Nisha Sharma (author)

Nisha Sharma is an American author of adult and young adult contemporary romance novels featuring South Asian characters. She also writes sci-fi, paranormal, and fantasy romance as Nina Saxena.[1]

Early life and education

Sharma is the daughter of Indian immigrants. She has stated that the Bollywood movies she watched as a child influenced her affinity for romance fiction.[2] Sharma enrolled at Muhlenberg College, where she began a pre-medical track before switching to an English major. She graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2007 and later earned an MFA from Wilkes University.[2] She also holds a JD from Hofstra University.[3]

Career

Sharma published her first novel, My So-Called Bollywood Life, in 2018, after writing the book as her master's thesis at Wilkes University.[2] The novel earned a RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America,[2][4] making Sharma the first author of South Asian descent to win the award.[5]

Sharma has written three adaptations of the plays of William Shakespeare into novels featuring South Asian characters,[6] a trilogy titled "If Shakespeare Were an Auntie." The series, published by HarperCollins, includes Dating Dr. Dil, based on The Taming of the Shrew;[7] Marriage and Masti, based on Twelfth Night;[8] and Tastes Like Shakkar, based on Much Ado About Nothing.[9] Influenced by James Baldwin, Sharma wrote that she viewed writing adaptations of Shakespeare as a form of decolonization.[6]

As of 2022, Sharma taught a creative writing class at Muhlenberg College.[2]

As of 2024, she is working on a PhD in social justice and English.[10]

Bibliography

As Nisha Sharma

Stand-alone novels

  • My So-Called Bollywood Life (2018)
  • Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance (2021)[11]
  • The Karma Map (2023)[12]
  • The Letters We Keep (2024)[13]
  • Illusions of Fire (2025)
  • The Lotus Inn (2027)[14]

The Singh Family

  • The Takeover Effect (2019)
  • The Legal Affair (2020)
  • A Singh Family Christmas (2022)
  • The Rival Partnership (2026)

If Shakespeare Were an Auntie

  • Dating Dr. Dil (2022)
  • Tastes Like Shakkar (2023)
  • Marriage & Masti (2024)

As Nina Saxena

Stand-alone novels

  • Now You See Him (2025)[15]
  • M.A.Y.A. (2025)[15]

The Shukra Duology

  • The Pirate Queen (2024)[15]
  • The Warrior Queen (2027)[15]

References

  1. ^ "Nina Saxena". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kita, Meghan (March 15, 2022). "Happily Ever After". Muhlenberg College. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  3. ^ "Nisha Sharma, JD, MFA". Parents. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
  4. ^ León, Concepción de (January 7, 2020). "Romance Writers of America Cancels Awards Program". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  5. ^ "Inside the Spectacular Implosion at the Romance Writers of America". Jezebel. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "How James Baldwin Changed How One South Asian Author Reads Shakespeare (Exclusive)". People.com. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
  7. ^ "Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma". Publishers Weekly. November 9, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  8. ^ "Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma". Publishers Weekly. June 4, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  9. ^ "Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma". Publishers Weekly. May 11, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  10. ^ Editors, She Writes (August 5, 2024). "DIY DEI in Publishing: What Workplace Diversity Taught Me about Advocating for Myself as an Author". She Writes. Retrieved December 28, 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ "Radha & Jai's Recipe for Romance by Nisha Sharma". Publishers Weekly. May 20, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  12. ^ "The Karma Map by Nisha Sharma". Publishers Weekly. January 19, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  13. ^ "The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma". Publishers Weekly. April 24, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
  14. ^ Albanese |, Andrew. "Book Deals: Week of January 8, 2024". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  15. ^ a b c d "Books". Nina Saxena. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
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