The launch of ‘Echoes of Muziris’, a novel by young author Saanvi Shabeesh, celebrated the power of imagination and the importance of creating opportunities for emerging writers. Published by JK Paper and Readomania, the book marks a significant milestone in Shabeesh’s literary journey, which began with a short story she wrote in Class 7.The book was unveiled on October 23, 2026, during an event celebrating the Best Manuscript Award winner at Season 7 of the JK Paper-Times of India AutHer Awards. The event brought together representatives from JK Paper, author and poet Soumya Doralli, and Shabeesh to celebrate the young writer’s achievement and discuss her journey from an early writing experiment to a published novel. The occasion also highlighted the larger purpose of the AutHer Awards: identifying promising voices, encouraging young women writers and helping their stories reach readers.
From a school story to a published novel
For Shabeesh, the publication of ‘Echoes of Muziris’ represents the transformation of an idea developed during her school years into a full-length book. What started as a short story written in Class 7 has grown into a novel that combines underwater exploration, history, mythology and mystery. Set around the ancient port city of Muziris in Kerala, the story follows Anju, a 26-year-old deep-sea diver with a strong connection to the ocean. Her professional journey takes an unexpected turn when her organisation, The Deep, is invited to participate in an archaeological research project exploring the remains of the lost city.As the team begins its underwater excavation, unusual discoveries and unsettling experiences complicate the mission. Anju encounters mysterious warnings, troubling dreams and clues that suggest the city may be hiding secrets better left undisturbed. The novel draws on the historical significance of Muziris, once an important trading centre connecting India with distant regions, while weaving fictional elements of ancient beliefs, supernatural possibilities and human curiosity into its narrative.Through Anju’s experiences, the book explores what can happen when the desire to discover the past meets forces that the characters do not fully understand. Its underwater setting provides a backdrop for a story built around exploration, suspense and the mysteries surrounding a lost civilisation.
Book launch celebrates emerging literary talent
The formal unveiling was one of the central moments of the event. Debasish Ganguly of JK Paper, Soumya Doralli and Shabeesh came together to launch the book, followed by photographs and a celebration of the author’s achievement. The event also included a conversation between the anchor and Doralli, an award-winning Indian fiction author and poet who previously worked as a software engineer and banker before moving into a full-time literary career. The discussion focused on her transition to writing, the role everyday experiences can play in storytelling, and the advice she would offer young people who want to write but are unsure where to begin.The programme then moved to an author conversation between Doralli and Shabeesh. The discussion was designed to explore the inspiration behind ‘Echoes of Muziris’, the development of the manuscript, the young author’s writing process and her experience of winning the AutHer Awards’ Best Manuscript Award. The conversation also offered an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and possibilities of pursuing creative ambitions at a young age. By bringing an emerging writer and an established author together, the event highlighted the value of mentorship and platforms that allow new voices to develop their craft.
JK Paper looks towards regional languages and poetry
Beyond celebrating the book, the launch drew attention to the need to make literary platforms more inclusive and accessible to writers from different backgrounds. During his remarks, Debasish Ganguly spoke about JK Paper’s interest in receiving more submissions from rural areas, where many stories remain untold. He also acknowledged a limitation of the existing award format, which currently uses English as its medium, and indicated that the company is considering ways to expand its reach.Ganguly said, “The company will be more glad if we are getting entries from the rural level actually also because their stories are untold, and unfortunately the category itself has English as a medium right now, but we are thinking towards it that we will introduce regional, and this year we are also introducing one more category, which is poetry, so that’s open.”His remarks pointed towards two possible areas of expansion: opening the platform to regional languages and introducing a poetry category. Such additions could provide opportunities for writers whose work may not fit within the existing categories or who express themselves more comfortably in languages other than English.The AutHer Awards were instituted in 2019 by JK Paper in association with The Times of India to celebrate and amplify the voices of women writers across India. The Best Manuscript category for young women aged 14 to 18 was introduced to identify fresh talent and encourage the next generation of authors. Through its partnership with Readomania, JK Paper helps turn the winning manuscript into a published book.
A milestone for a young writer
The launch of ‘Echoes of Muziris’ was both a celebration of Shabeesh’s achievement and a reminder of what can happen when young writers receive the opportunity and support to develop their ideas. Her journey from writing a short story in Class 7 to publishing a novel demonstrates how an early interest in storytelling can grow into a larger creative undertaking. Meanwhile, the discussion around rural submissions, regional languages and poetry suggests that literary platforms can continue to evolve to accommodate a wider range of voices.With its blend of underwater adventure, historical intrigue and mythology, ‘Echoes of Muziris’ introduces readers to a fictional mystery rooted in Kerala’s past. For Shabeesh, the book launch marks the beginning of her journey as a published novelist, while the event reinforces the importance of giving emerging writers the space to tell their stories.