Picture a storyteller who weaves tales of tech, culture, and the South Asian diaspora with a sharp, visionary pen—meet Vauhini Vara! A former Wall Street Journal tech reporter turned acclaimed novelist, Vara crafts stories that challenge our understanding of power, identity, and the American dream. Her debut novel, The Immortal King Rao, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, blends speculative fiction with heartfelt family sagas, making her a unique voice in contemporary literature.
Born to Indian immigrants in Canada, Vara’s journey from journalist to fiction writer is as dynamic as her narratives. With a keen eye for technology’s impact on society, she invites readers to explore the intersections of capitalism, caste, and human connection through her unforgettable works.
The Making of Vauhini Vara
Vauhini Vara was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, to Indian immigrants, growing up in Canada’s prairies and later in Oklahoma and Seattle. Her father, a Dalit from a coconut farming family in Andhra Pradesh, inspired the roots of her storytelling. After graduating from Stanford University in 2004, Vara dove into journalism, covering Silicon Valley’s tech boom for The Wall Street Journal. Her experiences interviewing CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg shaped her fascination with technology’s societal ripple effects.
In 2008, Vara took a bold leap, pausing her journalism career to pursue an MFA at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. There, she honed her fiction craft, blending her tech insights with her cultural heritage. This pivot set the stage for her to become a novelist who tackles big ideas with intimate, human stories.
Vauhini Vara’s Unforgettable Stories
Vara’s debut novel, The Immortal King Rao (2022), is a tour de force. This speculative saga follows King Rao, a Dalit boy from a 1950s Indian coconut plantation who becomes a tech mogul leading a corporate-run world. Narrated by his daughter Athena, the novel explores caste, capitalism, and climate change, earning praise as a “monumental achievement” by The New York Times. It was a finalist for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize and won awards like the Atta Galatta-Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize.
Her 2023 short story collection, This Is Salvaged, shifts to intimate, contemporary tales of women and girls grappling with grief and connection. Featuring the O. Henry Award-winning story “I, Buffalo,” the collection showcases Vara’s ability to balance humor and heart. Her latest work, Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age (2025), merges memoir and journalism, reflecting on digital technology’s reshaping of identity, with essays born from her viral AI-assisted piece “Ghosts.”
Vara’s style is a vibrant mix of speculative and literary fiction, infused with her South Asian heritage and tech expertise. Her narratives oscillate between dystopian futures and grounded human experiences, inviting readers to question technology’s role in our lives while celebrating resilience and connection.
Why Vauhini Vara Matters
Vauhini Vara’s work resonates because it bridges worlds—South Asian and American, tech and humanity, past and future. Her stories amplify marginalized voices, particularly Dalit experiences, challenging stereotypes and enriching the literary landscape. As a mentor at the Lighthouse Writers Workshop and Periplus, she uplifts emerging writers of color, fostering inclusive storytelling.
Her explorations of technological capitalism and identity speak to our digital age, making her a vital voice for readers navigating a rapidly changing world. Vara’s ability to blend sharp critique with compassion ensures her stories linger, sparking conversations about power, privilege, and what it means to be human.
- Born: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Key Works: The Immortal King Rao, This Is Salvaged, Searches
- Awards: 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist, O. Henry Award, Atta Galatta-Bangalore Literature Festival Book Prize
Ready to dive into a world where tech meets heart? Snag The Immortal King Rao and discover Vauhini Vara’s bold, thought-provoking storytelling!