Poetry, Prose, and Perseverance: Samaira Mulchandani’s Journey as a Budding Author

Samaira Mulchandani, a Class 12 student at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, has made remarkable strides as an author and poet. With four published books to her name, she has become a source of inspiration for her peers. From heartfelt poems to imaginative stories, Samaira’s journey reflects a beautiful evolution of her creative self. Selected as this week’s Apeejay Promising Poet, she shares her thoughts, process, and plans for the future.

Samaira, compared to when you started writing to now as the author of four books, what growth do you see in yourself?
“Definitely, there is always room for improvement in everything we do. From papers stapled together with handwritten stories and sketches to published books with digital artwork, there have been a lot of changes. Whether they are for better or not, I leave it to the readers to decide.

Tell us about the four books briefly.
The first two books, The Empire of Enchantments and The Warrior Rises Again, are about two sisters, Pristine and Cindy, who discover their inner strength and overcome fears while facing challenges. My third book, A Little Faith in Sunshine, is a collection of poetry on themes like hope, courage, and resilience. The fourth, Heartless: A Collection of Short Stories, features tales centered around Charlie, a heartless spirit who learns to love through his friendship with Rose.

It’s your final year at school. How has your school encouraged your writing journey?
The school has played a crucial role in shaping my passion. Every teacher has been immensely supportive. Our principal, Ms. Surabhi Joshi, is an inspiring writer and poet herself, which adds a layer of motivation. My class teacher’s kind words about my poetry and the encouragement from all my teachers have truly been a blessing.

What’s next—new poems, books?
Right now, I’m focusing on poetry since it flows naturally whenever inspiration strikes. As for another book, I’m holding back because board exams are around the corner, and I don’t want to upset my mom (laughs).

How much time does it take to write a poetry anthology?
It doesn’t take much time when you’re writing from the heart—it just flows.

Walk us through your publishing process?
For my first book, I didn’t know much about publishing, but my mother helped me explore online options. I learned about font selection, cover designs, and formatting. In my last two books, my younger sister Ashrita created the cover and digital artwork. It’s been a collaborative and learning experience.

Which book are you currently reading or plan to read next?
Honestly, my favorite reads should be NCERT textbooks right now (laughs). But I’d love to explore works by Sudha Murthy and other Indian authors soon.

Any tips for budding writers?
Just go with the flow and let your pen write! If it’s coming from your heart, it must be right!