If you're reading this, hope you're having a wonderful summer. I am having a hectic one! In this short post this August, I wanted to share a list of august upcoming anthologies that I'm honored to be part of. But first, I am super excited to share that my next novel, SAFE HARBOR, is already [...]
Author: Padma Venkatraman
Padma Venkatraman spent time on and under the seas and lived in 5 countries before settling down in the United States and becoming the author of three critically acclaimed novels. A TIME TO DANCE (Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin) was released to 5 starred reviews (in Kirkus, Booklist, SLJ, VOYA and BCCB) and received numerous honors: ALA Notable, IRA Notable, Kirkus Best Book, NYPL Top 25, IBBY outstanding book for young people with disabilities, etc. Her two earlier novels, ISLAND’S END and CLIMBING THE STAIRS, were also released to three or more starred reviews (totaling 12 in all), were both ALA/YALSA Best Books, Booklist Editor’s Choices and CCBC choices, in addition to winning several other awards and honors. Padma is American, and lives in Rhode Island. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews called her novel THE BRIDGE HOME "a blisteringly beautiful book." THE BRIDGE HOME received 8 stars and won 6 awards, including the WNDB Walter Dean Myers Award. BORN BEHIND BARS was released to starred reviews and won the Julia Ward Howe, Nerdy and South Asia Book awards, among others. Her next novel, SAFE HARBOR FOR A SEAL is forthcoming from Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House in January 2025, as is a picture book, MAKING FRIENDS WITH FAMILY (2026)
Poetry Month 2024
April is almost gone already! But if you are a young writer or an educator, parent or guardian of a young writer, there are 5 days left for you to answer Diverse Verse's call for poetry. Details can be found on the diverse verse website. It is hard, sometimes, to feel hopeful, especially when I [...]
Women’s History Month 2024
We often say we're speechless. I probably have said that before. But the first time I truly felt that way was when I saw this montage created by @readwithmalcom. I was immensely and deeply grateful when THE BRIDGE HOME was selected to be featured by Malcom Mitchell's Share The Magic Foundation because I respect his [...]
Fighting Against Book Bans as 2024 Begins
PEN America and SCBWI honored me with an invitation to speak about one of the most important issues facing authors in America today: Book Bans and their aftershocks. In a few minutes, I will join fellow panelists Authors Adib Khorram and Abdi Nazemian, and moderator Phil Bildner. We will discuss how authors can navigate a [...]
Ulaanbaatar, Free Poetry Prompt & Season’s Greetings
During these difficult times for the world, it's hard to share personal happiness. Yet when we acknowledge the small moments of light in our lives, maybe we are, in some small way, fighting larger injustices - by not giving in to them and not giving them the power to rob us of happiness. It's in [...]
Wish you a golden autumn!
After a hectic summer, I've decided to have a calmer fall. I plan to spend more time writing than traveling, but I will be doing a bit of teaching, too. I'm so honored and excitedly looking forward to teaching an online course in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. For the first half of the semester, [...]
Thank you, teachers, for your courage & dedication
"Fear is a Lock. Courage is a key." That's a quote from BORN BEHIND BARS. It's a quote that I believe teachers, librarians and other educators live by. Especially these days, when our nation and our world seems so divided. This second day of #TeacherAppreciationWeek, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the [...]
National Poetry Month 23 #ClimatePoemProject & DiverseVerse Love Letters To Poetry
Happy Poetry Month! I'm thrilled that this year, my first love - poetry - will provide a nexus between two very different groups that I started: Authors Take Action and Diverse Verse. Read on to find out what the connection is - and, better still, to discover poetry prompts for you to try on your [...]
Free Short Story For You
Hope you're all having a good February. It's a short month, so I'm keeping this message short, too! The paperback birth of BORN BEHIND BARS is scheduled for March 7th, and you can pre-order it already! Use the link below to order via your preferred vendor: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647196/born-behind-bars-by-padma-venkatraman/ To celebrate the paperback release, I've released a [...]
Happy writing: Prompts, resources and more…
Here's wishing everyone a wonderful new year! Hope it's started well and that it brings you much joy. If you're a writer or teacher, here's a recent list of resources you might find useful: Hugs from Awesome Authors Aida Salazar and Joanna Ho Joyous Moments In 2023 Diverse Verse contains a list of novels-in-verse, old [...]