The Unicorn Princess, a book written by Ektaa Bali is currently ranking in the top 100 in three categories on Amazon.com and number two in the children’s fiction-royalty category.

Ms Bali, originally from Suva and now residing in Brisbane, Australia, said this would be Book One in a series called ‘The Pacific Princesses’.

The 29-year-old midwife recently left her job at the Mater Mothers (the biggest Maternity Hospital in the Southern Hemisphere) in South Brisbane to pursue her passion for writing.

“I wanted to be a writer since I was a child,” Ms Bali said.

“In fact writing saved my life. I was in the middle of writing a romance novel when my little niece asked me to a story about unicorns.”

After some thought, she realised there was a desperate need for more stories about ethnic children.

“When I was a little girl, there were only ever fiction stories about Caucasian children going on adventures,” she added.

“We need to change that and improve the diversity in literature and movies. We need to send the message that all little girls, regardless of ethnicity can be princesses and heroes too.

“So I wrote the story so that the main character is just like my niece, and shares her name, Sonakshi.”

“It is about a Fijian Indian Princess of Macuata Province who is the first unicorn to be born for many years,” she said.

“A witch is pursuing them so they run away to Australia to keep her safe. Seven years later her friend is kidnapped and taken to Fiji so she must journey across Australia across the Pacific Ocean to Makogai Island to save him.

“On the surface, it’s about a girl who has inherited the ability to turn into a unicorn and a witch who really wants to capture her.

“At its heart, it’s about courage, friendship and forgiveness.

“It is a fun, magical adventure story for ages seven and above. It is available as paperback and e-book on Amazon and Booktopia for AU$16 (FJ$24.26).

“My plan is to finish the series and keep writing,” the second youngest of two siblings said.

“People are wanting to support my mission for more diversity in fiction. It is very unique in that the main character is from a niche ethnic group and travels around Oceania. There is nothing like that on the market.”

She said there needed to be a place for other races in literature, a place for little Fijian girls, Chinese girls, African girls, you name it inside adventure stories.

Book Two is called ‘The Fae Princess’.

The website of the series is: www.pacificprincesses.com.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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