An Interview with Sehaj Kasture
Sehaj Kasture is an Indian-born writer and creative who loves telling stories that celebrate imagination, kindness, and the little things that make each of us unique. Inspired by her own birthmark, she wrote Meera’s Magical Birthmark to help children grow up feeling proud of exactly who they are.
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
Seeing my book for the first time IRL was an emotional moment. I couldn’t believe an idea I had over two years ago was now in front of me, completely alive!
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
A younger Sehaj made me want to write. Not having characters with birthmarks in mainstream media really stood out to me. It was thanksgiving holiday in 2023, and I met a girl with a birthmark similar to mine. We had a very warm exchange and she left with a skip in her step. On the way home, I wondered if my experience growing up with a birthmark would be different had I’d met someone else with a birthmark. Some hours of research later, I decided to write Meera’s story myself!
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I have worked across non-profits, advertising, and tech sales. Something readers might not know about me is I speak three languages!
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Allowing a kid to see themself in Meera’s journey, the story, encouraging them to be their full self will always be the most rewarding piece of bringing this book to life.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I am currently writing a story where we celebrate our names! Nicknames are cute but should be whimsy-based not convenience-based.
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