Meet the Curators of the festival
Monica Sood
Monica Sood is a children’s author, co-founder of the award-winning publishing house Author In Me, and the curator of the Annual AIM Literary Festival. Her deep commitment to promoting storytelling and ensuring diverse representation shines through in all her projects. As the festival curator, she aims to create a dynamic literary space where diverse voices converge, fostering meaningful connections.
Her published books Shine Like A Star – A Book of Affirmations and Santa Wants a Makeover inspire young readers to embrace their uniqueness. Her upcoming picture book, The Gift that Gives Back, beautifully weaves environmental awareness into storytelling, planting the seeds of responsibility in children’s hearts. Additionally, she creates educational workbooks that make learning both engaging and enjoyable. Drawing on her background in science and mindfulness, Monica’s work educates and instils emotional resilience, fosters a deep sense of self-awareness in young readers and cultivates a lifelong love for learning.
As a publishing director, she works closely with authors to understand their unique needs and goals and provide guidance on every aspect of the publishing process, from refining their manuscript to transforming it into a published book.
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Ekta Bajaj
Ekta Bajaj wears many hats – she’s a visual artist, a columnist, a podcaster, and co-founder of award-winning Small Press, Author In Me Publishing. With her empowering book, The Voice of Kali, and her co-authored work, Shine Like a Star: Book of Affirmations for Children, she champions positive thinking and storytelling. Delving into ancient Vedic wisdom and Sanskrit, Ekta adapts a holistic mental and emotional well-being approach in her writing. Her upcoming literary inspirational fiction, Let the Fish Fly, explores the multiple dimensions of human experiences.
As the curator of the AIM Literary Festival, Ekta actively fosters creativity and community engagement. She is a sought-after speaker at corporate events and Literary festivals, sharing insights on the power of ancient wisdom and storytelling.
Recognised for her entrepreneurial spirit, Ekta was shortlisted for Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 by Thames Valley Business Awards and honoured with the WOW Woman of the Year 2021 award for The Voice of Kali.
Advisory Board
Dr Pushpinder Chowhdhry MBE
A trained Psychotherapist, Pushpinder has dedicated over 38 years of her life, to assisting the neediest members of the community whilst educating authorities to their predicament. Seeing the positive impact of stories/films have with mental health and well-being, specifically that many films highlight certain social issues that trigger thought provoking discussions, she co-founded the not for profit organisation Tongues on Fire Ltd (TOF) which organises the annual UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF). Over the years Pushpinder has received awards including: Women Make Change contribution to Arts and Creative industries Award by Arab British Chamber of Commerce; Queen Mary University Community Engagement Award for Memories through cinema project; Services to South Asian Cinema by Punjabi Circle International; Melvin Jones Award for dedicated humanitarian service presented by Stanmore Lions Club and Contribution to Indian cinema Award presented by Indian Link International. In November 2018 Pushpinder received a MBE for her services to the Community and Arts Industry. Pushpinder is a published author of “Women if Substance,” 1997. Pushpinder is a trustee at DAWN, Diwa Asian Women’s Network and committee member of Asian Circle NGO. She is a current member of BAFTA and the British Film Institute.
Loveena Tandon
With over two decades of illustrious experience as an award-winning broadcast journalist, Loveena Tandon stands as a true luminary in the field.
Beyond her exceptional journalism career, Loveena wears the hat of a captivating storyteller, evident in her role as the host of the immensely popular weekly show, "Chai Chat with Loveena," which has amassed an impressive record of over 350 episodes and counting. This remarkable endeavour marked a decade of engaging conversations and insightful discussions.
Adding to her diverse portfolio, Loveena has ventured into the realm of B2B media marketing, where she excels in crafting compelling narratives through film, orchestrating memorable events, and providing invaluable marketing strategy consultations.
Anila Dhami
Anila Dhami is an award-winning British Journalist, Presenter and Reporter who is committed to serving local, national and global audiences. She has worked for major media companies like ITV News, Channel 5, LBC and the BBC.
For over a decade on TV, radio and online, Anila has helped tell people's stories authentically; shared information; opened up conversations; and asked questions people want answers to. She is also Ambassador of the UK's biggest children's charity Barnardo's, and period charity Binti.
Anila completed a Bachelor's Degree in English at Queen Mary, University of London, where she wrote her dissertation on voices of the diaspora. Pursuing her love of books and learning, she also completed a Master's Degree in Philosophy & Literature at the University of Warwick, where she focused on Psychoanalysis and Feminism.
Meet the team
Nidhi Sahani
Nidhi Sahani
Nidhi Sahani
Media Advisor
Sarah J Rose
Nidhi Sahani
Nidhi Sahani
Event Moderator
Sarah Mussi
Sandra Smith
Sandra Smith
Author and Creative Writing Expert
Sandra Smith
Sandra Smith
Sandra Smith
Editor and Writer