Meet Varsha Chitnis
My hearts, I’m excited to introduce you to indie author Varsha Chitnis. She and I have been trying to make this interview happen for a year! In that time, she’s won an Indieverse Award and is currently nominated for The Rules of Playing with Fire in these categories: Best Romance (again!), I’m glad they became lovers, Love the skin you’re in, Main character energy I admire, and Wittiest Banter. I’ll let her introduce herself.
VARSHA: I was born in Mumbai, and I grew up in the beautiful city of Baroda. My fascination with my city, its history, and culture is woven through my academic and fiction writing. Through two Ph.Ds. in Political Science and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, and a fulfilling teaching career, I've remained a storyteller at heart. I love writing about South Asian characters and their multifaceted lives. My novels combine romance with high drama and sizzling heat. I cook and bake to get my creative juices flowing. I love jewelry, and am seldom spotted without my big, oversized earrings, and my trademark bright lipstick. I currently live in California.
JEN: You’ve had quite the journey with indie publishing! Can you share a little about your experience as a self-published author?
VARSHA: I started out querying but quickly realized that the reason I won't be picked up by a lit agent is the exact reason I started writing. I wanted to tell a different story of the Indian immigrant experience, one that is not familiar to the western audience. That is, no arranged marriages, no strict parents, no identity crises. That is my story and the reason I want to write these books. It was an act of rebellion against the same story about Indians told over and over again. When I began reading romance in earnest around 2018, I asked, where are people like me? Where is my story? Why aren't young Indians falling in love on their own terms? Why must there be a white savior who rescues the girl from an arranged marriage? I am first-gen immigrant and I couldn't find my story. So I wrote it.
JEN: What genres light you up the most—both as a reader and as a writer?
VARSHA: I’m a sucker for murder mysteries. A good whodunit gives me the ultimate high. Of course, I love to read and write contemporary romance. I am a mood reader so sometimes, I'm reading multiple books at the same time.
JEN: Oh, same! Every writer has their literary heroes. Who are the authors who inspire you most?
VARSHA: Beverly Jenkins is my favorite romance author. SJ Rozan takes that spot for mystery. The greatest influences on my writing have been Rozan, Dennis Lehane, Beverly Jenkins, and Jack Ritchie (he used to write short stories back in the day). I grew up reading a lot of Russian literature and the form of the short story still has a special place in my heart.
JEN: Writing can feel solitary, but community makes such a difference. Which fellow creators do you lean on, and how do they help you grow?
VARSHA: I would not be here without my cohort of indie authors, who are my support system. From figuring out the right verb, to advice about publishing and marketing, they hold me up in so many ways. Independently, I have been blessed to have a great cover artist and a great editor quite by chance. Zuchal Rosyidin and Sherri Shackelford have been crucial to the success of my books.
JEN: Do you like to write with a soundtrack in the background—or do you need silence? And what kind of music fills your playlists?
VARSHA: Like the mood reader that I am, I'm also a mood listener. I enjoy Bollywood and indie music from India, but I also love classic rock and pop from the 80s and 90s. I'm also a big Ella Fitzgerald fan. I work best without music though, and I often turn on brown noise to focus.
NOTE FROM JEN: This is now my favorite playlist from the series, y’all. I even added a brown noise loop at the end for you!
JEN: Let’s talk snacks—what’s your go-to fuel when you’re deep in a project?
VARSHA: Anything bite-sized savory snack works but no healthy foods, please. Give me my crackers and chips and salted nuts.
JEN: Home shapes us in such powerful ways. How has your hometown—and where you live now—found its way into your work?
VARSHA: I'm originally from a small city in western India called Vadodara or Baroda. Historically, Baroda occupied a very special, very curious place during the British colonial rule. Needless to say, I have been obsessed with the city and its history. The university, one of the oldest in the modern history of the country, had an internationally acclaimed art college. Almost every notable artist in India will be connected to the college in some way. My debut novel begins there. It was such a pleasure to write about the sights, sounds, and smells that make up my city.
JEN: I love that. Are you more of a night owl or an early bird? When do your best words usually arrive?
VARSHA: I’m a confirmed night owl, much to the detriment of my health. My brain wakes up around 2 pm. However, since I have become a parent with shared responsibilities, I try to get my writing done in the morning. Or at least before school ends.
JEN: Outside of writing, what brings you joy?
VARSHA: I love baking. These days, I've been binge-watching series between projects. I love board games and reading out of my genre.
JEN: What themes do you find yourself returning to again and again—and why?
VARSHA: I am quite adventurous when it comes to themes. My Varsha Chitnis books combine sweet and spice with social commentary. But that's the reason I began writing the Varsha C. books which put heat front and center. I hope to continue doing both and not confine myself to a single sub-genre. But even in the high spice books, you will always find some social commentary on the inequalities of our times. For me, pointing out the ways in which my own communities participate in further social inequality is an integral part of writing. My romance writing is my political activism.
JEN: Paint us a picture: what does a “typical” creative day look like for you?
VARSHA: I'm a chaos goblin, to use my friend's words. My ADHD combined with the fact that I am very new to publishing (I've been writing for a long time, but the marketing thing is new to me), every day looks different. And instead of being hard on myself for not having or sticking to a schedule, I take each day as it comes. That is easier for my soul. All I make sure is I do something productive book-related each day.
JEN: Does the act of creating mostly energize you—or does it sometimes leave you drained?
VARSHA: This is such a great question. I think creating energizes me but the expectations of success is what leads to exhaustion. If that is taken out of the equation, I'd mostly be very happy. Except on those days where the characters don't behave and take the story for a spin :)
JEN: Where do your story ideas tend to come from? What sparks your imagination most?
VARSHA: It will sound like a cliche but actually everyday life, people, habit, occurrences are what go into my writing. I'm also influenced by other well-written, thoughtful books. But the broader ideas are drawn from situations and people around me.
JEN: You’ve got such a rich academic and teaching background. How do those experiences weave into your writing life?
VARSHA: Absolutely! I used to be a university teacher and my training in both political science and women's, gender, and sexuality studies definitely shows up (in a rather big way) in my writing. I wouldn't have it any other way.
JEN: Beyond awards and nominations, what’s the compliment that has meant the most to you as a writer?
VARSHA: The biggest compliment is when my editor, who's a multi-book author, says my books are a treat. On my latest book, the ARC reviews said that the social commentary does nothing to detract from the romance in the book and that is high praise in my opinion.
JEN: Imagine you’re giving advice to an aspiring author—or to your younger self just starting out. What wisdom would you share?
VARSHA: I'm too new to offer advice but I wish I had started writing sooner. That's what I would tell my younger self. Start writing sooner. Some other things I've learned along the way: Listen to the advice of those you are more experienced than you. Don't underestimate the value of a cohort of your peers. Take criticism with grace and with a view to learn from your mistakes.
JEN: Creative careers don’t happen in a vacuum. How has your family supported and shaped your journey as a writer?
VARSHA: I wouldn't be here without their support for sure. Growing up, my parents let me read to my heart's content and that's what has brought me here. My partner not only takes care of most of the household chores and the parenting of our kid, but he is adamant about pouring more resources so that my work gets the visibility and recognition it deserves, his words. Without his true partnership, I wouldn't be creating the marvelous MMCs that I do :)
JEN: What can readers look forward to next from you? Any new releases or works in progress you can share a sneak peek about?
VARSHA: I had two releases this year (Un/bound in April and The Ex Factor in June). I have one WIP but multiple stories battling for attention. One sure release would be next year. This interracial romance will be the fourth in the Dallas Connection Series.
JEN: Before we wrap up—was there a question I didn’t ask that you wish I had?
VARSHA: I think you covered everything. I loved the questions. They made me stop and think and I loved that. Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
My hearts, please take the time to find and follow Varsha on social media IG/TT/Threads: @author.varshachitnis and check out her website. Also, check out this poem I wrote, inspired by her! Voting for the 2025 Indieverse Awards begins in November, so now is the time to read The Rules of Playing with Fire. Let us both know what you think when you do!
Are you a human author? A human who narrates audiobooks? A human who designs book covers? Or a human who does PR and promotion for other authors? I'd love to interview you, too. Let me know when you’re ready!
