I left Iraq just five years ago and I started writing very early when I was in middle school and I got published when I was in college. My first collection appeared when I was a student in college. I published three of my books in Iraq, but then not comfortable enough to publish all that I write. The censorship is very tough in Iraq and so I had to hide some in the shelves until when I left Iraq. First I was in Jordan for almost a year. There I published those that I couldn't and then here in America I was more free to publish in the Arab world, but I am here, but feeling more safe or secure to do so.
- Dunya Mikhail (2002)