Swati Avasthi
Hello
Ann Marsden
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Frequently Asked Question
Q: So, uh, how do you say your name?
A: Click on my name (above) for a guide and, as a bonus, see it in its native language: Hindi.
Bio
Swati Avasthi has been writing fiction since she read Little House in the Big Woods at age five. Emily Bronte, Harper Lee, and many others furthered her addiction. She institutionalized her habit at the University of Chicago, where she received her B.A., and at the University of Minnesota, where she is currently studying for her M.F.A. She has received a Loft's Mentor Series Award, a Marcella DeBourg Fellowship, University of Minnesota's GRPP, the Thomas H. Shevlin Fellowship, and her fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Her work has or will appear in numerous publications, including The Portland Review, Water~Stone Review, and Special Gifts (Wyatt-Mackenzie, 2007). Her first novel, Split (Knopf), was published in March 2010, and her second novel, title still pending (also Knopf), is scheduled for 2012. She lives with her riotously funny family - two large dogs, two small kids, and one (but worth two) husband(s) - in the Twin Cities.
Rosemary Stimola Knopf Loft Literary Center University of Minnesota Creative Writing Department
Swati Avasthi
Swati in black and white
Ann Marsden
Links
Swati Avasthi
Hello
Fun Stuff
Fun Fact. Something weird, but true.

My favorite writing mode is on my laptop in Starbucks listening to a particular play list. Each book gets a different list that is designed to do three things: keep my fingers on the keyboard; evoke my own emotions that underlie the basis of the book; and capture the voice of the character.

When I wrote the Split Starbucks scene (and yes, I did that while I was at Starbucks), I listened to 8 mile road for approximately 3 hours while I wrote it. And again, each of the times I edited it. Which was -- no kidding -- more than a dozen. The record: 8 hours straight.

p.s. the strangest thing about the playlists is that I don't make them. My husband does. Amongst his other special powers, John has an uncanny knack for understanding what I am trying to do with a book and he has an eclectic taste in music.

What Peter Gabriel was for Split, Charlotte Martin is becoming for BIDDEN.

Nomenclature
Naming characters is a long process for me. Often characters will just show up and I'll have to give them a name so I'll throw in a placeholder and then alter it. So, I rename my characters. A lot. I make a
specific point of trying to never use the same letter to start people's names, just for clarity. So often the tricky part goes something like this: I can't name Mirriam Lianne, unless I rename Lauren because I can't have two girlfriends whose names begin with L. I can't spell Lauren Lauryn because it looks too much like Caitlyn, etc.

Who they were
Jace: Bryan (for about 5 minutes)
Christian Marshall: Christian Law (When I googled, I realized my mistake)
Mirriam: Lianne, Audrey, Kira, and something else I forgot
Lauren Silver: Pamela and just about every last name you can think of.
Dakota: Madison, Marty
Felix: Jace's best friend in ABQ who was axed in draft 6. Very sad to see her go.
Eric: Max, Lowell, and then back to Eric.
Split: Gravediggers
Swati Avasthi
School Visits
As a teacher, I know that bringing in a visitor can offer a change of pace and generate energy. In a traditional author's visit, I'll discuss Split, the writing/publishing process, and a Q and A. Or, I offer creative writing classes, varying in length from a few hours to a semester.
Manuscript Consultation
For writers, it can be difficult to see whether our work is - well, working. Sometimes we need another set of eyes on the words, another set of ears to tune the voice. For $3/page, I provide in-manuscript comments, a letter of review, and a 60-minute consultation.
Teaching Philosophy
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Swati Avasthi
Leopardess
Lindsay Hinckley
Current Projects
Status: I'm writing the first draft of BIDDEN.

With Split just out the door, I'm on to something new. But just what I'm on to is a bit of a mystery. Here is the most likely possibility. BIDDEN is not yet finished, much less approved by my patient editor, so everything - from the title to the characters to the existence of this book - is pending.

BIDDEN
Holly, her twin, Corey, and Savitri are best friends, joined by their love of comic books and free running (see video example on this page). A drive-by shooting leaves Savitri and Holly to mourn and rebuild. Only Holly can't seem to start over PC (post-Corey), falling inside herself and inside a reality that Savitri can't enter. Told in alternating points of view, BIDDEN is about how far we'll stretch to keep those we love with us.

Swati Avasthi
Upcoming
November 9th 2010
Club Book at the Roseville Library, Minnesota.
November 20th 2010
Teaching How to Write a Query Letter at The Loft Literary Center.
December 4th 2010
Second Story Reading Series at the Loft Literary Center.
Spring Semester, 2011
Teaching Introduction to Writing Children's Literature, Anoka-Ramsey Community College.
Spring Semester, 2011
Teaching Elements of Fiction, Hamline University.
February 4th, 2011
AWP panel presentation.
February 12th, 2011
Second Story Reading Series at the Loft Literary Center.
Swati Avasthi
Voice and the Young Adult Novel
Voice is the touchstone for young adult novels. It defines the world of the book, the protagonist, and guides us through the journey. This 8-week class explores plot, character, scene and summary, and dialogue, always returning to voice as our guide through the process and as the reader's guide through the novel. We will brush up on the basics, but also push beyond them to discuss omissions and clarity versus complexity for the teen audience. We will grapple with the perennial question: what is YA?
Discovering Your Character
We all know that characters are the foundation for fiction: whether our readers invest in them, know them, breathe with them is the distinguishing factor of good fiction. What does it take to create a compelling, real character? In this workshop, we will use a plethora of exercises designed to explore your character's history and motivations. Then, we will put them in action. Please come with a character in mind and plan to leave with a host of exercises that you can use time and again.
Show Me the Story
Of course you've heard the cliche: "show don't tell," but what does this mean? And why is it crucial to good writing? How do you show your character's melancholy, fury, or passion, and how do you get the reader to feel those emotions along with your character? In this workshop we will define showing; find effective ways to show; and work with description, dialogue, and narrative. We will do writing exercises to help you get specific and show, show, show.
Pacing and Structure
Are you trying to see your piece as a whole, instead of in fragments? Looking for the forest through the trees? This workshop is designed for intermediate or advanced writers who want to organize their piece whether a short story or novel. We will learn how to storyboard or outline the story and use "the universal human question" theory to refine our work. We will also consider how to control pacing both with an individual scene and within the whole work such that the story flows.
Writing a Query Letter
Time to take your book to market? Writing a strong query letter is a skill in and of itself. We will begin by reviewing samples of successful queries, write our own, and then discuss how to use it. Agents or editors? How can you tell if they are a good fit for you and your work? We'll discuss what resources you can tap for your research and what to do when you get that first bite of interest.
Help
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Swati Avasthi
Split
Curriculum Vitae




EDUCATION
M.F.A 2010, University of Minnesota/Twin Cities
Thesis: BIDDEN, a novel (Knopf, 2012)
A.B. 1993, University of Chicago
General Studies in Humanities (Cum Laude, Dean's List 1990, 1992, 1993)
Thesis: "Good Morning - Midnight", a play in 2 acts
PUBLICATIONS
BIDDEN, a novel (Random House/Knopf, slated for publication in 2012)
Split, a novel (Random House/Knopf, March 2010)
"SWALLOW" Water~Stone Review, Vol. 11, 2008
"SKIN" The Portland Review, Winter, Vol. 2007
"STEALTH" Special Gifts, edited by Arlene Shusteff (Wyatt-Mackenzie, May, 2007)
"STAIN" Writer's Post Journal, October 2006
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
New Voices 2010 pick by Association of Booksellers for Children
Parents' Choice 2010 Silver Award Winner
Cybils Young Adult Fiction 2010 Winner
Minnesota Book Awards Finalist (pending)
ALA 2010 Best Fiction for Young Adults List
Goodreads 2010 Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Fiction
Recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Board 2010 Artist Initiative Grant
Recipient of University of Minnesota's Thomas H. Shevlin Fellowship, 2009-2010
"Swallow" nominated for a Pushcart Prize, 2010
"Swallow" nominated for inclusion in 2009's Best American New Voices
Recipient of the Marcella DeBourg Foundation Fellowship, 2008
Recipient of University of Minnesota's Graduate Research Partnership Program Fellowship, 2008
Finalist for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Work-in-Progress Grant, 2008
Recipient of The Loft's Mentor Series Award, 2006 - 2007
TEACHING
Adjunct Faculty, Hamline University, 2011-2012
Elements of Fiction, Spring 2011, Spring 2012
Guest Faculty in MFA Writing for Children, Low-Residency Program, July 2012
Adjunct Faculty, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, 2010-present
Introduction to Writing Young Adult Literature, Independent Study, Fall 2011
Introduction to Writing Children's and Young Adult Literature, Spring 2010
Creative Writing Instructor, The Loft Literary Center and Crossings, 2007 - present
Dialogue and Subtext, workshop, 2010
Voice and the Young Adult Novel, 6-8 week course, 2009-2010
Pacing and Structure, workshop, 2007-2010
Discovering your Character, workshop, 2007-2010
Graduate Instructor, The University of Minnesota, 2007- 2009
Introduction to Fiction, Instructor
American Survey I, Teaching Assistant
Contemporary American Literature, Teaching Assistant
Introduction to Creative Writing, Primary Instructor
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
Co-Curator, The Loft's Reading Series for Children's Literature, 2009 - present
Panelist, AWP Conference "Pushing the Boundaries in Young Adult Fiction", February 2011
Panelist, KidLitCon, "Blog Tours & More", October 2010
Presenter, "Dialogue and Subtext," Writing the Novel Festival, Loft Literary Center, November 2010
Guest Lecturer, "Responsible Representations of Violence," Metro State University, November 2010
Keynote Speaker, "Imagination" As Written By Teens Annual Bookfair, April 2010
Panelist, AWP Conference "Elements of Voice in Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction", April 2010
Panelist, AWP Conference "Grants, Proposals, and Queries: How to Write about Your Writing", April 2010
Guest Lecturer, "Shine, Coconut Moon is not my Story: Debunking the Representative Voice" Asian American Through Arts and Culture, University of Minnesota, November 2009
Lecturer, "Once Upon a Story." First Pages Program, Hennepin County Library, at Ridgedale, St. Louis Park, and Augsburg Libraries, 2009
Guest Lecturer, MFA Course, Writing for Young Adults, Minnesota State University, 2009
Guest Lecturer, "'Sexy:' Shaping Representations of Indian-Americans in the United States." Contemporary American Literature, University of Minnesota, 2008
Swati Avasthi
Split






Summary
16-year-old Jace Witherspoon arrives at the doorstep of his estranged brother Christian with a re-landscaped face (courtesy of his father's fist), $3.84, and a secret. It is about what happens after. After you've said enough, after you've run, after you've made the split - how do you begin to live again?

"The first great fear faced by every teenage boy is that he will not measure up to his father. The second is that he will. In her debut novel, Swati Avasthi boldly tackles the second of these, and succeeds admirably. Split is powerful, heart-rending, and stunningly real."
~ Pete Hautman, author of Godless, National Book Award Winner

"a great novel...full of compelling characters and a knock-your-socks-off plot... A wonderful read, start to finish."
~ Julie Schumacher, Minnesota Book Award Winner and author of Black Box
The story behind Split (with a spoiler)
About 10 years before I wrote Split, I coordinated a domestic violence legal clinic in Chicago. In the three years I worked there, I saw thousands of abuse victims. Women, men, and their children sought civil orders of protection at the clinic, and I listened their stories.

Once, as a woman relayed a particularly brutal incident while her two children - a boy and a girl - sat beside her, I asked if she'd like an intern to look after the children. She said, no, they had seen it anyway. That same week, I read a statistic: 80% of abusers witnessed abuse as a child. And that little boy began to haunt me. He was losing a tooth when I knew him. He proudly wiggled it with his tongue. When his mother returned to extend her order of protection, I wondered whether, someday, his girlfriend would be sitting across from me, telling me her story. Years later, I found an outlet for these ponderings: Jace.

When I was working on my (unfinished) master's in criminal justice, I wanted to discern what makes one child who has witnessed abuse repeat the cycle and another one break it? Hello, Christian. While I don't think I've fully answered that question, I do feel as though writing Split gave me some inklings as to what a child needs to break the cycle: a support system, a level of identification with the victim (not the abuser), and a sense of personal responsibility. In Split, Jace struggles for all three.
Audio Book Animation
Split Trailer
Audio Excerpt

Print Excerpt
Good stuff
Reviews
"Avasthi has a great ear for naturalistic dialogue... Jace's own history of violence makes him a complex and tortured protagonist, and his process of letting go is heart wrenching. A nuanced and mournful work; Avasthi is a writer to watch."
~ Booklist

Booklist ~ Publisher's Weekly (spoiler) ~ Kirkus Reviews (spoiler) ~ School Library Journal (spoiler) ~ New York Public Library Blog ~ Ritchie's Picks ~ Teenreads.com ~ The Merope ~ A Good Addiction ~ King Rat ~ Page Turners ~ YA Addict
Swati Avasthi
Leopardess
Lindsay Hinckley
Leopardess
Lindsay Hinckley
Current Project
BIDDEN - my best guess
Current status: Revising manuscript. Pub date = Summer, 2012.

College-bound Holly, Corey, and Savitri, are going to make this last summer together count, indulging in free-running and comic-book reading. But a random act of violence changes everything. Now, Corey is dead. Savitri, who was heading for a major in peace studies, is seeking revenge. And, Holly is so distraught that no one - not even Savitri - knows how to reach her. Written in dual points of view and a graphic component, BIDDEN will address how far we can stretch for our friends.

The best thing about writing the first draft is the exploration, when I don't know yet what will happen and everything is new. Characters and plot lines show up and play around and sometimes they take a graceful bow and exit. Other times, I need a cane to pull them off the page kicking and screaming.

I don't know whether Savitri will succeed yet or be taken down in the trying. I don't know if Holly will recover. Lots I don't know. Yet.
But I do know that this novel will be somewhat of a hybrid, mainly prose with a graphic novel component to it that reflects Holly's state of mind, as words leave her and only pictures remain.

A note about the art: Lindsay Hinckley has generously provided some sketches for me as I try to imagine the whole of this book. Just as the text itself is in flux, so is the art, in terms of concept, the artist herself, and of course, look and feel.
Swati Avasthi
Images
Swati
Swati Split
Split
General Info
Quick Fact .pdf on debut novel Split and author Swati Avasthi.
Press Release
Split press release from Random House
Press Contact
Dominique Cimina at Random House
Sample Interviews
Excerpts
Split print excerpt
Audio Excerpt
Swati Avasthi
Wheeeee
Swati Avasthi
Swati Avasthi
Hello
Ann Marsden
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Latest news: Split won the Cybils YA Fiction category!
Split
Split
BIDDEN