zulekha haywood

Writer Zulekha Haywood defies convention. With wit, wisdom and a sharp eye for cultural commentary, Haywood brings a fresh and fearless approach to today’s most compelling literary subject matter.

In April 2010, Haywood penned a personal feature story for Glamour magazine tilted, "Body Happiness” which chronicled the transformational journey she took while losing 170 pounds by means of bariatric surgery. Far from being a typical before-and-after beauty story, her message was a proud proclamation about the value of having a strong sense of self worth and personal identity. Haywood’s story, with its equal parts personal insight and earnest humor, was instantly picked up by major media outlets from MSNBC, NY Post, and the Huffington Post to AOL Health, MSN Lifestyle, and TV One. While soon after the blitz of online media attention, was her first national appearance on the Today Show, in which she gave an inspirational account of her own experience while focusing on superior physical and emotional health beginning with personal inner peace. Haywood was interviewed for People Magazine in May 2010, and due to overwhelming response from both male and female readers is scheduled for a follow-up interview on People.com. Haywood went on to contribute to a live chat entitled “Beauty, Body, and Race” with fellow feminist authors and body image experts on Essence.com.

Haywood is currently penning her first book, a soul-searching collection of fictional short stories told in Haywood’s trademark blend of irony and candor, about the internal quest for peace that if often misdirected onto external issues with food, relationships, money, and sex. Says Haywood about her primary purpose as a writer: “I am committed to dispelling the notion that a woman's power lies in her beauty, and to tell stories that celebrate the mysterious, sensual, and often complicated roles that women play. Happiness is a choice and an action, not a wish. At any moment we can choose happiness and change our lives”.

Haywood lives in New York City.

Find out more about Zulekha Haywood at www.thedailydelusion.com.