About Me

Hello! I’m so glad you’re here!

Hi and welcome! I’m Prasanta, a writer, poet, and artist, and mom of three fabulous kids. I’m a big fan of reading, chai, and popcorn (my go-to snack), and of course, writing. When I’m not writing, I’m usually thinking about writing. I have been blogging and posting online here for nearly 13 years  and writing since I learned how to hold a pencil. I have stacks of notebook journals–some of which are filled with teenage angst. Can we call that writing? Well, yes, we’ll call it bad writing, but necessary, and we’ll just move on and not talk about those. : )

I was born under an Asian sun, raised in the Appalachian foothills in the south, and I now live in the Upper Midwest, digging out of snow piles all winter long. If someone asks, I consider the south “home”, as it is where I spent most of my formative years, but to be honest, the answer to that question is truly complex and layered. I no longer have my southern accent, but make no mistake, it comes right back when I talk to someone from the south. Ever hear an Indian gal with a southern accent? Come on over to my front porch. : ) I’ll make you chai (or coffee, I like that, too), we’ll talk about all of the things over some good food, like fish tacos, tandoori chicken, or sushi.

I write about culture, identity, belonging, race, and what it feels like to be an outsider, and I am passionate about making the way for diverse voices. I love stories and storytelling, and believe that stories are one of the best ways for us to connect with each other. I occasionally write about parenting and food allergies, or something else that grabs my attention, like science or technology.

I like to call myself a life-long learner because there is so much to know in this amazing, broken, and beautiful world, and so much I don’t know. If you’ve ever felt out or that you don’t belong (most of us, at some point or another, right?), I want you to know this: you matter, you are not alone, and you belong.

I wrote my first poem when I was in first grade, and well, never stopped writing. I write creative nonfiction, poetry, and fiction. At the heart of each piece is a story being told.

I am a regular contributor to The Mudroom Blog, and have been published at Bramble Lit Mag, Relief Journal, The Curator, Sojourners, Propel Women, (in)courage, Inheritance Mag, The Contemplative Writer (regular contributor for 2 years), The Redbud Post, The Perennial Gen, Tweetspeak Poetry, Red Tent Living, Barren Magazine, Silver Birch Press. I have upcoming work in The Truly Co., and a New York Quarterly anthology. In addition, I have some devotional pieces to be published in the near future.

A little more about me: I was born under an Asian sun, raised in the Appalachian foothills in the southern U.S., and currently reside in the upper Midwest. I hold an MBA and an MPH, and served for many years as a volunteer high school debate coach. I’m a freelance writer and a speaker on the topics of cultural awareness, belonging, and fostering creativity. Feel free to reach out with inquiries via the Contact page. 

Please join my community to receive monthly encouragement, doses of beauty, tips on cross cultural communication, culture, identity, belonging, books to read (I’m an avid reader), fascinating articles for you, and other links I hope you will find inspiring, and informative, with exclusive content just for my community.

I also promise to include some poetry. : ) Why poetry? Because poetry is one of my great loves. And because “poetry is a way of taking life by the throat,” (Robert Frost) and because “poetry is the liquid voice that can wear through stone” (Adrienne Rich). (*You can sign up here on the site; your email is safe with me and only used for me to send this monthly e-letter to you, no spam, and you can unsubscribe any time.)

Please do say hi! You can connect with me here via the Contact page, on Twitter @VermaPrasanta, Instagram @prasantaverma or my Facebook page.