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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