In Conversation with Dr. Bhavyaa Beriwal Author of Whispers of Blood in Forty-Eight Tongues

Q. How did you come up with the title of your book? The title is based on the fact that there are 48 recognized blood group systems, and I saw each system as a distinct “language” through which blood expresses clinically important antigen antibody diversity—so Whispers of Blood in Forty-Eight Tongues reflects that scientific foundation in a poetic form. Q. What inspired you to write this book? My inspiration came from my training in transfusion medicine—seeing how blood group antigen–antibody diversity directly impacts patient safety. I wanted to translate the science behind blood group systems into poetry as a tribute to immunohematology and the role it plays in real clinical care. Q. Among all themes and topics, why did you choose this one in particular? I chose this theme because my clinical training made me appreciate how even subtle antigen–antibody differences can significantly influence transfusion outcomes. Q. What personal experiences have shaped your writing the most? My postgraduate training in transfusion medicine has shaped my writing the most, especially my exposure to immunohematology and the clinical importance of antigen–antibody compatibility. I’ve always enjoyed creatively expressing complex concepts, and poetry felt like the most meaningful way to translate tough scientific ideas into something memorable and engaging. Q. What does being a published author mean to you, beyond seeing your words in print? Being a published author means contributing beyond academics and routine work by making transfusion medicine more visible, relatable, and memorable. For me, it’s a way to communicate science creatively, inspire curiosity, and highlight the importance of immunohematology in patient care. Q. What can we, as readers expect from this book? Readers can expect a scientifically rooted yet poetic exploration of the 48 recognized blood group systems, highlighting the antigen–antibody diversity that shapes transfusion practice. Each poem is a tribute to immunohematology, presented in a way that is engaging, memorable, and meaningful. Q. How do you expect your readers to use this book optimally? Ideally, readers can approach it one poem at a time, using each piece as a simple, reflective entry point into a blood group system. It can also serve as a creative learning aid to make immunohematology and antigen–antibody diversity easier to remember and revisit.