Some stories are written in extraordinary moments. Others are found in everyday conversations, family memories, journeys, and quiet reflections that often go unnoticed. It is these seemingly ordinary experiences that become the heart of Between Breaths and Heartbeats, the debut poetry collection by Aparna Srivastava, recipient of the 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award.
The collection brings together poems inspired by life’s simplest yet most meaningful moments. Drawing from personal experiences with family, travel, love, motherhood, and self-reflection, Aparna transforms fleeting emotions into relatable verses that invite readers to pause, reflect, and discover pieces of their own lives within the pages.
For Aparna, writing has never been a planned pursuit. For years, her thoughts found their way onto notebooks, diaries, scraps of paper, napkins, and whatever happened to be within reach when inspiration struck. Poetry became her way of preserving emotions before they faded, quietly accompanying her through different phases of life.
Although her family had long encouraged her to compile these writings into a book, it was only this year that she made a personal commitment to give her words the place they deserved. As she gathered years of poems and short stories, she realised that these reflections were meant to be shared rather than remain tucked away in personal journals.
“I wanted my writing to serve a greater purpose than simply organising my thoughts,” Aparna shares. “If someone relates to these poems, finds comfort in them, or even smiles because of them, then they have fulfilled their purpose.”
That philosophy shapes every page of Between Breaths and Heartbeats. Rather than focusing on grand events, the collection celebrates life’s quieter moments, the conversations that stay with us, the emotions shared within families, the memories created while travelling, and the thoughts that emerge during life’s pauses. These familiar experiences allow readers to connect naturally with the poems, making the collection deeply personal yet universally relatable.
Beyond her literary interests, Aparna has built a distinguished career spanning more than two decades as a finance professional and mentor. An MBA gold medalist and batch topper, she has successfully balanced academic excellence and corporate leadership while continuing to nurture her creative passions. Alongside writing, she is also a painter, creator, and keen observer of the world around her, qualities that bring richness and authenticity to her poetry.
Her ability to find meaning in ordinary experiences gives the collection its distinctive voice. Each poem encourages readers to slow down and appreciate the beauty hidden within everyday life, reminding them that life’s most memorable moments often exist in the spaces between milestones.
Receiving the 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award marks a significant milestone in Aparna Srivastava’s literary journey, recognising a collection that celebrates emotional honesty, reflection, and the universal experiences that connect us all.
At its heart, Between Breaths and Heartbeats is more than a poetry collection. It is a reminder that every life is made up of countless small moments, moments that deserve to be remembered, cherished, and transformed into stories worth sharing.
📚 Title: Between Breaths and Heartbeats
🛒 Book: Amazon
🏆 Award: 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award
