AUTHOR’S BIO :
Recipient of THE PANORAMA INTERNATIONAL LITERARY AWARD 2020, Sowmya Vidyadhar, is basically a poet and a copy editor. Her style of poetry is more often confessional and feminist. Her works have appeared in several online journals and newspapers. Apart from copyediting, she also subtitles for Hollywood movies and series and in the recent years for South Indian films. With a large fan following, she is quite active on social media and writes about current social issues and topics related to women.
Presently she is working on her second novel and on a cinema screenplay.
1. Who and what inspired you to write?
I started writing when I was 12 and began with poetry. My grandmother was a poet. So is my father. So, writing is in my genes I guess. My first inspiration was reading “The God of Small things”. I was greatly influenced by how Arundhati Roy brought out humour into the most tragic experiences. My style of writing changed immediately after reading her. I still read her when I get a writer’s block. My second inspiration was Kamala Das aka Madhavikutty for her straightforward honest and brutal writing. Sylvia Plath for her confessional style of poetry. And Virginia Woolf for her stream of consciousness and her themes that are mostly women and intellectual freedom.
2. What challenges did you face while writing and getting published?
I began writing Dragonflies of Kurinji when I was pregnant with my second child. That in itself was a physical challenge. I wrote through having her, building a house and having a third child, while taking care of the older ones. But these challenges were also fulfilling life experiences that gave me the push to write honestly. Every author believes that he or she has written either brilliantly or terribly. There is no middle road. And so the chance of finding a publisher is negligible especially when you send in so many emails but not one responds. And the first rejection is like a first heartbreak. It breaks you very badly.
3. How did you come to know about the literary agency THE BOOK BAKERS?
I was looking through Google trying to get in touch with an agent for my book, Dragonflies of Kurinji. And at several places I read great reviews on The Book Bakers. Most of them mentioned how they helped first time authors. And that’s how I decided to send them a query. Soon Mr. Suhail contacted me.
4. How did THE BOOK BAKERS help you and what would you like to say about them ?
The Book Bakers did an amazing job helping me find a publisher so quickly. When other authors wait for years, here was my agent ready with four interested publishers for my book in a few months. I was thrilled when I received two publishing contracts in hand with an option to choose who I wanted to work with. Which debut author gets that privilege? It has been an incredible journey working with them. The Book Bakers holds your hand and walks you to the aisle. The Book Bakers’ experience accompanies you at every step and every decision. It has been a rewarding experience working with them.
5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?
Locksley Hall Publishing has been amazingly supportive. For a first time author who knows no tricks of the trade, finding a publisher willing to take that chance is an accomplishment in itself! They did a good job of editing and walking with me on my journey. From signing the contract to shipping me author copies,
I can’t thank them enough. Without them, my book would have never happened.
6. How do you see literary success for yourself?
Literary success in terms of monetary reward is somehow overrated I guess. I am a poet foremost and my poetry is straightforward and direct. And so I get a lot of readers. That is my reward. The only definition of success is perhaps when your readers give you an amazing review. Or perhaps when your book or your face is recognised by at least one in three people! That for me is literary success.
7. When can we expect your next book?
I am writing a screenplay with my partner.
As well my second novel.
So in a year I am looking forward to bringing them both out.
8. How has your experience being working with Locksley Hall Publishing ?
Locksley Hall Publishing is an amazing publisher. They were very supportive in answering my questions and doubts. They have journeyed with me through the entire editing and publishing process never once losing their patience.
I would definitely recommend them to every debut author.
9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?
My first advice would be to write from the heart honestly. It’s the truth that’s sells more than a made up story. If you are honest and forthright in your writing, the emotions and the beauty appear automatically. Another tip is to write every day. At least one page a day. If you write one page a day, you could write 365 pages in a single year! Write just write. The editing part comes only afterwards.
BOOK NAME : DRAGONFLIES OF KURINJI
PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING
BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :
When a beautiful black woman is found naked and dead, and her 10-year-old daughter is found broken by the neck inside a tiny wooden trunk, the police write them both off as accidents. Because in the village of Kurinji, people always died in mysterious ways – especially the lower caste.
Devan is only 10 years old, when he is forcefully separated from his mother, Aami, and sent away to Calcutta. When he returns to Kurinji, nothing has changed including his sadist grandmother, and his alcoholic father who physically and sexually molests Aami.
In course of time, several shocking secrets of his feudal family will come undone. The peasants are uniting against the landlords. Before their revolts turn violent, Devan must take Aami away with him to Calcutta.
But what will happen when Devan finds out the truth?
Will it make him hate the only person in the world he ever loved, his mother?
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