Dr. Shalini Mullick was announced the inaugural winner of the IGF Archer Amish Award for Storytellers, presented in partnership with The House of Abhinandan Lodha, at a special ceremony on Day 1 of IGF London at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre.
Her acclaimed book, The Way Home, was selected as the standout work for its moving and relatable exploration of grief, identity, and healing. The novel tells the story of three millennials seeking refuge in Goa as they navigate personal demons, ultimately discovering strength in friendship and self-discovery.
Mullick has etched out three perfectly relatable characters who are grappling with past demons, grief, prejudices and familial expectations. They are professionals with real problems that readers can easily relate to. It is tale of fighting inner demons; bonding with friends and self discovery. The language is simple and the narration is even paced. Mullick’s forte is sensitive portrayal of human relationships and this book is no different. The characters will stay with the readers long after they have finished the book.
Dr. Mullick received a cash prize of $25,000, one of the biggest for fiction globally and alongside the ranks of some of the world’s top literary prizes.
Launched at IGF London 2024, the IGF Archer Amish Award for Storytellers is a first-of-its-kind honour celebrating contemporary Indian fiction that reflects the complexity, diversity, and dynamism of modern India. Created in collaboration with bestselling authors Je rey Archer (Kane and Abel, Clifton Chronicles) and Amish Tripathi (The Shiva Trilogy, Ram Chandra Series), the award is a testament to IGF’s belief that culture is not just soft power, but a superpower capable of shaping global narratives, deepening international relationships, and driving the next chapter of UK-India collaboration.
Dr. Shalini Mullick is the author of Stars from the Borderless Sea, which was longlisted for the AutHer Awards 2023 (Best Debut) and a collection of women-centric stories, One More Chapter.
Shalini was awarded a Jury Appreciation Citation at the 12TH UNFPA Laadli Media & Advertising Awards for Gender Sensitivity (2022). Her stories on women’s identity have won many short story contests and two Orange Flower Awards (Fiction, 2022 and LGBTQ issues, 2021). Five of her short stories have found home in three anthologies. A humorous short story was selected for the Juggernaut Selects program (2020). Her poetry has been published in reputed Medical Humanities journals.
She has been an invited speaker at Literary events like the Delhi Literature Festival, Women in Literature Festival, Midnight at Book Store, House of Harmony Spring Festival, Ghaziabad Literature Festival and the Golden Door Dialogues. She is a columnist and panellist for platforms like eShe, Ananke, Beyond the Box, Women’s Web and Incredible Women of India. She is regularly invited to prestigious schools and educational institutes for literary and career counselling events. She has also been an invited guest on audio and video podcasts.
Shalini is also a practicing doctor. She is the Head, Department of Pathology, at the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, Delhi. She has trained and worked at premier institutes and organisations and authored and reviewed many scientific papers and textbook chapters.
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