Namita Moolani Mehra is an award-winning children’s book author and entrepreneur. Namita’s published books include The Greatest River, Veena and The Red Roti, The Light Within You and Anni Dreams of Biryani. She has also authored children’s cookbooks, The Magic Spicebox and Superfoods for Superheroes. Namita is the founder of social-impact business, Indian Spicebox, a company that has helped fund almost a million hot meals for underprivileged children in India. Namita lives in Singapore where she crafts delightful culinary experiences like cooking classes and street food pop-ups. Namita is mom to a kindergartener, a middle schooler, and a golden doodle puppy.

Where are you from? I was born in Nigeria, grew up in the UK and India, studied and worked in the US and live in Singapore. I am Indian by nationality and a third culture kid.

When did you know you wanted to become a writer? I have loved writing since I was a little kid! I entered writing competitions, wrote for school and college newspapers and magazines, and was an early adopter of blogging. I never imaged being a writer could be a full-time career. It was only in 2020 after getting an agent did it become clearer to me that this would be my forever career path.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books? From my travels, my culture, my family and also from my critique group. Singapore is a tiny island where the weather is hot and humid all year round, so we tend to travel a fair bit to change things up, and also to visit family in India. I get idea sparks from the minute I’m on the plane! But I also get a lot of ideas brainstorming with my critique group whom I meet every Wednesday in person.

Where is your favorite place to write? At my desk in my study room, with the balcony doors wide open, in the cool and quiet of the early morning. My kids get on the bus at 6:52am and by 6:53, I am at my desk drinking coffee and it is so lovely and quiet! I never would have imagined it but I’m actually becoming a morning person!

Describe your process of writing a children’s book? Do you already know the story line (ending)? Or do you write it as you go? I usually come up with a title first. I am big on catchy titles and usually a good title will get my creative juices going. I typically write as I go but increasingly, I’m shifting to a model where I plot out the arc or have an idea about the structure before I write. I put a lot of emphasis on the setting, the character creation, the first line and the last line.

Tell us about your book(s): 

My latest book THE GREATEST RIVER is my 4^th picture book, published by HarperCollins in the US and illustrated by Khoa Le. It is a quiet, lyrical story about a young girl whose mother is unwell. Like many Indians and Hindus, her mother believes in the healing powers of the great Ganges River—Ma Ganga. “Ganga is the greatest mother of all,” the mom tells her. But the daughter cannot understand how a river can be a mother, so she visits the river with her aunt to find out for herself. At the great river, the young girl discovers the magical calm and beauty of the river. She finds a quiet and peaceful place to take a dip in the holy waters and partake in the customary rituals like lighting lamps, singing hymns, and collecting the healing water to take back to her mother. As the holy river holds her in a comforting embrace, the young girl finds hope and healing. It is a perfect book for today’s turbulent times—mindful and meditative. 

THE LIGHT WITHIN YOU – This gorgeous picture book illustrated by Kamala Nair has won multiple awards and is a fresh take on Diwali- the Indian festival of Lights.

VEENA AND THE RED ROTI – A story about a family’s journey during the Partition of India- the largest mass migration in the world. This picture book illustrated by Beena Mistry and published by Kids Can Press is inspired by the true story of my grandparents who arrived in India in 1948 as refugees.

ANNI DREAMS OF BIRYANI – Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat, this book is a feast for all the senses and will make you very hungry! This is a book for foodies and set in Little India, Singapore.

Describe your process of getting an agent. I started querying in 2020, the pandemic was starting up in Singapore and when we were all locked down at home (but luckily kids were still in school here!) I queried a LOT for 4 or 5 months. I was on Twitter back then looking out for food-loving agents wanting to represent diverse/POC authors. I was quite strategic about whom I was querying. I got many rejections but eventually Naomi Davis at BookEnds loved my manuscript for Anni Dreams of Biryani…which went on to becoming my debut picture book!

What has been the most challenging for you as a writer/author? I am not a sit down and write everyday with great discipline person. I get easily distracted and caught up with the hundred other things I do in a day!

You are a busy lady! Tell us about your other venture, Indian Spicebox. Indian Spicebox is a social impact business I started a decade ago. We created Spicebox kits with my cookbook and organic spices in a beautiful spice box. While I no longer sell organic spices, we are committed to funding hot meals for underprivileged children in India and plan to reach the 1 million meals goal this year. I host culinary events and collabs here in Singapore –I’m passionate about the food space and am also a freelance food writer. 

What is next for you? I have another Diwali book coming out this year- it is a lift the flap book by Wide Eyed/Quarto who publish absolutely gorgeous books. If you know the Lucky Red Envelope https://www.quarto.com/books/9780711285927/the-lucky-red-envelope-a-lift-the-flap-lunar-new-year-celebration this is the Diwali version of that, beautifully illustrated by Darshika Varma. 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-festival-of-lights-namita-moolani-mehra/1146793279

I also have another picture book coming out with Candlewick early next year.

Provide your contact information: I can be reached at Namita.moolani@gmail.com and found at www.namitamehra.com and on Instagram @indianspicebox

Thank you Namita for stopping by—it was nice reading about you. Good luck as you continue your author journey! 

March Book Giveaway Winner is Chantell Harris. Congrats!