Aanika is a 16-year-old aspiring author, currently studying in the 12th grade. She was previously homeschooled to focus on her ‘greater-than-studies’ passion for writing, instead of focusing on the subjects she was not interested in. Her love for writing started at the age of 9– when she got selected to go to Hyderabad for a creative writing competition. She has since then, written over 35 short stories, many of which have been published in several anthologies. Though she experimented with various writing genres, she felt as if contemporary fiction was her solace. She wants to provide the same comfort that she gets while reading young adult books to readers close to her age. Like herself, she wants the readers to get immersed in the book and imagine as if the incidents were occurring in real life. Looking to the future, she wants to continue writing and hopes to see her name on bestselling novels. For Aanika, writing is not just a hobby– it is a means of communicating with the world, it is something she has always wanted to do.
Aanika’s stories have been published in 10 anthologies among other young authors. She has also won various writing competitions held online. Aanika’s story was shortlisted for the IFP (Indian Film Project) in the year 2022. Aanika also has visited several primary schools to share her writing experience and to motivate young adults to read and write stories and novels.