Sejal Badani

Sejal Badani is the Amazon Charts, USA Today, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Storyteller’s Secret and Trail of Broken Wings. She is also a Goodreads Best Fiction award and ABC/Disney Writing Fellowship finalist whose work has been published in over fifteen languages. When not writing, she loves reading and traveling. Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, and Ed Sheeran are always playing in the background.

Badani's new novel is The Sun's Shadow.

My Q&A with the author:

How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?

Quite a bit. In The Sun’s Shadow, the title symbolizes two key ideas: first, that even in moments of light and joy, shadows can loom over lives; and second, that one of the boys—a son—would cast a shadow over all their lives while also being a source of light and healing. Similarly, in The Storyteller’s Secret, the title reflects the layers of hidden truths. While the protagonist is a storyteller with a significant secret, it is the former servant, recounting the tale to the granddaughter, whose secret ultimately changes the course of all their lives, giving deeper meaning to the title.

What's in a name?

I love naming characters. I have a passion for exploring the meanings behind names, hoping to craft a connection between the name and the character’s essence. For instance, Felicity, which means "intense happiness," felt perfect for the character in The Sun’s Shadow. Her journey of searching for happiness, only to discover it was within her all along, mirrored a personal journey I’ve experienced myself. It’s these subtle layers of meaning that make naming characters so special to me.

How surprised would your teenage reader self be by your new novel?

My teenage self would be shocked I’m a writer at all. I was supposed to be a lawyer.

Do you find it harder to write beginnings or endings? Which do you change more?

Beginnings. I usually have the ending in mind when I start a story. I change the beginning countless times but I have yet to change an ending.

Do you see much of yourself in your characters? Do they have any connection to your personality, or are they a world apart?

I see so much of myself reflected in many of the main female characters I write. My first two novels, Trail of Broken Wings and The Storyteller’s Secret, were deeply personal, inspired by real events from my own life. This made it natural to weave elements of myself into the storylines. In The Sun’s Shadow, the two protagonists are women who fiercely protect their children while juggling careers and personal lives—a dynamic I can completely relate to.

What non-literary inspirations have influenced your writing?

Travel is a huge source of inspiration for me. Experiencing different cultures and connecting with people from around the world is truly incredible, and I feel deeply grateful every time I have the opportunity to explore new places. My family is another profound influence in my life. I’ve always wanted my children to understand the importance of chasing their dreams and believing in themselves, no matter how challenging the journey may seem.

Visit Sejal Badani's website.

Coffee with a Canine: Sejal Badani & Skyler.

My Book, The Movie: The Storyteller's Secret.

--Marshal Zeringue