I stand with the help of giants.

Land Acknowledgement

I live and work in Southern Ontario, Canada. These lands belong to the Mississaugas of the Credit Territory, Toronto Purchase Treaty, No 13 of 1805, Rouge Tract Claim of 2015.

I have not been alone on this journey. Many have helped me along the way. I have been inspired. I have been humbled. I walked in the footsteps of giants to give me the strength and experience to walk alone.
- D.M. De Alwis

Illustrators

• Rohan Corlosquet, Illustrator
• Chris Ho, Illustrator, Art Teacher (@algebutter)

Myths & Samsara Podcast Guests

• Eunah Park Hunter, BFF, Patron Saint
• Lisa Gurusinghe, BFF, Patron Saint

Isle of Demons | The Monkey's Mask (In Draft)

Editors

• Lisa Gurusinghe, Developmental Editor & Confidant (IOD, in draft)

Pawn of Samsara | The Lion's Head (On Submission)

Editors

• Elise Abram, Author, Entrepreneur & Educator (EMSA) (POS, Editor)
• Lisa Gurusinghe, Developmental Editor & Confidant
• Kushan Fernando, Consulting Editor, early stages

Beta Readers

• Bridget Butt, Music Teacher Extraordinaire, Avid Reader (POS, rounds 1 & 2)
• Kevin Stevens, Engineer, BFF, Avid Fantasy Reader (POS, round 2)
• K. Corlosquet, Pre/Teenager (POS, rounds 1 & 2)
• Ruchira Wickramasinghe, GP, Avid Reader (POS, round 1)
• Meghan Jenkins, Author (IOD, in draft)

Sensitivity Readers

• Shashi Tuteja, Author
• Aarushi Nigam, Filmmaker
  • Dream Factory

Early Chapter Readers

• Kushan Fernando, Project Guru (POS, early drafts, synopsis, agent letter, pitches)
• Dinush Lankage, GP (POS, early drafts, pitches)
• Laki Seerasinghe, Entrepreneur & Educator (Student Scholars, POS, early drafts)
• Manel Gunaratne, Accountant (POS, early drafts)
• Writer Group People mentioned below.

Writing Group Exposure

• Shiraz Janjua, Writer & Animator
• Rachel Rosen, Author, Podcaster
  • Wizards & Spaceships Podcast
  • CASCADE
  • BLIGHT (Pre-order)
• THE SAD BASTARD COOKBOOK (Free download)
• Dorita Peer, Author, Poet, & Artist
  • For Love of Leo: The Most Beautiful Cat in the World, According to His Lady
• Brian Boake, Author, Poet, Satirist, Sports Writer
• Brian Burns, Poet
• Shashi Tuteja, Author
• Chris Kemp, Author
• Laurel Galt, Author
• Wendi Adair, Author, Professor, Medium
• Shauna Alexander, Author
• Amelia Diaz, Author, The Braille Cave!
• Carly Boyce, Author, Tiny Lantern
  • THE CARE WE DREAM OF
  • THE REMEDY: QUEER AND TRANS VOICES ON HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE (Lambda Literary Award Winner for Best Anthology 2017)
• Zelia, Author
• Christine Barth Paige, Author & Artist
• Mike Madill, Poet
  • THE BETTER PART OF SOME TIME
• Nancy Rathou, Author
• Paul Lewis, Poet
• Peter Geer, Author
• Lawrence Loh, Medical Professional, Author
• Josy Bongiovanni, Author
  • THIS IS WHAT WE ARE: AND OTHER STORIES
• Doug Robertson, Author
• David McFarlane, Author
• Meghan Ferrari, Author
• Natalie Shammas, Author
• Lynne Haraldson
  • COMMON GROUND

Media!

• Gary E. Johnson, Author, Radio Show Host

Interview for “Writers for Readers” to publishing on Wattpad

Gary E. Johnson interviewed me for Writers for Readers, a radio program hosted by 102.7 CHOP FM.

The Erudite BookwormDiliny M. De Alwis

Mentors

• Anuja Varghese (BIPOC Writers Connect - Writers Union of Canada)
  • CHRYSALIS, Governor General Award of Canada 2023
• Brittany Smith, writing coach, Firefly Creative Writing
• Kim Abrahamse, writing coach, Firefly Creative Writing
• Susan (Deepam) E. Wadds (Blue Pencil, WCYR)
  • WHAT THE LIVING DO
• Lynne Levy, Product Leader, Mentor & Coach—whose guidance led to my kickstarting this journey!

Supporters

I would like to express my gratitude to my supportive family, friends, and strangers who have trusted my vision and rooted for me from the sidelines.

• S. Corlosquet
• D. & S. De Alwis
• S. & M. Suriarachchi
• S. & T. Dearing
• E. Hunter
• M. Irwin
• K. Fernando
• Rohan De Alwis, Podcaster IdealIsland