INTRODUCING
The Author
Khadeeja Merril Alliyya Paul, born August 27th 1996, is a London-based brand designer. Professionally known as KMA Paul, she has worked with a variety of clients from FTSE-Listed banking institutes to indie musicians, fulfilling a range of undertakings from rebrands to launch events.
Though having achieved much in her trained profession, authorship continued to be an aspiration since her early teens; and in January 2020 - whilst bunkered down in a hotel in Essaouira - KMA Paul at last typed the words “The End” on the novel that had consumed her every spare thought for 6 long years.
It began at 17 years old, when after spending a psuedo-date at the comic shop on Shaftesbury Avenue, frustrated by the genius premises designed by the mangakas of Japan, she boarded the first of three buses home. Wondering why she hadn’t yet conceived of her million-dollar idea, she peered out of the upper-deck window as the bus pulled out. Just as a ray of summertime sun forced her eyes into a blink, she envisioned it. A girl, with glowing hair from root to tip, shining in the dark.
KMA Paul whipped out the beat-up laptop she always carried with her (affectionately nicknamed Macky) and began writing the synopsis for IN THE WATER. Needing to uncover why the girl she’d envisioned sported glowing hair, she wrote for the entire 2-hour bus journey home. The rest, as it’s often said, is history.
GET TO KNOW
The Author
Who are you?
In the order of things I’d likely prefer you to regard me as, probably a creative first, a Londoner next and finally a black female in equal regard.
If you’d like to know a little more about me,
my website paints a rather vivid picture of my personhood
.That’s great but really, who are you?
I’m a 26 year old Senior Brand and Marketing Manager based in London. I was born in Hackney but grew up in Essex. Ethnically, my grandparental lineage makes me a befuddled mix of the Caribbean islands - though when people ask I simply say I’m Grenadian because it’s quicker. I had an internet-restricted upbringing which encouraged me to develop a variety of skills. I consider myself a jack of all trades and master of some. I’m an avid believer in God - though I’m strongly against encroaching on the beliefs of others - and by the grace of God I’ve recently become happily engaged to the love of my life.
What are your social media accounts? I'd like to get to know you for myself.
Awkward, I actually don't have any. I was likely part of the last wave of kids to grow up before social media became interwoven with the fabric of life. I was using Youtube before it was owned by Alphabet and I remember Facebook being a 'new site'. Even back then, I was cautious about the long-term implications; and though I gave in towards the end of secondary school due to the social climate somewhat demanding it, I deactivated the few accounts I had only a couple years later. At this current time I have no social media, and don’t hope to be changing that anytime soon. (No old tweets coming back to haunt me!) I do have a poorly updated
blog though.
Alright, well, can you tell me about some of the things you like?
I think ‘Take On Me’ by A-ha is the best karaoke song of all time - fight me. Scott Pilgrim Vs The World is cinematic genius (as well as Into The Spiderverse, Inception, Doctor Strange, I could go on). I really do enjoy Korean Pop Music, the visuals and audio production quality are unparalleled. Little Shop of Horrors is an excellent musical, and Exploding Kittens is a brilliantly machiavellian card game. Croatia is a top-notch country with great people, chickens make better sausages than pigs, and a cold bottle of water is the best refreshment out there - period.
Does anything shock you?
Something that continually shocks me is how poorly Leonardo DiCaprio is aging, but that no one is talking about it. Also, reality TV star Donald Trump being elected as president (to be fair, he actually said something insightful during a briefing once. I remain incredibly confused the words left his mouth. I suppose even a broken clock is right twice a day).
Any hard truths you hate to agree with?
Paris Hilton once said: nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. She’s fucking right. I hate it, but having gained a decent amount of weight during my twenties, I really do miss being a size 10 more than I miss kebab and chips. I’m still eating kebab and chips though.
How about the most useful thing you own?
My laptop, Reginald. My first MacBook unfortunately suffered water damage whilst I was rollerblading due to a dodgy water bottle cap (RIP Macky). Reginald and I didn’t quite get along at first, perhaps he could tell I was still getting over Macky. However, after a brief fling with the work laptop I used in 2019, Reginald and I have rejoined each other’s side as old friends. I call him Regi now, as a sign of affection.
What are three bad habits you want to improve in your life?
Sleeping too late, working myself too hard, and talking for too long. With that being said, I think that’s enough Q&A for now.