Saloni Mahapatra – Winner of the 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award

“Little Shots of Life – A Journey Through Human Emotions” – A Poetic Exploration of the Heart’s Landscape

Some books don’t just speak—they feel. Saloni Mahapatra’s Little Shots of Life – A Journey Through Human Emotions is one such deeply stirring work. Awarded the 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award, this collection of 21 poems charts a course through the vast emotional terrain of human existence—from joy and gratitude to pain and vulnerability—with both elegance and honesty.

Hailing from Gurgaon, India, Saloni crafts each poem like a vignette of the soul. These “little shots” are not mere observations but emotional revelations. Her writing invites us to witness life’s micro-moments: a flash of delight, a flicker of sorrow, a sudden clarity in the middle of chaos. Every poem serves as a mirror to the reader’s inner world.

“It was my love for expressing emotions through words that led to this book,” Saloni shares. This love is unmistakable in her work. Whether it’s the warmth of joy or the depths of self-discovery, she captures each emotion with grace and vulnerability.

Little Shots of Life is more than a poetry collection—it is a companion for those who feel deeply, a quiet reminder that every emotion has its place, its purpose, and its poetry. Each page reflects the universality of the human condition, yet it remains deeply personal, as if Saloni is writing a letter to every heart that has ever felt too much.

Her poems don’t demand to be read aloud—they demand to be felt. With lyrical clarity and a soft yet powerful voice, she speaks for all those moments we can’t quite articulate.

With this collection, Saloni Mahapatra has carved a delicate yet lasting place in contemporary poetry—a space for authenticity, emotional intelligence, and the celebration of being fully human.


📖 Book Title: Little Shots of Life – A Journey Through Human Emotions
🏆 Award: 21st Century Emily Dickinson Award

📍 From: Gurgaon, India
📷 Instagram: @salonimaps