Background
Chitra Soundar, originally from India and now based in the UK, describes herself as a lifelong storyteller and writer. Growing up in a joint family in India, she was deeply influenced by a rich tradition of storytelling, with her grandmother, great-aunt, and others sharing tales that left a lasting impression on her. From a young age, she immersed herself in reading and writing, often using these as a means of escape and expression. Her mother, a playwright involved in community theatre, also fostered Chitra’s creative growth by involving her in drama clubs and performances.
Chitra’s passion for writing extended into her professional life, where she used technical writing – creating documents, user guides, and plans – as a way to bring structure and control to her work. Beyond her professional endeavours, she has always seen writing as a way to clear her mind, even keeping diaries during her youth. For Chitra, writing remains both an essential creative outlet and a practical tool for navigating life.
Getting started in children’s writing
Chitra’s journey into publishing, spanning over 50 books in 21 years, began with a deep-rooted love for writing, though she initially lacked formal guidance in the craft. Growing up in India, creative writing courses were scarce, so she wrote poetry, essays, and personal pieces for herself. After moving to Singapore, a five-day work week gave her the time to focus on writing, and she began exploring various formats, including short stories, nonfiction articles, and pieces for local newspapers.
Reflecting on her childhood love for storytelling and folk tales, Chitra decided to specialize in this area. Her first book—a retelling of folk tales—was published by a Singaporean publisher ASIAPAC BOOKS, allowing her to draw from her cultural knowledge. Encouraged by this success, she wrote more retellings, nonfiction pieces, and contributions to children’s magazines, both locally and internationally. Each publication bolstered her confidence and determination to continue.
In 2006, she moved to the UK, where she joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Through the organization, she connected with her first editor at Walker Books, leading to her first UK publication. However, progress wasn’t always steady; there were long gaps between publications, and building a reputation took time and persistence. Over the years, her perseverance paid off, with one success leading to another.
Despite her achievements, Chitra remains driven, filled with more story ideas than she could ever write in a lifetime, ensuring her passion for storytelling will continue to shape her work.
Working with Agents and Publishers
Chitra’s approach to working with agents and publishers varies depending on the type of project and whether it is the first book in a series or part of an ongoing collaboration. For picture books, she typically writes a complete draft, revises it to a strong state, and then shares it with her agent for feedback. After further revisions, the agent submits the manuscript to publishers, often prioritizing those she has previously worked with, though broader submissions may be made depending on the topic.
For chapter books, Chitra usually begins with a proposal that includes the first ten pages and a detailed plan for the series. If the concept proves challenging, she may write the full first book before submission. Publishers often request a springboard for future books in a series—outlines or summaries for books two, three, and four—when considering commissioning multiple titles.
For subsequent books in a series, Chitra collaborates with her publishers to develop detailed outlines, including chapter breakdowns, to ensure pacing, plot, and thematic consistency. This structured approach allows her creativity to flourish within the framework of the agreed-upon story.
When exploring new formats, such as middle-grade fiction, Chitra adopts a different process. She writes the entire manuscript first, ensuring she can handle the complexity and scope of the longer narrative. After multiple edits and feedback from trusted peers or experts in the genre, she submits the manuscript, along with a polished synopsis and sample chapters, to her agent.
Her process is a blend of structure and creativity, adapting to the needs of the project and ensuring a collaborative effort with agents and publishers at every stage.
Career highlights
Chitra considers her career as a series of incremental achievements rather than having a single “big break.” One key milestone was the publication of Patron’s Pumpkin, a picture book retelling that established her as a picture book author in the UK, despite having previously published several picture books internationally. Similarly, her Diwali-themed book Shubh Diwali gained significant recognition in the US.
In India, she is often recognized as the author of the Farmer Falgu series, showcasing how different audiences connect with her work for various reasons. Chitra emphasizes that her success stems from consistent effort and dedication across multiple domains of writing, including trade books, educational materials, TV scripts, and audio content.
Rather than viewing herself as a breakout or celebrity author, Chitra identifies as a “working writer,” achieving her long-held dream of sustaining a livelihood through writing. While she values the recognition her books bring, fame is not her focus, and public recognition remains rare. For her, the ability to write for diverse audiences and formats is the true highlight of her career, with any additional accolades serving as welcome bonuses.
Cultural influences
Chitra’s cultural influences are deeply rooted in her upbringing in India, which continues to shape her identity and creative work. Although she now lives in the UK, she maintains a strong connection to her heritage by spending several months each year in India. Her experiences growing up, the people she interacted with, the stories she heard, and the cultural traditions she engaged with all inform her perspective and values.
Initially, Chitra questioned whether she had the right to write about her culture, feeling conflicted about using it as a basis for her work. Over time, she came to realize that writing authentically—from her own experiences and understanding—is the truest way to tell stories. Her perspective is unavoidably shaped by her background, including the food, music, and values of her upbringing.
She draws inspiration from India’s rich storytelling traditions, particularly the epic tales found in mythology. While she identifies as more spiritual than religious, she appreciates festivals like Diwali for their wealth of stories and their historical and cultural significance. For Chitra, these stories offer insight into the people and mindsets of their times, which she approaches with a sense of anthropological curiosity. This deep connection to her roots is both a source of creativity and a defining element of her work.
Perception of her works by non-Indians
Chitra observes that her work is often appreciated by parents, teachers, and librarians for its authenticity and rootedness in lived experience. These readers value the cultural depth of her stories, which often incorporate elements like food, lyrical verses, and humour. Her ability to weave authentic cultural details into her storytelling resonates strongly across diverse audiences.
Chitra believes her stories provide an opportunity for children in the UK, regardless of their background, to learn about other cultures, much as she herself learned about Western cultures through books. She sees such exposure as vital for fostering global citizenship in children.
Interestingly, Chitra notes that children approach her books with curiosity and enthusiasm, focusing on the characters, humour, and stories rather than categorizing them by cultural background. For instance, young readers connect with elements like the funny elephant in the Sona Sharma books or Sona’s independent spirit. Children simply look for relatable or intriguing stories, rather than seeing them as “Indian” or “non-Indian.”
Chitra feels that adults are more likely to frame books by their cultural lens, but children view them as a source of enjoyment and learning, making her work a bridge for understanding and celebrating diversity.
Affiliations
Chitra has actively engaged with professional organizations throughout her career, leveraging them to grow as a writer and contribute to the industry. Her involvement with the Writers’ Guild and previously the Society of Authors has included volunteering on committees and subcommittees, reflecting her commitment to supporting and shaping the writing community.
She credits the Children’s Media Conference (CMC) as pivotal in helping her transition into TV writing, providing valuable industry insights and opportunities. Beyond her professional memberships, Chitra has taken the initiative to create platforms like Colorful Connections for Kids Media and SAILFest, the UK’s first South Asian Illustration and Literature Festival, which she co-founded with two friends. These projects aim to elevate diverse voices and foster inclusion in the creative industry.
Chitra emphasizes the importance of understanding the business side of writing and staying informed about industry developments. She subscribes to publications like The Bookseller, Broadcast Magazine, and Kidscreen, which she reads daily to keep up with trends, news, and conversations in the publishing and media sectors. This approach not only aids her professional growth but also enables her, as a writer of colour, to guide and support others navigating the industry. Her dedication to understanding and excelling in the ecosystem highlights her strategic and proactive mindset.
Services and Business
Chitra generates income through a diverse range of writing-related services, reflecting her multifaceted career. Her offerings include:
- Trade Publishing: Writing and pitching books through her agent to traditional publishers. This is a core part of her work, where she develops and publishes stories for the general book market.
- Educational Publishing: Writing books and materials for educational publishers, either through direct outreach or via her agent. Chitra has built relationships with publishers by showcasing her work online and through industry connections, leading to commissions for educational projects.
- TV Writing: In addition to developing her own TV projects, she writes for other shows, leveraging the representation of her TV agent to secure opportunities. She also offers her expertise in developing intellectual properties (IPs), including creating pitch documents and concepts for production companies or other collaborators.
- Work-for-Hire Projects: Chitra develops content for others, drawing on her skills in conceptualizing and pitching original ideas.
- School Visits and Workshops: A significant portion of her income comes from engaging with children in schools. She conducts storytelling sessions, workshops, and interactive activities, which she deeply enjoys, as it allows her to connect directly with young audiences.
Her varied income streams underscore her adaptability and commitment to both creative and business aspects of her writing career.
Current and future projects
Chitra is currently engaged in several exciting projects, both in publishing and television:
- Ballet Book Series: She is collaborating with Yasmin Naghdi, a principal ballerina from the Royal Ballet, on a ballet-themed book series. They are currently working on the fourth book, with the third book set to release in March 2025.
- Television Project – Nikhil & Jay: Chitra is heavily involved in the upcoming CBeebies show Nikhil and Jay as an executive producer and writer. She contributed to 16.5 out of the 52 episodes, co-writing one with the head writer. The show aired on CBeebies in October 2024 and new episodes are coming in January 2025 too, with ongoing work related to its production and potential promotion.
- Middle Grade Book: She is developing a middle-grade novel, showcasing her expanding repertoire in children’s literature.
- New Book Proposals: Chitra is working on several picture book proposals, preparing to share them with her agent for future publication opportunities.
- Television Pitching: She is actively pitching her own concepts for new TV shows, aiming to expand her presence in the medium.
These projects reflect her versatility as a storyteller and her ability to balance writing for diverse audiences and media.
Colourful connections
Chitra founded Colourful Connections, a UK-based collective for people of colour working in children’s TV, film, and games. The group focuses on creating a network to support and advocate for UK-based PoC in the kids media industry. Its goals include fostering collaboration, building visibility, and driving advocacy efforts at key industry events such as the Children’s Media Conference (CMC).
To become a member, individuals can visit the website C3MUK.com and register via the provided Google form. They can also request to join the Colourful Connections LinkedIn group for further networking and updates.
Although currently operated on a small scale with Chitra leading most efforts, others like Suraya Raja and Nandita Jain provide occasional support, such as maintaining resources on the website or assisting during events. The group has hosted valuable discussions, including the Reality Chat by Faraz Osman (GoldWala) in June, and plans to hold more events, such as a session on production coordination in November, with hopes for additional activities in the future.
Work-life balance
Chitra describes her work-life balance as challenging, as she admits to being a workaholic. However, she makes time for walks, cooking, reading, and spending time with family, especially her sister. Most days, she enjoys evening walks and unwinding with TV shows, including both work-related preschool content and her love for crime and procedural dramas.
Contacting Chitra
To connect with Chitra, people can visit her website at www.chitrasoundar.com, or follow her on Instagram (@ChitraSoundar), and LinkedIn. A quick Google search of her name will also lead to her online presence.
Tips for others
Chitra shares three key tips for aspiring writers:
- Read extensively: She encourages reading a lot of the genre you wish to write in—whether it’s educational books, picture books, or scripts—to understand the craft better.
- Write consistently: She advises setting aside time every day, even if it’s just 15 minutes, to write. Start small with achievable goals, like focusing on a single character or writing an outline, to build momentum.
- Join a workshop group: Find a community of writers to share and critique your work. Chitra has been part of two workshop groups where she exchanges new or revised pieces regularly. She believes the distance and feedback from others are crucial in identifying issues with your work that might not be obvious to you.
Overall, Chitra emphasizes the importance of writing consistently and continuously learning the craft, whether by writing short stories or working on longer projects.
Useful links
- You can join Chitra’s weekly writing group – Write30 – that brings together writers from around the world, in a virtual meeting, to write to a prompt for 30 minutes. Click here for registering. https://forms.gle/DG1d2MGNy7AC1Xid9
- Writing advice available on Chitra’s substack – https://chitrasoundar.substack.com/
- Chitra also manages The Colourful Bookshelf – a curation of books by British Writers and Illustrators of colour. Resources are here https://colourfulbookshelf.wixsite.com/welcome/about
- Chitra’s books are stocked here –https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/thecolourfulbookshelf
