Journalist and author Srianthi Perera is based in Chandler, where she freelances to community newspapers and pursues creative writing. Her debut novel, “A Maiden’s Prayer: A Family Story Set in 1970s Sri Lanka,” draws on her upbringing in that country to explore themes of family, astrology, social change and coming-of-age. The novel was recognized as a finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Multicultural Fiction) and was “Highly Commended” in the 2021 South Asia Book Awards (Young Adult literature). Her co-authored book of short stories features global travel. Her current book project centers on literary travels around the U.S.