By Elowen Gray
Sheetal Ohri started writing when she was thirteen. No audience, no goal, just writing because it helped her think and feel. Years later, that same writing has earned Sheetal two wins at the New York Big Book Awards 2026. Her book Custodial Battle won the Distinguished Book Award in the Inspirational, Motivational, and Self-Help category, and Second Chances in the Journey of Life won in the Relationships category.
Two books. Two Recognitions. One author.
“Receiving these awards gives me immense joy and validation that my story, message, and my writing are resonating with people,” says Sheetal Ohri, who is based in San Francisco and works as a California Realtor, Business Entrepreneur, and Award winning author since 2021.
The Story Behind Custodial Battle
Custodial Battle did not begin as a book, it began as poetry.
During one of the most difficult periods of her life, Sheetal wrote poetry as a way to process pain, uncertainty, and the emotional toll of a long custody battle.
As an immigrant mother, Sheetal spent nearly six to seven years navigating the American family court system during a deeply challenging custody dispute. Writing became the only way she knew how to make sense of what was happening around her and to give voice to emotions she often could not express aloud.
When she was finally granted full custody, Sheetal made the decision to turn her writings into a book. The result is Custodial Battle, part poetry, part personal journey, and an honest reflection of what it feels like to be an immigrant parent trying to understand and survive a legal system few are prepared to face.
She wrote this book with the hope that other parents going through similar struggles would feel seen, understood, and less alone, especially those who feel they have no one speaking openly about these experiences. Custodial Battle became a Self help book.
The Story Behind Second Chances in the Journey of Life
Second Chances in the Journey of Life came from a different point in time. Published in early 2024, Sheetal wrote about what life looks like after going through something hard. Rebuilding, starting over, and finding steady ground again. Second Chances is a book describing relationships and their complex nature.
Where Custodial Battle documents the experience of fighting, Second Chances is about what comes after the fight is over and it advises the readers not to give up. The two books are different in tone and subject, Custodial Battle won the Distinguished Favorite award by Independent Press Awards and Second Chances won in the Relationships category by New York Big Book Award.
About the New York Big Book Awards
The New York Big Book Awards recognize authors across a broad range of categories and receive submissions from writers around the world. Being selected as a winner in two different categories for two different books reflects Sheetal Ohri’s consistency as a writer across subjects and over time.
For Custodial Battle this recognition adds to the growing list of honors Sheetal has received, including the prestigious International IMPACT Book Awards in the Inspirational and Motivational category.Second Chances has won Global Book Award 2025. These recognitions continue to highlight her commitment to telling meaningful stories that inspire, inform, and empower readers.
Her Work Outside of Writing
Sheetal Ohri founded Silicon Valley Awards-SVA in 2012 to recognize individuals, businesses, and nonprofits doing meaningful work in their communities. The process included both public voting and a judging panel to select honorees.
Sheetal also founded Hope Creates Magic, a nonprofit that provides school supplies, backpacks, tuition assistance, and educational support to underprivileged children.
Over the years Sheetal has received recognition in the United States, India, and the United Kingdom, including an honor at the House of Lords in London in 2023, the Hi Flyers 50 Global Awards in India in 2024, International Impact Book Award 2025 and many California State and Senate recognitions for her and her company.
Sheetal has had to rebuild her career more than once. She stepped away from her events and consultancy work for close to two years to focus on her son and finish writing Custodial Battle, managing on a single income during that time. Sheetal talks about it plainly, without drama. It was what the situation called for, so that is what she did.
What Sheetal Is Working on Now
Sheetal Ohri is currently working on her third book while continuing to pursue several other projects alongside it. Whether through writing, media, community engagement, or professional work, she remains committed to learning, growing, and staying actively involved in meaningful work.
When asked what she hopes her work will mean in the long run, Sheetal’s answer is simple: she hopes to encourage people, to remind them that no matter how difficult life becomes, they can keep going.
A belief that continues to guide her is this:
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”
For Sheetal, these are not just words, they reflect a mindset she has had to live by through many personal and professional challenges. That resilience, perseverance, and hope are woven into everything she writes and the work she continues to do. She continues to make a difference.
