Shikhandin

Shikhandin is an Indian writer who writes for adults and children. Her books include "Impetuous Women" (Penguin-Random House India), "The Woman on The Red Oxide Floor" (Red River Story, India), "After Grief" (Red River, India), "Immoderate Men" (Speaking Tiger, India), "Vibhuti Cat (Duckbill-Penguin, India) among others. In 2025 Shikhandin collaborated with two other poets in an anthology of poems related to walking - "Footnotes in G Sharp" (PenPrints Publishers, India). Her latest solo book of poetry containing dark poems - "Turgescent Twilight" - is forthcoming in 2026 from Ravens Quoth Press, Australia. Shikhandin's honors include:

Shortlist The Asian Prize Short Fiction 2024

Himal Fiction Fest 2025 Finalist

Best of the Net Nominee by Yellow Arrow Publishing (USA) 2023

Runner up George Floyd Short Story Competition (UK) 2020

Pushcart nominee by Aeolian Harp (USA) 2019

Winner Children First Contest curated by Duckbill in association with Parag an initiative of Tata Trust (India) 2017

First prize Brilliant Flash Fiction Contest (USA) 2019

Shortlist Erbacce Poetry Prize (UK) 2018

35th Moon Prize (Writing in a Woman's Voice: USA)

First runner up the DNA-OoP Short Story Contest (India) 2016

Second Prize India Currents Katha Short Story Contest (USA) 2016

First prize Anam Cara Short Fiction Competition (Ireland) 2012

Pushcart nominee by Cha: An Asian Literary Journal (Hong Kong) 2011

Finalist Aesthetica Poetry Contest (UK) 2010

Long list Bridport Poetry Prize (UK) 2006

Apart from "Vibhuti Cat" (Duckbill-Penguin-RHI), Shikhandin's children's stories have been included in the anthology "Flipped - School Stories/Sports Stories," by Harper Collins India, "Puffin Book of Magic Stories for Eight-Year-Olds," "English Language Textbooks' by OUP," and other places.

Apart from her speculative novella - "The Woman on the Red Oxide Floor" (Red River Story), her sci-fi, fantasy and other speculative fiction and poetry have been published in journals, as well as anthologies such as "A Dying Planet" from Flame Tree Press and "Avatar" anthology of Indian and Italian sci-fi from Future Fiction, Curious Blue Press "December Tales Vol. II," and anthologies from Ravens Quoth Press and JayHenge Publishers. Ads well as online and print journals worldwide.

Shikhandin's literary prose and poetry have been widely published in journals and anthologies in India and abroad.