Alicolours: New A Pg

2026-01-23T23:14:07Z

New A Pg

New page

{{Short description|Indian-American writer}}
{{COI|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Jenny Bhatt
| image =
| notable_works = Each of Us Killers; Ratno Dholi: The Best Stories of Dhumketu; The Shehnai Virtuoso and Other Stories by Dhumketu
| occupation = Writer, literary translator, literary critic, podcaster, writing instructor
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|September 18, 1972}}
| birth_place = [[Rajkot, Gujarat]], India
| nationality = American
| alma_mater = [[Kimmins High School]]<br>[[University of Hertfordshire]]
| website = {{URL|https://jennybhattwriter.com}}
}}

'''Jenny Bhatt''' (born September 18, 1972) is an Indian American writer, literary translator, and literary critic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-01 |title=An Interview with Jenny Bhatt |url=https://www.southeastreview.org/single-post/an-interview-with-jenny-bhatt |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=thesoutheastreview |language=en}}</ref> She is the author of an award-winning story collection, ''Each of Us Killers'', an award-shortlisted literary translation, ''Ratno Dholi: The Best Stories of Dhumketu,'' and the literary translation, ''The Shehnai Virtuoso and Other Stories'' by Dhumketu''.'' She is the founder of ''Desi Books'', a global multimedia platform for South Asian literature.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BOMB Magazine {{!}} Older People Do Reinvent Themselves: Jenny Bhatt… |url=https://bombmagazine.org/articles/jenny-bhatt-interviewed/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=BOMB Magazine |language=en}}</ref> In 2025, she was awarded a [[National Endowment for the Arts|National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)]] Translation Fellowship.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Jenny Bhatt |url=https://www.arts.gov/impact/literary-arts/translation-fellows/jenny-bhatt |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.arts.gov |language=en}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Bhatt was born in [[Rajkot, Gujarat]], India, and grew up in [[Mumbai]]. She did most of her high school at [[Kimmins High School]] in [[Panchgani, Maharashtra]]. She attended the [[University of Hertfordshire]] in England as an engineering undergraduate. Thereafter, she worked in [[Germany]], [[England]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-05|title=But Let Us Cultivate Our Garden|url=https://themillions.com/2018/11/but-let-us-cultivate-our-garden.html|access-date=2020-08-23|website=The Millions|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Scotland]], and the [[United States]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=What Does It Mean to Be a Black or Brown Person at Work?|url=https://rewire.news/article/2020/09/04/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-black-or-brown-person-at-work/|access-date=2020-09-04|website=Rewire.News|date=4 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> at various multi-national corporations until 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bhatt|first=Jenny|date=2018-11-28|title='Emerging' as a Writer — After 40|url=https://longreads.com/2018/11/28/emerging-as-a-writer-after-40/|access-date=2020-07-04|website=Longreads|language=en}}</ref>

From 2012 to 2014, she worked as a personal [[Financial adviser|financial advisor]] to people running small businesses.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stone|first=Heather|date=2013-01-30|title=Jenny Bhatt Engineers New Business Opportunities|url=https://blog.bizsugar.com/2013/01/30/jenny-bhatt-jenny_bhatt-engineers-new-business-opportunities/|access-date=2020-07-04|website=BizSugar Blog|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706170343/https://blog.bizsugar.com/2013/01/30/jenny-bhatt-jenny_bhatt-engineers-new-business-opportunities/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2020, she founded Desi Books LLC, a global multimedia forum that showcases [[South Asia|South Asian]] literature and connects readers and writers through conversation and community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-22 |title=Best of desi reads |url=https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/best-of-desi-reads--22744249 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Mid-day |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, she began a full-time Ph.D. in Literature at the [[University of Texas at Dallas]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DE0JIi1S_YE/ |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>

She's based in the [[Dallas, Texas]] area.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-29|title=Reading to each other, a woman in Mumbai and man in Dallas turned their talks into marriage|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/books/2020/09/29/reading-to-each-other-a-woman-in-mumbai-and-man-in-dallas-turned-their-talks-into-marriage/|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Dallas News|language=en}}</ref>

== Writing (fiction and nonfiction) ==
From 2016 onward, Bhatt's short fiction has been published in various literary journals.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-22|title=Publications|url=https://jennybhattwriter.com/publications/|access-date=2020-07-04|website=Jenny Bhatt, Writer|language=en}}</ref> Her non-fiction and literary criticism have been published in various venues like ''[[NPR]],''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meena Kandasamy Claims Space For Herself In 'Exquisite Cadavers'|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/08/932102119/meena-kandasamy-claims-space-for-herself-in-exquisite-cadavers|access-date=2020-12-01|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]],''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhatt|first=Jenny|title=Review {{!}} In 'How to Pronounce Knife,' stories of Lao immigrants reveal everyday moments of racism, classism, power and privilege|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/in-how-to-pronounce-knife-stories-of-lao-immigrants-reveal-everyday-moments-of-racism-classism-power-and-privilege/2020/04/23/ec81e8be-8582-11ea-a3eb-e9fc93160703_story.html|access-date=2020-07-14|newspaper=Washington Post|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Literary Hub]],''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-11-08|title=20 Debut Works of Fiction by Women Over 40|url=https://lithub.com/20-debut-works-of-fiction-by-women-over-40/|access-date=2020-07-14|website=Literary Hub|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[The Atlantic]],''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Rosa Inocencio|title=The Literary Passages That Guide Your Life - The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2016/10/the-literary-passages-that-guide-your-life/503798/|access-date=2020-07-14|website=www.theatlantic.com|date=12 October 2016 |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhatt {{!}} |first=Jenny |title=Moving Beyond Stereotypes in South Asian Literature |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/columns-and-blogs/soapbox/article/88155-moving-beyond-stereotypes-in-south-asian-literature.html |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=PublishersWeekly.com |language=en}}</ref> and others.

In 2022 Bhatt guest-edited a collection of Gujarati literature in translation works at ''[[Words Without Borders]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Translating Gujarat: A Literary Intervention Archives |url=https://wordswithoutborders.org/read/collection/november-2022-translating-gujarat-a-literary-intervention/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Words Without Borders |language=en}}</ref>

Bhatt's weekly newsletter, '[https://jennybhattwriter.com/newsletter-we-are-all-translators/ We Are All Translators]' has received mentions at venues like [[Los Angeles Review of Books]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-18 |title=Los Angeles Review of Books |url=https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/writing-is-about-connection-a-conversation-with-jenny-bhatt/ |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Los Angeles Review of Books |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Literary Hub]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=Lit Hub Daily: September 20, 2022 |url=https://lithub.com/lit-hub-daily-september-20-2022/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Literary Hub |language=en-US}}</ref> and ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-15 |title=This North Texas author is shining a light on Desi authors from around the globe |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/books/2022/11/09/this-dallas-author-is-shining-a-light-on-desi-authors-from-around-the-globe/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref>

=== ''Each of Us Killers'' (short story collection) ===
A winner in the Foreword INDIES 2020 Book of the Year Short Stories award category and a finalist in the Multicultural Adult Fiction category,<ref>{{Cite web|title="Each of Us Killers" is a 2020 Foreword INDIES Finalist|url=https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/books/each-of-us-killers/|access-date=2021-03-13|website=www.forewordreviews.com|language=en}}</ref> Bhatt's debut short story collection was cited as one of the most anticipated debuts of the second half of 2020 by ''[[Electric Literature]],''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-30|title=The Most Anticipated Debuts of the Second Half of 2020|url=https://electricliterature.com/the-most-anticipated-debuts-of-the-second-half-of-2020/|access-date=2020-07-04|website=Electric Literature|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Literary Hub]],''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-14|title=Lit Hub's Most Anticipated Books of 2020, Part 2|url=https://lithub.com/lit-hubs-most-anticipated-books-of-2020-part-2/|access-date=2020-07-14|website=Literary Hub|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[The Millions]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-15|title=Most Anticipated: The Great Second-Half 2020 Book Preview|url=https://themillions.com/2020/07/most-anticipated-the-great-second-half-2020-book-preview.html|access-date=2020-07-15|website=The Millions|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-02|title=September Preview: The Millions Most Anticipated (This Month)|url=https://themillions.com/2020/09/september-preview-the-millions-most-anticipated-this-month-3.html|access-date=2020-09-04|website=The Millions|language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Entropy (magazine)|''Entropy Magazine'']].<ref>{{Cite web|title=August and September 2020 Small Press Releases|url=https://entropymag.org/august-and-september-small-press-releases-3/|access-date=2020-08-21|website=entropymag.org|archive-date=2020-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809194239/https://entropymag.org/august-and-september-small-press-releases-3/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Published by ''7.13 Books,''<ref>{{Cite web|title=7.13 Books|url=https://713books.com/|access-date=2020-07-04|website=7.13 Books|language=en}}</ref> the story collection received a starred review from ''[[Shelf Awareness]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shelf Awareness for Readers for Tuesday, October 6, 2020|url=https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=959|access-date=2020-12-01|website=www.shelf-awareness.com}}</ref> with praise that “[c]hallenging assumptions, confronting power, manipulating barriers whenever possible–even at grave personal cost–Bhatt’s cast surprises, inspires, frightens, beguiles, but never disappoints.” ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' wrote that Bhatt's "stories are memorable on their own, and they add up to a powerful expression of the hunger for success on one's own terms."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Each of Us Killers Review (Publishers Weekly)|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-7333672-6-4|access-date=2020-07-04|website=www.publishersweekly.com}}</ref> ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' called it a "formally diverse collection with exquisitely crafted stories about longing, striving, and learning what we can control"<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jenny-bhatt/each-of-us-killers/|title=Each of Us Killers Review (Kirkus Reviews)|publisher=www.kirkusreviews.com|date=2020-07-14|language=en}}</ref> and listed it as one of the must-read collections of Fall 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fall Preview: Must-Read Story Collections|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/fall-preview-must-read-story-collections/|access-date=2020-08-21|website=Kirkus Reviews|language=en}}</ref> ''Debutiful,''<ref>{{Cite web|last=vitcavage|date=2020-09-01|title=6 debut books you should read this September|url=https://debutiful.net/2020/09/01/6-debut-books-you-should-read-this-september/|access-date=2020-09-04|website=debutiful|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Ms. (magazine)|Ms. Magazine]].''<ref>{{Cite web|title=September 2020 Reads for the Rest of Us - Ms. Magazine|url=https://msmagazine.com/2020/09/02/september-2020-reads-for-the-rest-of-us/|access-date=2020-09-04|website=msmagazine.com|date=2 September 2020 }}</ref> [[Bustle (magazine)|''Bustle'']] listed it as a must-read book of September 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Books Everyone Will Be Talking About All September Long|url=https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/most-anticipated-books-of-september-2020|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Bustle|date=6 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> and as one of the best collections of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Best Short Story Collections Of 2020, From 'Daddy' To 'Verge'|url=https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/the-best-short-story-collections-of-2020-from-daddy-to-verge|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Bustle|date=30 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref> ''Largehearted Boy'' listed it as a favorite short story collection of 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Largehearted Boy: Favorite Short Story Collections of 2020|url=http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2020/12/favorite_short_12.html|access-date=2021-02-08|website=www.largeheartedboy.com}}</ref> ''Book Riot'' listed it as one of the top ten short story collections of 2020 by Asian authors.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Megally|first=Stacey|date=2020-12-04|title=10 Short Story Collections by Asian Authors Released in 2020|url=https://bookriot.com/short-story-collections-by-asian-authors/|access-date=2021-02-08|website=BOOK RIOT|language=en-US}}</ref> Other venues that gave positive or rave reviews: ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'';<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-08|title=D-FW-based author Jenny Bhatt's debut collection 'Each of Us Killers' reveals a world of humanity|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/books/2020/09/08/d-fw-based-author-jenny-bhatts-debut-collection-each-of-us-killers-reveals-a-world-of-humanity/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Dallas News|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Texas Public Radio]]'';<ref>{{Cite web|title=Review: 'Each of Us Killers' By Jenny Bhatt|url=https://www.tpr.org/podcast/book-public/2020-09-09/review-each-of-us-killers-by-jenny-bhatt|access-date=2020-12-01|website=TPR|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Open (Indian magazine)|Open the Magazine]]'';<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bhatt|first=Jenny|date=2020-10-16|title=The Bloodlust|url=https://openthemagazine.com/lounge/books/the-bloodlust/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Open The Magazine|language=en-GB}}</ref> ''The National Book Review;''<ref>{{Cite web|title=5 Hot Books: A Heart-Stopping Holocaust Mystery, Chemotherapy's Surprising Origins, and More|url=https://www.thenationalbookreview.com/features/2020/9/7/5-hot-books-a-heart-stopping-holocaust-mystery-chemotherapys-surprising-origins-and-more|access-date=2021-02-08|website=The National Book Review|date=8 September 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> ''New York Journal of Books'';<ref>{{Cite web|title=a book review by Murali Kamma: Each of Us Killers|url=https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/each-us-killers|access-date=2020-12-01|website=www.nyjournalofbooks.com}}</ref> ''NRI Pulse'';<ref>{{Cite web|last=Veena|date=2020-10-30|title='Each of Us Killers' by Jenny Bhatt: Powerful anthology deftly explores complexities of life|url=https://www.nripulse.com/each-of-us-killers-by-jenny-bhatt-powerful-anthology-deftly-explores-complexities-of-life/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=NRI Pulse|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[India Currents]]'';<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=Each of Us Killers: Vignettes of Immigrant and Indian Lives|url=https://indiacurrents.com/each-of-us-killers-vignettes-of-immigrant-and-indian-lives/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Best Indian American Magazine {{!}} San Jose CA {{!}} India Currents|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Puerto del Sol]]'';<ref>{{Cite web|last=Toor|first=Pardeep|date=2020-12-03|title=REVIEW {{!}} Jenny Bhatt's Each of Us Killers|url=https://www.puertodelsol.org/single-post/review-each-of-us-killers|access-date=2021-02-08|website=Puerto del Sol|language=en}}</ref> ''[[National Book Critics Circle Award|National Book Critics' Circle]];''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-01|title=Leonard Prize 2020: Each of Us Killers|url=https://www.bookcritics.org/2020/12/01/leonard-prize-2020-each-of-us-killers/|access-date=2021-02-08|website=National Book Critics Circle|language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Phoebe (George Mason University journal)|Phoebe Journal]];''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-08|title=A Review of Jenny Bhatt's Each of Us Killers|url=http://phoebejournal.com/review-jenny-bhatts-each-of-us-killers/|access-date=2021-02-08|website=phoebe|language=en-US}}</ref> ''Vagabond City;''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Journal|first=Vagabond City Literary|date=2020-12-14|title=In Review: Each of Us Killers by Jenny Bhatt|url=https://vagabondcitylit.com/2020/12/14/in-review-each-of-us-killers-by-jenny-bhatt/|access-date=2021-02-08|website=VAGABOND CITY|language=en}}</ref> ''Platform Magazine;''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Each Of Us Killers|url=https://www.platform-mag.com/literature/each-of-us-killers.html|access-date=2021-02-08|website=www.platform-mag.com}}</ref> and ''[[Business Line|The Hindu Business Line.]]''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ray|first=Jonaki|title=Life's like that|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/read/each-of-us-killers-lifes-like-that/article33211727.ece|access-date=2020-12-01|website=@businessline|date=30 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref> [[Tabish Khair]], writing for ''[[The Hindu]]'', described the work thus: ". . . Bhatt gets under the skin of her characters with an ease that is difficult to achieve when creating characters beyond the pale of capital and caste. [. . .] using lively, sculpted language that avoids the stilted, literary English often afflicting Indian English writing."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Khair|first=Tabish|date=2021-01-23|title=All the lives we never lived: Tabish Khair reviews Jenny Bhatt's 'Each of Us Killers'|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/all-the-lives-we-never-lived-tabish-khair-reviews-jenny-bhatts-each-of-us-killers/article33632637.ece|access-date=2021-02-08|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

=== Anthologies ===
Bhatt's story 'Return to India' was included in [[The Best American Mystery and Suspense|''The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2021'']], selected by [[Alafair Burke]] and series editor, [[Steph Cha]]. In her introduction, Burke wrote: "In “Return to India”, Jenny Bhatt uses the structure of witness statements to build a tightly woven mystery, while effortlessly balancing a broad cast of diverse characters and voices as they collectively narrate the painful series of facts leading to a crime of violence."<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Cha |first1=Steph |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LPYJEAAAQBAJ |title=Best American Mystery And Suspense 2021 |last2=Alafair |first2=Burke |date=2021-10-12 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-358-52590-5 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, the crime/noir forward anthology, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=GwBgzwEACAAJ The Dark Waves of Winter]'', edited by David M. Olsen, included a short story by Bhatt titled 'Lili's Song'. ''[https://indiereader.com/ IndieReader]'' called the anthology "a first-rate anthology for literary short story fans with consistently excellent writing throughout."<ref>{{Cite web |title=THE DARK WAVES OF WINTER |url=https://indiereader.com/book_review/the-dark-waves-of-winter/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=IndieReader |language=en-US}}</ref> This story also received a "Distinguished Mention" in [[The Best American Mystery and Suspense|''The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2024'']], selected by [[S. A. Cosby]] and series editor, [[Steph Cha]].

Also in 2023, Bhatt's short story, 'The Weight of His Bones' was included in ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=WcxozwEACAAJ South to South: Writing South Asia in the American South],''<ref>{{Cite web |title=South to South |url=https://www.tamupress.com/9781680032963/south-to-south |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=Texas A&M University Press |language=en-US }}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> an anthology edited by Khem K. Aryal.

== Literary Translation ==

=== ''Ratno Dholi: The Best Stories of Dhumketu'' (literary translation) ===
Shortlisted for the '''''Valley of Words Book Award''''' in the 'English Translations From Regional Languages' category,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ratno Dholi: The Best Stories of Dhumketu|url=https://valleyofwords.org/books/ratno-dholi-the-best-stories-of-dhumketu/|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Valley of Words|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421223818/https://valleyofwords.org/books/ratno-dholi-the-best-stories-of-dhumketu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> this book is a translation of 26 short stories by the [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] writer, [[Dhumketu (writer)|Dhumketu]], published by ''[[HarperCollins India]]'' in October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ratno Dholi|url=https://harpercollins.co.in/product/ratno-dholi/|access-date=2020-10-02|website=HarperCollins Publishers India}}</ref> ''[[Hindustan Times|The Hindustan Times]]'' praised the translation as "reasonably fast-paced and eminently accessible."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-20|title=Review: Ratno Dholi: The Best Stories of Dhumketu|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/review-ratno-dholi-the-best-stories-of-dhumketu/story-AtngBxJhIf0axv97XLfMqN.html|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> ''Womensweb.in'' said that "Jenny Bhatt’s translation is nuanced but simple, and does justice to these stories.”<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-04|title=A Masterclass In Detailing Human Emotions As Ratno Dholi, Dhumketu's Work Remains Relevant Today|url=https://www.womensweb.in/2020/11/dhumketu-ratno-dholi-translation-jenny-bhatt-book-review-nov19wk1sr/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Women's Web: For Women Who Do|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Firstpost]]'' wrote that "Her translations make for a crisp and honest rendering of 20th century Gujarat . . ."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-22|title=Healing the helpless, only to be banished by society: Read a short story from Dhumketu's Ratno Dholi anthology|url=https://www.firstpost.com/art-and-culture/healing-the-helpless-only-to-be-banished-by-society-read-a-short-story-from-dhumketus-ratno-dholi-anthology-8990681.html|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Firstpost}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote: "The translator of this collection, Jenny Bhatt, contextualizes [Dhumketu's] work in the introduction while providing insightful details about his craft."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Vatsa|first=Mihir|date=2021-02-06|title=A weave of emotions: Review of 'Ratno Dholi: The Best Stories of Dhumketu'|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/a-weave-of-emotions-review-of-ratno-dholi-the-best-stories-of-dhumketu/article33749542.ece|access-date=2021-02-08|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> ''[[The Indian Express]]'' described the translation as mellifluous and wrote that "well-informed choices for pivotal words open new possibilities of re-readings for a Gujarati reader."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-14|title=How Dhumketu transformed Gujarati literature with his short stories|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/how-dhumketu-transformed-gujarati-literature-with-his-short-stories-7187608/|access-date=2021-02-14|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> The ''[[Deccan Chronicle]]'' praised the depth of each story, adding: “. . . which means that a) the translator has done an excellent job and b) every story in the book is satisfying, something that does not often happen with short story collections.”<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gulab|first=Kushalrani|date=2021-03-14|title=Book Review {{!}} Worlds within worlds in Dhumketu's best classic short stories|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/140321/book-review-worlds-within-worlds-in-dhumketus-best-classic-short.html|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref>

=== ''The Shehnai Virtuoso and Other Stories by Dhumketu'' (literary translation) ===
In 2022, the US edition of Bhatt's literary translation of [[Dhumketu (writer)|Dhumketu's]] selected short stories was published as ''The Shehnai Virtuoso and Other Stories'' by [http://deepvellum.com/ Deep Vellum Books]. ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' called it "a love letter to the power of art and the human spirit."<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dhumketu/the-shehnai-virtuoso/ |title=THE SHEHNAI VIRTUOSO {{!}} Kirkus Reviews |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' said that "Complex characters, vibrant imagery, and descriptions of rural Gujarat State bolster each of the stories."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-14 |title=The Shehnai Virtuoso by Dhumketu |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781646051687 |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=www.publishersweekly.com}}</ref> ''[[Words Without Borders]]'' reviewed it as a "skillful translation."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dhumketu's "Shehnai Virtuoso": Exquisite Nuance from a Giant of Letters |url=https://wordswithoutborders.org/book-reviews/dhumketus-shehnai-virtuoso-exquisite-nuance-from-a-giant-of-letters/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Words Without Borders |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Asymptote (magazine)|Asymptote Journal]]'' described it as “. . . a kaleidoscope, abundant in variegating depictions of both landscapes and the human interiors populating them.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=What's New in Translation: July 2022 – Asymptote Blog |url=https://www.asymptotejournal.com/blog/2022/07/11/whats-new-in-translation-july-2022/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |language=en}}</ref> The translation also made ''[[World Literature Today]]''{{'}}s 75 Notable Translations of 2022 list.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-05 |title=World Literature Today's 75 Notable Translations of 2022, by Michelle Johnson |url=https://www.worldliteraturetoday.org/blog/lit-lists/world-literature-todays-75-notable-translations-2022-michelle-johnson |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=World Literature Today |language=en}}</ref>

In an interview with ''[https://fivebooks.com/ Five Books]'', Bhatt said that "Not only is it the first ever book-length translation of his vast oeuvre, it is also the first ever translation from Gujarati being published in the US, where we have the largest Gujarati diaspora."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Books |first=Five |title=The Best South Asian Novels in Translation |url=https://fivebooks.com/best-books/the-best-south-asian-novels-in-translation-jenny-bhatt/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Five Books |language=en}}</ref>

=== National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Translation Fellowship (2025) ===
In 2025, Bhatt was awarded a [[National Endowment for the Arts|National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)]] Translation Fellowship.<ref name=":0" />

== ''Desi Books'' LLC ==
Bhatt started ''[https://desibooks.co Desi Books]'' as a podcast in April 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=Khabar : Desi Author and Advocate|url=http://www.khabar.com/magazine/talk-time/desi-author-and-advocate|access-date=2021-04-21|website=www.khabar.com}}</ref> to spotlight books by writers of [[South Asia]]n origin.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stories|first=Local|title=Meet Jenny Bhatt of Desi Books Podcast in North Dallas - Voyage Dallas Magazine {{!}} Dallas City Guide|url=http://voyagedallas.com/interview/meet-jenny-bhatt-desi-books-podcast-north-dallas/|access-date=2021-04-21|website=voyagedallas.com|date=9 September 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> South Asia refers to the [[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation|SAARC]] countries: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and The Maldives.<ref>{{Cite web|title=DesiBooks Podcast featured in the Funasia Radio Community Roundup (Sep 6, 2020)|url=https://www.youtube.com/xu81B0Ye63E|access-date=2020-09-07|website=www.youtube.com}}</ref> ''[[Mid-Day]]'' called it a venue for "the best of desi reads."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-22|title=Best of desi reads|url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/best-of-desi-reads/22744249|access-date=2020-12-01|website=mid-day|language=en}}</ref> ''[[Eastern Eye]]'' described it as one of the most "popular podcasts redefining real talk."<ref>{{Cite web|title=How popular podcasts are redefining real talk - EasternEye|date=16 July 2020 |url=https://www.easterneye.biz/how-popular-podcasts-are-redefining-real-talk/|access-date=2020-12-01|language=en-GB}}</ref> ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' featured Bhatt and [https://desibooks.co ''Desi Books''] saying "This North Texas author is shining a light on Desi authors from around the globe."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-15 |title=This North Texas author is shining a light on Desi authors from around the globe |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/books/2022/11/09/this-dallas-author-is-shining-a-light-on-desi-authors-from-around-the-globe/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Dallas News |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Los Angeles Review of Books|The Los Angeles Review of Books]]'' described it as follows: "What started as a modest program now has several channels, featuring conversations on craft, book reviews, and even video episodes."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-18 |title=Los Angeles Review of Books |url=https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/writing-is-about-connection-a-conversation-with-jenny-bhatt/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=Los Angeles Review of Books |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2021, ''Desi Books'' was registered as an LLC and a global multimedia forum that showcases South Asian literature and connects readers and writers through conversation and community.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-22|title=DESI BOOKS|url=https://desibooks.co/about/|access-date=2021-08-21|website=DESI BOOKS|language=en}}</ref>

In February 2023, Bhatt announced that she would be winding down the platform although the archives would remain online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhatt |first=Jenny |date=2023-02-03 |title=#DesiBooksNews: An Important Update About Desi Books |url=https://desibooks.co/desibooksnews-an-important-update-about-desi-books/ |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=Desi Books |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Teaching ==
Bhatt has taught creative writing at various institutions and organizations, including ''Writing Workshops Dallas.''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jenny Bhatt Writing Workshops Interview|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DITMj1gboec&feature=youtu.be|access-date=2020-08-21|website=www.youtube.com| date=19 August 2020 }}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhatt, Jenny}}
[[Category:American writers of Indian descent]]
[[Category:21st-century American women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American short story writers]]
[[Category:American literary critics]]
[[Category:American women literary critics]]
[[Category:Writers from Gujarat]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian women writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American writers]]
[[Category:Women writers from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Literary translators]]
[[Category:Gujarati–English translators]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Writers from Dallas]]
[[Category:American people of Gujarati descent]]
[[Category:American women writers of Indian descent]]
[[Category:Indian emigrants to the United States]]

Jenny Bhatt - Revision history

Alicolours: New A Pg