#286: Journeys from Home with Sohini Ghose

This week, we're running a takeover in collaboration with Reedsy freelancer Sohini Ghose. The winner of this contest will not only be awarded $250 — they’ll also receive a special bonus prize: personal feedback from Sohini herself. For your chance to get insight from one of Reedsy’s very own professionals, read on! Here's Sohini:

Hello, writers! I’m Sohini Ghose — an internationally published author (with Macmillan and Rupa) and an editor who has lived and worked across India, the United States, and now Canada.

I’ve become fascinated by how journeys away from home can transform us. They’ve definitely shaped me into an editor with a global perspective — one who has had the privilege of collaborating with Big 5 publishers, indie presses, and award-winning authors (including a Nobel Prize winner), helping to bring over 300 books to life. You can check out my Reedsy profile here.

Stepping outside our comfort zones, whether physically or creatively, can unlock powerful insights and spark new ideas. I hope the prompts below inspire you to explore the emotional and transformative aspects of traveling from home — how it can strengthen (or strain) relationships, illuminate your past, and open doors to possibilities you never imagined.

Wherever your writing takes you, remember: you have a unique voice, so celebrate it. Safe travels on the page!

Special Update: The Results

Sohini's top pick for her takeover was “A Suitcase Full of Davids” by D Gorman. Here's what she had to say about the winning story: "This story excels in weaving a poignant breakup narrative with a magical realist twist: every memory of the relationship appears as a tangible, life-sized version of the former partner, all of which the protagonist packs into her suitcase. The story does a great job showing how we carry emotional 'baggage' and then learn to let go. The narrator’s evolution — physically carrying and, finally, letting go of 'all the Davids' — symbolizes personal transformation with both power and originality. Simply put, it’s an effective, creative spin on heartbreak and healing that makes it stand out as the top entry."

Congratulations to contest winner D Gorman and the runners-up, Elizabeth Rich and Sandra Moody!