Tuesday, 28 September 2021

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH NIZAM HARIS

NEWS OF BOOKS 18:52
AUTHOR’S BIO :

 Nizam Haris is a copywriter and MA literature with Communication Studies student at Christ University, Bangalore. His writings have been published in The Hindu, The News Minutes, Indian Folk and several other online platforms. 

He focuses on applying diverse tools of literature in his experimental writings trying to bring forth another piece in contemporary literature. Nizam is a conversationalist, passionate traveller and photographer. 

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 
 
I am a literature student who has always been passionate about both reading and writing, I grew up reading classics and diasporic authors, it was always a dream to have my own book but never thought I was ready for it. During my Bachelor’s, I dwelled more into magical realism and absurdism, which had already formed a base from my past reading experience, I constantly thought about creating something new, something that the readers haven’t experienced before, it was about creating more than publishing. works like My name is red by Orhan Pamuk, If on a winter’s night a traveller by Italo Calvino, Happy Death by Camus and the works of Marquez propelled me in the direction of planting a new range of stories, literature at its base and reality as its topping, that’s how the stories in Rum were born. In two years, I wrote around 25 stories. The compilation in the book is after carefully filtering from the stories I wrote and then it was the decision to make it into a book. 
 
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
 
To be honest, I never faced much challenges, maybe it’s because, while writing the stories in Rum, the idea was not to create a book but to create some quality art and only once it reached the required quantity to be published as a book that I realized, I can give it a shot there. Regarding finding a publisher, I was not in any rush, I send to all the mainstream publications, even sent my manuscript to acclaimed authors. I got positive reply from 2-3 publishers, but I wanted to look for a long term method and I found The Book Bakers from the page of HarperCollins, mailed them and that’s how I struck a deal with The Book Bakers and then Locksley Hall. Though the publication process took a bit long, Covid-19 was in the background. There were many troubles because of it, but other than that, it was all smooth. 
 
 3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?  
 
From the website of HarperCollins, they had mentioned that, if someone wants to publish through HarperCollins, they only take manuscripts from agents. 
 
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them ? 
 
I pitched my work to The Book Bakers and they actually responded to mails on time, they provided me with three publishers, edited my work and offered other services. There’s professionalism in the way they handle their work, kudos to that. The best part is the author community that you get to be a part of, in totally awe of that. and the Online Literature Festival that The Book Bakers Organised was truly stellar. 
 
5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?
 
They respond on time and are diligent with their marketing efforts, so far so good. 
 
6. How do you see literary success for yourself?
 
I am not sure of that yet, but like every author, I am dying to be published by either Penguin or any of the international publications. I want to work on a variety of writings including fiction and non-fiction in both languages, English and Malayalam. In short, I want to create an impact in the international and local literary world. 
 
7. When can we expect your next book? 
 
It’ll be in Malayalam and I am halfway through it, maybe within a year. 
 
8. How has your experience been working with Locksley Hall Publishing ? 
 
So far so good. Truly professional and diligent with their work.
 
9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

If you want to be recognized as a writer, always go for traditional publishing and try to go through agents. make a book for your own satisfaction and when you are satisfied, then only think about publishing and taking it to the other readers. 


BOOK NAME : RUM: 21 ODD STORIES
 PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING 
BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB : 

What if the book you are reading screams in pain and throws abuses at the author? What if that friendly chicken in the neighbourhood hangs himself one day? What if the dead fish on your plate talks? 

The stories in Rum are meant to riddle your mind seeking for logic and reason. Characters ranging from crazy barber to the butcher who cut in his sleep, the themes here are a mirror on society with a note of mockery. Rooted in absurdism and magical realism, the stories here are ambiguous enough to make many points, leaving the interpretation to the reader. 

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Sunday, 12 September 2021

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH SUDIPTA MUKHERJEE

NEWS OF BOOKS 18:14

AUTHOR’S BIO:

SUDIPTA MUKHERJEE
Author, Screenwriter. 
Alma mater of Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Mysore; an awardee of Rudrappa Memorial Medal, for her outstanding academic performances. 
Sudipta is a member of the Screenwriter’s Association of India. 
The Space Between Us, her second novel has been published by Locksley Hall Publishing.  Two of her screenplays, Koshish and Ruuh have been taken by a production house, and would be made into web series for OTT platforms.She is into copy writing for Corporate films, Fiction and Non-Fictions, Social Service Films, etc.
To define oneself, I believe, is the toughest answer to give. Because life, as I understand, is an endless series of incessant evolution. A persistent unfolding of the self, discovering and rediscovering the ever-new versions of me.

I am a world entombed inside my mind; a world bubbling with stories. And in the very act of telling a story, I discover versions of myself, which would remain undiscovered otherwise. I am now convinced beyond doubt, that had there been no journey of words, my life story would have remained incomplete, untold. 
My essence lies in the space between the lines and the gaps between the words. I am a speck and a spark; a moment of pause and a whirlpool, all at the same time. I am a grain of sand in this big universe. Or one could say that I am a universe trapped inside a grain of sand. 

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 

Writing came to me as a natural response of two factors; life and reading. I am an avid reader. I read exhaustively, practically all the time. Which basically means the time I am not writing a story; I am reading one. And then, there is this life, we all know so very well. Life is my biggest inspiration. Every character that I draw, every story that I scribble is a reflection of life, in one way or the other. Life amuses me in a way few other things can, life teaches me a million and one lessons. I am a student in the university of life. And I can say honestly, that I am quite proud to be one. For, truth be told, there is no bigger and greater institute than life.
 
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?

I don’t recall a moment I had faced while writing this story, The Space Between Us, or for that matter, any story that I write. A story reaches me from somewhere inside, and I write it. The process is entirely organic. Beyond a point, I don’t drive a story. It is just the reverse. The story, mainly the characters drive my story. All I do is pay attention to them, and a story is effortlessly born out of me.
Getting published, yes, that’s a real challenge, I admit. But I see it more of a professional hazard. If you ought to be a writer, you have to go through it.
 
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?  

From the internet, mainly Facebook. I connected with them and then send across my proposal. They accepted. That moment, I now reckon, was the beginning of my publication journey for this novel, The Space Between Us. 
 
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them ? 

As I said, The Book Bakers accepted my proposal and we got started, officially that is. During the journey, they helped me with the required procedures, and providing me with inputs, like marketing strategies, etc. They are professional and helpful. I extend my sincere thanks to the team for their belief in me and my story.
 
5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?

Of course, they are supportive and I am thankful to the team for that. My book, The Space Between Us, has two fonts, as you may discover during the process of reading it. I felt that was the best way this story could be told. My publisher respected it, this particular choice, and did the job well, unquestioningly. You see, a publisher and an author, is a relationship. Although in this era of commercialization, one tends to disregard this fact. But when an author hands over a manuscript to his/her publisher with the expectation of getting it published by him, there is an element of trust hidden in it. And trust is the basis of all relationship! Needless to say, I too have entered into a relationship my publisher, Locksley Hall, by signing the contract. And I look forward to a long and sweet journey with them.
 
6. How do you see literary success for yourself?

Success is relative and entirely based on one’s perception. Something you consider as success, I may have a different view. And vice versa. Of course, having recently published my novel, The Space Between Us, I would definitely want it to sell well; and I need support and good wishes of all my readers to make it one big hit. I also have many other manuscripts waiting in the pipeline to be published. But I am not in a terrible hurry to do things. I like to take things slowly, enjoy the journey and not rush towards the destination. Life will take me to my destination, I have no qualms about it. Until then, let me enjoy the bountiful beauty studded in the journey. Let me enjoy the process; the product, I am sure, will be taken care of. 
 
7. When can we expect your next book?

Next month!
 
8. How has your experience been working with Locksley Hall Publishing? 

The experience has been good so far; no complaints, no regrets. As I said earlier, I look forward to a long and sweet relationship with them. 
 
9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

I am not a great teacher. If you take tuition from me, you are bound to flunk in the exams. I can assure you that! Since, you are smart or perhaps wise enough to use that word, “message” in your question, I think I have one for the aspiring authors. “Live your life as if it is your best story, and write your story as if it is your life!” And yes, do read my book, The Space Between Us. 

BOOK NAME : THE SPACE BETWEEN US
PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING

BOOK SYNOPSIS/ BLURB : 

Vibrant and intense, The Space Between Us unfolds the turbulent story of a family, separated in the wake of the riots of 1965.Opening in a lesser-known village of East Pakistan, it snakes its way through the dark and infamous alleyways of Calcutta to the dazzling world of Bengali cinema. Extreme religious turbulence, fractures the once rich Dutta family, intosplinters, resulting in heart wrenching separations. Two siblings are individually thrown into unstoppable journeys that are unique and solitary. The space between them remains as destiny takes each on their individual paths to a defining conclusion. Spanning generations, this sweeping novel deftly weaves love and social and historical circumstance into an unforgettable tapestry that spans the limits of love and empathy and the varied hues of human relationships. What is it that shapes individual destiny? Can fate be scripted anew? And by whom? At what? The Space Between Us is a poignant story of enduring emotional power that attempts to reconcile the notion of individual destiny against the canvas of life.

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Saturday, 11 September 2021

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH BALARKO GUPTA

NEWS OF BOOKS 21:23
AUTHOR'S BIO : 

 BALARKO GUPTA IS AN ENGINEER FROM IIT, KHARAGPUR, INDIA. HE WORKED FOR 25 YEARS WITH THE CANADIAN ATOMIC ENERGY AND RETIRED AS A PROJECT DIRECTOR. HE SELF PUBLISHED A BOOK, DOWN THE MEMORY LANE, IN INDIA IN 2019. HE SPENDS SUMMERS IN CANADA AND WINTERS IN INDIA WITH HIS WIFE BIDYA. MURDERS, THEY SAW IS HIS FIRST MYSTERY NOVEL. 

1. WHO AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE?

I ALWAYS WANTED TO WRITE A MYSTERY NOVEL BUT DID NOT KNOW HOW. MOITRAYEE BHADURI, A WONDERFUL MYSTERY WRITER INSPIRED ME TO WRITE THIS BOOK. ORIGINALLY , OUR NEIGHBOUR IN KOLKATA, ROSY BHATTACHARYA, ASKED ME TO WRITE A BOOK , BUT NOT ON ANY SPECIFIC SUBJECT.

2. WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE WHILE WRITING AND GETTING PUBLISHED?

NOT THAT MANY CHALLENGES WHILE WRITING BUT MANY CHALLENGES IN GETTING IT PUBLISHED. I SENT MANUSCRIPT TO MANY PUBLISHERS IN INDIA, CANADA AND USA BUT NOT MUCH RESPONSE.

3. HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW ABOUT THE LITERARY AGENCY THE BOOK BAKERS?

FINALLY, MOIRAYEE BHADURI REFERRED ME TO THE BOOK BAKERS AND THEY HELPED ME TO FIND A PUBLISHER.

4. HOW DID THE BOOK BAKERS HELP YOU AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT THEM? 

THE BOOK BAKERS HELPED ME A LOT. I HAVE THE HIGHEST RESPECT AND REGARDS FOR THEM. MR. SUHAIL MATHUR, ALTHOUGH EXTREMELY BUSY, FOUND TIME FOR ME AND HELPED ME IN EVERY WAY.

5. HOW SUPPORTIVE IS YOUR PUBLISHER OF YOUR WORK?

MY PUBLISHER, LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING, THE LHP TEAM, HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE.

6. HOW DO YOU SEE LITERARY SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF?

I JUST STARTED TO WRITE AT A VERY OLD AGE AND I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH MY SUCCESS. BUT I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT MY LITERARY SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE. HOPE IT WILL BE GOOD.

7. WHEN CAN WE EXPECT YOUR NEXT BOOK?

MY NEXT BOOK , HEALTHCARE FOR ALL, IS WITH YOU ALREADY. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER 2021.

8.HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEING WORKING WITH LHP? 

VERY GOOD

9. ANY MESSAGE OR TIPS FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS?

WRITE STORIES BASED ON WHAT YOU KNOW; THE PLACES YOU HAVE LIVED, PEOPLE YOU HAVE MET, MEMORIES WHICH ARE STILL IN YOUR HEAD, ETC. PERSONALLY, I CANNOT WRITE ON AN ABSTRACT SUBJECT. BE YOUR OWN AND WRITE FREE. 

BOOK NAME : MURDERS, THEY SAW
PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING 


BOOK SYNOPSIS/ BLURB : 

NICOLE TRUDEAU OF MONTREAL, CANADA, GOES TO A FERTILITY CLINIC AT NDG TO HAVE A BABY BUT IS MURDERED.WHY?
WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, LUCIE BURNS GOES TO A FERTILITY CLINIC IN KOLKATA, INDIA, TO HAVE A BABY THROUGH A SURROGATE MOTHER BUT IS MURDERED. WHY?
IS THERE A COMMON LINK BETWEEN THE TWO MURDERS?
HAD THE SAME KILLER KILLED BOTH THE LADIES?. OR, THERE ARE MORE THAN ONE KILLER?
iNVESTIGATION TEAM LED BY LISA ROY OF MONTREAL AND THE TEAM IN INDIA SOLVED THE CASE.
MURDERS, THEY SAW, IS A MYSTERIOUS THRILLER THAT WILL KEEP YOU GLUED TO THE BOOK TILL THE END.

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Wednesday, 8 September 2021

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH PARAG KULKARNI

NEWS OF BOOKS 19:01

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Parag Kulkarni, a software architect by profession, delves into the world of literature over weekends. He possesses a keen interest in scientific & historical events with a specific emphasis on events that connect the two ethos. He is also fond of hobbies like astronomy and stargazing. In his free time, he likes to play with his son Advait and prefers to be around family and close friends.

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 

So the first time I wrote anything was my experience at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. It was way back in 2004. But somehow I could not sustain it. Still, I kept on investing in my reading and learning abilities and acquired as much scientific and technological knowledge as I could. Then in 2013, came the idea for my first book – The Peacemakers. Since then, there is no stopping, as I had found my calling. Writing then became a passion and I wrote many essays, ideas, and 2 books since I fell in love with writing.
 
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?

The basic challenge was the research required to complete the plot. I had chosen a topic for which there wasn’t much material available on the internet. Since this is a book that tries to find a balance between family and their scientific ambitions, the research required spanned from human psychology, fertility, philosophy to genetic cloning, astronomy, and mathematics. Add to that the research around Sanskrit-based mathematics by ancient mathematicians like Aryabhatta, Warahamihira, and most importantly, Bhaskaracharya II ( 12th Century). I also had to study some real-life cases of reincarnation and read books by some experts in the field. 
As for publishing, it was made much easier by the presence of The Book Bakers Agency and my friend and literary agent – Suhail Mathur. Of course, we had to go through few publishers but finally, Locksley Hall liked the premise and selected our book for publication.
 
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?  

So my first book – The Peacemakers, was edited by the senior editor Sanjeev Mathur. Under his guidance, Suhail Mathur started The Book Bakers and that’s how I thought of pitching the idea of my 2nd book to Suhail. He liked it and took it further with the publishers.
 
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them?

As I mentioned earlier, Suhail understood the premise, provided valuable feedback on editing and pitching for the book. From that point on, he pitched to multiple publishers until it was selected by Locksley Hall Publishing. What was striking about him was his optimism that it will be selected.
 
5.How supportive is the publisher of your work?

The publisher, first of all, really loved the concept as well as the execution of the book. The initial feedback was encouraging and it led me to make the book concise. They also offered to sponsor the trailer for the book and supported it during cover design as well as final editing.    
 
6. How do you see literary success for yourself?

The literary success for me is two-fold – First is that whoever reads my book, should get a profound feeling that they have read something new. The second is to be recognized in the field by fellow authors. All other aspects are superficial to me.
 
7. When can we expect your next book?

I am working on multiple projects, and the
 most important one is the 3rd part of the trilogy of The Peacemakers. The current title of the book is – “The Return of the Peacemakers”. Apart from this, I am working on a non-fiction book titled “Child Education & YOU” about the role each one of the educated individuals can play in educating the next generation of India, and a funny dramedy called – “Hum Dono, Humare Dono”, which is about reuniting an old couple who had married separately due to break-up, only to find that their kids too are falling for each other.
 
8. How has your experience been working with Locksley Hall Publishing?

It was a welcoming experience for me. LHP as we would like to call them, first of all, really loved the concept as well as the execution of the book. The initial feedback was encouraging and it led me to make the book concise. They also offered to sponsor the trailer for the book and supported it during cover design as well as final editing.
 
9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

I recommend them to follow their heart, do enough research about each literary project to create their unique style, and finish what they started. There will always be people who would recognize your talent and style and appreciate what you have accomplished. 
 
BOOK NAME: THE REBIRTH OF LILAVATI
PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING 

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB: 

Wikram, an ex-spy and a mathematician, has just found out that his adopted daughter, Diya, believes she is a reincarnation of Lilavati, daughter of the 12th century mathematician and astronomer – Bhaskaracharya. This has created a rift in the family, where Sindhu, mother of Diya, is the center of attraction for all. She has revolutionized the educational culture in India by forming a second to none club known as “The Phrontisterion”. But she is also obsessed with having a baby, just like Diya to fulfill her motherly desires. So, she sets out on a secret, darker path and puts their family’s future at risk, while Diya discovers the 9th planet in the solar system. How will Sindhu, Wikram and Diya handle their extraordinary circumstances? Read this thought-provoking mystery to find out.

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