Picture a storyteller who spun tales of parallel worlds and ancient kingdoms, all from a life lived across continents—meet Aditi Khorana! Born in New Delhi and raised in India, Denmark, and New England, this American-Indian author weaves young adult science fiction and fantasy with heart, tackling themes of identity, belonging, and fate. Her novels, like Mirror in the Sky and The Library of Fates, captivate readers with lush prose and relatable characters, making her a standout voice in YA literature.
With a background in journalism and Hollywood marketing, Khorana’s path to authorship was anything but ordinary. Her stories, inspired by her global upbringing and love for myth and science, invite readers to ponder life’s big questions while getting lost in thrilling narratives. Let’s dive into her world!
The Making of Aditi Khorana
Born in New Delhi, Aditi Khorana moved to the U.S. at age three, her childhood shaped by her father’s work with UNICEF and her mother’s career as an urban planner. Living in Copenhagen, Paris, and Geneva before settling in Connecticut, she faced the challenges of being the only 'brown girl' in a mostly white high school, experiences that later fueled her writing. Armed with a BA in International Relations from Brown University and an MA in Global Media and Communications from the Annenberg School, Khorana began as a journalist at CNN, PBS, and ABC News. She later consulted for Hollywood giants like Fox, Paramount, and Sony, but her heart was set on storytelling.
After a rejected manuscript and a leap of faith in 2012, Khorana left her 9-to-5 to write full-time. Inspired by Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Cosmos and Cheryl Strayed’s reflections on parallel lives, she penned her debut novel in just three months, launching her literary career with a bang.
Aditi Khorana’s Unforgettable Stories
Khorana’s debut, Mirror in the Sky (2016), is a thought-provoking YA sci-fi novel about Tara Krishnan, an Indian-American teen navigating a prep school and a world rocked by the discovery of a mirror planet, Terra Nova. Blending speculative fiction with themes of race, class, and identity, it’s a poignant coming-of-age tale that Paste Magazine called 'one of the most powerful reads of the year.' Its lyrical prose and philosophical depth make it a standout.
Her second novel, The Library of Fates (2017), dives into fantasy, drawing on Indian folklore. It follows Princess Amrita, who sacrifices everything to save her kingdom from a ruthless emperor, only to embark on a quest to the fabled Library of All Things. Praised for its lush world-building and feminist lens, it’s a romantic, thrilling adventure that lingers in readers’ dreams, as Roshani Chokshi noted. Khorana’s style shines through her vivid settings and flawed, fierce heroines who challenge oppressive systems.
She also contributed to Liferaft (2019), a lesser-known work in the Horizon series, showcasing her versatility. Khorana’s narratives blend myth, science, and raw emotion, inviting readers to explore what it means to belong and start anew when all is lost.
Why Aditi Khorana Matters
Aditi Khorana’s work resonates deeply with young readers, especially people of color, who see themselves in her diverse protagonists. Her stories validate the experiences of those who feel like outsiders, offering heroes who look like them—a rarity in YA when she was growing up. Through her TEDx talk, 'Harnessing the Power of the Unknown,' and her teaching at Antioch University’s MFA program, she inspires writers to embrace creativity and rewrite myths for a more inclusive world.
Her global perspective and intersectional feminist lens have earned her features in NPR, Buzzfeed, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. By blending speculative fiction with real-world issues, Khorana not only entertains but also sparks meaningful conversations about identity and resilience, cementing her legacy in YA literature.
- Born: New Delhi, India
- Key Works: Mirror in the Sky, The Library of Fates, Liferaft
- Education: BA, Brown University; MA, Annenberg School
- Notable: TEDx speaker, Antioch University MFA faculty
Snag Mirror in the Sky or The Library of Fates and dive into Aditi Khorana’s spellbinding blend of sci-fi and fantasy—you won’t be able to put them down!