Sunday 18 November 2018

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH SEEMA PUNWANI

NEWS OF BOOKS


AUTHOR'S BIO:
Seema Punwani is a marketing professional who learns negotiation skills from her teenage son. She juggles life as a single mum, working adult and now a student of creative writing as she pursues her Masters at LASALLE College of the Arts. She was born in Spain, grew up in Mumbai and now lives in Singapore. When not providing strategic counsel to marketers, writing grade-worthy essays or grappling with issues of raising a teenager, she can be found on the beach in Bali re-reading a Jane Austen classic. Cross Connection is her debut novel.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

Cross Connection is a story that was originally inspired from my life but then took a life of its own. Some of the crazy dates mentioned in the book have actually happened to me, some are an exaggerated version of the truth and many are completely a figment of my vivid imagination. I wanted to probe on the real-life issues about finding love. Not the Mills and Boon and fairy tale kind, but within the parameters of real life. Not everyone gets it right the first time. And people still find their soulmate after divorce or through dark phases of their lives, like depression. The book aims to explore love in these territories.

2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?

Most writers face similar challenges, and writing while maintaining a full time job is a key one. And getting published means getting used to facing rejections and being patient and resilient.
For Cross Connection, I had an additional specific challenge. The book is written from the female and male protagonists point of views. First you hear the story from Sama, the female protagonist. And then you read the 2nd half of the book- The other side of the story- from Zehn, i.e. the male perspective. This part aims to fill the gaps and resolve the issues raised in the first half of the book. It was tough to write the same story from two unique voices and also keep the freshness of the story and avoid redundancies.
I truly believe that the urban life is not as easy for men as we make it out to be. Expectations are high on all fronts. He needs to be the main breadwinner, but also be the perfect husband who plans date nights and must be a hands-on parent who picks up his daughter from ballet after playing cricket with his son. I wanted to give a voice to the insecurities that men face today.
The book is about real people finding love while facing real life issues. The characters are flawed and not picture perfect. The story also talks about still taboo topics like divorce and depression. Sama and Zehn are both looking for that second chance to make things right. Like many of us. Some of you may relate to that eternal search of a soul mate. And I can promise that one or more of these crazy dates would’ve have happened to each one of you. Some of you may have found the love of your life in them. Many of you may be slightly dejected but still looking. Whatever your experience has been, it’s always heartening to know that in this vast universe you are not alone.

3.  How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS? 

Through friends in the literary scene.

4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them?

Suhail Mathur at The Book Bakers was extremely sincere. And he was relentless in his pursuit to find me a publisher. The process took long, but ultimately, The Book Bakers got me what I needed.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

To be widely READ not just bought. And also to find appeal with the male target audience. As I have tried to represent their point of view in the book.

6. When can we expect your next book?

I live in Singapore and my next book is based in an International School in Singapore and follows life of seven friends from puberty to parenthood.

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Never stop reading. Especially when you are writing. Read genres different from what you are writing about. And one tip that works for me- 500 words before 8 am. Sounds daunting, but it will bring the discipline to your writing. Wish you all the very best! Keep at it!

BOOK NAME: CROSS CONNECTION

PUBLISHER:  VISHWAKARMA PUBLICATIONS


BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:
A woman’s version is seldom the same as a man’s. She looks for the subtexts of emotions (while decoding emoticons) and he is interested in the facts as they stand. Love may exist, but it sometimes cannot bridge these gaps. Written from the point of view of the two protagonists, Sama and Zehn, Cross Connection is a tale about the eternal quest for true love...second time over.
Once married, twice shy, Sama is trying her hand, and her heart, at love and relationships. In her mid-30s, she re-enters the dating world, to find that all the rules have changed. A romantic old soul, she believes that her soul mate Zehn, will find his way back to her. Her pragmatic side makes her try all options- from matrimonial websites to blind dates and online chatting to dating agencies.
Zehn met Sama in college and has never been able to get her off his mind. However, every time their paths cross, the timing is always wrong. Stuck in a loveless marriage, he keeps drawing back to Sama, but fate has other plans for him.
Neither can ignore the chemistry and connection that is so overpowering.  But in today's world where even hope has a shelf life, how long can Sama and Zehn wait for that opportune time?

Saturday 3 November 2018

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH PREETI PATHAK

NEWS OF BOOKS


AUTHOR'S BIO:

“Life is a journey with work always in progress leading to personal growth on spiritual & non-spiritual planes.” 


Author of 25 Essential to Happy Living, Preeti Pathak’s book was launched at Pune International Literary Festival in September, 2017. Writer and Life Enricher, Preeti’s writing encourages and inspires her readers to be happy in all life situation.
Confidence, love, faith, compassion and belief in own self are the fundamentals to understand own attitudes, emotions and their impact on own physical, mental and emotional health. An avid reader with a passion for writing, Preeti’s purpose in life is to seek freedom and help others find theirs through her writings and workshops.

Preeti conducts workshop for youth and adults to facilitate Regrow, Regenerate and Realign life for a happy and anxious free living. Her workshop operates on 4 pillars namely Awareness, Acceptance, Action-Plan and Amelioration. 

Through experiential workshops she draws light on well-being by practice Meditation, Yoga and Healing.
“Freedom is but a state of mind. All problems originate from us and their solutions also lie within us.”
To learn more about Preeti’s work and philosophy log-on to www.empyreal.in.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

Journey on the path of self- realization several years ago inspired me to write to help as many souls through my book to align and live a happy life in today’s dynamic and fast moving golden era. My guru Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda has been my inspiration to write,
“25 Essentials to Happy Living” .

2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?

Writing was not as challenging as getting the right publisher to publish my book was. I was in tune and connected with the inspiration that kept coming to my mind even though I was occupied with different tasks. I was never in a state of switch on or switch off mode between work and writing. My mind was constantly working on the contend through experiences as well.

3.  How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK  BAKERS?  

I was connected to Suhail Mathur, The Book Bakers by Saurabh Kumar to whom I was connected by my uncle.

4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them ?

The Book Bakers are my literary agents.Suhail Mathur is persistent, focussed and very optimistic. He is aware what sells and what does not. The journey with TBB started in August 2016 and we found our publisher in the following year. Through his business acumen and professional confidence Suhail kept working on my manuscript keeping me in the loop. We worked hand in glove. Suhail gave me insights on essentially required documents to be shared with the publishers. The Book Bakers are very prompt and responsible agent. Suhail is sharp sighted, knowledgeable and extremely creative. The Book Bakers also designed my book cover which is magnetic.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

My core area of writing is in the body, mind and soul genre. With today’s on setting dwapara  yuga, people are constantly on the lookout for books that will help them heal and improve their life and lifestyle. Persistence with Patience has always been my mantra and with that flame holding bright I see promising success for my work.

6. When can we expect your next book?

  Very soon.

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Enjoy the journey and every moment as you write and do research for your manuscript. It is these moments that will weave a beautiful tapestry of your journey as an author. Keep the faith and stay calm. Faith in your work, in yourself and the people who work with you to publish your book. Faith is assuring. It is the plinth of many successes in the journey of life.

BOOK NAME: 25 Essentials To Happy Living
PUBLISHER: VISHWAKARMA PUBLICATIONS


BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:

Have you ever experienced or explored true happiness? Have you ever felt hesitant to share or express your happiness with others? Have you felt anxious and torn apart within yourself or with others without reason? Are you looking for peace, positivity and purpose?
If yes, “25 Essentials to Happy Living” will enable you to explore true happiness and how to achieve it! It touches upon a basket of emotions and attitudes present in our heart and mind. With Preeti Pathak’s effective guidance and experiences, you will be able to truly comprehend positivity, emotions and a de-stressed life. A check point for you to pause, reflect and even change all that is harmful to you and your loved ones.
Read ahead, to let this book shine the light within you for a contended and beatific life.

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