About The Author
Shadi Zaker
Would you believe me if I told you that, as a kid, I wasn’t a fan of books or reading? I never had a passion for it, and I even thought it was a waste of time. But thankfully, I grew up, and along the way, I discovered my love for books, stories, and words. There’s something magical about how we can immerse ourselves in a story or step into the shoes of a character we relate to, if only to momentarily escape our own reality.
My name is Shadi Zaker, and I’m a queer, first-time author from Toronto, Canada. The Girl With the Yellow Car is a story I’ve been working on for the past three years. While writing the book didn’t take long, I spent far more time questioning whether it was a story worth sharing. Would anyone relate to it? Would anyone want to step into this emotional journey? At first, I thought, “Probably not. Why would anyone want to put themselves in the shoes of someone emotionally suffering?”
But then, 2024 happened, and everything changed. The version of me in January 2024 would have had a heart attack if she could have seen the person I’d become by December. Over the summer, I went through a painful breakup and realized something profound: heartbreak is universal. Whether it’s from a boy, a girl, or anyone in between, it all hurts the same. That was when I knew—The Girl With the Yellow Car was a story worth sharing.
Like so many others, I’ve experienced the overwhelming feelings of heartbreak, loss, and the process of rediscovering myself. I believe someone, whether they identify with the girl or the boy in the story, will find themselves in these pages. And for those questioning their sexuality, I especially hope this book resonates.
My biggest hope in sharing this story is that it reaches someone who’s struggling—whether with a breakup, their sexuality, or simply feeling lost or defeated—and helps them find the strength to keep going. I’ve been lucky enough to have an incredible support system of friends and family who have been there for me through every obstacle and journey. But I know not everyone is as fortunate, and for some, books and stories are a lifeline—an escape, a place to find answers or comfort. If my story can provide even a small sense of hope or guidance, then I’ve done what I set out to do.
Above all, I hope it reminds readers that, while starting a new life may require leaving the old one behind, it’s okay to face difficult truths along the way. True happiness comes when we allow ourselves to grow.
