Jayanti Tamm

Nominee – Pushcart Prize

In 2000, Jayanti was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, which is an American literary prize by Pushcart Press that honors the best "poetry, short fiction, essays or literary whatnot" published in the small presses over the previous year. The Pushcart Prize is the most honored literary project in America.

Assistant Professor of English – Ocean County College

Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, provides area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. Ocean County College aspires to be an institution of distinction where faculty and staff serve to awaken students to a love of learning. We foster educational innovation through effective teaching-learning strategies, designed to develop and nurture intentional learners who are informed and empowered.

Author – Cartwheels in a Sari: A Memoir of Growing Up Cult

2010-12-07

Before her birth, Jayanti Tamm was prophesied to be the "Chosen One," by the guru Sri Chinmoy, a man who declared himself "God." Cartwheels in a Sari reveals the hidden world of growing up "cult" in mainstream America. With humor and provocative insight, Jayanti reveals the allure and illusion of cult life, and the struggle to control her own destiny while risking everything that she has ever known, including the person that she was ordained to be.

Queens College City University of New York

Bachelor of Arts

English

1997

American University;

Master of Fine Arts

Creative Writing

2000

Director

BooksNJ Festival

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making BooksNJ2011 such a magical day. And it was just that magical....words cannot convey our sincere gratitude for your generosity and good will.

I am so thrilled that you could be part of our effort to bring readers and writers together!

Coordinator of Honors English

John F. Kennedy High School, LI

I must say, there has been a buzz in the building since your visit. The students and staff (including me) found you absolutely captivating.

Director of Educational Programs

Greenbriar Woods Education Programs

I wish I were really good with words, not to mention "well-crafted
sentences," to adequately express my thanks for another wonderful presentation.
Your lecture was, as always, so well organized but what we love most of all
is your ability to connect with the audience. There are some presenters
who are always our "favorites" and you are certainly among our top three
choices. Kudos.

Writing One's Life: From Inspiration to Publication

Rutgers University Book Club Author Lecture  Rutgers University

2011-09-19

The Journey to One's Self

Brandeis Book and Author Luncheon  Monroe, New Jersey

2011-10-24

Finding One's Own Path: From the Life of a Cult to a Full Life

International Cultic Studies Association Annual Conference  New York, NY

2010-07-10

Cults: The Hidden Dangers

In a riveting retelling of her own experience of being born and raised in a cult in 'mainstream America,' Jayanti Tamm reveals rare insights into the appeal of cults and the powers of their manipulation. Often shocking and always engaging, this lecture provides an inside glimpse into a world most people will never know.

Finding One's Own True Path: The Journey To Finding One's Self

Sharing her own extraordinary story of being born and raised as the 'Chosen One' in a cult, Jayanti Tamm inspires her audience to discover their own hidden courage and determination in order to find their own true path to happiness.

Writing One's Life: Sharing Your Innermost Experiences For All The World To Read

Writing a memoir requires taking great risks. The most effective memoirs plunge fearlessly into memory and expose what had once been concealed. That process demands shaping and reshaping memory to refine both the overt and subtle dimensions in order to transform it into a compelling narrative. To write one’s true story, we need to take full ownership of our past as well as our aesthetic strategy. My workshop provides a safe, nurturing forum where the risks will result in deep rewards.