I LOVE learning about new things.
Anything, really: languages, interesting (and extraordinary!) people, things, events, and ideas. Stuff that surprises me, stuff that takes my breath away, stuff I never knew I never knew…
When I come across something that excites me, I must tell someone. Writing non-fiction books is basically my way of saying, ‘OH MY GOODNESS, you have GOT to listen to this…it’s AMAZING’.
But it’s not all about the facts. Sometimes, I make things up. You see, I’ve been telling stories since I was tiny. My mum says that when I was 4, I told my teacher that I was an Indian princess. Apparently, my teacher even asked her about it at parents’ evening JUST IN CASE it was true.
It wasn’t.
The first bit IS true though – I’m Indian. British Indian. Growing up, I didn’t see many children like me in books. I didn’t see many authors like me on the bookshelves. I had always loved writing but it took me a while to realise that I could be a writer.
I started out as a lawyer but gave up my job – which I loved – to spend more time stretching and squeezing words into stories.
Then, at the end of 2017, I entered a big writing competition. I didn’t expect to make it through, but I DID! I was selected as one of 11 writers on the 2018 Penguin Random House WriteNow mentoring programme. Turns out they liked my writing. Turns out people like me can be writers. I signed with Puffin Books and the rest, as they say, is history!
And now? I live the best life.
Discovering new things, dreaming up stories, and making books with the most amazing illustrators. And having a LOT of fun while I’m at it.
Books in order of publication:
How To Be Extraordinary – 2019
The Puffin Book of Big Dreams – 2020
Never Show a T-Rex a Book – 2020
CASH – 2020
Never Teach a Stegosaurus To Do Sums – 2021
Good News: Why the world is not as bad as you think – 2021
Think Like a Boss – 2021
How To Change the World – 2021
Never Let a Diplodocus Draw – 2022
Dadaji’s Paintbrush – 2022
The Wind in the Willows – 2022
Yes You Can, Cow! – 2022
The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories – 2022
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