EXCHANGING WORDS WITH SAPAN SAXENA

1. Tell us about yourself ?
I am a software engineer by profession, dancer by hobby,  writer by passion, and part time Master-chef when I am in mood. I did my graduation from MNNIT Allahabad and started writing blogs almost 5 years back. I work as a Software Engineer in the serene town of Chelmsford in Massachuesetts.
I belong to the city of Nawabs, Lucknow, hence the customary tehzeeb is part and parcel of me.

2. Who inspired you to write ?
My wife and my dad. Strictly in that order. My dad unknowingly gave me the idea of my first book, and then my wife pushed me cross the barrier of social stigma. They are my harsh critics as well.

3. What made you choose this title of the book ?
Nice question. So, I already had at the back of my mind this idea of exploring the seven stages of love. And then I thought about repeating the seven stages across various ages and seasons. So, I was convinced I had to keep the title somehow related to one of the seven stages. Then, firstly UNNS was the most catchy, and then, one of the characters deeply believes the love of the main protagonists was nothing more than UNNS. So, I decided to keep UNNS as the title. Also, this was inspired by SRK’s Dil Se.

4. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published ?
While writing its mostly the writer’s block that I faced as a challenge. Otherwise the story of UNNS I had finalized long back in my mind all it was needed was to type it down. That and the snow season of Nashua, where I stay, helped me get done with it quickly.
Getting published is a tough task if you want to be published via a traditional publishing house. Thankfully, The Book Bakers stepped into picture and they helped me crack a deal with the Inspire India publishers.

5. How did you come to know about the literary agent "THE BOOK BAKERS? "
I came to learn about them when a few authors in my friends list praised them in their FB posts. I had got in touch with them during my first book, but then, I was really short on funds and couldn’t engage with them. This time, I decided to approach them directly and they helped me shape up the book better. Then they started pitching the book until we landed a deal.

6. How did "THE BOOK BAKERS" help you ?
In both the phases of pre-and post publish. Before we landed up the deal, they helped in shaping the book better and making the plot more crisp. They were the major factor behind me cracking this deal with Inspire India publishers. Now they are helping me majorly with the promoting and marketing of the book and it reaching out to the readers in the best way possible.

7. The characters seems so realistic. Is this inspired from real life or completely fiction ? 
So, none of my characters are purely fictional. Not in UNNS. Not in Finders, Keepers. My characters are mostly inspire by people I have met, seen around me.. Even the names, at times are directly lifted from people I know. Maybe that’s why they seem so realistic. 
UNNS is the sum total of all the love stories that I have ever seen in my life.  My friends, my colleagues, my seniors, my school life. It takes inspiration from all.

8. The book doesn't hold only romance but it has elements of thriller too. How did you come up with this plot ?
I came up with the plot when I was stuck in a traffic jam. On a more serious note, I was convinced I could never write a romance novel on my own. Romance is completely out of my comfort zone. Then I am not the biggest fan of the romantic books coming up in the market recently. I decided I wont add one more novel to the “One more romantic novel” list. So, I added the spice of thriller, and its very pleasing to see the strategy worked.

9. Why readers should pick up your book ?
Out of 100 odd reviews that the book has received, almost 80-85 have called it “different”. Some have gone as far as to day this is one of the most creative plot of the year. There goes my two biggest USP. Then, as you said, the characters are realistic. Many people have pinged me and told they cried after the book ended and could relate big time to the book.

10. Any message for new authors ?
My advice to new authors? Keep trying and perseverance is the key. Listen to feedback and improve as much as you can rather than rushing into it.

ORDER "UNNS-THE CAPTIVATION" FROM : http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9385783874/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490518068&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=unns

 Facebook :
https://www.facebook.com/authorsapansaxena/

Twitter : https://twitter.com/sapansaxena

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/sapan.aries/

Read More

BOOK REVIEW : UNNS- THE CAPTIVATION

BLURB :
"Of course you know about the seven stages of love, but have you ever lived them?" Atharva Rathod and Meher Qasim. Lovebirds since adolescence. Bonded by love, separated by circumstances. They part ways only to meet again. But this time, he is on a secret mission... Are they in control of their own destiny, or its their destiny which is making them dance to its tunes? Only time would answer, as Atharva and Meher unwillingly and unknowingly transcend the seven stages of love. A quintessential tale of love and romance marked beautifully by its own rustic old school charm.

REVIEW :

Romance has always been one of the most flamboyant genres I’ve been living up to. But then reading, "UNNS", a romantic thriller, made me fall in love with it all the more. Starting right from the cover of the book, it’s been designed with such precision and perfection that in itself portrays the true essence of love. The blurb of the book is promising enough to arouse interest among the readers and compels them to turn the pages of the book with a quicker pace.
    
        Kudos to the editor for keeping the language of the book so simple and easy to read with no strings attached. He has certainly passed the flash reading test with a whopping score. Moreover, the characterization in the book is quite smooth and flows naturally with the storyline. The narration is also very intriguing and the more chapters you read, the greater you're engulfed into the plot. 

The book holds the love story of Atharva and Meher who encountered each other during their school days. Atharva used to adore Meher discreetly but when Meher came to know about his feelings she too confessed hers with equal affinity. However, school-life love stories are not as rosy as they seem. The irony is that at times the compatibility and maturity levels are so weak among those teens that even a single misunderstanding or parents' pressure is capable enough to break the bond. And the latter eventually turned out to be the reason of their separation.

But as they rightly say, first love is indeed difficult to be forgone and sometimes the entire life passes by but people fail to move on. The same was in the case of Atharva… Although they were not in contact for about 15 years, Atharva’s ethereal love for Meher couldn’t be dimmed. During his childhood, Atharva always aspired to become an IAS Officer and he did join RAW when he grew up. Atharva was sent on a secret mission to Germany where destiny played its stringent role once again and he met Meher again after 15 long years.

There book is quite akin to a roller-coaster ride with innumerable twists and turns that make it seem all the more enigmatic. And the cherry on the cake is that the author masters the art of maintaining the suspense throughout the story. The book speaks about the seven stages of love. The book is not just a mere depiction of crush, relationships and separation, but it aptly reflects elements of thriller too. The writing style of the author is brilliant with a comprehensive flow of writing and the ease to understand.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the book is the way the names have been set for the chapters. They are so damn unique, creative and hold genuine meanings within them. The author has concluded with such poignancy that the book actually left me crying in the last few pages. The plot was so much relatable and connecting that it felt as if Atharva’s character was right in front of my eyes.

I would certainly recommend this book to all those avid readers who opt for a plot that’s thematically out-of-the-box. Despite having love as the central theme of the book, it does hold a mysterious quotient which would be gradually revealed when one turns the pages.

RATING : 5/5

ORDER THE BOOK FROM : http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9385783874/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490518068&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=unns

Read More

BEST SELLING AUTHOR SUHAIL MATHUR TO RELEASE THE VISHNU CHRONICLES AT IIT KHARAGPUR

IIT Kharagpur's popular annual festival," Spring Fest" kicks off on 21st and 22nd January 2017. It is all set to get participation from all over India across a host of events. And if the line up and prizes are anything t go by, then this will be one grand festival.

Keeping things grand, the Spring Fest team has this year invited prominent literary agent and bestselling author, " Suhail Mathur", to launch his new book,

"The Hunt For Rama's Bow - The Vishnu Chronicles: Adventure 1", recently released by one of India’s biggest bookstore chain and international publication house, OM Books International.

Breaking into the Top 3 Hot selling books within a day of its pre order, the book which has been continuously making waves on Amazon and at the World Book Fair will now be released at IIT, keeping in mind its' target audience of youngsters.

"The focus and the basic intention behind writing this book was to make our younger generation aware of our splendid mythology and lesser known tales in an engaging form. They can be no better place to launch the book than in a prestigious institution like IIT where brilliance in not just academics but also in creative field is extremely encouraged." , says an upbeat Suhail Mathur.

The book that was pitched by the THE BOOK BAKERS Literary Agency to Om Books International has made the organizers also very excited.

Speaking to us, a student of IIT Kharagpur as well as the festival in-charge, Mr. Ayush Banerjee said, " It's a great honour to have someone like Mr. Suhail Mathur at our college and launch his book over here. We are extremely excited and looking forward to seeing the magnificent book in our hands. In fact, such has been the buzz and response about his entry in our college that we have also invited him to judge a few competitions; which is a clear indication of his and his book’s popularity."

"The Vishnu Chronicles : The Hunt For Rama's Bow" is a mythological fantasy adventure set in 2020 that explores the journey of Delhi University student, Mohan Sharma, in his search for Lord Rama's lost bow, the Kodanda, in a bid to annihilate an unspeakable horror, blessed by Lord Shiva himself.

The book is available on Amazon and Pustak Mandi apart from various book stores and all Om Books stores, nationwide. Do pick your copy today and become an integral part of this saga that has gripped the entire youth of this country.

Find the link below:

Amazon -http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9386316951/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484852978&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=suhail+mathur

Pustak Mandi –

https://www.pustakmandi.com/THE-VISHNU-CHRONICLES-THE-HUNT-RAMAS-BOW-SUHAIL-MATHUR

Read More