Shilpi Somaya Gowda is an award-winning, internationally bestselling Canadian author known for her compelling storytelling and richly woven narratives. Born in 1970 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Gowda's literary journey is marked by her profound connection to Indian heritage and her keen exploration of the complexities of family dynamics. Her novels, deeply influenced by her Canadian upbringing and experiences in India, stand as a testament to her versatile narrative skill.

Her debut novel, Secret Daughter, published in 2010, became a New York Times and #1 international bestseller, touching hearts worldwide and being translated into over 30 languages. The inspiration for the novel emerged from a summer spent volunteering at an Indian orphanage during her college years, which deeply impacted her perspective on life and storytelling. Secret Daughter was celebrated for its insightful exploration of cultural identity, motherhood, and the invisible threads that connect us all. It garnered acclaim by being shortlisted for the South African Boeke Literary Prize, longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and earning distinctions such as an IndieNext Great Read, a Target Book Club Pick, a ChaptersIndigo Heather's Pick, and an Amnesty International Book Club Pick.

Gowda's second novel, The Golden Son, released in 2015-16, continued her streak of storytelling excellence. It became a #1 international bestseller, a Target Book Club Pick, a Costco Buyer's Pick, and was honored with the French literary prize, Prix des Lyceens Folio. Her narrative prowess was further showcased in her third novel, The Shape of Family, published in October 2019 in Canada and March 2020 in the U.S., and her upcoming fourth novel, A Great Country, scheduled for release on March 26, 2024. This novel is eagerly anticipated as a "propulsive contemporary novel exploring the ties and fractures of a close-knit Indian-American family in the aftermath of a violent encounter with the police."

Gowda's remarkable ability to weave complex narratives that explore cultural identity, family, and resilience has established her as a notable voice in contemporary literature. She currently resides in California with her family, where she continues to write and inspire.