Saturday, 28 May 2022

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH SURABHI

NEWS OF BOOKS 06:43
AUTHOR’S BIO : 

Surabhi has nearly two decades of experience as a business journalist, writing government policy, macro-economic issues as well as banking and financial sectors — initially from Delhi and now from Mumbai. She has worked in leading national newspapers.
She is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi and Lady Shri Ram College for Women.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?
 
The plot of this story had been in my head for a long time but it took me a long time to find the time to write it out. I enjoy observing life and people around me and often I wonder what kind of lives they live and who they are. These are ideas that I played with while writing this book. 
 
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
 
As any first time author will tell you, writing a book is the easy part, getting it published is the difficult aspect. I too realised this! In today’s publishing world, there is also a lot of focus on non-fiction books although fiction continues to be a popular genre as well. 
 
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?
 
I was looking at possible publishers and literary agents online and I read very good reviews about The Book Bakers. 
 
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them?
 
The Book Bakers have been very supportive throughout the process and have guided and advised me from the day I signed on with them. They have listened to all my concerns and also helped with the finer nuances, such as figuring out how to write a blurb and chapter synopsis. The book cover design by them is also fabulous.
 
5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?
 
The publisher has been very patient in answering all my queries and has also made all the edits I suggested in the final manuscript. They stuck to the timeline they had planned for the release of the book.
 
6. How do you see literary success for yourself?
 
Like any budding author, I hope my book does well and would like to write more books. But marketing is a big challenge. I am fairly successful as a journalist and I can find even half of this success as an author.
 
7. When can we expect your next book?
 
I have something in mind but it is still early days. 
 
8. How has your experience being working with Locksley Hall Publishing ?
 
Like I mentioned, they have been extremely supportive and helpful. The promo for the book that they got made has got extremely good response. 
 
9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Think through your plot, write clearly yet with feeling and edit, edit, edit!

BOOK NAME : THE GIRLS FROM PATNA
PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING 


BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB : 
Saroj Sinha’s death leaves behind a fractured family, still coming to terms with a tragedy that struck over two decades ago. Her granddaughters, Priyanka and Neha, rush back home. But living under the same roof is not easy for them, with old hurts and new misgivings coming to the fore. Secret agendas, a cousin’s sudden arrest and family politics make it a bittersweet homecoming. Will they be able to finally let go of the past? Will they make peace with each other? Join the two women in modern day Patna as they try to make a new beginning.

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH MANSI NARULA KASHYAP

NEWS OF BOOKS 06:34

AUTHOR’S BIO: 

Mansi Narula Kashyap born and brought up in Delhi. She has done her bachelors in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management with German Language from Delhi College of Arts and Commerce and has worked with corporates like Macmillan UK, Clifford Chance. She has a small stint of working with Lawyers at Clifford Chance, London. After realising that the corporate world was not the place for her, as she has always been an Artist by heart, one day, out of the blue, she picked up her old passion and started writing, and since then, there was no looking back. She has written three novels and edited many for the budding authors.

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 

This world around us gives us enough inspiration to write. I wanted to capture my school life in a book and I did. I wanted to capture toxic relationships that are rampant now days. I put some bit of that part in my book Erika and Hiraeth.

2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?

The major challenge is to find the right type of publisher for your genre and to contact them.

 3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?  

I got to know about The Book Bakers through a fellow writer.

4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them ? 

The Book Bakers is a team of focussed individuals who would pitch your manuscript to publishers based on your writing level. It was a great experience with The Book Bakers overall. The team helped me published with one of the best known publishers of India.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself? 

When your readers appreciate your novel and ask you when is your next book coming? That is the time you succeed in your literary career! 

 6. When can we expect your next book?

Next year 2023! I am working on three novels.

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Do get your scripts edited by a professional.

BOOK NAME : LOVE BY CHANCE
PUBLISHER : SRISHTI PUBLISHERS  


BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:

Sixteen year old Jasmeet Sethi fondly called as Jessi is moving with her family from London to New Delhi, to stay permanently with her grandparents who have been ill for some time now. She has her apprehensions about moving to a completely different city than the one she had lived for over 14 years. Highly strung up on petty things and changes in her life, she prefers to stay away from her obnoxious relatives and other negative people. Sometimes, Jessi thinks life sucks until she thinks about Samar Suri, her summertime buddy in New Delhi, her next door neighbour and her on and off crush. She makes some new friends in school including the head boy of the school, Akash. Will life give her the moment of serendipity that she always wanted?

Sunday, 8 May 2022

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH ASHOK PATWARI

NEWS OF BOOKS 06:08
AUTHOR’S BIO :

Dr Ashok Patwari is a Paediatrician & Public Health Researcher by profession, and a creative writer by pastime. A former Professor of Paediatrics at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, and Research Professor in International Health at Boston University School of Public Health, he had also served the World Health Organization, which gave him a unique opportunity of traversing the world and an exposure to a wide spectrum of social issues and events which often jiggle a creative mind.
A trilingual writer in English, Hindi and Urdu, Ashok Patwari regularly contributes to online and print journals like Muse India, Contemporary Literature Review of India and Phenomenal Literature. He has been writing in Urdu since 1968. His Urdu short story collection – Kuch lamhey kuch saayey – received the Delhi Urdu Academy award in 2005.
LITERARY OUTPUT – BOOKS
(a) English: Turquoise Tulips (Authors Press, 2015), Down flows the stream (Kindle, 2016), Retreat (Austin Macauley Publishers, New York, 2019)
(b) Hindi: Behta paani (Modern Publishing House, 2009), Ehsaas (Kindle, 2017), Waapsi (Kindle, 2017), Masiha nazar nahi aata (Kindle, 2017), Talaash (CreateSpace Self- Publishing, 2018)
 
(c) Urdu: Kuch lamhey kuch saayey (Modern Publishing House, 2005), Dastak (CreateSpace Self-Publishing, 2017) 
 
LITERARY OUTPUT – MEDIA
Used to regularly write Urdu plays for All India Radio, Jammu. Two of the radio plays were aired from All India Radio Urdu Service.

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 
 
My father Late Pandit Prem Nath Patwari ‘Masroor’ was a scholar in Urdu and Persian. He used to write short stories and poetry in Urdu in the 1940s. My elder brother Pandit Veerinder Patwari is a distinguished Urdu short story and a scriptwriter. Both of them inspired me to write when I was in school. I published my first Urdu short story when I was a third-year medical student.  
 
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
 
Since my professional commitment as a doctor always kept me busy, I used to find it extremely difficult to balance my creative writing and professional responsibilities. And getting published itself was quite a challenge for years before some of the editors of prestigious journals started liking my work. 
 
 3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS? 
 
My experience of getting three of my books published without a literary agent prompted me to look for a literary agency for my latest collection of short stories. While going through the websites of different literary agencies, I was quite impressed by the work facilitated by The Book Bakers over the years. 
 
 
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them ? 
 
It was reassuring as well as encouraging when Mr. Suhail Mathur from The Book Baker team responded to my email and expressed his positive feedback about my writing. He and his team helped me to develop a proper proposal for the publishers and polished my manuscript before submission.
 
5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?
 
Very supportive. I sincerely appreciate Locksley Hall Publishing team’s efficiency and determination to ensure that my book was published within 4 months of signing the contract.
 
6. How do you see literary success for yourself?
 
I am quite optimistic that my readers will like my writing and I hope TBB team will carry me closer to the readers.
 
7. When can we expect your next book?
 
I have completed a novel on Kashmir, ready for publication.
 
8. How has your experience being working with Locksley Hall Publishing ? 
 
Excellent. LHP team is an efficient and highly professional group. 
 
9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?
 
Apart from good writing, it is equally important to work on how to reach your target audience.


BOOK NAME : POSTER BOY & OTHER STORIES
PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING 

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :
 
‘Poster Boy and Other Stories’, a collection of 19 short stories depict a rainbow of life spread over a broad canvass of geographic locations, characters, and situations from tribal Jharkhand and rural Orissa to Montego Bay and New York with characters so real and the situations so familiar!
The narration is full of human emotions, drama, and suspense…….Abdul Quyum okays the execution of a ‘fidayeen’ attack by a mercenary in Kashmir……What happens when he knows who is the ‘fidayeen…?......Peter’s fear becomes stronger when Joe confirms his suspicion…! What happens after he plans to kill his wife in Montego Bay…..? Raghu is forced to leave school and resort to mugging. What happens when his target turns out to be his own school teacher…..? Padma, the tigress, wants to save her cub when a new powerful tiger takes over the jungle? Can she save him…?? Shanti Devi, an inmate in an old age home, receives a surprise on her birthday! A bouquet of her favorite flowers …? Who is the sender of the bouquet …? Philip leaves New York and his luxurious life for the Himalayas in pursuit of divine truth. Will he be able to attain salvation….?

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Friday, 6 May 2022

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH SIDHARTH KADADI

NEWS OF BOOKS 05:34
AUTHOR'S BIO : 

Sidharth Kadadi is an Academic Consultant for Trinity College London in India, travelling across the country conducting teacher training and support workshops to help teachers improve their approach towards music education, and develop music education in India. Hehas received his Performance Degree from Musician’s Institute, Los Angeles and also holds the Grade 08 (Rock & Pop) Certificate from Trinity College London. He was also a part of 'The Stage - Season 2' and also featured on 'Artist of the Month' on Sony Pix as the in-house band guitarist and also dabbled into the ad-jingle world and commercial projects as well.  
 
With over 15 years of experience in the live music circuit and music education, Sidharth is a prolific guitarist who has managed to make a huge impact on the underground music scene as well as the music education circuit in India. Popularly known as the guitarist and founding member of “Zygnema”, India’s premier Heavy/Thrash Groove Metal Band, with whom he has released 2 full-length albums and has represented India at international stages such as Wacken Open Air, Germany, the mecca of heavy metal in the world, Inferno Festival, Norway and to add to that a self-curated 16 city European Tour and many more. To name some of the band’s growing list of accolades are winning the Rolling Stone Metal Awards 2011 (Best Band and Song - Popular Choice) and Rolling Stone Metal Awards 2016 (Best Band and Album - Critic’s Choice). Sidharth also has "The Best Guitarist Award at ‘Yamaha Asian Beat 2010-All India Finals & Global Finals (Thailand) under his belt. Sidharth along with his band ‘Zygnema’ have played over 350+ gigs across India and Europe and with another album due in 2021, an extensive India, Europe and North American Tour is definitely on the cards for the band.

Blending his qualities as an avid learner of the craft of music coupled with the intense passion for imparting his acquired knowledge/teaching, saw him turn a new page in his music career as an educator. After the release of Zygnema’s second album, in mid-2015, Sidharth founded “Guitar Garage Inc.”with the aim to bring out the best in every student willing to embrace the instrument and convert their passion into a serious commitment. Ever since its inception, Sidharth has been conducting workshops and clinics on various topics for the serious musicians who want to open the doors to the music world. Guitar Garage Inc strongly believes in a well-structured and serious approach towards music education that supports and fulfils the current demands of the music industry. With Guitar Garage Inc he has also conducted Corporate Training and boasts a clientele of names such as Bharat Petroleum, 3 Global Services, McAfee AntiVirus, Edelweiss, MSL Group and many more. Encompassing his experience and knowledge gained from over the years, Sidharth has published various learning books for music enthusiasts and has even designed an elaborate learning module for his students.  

A very popular face amongst music schools,educators, teachers and the youth who choose guitar as their primary instrument and dream to pursue contemporary/rock music in general. After conduction over 200+ workshops and communicating with students and educators, Sidharth compiled a perfect teaching, learning and a test solution book for people of all ages titled ‘The Guitar Journal Volume 01’.

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 
 
I genuinely can’t think of a moment or moments that inspired me to compile this book. I used to keep planning lessons and topics for my weekly lessons and after a few years, I realised that I have enough content that could end up becoming a definitive guide for everyone. That’s where it struck me and I decided to take some time to make this book with a lot more fun stuff, image and diagram driven over a content driven theory book which anybody would put down in a day or so. 
 
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
 
The biggest challenge was awareness. I am an absolute newbie in this world and I didn’t know where and how to start. Yes I did end up buying a book or two that speaks about how to get published in India. But as a musician with no record label or an agency, I understand the challenges one can face trying to do everything all by yourself. Keeping my past experiences in mind, I knew I had to do something different so that my work gets accepted and slowly gets recognised. How and where to start was the question.
 
 3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?  
 
Through Mr. Neil D’silva who is a well renowned author and has worked very closely with The Book Bakers.
 
4.How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them ? 
 
Suhail was the man incharge to get a bunch of publishing deals for me. He helped me streamline quite a lot of things and pitched my work at multiple places. The result is in front of you. Who knew that a technical/self help book about learning guitar can get a recognised publisher. I definitely couldn’t have done this all by myself. Thats where The Book Bakers came in and took away my major stress and help me undertand ways to overcome certain challenges. 
 
5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?
 
Very Supportive. Considering its a self help – technical learning book, they were very patient and catered to all my changes and edits to help me reach my goal and result. 
 
6. How do you see literary success for yourself?
 
Right now I am enjoying the whole idea of having something legitimate with my name on it. I want to see this book become a success story for all aspiring guitar players and educators first. The day I see all schools and institutes making this book and my next one their first choice for learning, I will give myself a tiny pat on the back and enjoy that tiny little moment of ‘Success’
 
7. When can we expect your next book?
 
Maybe end of 2023 or early 2024. Book 1 needs to spread far and wide. Once that happens, the next one will follow Volume 1’s footsteps. 
 
8. How has your experience being working with Locksley Hall Publishing ? 
 
If I am allowed to summarise the experience in a few words, then I’d say it was stress free, smooth and seamless. 
 
9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

I myself am still an aspiring author. I have just started understanding the basics of this profession. But looking at it from a sentimental stand point, I’d say, just do it. It’s an amazing boost to your confidence and it pushes you to improve and get better at your skill. Try, fail and repeat. There is success in that. There is growth in that. Being stuck and not trying is like improsining your mind. 

BOOK NAME : THE GUITAR JOURNAL
PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB : 

Do you enjoy the sound of the guitar? Do you visualise playing this instrument while listening to your favourite songs? Have you been contemplating on picking up this instrument? Have you been scrolling and saving pictures of your favourite guitar?OR Have you been trying to learn the guitar online all by yourself and are currently lost ?
If you enjoy the sound of this instrument and have been day dreaming of playing the guitar effortlessly, then you have been holding yourself back from something that will change your life for the best possible reasons. Music is extremely theraputic, enhances dexterity, co-ordination and also helps in shaping one’s personality. It not only sharpens your creativity, but it also shapes your abilities to think differently and make good decisions. 
With the help of this book, you will not only be a campfire champ, but also a guitarist who knows the basics and aesthetics of this instrument. Your journey from being a rookie to a rock solid semi pro is guaranteed. With unique and high quality images, well explained finger positions, basic theory and personal practise tips, guitar learning will be a lot more fun and streamlined.
For all those who have been trying to pick up this art all by themselves, fret not. This book entails all the valid and necessary information to ensure you are on the right path. This is a great learning module and covers everything that is suppose to be taught/learnt at a foundation level. 
Go buy that guitar that you have been eyeing for a while and give yourself 21 days with this book. Results are inevitable and you will see yourself strumming and playing the guitar flawlessly.

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