UGA professor Aruni Kashyap celebrates latest novel with campus book launch

The University of Georgia English Department and Creative Writing Program hosted a book launch Nov. 12 for UGA professor Aruni Kashyap’s latest novel, “How to Date a Fanatic.”

The Details

Published July 14, 2026,“How to Date a Fanatic” is a politically conscious, friendship-centered, queer novel set primarily in modern-day Delhi, India. It follows Rohit, an Assamese English professor at Delhi University, and his friends and lovers amid political polarization and rise of Hindu nationalism in India from 2014 to 2018.

Third-year English major Sabrina Bradshaw said the novel's blend of queer representation, humor and political commentary made it particularly memorable.

“This novel in particular focused on queer romance, queer relationships and the everyday lives of people in India during a time of political unrest,” Bradshaw said “I really enjoyed how well he focused on the relationships of the characters and really normalized the experience of individuals who date people outside of the heteronormative sense. I found that representation quite refreshing, as well as the comedy that he implemented into the work of fiction.”

The launch at Founders Memorial House brought students, faculty and friends together for a reception, a reading from Kashyap and a conversation between Kashyap and fellow UGA English professor Chigozie Obioma.

During the conversation, Obioma praised Kashyap's exploration of relationships, pointing to the novel's recurring themes of connection, disconnection and reconnection. He asked Kashyap what interests him about exploring relationships through fiction.

“I’m interested in relationship dynamics, and I’m interested in both the fragility of relationship, but also the strong relationship that one can sustain,” Kashyap said. “I wanted to show something that queer theory is called a chosen family.”

Third-year English major Stevie Kevers said events like the launch create opportunities for students to connect with literature beyond the classroom.

“I think it’s really important to make really interesting, fun and intellectual activities accessible for students,” Kevers said. She emphasized the importance of supporting faculty members as they publish new work.

“Ultimately literature creates empathy and it creates a sense of community,” Kevers said.

Novelist Doug Jones, a friend of Kashyap and author of “The Fantasies of Future Things,” also attended the event and praised the novel following the reading.

“I am truly a fan of Aruni’s, and he’s written a fantastic novel,” Jones said. “I thought it was very invitational. It makes me want to go further into the book and to look forward to that journey.”

The evening concluded with a Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to engage with Kashyap about his novel, followed by a book signing featuring his recent works.