What inspired you to begin a writing career?

I didn’t land on writing in the conventional way.

I’ve always been a creator — someone who sees the world in patterns, images, and stories, and translates that into something tangible. But writing found me in a way I couldn’t have predicted.

About a decade ago, I left my life in Australia to live in a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas. I needed the disconnect and quiet to face the questions I could no longer ignore — the ones about who I was becoming and how I wanted to move through the world.

Someone once said that when you quiet the outside noise, you can finally hear the inside voice. In that stillness, mine came through — raw, honest, sometimes uncomfortable, but unmistakably mine. I was unlearning what didn’t belong to me and relearning what did, and the words helped me make sense of it. Writing wasn’t the plan; it was what happened when I started listening.

Motherhood shifted the writing. What started as inner work became something I wanted to pass on — the perspectives and emotional tools my generation never had. That intention became the beginning of it all.

What does it mean to you to now be represented by Sarah McKenzie Literary Management?

Meeting someone who understands the emotional stakes of your work changes everything. For me, representation has always been about alignment — in values, purpose, and the direction of the work.

I believe in co-creation. Everyone brings their gift, and together the work becomes more powerful. Working with Sarah means it’s not a solo journey anymore. It’s a partnership — multiplied force, amplified impact.

What matters most is that she sees the heart of my work — the lived experience, the emotional depth, the passion, and the truths that hold it together. She understands that depth has its own value, artistically and commercially, and she treats both with equal respect. That balance in publishing is gold.

You pitched one of your stories to Sarah during an ASA Virtual Literary Speed Dating event. What was that experience like? And how did it benefit your work and your career progression?

I’ve never tried speed dating for love — but speed-dating my writing? Three minutes with a chance to publish? Sure, sign me up. But in all honesty, I’m still not sure what’s more stressful: looking for a soulmate or pitching your soul before a timer runs out.

On the day when my moment finally came, everything got real. Speaking a story I’d held close for years hit harder than I expected. My emotions rose quickly — not from nerves, but from truth, personal history, and a dream I’ve held close for years. I had to pause to breathe, but I kept going. The story lives close to the surface for me, and saying it out loud made it impossible to hide.

When Sarah responded — and she only had seconds — she didn’t shy away from it. She met me there with clarity and respect. And in that moment, I felt seen — not just as someone pitching a manuscript, but as a person carrying something real.

After the session ended, all I could do was wait for the ASA results. And yes, I replayed those minutes in my mind more than I can admit. So when the email arrived saying Sarah wanted to read my manuscript, it felt like everything had aligned in a way I couldn’t have predicted.

Working with Sarah as we’ve begun developing the materials, I’ve already discovered sides of my work I didn’t know were there. It’s still a new partnership, but it’s already expanding the way I think and create. I’m excited to see where it leads.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known as you started your career?

In the beginning, I tried to navigate all of this on my own. But writing isn’t meant to be solitary — you grow through the writers around you, their experience, their perspective, the things they learned the hard way. And the communities and organisations built to support writers give you the structure and direction that create momentum and give your work a way into the world. 

Are there any Australian authors and illustrators who are influential for you?

I’m drawn to creators who tell the truth with depth and clarity. Zeno Sworder’s picture books do that in a way that stays with you, and Alice Pung brings that same lived honesty to her writing. Their work reminds me of just how much a story can hold.

Why are you a member of the ASA?

I’m a member of the ASA because their support is both real and substantial. They’re warm, accessible, and they offer genuine industry access — the resources, the courses, the guidance that actually move your work forward. Having that kind of presence in the background gives a sense of support that’s unbeatable.

Find out more about Wani Uppal on Instagram @waniandwords