EXCHANGING WORDS WITH ABHISHEK SRIVASTAVA

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Abhishek Srivastava is a Program Manager at TCS, currently heading IT infrastructure services at Jamshedpur. He is also a sketch artist, always willing to explore new domains. He grew up listening to his Superintendent-Major uncle’s stories of bravery and survival, which helped him write this intense espionage thriller.

1. Who and what inspired you to write? 

My uncle is a Superintendent Major in the armed forces of India. I grew up listening to his stories of bravery and survival. I sense those stories were the seeds that grew day by day strengthening my emotional connect with our armed forces. The thrill got to its peak when I read the Kautilya’s samsthas and sancaras.

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

Writing for me is a state of mind, it’s the palace I want to be every second. Expressing my thoughts on paper or adapting to a narrative has never been a challenge for me. The challenge starts when I reach out to the veterans in the industry to get published. I had my fair share of rejections as well, which I guess is the process that every author should be ready for. At one point, I became so desperate that I started thinking of getting self-published. I did my research (I am good at it because I have spent a good number of years in the Information technology sector) and connected to people who can represent me.    

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

Research on www.google.com

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

Suhail Mathur (THE BOOK BAKERS), my literary agent, a man with a promise, and a thorough gentleman. Without him, my novel would never have seen the light of the day. The Book Bakers made a promise to a newcomer like me and ensured that I lived my dream.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself? 

If my story and narration can thrill the RAW officials and India’s bravest soldiers – that would mean the real literary success for my novel. 

6. When can we expect your next book?

My 2nd novel is in the draft stage. Stay tuned. 

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Every author needs nourishment in early stages of writing. So surround yourself with people who know the editorial process. They will be able to judge your writing better than anyone. Your book should be intriguing enough to be marketable in the eyes of publishers.

BOOK NAME: THE RED SPY

PUBLISHER: SRISHTI PUBLISHERS AND DISTRIBUTORS

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:

Arya is a young RAW recruit, pumped up about his first assignment as reinforcement to a veteran spymaster – Virat and his team. In a mind-boggling turn of events, Arya finds himself being interrogated by the very terrorist he is after – Mir. Barely has he escaped that he learns an excruciating fact about Virat and team. They have killed undercover agents of the CIA while hunting Mir. Hunted by the ruthless CIA, he can survive only using his wit and courage. On the run, declared rogue, he fights lone battles with enemy intelligence agencies. He creates a vivid deception, not only to throw CIA off the track, but also to get the actual traitor out in the open. He eventually gets his man, but then realizes that a much more devious plan is at work, with the real mastermind attempting to blacklist RAW as revenge for their role during Bangladesh liberation war of 1971.

Arya evolves into the perfect weapon, but will he be in time to save RAW and his country’s repute? Or turn out to be a pawn in the game of master spies and espionage?

ORDER THE COPY FROM : https://www.amazon.in/dp/938702265X/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_i_2-eIDb4YA001N

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH DR. JAS KOHLI

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Dr Jas Kohli thinks of himself as a ‘Cosmetic surgeon gone astray’. He is a fiction writer, humour poet, birdwatcher, singer and astronomer. As a writer, he is partial to humour. His first fiction book entitled, ‘Anything to Look Hot’ which was based on the life of a plastic surgeon in Bollywood, was published in 2015. His present book entitled, Lights! Scalpel! Romance! is a comedy based on misadventures of surgeons in a surgical unit. It was released on 18th July 2019.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

Although I have been an avid reader since I was a young child, the writing bug bit me when I was in mid-forties. I confess that writing was a solution to my mid-life crisis! Also, after working in many hospitals in different cities, I had acquired plenty of interesting experiences and I thought of making use of them to write a fiction book. As is often the case with debut writers, my first novel entitled, ’Anything to Look Hot’ was semi-autobiographical.

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

That is a long story- I can write a full-length novel based on it! Suffice to say that for my first book, I had collected rejection letters in double figures before Srishti Publishers took up the manuscript. But the process took three odd years and I had to take lot of antacids during that period!

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

 I came to know about The Book Bakers through Facebook posts put up by authors whose manuscripts had been placed by The Book Bakers. Also, I found the mention of Suhail Mathur’s name in the website of Hachette Publishers. In addition, an author recommended his name to me. But there is another way of looking at it- it was destiny! 

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

Even for my second book, my manuscript had been rejected by two publishers before I approached Suhail Mathur. However, he spotted the potential in the book and placed it with Rupa Publications. In fact, he gave me the option of two publishers! Lights! Scalpel! Romance! has been released on 18th July this year to a good response from the readers as well as the critics.

The Book Bakers have lots of firsts to their credit. There is good communication with the author who is updated about the progress. Also, there is the WhatsApp group of authors who have been represented by the Book Bakers or are in the process of doing so. This is helping many authors forge life-long bonds and also making them learn from each other. Suhail Mathur guides and mentors the authors in so many ways and is always happy to help. 

5.How do you see literary success for yourself?

I will judge my success not just by the sales figures of my books but also by how they resonate with the readers. I don’t have any illusions of causing a revolution with my writing! But if I can inspire my readers and change their thinking for the better, that would be the icing on the cake.

6. When can we expect your next book?

Presently I am writing a satirical fiction book on the ‘show off’ culture of Punjabis. I am likely to complete it in another six to nine months. When will it come out?- It is not in my hands! Once Suhail Mathur roots for me, it won’t take too long!

7.Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Every author is an aspiring author at one stage and so was I. I would advise authors to write scripts on subjects that they are familiar with so that they can come out with unique books and avoid chasing the theme which is hot. Also, they should have the patience of a wine maker! One should start working on the next book while the first manuscript is being evaluated. It is better to approach a literary agent because that saves a lot of time and effort. 

BOOK NAME: LIGHTS! SCALPEL ! ROMANCE !

PUBLISHER : RUPA PUBLICATIONS

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:

Most surgeons are freakish. But, the ones in Nirog Hospital take the cake. Dr Nipun, the weird looking prankster and Dr. Nishtha, the swollen-headed beauty, join the   M. S. (surgery) course under Dr Ujjwal, a surgeon cum alfa male and Dr Anuroop alias Candy, a smooth operator. When all of them work together, it is a given that hitherto unseen situations and spicy conversations will be aplenty. Edgy patients and their relatives also keep them on tenterhooks. Nipun listens to the call of his young mind and looks for love but his advances fall flat. 

Will Nipun be able to complete the course and attain a double degree, M. S. in surgery and Ph.D. in Romance? Lights! Scalpel! Romance! introduces the readers to the lighter side of the surgeons’ lives but alongside it provides insight into their joys as well as dilemmas.

ORDER THE COPY FROM : https://www.amazon.in/LIGHTS-SCALPEL-ROMANCE-Jas-Kohli/dp/935333490X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=jas+kohli&qid=1568175095&s=gateway&sr=8-1

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH KANCHANA BANERJEE

AUTHOR'S BIO :

Kanchana has been writing for almost 20 years. She began her writing career with The Statesman (Kolkata) & then worked with TOI (Hyderabad). After that she chose to be a freelance writer and wrote for numerous reputed publications in the country. Her articles have been published in all the leading newspapers & magazines in the country. She also worked with various MNCs & PR firms as a corporate writer.

In 2011 she founded an online company called Writeword and conducted online writing courses to help women learn the art of freelance writing. 

Kanchana published her first novel – A Forgotten Affair – with Harper Collins in September 2016. She won the book deal at Bangalore Literature festival, 2014 in a contest called Lit Mart.

A Forgotten Affair was awarded the prize of Best 1st Published book by Lit-O- Fest 2017 held in Mumbai.

Her second book – Nobody’s Child – is a dark and twisted tale of relationships, deception and power games people play to win at all cost. Harper Collins is the publisher & the book will be out in stores from August 25, 2019.

Kanchana lives in Gurgaon with her husband, son & 2 dogs.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

I have always wanted to write; in fact I’ve never wanted to do anything else other than to write. I’ve been a professional writer for almost 2 decades now. I used to write for companies & publications and started writing fiction only in 2014.

Nobody’s Child is my second book; first was A Forgotten Affair (2016) also by Harper Collins.

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

This is the first time I wrote a thriller so it wasn’t easy. I read a lot of thrillers, it is a genre I enjoy writing. So I spent a lot of time planning the story, the twists & turns.

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

From my author friends – Kulpreet Yadav and Manjiri Prabhu.

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

I think Suhail Mathur is very helpful and well connected with the publishers. He is a wonderful guy to work with. He was able to get a publishing contract from two other reputed publishing houses other than HC, but I chose to go with Harper Collins.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

I just want people to buy & read my book. I hope they enjoy reading the book as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

6. When can we expect your next book?

I take time with writing. For writing isn’t a race. I like to grow evolve as a writer so the next book isn’t coming very soon.

7.Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Read a lot. A lot. Before starting to write.

BOOK NAME : NOBODY'S CHILD
PUBLISHER : HARPER COLLINS

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :

‘I’m Asavri Bhattacharya. I won the Indian Koel 3 years ago.’

A young woman, dazed, covered in wounds, mind addled by drugs tells a TV journalist on the streets of Mumbai. Soon she breaks into a song, leaving everyone mesmerized by her melodious voice.
How can she be Asavri? Asavri died in a car accident 3 years ago, soon after her win. Her body was cremated; her death mourned by the whole nation. Is the woman an imposter or is she telling the truth?

News spreads like wildfire, the press and public begin clamouring for answers. If this is indeed the real Asavri, then who was cremated three years ago? And who is responsible for these macabre circumstances? Is it Tanya, the first runner-up who wore the victor’s crown after Asavri was declared dead, or Rudra – Asavri’s ex-husband? Or is it Kamini Devi – the glamorous MP with a sinister plan? Or Avniel – the film journalist – who shot to fame by writing Asavri’s biography soon after her death?
And why does Asavri keep muttering the name Monty. Who is he? Her tormentor or saviour.
Kanchana Banerjee's latest is an exhilarating and chilling story about the dark side of fame.

ORDER THE COPY FROM : https://amzn.to/2MLXEVC

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH ANANDAJIT GOSWAMI

AUTHOR'S BIO:

Anandajit Goswami is a writer and an economist by training with his post graduation in International Trade and Development from Jawaharlal Nehru University and PhD in Energy Economics and Policy from TERI School of Advanced Studies.  He has authored the first children  science fiction book on sustainability in India titled - "Lucy and The Train: Tryst with Sustainability" and coauthored a sequel titled - "Lucy Meets Artificial Intelligence". Both books have been getting rave reviews in Amazon and Goodreads and have been critically acclaimed by Indian Book Review Journal as a novel work in the space of Children Science Fiction literature in India and across the world. He has coauthored, coedited books titled - "Sustainability Science for Social, Economic and Environmental Development", "Economic Modelling, Analysis and Policy for Sustainability" released by Idea Global International, Pennsylvania. Other than this, he has contributed popular articles in newspapers and blogs for Economist, Reuters Foundation.  He writes regularly for his blogspace - geekonomistdiary.blogspot.com.  He has been a musician from the age of six and has initiated a movement called " Music and Sustainability", "Art from the Heart". His music tracks like - "Shukno Thote" , "Ajnabee"  are widely liked in Youtube and some other popular tracks on sustainability are available at Soundcloud.  In his earlier professional assignment with United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, he had established South South Collaboration programmes between India and Africa with the support of Ministry of External Affairs.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

There is no particular individual or any particular event or discourse that inspired me as such. I read every novel, fiction, poetry, paper, magazine or for that matter any manuscript (be it a paper, book, fiction,  opinion piece, article, etc ) and try to imagine about the author’s, creators mind and his/her world in which the creator is traversing. These creations also include any form of visual art, motion picture or music and dance and theatre. While doing that for quite sometime I have been rediscovering several things towards the end of it. Once I finish the reading (all the forms which I mentioned above) there is a lot which I am not able to say and not able to communicate. So there is always a gap between what I have imagined and what I have been saying or what I have said or what I want to say in future. This gap in me like an empty earthern pot can only be met when I say something and I can assure you that no writer writes anything neither do I at the end of this exercise. In a similar way,  a gap in that earthen pot of mine was created on the discourse of gender, sexuality and gender neutrality issues across the world. I had to try to fill that gap within my own earthen pot. This book is a kind of a pebble which I got when I gave a dip in that empty earthen pot of mine.

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

It has been difficult and not difficult too. I faced many rejections, humiliations (all taken in a positive way- which is the crux of everything) as well as I found lot of support too in the journey and I am happy with both as they will always coexist no matter how much the situation changes. I dont think I actually wrote anything to get published. I always allowed my heart to allow towards finding out a gap in my empty earthen pot and once it was done, I started to think of publication which was a journey of self doubt to anxiety to finally a meaningful communication which is always imperfect. I have always believed that I will tell my story in my own way and there will always be people who will like, love, hate, criticise my work and me. I don’t need to worry about that at all. It is just that in my communication the heart should not allow any pretence in a single word and line of the creation (or for that matter in any form of creation) and should not think of market. Sometimes it works out and in certain cases it doesnot work out. But my process of creation and writing in anything I do is very simple. It is always to talk to an empty earthen pot and mirror inside me. However, in today’s publishing world along with writing, marketing is also very important: however, I also think in today’s world there is no one absolute marketing strategy – Therefore one has to constantly experiment with all forms of creative, marketing expressions and channels whichever the creative instincts suggest and I will always follow that.

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

An owner of an author’s club in Jaipur who promoted my two science fiction books - “Lucy and The Train: Tryst with Sustainability” and “Lucy Meets Artificial Intelligence” told me about THE BOOK BAKERS and introduced me to THE BOOK BAKERS.

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

   I owe a lot to Shri Suhail Bhai and THE BOOK BAKERS who liked the entire experimentation that I have done with story telling in this upcoming book. THE BOOK BAKERS is doing a wonderful work in selecting new, innovative manuscripts across a wide range of topics and really opening up the creative space of publication in this country. 

5.How do you see literary success for yourself?

I will be  happy if people like my work but frankly speaking I never think or worry about any literary success as it disturbs by creative process and framing, visualisation where I don’t compromise. The success will definitely take me to a new station which started from self-doubt to anxiety to a flower blooming to the final expansion of the fragnance of the flower. But my creative process is never dependent on any success. I write and create just like a neuro-biological, psychological need of my mind to survive as we eat food to survive. So I am not focussed at all on the success element as long as I am honestly able to create something for atleast few who can smile, laugh, cry, shout and be like a human being in the process. And if many in the process does it, it is like a windfall for me which I never expected.

6. When can we expect your next book?

I am already co-authoring the third book in the series of Lucy (after “Lucy and The Train: Tryst with Sustainability” and “Lucy Meets Artificial Intelligence”) since more than last one year. The third book I am co-authoring with Dr. Debashis Chakraborty with whom I co-authored “Lucy Meets Artificial Intelligence”. And there is another manuscript in which I am working. Right now I am creating an outline and visualisation of this manuscript. However, for Lucy 3, the first very preliminary draft of all chapters are done. I will now polish it further with the guidance and mentorship of my co-author Dr. Debashis Chakraborty. Lucy 3 is a science fiction with a lot of concussion and questioning of the overlapping areas of speculative science fiction, cli - fi, drama, mystery, international politics and a magical, fantasy world trapped in the cognitive dissonance of a utopic and dystopic future of the universe itself. 

7.Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

I am not a writer or author to give tips or message. But if you want to have a catharsis - write, search the earthen pot of your mind, express your heart in every line and communication and spread colours in them no matter what they are or whoever likes them. Be fearless to express yourself.

BOOK NAME : PINK GENDER :THE STORY OF A MAN,A WOMAN AND A DREAM
PUBLISHER : BIG FOOT PUBLICATIONS

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB :

One day a man, a woman and a transgender gets a call for police Investigation at the police station regarding an unintended, serendipious accident. Police investigates the matter and calls the three people at the police station. The three - a man, a woman and a transgender waits in the counselling centre without even knowing how their lives are interconnected with an event of watching the film "PINK " in the same theatre on the same day in the same show.

Their stories and mysteries unfold  in the counselling room of the police station and a connecting link between their stories is established.  The mystery is associated with the film they watched and the time during which they watched it.

What finally happens ?; - "The three gets trapped more or move on  with their lives or do they collude to come out of this and create a new move against the  police to come out and chart out their own journey by being friends" . This story is all about these magical mysteries of life which are unexplained in their own ways and how they get more revealed when three lives with different sexual and gender orientations criss cross each other in a police investigation in the police counselling room.

PRE-ORDER THE COPY FROM : https://bigfootpublications.com/preorder-book-details.php?book=44

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH PRADEEP GOVIND

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Pradeep Govind is an NRI media marketing professional currently working in the Sultanate of Oman. He was the Project Director of the prestigious Times of Oman Literary Contest, a first of its kind literary project in the Middle East initiated and blueprinted by him with a view to offer emerging creative writers a platform to express themselves and benchmark their creative writing talent with the best in the region. His first book titled The ‘Capillary’ Effect & Other Short Stories was published on Amazon in 2013. One of the stories in the book titled ‘Unto Thy Neighbour’ was awarded an Honourable Mention for Literary Excellence in the Top 25 out of 1114 entries in the International Short Story Contest conducted by noted writer Lorian Hemmingway, the granddaughter of the legendary Ernest Hemmingway. Pradeep is also an enthusiastic lyricist and musician and has released his own English music album on the HMV label in 1995 where he not only penned the lyrics, but composed the songs and performed the vocals as well. He also scripted the music video for one of the songs in it titled ‘It Could’ve Been Me’. He also does guest columns and articles for the Times of Oman - Oman’s leading English newspaper publication.  

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

I had a flair for expressing myself effectively in words from a very young age. But I never realized that it had the potential to help me beyond essay writing in school and so I never took it up seriously. Of course I used to dabble with song writing and marketing taglines occasionally.  One day, I was coming out of a temple when I saw a beggar outside. He seemed to be reasonably healthy and I wondered why he couldn’t work instead of begging outside temples. Then in a flash, a thought struck me that what he did outside the temple was exactly what I did inside the temple – “beg”. The only difference was that I was begging to the Gods I saw in those stones while he begged to the God he saw in me. That’s when I realized for the first time the folly in being judgemental. This inspired me to write my first short story titled “The Better Beggar”. Once I started to write, somehow the ideas kept coming and I ended up writing a book of short stories titled “The Capillary Effect & Other Short Stories” which I subsequently got published on Amazon kindle. The central theme of all the stories in the book was to not rush into conclusions, overlooking the fact that there could always be a truth hidden beyond the curtains of your mind. That was pretty much the same thinking that inspired my second book “I, Duryodhana...” that’s now out in the market. It is a narration of the incidents of Mahabharata narrated from Duryodhana’s angle.

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

Every author will tell you that at some time or the other, he’s encountered the writer’s block. This happened to me as well. The first three chapters of my new book I, Duryodhana...were  written in 2003. And then I encountered a huge block. I just didn’t know how to proceed for the next 14 years although the thoughts and ideas were percolating in my mind. I used this time to do more research on the subject. And finally when I resumed writing in 2016, the next 57 chapters were written in just 40 days. As for the getting it published, I had learnt from my experience with my first book that it’s not easy to grab a publisher’s interest unless you are either someone well known or well connected...especially when you are living outside the country. 

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

Luckily for me, a good friend of mine M.S. Neelakantan referred me to Suhail and The Book Bakers as a literary agency.

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

I have a great working relationship with Suhail, although I've never met him personally. He had a lot of faith in my book and assured me that he was confident of getting me a good publishing deal. He kept his word and as a matter of fact was able to get offers from multiple publishers. I told him that  I would completely leave the choice of the publisher to his discreation as I'm clueless about the industry. We finally signed up with Om Books International. Over the last couple of years, I think The Book Bakers have been doing a fantastic job in unearthing creative writing talent in India. The agency is a fantastic initiative and I wish it continues in this great work and make a significant contribution to the literary world in India. 

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

I don’t see myself as a professional writer. I am more of an inspired writer and for me to bring out something, I need a thought, an idea or an incident to trigger me. As a writer, if I am able to express myself and convey my thoughts through my words effectively and make an impact on the reader, that is literary success to me. This would not have been my answer a few years back. But over the years, I’ve realized that success is all about doing what you like and feeling good about it.

6. When can we expect your next book?

Its a creative thing...and like I said, I am an inspired writer and one never knows when inspiration could strike. Could be tomorrow, next year or perhaps never.

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

In all modesty, I haven’t become that big enough to offer advise. However, I could share a few things that worked for me:Keeping an open, empathetic and receptive mind.

Observation skills. Always asking “Why?” and “Why not?”

Clarity in knowing what you want to convey through your writing.

A pinch of sense of humour.

BOOK NAME:  I, DURYODHANA...

PUBLISHER : OM BOOKS INTERNATIONAL

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:

Awaiting emancipation through the embrace of death, Duryodhana, the fallen Kaurava prince reminisces about the past as he narrates his version of the incidents that unfolded in his life, starting from his birth as a lump of flesh. Truth is fragile and often vulnerable to distortion as history tends to favour the victors. This saga of pride, loyalty and heroism interlaced with deceit, hypocrisy, and betrayal, leaves the reader with that one vital question, ‘who is to blame?’.  

ORDER THE COPY FROM : https://www.amazon.in/I-Duryodhana-Pradeep-Govind/dp/9352766199/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JRTIRP9AJI9C&keywords=i+duryodhana&qid=1559002661&s=gateway&sprefix=i+durdyo%2Caps%2C863&sr=8-1

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