Dipika Mukherjee is an internationally acclaimed writer and sociolinguist with a passion for Southeast Asian literature. With over two decades of experience, she has mentored aspiring writers in the region and founded the prestigious D.K Dutt Award for Literary Excellence in Malaysia in 2015. Mukherjee has edited five anthologies of Southeast Asian fiction, including the notable titles Endings and Beginnings and Bitter Root Sweet Fruit.
Her literary achievements include being longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize with her debut novel, Ode to Broken Things, and winning the UK Virginia Prize for Fiction with her second novel, Shambala Junction. She has also authored the captivating short story collection Rules of Desire and several poetry collections, such as Dialect of Distant Harbors and The Third Glass of Wine.
In addition to her writing, Mukherjee is a dedicated educator. She teaches at the Graham School at the University of Chicago and StoryStudio, leveraging her expertise and a Ph.D. in English (Sociolinguistics) from Texas A&M University.
Mukherjee’s exceptional work has been recognized through numerous grants and fellowships, including the Esteemed Artist Award from the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. She has also been honored with prestigious awards like the Quill and Ink Poetry Prize and the Fay Khoo Award for Food+Drink Writing. Through her teaching engagements and creative writing workshops held in various cities worldwide, including Chicago, Amsterdam, New Delhi, Kolkata, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur, she continues to inspire and nurture aspiring writers.
