Swati Avasthi

Swati Avasthi (born 1971) is an Indian-American writer of fiction and a professor. Her first young adult novel, Split, receiving several awards including Cybils Young Adult Fiction Award and a Parents’ Choice 2010 Silver Award. In 2009, her short story "Swallow" was nominated for the Pushcart Prize and was listed in 2009 Best American New Voices collection. Chasing Shadows is her second novel, published in 2013, and was listed as "Best of 2013" book by Kirkus, YALSA, and Bank Street.

She has taught for Hamline University, at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College, and at the Loft Literary Center in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) programs.

Biography Avasthi moved from India to Albuquerque, where she studied till the age of 18 and her desire was to become a fiction writer. She went to the University of Chicago for a bachelors in humanities with an emphasis on theater. Before studying law, she started working at Victory Gardens Theater for a year. For three years she worked for the Pro Bono Advocates in Cook County in the role of a paralegal and coordinator in the domestic violence clinic. She provided legal assistance in the civil court to abuse victims seeking emergency orders. Young Adult Services Division, School Library Journal Author Nomination for Bank Street Child Study Children’s Book Award Nomination for IRA Children’s Book Award for Younger Readers Nomination for Kentucky Bluegrass Award Nomination for Louisiana Young Reader’s Choice Nomination for Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Nomination for Oklahoma Sequoyah Children’s Book Award Nomination for Rhode Island Teen Book Award

Works