Shruthi Rao has a master?s degree in energy engineering, and worked in the IT industry before she started writing. She is the author of 10 Indian Women Who Were the First to Do What They Did (2019, Duckbill), 20 Indians Who Changed the World (2019, Talking Cub), Susie Will Not Speak (2018, Duckbill), Manya Learns to Roar (2017, Duckbill), The Secret Garden (2016, NSI), Avani and the Pea Plant (2016, Pratham), among others. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and loves books, desserts, trees, benches, science and long walks.