EXCHANGING WORDS WITH KANCHANA BANERJEE

AUTHOR'S BIO :

Kanchana has been writing for almost 20 years. She began her writing career with The Statesman (Kolkata) & then worked with TOI (Hyderabad). After that she chose to be a freelance writer and wrote for numerous reputed publications in the country. Her articles have been published in all the leading newspapers & magazines in the country. She also worked with various MNCs & PR firms as a corporate writer.

In 2011 she founded an online company called Writeword and conducted online writing courses to help women learn the art of freelance writing. 

Kanchana published her first novel – A Forgotten Affair – with Harper Collins in September 2016. She won the book deal at Bangalore Literature festival, 2014 in a contest called Lit Mart.

A Forgotten Affair was awarded the prize of Best 1st Published book by Lit-O- Fest 2017 held in Mumbai.

Her second book – Nobody’s Child – is a dark and twisted tale of relationships, deception and power games people play to win at all cost. Harper Collins is the publisher & the book will be out in stores from August 25, 2019.

Kanchana lives in Gurgaon with her husband, son & 2 dogs.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

I have always wanted to write; in fact I’ve never wanted to do anything else other than to write. I’ve been a professional writer for almost 2 decades now. I used to write for companies & publications and started writing fiction only in 2014.

Nobody’s Child is my second book; first was A Forgotten Affair (2016) also by Harper Collins.

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

This is the first time I wrote a thriller so it wasn’t easy. I read a lot of thrillers, it is a genre I enjoy writing. So I spent a lot of time planning the story, the twists & turns.

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

From my author friends – Kulpreet Yadav and Manjiri Prabhu.

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

I think Suhail Mathur is very helpful and well connected with the publishers. He is a wonderful guy to work with. He was able to get a publishing contract from two other reputed publishing houses other than HC, but I chose to go with Harper Collins.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

I just want people to buy & read my book. I hope they enjoy reading the book as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

6. When can we expect your next book?

I take time with writing. For writing isn’t a race. I like to grow evolve as a writer so the next book isn’t coming very soon.

7.Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Read a lot. A lot. Before starting to write.

BOOK NAME : NOBODY'S CHILD
PUBLISHER : HARPER COLLINS

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :

‘I’m Asavri Bhattacharya. I won the Indian Koel 3 years ago.’

A young woman, dazed, covered in wounds, mind addled by drugs tells a TV journalist on the streets of Mumbai. Soon she breaks into a song, leaving everyone mesmerized by her melodious voice.
How can she be Asavri? Asavri died in a car accident 3 years ago, soon after her win. Her body was cremated; her death mourned by the whole nation. Is the woman an imposter or is she telling the truth?

News spreads like wildfire, the press and public begin clamouring for answers. If this is indeed the real Asavri, then who was cremated three years ago? And who is responsible for these macabre circumstances? Is it Tanya, the first runner-up who wore the victor’s crown after Asavri was declared dead, or Rudra – Asavri’s ex-husband? Or is it Kamini Devi – the glamorous MP with a sinister plan? Or Avniel – the film journalist – who shot to fame by writing Asavri’s biography soon after her death?
And why does Asavri keep muttering the name Monty. Who is he? Her tormentor or saviour.
Kanchana Banerjee's latest is an exhilarating and chilling story about the dark side of fame.

ORDER THE COPY FROM : https://amzn.to/2MLXEVC

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