--- title: "Swati Hegde: Desi Romance Books & YA Queer Fiction" description: "Explore desi romance books and sapphic YA fiction by author Swati Hegde. From fake-dating rom-coms to heartfelt writing coaching, discover my stories today." canonical: https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/featured last_updated: 2025-09-15 --- # Desi Romance Books & YA Fiction by Swati Hegde Tribe Verified · Published by Penguin Random House By [Swati Hegde](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor) · Ships to India, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia · ₹12K per package (estimate) Part of [Romance & Young Adult (YA) Fiction Writing](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/gallery) Hi, I'm Swati! I write slow-burn, desi romance and YA novels that feel like a cozy hug—mostly involving chaotic characters, big emotions, and plenty of heart. ## Photos and videos - [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) ## About Featured If you are looking to dive into my work, start with *Match Me If You Can* if you crave a friends-to-lovers foodie romance, or check out *Can’t Help Faking in Love* for fake-dating chaos set at a Bangalore wedding. Every story I write is a little slice of the messy, wonderful, and deeply emotional world I live in. Writing isn't just about the finished book. It is about the emotional journey to get there. Whether I am penning a sapphic rivals-to-lovers story or helping a fellow writer navigate the publishing world, my focus is always on heart, humor, and authenticity. I specialize in: * **Slow-burn Romance:** I live for the emotional pining, the witty banter, and the tension that builds before the payoff. * **Desi & Queer Narratives:** I write the stories I wanted to read at 13. My work is filled with Bollywood energy, Indian-American identity, and unapologetic queer joy. * **Writing Mentorship:** I know the rejection struggle well. I have been there. My coaching packages, from submission audits to manuscript critiques, are designed to help you turn rough drafts into polished stories, just like I did. I am a big believer in community. If you are a writer looking to sharpen your query letter or a reader just wanting to scream about Taylor Swift and books, I am your person. My process is personal, honest, and geared toward getting your story out into the world. Let’s connect and get to work. ## About Swati Hegde I'm just a Bangalore girl who turned a childhood hobby of scribbling novels into a 5-book deal. My world is filled with matcha, my cats, and slow-burn stories that celebrate desi and queer joy. [See all of Swati Hegde's services](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor) ## More from Romance & Young Adult (YA) Fiction Writing by Swati Hegde - [As Long as You Loathe Me: A Sapphic YA Romance](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/as-long-as-you-loathe-me-a-sapphic-ya-romance) - [Can't Help Faking in Love: A Fake Dating Desi Romance](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/can-t-help-faking-in-love-a-fake-dating-desi-romance) - [Match Me If You Can: A Friends-to-Lovers Desi Romance](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/romance-young-adult-ya-fiction-writing/match-me-if-you-can-a-friends-to-lovers-desi-romance) ## More services by Swati Hegde - [Fiction Writing Coaching](https://mytribe.in/swatihegdeauthor/fiction-writing-coaching) ## Similar work from other experts - [From My Bookshelf: Books That Shaped My Creative Journey](https://mytribe.in/ruby-naaz/write-to-express-workshops/from-my-bookshelf) by Ruby Naaz · Write to Express Workshops · Online sessions and workshops in Bengaluru - [Exploring Life's Answers With My Book, TarotGita](https://mytribe.in/akkitarotreader/psychic-intuitive-readings/my-book-tarotgita) by Suruchi Sharma · Psychic & Intuitive Readings · Available online and at studio in Sector 23, Gurugram - [Intentional Dating in Bengaluru: Move Beyond App Fatigue](https://mytribe.in/radhika_cheerleader/matchmaking-dating-coaching/featured) by Radhika Mohta · Matchmaking & Dating Coaching · In-person sessions in Bengaluru; Coaching available online across India - [My Featured Art Collection](https://mytribe.in/painted_canvas_by_upasana/custom-illustrations-doodle-art/featured) by Upasana Rajpoot · Custom Illustrations & Doodle Art · Ships across India - [Heartfelt Moments & Reflections](https://mytribe.in/sushmitasethia/influencer-ugc-content-creation/heartfelt-moments-reflections) by Sushmita Sethia · Influencer & UGC Content Creation · Online collaborations & shoots across Bengaluru - [Creative Writing Workshops: Find Your Tribe and Finish Your Story](https://mytribe.in/bangalorewriters/creative-writing-workshops/featured) by Bhumika Anand · Creative Writing Workshops · Available online and in-person across Bengaluru ## Book To book Swati Hegde, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Swati!%20I%20found%20your%20Featured%20cluster%20and%20would%20love%20to%20chat%20about%20your%20books%20or%20writing%20coaching.)