The Bookish Gossips

When a writer spends nearly a decade crafting their first novel, you know what emerges is more than just fiction. It is a piece of themselves, shaped slowly with persistence and fire. Anisha Lalvani, the author of Girls Who Stray (Bloomsbury India), embodies that journey. Her debut novel explores anxiety, misogyny, politics, guilt, and the blurred lines between the personal and the collective. Recently, she spoke with The Bookish Gossips about her path as a writer, the evolution of her style, and the life lessons tucked between pages. The Journey to Becoming a Writer For Anisha, storytelling has been part of her DNA long before she embraced it as her true calling. Born and raised in Mumbai, she studied English Literature at St. Xavier’s College and later pursued her Master’s at Mumbai University. Those years of immersion in literature laid a foundation not just for her career but for her very way of seeing the world. Her professional path took her to Delhi, where she worked in publish...

Interview by Unnati Shahi, Founder of The Bookish Gossips There are stories that entertain, and then there are stories that transform the way we view the world. Maya: The Accidental Spy by debut author Anju Singh falls into the latter category. A tale of suspense, strength, and deeply rooted patriotism, this novel is a testament to the often-overlooked heroism of everyday women. In an exclusive interview conducted by Unnati Shahi, founder of The Bookish Gossips , Anju Singh opens up about her creative journey, the themes that guide her storytelling, and the personal reflections that shaped her debut and upcoming works. What unfolds is a portrait of a writer who leads not with strategy, but with heart. Honoring the Invisible Hero Anju Singh describes Maya: The Accidental Spy as a tribute to women who embody quiet courage. It was not born out of a need to write a thriller, but from a deep admiration for female strength and resilience. The story revolves around Maya, an ordinary wo...