Rai's literary successes have quickly expanded: within four years he could boast five published books, including two - Dream On and What's Your Problem? -that are geared toward reluctant readers. With nothing but a 'distant dream of becoming the next Sue Townsend,' as he stated on his Web site, Rai had his first young adult novel, (Un)arranged Marriage, published by Random House the year he turned thirty. After becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college, he found a job working as a nightclub manager. He was raised in a Punjabi neighborhood in Leicester, England, where he began imaginative writing stories at age eight. SidelightsĪ college graduate with a political science degree who managed English nightclubs, novelist Bali Rai boasts an unusual background, especially when considering his success as a published author. Rani and Sukh, Corgi (London, England), 2004.Īuthor's works have been translated into eight languages. What's Your Problem?, Barrington Stoke (Edinburgh, Scotland), 2003.Ĭoncrete Chips, Hodder (London, England), 2004.

(Un)arranged Marriage, Corgi (London, England), 2001.ĭream On, Barrington Stoke ( Edinburgh, Scotland), 2002. South Lanarkshire Book Award shortlist, and North East Book Award shortlist, both 2001, and Wirral Paperback of the Year Award shortlist, Lancashire Book Award shortlist, Branford Boase Award shortlist, Leicester Book of the Year Award, Angus Book Award, and Stockport Schools Book Award, all 2002, all for (Un)arranged Marriage Leicester, North Lanarkshire, and Calderdale Book Award shortlists, all for The Crew. Former manager of bars and nightclubs in Leicester, England. AddressesĪgent -c/o Author Mail, Random House UK, 20 Vauxhall Bridge Rd., London SW1V 2SA, England.

(Un)arranged Marriage by Bali Rai