Bali Rai

Bali Rai is an English author of children's and young adult fiction. Rai boasts an impressive bibliography of over forty books and has won numerous awards for his literary accomplishments.

Bali Rai was born and grew up in Leicester. As a child, Bali wanted to be a footballer or to write stories. Always an avid reader, he hails Sue Townsend, Douglas Adams, and Robert Swindells as his writing heroes.

Rai grew up reading Dr Seuss and Meg and Mog. His first book purchase was The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis.

After earning a degree in politics from South Bank University in London, he returned to his homecity. Bali Rai combined a variety of jobs in pubs and clubs with completing his first novel.

Bali set about writing a story he had been thinking about for many years. He wanted to write accessible material for children of all ages and backgrounds, and realizing no British Asian authors were writing for children, he saw a gap.

His first novel, (Un)arranged marriage (2001), won many awards, including the Angus Book Award and the Leicester Book of the Year. It was also shortlisted for the prestigious Branford Boase First Novel Award.

Bali’s first three novels appear in The Ultimate Teenage Book Guide. Bali also writes shorter stories for Barrington Stoke. His first book in series, Dream On (2002), was selected for the Booktrust’s inaugural Booked Up list.

Rani and Sukh (2004) and The Whisper (2005) were shortlisted for the Booktrust Teenage Prize. Rani and Sukh has represented the UK at the International IBBY awards.

He also writes the hugely popular Soccer Squad series for younger readers.

Rai hopes his novels capture the unique ethnic mix of the UK, of which he is proud to be a part.

Bali Rai writes stories inspired by his working-class Punjabi/Sikh background, but his aim was always that his writing should be enjoyed by readers everywhere, irrespective of class or culture.

Photo credit: FB @BaliRaiAuthor