EXCHANGING WORDS WITH AYAZ RASOOL NAZKI

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Multilingual poet, scholar, translator, researcher, columnist, Ayaz Rasool Nazki is a man of all seasons with diverse interests in painting, photography, calligraphy, cultural history and manuscript studies, Ayaz has been able to carve his own distinctive niche in the literary world, voicing a sensibility that is at once postmodern and traditional, without belonging exclusively to one or the other.His dominant passion has been creatively engaging with the questions of identity, memory and aspirations in South Asia’s most sensitive and turbulent zone – Kashmir.

A member of an outstanding family of writers, poets and scholars, Ayaz outgrew the teaching of sciences and never looked back. A recognized poet in Urdu and Kashmiri with many publications, he broke into English with a very impressive translation of his outstanding father Mir Ghulam Rasool Nazki’s Sufi quatrains. His own collection of English poems ‘songs of light’ was recently published to critical acclaim. 

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

Kashmir and the uncertainty it has been in for a long time inspired me to evaluate my own cultural and civilizational persona through the medium of history and try to make some sense of present and future.

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

Finding a good publisher was made easy for me by THE BOOK BAKERS. Once I found The Book Bakers rest was easy as they took over.

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

I contacted a few publishers through email, one of them suggested that I should come through an agent. They forwarded a list of literary agents, The Book Bakers was one of them.

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

To the first email I dropped to The Book Bakers, I got a prompt and encouraging response, then things moved and finally, everything turned out well. The Book Bakers are a highly dedicated, and professionals with a heart team and I wish them continued success.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

Well, every author wants to be successful and for me, the measure of success perhaps is how many people read you and like your work.

6. When can we expect your next book?

I am halfway through the next manuscript, maybe a few months more!

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Please do not give up, there is always someone, somewhere who likes the kind of writing only you are able to do. Keep faith and find a good literary agent like The Book Bakers.

BOOK NAME: Satisar the valley of Demons

PUBLISHER: Vitasta Publishing Pvt Ltd

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH SANA MUNIR

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Sana Munir has a Master’s degree in Mass Communication Theory and Research from the University of the Punjab, Lahore. She has taught International Communication and Feminist Film Theory at her alma mater, Lahore College for Women University. She has also freelanced for various prominent magazines in Pakistan. To Sana, feminism is not a mere school of thought or ideology but a way of living, rooted in essential moral principles of equality, humanity, acceptance, and justice. Sana is based in Lahore, Pakistan.

She blogs at sanamunirblog.wordpress.com

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

My father was a reader, writer and teacher of Classical Poetry and Drama all his life. So I was lucky to have grown up in an environment where Shakespeare, Byron and Yeats were quoted frequently. My childhood house(s) always featured book racks filled with novels, plays, poetry and prose. I suppose, reading is the first step towards writing, and that is where I, like all other writers, drew inspiration from.

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

The only challenge a writer faces these days, is the humongous amount of distraction – the continuous beeps of the smartphones, the pull of the laptop et al. Else, writing brings me calm, peace of mind and catharsis. Getting published is an altogether different story since Literary Agencies and Publication houses are quite in their pre-natal stage.

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

I am lucky to have come across a random blog, listing the top ten literary agencies in India and there, among the plethora of information, was my destined agency, The Book Bakers to whom I shall always be indebted. Suhail Mathur, has been more than an agent, he was a personal editor who helped me work the manuscript in such a way that it became acceptable to the topmost Indian publication houses in India.   

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

The Book Bakers rock! They have a personal relationship with every client and their sincerity puts the writers at ease. The confusion, the uncertainty and the nervousness all seem to blur out when the involvement of the agency is understood completely. Their catalogue boasts of new writers, kid authors as well as seasoned famous celebrity writers. The broad spectrum of their clientele speaks louder for their worthy credentials than words can.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

A writer’s success can only be measured by how well the book does at sales for a good book, marketed properly, shall be bought by a bookworm as well as a collector and also by that reader who reads one book in, say, a year. The genre does not matter. I hope Unfettered Wings, reaches out to the Indian and Pakistani readers, irrespective of their genders.

6. When can we expect your next book?

Well, I have already submitted the next manuscript to the Book Bakers! So, very soon, I hope.

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Read. Write. Under any circumstance, do not quit.

BOOK NAME: UNFETTERED WINGS: Extraordinary stories of ordinary women

PUBLISHER: Rupa Books

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:

From the barren dust bowl of Nushki, a small town in Balochistan, to the posh white marble bungalows and magnificent mansions of Lahore, this book captures vignettes of the lives of Pakistani women who brave battles, big or small, every day. These women compare with their Indian counterparts as much as they contrast. Whether it is little Farida, through whose innocent eyes we see the drawing of political borders and the destruction of many families or Meera, whose attempt at reaching out across these very borders is met with ridicule by her own countrymen, Summi, who shares the painful burden of her husband’s past, or the wanton Maria for whom love and relationships matter naught these are real-life characters grappling with issues that are as timeless as they are contemporary.

Unfettered Wings is about strength and fortitude, of relationships in ordinary settings that unfold into extraordinary situations.

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH VRUSHALI TELANG

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Prime Time Crime is Vrushali Telang’s 3rd novel. Previously she has published the hugely popular chick lit Can’t Die For Size Zero and rom-com He Loves Me Not . Due to the popularity of her debut novel (CDFSZ), she was invited to write a column for Marie Claire India called Big Girl in a Skinny World, which ran for over a year.

Apart from novels, Vrushali also has worked in Bollywood in the capacity of a screenwriter as well as research.  She has the credit of Associate Screenplay and Dialogues in the feature film My Birthday Song. Directed by Samir Soni,  starring Sanjay Suri, this risqué psychological thriller has been appreciated by veteran critics for its narrative.  

Because it was her first attempt at noir in Prime Time Crime, she did thorough research lending to an authentic recreation of Mumbai in 1999. This was the reason she was taken on board by director Ashim Alhuwalia for Research on Daddy, a bio-pic on underworld don Arun Gawli played by Arjun Rampal.

She was also an Associate Screenplay writer of #Untag, a web-series on VOOT (Viacom-18). Dealing with the camaraderie between a plus size girl and her gay best friend, #Untag was nominated for Best International Web Series at Web Fests in Toronto, Rio, South Florida and Miami.  

Vrushali Telang started her career as an entertainment reporter. After working with CNBC –TV18 and NDTV, she produced shows for MTV, before embarking on her childhood dream. It was that of creating stories.

She lives in Mumbai with one daughter, one husband and has no luck with house-help.

1. Who and what inspired you to write?

Children grow up listening to stories. In my case it was screenplays. My father would recount fascination screenplays of Hollywood films like The Great Escape, Magnificent Seven, Enter the Dragon and Snake In A Monkey’s shadow, Man Who Knew Too Much, Rear Window or House Of Wax. Secondly, family time meant eating and reading together. Aai would read Somerset Maughaum, Baba read Sidney Sheldon and I would be busy with Enid Blyton’s St.Claire series.

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

Very surprisingly my first two novels were a cakewalk in terms of getting a publishers. I thought I would face no problem with the 3rd.  However, all publishing houses rejected my manuscript. I was disheartened.

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

One day, on FB author Manjiri Prabhu (who I respect ), announced that her book was out with Bloomsbury and she thanked Suhail Mathur. I immediately messaged Suhail and what impressed me most was his promptness.

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

Suhail had a tough job as my novel had been rejected by practically all traditional publishers. And though self-publishing was my last option, I was keen on getting published traditionally. He got me not one, but two publishers – both brilliant houses to work with! Readify and VK!

Suhail has the fire in his belly and that’s what I love about work associates. No nonsense, professional and what I like best is he sticks to the point. No khaali peeli bakwas. I look forward to continuing with him.

5. How do you see literary success for yourself?

I am keen to get published internationally. (Suhail are you listening)

6. When can we expect your next book?

I am working on the first draft, so I guess by the end of the year?

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Writing is hard work. Its fun but you really need to love it, to be a consistent writer. My advice is that keep your day job, or have another source of income. Let writing be something you love to do. Then watch the magic flow.

BOOK NAME: Prime Time Crime

PUBLISHER: Vishwakarma & Readify

BOOK SYNOPSIS/BLURB:

An Intern Reporter

A Sophisticated Gangster

&

A Dirty Love Story

Within a month of joining City-News, Ritika an intern manages to get an exclusive TV interview with sophisticated elusive gangster A.T the recent crime sensation.

During the interview Ritika and A.T find themselves getting attracted to one another. Soon they share a torrid chemistry and find it difficult to stay away from each other.

Does A.T love Ritika, or is he using her as a pawn for a dangerous plot? Did he manipulate circumstances so that only she could get through to him?  

Does Ritika love A.T or is she playing along in order to get leads for investigative crime stories? Is she out to catapult her career from an unknown intern with a local network to being a ‘star’ reporter with a national news channel?

Set against the backdrop of Mumbai Underworld in 1999, PRIME TIME CRIME is a story about a relationship that is ruthless, passionate and manipulative. A story that stinks of lies, deceit and death.

Did they ever, even if it was for a moment, truly love each other? Are relationships as honest as we’d like them to be? In the unholy nexus of mafia and news media who can you trust?

With vibrant characters, razor sharp plot that moves at breakneck speed, PRIME TIME CRIME is an overpowering love story that will haunt you for long…

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BOOK REVIEW : TO HELL AND BACK

BOOK NAME: TO HELL AND BACK

AUTHOR: ANURAG ANAND

LITERARY AGENCY: THE BOOK BAKERS

PUBLISHER: READOMANIA

BLURB:

A mindless road-rage incident leaves a young and promising entrepreneur dead. Is it an accident or a cold-blooded murder, planned to absolute perfection?

Namrata, a young professional, is enveloped by all the quintessential elements of life in the fast lane a staling marriage, an extramarital affair and eyes full of dreams, until a fun evening turns into a chilling nightmare for her.

Renu, a girl living in a world marred by regressive customs and dated practices, has resigned to the patriarchal ways of her world, until they begin to cast their malicious shadows on her unborn child.

Their worlds, although separate, intersect each other in a single strike of tragedy that none could have imagined. It is then that this story begins and sends everyone’s life on a dizzy tailspin.

Will they be able to get back to their safe and secure lives?

MY REVIEW:

“To Hell And Back" by Anurag Anand is one of the most intriguing and enjoyable books that I have read. The blurb itself is enough to prompt one to turn the pages and the title and the cover do full justice to the book.

The book has been wonderfully divided into three parts and the author has very well managed to hold the mystery till the very end.  The book opens with a road accident and then takes you into a flashback. The author’s art of characterization is impressive and he has defined each character of the novel impeccably. The author has managed to brilliantly carry two stories together without confusing the readers and the many twists and turns keep the reader wanting to know what will happen next.

The language of the book is lucid and the ending is nail-biting. I recommend this book to all the die-hard fans of mystery books and to all those who are interested in being spellbound. The climax of the book is the highpoint of the book and my advice to readers is to not waste time in guessing as the author will prove you wrong at every turn.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anurag Anand is a prolific author with eleven published titles in the self-help, historical fiction and contemporary fiction genres. Two of his books, The Legend of Amrapali and The Quest for Nothing, have made it to the final shortlist in the past editions of the Crossword Book Awards. He is a contributing author for several notable publications and can also be found debating on leading national news channels. Anurag lives in Gurugram and is a senior management professional with a leading beverage MNC.

RATING: 5/5

ORDER THE BOOK FROM:  https://www.amazon.in/Hell-Back-Tragedies-Orchestrated-Fate/dp/9385854623/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529229553&sr=8-1&keywords=to+hell+and+back+book

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EXCHANGING WORDS WITH ANURAG ANAND

AUTHOR’S BIO:

Anurag Anand is a prolific author with eleven published titles in the self-help, historical fiction and contemporary fiction genres. Two of his books, The Legend of Amrapali and The Quest for Nothing, have made it to the final shortlist in the past editions of the Crossword Book Awards. He is a contributing author for several notable publications and can also be found debating on leading national news channels. Anurag lives in Gurgaon and earns a living as a senior management professional with a leading beverage MNC.

1.     Who and what inspired you to write?

I have always had a penchant for the written word - from comic books and Enid Blyton in my early years, to the titles that adorn my bedside today. However, I had never given the vocation of writing a serious consideration. For me it was always something distant, something that I was only meant to consume. Something like a bar of soap which I use, but seldom think about producing.

Writing happened to me by accident. I was posted in Rajkot, Gujarat, in the initial days of my corporate career. It was a city I wasn’t familiar with. I had no friends there. The local cinema halls screened movies that I was yet to develop a taste for, and prohibition only added to the woes of a young and eager bachelor. I decided to use my time productively and the end result was my first book – Pillars of Success.

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

I  was in no hurry while working on my first manuscript. I wasn’t even expecting my work to shape into an actual book one day. I was writing simply because I wanted to write. And this made the experience of writing an enjoyable one. It remained devoid of any mention worthy challenges.

Once the manuscript was ready, I shared it to some of my colleagues. This was purely out of the desire to obtain feedback on something that I was proud to have created. What I didn’t know then was that the process of ‘creation’ had only just begun. One of these colleagues happened to know a vernacular language publisher who was looking to expand into English writing. My manuscript landed at his desk at just the right time, and the rest, as they say, is history.

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

The community of authors in India is a small one, and I had met Suhail at a couple of literary events even before The Book Bakers was born. He was toying with the idea of launching a literary agency back then, and that, I believe has culminated into The Book Bakers of today.

It’s a pity that in today’s times authors are expected to peddle their works to publishers, engage in commercial negotiations and finally market their books when they are eventually published. These expectations are quite a contrast to what an author should actually be doing. Writing!

The Book Bakers, with its array of services and offerings, allows authors to focus on their writing instead of the other peripheral aspects. The agency fulfils a very crucial need for budding as well as established authors, and it is no surprise then that The Book Bakers has managed to carve a niche for itself in such quick time.

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

It was The Book Bakers that connected me with my current publishers, Readomania. Readomania is a relatively new publication house, and I was initially sceptical about signing up with them. However, on Suhail’s insistence I took the plunge, and I couldn’t have been happier. My publisher turned out to be just the marketing-savvy and progressive publication house that Suhail had described them to be.

Such personal involvement with each of their authors is the hallmark of The Book Bakers, and this is what sets them apart from others operating in the same space.

5.    How do you see literary success for yourself?

In terms of the number of Ferrari cars I manage to buy out of my royalties!

On a serious note, though, writing is my passion and I don’t measure it on a scale of success or failure. Yes, the feedback of my readers means the world to me and I look forward to hearing from them. But I also realize that just because one or more of them enjoy my work, it doesn’t make it a success. And neither does it become a failure if they don’t relish it as much.

6.   When can we expect your next book?

My next manuscript is ready and it is up to The Book Bakers to weave their magic now. I am hoping for the book to hit the stands within the next 6-8 months.

7. Any message or tips for aspiring authors?

Writing is a lonely process and it doesn’t always lead to the kind of accolades or commercial success that you might have dreamt of. Hence, it is always advisable to calibrate the purpose behind your writing so as to not set yourself up for disappointments in the future. Setting realistic expectations allows you to focus on your writing and not get lost in a world of fantasies and imagination.   
  

            BOOK NAME: To Hell and Back

                 PUBLISHER: Readomania

BLURB:

A mindless road-rage incident leaves a young and promising entrepreneur dead. Is it an accident, or a cold-blooded murder, planned to absolute perfection?
Namrata, a young professional, is enveloped by all the quintessential elements of life in the fast lane a staling marriage, an extramarital affair and eyes full of dreams, until a fun evening turns into a chilling nightmare for her.
Renu, a girl living in a world marred by regressive customs and dated practices, has resigned to the patriarchal ways of her world, until they begin to cast their malicious shadows on her unborn child.
Their worlds, although separate, intersect each other in a single strike of tragedy that none could have imagined. It is then that this story begins and sends everyone’s life on a dizzy tailspin.
Will they be able to get back to their safe and secure lives?

Read More