EXCHANGING WORDS WITH RAJNIH RETHESH

AUTHOR’S BIO : 

Rajnih Rethesh is the author of the book Sitayana which was published and released by Locksley Hall Publishing House in October 2020. Rajnih has worked with some leading B2B magazines such as Society Interiors and Infrastructure Today. She writes a column for the Financial Express e-paper and contributes short stories to Women’s Era. 

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 

My father was a voracious reader. He has opened up this beautiful world of books to me when I was hardly 5-6 years old. He used to talk about some great women writers like Kamala Das, Virginia Woolf, Shashi Deshpande, Sylvia Plath and many more which was highly inspiring for me as a child. We used to debate over topics ranging from literature to politics to movies to songs, etc. These things shaped me up as a writer.

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

Writing Sitayana was not a difficult task for me as I always wanted to write this story but how I would mould the story was a challenge. I was not sure how to seamlessly bind the two stories of Sita from Tretayug and Kaliyug. Eventually, it all worked out well! Getting published took a while as I had to wait for a year or so but I was patient and had my trust in Suhail and The Book Bakers Team. The wait was worth it and I got to be published by an avante garde publishing house like Locksley Hall Publishing. 

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

I had just happened to browse through google looking for literary agencies in India and came across their email address. I sent an email to them and got an immediate response. 

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

Right from sending immediate replies to my emails, The Book Bakers have played a crucial role in bringing Sitayana to stands. Suhail has been the most patient answering all my doubts and questions.They give personal attention to all the writers, equally. Suhail’s advices are practical and honest which is important for a debut writer like me who doesn’t know the workings of the publishing industry well. 

5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?

Locksley Hall Publishing House is a rockstar!! They have released the book at such a sensitive time is itself applaudable. LHP is quick with responses. You can ask them anything and they will guide you correctly. I have immense gratitude for them in my heart for showing trust in my work and giving me this wonderful opportunity. Indebted to them for life! 

6. How do you see literary success for yourself?

Sitayana has been well received by readers and people in general. I was quite anxious about whether people will like it but I am delighted that people are sending me personal messages saying how amazing and thought provoking the book is. Not just one or two persons but many of them have personally appreciated my work. I hope to write more genuine, contemplative and relevant stories for my readers. 

 7. When can we expect your next book?

I am working on something at present. It is a non-fiction. The research is at a nascent stage so once I am sure to go ahead with the project, I will pitch it to Suhail. 

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

As I have mentioned, LHP gave me this wonderful opportunity and I am grateful for that. Nothing else matters. I love them. 

9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Don’t wait for sparks of inspirations. Just sit down and write. Rest everything will fall in place. 

BOOK NAME : SITAYANA

PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING 

ORDER THE COPY FROM : 

https://www.amazon.in/dp/8194552567/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_91SRP51W6C2PF1P8698P

Read More

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH SANDHYA RANGANATHAN

AUTHOR’S BIO : 

Sandhya is a dreamer, a writer and a globetrotter. She enjoys pottering around her home and garden in Bangalore with her human and feline adopted babies. She has published an illustrated children’s book, “Mia finds a home,” under the pen name, Sandy. She currently heads a Technical Communications team in an MNC and is an inclusion and diversity champion. Her fiction novel is awaiting publication and she has started working on a mystery book. Her site is varnika.co.

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 

 

When I was a child, my father was in the Army and had to go on inspections. He would travel by train and always return with one comic book for me picked up from the book carts in the train stations. I would wait for that comic. Before I could read properly, my mother would patiently read out stories endlessly to me. She was also fascinated by the world of Dumbo and Chip n Dale et al. 

 

I then graduated to Enid Blyton books and devoured all the children’s books in Army Club libraries wherever we were posted. I lived in the world of comics and books, and when I wasn’t reading, I was dreaming of characters and stories. There was never any thought in my mind other than that of being a writer. So I guess my inspirations are my parents for getting and reading comics to me, and taking me to libraries. Also, to Harvey Comics, Looney Tunes and all the wonderful comics published in the ‘70s that seem to have disappeared now.

 

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

 

I have a full-time job and I’m a single Mom, so this combination has successfully derailed my writing multiple times over the years. I can write only in fits and starts and keep losing continuity of thought and inspiration. I have to snatch time to write late nights and weekends, but I keep persisting. I was actually completing my fiction novel, when my father wrote his first draft of his autobiography, Burma to Bangalore. I then got drawn into that project when my father fell ill, editing, structuring, adding more stories and eventually rewriting it to make it more interesting to read across generations and families. I collaborated with my sister, Priya, on the stories and she took care of the photos. 

 

Publishing went smoothly. I was already in touch with the enterprising Suhail Mathur of The Book Bakers literary agency and he took it upon himself to get a publisher to publish the book in time for my father’s 88th birthday. He soon got a contract from Locksley Hall Publishing and we could release it on his birthday. So grateful and thankful to both agencies. 

 

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

 

I researched online about top literary agencies in India and The Book Bakers was listed amongst them. When I reached out to Suhail Mathur from The Book Bakers, I got a very prompt response and signed up with them right away.

 

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

 

The Book Bakers literary agency is synonymous with Suhail Mathur and the words that come to mind are swift, responsive, connected and savvy about the publishing world, resourceful, empathetic, personal touch, coaching, encouraging, dynamic… you get the picture.

 

In addition to rapidly getting me a publisher, they designed a terrific cover that is evocative and checks all the boxes. I love how it’s turned out and it has been universally admired. 

 

The Book Bakers have a prolific track record getting hundreds of contracts, and growing steadily through the pandemic when most publishing had ground to a halt. They were the first to conduct a huge online Lit Fest featuring hundreds of authors and bolstering them in their career. Speaking at this fest did give me the impetus to go ahead and complete writing.

 

5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?

 

Locksley Hall Publishing have been highly supportive of Burma to Bangalore. Despite having a heavy publishing line-up, they worked out the schedule to accommodate release on my father’s birthday. They did an author interview of my father and me and supported me in marketing and promotions.

 

6. How do you see literary success for yourself?

 

I want to write and write and write. I want what I write to be published. I want what I published to be read. And I hope people like what they read and come back to read more of my writing. As simple as that. I’ve started a little late so I need to hurry up and catch up with my writing backlog. 

 

7. When can we expect your next book?

 

My fiction novel is ready. I’m making the final editing comments and hope The Book Bakers can find a publisher for it soon.

 

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

 

Prompt, interactive, great print quality. The black and white photos look terrific. 

9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

 

Keep writing. Keep improving. And sign up with The Book Bakers literary agency.

BOOK NAME : BURMA TO BANGALORE

PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING

 

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB : Ranga was an irrepressible boy growing up in Burma, happy in his family circle, when the Japanese bombed Rangoon and their lives changed in the flash of a second. The family had to flee and start afresh in an India caught in the throes of the freedom struggle. 

 

He found his path in life serving as an Army Officer in the Territorial Army and fighting in three wars. His personal life was nomadic with family, friends and colleagues crossing and crisscrossing his path. Like the mighty Indian Railways taking him to various military postings and roaring through scenic and stark terrains, in sunny and stormy weather; his life, and the lives of those around him, go through its ups and downs. 

 

Burma to Bangalore is an engaging account of a boy, an officer, and a veteran, as his memories go marching past. 

ORDER YOUR COPY FROM : 

https://www.amazon.in/dp/8194660114?ref=myi_title_dp

https://www.pustakmandi.com/Burma-to-Bangalore

Read More

EXCHANGING WORDS WITH MAULSHREE MAHAJAN

AUTHOR'S BIO : 

Maulshree Mahajan grew up in Dharamshala and started penning down poems when she was a pre-teen. By age 15, her short stories and poems were being featured regularly in The Tribune. She has continued to contribute stories in various magazines and participate in poetry symposiums through the years. 

Her debut novel The Mystery of the Missing Buddha, the first in Singh Sisters' Adventure series garnered rave reviews from Indian readers and the international book-critic Kirkus. The Mystery of the Forbidden Fort, published in November 2020, is her second novel. 

Maulshree is a Hotel Management graduate and holds a master’s degree in English Literature. Trained in Tokyo, she has been working for more than fifteen years as a Hospitality and Spoken English trainer.

Her secret to happiness is creativity, positivity and chaat! A self- proclaimed dreamer, she loves to travel and spin stories through her observations. 

 

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 

Writing has been my innate medium of expression since my pre-teen years. I was encouraged to send my short stories and poems to newspapers and magazines by my parents. When my articles started featuring in the newspapers regularly, I was inspired to write a book. It took me a few years to actually write the book, but credit goes to the journey that eventually led me there.

 

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

Writing has always brought immense joy to me and has never been challenging.

Publishing, on the other hand, has been a big challenge in itself. Even though I knew that I could go through literary agencies, I wasn’t sure how to find a reliable one. Fortunately, I came to know of The Book Bakers and Suhail Mathur. I’m thankful that Suhail accepted my project and my book was published by Locksley Hall Publishing.

 

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

  

The Book Bakers was highly recommended to me by two of my author friends, Sujata Parashar and Sumit Sehgal.

 

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

 

The Book Bakers team brings not just professional approach to the manuscript

but personal attention to the author. The team strives for the best possible

publisher for the manuscript, thus giving it a fair chance. Suhail’s constant encouragement and support kept the stress away while I was waiting for the book to be picked up. Owing to this experience I can now focus on just writing my next book and not worry about the publishing aspect.

 

5. How supportive is your publisher of your work?

My publisher, LHP, is extremely supportive of my work. The team has been promoting the book dedicatedly and tirelessly.  

 

6. How do you see literary success for yourself?

Literary success for me is a large and loyal reader-base.

 

7. When can we expect your next book?

I’m in the process of writing the next one, so, hopefully, soon.

 

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

My publisher, Locksley Hall Publishing, is prompt and proficient with the entire process. The team is approachable and that makes the author comfortable with the people behind the scenes.   

 

9. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Write for yourself, your writing should make you happy. Read a lot to gain

insight. Be patient during the publication process, sometimes good things take time.

BOOK NAME : THE MYSTERY OF THE FORBIDDEN FORT 

PUBLISHER : LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB : 

Could the legendary ghost of Viratgarh, the protector of a fabled treasure, have resurfaced?

When their friend vanishes into thin air during a class trip, young sleuths Meera and Tara Singh find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Trying to connect the dots between her disappearance and that of a local girl, they stumble upon the secrets of a forbidden fort. A well-maintained Krishna temple amidst the ruins, unexplained lights, a lost treasure, and unexpected friends turn the excursion into an unforgettable adventure.

How will the Singh sisters escape the dangers lurking around every corner? Will they succeed in finding their friend before it’s too late?

Follow the twins on a fascinating journey to vibrant Rajasthan and become a part of the unfolding story. 

ORDER THE COPY FROM : 

https://www.amazon.in/dp/8194660157/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GBpbGbT5DP69H

https://www.pustakmandi.com/THE-MYSTERY-OF-THE-FORBIDDEN-FORT

Read More