Science fiction and fantasy remain a still-emerging category in Indian English-language publishing, smaller than romance or thriller, but genuinely rich in imaginative possibility, particularly where it draws on India’s deep mythological tradition. Anecdote Publishing House’s speculative fiction list reflects exactly this energy: young authors building entire imagined worlds, and mythology reimagined through fantasy and thriller structures that feel both ancient and immediate.
This guide brings together Anecdote’s science fiction and fantasy titles, a genuinely distinctive list anchored by some of the youngest authors in the entire catalogue.
YA Science Fiction
Kartik in Cosmic Chaos, Jigyasa Jyotika
A science fiction adventure for younger readers, following its protagonist Kartik into genuine cosmic disorder, the kind of imaginative, high-concept premise that draws young readers into science fiction for the first time. Jigyasa Jyotika builds a story with real narrative momentum, aimed at readers who want adventure and wonder in equal measure.
Why read it: Anecdote’s clearest entry point into science fiction for younger readers, accessible, imaginative, and genuinely fun.
YA Fantasy
The Wars for Magisis, Namya Gupta and Yahvi Agarwal
Co-written by two thirteen-year-old authors, The Wars for Magisis is a YA fantasy built around a richly imagined world in genuine conflict, the kind of ambitious world-building that young fantasy readers respond to most strongly, written by authors who are themselves still very close to that readership.
Why read it: A remarkable achievement in world-building from two of the youngest co-authors in Indian publishing.
Mythology Fantasy
Kaalchakra, Aaditya Sengupta Dhar
Two teenagers from Mumbai find themselves at the centre of an ancient prophecy when Kali Asura emerges from darkness to turn the Kaalchakra, the wheel of time, heralding a new age of despair. Myth meets reality as legendary heroes become allies against otherworldly foes, and the two young protagonists discover they are destined to bring about the rise of Kalki, the restorer of cosmic balance. Set against a backdrop spanning the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean coast, Kaalchakra is designed to make modern Indian youth feel genuinely connected to their mythological heritage.
Aaditya Sengupta Dhar is also the author of Anecdote’s most internationally awarded non-fiction title, The Teen’s Guide to Saving the World.
Why read it: The most ambitious mythology fantasy on Anecdote’s list, from the catalogue’s most internationally decorated author.
Karthika Savarkar, Sharvi Patwardhan
Sharvi Patwardhan was seventeen when this debut mythology-fantasy novel was published, drawing on Indian mythological tradition while building a story entirely her own, a genuine command of narrative structure and mythological material well beyond what its author’s age might suggest.
Why read it: A teenage debut with real command of mythological material and world-building.
The Crystal Eye, Swarnendu Bhushan
A novel blending mythology and thriller structure, following a quest built around a mysterious and powerful artefact, the crystal eye of the title, that drives its characters into genuine danger and discovery. Bhushan’s approach favours pace and mystery alongside its mythological foundation.
Why read it: The most thriller-paced entry in Anecdote’s mythology fantasy list, myth and suspense working together.
Anecdote Speculative Fiction, At a Glance
| Book | Author | Category | Why Read It |
| Kartik in Cosmic Chaos | Jigyasa Jyotika | YA science fiction | Accessible, imaginative entry point for younger readers |
| The Wars for Magisis | Namya Gupta & Yahvi Agarwal | YA fantasy | Written by thirteen-year-old co-authors |
| Kaalchakra | Aaditya Sengupta Dhar | Mythology fantasy | Ambitious myth-meets-reality epic; author’s second Anecdote title |
| Karthika Savarkar | Sharvi Patwardhan | Mythology fantasy | Debut written at seventeen |
| The Crystal Eye | Swarnendu Bhushan | Mythology thriller | Fast-paced quest built around a mythological artefact |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best Anecdote Publishing House science fiction or fantasy book to start with?
For younger readers new to science fiction, Kartik in Cosmic Chaos by Jigyasa Jyotika is the most accessible starting point. For mythology fantasy, Kaalchakra by Aaditya Sengupta Dhar is the most ambitious and fully realised.
2. Does Anecdote Publishing House publish teenage fantasy and science fiction authors?
Yes. The Wars for Magisis was co-written by two thirteen-year-old authors, Namya Gupta and Yahvi Agarwal. Karthika Savarkar was written by Sharvi Patwardhan at seventeen. This reflects Anecdote’s broader editorial commitment to publishing young speculative fiction voices with full seriousness.
3. Is there Indian mythology-based fantasy in Anecdote’s catalogue?
Yes, this is the strongest sub-category in Anecdote’s speculative fiction list. Kaalchakra, Karthika Savarkar, and The Crystal Eye all draw on Indian mythological tradition, reimagined through fantasy and thriller structures.
4. Is Anecdote Publishing House a good fit for authors writing science fiction or fantasy?
Yes. Anecdote has demonstrated a genuine willingness to publish speculative fiction across a wide age range, including debut and very young authors, in a genre that remains underserved by many larger Indian publishers. If you have a completed science fiction, fantasy, or mythology-inspired manuscript, submit it for a free consultation.
5. Where can I buy Anecdote’s science fiction and fantasy titles?
All titles are available at anecdotepublishinghouse.com/all-books/.
Explore Anecdote’s Speculative Fiction
From cosmic adventure for younger readers to mythology reimagined as fantasy epic, Anecdote Publishing House’s science fiction and fantasy list is small but genuinely distinctive, anchored by some of the youngest and most ambitious authors in the entire catalogue.
Browse the Anecdote Publishing House catalogue for the complete list. If you are writing speculative fiction, submit your manuscript for a free consultation, we publish at zero cost to the author and distribute to over 100 bookshops across India.