SEVAN
@justsevan.bsky.social
Actor. Singer. Writer. MT Dramaturg. Academic. Artist-Advocate. Gamer. Refugee. Immigrant. Polyglot. In love with the sound of laughter.
Given the recent news of the absolute bone-headed decision to halt swearing in ceremonies, I figured this letter would be especially appropriate and well-timed.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
Letters for a Suicide, 32
America, oh, America...
open.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Given the recent news of the absolute bone-headed decision to halt swearing in ceremonies, I figured this letter would be especially appropriate and well-timed.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
The @mta.info proves daily how completely ineffectual and dysfunctional it is. Waiting 16 minutes for a train during rush hour is ridiculous. And yet they keep raising fares and improving NOTHING for riders. I say this with my full chest: Fuck. You.
December 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The @mta.info proves daily how completely ineffectual and dysfunctional it is. Waiting 16 minutes for a train during rush hour is ridiculous. And yet they keep raising fares and improving NOTHING for riders. I say this with my full chest: Fuck. You.
After yesterday’s vitriolic attack I wanted to do something that was a little more gratitude. But I also wanted to tap into a little more of Joe’s exhaustion to track exactly why he wants to do what he wants to do and to question whether he’ll actually go through with it.
Letters for a Suicide, 30
For the intellectual mentors who cracked the world open...
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:20 PM
After yesterday’s vitriolic attack I wanted to do something that was a little more gratitude. But I also wanted to tap into a little more of Joe’s exhaustion to track exactly why he wants to do what he wants to do and to question whether he’ll actually go through with it.
I got little sleep today. And I’m dealing with aggravating student questions. So I am channeling my frustration and annoyance in the letter today. Which, it turns out, is how this specific letter needed to be approached.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction
Letters for a Suicide, 29
To the Older Generation
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I got little sleep today. And I’m dealing with aggravating student questions. So I am channeling my frustration and annoyance in the letter today. Which, it turns out, is how this specific letter needed to be approached.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction
I think I’m nearing the end of Letters for a Suicide. I’m running out of ideas. I’m cautious of going over the limit of a fiction novel. I’m eager to start shaping and revising. I’m not sure if there is more of his life to excavate.
December 8, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I think I’m nearing the end of Letters for a Suicide. I’m running out of ideas. I’m cautious of going over the limit of a fiction novel. I’m eager to start shaping and revising. I’m not sure if there is more of his life to excavate.
I hadn’t planned to write anything today, but the letters of the last two days formed a kind of triptych experience in my head for Joe. I wanted to explore what the last letter in this trio could be and how it reveals a different side to Joe and a new aspect of his life as he writes these letters.
Letters for a Suicide, 28
To the kid in the dinosaur pyjamas.
open.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I hadn’t planned to write anything today, but the letters of the last two days formed a kind of triptych experience in my head for Joe. I wanted to explore what the last letter in this trio could be and how it reveals a different side to Joe and a new aspect of his life as he writes these letters.
I felt inspired by the last letter and guilty that I have skipped days writing. So this is a different letter about found and chosen family and what it means to find the thing you didn’t think you needed.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
Letters for a Suicide, 27
To sister-friends and holiday cheer.
open.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:26 AM
I felt inspired by the last letter and guilty that I have skipped days writing. So this is a different letter about found and chosen family and what it means to find the thing you didn’t think you needed.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
I’ve had a tough time this week convincing myself to write. Nothing serious. Just the typical moment in writing where you can’t be bothered and don’t know why you’re bothering. I’ve had this draft staring at me for three days so I just bit the bullet today, skipped the gym, and finished it.
Letters for a Suicide, 26
Fa La La La Love All of You, My Chosen Family
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I’ve had a tough time this week convincing myself to write. Nothing serious. Just the typical moment in writing where you can’t be bothered and don’t know why you’re bothering. I’ve had this draft staring at me for three days so I just bit the bullet today, skipped the gym, and finished it.
This letter is for any immigrant who had to change their name just to survive and deal with being an outsider.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
Letters for a Suicide, 25
To anyone who had to change their name to survive...
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:08 PM
This letter is for any immigrant who had to change their name just to survive and deal with being an outsider.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
Last week was the first time I didn’t complete four entries in one week owing to the holidays and being on a road trip. I’ll try to make up for that this week. Or maybe I’ll just leave the disruption as a marker. I feel like I am nearing the end of the letters. But I’m not sure.
Letters for a Suicide, 24
Oh Therapist, My Therapist...
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Last week was the first time I didn’t complete four entries in one week owing to the holidays and being on a road trip. I’ll try to make up for that this week. Or maybe I’ll just leave the disruption as a marker. I feel like I am nearing the end of the letters. But I’m not sure.
I just found it bizarre that as someone who is a descendant of genocide survivors it was a bit of a pisstake to be celebrating a holiday that essentially trivialises the genocide of first nations people in America. Here is a map to discover whose stolen land you live on. Honour them and thank them.
Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land
Native Land is a resource to learn more about Indigenous territories, languages, lands, and ways of life. We welcome you to our site.
native-land.ca
November 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I just found it bizarre that as someone who is a descendant of genocide survivors it was a bit of a pisstake to be celebrating a holiday that essentially trivialises the genocide of first nations people in America. Here is a map to discover whose stolen land you live on. Honour them and thank them.
I woke up this morning flat out exhausted and fully prepared not to write a chapter, using the holidays as an excuse. I have also been feeling drained of late writing these letters. But I decided to do a 180 and try something different again to change it up for myself and the narrative.
Letters for a Suicide, 23
For you, My Coffee, My Life.
open.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:52 AM
I woke up this morning flat out exhausted and fully prepared not to write a chapter, using the holidays as an excuse. I have also been feeling drained of late writing these letters. But I decided to do a 180 and try something different again to change it up for myself and the narrative.
On holiday but got away to a coffee shop to sit and think and write. A letter from Joe to his childhood best friend before his world came crashing down around his young shoulders.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
Letters for a Suicide, 22
To the BFFL
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:02 PM
On holiday but got away to a coffee shop to sit and think and write. A letter from Joe to his childhood best friend before his world came crashing down around his young shoulders.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
Unbelievably late with the chapter today. Wasn’t sure I was going to do any writing this week. Decided to stay disciplined and least knock out a first draft of this knowing it would need reworking later. But here, at last, is Joe’s letter to his Mother.
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
Letters for a Suicide, 21
To the Mother...finally....
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Unbelievably late with the chapter today. Wasn’t sure I was going to do any writing this week. Decided to stay disciplined and least knock out a first draft of this knowing it would need reworking later. But here, at last, is Joe’s letter to his Mother.
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
open.substack.com/pub/sevan7/p...
I woke up today feeling uninspired, tired, and really not in the mood to write. I forced myself to sit down and freewrite and this came about as Joe’s next letter. Reminding me to try different recipients and flavours for these letters so they’re not all mired in grief.
#writing #writer #fiction
#writing #writer #fiction
Letters for a Suicide, 20
To the students then, now, and whenever.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Decided to get a post out early today. I think this next set of letters is what happens after the midpoint thaw loosens something in Joe and forces him to contend with his decision. Can anything change his mind?
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
Letters for a Suicide, 19
To the Cellist on the R Train
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Decided to get a post out early today. I think this next set of letters is what happens after the midpoint thaw loosens something in Joe and forces him to contend with his decision. Can anything change his mind?
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
Super late with today’s letter because life was lifing and I got slammed with work. But here it is. This one I have been thinking about since I started but wasn’t sure how to write it until some other letters too shape.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction
Letters for a Suicide, 18
To the second love and the most surprising one
open.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Super late with today’s letter because life was lifing and I got slammed with work. But here it is. This one I have been thinking about since I started but wasn’t sure how to write it until some other letters too shape.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction
A new week. A new set of letters. This week - no pre-planning. Whatever strikes me in the morning is what I go with. But I do feel like maybe I’ve hit the midway point of this project, which sort of makes no sense since I don’t know the full shape and order of these letters. But here we are anyway.
Letters for a Suicide, 17
In the middle somewhat elevated for all who are concerned.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:54 AM
A new week. A new set of letters. This week - no pre-planning. Whatever strikes me in the morning is what I go with. But I do feel like maybe I’ve hit the midway point of this project, which sort of makes no sense since I don’t know the full shape and order of these letters. But here we are anyway.
I opted to write a different letter for today than what I had planned. I needed a different texture and recipient. A different narrative thread for Joe that isn’t wrapped up in a litany of grief. #writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author #robinwilliams
Letters for a Suicide, 16
To a childhood idol
open.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I opted to write a different letter for today than what I had planned. I needed a different texture and recipient. A different narrative thread for Joe that isn’t wrapped up in a litany of grief. #writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author #robinwilliams
I got inspired last night by a wild idea and decided to follow through on it for this week replacing one of the other planned letters. And, to be honest, after yesterday’s letter I needed a little something lighter to write about. This book needs to be about balance and not just a litany of grief.
Letters for a Suicide, 14
To you, my stalwart stair companion
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I got inspired last night by a wild idea and decided to follow through on it for this week replacing one of the other planned letters. And, to be honest, after yesterday’s letter I needed a little something lighter to write about. This book needs to be about balance and not just a litany of grief.
It’s been a busy day and I’ve had to write in sort sessions but here is today’s letter to kick off the week. As always, please do read and subscribe and share and comment.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author #fathers #pakistan #partition #lahore
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author #fathers #pakistan #partition #lahore
Letters for a Suicide, 13
For the Silence of Fathers and the resilience of searching
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:46 AM
It’s been a busy day and I’ve had to write in sort sessions but here is today’s letter to kick off the week. As always, please do read and subscribe and share and comment.
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author #fathers #pakistan #partition #lahore
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author #fathers #pakistan #partition #lahore
I apologise in advance but the letters this week are going to be heavier than previous weeks with one respite of humour.
* His deceased (estranged) father
* The uncle he never knew
* His second love
* Stairs
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
* His deceased (estranged) father
* The uncle he never knew
* His second love
* Stairs
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
SEVAN | Substack
Actor. Singer. Writer. MT Dramaturg. Academic. Artist-Advocate. Gamer. Refugee. Immigrant. Polyglot. In love with the sound of laughter. Branching out into novel writing. God help me….
substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:30 AM
I apologise in advance but the letters this week are going to be heavier than previous weeks with one respite of humour.
* His deceased (estranged) father
* The uncle he never knew
* His second love
* Stairs
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
* His deceased (estranged) father
* The uncle he never knew
* His second love
* Stairs
#writing #writer #fiction #novel #MENASA #immigrant #refugee #literaryfiction #author
@amtrak.com needs to seriously get its shit together. How mass transit can be such a nightmare in a supposed first world country is beyond me. I loathe Elon Musk but I can see why he wanted to scrap and redo the company.
November 9, 2025 at 10:39 PM
@amtrak.com needs to seriously get its shit together. How mass transit can be such a nightmare in a supposed first world country is beyond me. I loathe Elon Musk but I can see why he wanted to scrap and redo the company.