Author in Me

Last month, we had the honour of being invited to the Author In Me Literary Festival. It was set up by Author In Me (AIM), a company that is focused on getting new and diverse voices published – including stories by children!

Storytime magazine has always embraced diversity and inclusion and encouraged kids to express themselves creatively, so we were very interested in AIM’s work. Company co-founder (with Ekta Bajaj) Monica Sood kindly agreed to sit down with us and answer our questions about AIM and their vision.

We hope that you are inspired by their story… and maybe feel inspired to write tales of your own! Be sure to check out their website at https://authorinme.com/ for more information about them, and take a peek at their catalogue of wonderful books!

Q: What inspired you to start AIM, and how was this idea born?

A: AIM was born out of our deep love for books and the transformative power of storytelling. We began by offering writing mentorship sessions for children, helping them turn their stories into published books. It was inspiring to see how these young writers used storytelling to express their experiences, challenges, and personal perspectives. However, we were struck by a recurring pattern: many children chose characters who didn’t look like them because they rarely saw themselves reflected in the books they read. This realisation became a turning point for us.

It highlighted the urgent need for more representation in literature and set us on a mission to amplify voices often underrepresented in mainstream publishing. We saw so many talented writers with unique perspectives and stories being overlooked simply because they didn’t fit the traditional mould. Our passion for literature and commitment to diversity inspired us to build a platform – the AIM Literary Festival – that not only celebrates these voices but also enriches the literary world by nurturing inclusivity and broadening the scope of stories on offer.

When children engage with stories, they begin to recognise patterns in language and learn how to express their thoughts. This early exposure sets them up for success, not just in reading but across all subjects. Picture the joy on your child’s face when they decode their first word or understand the plot of a story – they’re not just learning to read; they’re learning to think for themselves!

Q: Tell us a bit more about yourselves – do you have a background in publishing? How did you go about making your idea into a reality?

A: We didn’t have formal experience in publishing when we founded Author In Me, our shared love for books and passion for storytelling drove us to embark on this journey. Ekta brought a background in graphic design and broadcasting, while I came from a diverse career in education, banking, and the IT sector. This mix of skills allowed us to approach publishing from unique perspectives, helping us to envision a more accessible, author-friendly process.

We started by immersing ourselves in the publishing landscape, learning everything we could through self-study and connecting with industry experts. Building relationships was key to our growth—we collaborated with writers, editors, and designers who shared our vision for a more inclusive publishing landscape and believed in an author-centred publishing model. What started as a team of two passionate individuals has since evolved into a dynamic, multifaceted team. Today, we’re proud to work alongside a talented and dedicated group, each contributing uniquely to empowering authors and bringing their stories to life.

From the outset, our goal was to create a sustainable, empowering platform for authors. Rather than following traditional industry norms, we prioritised building a community where authors could thrive, ensuring that every part of the process—from writing and editing to design and distribution—was tailored to help them bring their stories to life and reach those stories to a wider audience.

Q: Can you tell our readers about the process of turning an idea of a manuscript into a published book? How does AIM’s approach differ from the publishing industry standard?

A: At AIM, we work closely with authors from day one. We emphasise collaboration, helping writers develop their manuscripts with guidance and input rather than expecting them to conform to pre-set editorial mandates. We also provide ghost-writing services to those who have great stories but are unsure how to put them on paper. Our approach is more personalised and supportive, with a dedicated team for each project to ensure authors feel involved and valued throughout the journey from draft to publication and marketing. This hands-on approach differs from the industry standard, where authors often have limited input in the final product.

Q: AIM’s motto is ‘Empowering Diverse Voices’. How important is it to have works by diverse authors on bookshop shelves? What did you think was missing before?

A: Having diverse authors represented on bookshelves is essential because literature shapes perspectives and fosters understanding. We all know there is a noticeable gap – stories from underrepresented voices were either diluted or disregarded. By empowering diverse voices, we aim to provide a platform where authenticity shines, creating literature that reflects the rich spectrum of human experience. We believe that every reader should find stories that resonate with their own experiences and broaden their understanding of others.

Q: AIM doesn’t just do books! Can you tell us about your literary festival and the other services AIM offers?

A: Absolutely! In addition to publishing, AIM hosts an annual literary festival where authors and readers can connect through panels, workshops, and readings.  We invite debut authors to established authors to showcase their books through the festival under our intiative – Storygarden. It’s a vibrant community event that celebrates storytelling across cultures and genres. We also offer ghostwriting, editorial services, mentorship programs for emerging writers, and workshops to refine their craft. AIM is about creating a literary ecosystem that supports authors at all stages, from inspiration to publication.

Q: We love success stories like AIM’s. Could you share with us the highlights of the past nine years? What is your vision going forward?

A:  Some of our proudest achievements include being finalists for Small Publisher of the Year for two consecutive years, 2023 and 2024, at The British Book Awards. Our annual literary festival has also grown immensely, thanks to collaborations with iconic venues such as the Roald Dahl Museum, The British Library, The French Library, and The Nehru Centre.

Launching our ‘Young Voices’ initiative has been a remarkable milestone. This program has exceeded our expectations by enabling young authors to share their unique perspectives and, in many cases, raise funds for their favourite charities through their published works. Through this initiative, our aim is to inspire children to read and write for pleasure. One particularly inspiring story is that of Deeva Karnani Shah, a young author who has published four books by the age of 13. Her work has not only captivated readers but also earned her several prestigious awards, including the Pride of Brent. Seeing young authors like Deeva thrive and receive recognition highlights the power and impact of our mission.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to broaden our reach with more collaborations, expand internationally, and increase awareness of our initiatives. We are committed to continuing to push boundaries and ensure that every story – especially those that often go unheard – finds a home at AIM. Our vision is to create a truly inclusive literary world where every voice is celebrated and every reader can find stories that resonate.

Q: Which forthcoming AIM titles should our readers look out for? Is there a particular topic or subject you plan to focus on in your upcoming publishing program?

A: We have released exciting titles this year that address global and bold topics such as cancer, climate change, self-help, and some powerful memoirs. Here’s the link to our catalogue- https://authorinme.com/catalogues.

Our upcoming titles for next year centre on transformational stories that inspire readers to embrace both inner growth and outward responsibility. These books encourage readers to connect with their strength and sense of purpose. Among these anticipated releases is Let the Fish Fly by Ekta Bajaj, a literary fiction that explores themes of self-discovery, an inspirational memoir and a beautifully illustrated picture book, The Gift That Gives Back, by Monica Sood, that talks about the importance of individual responsibility and the vital role trees play in protecting our climate.

In the coming year, we plan to continue expanding our catalogue with stories that promote empathy, cultural understanding, and social awareness, ensuring that AIM’s publications resonate across generations and backgrounds.

Q: AIM’s ‘Young Voices’ allows children to get their own unique stories published. What is the story behind Young Voices, and what advice would you give to budding writers?

A: ‘Young Voices’ began as a way to inspire children to share their perspectives and instil confidence in them. Our goal was to empower young writers, helping them realise that their ideas matter and that their voices deserve to be heard. For budding writers, our advice is simple: write what they’re passionate about. Don’t be afraid to share your perspective, even if it seems different. Every great story begins with authenticity, and your voice is what makes your story unique.

We’d like to thank Monica for sharing AIM’s story with us, and wish them all the best in the future!

Here are books by AIM that might be of interest to Storytime readers and their parents!

When Mummy Had Cancer by Priyanka Pandya, illustrated by Debasmita Dasgupta
A wonderful story, told from the point of view of a child, about what they go through when their mother gets a worrying diagnosis. It was written to provide emotional support, understanding and reassurance for children in similar situation.

The World Through My Eyes by Aishwarya Gupta
A book of poems about life, family and the wonders of the world by a promising young writer.

I Am So Much More than the Colour of My Skin by Divya Thomas, illustrated by Ruchi Shah
An inspiring book that encourages readers to celebrate who they are and define themselves by their dreams, not their skin colour.

Moon in My Room by Maahi and Sunaina
A fresh and original collection of dreamy bedtime stories by two wonderful and inspiring youngsters!

The Space Orb by Deeva Karnani Shah
If you love epic science fiction, then this is the novel for you! Dawn is on a cosmic quest to restore her destroyed planet…

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