Step into the world of dystopian fiction for young readers with Aparna Kapur’s An Absence of Squirrels and Varsha Seshan’s Uncontrollable. From 1984 and Brave New World to The Hunger Games and Divergent, dystopian and speculative worlds have always fascinated teens and young adults. But why don’t we yet see a marquee dystopian series in Indian children’s literature?

In this episode of Tell Me Story, we sit down with authors Aparna Kapur and Varsha Seshan to talk about world-building, creating unforgettable characters, and the future of Indian YA fiction. Plus, don’t miss a fun rapid-fire round packed with insights and surprises!

Horror, Laughter & Raising Readers with Spooky Stories!

Are we too scared of horror for kids in India? Or is it exactly what young readers need? This week on Tell Me A Story, we chat with Sudeshna Shome Ghosh (A Home to Haunt) and Neil D’Silva (JoyRides) about the thrills and chills of writing horror for children.

🎙️ In this fun episode:
Horror, Laughter & Raising Readers with Spooky Stories!

👻Why scary stories help kids become better, braver readers👻How truth can be stranger (and scarier) than fiction👻A rapid-fire round on the real horror that is AI👻What's next from Sudeshna and Neil!

Expect laughs, insights, and shivers down your spine. Hit play and discover why horror belongs on your kids’ bookshelf.

How do you create a book that will hook emerging readers, keep rhem turning pages, giggling all the way, all while falling in love with reading?

In this episode of Tell Me A Story, we meet the brilliant authors -- Bijal Vachharajani, Lavanya Karthik, Cyrus Broacha, Sadaf Siddique, and Sanajana Kapur -- the life behind the POFFS series, a new chapter book series packed with humour, warmth, and a dash of chaos—perfect for emerging readers.

Join us as we chat about why laughter is essential in children’s books, how to write stories that are actually funny, and why the POFFS are the superheroes your child's bookshelf needs right now. We’ll go behind the scenes on character creation, share hilarious writing mishaps, and discover what makes the POFFS stories so irresistible for young readers.

Tune in for a delightful conversation that will leave you smiling—and ready to pick up your next funny read.