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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