At the age of 42, I quit a corporate job to follow my passion: presenting the tales of people who are frequently ignored or undervalued yet whose courage, heroism, and conviction profoundly affect and inspire us to be our best selves. When Random House Canada purchased my first book, Into the Abyss, in less than two hours, I was both astonished and overjoyed. Since then, it has gained widespread publication and become a national bestseller. Film rights for the novel have just become available, despite being once under option.

With a foreword written by Amal Clooney, my most recent book, The Marriott Cell, which I co-wrote with Egyptian-Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy, was a remarkable collaboration that highlights the value of independent reporting and press freedom in these unsettling times of terrorist threats and "fake news."

A better world—one without racism, poverty, violence, oppression, or environmental degradation—can be created if we pay close attention to the common people and everyday events that affect our lives, in my opinion. Last but not least, I identify as a humanist—someone who aspires to live an ethical life motivated by compassion, guided by reason, and informed by knowledge and experience. This concept and my steadfast dedication to advancing the greater welfare of humanity serve as the foundation for the writing and artistic endeavors I engage in.