About Affan Shaikhsurab:
Hey, I’m Affan Shaikhsurab. I’ve always been the kind of person who loves building stuff from scratch — whether it’s apps, tools, or now, even my own programming language. I started this journey when I was just a curious student, trying to figure out how the tools we use daily actually work under the hood. I never imagined I’d write a book about it — but here we are. 😅
My book Build Your Own Programming Language surprisingly became a #1 bestseller in Kindle Textbooks and even showed up in the Top 100 Bestseller list #83 for a while — right next to J.K. Rowling and Stephen King for a moment, which honestly felt unreal.
Outside writing, I run startups, experiment with AI tools, and sip chai while thinking about what to build next. If there’s one thing I believe, it’s that you don’t need to be a genius to build cool things — you just need to start, stay curious, and take it one step at a time.
What inspires you to write?
Honestly, it’s just this itch to figure things out and then explain it in the simplest way possible. Like, if I understand something deeply, I get this urge to break it down and share it — especially for that one person who’s stuck like I was. I don’t write because I’m a “writer,” I write because I want people to feel like, “Ohhh, now I get it!” That moment — that’s what inspires me the most.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
Some of my favorite authors are Donald Miller — his book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years really stuck with me — and Paulo Coelho, especially The Alchemist. I also enjoy books that make me pause and reflect, like The Go-Giver and The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. I like reading things that mix storytelling with life lessons. It makes me think deeper about what I’m doing and why.
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m more of a “speak it out loud and see where it goes” kind of writer. I don’t plan everything in advance. Usually, I get an idea or something I’m trying to explain, and I just start talking about it out loud, then convert that into text. Sometimes I jot rough points down in Notion or my Notes app, but it’s very loose. I figure things out as I go. I try to write how I talk, like I’m just explaining it to a friend over a cup of tea.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t write fiction (yet!), but if I ever do, I think I’d definitely end up talking to the characters. That’s just how I think — out loud. I already talk to code and bugs while debugging, so I’m pretty sure I’d be having full conversations with my characters too 😅.
What advice would you give other writers?
Honestly? Just start.
Don’t wait to be perfect. Don’t wait to feel "ready." Just open a doc and start typing whatever comes to your mind. That’s how I began. Bit by bit, one step at a time. I didn’t know how to structure a book, or how to format anything. I just had an idea and a strong reason to share it.
Don’t overthink grammar or flow in the beginning — you can fix all that later. Focus on telling your story or explaining your ideas in your voice. Write like you're talking to your past self — the one who was confused and needed this book.
Also, don’t hide your work. Share it, even if it feels raw. You’ll get better the more you write and put yourself out there. Writing is not about perfection — it’s about expression and progress.
And remember: thinking big is cool, but starting small is powerful.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
Honestly, I went the self-publishing route because I just wanted to get it out there without waiting for permission or gatekeepers. I didn’t want to wait months or years for someone to say “yes.” I had something to say, something I wish existed when I started my journey — so I just decided to put it out there myself.
I used Amazon KDP because it’s accessible, simple, and gave me full control over the process — from writing to pricing to the final cover. For me, it wasn’t about becoming a bestseller (though fun fact: it did briefly hit #1 in Kindle Textbooks and beat J.K. Rowling for a hot minute 😅) — it was more about documenting the process and helping others.
My advice to new authors? Don’t get stuck overthinking publishing. First, write your book. Once you’ve done that, look at your goals: if you want creative control and faster release, go with self-publishing. If you're looking for wide distribution, go explore traditional publishing — but don’t let the process stop you from starting.
Just one step at a time. That’s it.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I feel like the future of book publishing is gonna be way more creator-led and independent. Like, more authors will just publish their own stuff without waiting for a publisher to approve it. Platforms like Amazon KDP, Notion templates, Gumroad — they’re all making it easier for people to create and share knowledge in their own way.
I think books are going to become more niche and personal — like, instead of trying to write for everyone, authors will just write for their kind of people. And honestly, I like that. You don’t need to go viral, you just need to reach the people who genuinely care.
Also, formats might keep changing — audiobooks, short-form books, interactive books, maybe even AI-assisted storytelling. But no matter what, I feel books (in any form) are gonna stay important because people will always want to learn and connect through stories and ideas.
So yeah, future’s exciting — more freedom, more voices, and more ways to share what you’ve built or lived through.
What genres do you write?: Programming, Technology, Non-fiction, Education, Self-learning, Beginner-friendly Tech Guides
What formats are your books in?: eBook
Website(s)
Affan Shaikhsurab Home Page Link
Link To Affan Shaikhsurab Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Twitter
LinkedIn
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
