AUTHOR’S BIO:
Siddharth Nirwan is an ENT & Head and Neck Surgeon. He is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Sawai Mansingh Medical college & Hospital, Jaipur. He is the author of three best-selling horror novels- The Last Witch Trial (2016), Dead Never Die- Based on the rural legends of Rajasthan (2020), Dead People’s Town (2021). He organized India’s first online horror literature festival- ‘Bhootcon’ Litfest in September 2020 and is the host of a weekly chat show- ‘Talking to Siddharth’ where he features personalities from various walks of life. He has been invited on multiple occasions to speak on various talk shows and platforms like the prestigious All-India Radio.
1. Who and what inspired you to write?
Since childhood, I was fascinated by films of all genres but what attracted me the most were the horror films. As I grew up, I dreamt of seeing my name as the writer and director of a horror film. However, I came from a hardcore academic background and even thinking of doing it was impossible. Years later, when I was doing my Mastery of Surgery in ENT, I happened to see a couple of Hollywood films like The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity etc. that were made on a cheap budget but garnered a lot of attention. Inspired by that, I made an amateur film based on a paranormal activity in a medical college hospital and released it on You Tube. With that my dream was eventually fulfilled but the hunger of doing something creative in the Horror genre had just begun. This time the story that was evolving in my head was on a much larger scale and beyond my capacity to make a film on it. Hence, I gave up the idea quickly. Two years later, a chance visit to the famous Jaipur Literature Festival reignited my dream and I realised that if cannot make a film on the story, I could possibly write a book about it. Hence, in a nutshell, it was the Jaipur Literature Festival that inspired me to write.
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
The biggest challenge for me while writing my first book was that I was a non-reader and hence didn’t know the subtle things that go in writing a book. Second challenge was finding the time as I am a working professional and a family man.
Regarding publishing, I did not know anyone in the mainstream publishing world and had no clue as how to approach the publishing houses. I ended up opting for self-publishing for my first book. After that I connected with Suhail Mathur of THE BOOKBAKERS literary agency and everything changed for the good.
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?
It was through the video trailer of my first book that we connected. Suhail eventually liked the book and shared with me his passion for Horror. Since then, we discussed a lot about the genre and several stories. Some of them were featured in my second book.
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them?
To be honest, all I am today as an author, is because of THE BOOK BAKERS and their trust in my work. Suhail believed in my story-telling long before anyone had heard about me as an author. He has always supported my style of writing and encouraged me to continue that way. Every now and then, he provides his valuable insight about the Indian publishing scene that has helped me and other authors. For my latest book DEAD PEOPLE’S TOWN represented by THE BOOK BAKERS, they have gone out with all guns blazing to market it. Let it be the regular feature on their social media pages, the stylish banners or the dhaansu video trailer that they produced for my book.
5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?
The publisher is extremely supportive of my work. Not only did they believe in the story but ever since the book has released, they have come out with all guns blazing in promoting it. Honestly, for this book, I couldn’t have asked for a better publisher.
6. How do you see literary success for yourself?
My definition of literary success is if I could make even a single reader forget about the world around him or her while reading my book. If I can achieve that, I’ll announce myself successful.
7. When can we expect your next book?
I’m currently planning to get my first book ‘The Last Witch Trial’ re-launched as it is very special to my heart. It shall come with a brand-new cover and editing, overall a much better version of what it was previously.
8. How has your experience been working with Locksley Hall Publishing?
If I was to simply rate my experience, I would give them 10/10. I have often termed them as the Netflix of Indian publishing owing to their myriad catalogue and am extremely glad to feature on it.
9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?
Writing should be done by heart and not mind as the readers may like a story written by mind but they are going to love it only if it is written by heart.
BOOK NAME : DEAD PEOPLE'S TOWN
PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING
BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:
At the Lord Erwin Memorial Hospital in Raisingh Garh, an unauthorized drug trial on terminally ill cancer patients has gone horribly wrong. The patients are not humans anymore. They have turned into a ferocious breed of predators, hungry for blood and gore. The madness is not restricted to just patients but is spreading like fire. Everyone is falling prey to it. That is not all. Since the hospital has been digitally locked down and there is nowhere to escape, the few survivors trapped inside are facing a nightmare like situation.
Will they be able to escape the undead or become one of them? Will the nightmare end in the white corridors itself or will it be unleashed upon the unsuspecting town? Is it just an accident or the product of a terrible conspiracy? Tighten your seatbelts and recite your favourite prayers before you enter the…DEAD PEOPLE’S TOWN!
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