Saturday 26 January 2019

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH AJAY RAM

NEWS OF BOOKS 19:28

AUTHOR'S BIO :

Ajay is a Civil Engineer by education and a Writer/Filmmaker by passion.  
He has assisted Director Deepak Shivdasani on Badlapur Boys (pre-production) and Julie 2. He has been the Associate Director on Faheem Chaudhry’s Hindi film Gilli Danda based on Munshi Premchand’s short story of the same name.
He spends most of his time reading, writing, watching films and gymming. He hopes to make films soon.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

A voice within urged me to tell my stories to the world. The inspiration to write Rendezvous with God was a Los Angeles based producer who told me the script would be exorbitant to produce and I may have to write a novel first to create an in-built audience for it to have a realistic chance to be considered for a film adaptation. Writing this novel was daunting at first, but inspiring words by Ayn Rand and Stephen King kept me going. When I look back, I must say I quite enjoyed the writing process.

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

The only challenge while writing was to constantly remind myself that no matter how silly it seemed to slog at the computer for years at end, it’ll probably be worth the effort one day. I realised the day I finished writing the novel that a bigger challenge lay ahead in getting it published for the world of publishing seemed intimidating. Google came to my rescue as it brought me to the doors of THE BOOK BAKERS Literary Agency.

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

Research told me that I needed to hire a lit-agent to represent my work since established publishers do not accept unsolicited submissions. I subsequently sent out enquiries to the top literary agencies of India and got a prompt response from Suhail Mathur.  

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

It goes without saying that if it weren’t for the efforts and reach of THE BOOK BAKERS I wouldn’t have found my publishers. Suhail Mathur has been very patient with me all through this exhilarating and at times stressful journey of finding a publisher, two in my case. I really do hope first-time writers find their way to THE BOOK BAKERS and to eventual bliss of seeing their novels on the shelves of bookstores.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

Imminent and inevitable. Kidding… I’m kidding. What I want is for my novel to reach the widest reader base possible.  

6. When can we expect your next book?

2019

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Keep writing no matter what, for stories to exist, a writer must dream.

BOOK NAME: RENDEZVOUS WITH GOD

PUBLISHER : BIG FOOT PUBLISHER



BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:

When an alien falls for a nurse, the US president uses her to manipulate the alien in an effort to fulfill his lifelong dream of colonising planet Mars even as a dangerous alien race approaches Earth.

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH AMRUTA KANDURWAR

NEWS OF BOOKS 19:27


AUTHOR'S BIO :

Dr. Amruta Kandurwar (36), was born and brought up in Mumbai. She is currently practicing dentistry at her two clinics in Nagpur. She takes lectures for medical entrance test. She is a trained Kathak dancer.
Her love for reading books has inspired her to pen this debut story.
You can connect with the author at amruta.kandurwar@gmail.com

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

Society is divided into two groups, one which respects women and one which doesn’t. I am privileged to be a part of the former. I realized that we still have some set concepts about women, like they are intelligent, can become good professionals, get married at the right age, stay committed, balance work, home and kids, just be perfect. And when all this is achieved, it is called a perfect life. I was always curious of that particular woman, who likes to make her own way, who doesn’t believe one has to become a doctor or an engineer to find a good husband, who shows courage to voice her decisions, who falters, who makes mistakes, who crosses the line at times, who learns from her mistakes…who still believes in love. My protagonist Rhea is that woman. But at the same time, I wanted to talk about that man, who is again well educated, passionate about his career, had his share of experimenting with love and relationships and is now looking forward to settle in matrimony. He is committed, faithful and loves his wife. That’s Siddharth. That’s how the idea of writing their story came across my mind.

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

Writing the story was easy since I had lived with the story for more than three years, before I thought I should write it as a novel. But being a dentist and a mother of a then four year old, finding time was a big challenge.
About publishing, I was totally clueless. Me and my husband Dr. Sarang used to google for all possible information. We even tried sending out hard copies of the synopsis to publishing houses but seldom got a reply. We did receive a lot of calls for self publishing, but at that time I wanted my work to get selected by a publishing house and so we didn’t opt for that one.

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

As we were getting information about the publishing scene, we came to know that one needs a literary agency to start with. So we started looking for the same. The Book Bakers was in the top five agencies on a certain site. So we mailed our details to them.

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

I clearly remember the evening when Mr. Suhail Mathur called me to discuss about the book. He was the most genuine person I had ever come across. Usually the word agent scares us. But he was very fair in his work and showed great patience in guiding me through the entire process. He did find me a publisher in less than six months of our association and made me a part of his esteemed group of authors. The Book Bakers has helped me grow as a writer.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

Well, that’s something difficult to put into words. I want to be widely read, of course, every author would love that, but more than that I want Rhea to be accepted and understood by the society. If I can achieve that, it would be a fulfilling moment for me.

6. When can we expect your next book?

Pretty soon, hopefully. I have started working on it. Trying a different style this time, so fingers crossed.
7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?
I had once read a quote, “If there’s a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
So keep writing. And if you need help you can always contact Mr. Suhail Mathur. He will be your mentor and lead you through.

BOOK NAME : LITTLE MISS MISFIT
PUBLISHER : BIGFOOT PUBLISHERS


BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :

Mom says “Since you don’t want to become a doctor,  at least do engineering”
She looks at her article in her school magazine, She is confused.
Siddharth says  “Love is for the teenagers. I like you and I want to marry you.”
She is confused.
Rohit says  “I know we both are committed but still I like you.”
She is confused.
Aditi says  “ If the friendship is platonic, it is not an extramarital affair”
He is confused.
Let’s look into the emotional journey of Rhea, Siddharth and Rohit ….each trying to find the meaning of love and commitment.


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