Six Questions with Sandhya Acharya

Sandhya Acharya grew up in India and now lives in the Bay Area, California, with her husband and two sons. After working as a finance professional for many years, she traded spreadsheets for her love of words. When she is not writing, she is substitute teaching, training for the next marathon, climbing a mountain, learning and performing a form of Indian classical dance, or volunteering. She can be reached at www.sandhyaacharya.com. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky Linkedin, Twitter

1. How did you begin your journey as an author?

Writing was always a way for me to cut through whatever chaos I was in and find my center. And, I loved reading - it was a way of discovering new worlds, new ways of thinking; it taught me to dream of impossible things. Armed with little more than dreams, I moved to the U.S to do my master's in business administration. I worked for many years in finance. I loved the independence, the sense of achievement it gave me, but I also missed being creative. When I had kids, I had a moment (or two) of reckoning with my dream of being a writer. If not now, then when? I plunged into the writer’s life.

2. When did you first realize you wanted to write for young readers?

At first, I experimented with different genres - poems, short stories, essays, opinion pieces on radio. In the meantime, I was reading so many beautiful picture books for my kids- books that moved me, taught me, made me laugh. I wanted to be a part of it. And I wanted to share my experiences, parts of my world, with everyone else. I started with self-publishing my book, 10 Gulab Jamuns. I loved the process and wanted more. I wanted to build my craft and do my best! That brought me to traditional publishing. After many steps (and some mis-steps) along the way, here I am, with my debut nonfiction Living Bridges!

3. When you’re not writing, what are your favorite things to do?

I love running. In 2016, I ran my first marathon, and have tried to run at least one half marathon each year after that. I also love dancing! I learn a form of indian classical dance called Bharat Natyam. I enjoy hiking and walking in nature. In 2019, I summited Kilimanjaro (and lived to tell the tale)! Our family loves visiting a lot of National Parks. My favorite remains Yellowstone! My family is also into skiing, and every winter I teach myself a little more about this strange sport of sliding down a mountain.  I also volunteer at my kids’ schools and substitute teach.

4. What was the process or timeline for Living Bridges, from idea to publishing?

The first idea came to me around July 2021. I came across an article on the Living Bridges, made of ficus tree roots, woven by the community in Meghalaya, India. I knew immediately there was a story there. I worked on several versions, trying to find the voice. By Feb’ 2022, I settled on a narrative voice that felt right. This was one of the manuscripts my agent connected with and signed me up in Apr’22. It went on submission in July 2022. I did a few rounds of revision with my editor, Catherine Laudone, and had an offer by Feb’ 2023. Living Bridges officially launched June 3, 2025!

5. What was the most challenging thing you faced while researching and writing this book?

The most challenging and exhilarating thing while reading and researching the book was visiting the Living Bridges and finding the right people to talk to and interview. I was lucky to get in touch with Morningstar Kongthaw, the founder of Living Bridge Foundation. I learned so much from him. Traveling to the interiors of Meghalaya by myself, walking through the rain-swept forests, stepping on the living bridges suspended a hundred feet in the air, touching the winding, braided roots, and breathing in the mist of the mountains was an experience out of this world - worth every challenge.

6. If you read this book to a room filled with kids, what message would you want them to leave with? 

Through this book,  I hope to share the sense of wonder and awe I felt learning about the amazing Living Bridges in Meghalaya, India. I hope to inspire kids to seek harmony in whatever they do, balance innovation with care for community, and empower them to be active stewards of their world.