Romance & Young Adult (YA) Fiction Writing
Shipped across India
I write slowburn desi and queer YA romance with strong heroines, cozy family drama, and closed-door stories set in India.
Pricing Guide
Complete Submission Package Audit
The Pitch Material
- Query Letter Review: Line by line critique of the 1 page query letter focusing on the hook, book stats, and comparable titles.
- Synopsis Critique: Review of the 1 to 2 page synopsis to ensure the narrative arc is clear and the ending is revealed.
- Tone Check: Ensuring the voice of the letter matches the Romcom or YA genre standards.
The Writing Sample
- First Chapter Edit: Detailed feedback on the first 10 pages or approximately 2,500 words.
- Line Edits: Inline comments on Google Docs highlighting awkward phrasing, pacing issues, or flat dialogue.
- First 5 Pages Test: Specific focus on the opening hook to ensure the reader is grounded immediately.
Editorial Report
- Feedback Letter: A 1 to 2 page summary highlighting strengths and specific fix it instructions.
- Genre Alignment: Verification that the manuscript fits the promised Romance or YA tropes.
1:1 Author Strategy & Mentorship Session
Core Consultation
- Duration: 45 to 60 minutes via Zoom video call.
- Focus Area: Customizable agenda covering querying strategy, author mindset, plot unsticking, or the publishing journey.
- Prep Work: Review of a pre call questionnaire where the user outlines their current struggles and goals.
Strategic Inputs
- Market Insight: Insider advice on positioning Desi or diverse stories for the Western US and UK markets.
- Mindset Coaching: Techniques to overcome imposter syndrome or writer's block delivered with empathetic encouragement.
- Action Plan: Verbal mapping of next steps such as rewriting specific chapters or altering character motivations.
Post Session Value
- Recording: Access to the audio or video recording of the session for future reference.
- Resource Recommendations: Verbal suggestions for books, tools, or specific agent wishlists that align with the user's genre.
Strategic Manuscript Critique (First 3 Chapters)
Structural Analysis
- Scope: Detailed review of the first 35 pages or approximately 3 chapters.
- Pacing Check: Identifying saggy moments where the reader might lose interest.
- Character Voice: Ensuring the protagonist feels distinct and the Love Interest or Antagonist is introduced effectively.
Technical Inclusions
- Line Edits: Extensive comments within the document focusing on showing vs telling, dialogue flow, and tightening prose.
- Trope Usage: Analysis of genre expectations to ensure slowburns have tension and banter lands correctly.
Deliverables
- Editorial Report: A comprehensive summary note analyzing the plot trajectory.
- Sensitivity Check: Guidance on Desi or cultural nuances drawing from published experience in the West.
- Next Steps: Concrete advice on how the issues in the first 3 chapters likely ripple through the manuscript.
About Romance & Young Adult (YA) Fiction Writing
What I Write: Romance & YA With All the Feels
I’m Swati, your resident chaotic desi author, here for anyone who loves slowburn romance and stories that feel like a cozy hug. If you’re into books that make you giggle, crave chai and desi food, and swoon over heroines with attitude, you’ll vibe with my work.
My Style: Heart & Humor, Desi & Queer
- All about strong-willed girls and the softies who love them
- Slowburn romance is my thing - emotional pining, banter, zero rushing
- Low spice, big feels - expect closed-door romance, not steamy scenes
- Desi young adult books set in places like Mumbai and Bangalore, with Bollywood energy and plenty of family drama
- Sapphic YA fiction is close to my heart - queer joy, Indian sapphic stories, and relatable chaos
A Glimpse at My Books
- Match Me If You Can: Friends-to-lovers, foodie romance, set in Mumbai. Expect meddling aunties, found family, and he-falls-first trope.
- Can’t Help Faking in Love: Fake dating at a Bangalore wedding, Short King hero, forced proximity, all the Bollywood vibes.
- As Long as You Loathe Me (coming soon): Sapphic rivals-to-lovers, bi x pan romance, tarot-reading gay dad, high school drama.
Why I Write
I started for my 13-year-old self, who used to scribble stories for her friends. After 5 years, 6 drafts, and 400+ rejections, I finally got published. I keep going for anyone who wants books full of heart, laughter, and desi joy.
Meet your Expert
Swati Hegde
50 connects in last 3 months
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.