AUTHOR’S BIO:
Prithvi Raj Banerjee is a Boston-based, IIT & Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) educated technologist, entrepreneur and author.
He is also a Yoga and mindfulness coach and has trained under masters from celebrated spiritual traditions in the world.
He is also a Yoga and mindfulness coach and has trained under masters from celebrated spiritual traditions in the world.
1. Who and what inspired you to write?
I grew up in Agra – known for Taj Mahal & its hot summers. Needlesss to say, such is the lure of Taj Mahal, that it attracts millions of visitors every year. About half of them, at least as it appeared to me, my relatives. I had the responsibility of escorting these relatives for a visit to the celebrated monument.
I was forever robbed of experiencing the awe Taj Mahal has in store for its visitors because I had ceased to be a visitor of the famed monument. The marble mausoleum was my second home. By the time I was twelve years old, I could swear that I had spent more time in Taj Mahal than even Shah Jahan had.
And then I found out a way of escaping. I used to hole myself in the study, hidden behind a serious looking Wren & Martin or a daunting Sixteen tales from Shakespeare were my companions. Rajan Iqbal, Hardy Boys, Famous Five and Nancy Drew rubbed shoulders with Sherlock Holmes and James Bond as I put on a serious expression to excuse myself from my guide duty. These books and their authors created the seeds of inspiration that eventually blossomed my transition from a pompous technologist to a happy writer!
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
It took a while for me to accept the fact that writing and publishing a Book is a multi-year project. As an IIT & MIT educated technologist & founder of two startups, it was hard for me to accept the fact that one could create and grow a company faster than getting a book in front of readers through traditional publishing!
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?
Book Bakers featured in the list of top literary agents in India that I had reached out to. What set them apart was the quick ‘no nonsense’ response that I was used to as an entrepreneur. A few emails and a conversation with Suhail Mathur (who is himself a bestselling author) is all that took to chalk out a plan to try and get Chronicles of Kali published.
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them ?
Suhail has been very supportive through the publishing process. Starting with initial feedback to make the manuscript more appealing, to making the introduction package of the book crisper and finally helping closing the contract with the publishers. He also got the cover of the book designed. Book Bakers have been with me through the journey of tranformation of a manuscript to a published book.
5. How do you see literary success for yourself?
The Kali Saga precipitated in my mind one spring evening as I sat alone in the discourse hall at Dhammadhara meditation centre, hearing S.N Goenkaji speak about the metaphor of Ma Kali and the Raktjbeej Asurs.
Sectet Book of Asurs started out as a magic realism based spiritual fiction novel to convey the message about uncontrolled thoughts and the trouble they could create. As I started unravelling the saga of Kali, I felt compelled to summarize the core practices that had guided the seekers of mindfulness across ages – something that led to my first (non-fiction) book, Unbox! The Power of Mindful Thinking.
Chronicles of Kali has a blend of historical fiction, adventure and mysticism with an underlying humorous style and the book will appeal to readers of all ages who are interested in a good story. The book also attempts to share deep transformative secrets from great spiritual traditions. I will consider the book a literay success if readers can connect to the esoteric wisdom that is weaved into the fabric of the story.
6. When can we expect your next book?
Very Soon! I am already woking on the sequel of the Secret Book of Asurs that takes the timeless plot forward.
7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?
Well, I am just getting my first book pubished so I may not qualify for some serios gyan!
But I can surely share the tips that I received from established authors that has helped in my own journey. We conduct a literary festival in the Boston area – which has become one of the biggest south asian themed fest in USA with autors like Sashi Tharoor, Shobha De and others attending in person. Here are some of the tips that were conveyed in infromal dinner settings and such during the events. I have found these very useful.
Be patient. The process of transforming a manuscript into a published book can take years. I did not belive this when I started on my own journey. Maybe you wont either. But most likely you will also have this advice as the #1 bullet in your tips to aspiring authours once you get published.
Get a thick skin. If you are making the decesion to put your creation in front of the world, accept the fact thar there will be folks who will love what you write and then there will be those who wont. Focus on the former and don’t get (over) impacted by the later.
Be at at - Write. Write. Write. Sharpen your saw. Write daily with an unwavering intent to become better in your craft.
BOOK NAME: Chronicles of Kali – CHRONICLES OF KALI - THE SECRET BOOK OF ASURS
PUBLISHER: VISHWAKARMA PUBLISHERS
BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:
The world has become the playing field of the ferocious subterranean Asurs who have hatched a diabolical plot to manipulate and enslave humans.
Kali’s teenage life gets swept up in a whirlwind of cosmic adventure. With a quirky ageless comrade, an unsuspecting mother, and an enlightened master to help fulfill her destiny, Kali embraces her supernatural powers. From mysterious revelations in Los Angeles to bizarre events in ancient Varanasi, her trials transcended time.
Kali’s teenage life gets swept up in a whirlwind of cosmic adventure. With a quirky ageless comrade, an unsuspecting mother, and an enlightened master to help fulfill her destiny, Kali embraces her supernatural powers. From mysterious revelations in Los Angeles to bizarre events in ancient Varanasi, her trials transcended time.
What is this plot that can plunge the world into darkness? Read on The Chronicles of Kali – and embark into a journey that blends history, adventure and fantasy weaved into a gripping story that may change your life!
Very candid answers, yet so smart. Welldone Prithvi Raj Bannerjee.
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