she wants from these Picture Books, and we have to give her credit for insisting on swimming in the glass of freedom.
The freedom to write and publish the kind of stories that will never reach the harbor of literary bloom, if some closed minded professional decides that walking hesitantly next to the wall is much safer than basking unapologetically in the lake of creativity.
Slightly sinister fireworks and all.
in 2017, LUQOOM was born, whilst she was concentrating on her career in digital policy in Dubai.
All her family and friends knew early on, that Racha loved to write. She has been working, in fact, on her novel, for the past ten years, juggling between her prestigious career and her passion for words that could be stern, doubtful, joyful...however, they are always by her side.
The joyful companions whose loyalty never wavers.
Racha is a perfectionist, and at that time, her position required she remains on call, 24/7.
That was too much pressure for her, and suddenly, as her 40th birthday approached, she thought of her never forgotten dream of having her own publishing house.
This dream was supposed to sustain her in her retirement. But the constant pressure and demands of her career made her feel claustrophobic.
she had heard of the COLUMBIA PUBLISHING COURSE , a one month course considered the equivalent of a Masters degree. Very condensed course revolving around the Principles of this vast world.
The course was offered, exceptionally that year at OXFORD. She took a one month off, and fell in love with the basics of publishing and decided to come back to Beirut and open her own publishing house.
And thus, LUQOOM, became a one woman show, where Racha writes most of the books, and works with freelancers when the need arises.
Publishing is not, of course, the best way to make money, and it is certainly not a profit making kind of business, but Racha speaks so passionately about her books (which appear both in English and Arabic), that you believe her when she says she tends to the tiniest details, quietly, without complaint.
It is about making quality books, giving the best that there is for kids.
Except, that is, for
55 slightly sinister stories
About which she says:
"size does not matter in these delightfully tiny tales populated with narcoleptic drivers, bickering bakers, suspicious spouses and other memorable characters".
Racha is not very keen on traditional literary creations, and that is exactly why we catch glimpses of some quirky, dark, different, edgy content in this surprisingly sweet book recounting tiny 55 stories using only 55 words for each.
My favorite sinister bitter sweet story?
HER APPRECIATION FOR FOREIGN FILMS GREW BECAUSE HE WAS DEAF. HE HAD DIFFICULTY READIN LIPS, AND THE FILMS WERE SUBTITLED.
SHE PICKED UP TICKETS TO THE FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL AND LET HERSELF INTO HIS APARTMENT TO SURPRISE HIM.
THE BRUNETTE MAKING OUT WITH HER BOYFRIEND CERTAINLY SEEMED SURPRISED. HE WAS READING HER LIPS QUITE WELL.
AR 
EN