Ritu Anand has been a passionate storyteller since childhood. Caught and admonished for writing -under her desk -during a math class, she recalls being highly inconvenienced. Inspiration had struck from within and there was little else she could have done to curtail it. Today, Ritu has earned the recognition of being an award-winning author of Kara’s Dreams, a picture book about being resilient in the face of adversity. She gives tremendous credit to the various teachers at Mater Dei Convent, who, in the formative years of her life, laid an impression upon her. No good story should ever be filed away but be shared, she believes. And that is why, she has chosen to champion voices yet unheard. Ritu is excited to represent writers of kid lit, literary fiction, general fiction and historical fiction. She joined D4EO Literary Agency in Spring 2023. Her clientele has been growing. Soon, she will share some good news about one of her clients seizing the interest of a publisher.
Hello Ritu, welcome to BranEducation! Congratulations on your new book. Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am Ritu Anand. My name means seasons, and I stay happy to the best of my ability all year round. I start my days early (between 5 and 6 a.m.) to write and experiment with different ways of enhancing my stories. I love acting out my characters when I create them so they can live on the page indefinitely.
Where were you born, and where do you currently live?
I was born in New Delhi, India, and I currently live in Sarasota, Florida, with my husband and my Prince—my beloved Bichon Frise.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love solving word puzzles, reading, hiking, and exploring new dog parks and walking paths with Prince.
When did your writing journey begin?
My writing journey started the day I began writing on walls and furniture! Life simply rolled forward in a way that accommodated my passion for storytelling. I also love to sing and have been formally trained in Indian classical music for 15 years. They say you need an ear for music, and I believe the same is true for writing, as there is musicality in words too.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Passionate, resilient, and driven.
What inspires and motivates you?
Love inspires me. When I see beauty in nature—flowers blooming in the spring, for example—their beauty and smiles inspire me. My dog motivates me, and my muse never lets me give up on myself.
What are some of your favorite conversation topics or icebreakers?
Any topic involving languages, culture, food, travel, history, architecture, music, or dance can be a great icebreaker.
What exciting projects or activities have you recently been involved in?
I recently finished acting in a play called Naga Mandala. I was cast as Flame, and it was tremendous fun.
What inspired you to write Kara’s Dreams?
Writing Kara’s Dreams during the COVID period was, in many ways, me talking to myself and teaching myself resilience. I sought guidance from my sacred holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, to center myself. When I finished the book, I felt it carried a timeless message.
What are you currently working on, and do you have any upcoming promotions or events?
I am currently working on my next picture book—currently untitled—which is about writing on walls.
As for promotions, I Am My Language will be released on Saturday, April 25, 2026. We are launching the book at the Selby Library in Sarasota from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as part of Remake Learning Days, an annual county-wide event organized by Sarasota County.
Several organizations, including Embracing Our Differences, the Literacy Council of Sarasota, UnidosNow, and others, will be participating. UnidosNow has already purchased 50 copies of I Am My Language from my publisher, and they will be distributed free of charge to families attending the event.
What inspired I Am My Language?
The inspiration behind I Am My Language comes from how seven-year-old me taught myself my own language—Punjabi. Since I attended an all-girls Catholic school, Mater Dei Convent, from kindergarten through 12th grade, I was not allowed to speak my own language at school and never formally learned it.
Eventually, I took it upon myself to learn Punjabi by using a translator I discovered in my aunt’s library. I read aloud countless times while my mother corrected me as I taught myself the language of my heart. Deep inside, I had always longed to connect with my language, and nothing was going to stand in my way.
Are there any other projects you are currently working on?
I am always working on new projects. At the moment, I am writing an adult fantasy novel. I’m not sure how long it will take, but it is very much a work in progress. I am also continuing to develop the picture book I mentioned earlier.
What are your goals and aspirations moving forward?
My goals and aspirations are to continue working with gifted writers as their literary agent (I work with D4EO Literary Agency) and to complete my debut novel.
Where can readers connect with you?
You can reach me at: rituzastoryteller.com