AUTHOR'S BIO :
Fifty-one-year-old R. GIRIDHARAN churns out murder mysteries both in the form of books and screenplays. A multifaceted personality, he is currently a general manager with the Reserve Bank of India. In the last two and a half decades, he has worked in Goa, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Delhi and Jaipur. He is also an international sports commentator with All India Radio and has covered many test matches and one-day internationals, including World Cup matches. He is also an expert panellist on Doordarshan. He has anchored many panel discussions and compèred shows. He presently lives in Mumbai.
1. Who and what inspired you to write?
From childhood, I have been an avid reader and was fascinated by the impact that the authors left on readers lives. A writer can be a change agent, an inspiration, a reformer, rolled into one and I began to fantasize about being a best - selling author.
I have often read and discussed about mysteries of Agatha Christie, Sherlock Homes, Perry Mason etc, but very few Indian detective fiction genre. I wanted to create a murder mystery, where everyone wondered on all three counts :-
How could someone commit such a murder?
Who did it?
How are police going to prove it?
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
The challenges while writing were multi- faceted :-
Creating time to write while having a full- time job. I have started writing after I turned 45, so my reflexes are slower that what it might have been at 25. Putting together all ideas and weaving them into a story.
Visiting morgues, interviewing snake charmers and watching them milk venom, training snakes etc.
There were logistics issues. At that point of time I was in Jaipur. I had to coordinate with Manegaonkar who was based in Pune. He tirelessly typed the manuscript. I used to send written versions, which he converted in to typed pages. I also had to frequently interact with Dr. Anjali Goel who lived in Delhi. She was the one who provided valuable inputs on the medical aspects in the book and she was the one who arranged the morgue visit. A lot of these coordination with Mane and Anjali had to be done over phone.
As regards getting published, the primary problem is that it is still a nascent industry in India and one has no clue where to go and whom to approach. The Book Bakers is a gift from God.
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?
The renowned author Koral Dasgupta of Rasiya fame was the one who introduced me to Suhail. She, incidentally, edited my manuscript, tightened the text and eventually made it publisher worthy.
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them ?
The Book Bakers made an extremely significant contribution by eliciting a contract and too from a publisher as renowned as Rupa, which I hope is the first of many. I like their informal approach and positive vibes they emanate. I found them very affordable and Suhail is a warehouse of ideas. They are a God send to first time authors, who are not celebrities from another field as well.
5. How do you see literary success for yourself?
I would like to see my books striking a chord with readers. I hope to write more in this genre and also in self-help genre and on Hindu Mythology. Commercial success along the way is certainly welcome.
6. When can we expect your next book?
The manuscript for sequel to the first book is 75% over and I am also working on a book on Anger Management. I expect them to be ready in 3-4 months time.
7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?
Don’t underestimate yourself and don’t get discouraged by rejections. Jefferey Archer had to face 16 rejections. Keep to your own distinctive style, because that could be your USP and finally patience is bitter, but its fruits are better.
BOOK NAME : RIGHT UNDER YOUR NOSE
PUBLISHER : RUPA PUBLICATIONS
BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :
A woman is killed in an accident. A scientist is murdered in broad daylight. Yet no murderer was seen. One by one, a team of scientists on the verge of an important discovery die under mysterious circumstances. Superintendent Vijay is an ace detective who has solved many cases in the past. But this time it’s more than an ordinary investigation as he fall prey to the evil schemes of his rivals in the force. He cannot trust anyone anymore till a journalist, padmini, walks into his life. Vijay’s skills as a detective along with padmini’s creative intuition and imagination are pitted against a genius who is eliminating every possible lead, right under their nose. As fear and distrust spread through the city, Vijay, his trusted aide Dalvi, and padmini have just one week to nab the murderer, if there is one!.
ORDER YOUR COPY FROM :
0 comments:
Post a Comment