EXCHANGING WORDS WITH SAGAR MAKWANA

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Sagar is an Entrepreneur by profession, Speaker by passion and a Believer by action. A certified Emotionally Focused Therapist, he is also an expert in Self-Introspection and Purpose Building. A problem solver and an avid thinker, Sagar likes to make people uncomfortable with life-changing and thought-provoking questions. 

Sagar is also a Master Trainer in India's biggest Train The Trainer Academy.He has passionately involved himself in his journey to bring about change by spreading positivity. He even launched his own signature course “Let’s Love Living” in 2020 that has impacted more than one thousand people so far. Sagar’s experience as a corporate employee, entrepreneur, and now a trainer, speaker, and mentor has provided fodder for many of the book’s concepts that will strongly resonate with his readers. He also believes that coupled with a passion to eat, pray, and love, life’s musings are best enjoyed when shared with others.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

I guess I always wanted to be an author to share my ideas with the world. But there was one life defining moment that I actually haven’t shared with anyone yet.

I lost my father in Dec’2020. And after his passing, we were just going through some of his things and I noticed a diary where my father had written down random musings and I was curious. When I asked my mother, she said that my Dad wanted to write a book but never got to it because he was lost in the every day problems of life.

I don’t know why but since that day, the determination to write a book and get it out there doubled. 

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

The biggest challenge I faced writing was when I realized that I am a good speaker but that didn’t necessarily mean I can be a good writer. Moreover, I wasn’t really someone who was into books (shocking, right). Till this day, I have read less than 5 books in my life and sometimes that limits you as an author. I then hired an editor to work with me and make the book more readable.

Once the book was ready, I was on the elusive hunt for someone to repreent me. That’s when The Book Bakers showed faith in me. Especially Suhail, I still remember had the first faith in my concepts and my book when I was trying to find an agent and I would never forget the reassurance he gave me when I spoke to him first.

The next and the most challenging thing was to find a publisher. Of course, it took a lot of efforts, lots of cold emails and a lot of faith to get the book out but I am really fortunate that Fingerprint! picked it up and of course to The Book Bakers who just handled everything so smoothly.

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

  

I think this was the easiest part of all. All I had to look up on Google was literary agents in India and every page had The Book Bakers in the top 5 in the list. When you see a name recurring in so many pages you know that they are right for you.

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

The Book Bakers and Suhail for me, first and foremost was the stamp of approval that I longed for as an author. You need to understand that I was a debut author in this big world of publishing and for someone to have faith in you, changes everything. You suddenly know that you can conquer that eventual battle of getting a publisher.

Of course, that was just the start. As and when I went ahead with my publishing journey, Suhail and the Book bakers constantly guided me at every step and told me how I could get better results.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

I don’t believe in the word “success”. Haha. I mean I do know that getting a book published by a traditional publisher like Fingerprint is one hell of an effort but would I call it literary success? I am not sure.

You see, I believe in the power of effort and I am just happy that this effort is bearing fruit. How it takes me further, I am just waiting for that chapter to open. 😊

 6. When can we expect your next book?

Once again, people might hate my answer but I don’t believe in setting deadlines for myself. So if you ask me when one can expect my next book, I don’t really have a definite answer. I believe in doing my best every day and seeing where it takes me. And yes, I am working on my second book but I do know that it’s a long way to go. Because I want to bring in a lot of research for this. Let’s see. If my readers push me more, maybe I will push myself to work on my next book more. 😊

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Nothing I say can help you. Hahaha. I can just say one thing. The day that you decided to put yourself out there as an author itself is a big one. Don’t look back, do your best. 

I don’t know where it might lead you but you won’t be disappointed. 😊

BOOK NAME: BE YOU. NOW! 

PUBLISHER : FINGERPRINT PUBLISHING 

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:

Running from one goalpost to another? Pulling out hair while trying to solve problems? Not pausing, not thinking, until you realize that you are living someone else’s life? Welcome to modern-day living.

You do not have to live this way.

In this must-have self-help guide, entrepreneur, coach, and speaker Sagar Makwana has systemically laid down practical techniques and important principles that will help you streamline your strengths and requirements, align your goals in life with your priorities, and most importantly, get to know who you really are.

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH MALA SHARMA

AUTHOR’S BIO :

माला शर्मा का जन्म 17 नवंबर 1957 को सोनीपत , हरियाणा के एक गाँव में हुआ । स्कूली शिक्षा गाँधीवादी विचारधारा से प्रेरित बनस्थली विद्यापीठ ,जयपुर ,राजस्थान से हुई । बीए दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय से टूरिज़्म में किया । एम ए हिंदी इग्नू से की । हिंदुस्तानी शास्त्रिय संगीत में भी योग्यता प्राप्त की।

अनेक वर्षों शिक्षिका रहीं और नुक्कड़ नाटक , नृत्यनाटिकाएँ एवं रेडियो के लिए कहानियाँ लिखीं । कविताएँ एवं कहानियाँ , मैग्ज़ीन और ब्लाग के लिए लिखती रहती हैं ।

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

While writing nukkad natak , plays and dance drama’s for children during my teaching career I developed interest and started writing Blog and Radio stories .

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

Writing is always a fun and relaxing for me. While getting my book published I faced two major challenges . It is difficult to get a publisher for publishing a novel in Hindi and that too for the first time .

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

My son Aditya Gautam published his book through THE BOOK BAKERS and he introduced me to them .

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

They found a good publisher for me.They coordinated everything with the publisher to get my book published. They even helped me in getting my book cover prepared . This cover is very beautiful and is the main attraction of the book. It has been appreciated by one and all . They took care of all my hassles of publishing my book. 

5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?

They were very supportive and helpful .

6. How do you see literary success for yourself?

Its an amazing journey . When your hard work and creation comes in the form of a book and is appreciated by the readers it gives an immense feeling of fulfillment .  

7. When can we expect your next book?

Any time soon .

8.How has your experience being working with Locksley Hall Publishing ?

It has been a good experience working with them.

9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

An author has a responsibility towards society . While writing anything he should ponder about what kind of message he/she is giving to the society . Because the readers are influenced by the stories they read, listen or watch.

BOOK NAME : MRS. JOSHI KI DIARY

PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING 

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB : 

“मिसेज जोशी की डायरी” एक आम औरत का सफ़र है । वो जिन रास्तों से गुज़रती रही उन रास्तों को अपनी ज़िंदगी का हिस्सा बनाती गई । इसमें ज़िंदगी के अनुभव जो मैंने जीए , जो हर लड़की जीती है लेकिन आवाज़ नहीं बन पाती । ज़िम्मेदारियाँ और रिश्ते निभाते-निभाते वो अक्सर अपना वजूद खो बैठती है । उसके भीतर की बच्ची ,उसके सपने ,धरती में दबे बीज की तरह दबे ही रहते हैं ।

उसके भीतर का संघर्ष चलता ही रहता है । उसकी आवाज़ घुटती है, हिम्मत बटोरती है और लौट-लौट आती है ,पहाड़ों में ठहरी गूँज की तरह । 

ORDER YOUR COPY FROM: https://amzn.eu/d/1KGI7L8

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH JEENA R. PAPAADI

AUTHOR’S BIO :

Jeena R. Papaadi is an engineer, a mother and the author of 6 books. Her short stories have been published in several anthologies. Jeena works for an NGO, and lives in Bangalore with her husband and son. She is on social media as @jeenapapaadi. 

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 

I used to write from my teenage but never thought of myself as a ‘writer’ or even considered becoming an author. I wrote without thinking about its prospects and did not show it to anyone. More than ten years later, though I began to take writing more seriously, the idea of getting any of it published never crossed my mind until my father, reading my story one day, made the suggestion. 

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

Managing writing along with my job and personal life, and maintaining a weekly schedule for writing, were not easy, and many a time I would be too exhausted to return to it. My family supported me and gave me the space to write. 

When it came to publishing, I struggled a great deal, wandering in the dark, querying publishers and agents, and waiting, without receiving any positive response.

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

In 2019, I watched an inspiring interview with Mr Suhail Mathur, live on Facebook. Suhail has an open, appealing way of speaking that by the end of that interview, I knew I was going to submit my book to him.

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

The Book Bakers have guided me at every juncture. I appreciate their support and advices. 

5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?

Very.

6. How do you see literary success for yourself?

I just want to keep writing. I have a lot of ideas in mind, for short stories and novels. As long as I can keep pace with my thoughts, and manage everything else in life along with my writing, and if I am happy with the end result, then that should be it.

If others like my books and if they reach more people, it is a bonus. 

7. When can we expect your next book?

Hopefully in another year or two!

8. How has your experience being working with Locksley Hall Publishing? 

They are quite professional in their approach.

9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

There is no easy way. There are usually no short-cuts. Keep writing even when you don’t want to, as much as you can. There will be days when you want to give up. Take breaks and make sure you come back to your writing table without allowing a long time to pass.

BOOK NAME :  RAT,RABBIT,ROCK!

PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING 

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :

Ten-year-old Meera's world is rocked when her neighbour - who is her friend, sister and mother all rolled into one - is diagnosed with cancer. As Meera struggles to come to terms with the news, an incident at school tosses her into the limelight for the wrong reasons. With no one to guide her, she is on the verge of making one mistake after another, at school and at home. Can Meera deal with - let alone survive - the chaos that ensues? Can she redeem herself in her own eyes as well as those of others?

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https://amzn.eu/d/9Pjdwa6

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