J.K. Rowling, Maya Angelou, Agatha Christie and Margaret Atwood all have something in common. In addition to their literary prowess, these infamous authors were also mothers. Balancing motherhood and a successful writing career may seem like an insurmountable challenge. Yet, many ladies pursue literary endeavors while fulfilling parenting responsibilities.
Supriya Kelkar is an award-winning writer of middle-grade (MG) and children’s books and Michigan alumnus. Kelkar perfectly exemplifies how one modern-day mother can achieve her professional dreams. We connected with Kelkar to learn more about her journey:
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming an author? What is one challenge and one success story that you would say was instrumental in your journey?
I graduated from U of M in 2002 and began working as a screenwriter for a Bollywood writer-director-producer. I was working on my own scripts and books whenever I wasn’t working on a script for the company. I wrote probably 100s of book manuscripts that I sent out to publishing houses and agencies that were rejected during this time period. This was an era during which diverse stories, both in screenwriting and publishing were not able to find a way to be made. I wrote the first draft of my first published novel, “Ahimsa,” in 2003. Several drafts and rejection letters later, I was ready to give up on ever being published. Finally, less than a week before the birth of my youngest child, I got the life-changing phone call that “Ahimsa” would be published. And 14 years after writing that first draft of the book, I became a published author.
What is your connection to the University of Michigan? Who was one significant professor or class at Michigan that made an impact on you?
I am a graduate of U of M (B.A. in what used to be called Film and Video Studies and a B.A. in Psychology). It was at U of M where I met the Bollywood director I worked for for over a decade when he was there to give a talk. And it was there that I met the person who had the most influence on my writing, my screenwriting professor, Jim Burnstein, who is thanked in the acknowledgements in the back of all my novels.
How do you balance being a mom and pursuing a full-time writing career with all of the demands that come with this?
It is a constant struggle, of course. I take the opportunities I can for work and turn down the ones that interfere with the time I need to spend with my kids. And I’m lucky to have built in readers at home who can give me their opinions on early drafts.
Do your own children serve as inspiration for your work? How do they play a role?
I love to write stories I wished I had as a kid, growing up in an era of no representation in American media, and I also write stories I want my kids to have.
How does your cultural background inform your writing?
My characters are always Indian American and their cultural background is a part of their story, and how they take in the world around them.
What is one piece of advice you have for young people who want to have a published novel one day?
I have two: The first is to not be attached to your writing and know your work will improve with each draft. The second is that your story is so important and I hope you share it with the world!
What current projects are you working on?
“And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance” was just released. It tells the story of the stolen diamond but also the story of anyone affected by colonization, anyone who has ever felt less than, reminding us all to never forget our shine. It is one of the most important books of my career so I’m thrilled for it to be out in the world at last. I also just had my MG novels from last year, “The Cobra’s Song,” release in paperback. I’ll have exciting opportunities for school visits with both these books next school year. I also have a picture book coming out in February 2025, available for preorder today, called “Thank You, Teacher!” And in 2026, my graphic novel debut comes out, illustrated by Ani Bushry.
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What are a few of your favorite recent children’s / MG novels?
“Made in Asian America” by Christina Soontornvat and Erika Lee, and “She Persisted: Kalpana Chawla” by Raakhee Mirchandani, are just a few of the books I’ve enjoyed lately.
Where can readers find you online?
Instagram: @supriya.kelkar
Website: www.supriyakelkar.com
