--- title: "Desi Romance & YA Author Swati Hegde – Slowburn Romance & Writing Coaching - mytribe" description: "Hire Swati Hegde, Desi Romance & YA Author, for slowburn romance novels, fiction writing coaching, and editorial reports. Celebrate queer YA romcoms and Indian-American stories—get expert guidance or your next favorite read!" canonical: https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor last_updated: 2024-09-17 --- # Swati Hegde I'm an author of slowburn desi and queer YA romcoms, focusing on heart and humor over spice. As a writing coach, I help aspiring authors navigate the publishing world, from first drafts to book deals. ## Services ### [Fiction Writing Coaching](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/fiction-writing-coaching) Available online globally Typically ₹2,000-6,000 per session (estimate) - [Video: My publishing journey was anything but quick. It was a marathon of drafts, edits, and rejections before I landed a 5-book deal with Penguin Random House. If you're feeling like you'll never make it, remember that every rejection is just a redirection. I've been there, and I can help you navigate the path forward.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/55433745-4f6d-4742-b6d7-1cd46cf99ecd) - [Video: Want to make your characters and plot more compelling? I use a simple fiction writing hack called the 'Rule of Three'. This is just one of the many practical strategies I share with my coaching clients to help them strengthen their manuscripts and tell more powerful stories.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6740cf4d-1316-477b-9b31-2af99ded0c5b) - [Video: I got my first rejection from my dream publisher at age 12. I kept trying, and now at 29, I have a 5-book deal with that same publisher, Penguin Random House. Persistence is key in this industry, and I coach my writers to build the resilience needed to achieve their publishing goals.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d5f9fc61-c3e9-4418-a044-f56b8b05fd44) - ![As a writing coach, I help authors improve their craft, polish their manuscripts, and build a rejection-proof mindset. I offer services like this 10-page critique to give you actionable feedback on your opening chapters, helping you put your best foot forward with agents and publishers.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9e0f5731-8288-4d71-897b-d9e3a0461407) - [Video: Being a published author isn't always sunshine and book deals. There's a lot of anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of not being "enough". A huge part of my coaching is providing mindset support to help you handle the emotional rollercoaster of being a writer, because I know it's about more than just the words on the page.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/57c6c3ab-2a53-42c1-be27-440d11f872af) - ![Being part of the literary community is one of the best parts of being an author. Here I am speaking on a panel at the Kolkata Literary Meet. I help my coaching clients find their own writing communities and navigate the professional world of publishing, from networking to attending events.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f8459503-f2c9-424d-9ed3-80db9d45d4ce) - ![Hi, I'm Swati! I'm a desi, queer romance and YA author from Bangalore. I'm also a chaotic bi disaster who survives on matcha, cats, and Taylor Swift. My coaching style is just as personal and relatable as my writing. If you think we'd vibe, let's work together on your book.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cdaf028a-0d21-4765-ba04-c1ea73d4eeb1) ### [Romance & Young Adult (YA) Fiction Writing](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing) Ships to India, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia Typically ₹1-2.5L per novel manuscript (estimate) - [Video: It's been a long journey, but I'm so glad I kept going. I now have four desi romance novels for you to enjoy. My books feature slow-burn romance, plenty of heart and humor, and characters that feel like friends.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/85070df2-99d9-40a2-b410-3099f1384852) - ![Hi, I'm Swati. Just your friendly neighborhood chaotic bi disaster, writing desi romance and YA novels from Bangalore, India. I survive on matcha, cats, and cuddles, and I'm a proud member of Team Conrad.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cdaf028a-0d21-4765-ba04-c1ea73d4eeb1) - ![A quick look at my upcoming sapphic YA romance, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. If you're a fan of *Mean Girls* or *Never Have I Ever* and love the rivals-to-lovers trope, this one's for you. It's got everything from a bi x pan romance to a tarot-reading gay Indian dad.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4a878088-453f-4ca4-a978-f63ba1fe75bb) - [Video: This is my baby, *Can’t Help Faking in Love*. It’s a fake dating romance set at a big fat Indian wedding, perfect for anyone who loves the "he falls first" trope and all the drama that comes with it.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/79081796-c769-4811-bcb9-a8183538262b) - [Video: For all my fellow Conrad girlies, this one is for you. My debut novel, *Match Me If You Can*, is a desi friends-to-lovers romance about a guy who has been in love with his best friend his entire life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/72357c29-289a-4a8f-8bc9-9d543a894790) - [Video: My Amma's approval means everything. I'm so happy she loves the cover of my debut YA romance, *As Long as You Loathe Me*. Her support throughout my writing career has been my biggest motivation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/94d06f84-3bb3-4ef8-9936-d11de2b106c8) - ![I write romance novels, and I'm lucky enough to be living my own. This is me and my gamer boyfriend, who I've known since we were high school besties. So grateful we found our way back to each other.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8f576ae8-1a05-4de5-8937-d5f1ad77e9c7) - [Video: My first novel was rejected by my dream publisher when I was 12. Now, at 29, I have a 5-book deal with that same publisher, Penguin Random House. I'm so glad I never gave up on that little girl's dream.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d5f9fc61-c3e9-4418-a044-f56b8b05fd44) ## Meet your expert ### My story Hey, I'm Swati. Bangalore girl, 29, writing desi romance and YA, living for the drama and the feels. I was that nerdy kid scribbling novels for friends and celebrating rejection letters - weird, I know. Amma saying 'proud of you, beta' still makes me tear up. Came out as bi after reading one queer romance, now I’m all about unapologetic queer joy in my books. Disaster bi, karaoke addict, tea over coffee, big dreams, messy heart. ### My work - **Desi Romance & YA Author**: I write slowburn desi romance and young adult stories, big on heart and humor, low on spice. - **Tropes & Vibes**: Love friends to lovers, rivals to lovers, fake dating. Indian and Indian-American characters, lots of yearning. - **Queer Romcoms**: My queer YA romcoms cheer for unapologetic queer joy, inspired by pop culture and my own journey. - **Fiction Writing Coach**: Been through the trenches, got a 5-book deal. I help writers with drafts, edits, and surviving publishing.