Aftab Yusuf Shaikh started writing as a child, switching between English, Hindi and Urdu. His writing has consistently featured in international journals and anthologies. He was awarded the Poiesis International Award for Excellence in Literature in 2020. His books for children include Ilham’s Birthday and Letters To Ammi, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Neev Book Award 2020. He has published three volumes of poetry, Tehzeeb Talkies, Mominpura and Ansari’s Daughter. His first novel The Library Girl bagged him the Ne8x Author of the Year Award in 2019. Aftab works as an English and Islamic Studies lecturer in Mumbai.

Waiting for Father is his first work of fiction for young adult readers.