Alka Joshi is an Indian-American author known for her debut novel, The Henna Artist, published in 2020. The book, set in 1950s India, explores themes of love, resilience, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society. It has received critical acclaim and has been a bestseller. Joshi was born in Kota, India, and later moved to the United States for her education. She has a background in fine arts and creative writing, which has influenced her storytelling. In addition to her novels, she has written essays and short stories that reflect her cultural heritage and personal experiences.