Hi, Sona! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Sure! I’m the author of Symptoms of a Heartbreak and most recently How Maya Got Fierce, and co-author of The Rumor Game and the Tiny Pretty Things duology, which is now a Netflix original series. I got my masters in screenwriting at NYU—where my thesis script was developed by MTV Films, but didn’t end up produced. So I started writing fiction, realized it’s a whole different thing, and then got my MFA in creative writing from the New School. All along the way, I was working in magazine journalism—first at People and TeenPeople, then at the Barnes & Noble Teen Blog (RIP), and am currently senior editor at Parents.com. I’ve also interviewed your favorite celebrities and authors for publications like the New York Times, Cosmopolitan, and TeenVogue. I’m a former We Need Diverse Books board member, and cofounded CAKE Literary, a book packager creating high concept diverse titles. But these days, I’m more focused on writing and editing my own projects. In my off-hours, I’m mom to two, and big on books, Bollywood, and chai.

When did you first discover your love for writing?

I’ve been telling stories as long as I can remember. According to old, grainy video, I wanted to be a newscaster when I was about 6 or 7. I started writing stories in elementary school, and studied journalism and then creative writing in grad school. But for a long time, I told myself I didn’t have a book in me. Too many words. Guess five books in and counting, I’m finally proving myself wrong.

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

Ah! I would say Anne of Green Gables. It lives in my brain. I recently re-read and listened to it and watched the movie series with my daughter, who’s 12, and now it lives in her brain, too. Anne was so very writerly, and honestly, so very ADHD, which is something both my kid and I realized we have in the past few years. It’s so interesting, because when I look at the characters that have a hold on me, so frequently, I feel like I can diagnose them with the same. The flightiness, the big dreams, the tendency to hyperfocus, the rambling storyteller voice that lives in their heads. In so many ways, it makes me feel seen.

Your new novel, How Maya Got Fierce, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Oh wow. This is hard. Here we go: Turning dreams into goals. Yup.

What can readers expect?

They can expect NYC energy, big dreams, lots of fashion, winks to bombastic Bollywood drama, romance, and to be very, very hungry. NYC is all about exploring and eating to me. I think that captures Maya’s vibes well.

Where did the inspiration for How Maya Got Fierce come from?

I worked for many years in the magazine industry—and still do now—so that was the inspiration. I pitch it as The Bold Type meets Younger, with a healthy dash of Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead energy, for those in the know. It touches on the fashion and fun of the business of creating culture, for sure, but also doesn’t shy away from calling out the systemic issues, like racism and appropriation.

Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?

Oh, this is a good question. It was DRAMA. Even before the pandemic, publishing was dealing with a lot, and my imprint (Imprint!) folded, so I was moved and had a new editor, and we reworked the manuscript and then the actual pandemic publishing stuff started, so the book got pushed and here we are. It’s been a process. But I think Maya’s ready to face the world.

Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

One of my favorite characters is Shenaz, who is sort of like Maya’s Fairy Fashion God Mum. She’s very stylish, very British, very bossy, and if you follow her, you’re going to find trouble. But that’s what makes her fun. I also heart Ericka Turner, who’s based on one of my former People colleagues, who’s also one of my best friends. She is Maya’s mentor at Fierce, and I feel like in so many ways Ericka was my IRL publishing confidant, too.

What helps to motivate you when it comes to writing?

Deadlines. As I mentioned, I got diagnosed with ADHD about two years ago (during the pandemic), and it explains SO MUCH. I am definitely motivated by outside accountability, so I need hard deadlines, outlines, pomodoro timers, writing sprints, and someone scolding me and checking in to see that the wordcount is actually growing. My 12yo is an excellent taskmaster when it comes to that.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently editing an anthology (with Samira Ahmed) called Magic Has No Borders, which is a collection of YA sci-fi and fantasy short stories from some of your favorite authors. It’s going to be gorgeous and the stories are amazing! On shelves next summer!

Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?

I definitely have to mention Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions, by Navdeep Singh Dhillon. Yes, he’s my husband. But it’s so funny and pacey and adventure-filled—it’s about a cosplaying Sikh teen who’s dreams of a perfect prom night implode when he goes off chasing the truth about his brother’s death (and life). All about grief, self-discovery, and firsts and lasts, but also literally crying laughing.

I haven’t gotten to read it yet, but Lamar Giles has a horror-thriller called The Getaway out in September. And knowing Lamar and how his brain works, it’s going to be SCARY. The perfect fall read to send shivers up your spine, and I can’t wait.

I also love Harper Glenn’s debut, Monarch Rising, out in October, which is dark, delicious, and very dystopian. It feels so relevant to the current moment, and really begs the question: is love the one thing that can really save us? 

Find Sona at SonaCharaipotra.com, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

Will you be picking up How Maya Got Fierce? Tell us in the comments below!

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Game On is filled with fifteen stories by star-studded contributors: Gloria Chao, Sona Charaipotra, Kika Hatzopoulou, Katie Cotugno, Isaac Fitzsimons, Kathleen Glasgow, Shaun David Hutchinson, Kim Jones & Gilly Segal, Amanda Joy, Yamile Saied Méndez, Anna Meriano, Nina Moreno, Laura Silverman, Kayla Whaley and Francesca Zappia. And it’s of course the magic of anthologies that they bring you stories from your favourite authors while also introducing you to new voices you might not have heard about before. Need an example? I’d been itching to get my hands on this book because of well-known names like Francesca Zappia (and that story did not disappoint), yet after finishing all fifteen stories, I had an entire cart full of books to order at my local indie bookshop because I discovered authors like Sona Charaipotra and Anna Meriano I hadn’t heard much from before but now couldn’t wait to read more from.

What I absolutely adored about this collection is how diverse and inclusive it was. It might not seem like much to others, but for me to pick up an anthology (and believe me, I’ve read quite a lot this year) that’s not marketed directly as a queer anthology and yet for more than half of the stories to star LGBTQIAP+ characters? Chef’s kiss right there. On top of that, the characters came from a variety of different backgrounds, races and religions and I loved how, even if that wasn’t always the focus, it coloured the stories with so much authenticity and diversity.

Now, my reading experience turned out to be quite a nostalgic journey. Obviously, this book is about games and competition, about winning and losing and everything that comes with being on the right team—or the wrong one. I loved how, beyond the actual games in these stories—whether it’s Spin the Bottle, Settlers of Catan, or a fun scavenger hunt—there was always the sense of community that comes with playing games. Whether you’ve ever been part of a sports team or ever lost epically during an online gaming session, there’s usually that sense of camaraderie, which is the beauty of playing games. Games and competitions can bring people together in so many ways. And in the end, it’s not so much about winning or losing, it’s about who you’re winning or losing with. There’s also this theme of competition bringing out the best and worst in people and some stories in here discussed this so beautifully. While I obviously won’t talk about any of the stories in detail, I do want to mention one in particular.

One of the short stories follows a group playing a game called Werewolf. That story was such a throwback for me because it made me miss those summer days where my friends and I would get together after school and sit in the garden, eyes closed, waiting to be assigned “our roles” as a werewolf hunted us down, one by one. Truth be told, I hadn’t thought of that game in nearly a decade and that story just threw me back in time completely. That’s short stories at their best, in my opinion. When authors manage to momentarily transport you to this other place and remind you of the things you love(d). I hope that if you pick this up, there will be such a moment for you as well. Whether it’s in the short story that has two people falling for each other during a puzzle-filled scavenger hunt on campus, the one that finds a group of friends playing card games up on the roof during those lovely summer nights or even the one where two teams battle it out for Team Retro or Team Modern at an amusement park.

Game On is a love letter to games and competition. Whether you’re a fan of sports, board or video games, chances are there is at least one story in Game On will bring out your inner champion. With inclusive narratives and diverse characters, this anthology is a fun addition to any bookshelf!

Game On is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of January 18th 2022.

Will you be picking up Game On? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From the slightly fantastical to the utterly real, light and sweet romance to tales tinged with horror and thrills, Game On is an anthology that spans genre and style. But beneath each story is a loving ode to competition and games perfect for anyone who has ever played a sport or a board game, picked up a video game controller, or rolled a twenty-sided die.

A manhunt game is interrupted by a town disappearing beneath the players’ eyes. A puzzle-filled scavenger hunt emboldens one college freshman to be brave with the boy she’s crushing on. A series of summer nights full of card games leads a boy to fall for a boy who he knows is taken. And a spin the bottle game that could end a life-long friendship.

Fifteen stories, and fifteen unforgettable experiences that may inspire readers to start up that Settlers of Catan game again.

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Although each story was short, they pulled you right in to their world, and I feel that everyone will leave this book with a favourite retelling of their story. What I also feel this book gives to the reader is that while the authors have retold this story to also how they’ve explored the characters, it seems that the reader is able to interpret them as they would like. After each story, the author summarises the original tale and their reason for choosing it, something that I really enjoyed reading. It feels like you’re able to make a deeper connection with the author as well. This is an excellent novel for young adults and teens who are interested in Asian mythology and folklore retellings, with a great list of young adult authors that they can look up if they like a particular story.

Now, let’s get into some of my favourite tales in this gorgeous anthology, although all of these stories are amazing, but I am excited to see what stories others might fall in love with. My personal favourite was The Crimson Cloak by Cindy Pon, a funny and sweet tale about the seventh daughter of the Jade Emperor, and her chance sighting of a young man and his ox. What ensues is a hilarious tale of magic, romance, and talking oxen, and I love that the story is retold as a memory, directly addressing the reader.

If you’re looking for something a little more heart wrenching, Eyes Like Candlelight by Julie Kagawa tells the story of Takeo and the Yuki the kitsune. After saving a fox as a young boy, he encounters the little fox again as a young man. It’s a cautionary tale of love and loss, with mystical elements added into the story and I would definitely have my tissues ready for this one. It’s beautifully written, and makes a fitting end to the anthology. The anthology also starts in a similar manner with Roshani Chokshi’s Forbidden Fruit story. This is the tale of the spirit of the mountain, and what happens when she gives her heart to a man.

The tones in this anthology all have a hauntingly and mythical quality, I really felt like I had entered another world as I read these stories. Steel Skin by Lori M. Lee and Olivia’s Table by Alyssa Wong were stories that gave me chills as I read through them, both for different reasons. Steel Skin is set in a dystopian future where androids were recalled, while Olivia’s Table is the story of a young girl who makes food for those not on this earth anymore. I cannot emphasise enough just how talented each of these authors are, and if you’re familiar with their works already, you’ll fall in love with these stories too.

Something that I interpreted in these stories were how the women in these tales faced some hardships, yes, but more importantly, it is how they overcame and conquered their struggles that I feel is especially empowering for women. These women (mythic or not) forged their paths within their respective stories, which I admired. These are not the wilting wallflowers from love stories of old, but these are the women who’ll kick some ass and take some names as you sit in awe of their fearsome beauty.

No story in this anthology was the same and you never know what will happen from one page to the next. Stories are set in both the past and present day, and dystopian futures. Readers will get a range of genres, so there’s a little something for all appetites. There’s nothing explicit about these stories, so I think that the anthology would be good for a range of ages, not just for teens or young adults. The only downside to the anthology are that the stories are short, but that won’t stop the reader from enjoying them. I was able to enjoy this in an afternoon, but they would definitely make good stories to read before bed. There wasn’t a story that I didn’t enjoy in this anthology, and my rating for this anthology is 10/10!

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and at other good book retailers.

Have you read A Thousand Beginnings and Endings? Or will you be checking it out? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Star-crossed lovers, meddling immortals, feigned identities, battles of wits, and dire warnings. These are the stuff of fairy tale, myth, and folklore that have drawn us in for centuries.

Fifteen bestselling and acclaimed authors reimagine the folklore and mythology of East and South Asia in short stories that are by turns enchanting, heartbreaking, romantic, and passionate.

Compiled by We Need Diverse Books’s Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman, the authors included in this exquisite collection are: Renee Ahdieh, Sona Charaipotra, Preeti Chhibber, Roshani Chokshi, Aliette de Bodard, Melissa de la Cruz, Julie Kagawa, Rahul Kanakia, Lori M. Lee, E. C. Myers, Cindy Pon, Aisha Saeed, Shveta Thakrar, and Alyssa Wong.

A mountain loses her heart. Two sisters transform into birds to escape captivity. A young man learns the true meaning of sacrifice. A young woman takes up her mother’s mantle and leads the dead to their final resting place. From fantasy to science fiction to contemporary, from romance to tales of revenge, these stories will beguile readers from start to finish. For fans of Neil Gaiman’s Unnatural Creatures and Ameriie’s New York Times–bestselling Because You Love to Hate Me.

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