Tashan Mehta
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tashanmehta.bsky.social
Tashan Mehta
@tashanmehta.bsky.social
840 followers 280 following 180 posts
Author. MAD SISTERS OF ESI (DAW Books, 2025 | HarperCollins India, 2023),THE LIAR'S WEAVE (Juggernaut, 2017)

Mostly on Instagram.

Website: https://www.tashanmehta.com/
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tashanmehta.bsky.social
Tashan Mehta @tashanmehta.bsky.social · 1d
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is one of The Washington Post’s 10 best SFF novels of 2025. In the sheer amount of what gets published each year and what gets lost, this feels like a small, precious miracle ❤️
The cover of MAD SISTERS OF ESI with "The Washington Post" written above it and "Best SFF Novel of 2025" written below it. A picture of The Washington Post article. Title reads "10 best sci-fi and fantasy novels of 2025" and the subtitle reads "From an indigenous vampire story to the tale of two sisters living in a cosmic whale, this year's books kept us guessing." The Washington Post review of MAD SISTERS OF ESI. It reads: "Two sisters live inside a cosmic whale, visiting the innumerable worlds within its body, until one of them escapes into the universe outside. There, she uncovers the whale's origin story, which lies with another pair of sisters who lived on a shape-shifting island where everyone goes mad once a century. A poetic, metaphysical epic, "Mad Sisters" feels like it's in conversation with other recent books about people in surreal, liminal spaces questioning what everything means - and it's my absolute favorite book of the year. (Book World review.)"
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
indrapramitdas.bsky.social
ICYMI, I get royalties for this, if you want to help out a freelancing writer in the heat death of online promo.
indrapramitdas.bsky.social Indrapramit Das @indrapramitdas.bsky.social · Aug 3
My Lambda Award-winning debut novel THE DEVOURERS, a dark, queer, mythic realist tale about sex, love, violence, & shapeshifting, has finally surpassed 20k sales. Those may be rookie numbers to many authors, but for me, it's a big deal, even if not big money. Sincerest gratitude to my readers 🖤
The Devourers by Indra Das: 9781101967539 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
For readers of Margaret Atwood, China Miéville, and David Mitchell comes a striking debut novel by a storyteller of keen insight and captivating imagination. LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD WINNER •...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
myworldofbooks5.bsky.social
Awesome to see this !!! It’s such a gem of a book 💜💜💜
tashanmehta.bsky.social Tashan Mehta @tashanmehta.bsky.social · 1d
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is one of The Washington Post’s 10 best SFF novels of 2025. In the sheer amount of what gets published each year and what gets lost, this feels like a small, precious miracle ❤️
The cover of MAD SISTERS OF ESI with "The Washington Post" written above it and "Best SFF Novel of 2025" written below it. A picture of The Washington Post article. Title reads "10 best sci-fi and fantasy novels of 2025" and the subtitle reads "From an indigenous vampire story to the tale of two sisters living in a cosmic whale, this year's books kept us guessing." The Washington Post review of MAD SISTERS OF ESI. It reads: "Two sisters live inside a cosmic whale, visiting the innumerable worlds within its body, until one of them escapes into the universe outside. There, she uncovers the whale's origin story, which lies with another pair of sisters who lived on a shape-shifting island where everyone goes mad once a century. A poetic, metaphysical epic, "Mad Sisters" feels like it's in conversation with other recent books about people in surreal, liminal spaces questioning what everything means - and it's my absolute favorite book of the year. (Book World review.)"
November 25, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
emmaraeempowered.com
Loved this book! This is one of my fave reads of the year! 💖 #BookSky
This book made me feel cloaked in childlike wonder, it made me miss my sister, and it made me say "I've never read anything like this" over and over.
tashanmehta.bsky.social Tashan Mehta @tashanmehta.bsky.social · 1d
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is one of The Washington Post’s 10 best SFF novels of 2025. In the sheer amount of what gets published each year and what gets lost, this feels like a small, precious miracle ❤️
The cover of MAD SISTERS OF ESI with "The Washington Post" written above it and "Best SFF Novel of 2025" written below it. A picture of The Washington Post article. Title reads "10 best sci-fi and fantasy novels of 2025" and the subtitle reads "From an indigenous vampire story to the tale of two sisters living in a cosmic whale, this year's books kept us guessing." The Washington Post review of MAD SISTERS OF ESI. It reads: "Two sisters live inside a cosmic whale, visiting the innumerable worlds within its body, until one of them escapes into the universe outside. There, she uncovers the whale's origin story, which lies with another pair of sisters who lived on a shape-shifting island where everyone goes mad once a century. A poetic, metaphysical epic, "Mad Sisters" feels like it's in conversation with other recent books about people in surreal, liminal spaces questioning what everything means - and it's my absolute favorite book of the year. (Book World review.)"
November 25, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
premeemohamed.com
Semi-relatedly, I can vouch that I was in a room full of French publishers and booksellers and all of them were LOSING THEIR FULL MINDS over ARCs of this novel

The level of excitement and passion and delight and curiosity for it was like drinking a double espresso, it brought me back to LIFE
tashanmehta.bsky.social Tashan Mehta @tashanmehta.bsky.social · 1d
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is one of The Washington Post’s 10 best SFF novels of 2025. In the sheer amount of what gets published each year and what gets lost, this feels like a small, precious miracle ❤️
The cover of MAD SISTERS OF ESI with "The Washington Post" written above it and "Best SFF Novel of 2025" written below it. A picture of The Washington Post article. Title reads "10 best sci-fi and fantasy novels of 2025" and the subtitle reads "From an indigenous vampire story to the tale of two sisters living in a cosmic whale, this year's books kept us guessing." The Washington Post review of MAD SISTERS OF ESI. It reads: "Two sisters live inside a cosmic whale, visiting the innumerable worlds within its body, until one of them escapes into the universe outside. There, she uncovers the whale's origin story, which lies with another pair of sisters who lived on a shape-shifting island where everyone goes mad once a century. A poetic, metaphysical epic, "Mad Sisters" feels like it's in conversation with other recent books about people in surreal, liminal spaces questioning what everything means - and it's my absolute favorite book of the year. (Book World review.)"
November 25, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
dontcallmeliv.blacksky.app
Well deserved, this was my favourite read of the year!
tashanmehta.bsky.social Tashan Mehta @tashanmehta.bsky.social · 1d
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is one of The Washington Post’s 10 best SFF novels of 2025. In the sheer amount of what gets published each year and what gets lost, this feels like a small, precious miracle ❤️
The cover of MAD SISTERS OF ESI with "The Washington Post" written above it and "Best SFF Novel of 2025" written below it. A picture of The Washington Post article. Title reads "10 best sci-fi and fantasy novels of 2025" and the subtitle reads "From an indigenous vampire story to the tale of two sisters living in a cosmic whale, this year's books kept us guessing." The Washington Post review of MAD SISTERS OF ESI. It reads: "Two sisters live inside a cosmic whale, visiting the innumerable worlds within its body, until one of them escapes into the universe outside. There, she uncovers the whale's origin story, which lies with another pair of sisters who lived on a shape-shifting island where everyone goes mad once a century. A poetic, metaphysical epic, "Mad Sisters" feels like it's in conversation with other recent books about people in surreal, liminal spaces questioning what everything means - and it's my absolute favorite book of the year. (Book World review.)"
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
paladinjane.bsky.social
Mad Sisters of Esi was one of the best books I read this year! (And I've read over 300 books this year, so I really mean it when I say this was one of my favorites.) Gorgeous writing that takes you on a magical, surreal journey through time, space, and sisterly relationships.
tashanmehta.bsky.social Tashan Mehta @tashanmehta.bsky.social · 1d
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is one of The Washington Post’s 10 best SFF novels of 2025. In the sheer amount of what gets published each year and what gets lost, this feels like a small, precious miracle ❤️
The cover of MAD SISTERS OF ESI with "The Washington Post" written above it and "Best SFF Novel of 2025" written below it. A picture of The Washington Post article. Title reads "10 best sci-fi and fantasy novels of 2025" and the subtitle reads "From an indigenous vampire story to the tale of two sisters living in a cosmic whale, this year's books kept us guessing." The Washington Post review of MAD SISTERS OF ESI. It reads: "Two sisters live inside a cosmic whale, visiting the innumerable worlds within its body, until one of them escapes into the universe outside. There, she uncovers the whale's origin story, which lies with another pair of sisters who lived on a shape-shifting island where everyone goes mad once a century. A poetic, metaphysical epic, "Mad Sisters" feels like it's in conversation with other recent books about people in surreal, liminal spaces questioning what everything means - and it's my absolute favorite book of the year. (Book World review.)"
November 24, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
samitbasu.bsky.social
Congratulations @tashanmehta.bsky.social !
tashanmehta.bsky.social Tashan Mehta @tashanmehta.bsky.social · 1d
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is one of The Washington Post’s 10 best SFF novels of 2025. In the sheer amount of what gets published each year and what gets lost, this feels like a small, precious miracle ❤️
The cover of MAD SISTERS OF ESI with "The Washington Post" written above it and "Best SFF Novel of 2025" written below it. A picture of The Washington Post article. Title reads "10 best sci-fi and fantasy novels of 2025" and the subtitle reads "From an indigenous vampire story to the tale of two sisters living in a cosmic whale, this year's books kept us guessing." The Washington Post review of MAD SISTERS OF ESI. It reads: "Two sisters live inside a cosmic whale, visiting the innumerable worlds within its body, until one of them escapes into the universe outside. There, she uncovers the whale's origin story, which lies with another pair of sisters who lived on a shape-shifting island where everyone goes mad once a century. A poetic, metaphysical epic, "Mad Sisters" feels like it's in conversation with other recent books about people in surreal, liminal spaces questioning what everything means - and it's my absolute favorite book of the year. (Book World review.)"
November 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
indrapramitdas.bsky.social
Congratulations @tashanmehta.bsky.social, well deserved! Don't miss this strange, expansive, Calvino-esque spacetime opera of a novel.
tashanmehta.bsky.social Tashan Mehta @tashanmehta.bsky.social · 1d
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is one of The Washington Post’s 10 best SFF novels of 2025. In the sheer amount of what gets published each year and what gets lost, this feels like a small, precious miracle ❤️
The cover of MAD SISTERS OF ESI with "The Washington Post" written above it and "Best SFF Novel of 2025" written below it. A picture of The Washington Post article. Title reads "10 best sci-fi and fantasy novels of 2025" and the subtitle reads "From an indigenous vampire story to the tale of two sisters living in a cosmic whale, this year's books kept us guessing." The Washington Post review of MAD SISTERS OF ESI. It reads: "Two sisters live inside a cosmic whale, visiting the innumerable worlds within its body, until one of them escapes into the universe outside. There, she uncovers the whale's origin story, which lies with another pair of sisters who lived on a shape-shifting island where everyone goes mad once a century. A poetic, metaphysical epic, "Mad Sisters" feels like it's in conversation with other recent books about people in surreal, liminal spaces questioning what everything means - and it's my absolute favorite book of the year. (Book World review.)"
November 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
tashanmehta.bsky.social
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is one of The Washington Post’s 10 best SFF novels of 2025. In the sheer amount of what gets published each year and what gets lost, this feels like a small, precious miracle ❤️
The cover of MAD SISTERS OF ESI with "The Washington Post" written above it and "Best SFF Novel of 2025" written below it. A picture of The Washington Post article. Title reads "10 best sci-fi and fantasy novels of 2025" and the subtitle reads "From an indigenous vampire story to the tale of two sisters living in a cosmic whale, this year's books kept us guessing." The Washington Post review of MAD SISTERS OF ESI. It reads: "Two sisters live inside a cosmic whale, visiting the innumerable worlds within its body, until one of them escapes into the universe outside. There, she uncovers the whale's origin story, which lies with another pair of sisters who lived on a shape-shifting island where everyone goes mad once a century. A poetic, metaphysical epic, "Mad Sisters" feels like it's in conversation with other recent books about people in surreal, liminal spaces questioning what everything means - and it's my absolute favorite book of the year. (Book World review.)"
November 24, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
sentencebender.bsky.social
Writers, publishing will suck all the joy and light from your life if you let it.

So don't let it.

This week, on Undercover in the Apocalypse: my dreams came true, but I just found new ways to be miserable.

undercover-in-the-apocalypse.ghost.io/my-dreams-ca...
My dreams came true and I just found new ways to be miserable.
My fifth novel Red Star Hustle just dropped, and on pub day I did what I usually do on pub day - I swung by Union Square, where there's the Strand and a Barnes & Noble very near one another - probably...
undercover-in-the-apocalypse.ghost.io
November 18, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
charliejane.bsky.social
So stoked that Lessons in Magic and Disaster is one of Kirkus Reviews' picks for the best SFF books of 2025.

www.kirkusreviews.com/book-lists/b...

And the rest of the list is full of utterly excellent books as well. Good holiday shopping list?......
Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of 2025 | Kirkus Reviews
Weekly book lists of exciting new releases, bestsellers, classics, and more. The lists are curated by the editors of Kirkus Reviews.
www.kirkusreviews.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
ph-low.com
THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by @amalelmohtar.com and @maxgladstone.bsky.social & MAD SISTERS OF ESI by @tashanmehta.bsky.social changed my brain chemistry & became my north star re: Things Language Can Do

also time war was sort of my intro to poetry? 9th grade romeo & juliet aside ha
runwithskizzers.bsky.social Preeti Chhibber @runwithskizzers.bsky.social · 13d
performative reading, lack of reading skills, nobody's reading anymore -- NO!

tell me about a book that changed you

for me? the *extremely* ahistorical novel, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY which I read at 13 and was like, "Oh, art can be *everything* to a maker, for good and bad"
November 12, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
samtasticbooks.com
Sometimes I wonder if our many years of jokes about writers hating writing and doing anything but writing, etc, have convinced people that the writing part is the hurdle and the goal is just to have a thing in hand. But I am here to tell you: the writing is the best part. The act is the thing.
November 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
tasavvurnama.bsky.social
Tashan Mehta, author of "Mad Sisters of Esi", shares her advice for speculative fiction writers looking to publish their work.

🔮 - #SouthAsian #SpeculativeFiction
Tashan Mehta, author of "Mad Sisters of Esi", shares her advice for speculative fiction writers looking to publish their work. 🔮 - #SouthAsian #SpeculativeFiction
November 6, 2025 at 3:29 PM
tashanmehta.bsky.social
MAD SISTERS OF ESI is coming in French!

This is the first work of mine that’s been translated, and it’s been an incredible experience. Mathilde Montier did an astonishing job; her skill, care and artistry blew me away. It just made me so excited for language and writing all over again.
edlatalante.bsky.social Éditions L'Atalante @edlatalante.bsky.social · 27d
En 2026, une nouvelle autrice rejoint notre catalogue : Tashan Mehta. Autrice et professionnelle de l’édition indienne, elle nourrit une véritable passion pour le fantastique et la structure des récits.✨

Rendez-vous le 5 février 2026 en librairie. 🐋
October 30, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
ursulakleguin.com
Congratulations to Vajra Chandrasekera (@vajra.me), recipient of the 2025 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction for Rakesfall!

Chandrasekera's book was chosen by authors Matt Bell, Indra Das, Kelly Link, Sequoia Nagamatsu, and Rebecca Roanhorse.
Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera, with the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction sticker on the cover Vajra Chandrasekera, photo by Sanjeewa Weerasinghe. The author sits at a white table, arms resting in front of him, wearing a tan jacket and a white shirt.
October 21, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
marthawells.com
Since I'm spending a lot of time doing everything except what I need to be doing, here's one thing I've been meaning to do: This is the link for my upcoming book tour for Queen Demon, the sequel to Witch King, 2nd book in the Rising World. Tour starts Oct 6.

us.macmillan.com/tours/martha...
Martha Wells: Queen Demon - Macmillan Publishers
Join the bestselling author of the Murderbot Diaries Martha Wells for a discussion of her next book in the Rising World series, Demon Queen.
us.macmillan.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
annecharnock.bsky.social
Thrilled! Goldsmiths Press/Gold SF will publish ALSTON MOOR in Autumn 2026. Epic eco-fiction with two entwined storylines, 500 years apart!
I’ve adored every minute of research for this novel.
@goldsmithspress.bsky.social @goldsf.bsky.social @unamccormack.bsky.social @sarahsuch.bsky.social
Goldsmiths Press to publish my latest novel Alston Moor - Anne Charnock
I am totally thrilled that Goldsmiths Press will be publishing my novel Alston Moor in the Autumn of 2026 as part of the press’s Gold SF feminist series.
annecharnock.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
megapolisomancy.bsky.social
Always have a map in your fantasy book. Have every character contradict the map, in contradictory ways. Include a timeline and have events contradict the timeline. Include a glossary and have societies and religions interpret the glossary in contradictory ways.
joannechocolat.bsky.social Joanne Harris @joannechocolat.bsky.social · Dec 30
Today's unpopular take: not all fantasy worlds need extensive world-building. Some books are just fine without maps.
December 30, 2024 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
jamreads.com
Mad Sisters of Esi, by @tashanmehta.bsky.social (pub by @dawbooks.bsky.social) is an excellent novel, one that plays with metafiction to deliver a really emotional journey to the attentive reader.

Full thoughts:
jamreads.com/reviews/mad-...

💙📚
JamReads - Making your TBR closer to infinite
In JamReads you will find content about books, and why you should read them more. This content may include reviews, interviews and occasionally, some news of the literary world
jamreads.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
samitbasu.bsky.social
My story "DISRUPTION" is featured in WE WILL RISE AGAIN: Speculative Stories and Essays on Protest, Resistance and Hope, edited by @older.bsky.social @drkarenlord.bsky.social @annaleen.bsky.social, out from @sagapressbooks.bsky.social on December 2nd. Thanks to Sareena Kamath at Saga! preorder!
Disruption, a story in the anthology
September 12, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
pazsays.bsky.social
@tashanmehta.bsky.social's incredible, wild, and mend-bending THE MAD SISTERS OF ESI; feels a little like Borges, a little like Calvino, and is 100% rewiring my brain
September 7, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
jamreads.com
139.- Mad Sisters of Esi, by @tashanmehta.bsky.social (pub by @dawbooks.bsky.social)
Mad Sisters of Esi, Tashan Meta
September 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
dawbooks.bsky.social
August was winding down summer with these fantasy novels that will have you yearning for more:

🐋 MAD SISTERS OF ESI by Tashan Mehta
❤️🔥 HOUSE OF DUSK by Deva Fagan
👑 THE NAVIGATOR’S CHILDREN by Tad Williams
August 29, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Reposted by Tashan Mehta
reactorsff.bsky.social
Tashan Mehta's lush prose reads as a hazy fairy tale; its ruminations on setting and sisterhood, pieced from different narrators across different formats, earns Mad Sisters of Esi its position as one of Reactor's most highly anticipated novels of the year:

reactormag.com/book-review-...
Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta Feels Like a Lucid Dream - Reactor
An ever-shifting fever dream of a slipstream story.
reactormag.com
August 28, 2025 at 6:45 PM