Some dreams take time, resilience, and a leap of faith – just ask Kristina Rahim (formerly Brown), a Mountbatten alum from the January 2003 New York intake. After years in property, Kristina took a bold career turn to pursue her passion for writing. Now, after countless drafts, rejections, and perseverance, she has secured a three-book deal with Nosy Crow, with her debut middle-grade novel, The Doughnut Club, set for release in May 2025 in both the UK and the US.

Inspired by her own family, Kristina’s book follows 12-year-old Quinn Parker, a donor-conceived child who discovers she has sixteen donor siblings. Excited by the idea of connecting with them, Quinn embarks on a journey that leads to unexpected revelations. Driven by the lack of representation for donor-conceived children in books for older readers, Kristina hopes The Doughnut Club will help demystify the topic and make donor-conceived kids feel seen.

Reflecting on her Mountbatten experience, Kristina credits the program with giving her the confidence and determination to chase her goals, no matter how daunting. “It felt like such a long shot to get a book published, but I was determined to make it happen and had the belief that I could,” she shares.

Kristina met lifelong friends, and even her future wife, during her Mountbatten year. Now based in London with their two daughters, she continues to champion representation in children’s literature.

Follow Kristina’s journey and learn more about The Doughnut Club via krahimwrites | Instagram | Linktree