Women Reading Women: Sonya Singh
Welcome to Women Reading Women — a series featuring women writers, and the women writers they love.
Sonya Singh is a former entertainment reporter turned PR wizard who has followed her dream of telling stories in front of the camera and now behind the scenes. Her debut novel, Sari, Not Sari is an ode to her own personal dating experiences, during which she honed the art of writing the perfect break-up email/text.
What is a book you would recommend to any woman writer?
My book? HA, kidding. I think it depends on the genre. I have found it really depends on what mood you’re in. I really enjoyed Sarah’s Key [by Tatiana de Rosnay] a few years ago. I am currently reading Atomic Habits [by James Clear], and Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin was a favourite of mine.
What’s your top book written by a woman?
There are so many that I don’t want to pick one. I’m not interested in just picking one and I find that happens often, so I’m not particularly eager to pick favourites with women in the literature world. I think all of us are top-notch, and somehow, I have found a place with these outstanding women.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Well, it was the worst — that I turned into the best. I was told by an agent that there wasn’t enough room for more than one South Asian author this year in romcom — so I took that advice and kept going, and I saw it as a challenge to get my book out there. Guess what? My book is out there, and it’s already doing so well.
What should every aspiring writer do/know/try/fear/run toward?
Run towards getting your book in the hands of everyone – in the unique ways you can. I have run through all my contacts and am excited to use my unique background in PR to help spread the word about my book.
I also think that although we often hear that sometimes it can take a long time for an author to become an author, it happened pretty quickly for me, and I shouldn’t be ashamed of my journey.
Why do you think books by women are important?
I think books by South Asian women are more important than ever before — because it’s time to tell our stories. It is time to share our experiences, traditions and to join the ranks of Emily Henry and Kristin Hannah. Hannah. Recently I saw a beautiful article on Colleen Hoover’s writing career - I want to see the same article written about a South Asian author in a popular publication. I am here for that.
Quick-fire Questions
City you were born in versus city your heart belongs to?
Guelph and …..I think that my heart belongs to a small Hallmark town. I have always seen myself in a small place where everyone knows your name and I own a local coffee, bake and book shop with a baby, dog and that special someone.
A piece of art that inspires you?
I love the Blue Period by Picasso.
Fill in the blank: ___ helps stimulate my creativity.
Music. Bollywood Music.
Describe your writing in three words.
Funny. Witty. Fast-Paced.
What’s an assumption about you that you don’t think is true?
That I am a fulltime writer. I am actually just starting out and I still have to work to earn a living. The goal is one day to be a writer full-time but many authors have full-time jobs. :-) So I am managing that along with writing book number two!
Name a book that you wish you wrote.
Misery by Stephen King.
In your opinion, who is the most underrated author?
I think Canadian Authors for the most part can be often underrated - due to the fact that we are forced to find success stateside in large book clubs – often - before we find success here.
What’s a book people would be surprised to see in your book collection?
I have an original Oscar Wilde book in my collection I purchased from an owner at Sotheby’s auction - don’t ask how much it cost. Eek! ■
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