Chital Mehta: Stretching Cultural Boundaries in Motherhood

Amanda Fields and Holly Rizzuto Palker chat with Chital Mehta, author of Have You Seen Romit?, about raising children across cultures, stretching marital boundaries, and the weight of writing rejection. When her adopted son disappears into the forests of southern India, Usha defies her husband, leaves the rest of her family, and goes to find him—alone. Have You Seen Romit? is the story of a middle-aged Indian woman who sets out to find her son and discovers, in the search, the full force of who she is. Chital Mehta is a South Asian writer whose stories center on motherhood, family dynamics, and immigration. Her short stories have appeared in The Pinch, Oyez Review, SLAB Magazine, and elsewhere. Her novel, Have You Seen Romit?, was the winner of the 2025 James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, judged by R. O. Kwon. She holds an MFA from Lindenwood University and lives in Delaware with her husband and children. Links: Book Substack Instagram Website This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit literarymama.substack.com