Shalini Abeysekara, Featured Author

Some authors carry one life inside them.

Shalini Abeysekara has lived several.

Before becoming an agented and published romance author, she was a corporate lawyer. A cooking instructor. A drama instructor. A features writer for Soompi. She is a classically trained pianist, an avid gamer, a devoted TV-watcher, and a self-proclaimed Buldak and bubble tea fiend.

It is that layered, curious, disciplined, creative spirit that makes her storytelling feel so rich.

She lives in pursuit of excellence — the perfect entremet, the Platinum trophy on Horizon Forbidden West at its most punishing difficulty, conquering her towering TBR — and that same pursuit hums beneath her work. There is intention in it. Craft. A quiet confidence.

To be a former corporate lawyer and choose romance is its own kind of rebellion.

To be classically trained and choose emotional vulnerability on the page is its own kind of artistry.

Shalini brings intellect and heart together in a way that feels distinctly modern — ambitious, global, deeply felt. She understands tension. She understands discipline. She understands longing.

And that makes her a perfect voice for BOUND.

We are honored to welcome Shalini Abeysekara to our dark, decadent weekend this September. The candlelight will suit her. The conversation will suit her. The readers will absolutely adore her.

Please join us in welcoming her to BOUND 2026.

And if anyone can arrange a meeting with Ji Sung, we suspect there will be a very grateful author in attendance. 🖤