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Stay up to date with all press, media and author events.
May 2026: BBC Asian Network Podcast: The Everyday Hustle
Sharika sat down with Harleen Nottay on BBC Asian
Network's The Everyday Hustle — the flagship podcast
for South Asian founders who are starting up, scaling
up, and figuring out their next move.
In this episode, Sharika talks candidly about walking
away from a 17-year career in financial services to
write the children's books she wished had existed when
she was growing up, how she built and monetises Maya's
Worldly Wonders® from scratch, who keeps her motivated
when the going gets tough, and where she sees the brand
heading next.
A conversation about hustle, heart, and the courage it
takes to build something that truly matters.
Produced by Voxwave for BBC Asian Network. 30 minutes.
🎧 Listen on BBC Sounds
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002vxlt
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May 2026: Featured in Teach Primary Magazine
Maya's Worldly Wonders® has been featured in Teach Primary Issue 20.4, one of the UK's leading primary education publications, distributed to 8,000 schools in print and 50,000 educators digitally.
Founder and author Sharika Chauhan contributed a double-page KS2 geography lesson plan titled "From Story to Map: Using Narrative to Build Real-World Geography", alongside a half-page brand advert. The lesson plan uses storytelling as a stimulus for geographical enquiry, guiding pupils from imagination to investigation through maps, cultural exploration and discussion. It is accompanied by three free downloadable classroom resources.
The feature positions Maya's Worldly Wonders® as a curriculum-aligned teaching tool for primary schools across the UK, reinforcing the brand's growing presence in the education sector.
Teach Primary Issue 20.4 is available now at www.teachwire.net
Apr 2026: BBC Radio Author Interview: Desi Stories
Sharika Chauhan, founder and author of Maya's Worldly Wonders®, was interviewed on BBC Three Counties Radio by Zaileen Hewins, discussing her journey from a 17-year career in financial services to becoming a children's author and the story behind the Maya's Worldly Wonders® series.
The interview explored the inspiration behind the books, the importance of representation in children's literature and her mission to help young readers grow up more curious, empathetic and open to the world around them.
Listen again at bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ndh83x or
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Apr 2026: We are featured on FounderLand Press
Thank you to the Founderland team for featuring a blog on our founder Sharika Chauhan and the Maya universe.
We are proud to be part of such an inspiring entrepreneurial community in Europe.
You can read the full article here: https://www.founderland.org/founder-profiles/sharika-chauhan-mayas-worldly-wonders
Apr 2026: We were a sell out at our first Weekend Mela!
The Wokingham Mela (Faire) and community opened their arms widely to us in the last weekend of April 2026 and we pretty much sold out our books! We were among other amazing South Asian stalls selling food, jewellery, crafts, music and much more.
And it was a gorgeous sunny warm spring weekend!
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Apr 2026: We are finalists for the UK Start Up Awards!!
We are officially finalists for Creative StartUp of the Year at the London regional final of the UK StartUp Awards 2026. The next goal is a spot at the national final at @ideas_fest this September. Huge thanks to everyone supporting Maya's Worldly Wonders!
We couldn't be more chuffed to be shortlisted. Wish us luck! You can view all the shortlisted regional finalists here - https://startupawards.uk/shortlist
Apr 2026: The author is featured in the Luxurist magazine!
Check out the magazine article of the authors journey from finance executive to children's book author in this candid magazine article, published by the Luxurist magazine! You can have a read on the link below:
https://luxuristmag.com/sharika-chauhan-from-finance-to-storytelling-building-worlds-that-matter/
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Mar 2026: Our First Large South Asian Exhibition
It was our first large weekend exhibition - Hey Gorgeous - in North London, and it did not disappoint! We were among over a 100 South Asian business owner and exhibitors, and got to meet to meet the amazing South Asian community of shoppers.
The kids and families loved the books and a few lucky kids got to take pictures with the author herself, and got signed copies of the books! We cant wait to exhibit again next year!
Mar 2026: We are live on Tik Tok Shop!
March is proving to be a busy month and we are not showing any signs of stopping!
All the books and merchandise are now available to purchase on Tik Tok Shop from 1st April 2026! (and no its not Aprils fool!) If you are a Tik Tok user, come and check out our shop page and give our account a follow here: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZNRseADTv/?page=TikTokShop
Mar 2026: International Women's Day - Fashion Brunch Exhibition
This years IWD celebration theme was 'Give to Gain' and we had the privilege of being invited to exhibit at the annual Fashion Brunch. The catwalk was filled with incredibly strong South Asian women who have battled and overcome addiction. We heard their inspiring stories and got to meet them in person.
Congratulations to the raffle winners who received 3 free Maya books from the series!
Mar 2026: World Book Day with United Learning!
We ran 2 interactive assemblies for reception through to Year 3 classes at Winston Way Academy, part of the United Trust Learning Academy, for World Book Day. The kids absolutely loved meeting the author and we loved reading the books and doing map challenges with the kids!
Feb 2026: Our first market stall experience
It was a very cold Valentines weekend but we were chuffed to be asked to sell our books & merch at the infamous Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey, London.
Keep a look out for a barrow full of Maya books this spring and summer!
Nov 2025: Our first Christmas fair!
We are getting into the festive spirit!
A huge thank you to Odgers (Recruitment consultancy business) for welcoming Maya’s Worldly Wonders to their London HQ Christmas fair.
If your organisation is hosting a Christmas fair in 2026 and looking for engaging family-friendly vendors, we’d love to be involved. Feel free to get in touch!
We are grateful for the incredible support from the BUY WOMEN BUILT community! 👏
Oct 2025: We are officially part of the BWB community!
We’re thrilled that Maya’s Worldly Wonders™ has joined over 1,000 incredible British female-founded brands within the BUY WOMEN BUILT community — a movement that celebrates and empowers women building businesses across the UK.
It’s even more special knowing we may be the only children’s book series and publishing brand in the mix — proudly championing storytelling, representation, and creativity for young readers everywhere!
We are officially on the site 🙌 - https://www.buywomenbuilt.com/brands/mayas-worldly-wonders
Sept 2025: Watch Maya animation videos on YOUTUBE!
Watch & subscribe: 📺 We’ve also launched Maya’s first YouTube channel featuring short animation videos from the series—including Sri Lanka! Search “Maya’s Worldly Wonders” on YouTube to watch and subscribe.
Watch here - https://www.youtube.com/@MayasWorldlyWonders
Sept 2025: Fifth book in Sri Lanka has officially launched!
🎉 Maya’s Sri Lankan Spice Trail of Tails has officially launched!
Maya finally meets her pen pal Ramy in Sri Lanka, whirls through surfing, misty tea mountains and a cheeky rescue dog, and discovers the power of courage and friendship.
Available to buy now via the Shop page or Amazon worldwide (with select bookshops to follow).
Aug 2025: Bookmark Reading Charity Partnership
We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with Bookmark Reading Charity! 💙 Through their incredible online volunteer programme, Maya’s Worldly Wonders books will reach hundreds of children across England, inspiring curiosity, courage, and a love of reading. Together, we’re making storytime more adventurous than ever!
Maya Merchandise has arrived!
Exciting news! Maya’s Worldly Wonders now has its very own merchandise collection 🎒👕💧 Perfect for little adventurers, our range includes a colourful backpack, fun drawstring bag, two vibrant T-shirts, and a stylish Camelbak water bottle. Designed in Maya’s signature pinks, lilacs, and whites, these items are made for kids who love to explore the world in style. 💫 Shop now on our website!
2025 so far!
Author Reading Events
Over the past six months, Maya’s Worldly Wonders has been on the road, bringing stories to life at World Book Day at Drapers’, Keyworth Primary School, and Kentish Town Library. Each event was a resounding success—filled with interactive storytelling, lively Q&As, and creative activities that had young readers laughing, learning, and leaping into Maya’s adventures. From exploring far-off cultures to inspiring courage and curiosity, these sessions left children (and teachers!) buzzing with excitement and eager to read more.
January 2025
Podcast interview with a life coach!
Discover my enlightening podcast interview with the incredible UnclePri, a life coach who shares insights on my journey from a finance executive to the world of children's literature. Join us as we discuss valuable life lessons along the way. Don't miss out—check out the YouTube episode on Unfltered Podcast channel, episode 73 - https://youtu.be/_dOVh1X85xw?si=65_JHmg6rmkwbsv2
December 2024
Podcast interview with Dumb Money!
Discover my fascinating journey in finance on episode 39 of the first student-led podcast! I share experiences starting in hedge funds, climbing the corporate ladder in investment management and consulting within the private debt world, and how I transitioned becoming a children's book author. Plus, I discuss my passion for travel and the adventures that inspire my writing. Tune in here on the Dumb Money channel: https://youtu.be/1p7iPOcaJuU?si=KZeRLNCS5otPquY7!
November 2024
Author Reading and School visit!
What an absolute joy it was to go back to where it all began! Reading to three vibrant Year 4 and Year 5 classes at St. Anne's and Guardian Angels Catholic Primary School was truly a liberating and heartwarming experience.
The students were completely captivated by the books, and the sessions were buzzing with energy. Their enthusiasm shone through as they asked insightful and thought-provoking questions—it was incredible to see both the girls and boys so engaged!
Earlier this year, we were fortunate to have the school’s reading ambassadors review an unedited script from Maya’s Worldly Wonders. Their thoughtful one-on-one feedback was invaluable and played a key role in shaping the final version of the book.
Moments like these remind me why we embarked on this journey—to inspire young minds, spark curiosity, and create stories they love. A huge thank you to the teachers and students for making this experience so special!
November 2024
Bookmark Reading Charity Collaboration
We are honored to have partnered with Bookmark Reading Charity on their inaugural author short film, which will be distributed to over 505 schools across England, inspiring children to embrace the joy of reading. As former volunteers for nine months, Sharika helped a child struggling with literacy gain confidence in her reading skills, reinforcing Bookmark’s mission to improve children’s literacy and support disadvantaged communities.
You can read more about Sharika's journey and the importance of inclusive storytelling in her blog interview with Bookmark Reading.
Together, we’re fostering a love of reading and changing the story for children, equipping them with the skills they need for a brighter future.
November 2024
Keynote Guest Speaker at Lombard Odier
It was an honor to be invited as a guest speaker at Lombard Odier Investment Management in London for their Diwali celebration. Sharika had the privilege of sharing her journey on reclaiming her narrative, navigating career pivots from finance to becoming a children’s author, and the art of rebranding oneself.
The event saw a fantastic turnout, and the Diwali-inspired cuisine added to the festive atmosphere!
If you’re interested in booking Sharika as a speaker for your next event, please visit our speaker event page and fill out the contact form. We look forward to connecting with you!
October 2024
BBC Radio London Interview
We were honoured to be asked to interview with the talented Shay Kaur Grewal on BBC Radio London on 22nd October 2024 to share the journey to becoming an children's book series author and the inspiration behind Maya and each story. It was an incredible opportunity to talk about the mission of my books—to ignite curiosity, inspire adventure, and encourage young readers to discover the wonders of the world.
My school run segment starts at 3:50 pm. You can catch the full interview here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0jswcrm.
A heartfelt thank you to BBC for the platform.
October 2024
Stay Tuned for Author visits at Libraries in London!
Maya's Worldly Wonders books are starting to get housed in libraries across London, including the beautiful Fulham library.
Keep a look out on socials for author visit days and book readings with the kids in libraries in Kensington and Southwark!
October 2024
We discuss author journeys on the Wonderbird Show!
Delighted to have been invited by the wonderful ladies of the Wonderbirds Show on YouTube to chat about all things children’s books and my exciting journey to becoming an author. It was such a fun and inspiring conversation!
Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKRiSj4APYI
September 2024
Interview with Authority Magazine
We are thrilled to be featured in an interview with Authority Magazine where author Sharika Chauhan got to share her thoughts on how travel can truly shape who we are and help us grow into better human beings. From personal experiences to life lessons, it was an amazing opportunity to reflect on the power of exploring the world.
Check out the full interview through this link - https://medium.com/authority-magazine/travel-and-personal-growth-sharika-chauhan-of-south-node-publishing-on-why-how-traveling-can-016d2104b142
September 2024
We Are Officially Stocked at Bookstores!
We’re excited and proud to announce that Maya’s Worldly Wonders is now available at some of London’s most iconic independent bookstores! You can find our books at the renowned Notting Hill Bookshop, Lutyens & Rubinstein Bookshop, and South Kensington Book Shop.
Stay tuned as we continue to expand to more stockists across London!
September 2024
A Sneak Peak at Bookmark Reading's Author Filming day!
We are proud to be collaborating with the Bookmark Reading Charity to share insights into the world of writing children's books, exploring my inspirations, creative process, and strategies for encouraging children to read more. It’s an honor to volunteer with such a fantastic organization. Through a dedicated 9-month program, we've had the privilege of helping a child overcome reading challenges. Bookmark is doing incredible work, and we're thrilled to be part of their mission to inspire a love of reading in young minds.
September 2024
Interview with the BBC Radio Station
We are grateful to Amir Suleman for the wonderful opportunity to be a guest on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on 16th September 2024! I had the chance to share the exciting launch of my children's book series with the Asian community. Tune in to our conversation at 1:40 on this BBC Sounds link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p076rm3t
September 2024
We Have Officially Launched!
We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the Maya's Worldly Wonders book series! Available in E-Book, Paperback, and Hardcover formats, you can now purchase your copies across leading distribution platforms, including Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and BookVault.
As part of our launch, we are also kicking off an exciting Book PR campaign. For all media inquiries, press-related questions, or interview requests, please contact our publicists, Ben Cameron and Debbie Elliott, at Cameron Publicity and Marketing.
For more information, reach out to: Debbie Elliott
Email: debbie@cameronpm.co.uk
July 2024
Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month
We are thrilled to announce our participation in MiGSO-PCUBED's South Asian Heritage Month event, where author Sharika Chauhan shared her inspiring squiggly career journey. From a successful finance executive to a self-published children's book author, Sharika spoke about embracing change and finding passion in unexpected places.
The event, held to honor the remarkable achievements of the British South Asian community, brought together a diverse group of business owners and professionals who are making significant strides in their fields. From leading radio stations to founding creative sustainability companies, the speakers showcased the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit that thrives within our community.
The evening was a celebration of culture and achievement, enriched with delicious Indian cuisine and energetic Bhangra dance lessons. It was an unforgettable night of connection, inspiration, and cultural appreciation.
June 2024
The Self Publishing Show Live, London
Join author Sharika Chauhan on her exciting journey! At Europe's largest Self-Publishing Book Learning and Networking Show, she enjoyed an inspiring and fun-filled two-day event. Sharika met her editing and illustration team for the first time and shared laughs and insights about romantic fiction and self-publishing journeys with renowned authors E.L. James (50 Shades of Grey) and Lucy Score (Things We Never Got Over) during their lively panel discussion. Don’t miss exclusive behind-the-scenes updates—subscribe to Sharika’s mailing list and follow her adventures!
