I imagine young girls and children of color, especially of Indian descent, will be drawn to these stories but this book is for any child looking to be inspired!
Shetal Shah – 20 March 2023
The Back Flap
Inspire a new generation with this beautifully illustrated, rhyming compilation of biographies of 13 unforgettable, powerful Indian women who changed history! Perfect for kids ages 5+.
From the globally well-known producer Mindy Kaling to the lesser-known freedom fighter Kasturba Gandhi, Indian women have been breaking ceilings and ushering in powerful change for decades.
Learn 13 of their exceptional stories in Shakti Girls, where single rhyming poems illuminate each woman and reflect the diversity of India and its diaspora, including representations of over 10 different industries, such as women in science, politics, math, activism, sports, and more:
- Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space
- the first Indian woman to lead PepsiCo
- the first Indian Grammy nominee
Empowering words in Hindi and motivating messages are woven into each poem to affirm each young reader’s identity and self-esteem. A short glossary of English and Hindi words is provided on each page to enhance the experience with uninterrupted reading.
If you loved She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton, Girl Power by Neha Hiranandani, and the Rebel Girls series, you will love Shakti Girls.
About the book
What is the book about?
Shakti Girls is a children’s book with a compilation of rhyming stories celebrating the lives and accomplishments of remarkable women from India and its diaspora. The book includes representations of over 10 different industries, such as women in science, politics, math, activism, and sports. From the globally well-known producer Mindy Kaling to India’s freedom fighter Kasturba Gandhi, the poetic stories in Shakti Girls inspire children to imagine their limitless possibilities.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing the book in October 2021 soon after leaving my job as a teacher and while I was contemplating the next chapter of my professional journey.
How long did it take you to write it?
I completed my final draft at the end of summer 2022. I allowed myself to go through as many drafts as needed using feedback from beta readers and my editor.
Where did you get the idea from?
I always had in the back of my mind for the past several years that there should be more nonfiction children’s books celebrating women from India. As a mom, former educator and diversity practitioner, I wanted this both for the young Indian girl that still lived in me and for my children. During my time away from teaching, I realized it was time to move forward with this idea but to incorporate my understanding of teaching strategies to create a nonfiction book that engaged young readers.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I hadn’t written rhyming poetry in a long time so I had to brush off those skills. I took some workshops and watched tutorials to get myself back in flow with poetry. Once I found my rhythm, it was smooth sailing.
What came easily?
It’s hard to say since the entire process was a learning curve. I guess selecting the title for the book, Shakti Girls, was the easiest part. I did worry that the name sounded too similar to other books, but I have a personal connection to the word “shakti” and the women in the book truly embody the meaning of the word, “shakti”, so after rounds of second-guessing myself and trying to come up with other titles, I knew in my heart Shakti Girls had to be it.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
All the women in Shakti Girls are real women who made a difference in the world. Some of the women have been a source of inspiration to me since I was young!
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Jhumpa Lahiri, author of Interpreter of Maladies, has been an inspiration to me since I was in high school. She was one of the first authors of South Asian descent whose work I read. Her achievements in the literary world have been an inspiration to me to follow my passions and be unafraid to step into worlds where South Asian women are underrepresented.
Do you have a target reader?
My target readers for Shakti Girls are young readers of ages 5-10+ who are looking to be inspired by uplifting biographical stories of trailblazers. I imagine young girls and children of color, especially of Indian descent, will be drawn to these stories but this book is for any child looking to be inspired!
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
My process begins with a ton of curiosity. I generate questions based on my curiosity of the lives and accomplishments of inspiring women, as well as the questions of a small group of beta readers. From there, I give myself ample time to conduct research. After my research phase, I study what I discover to see how I can construct a story using what I gathered and select the details that will resonate with my audience. From there, I begin framing each poem and writing in prose. Once the poem is complete, I go back and begin to reconstruct the poem with attention to syllable count and rhyme. Once all the poems are complete, I go through many rounds of editing which includes reciting and singing the poems out loud giving myself time in between rounds of editing. Approaching each round of editing with fresh eyes was incredibly helpful.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Absolutely! As a nonfiction children’s book, I thought it was really important to have some structure to the book and create a consistent structure to each poem. I wanted each poem to read like a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I waited until the end. It was hard to hold back from editing, but if I stopped to edit I would end up losing my creative flow.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Yes, I did hire a professional editor. As a former teacher, I know the value of “peer editing” and having someone else take a look at your work. While I had beta readers, as well, it was important to me that I found someone who is trained in editing and knows the industry well.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Sometimes I do! I have a playlist of “girl power” songs that I listen to while writing these poems. If I find the lyrics distracting, then I listen to my playlist of instrumental covers.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No. I seriously considered an agent and going the traditional route. However, I decided not to right now for a number of reasons, one of which being where I am in life right now and what I want to be able to pursue on my own.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
This decision was not easy to make. In my heart, though, I knew I could dust off my background in business and marketing, assemble my own mighty team that included book professionals, and tap into my love for learning to create Shakti Girls from the inside out.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I got the book cover and illustrations done professionally. Kavita Rajput is the incredibly talented illustrator that I was fortunate to have on Shakti Girls team.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
My background is in marketing, so yes I have a very detailed and ambitious marketing plan. The industry is still relatively new to me, so I’m learning a ton and discovering what’s working and what’s not. I also have a nice target audience, so finding the right marketing mix might take a bit of time. All of my tactics and strategies, though, are planned and thought out.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
For me, it was worth hiring a professional editor and illustrator. I would recommend to newbies, to consider and budget for this as it could make a positive difference in your book.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Westchester County, New York (30 miles north of NYC)
Where do you live now?
Atlanta, GA
What would you like readers to know about you?
I’m a former educator passionate about empowering girls.
What are you working on now?
A successful book launch and the next Shakti Girls book!
End of Interview:
For more from Shetal Shah visit her website and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Get your copy of Shakti Girls from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
