Subhechcha Ganguly 
Some writers discover stories. For Shoumik De, stories have always been a part of life.
Growing up in Kolkata, Shoumik was surrounded by stories told by his grandmother, mother, and father. Combined with a lifelong love of reading, these early experiences shaped the storyteller he would eventually become. Today, while working as an IT engineer, he continues to nurture that passion through books that entertain, engage, and leave readers with something meaningful to think about.
Shoumik De lives in Kolkata, West Bengal, with his mother and an exceptionally perfect dog. While writing remains his greatest passion, he is also a photographer, travel enthusiast, and avid reader. Having travelled extensively across the world, he draws inspiration from people, places, and experiences that often find their way into his stories.
Before establishing himself as a novelist, Shoumik contributed several short stories to the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul India series. He also won the BlogAdda writing competition and earned publication through his work. Over the years, he has steadily built a reputation as a writer who combines compelling storytelling with relatable human emotions.
His latest book, Cry of Dogs, is a gripping young adult mystery set in the outskirts of Kolkata. The novel follows Ron and Yash, two eighteen-year-old best friends and passionate animal lovers, who find themselves investigating a disturbing series of stray dog deaths in their neighbourhood. When their beloved stray dog, Laali, is found dead, the boys, along with their friends, set out to uncover the truth.
As they dig deeper, they discover connections involving local shopkeepers, animal rights activists, and a group of suspicious individuals. With more dogs being killed and danger closing in, the teenagers must rely on their courage, friendship, and determination to protect the voiceless animals they care about. The story builds towards a thrilling climax as they risk everything to expose a cold-blooded killer and save another stray dog, Browny.
What makes the novel even more intriguing is that one of the incidents mentioned in the story is inspired by a real event. Shoumik came across the incident in a newspaper and later researched it further. What he discovered was very different from how the event had been reported, and that discovery eventually became an important twist in the novel.
The book has earned significant recognition, winning the Young Adult Book of the Year award at the 2nd International Children’s Book Awards 2026, along with the prestigious Aesop’s Tale Certificate of Honour. Another of his books, Brain Benders, is also creating an impact beyond the literary world, as NGO Bhumi uses it to encourage children’s interest in science and learning.
Despite his success, Shoumik describes time as the biggest challenge in his writing journey. Balancing a demanding corporate career, household responsibilities, and caring for his dog often leaves little room for writing. There have even been occasions when he has taken leave from work just to complete a plot that demanded his full attention.
When asked about a typical writing day, he laughs at the idea of having a routine. Between office work and household chores, he writes whenever he can find the time. Sometimes that means writing in his favourite coffee shop, while at other times it means stealing moments from a busy schedule to bring an idea to life.
His literary influences are diverse and wide-ranging. Among the books that have left a lasting impact on him are The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, Abir Mukherjee’s Sam Wyndham series, I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes, and A Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach. He also admires classics such as 1984, The Catcher in the Rye, Catch-22, and Shantaram.
Beyond writing, Shoumik’s interests include photography, reading, and driving with good music playing in the background. Having worked as a professional photographer, he appreciates the art of capturing stories not only through words but also through images.
For aspiring authors, his advice is refreshingly practical: “Write what’s in your mind. Write honestly. Your first job is to finish the manuscript. Editing comes later. Write extravagantly, but edit like frugal.”
Looking ahead, readers have much to anticipate. Shoumik is currently working on a closed-room fair-play murder mystery with the Kolkata Literary Society, a rewritten version of Banaras, and a sequel to Cry of Dogs that will take Ron and Yash into a parallel universe.
At the heart of everything he writes is a simple hope: that readers feel delighted after finishing his books and understand the message he is trying to share. Whether through mystery, adventure, or social themes, Shoumik De continues to tell stories that entertain while reminding readers of the power of courage, friendship, and compassion.
