So this month's featured author is  ' Meena Mishra'

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Your profession and your hobbies!!

Meena Mishra is an award-winning author, poet, short-story writer, social worker, novelist, editor, educator and publisher. The Impish Lass Publishing House is her brainchild. Her poems, stories and book reviews have been published in many international journals and magazines. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards. She is an active member of the Mumbai English Educators’ Team and was invited by the Education Department of Maharashtra to be a part of The Review Committee for the new English textbook. She has been working as the International Coordinator for British Council activities for more than 10 years.  She has been invited as a judge for several literary competitions and lit fests including the Lit fest of IIT Bombay and NM college fest. Her poems are published in many magazines, including the prestigious periodical Woman’s Era. She has been a contributing author and poet for more than 100 books. Her books include- The Impish Lass, Emociones Infinitas, Within The Cocoon of Love and The Impish Lass Book 2. . Her poems have been translated and  published in Spanish magazine. His latest book – The Impish Lass-  Book 2 ( TIL Stories and More) has received raving reviews from the readers including the greatest Indian Nuclear Scientist Dr R. Chidambaram. It has received 5 stars rating on Amazon.    Her contribution to the field of education and writing has received acclamation from esteemed newspapers like Times of India and Mid Day. Her articles are published in Times of India’s NIE and a suburban newspaper and leading educational magazine of the country- Brainfeed Higher Education Plus. She was invited to share her views by Sony TV for their first episode of, Zindagi Ke Crossroads, based on the needs of special children.  She was recently invited by the “AajTak” news channel to express her views on the special episode on the PMC Bank scam victims. She has received many awards in 2020-21 for her contribution to the field of education and literature. Some of them are
•  Vishwa Shikshavid Samman -2020
•  Appreciation Certificate for Support for Covid 19  challenges in education by     Government of Maharashtra – Regional Academic Authority Mumbai.
• Pathbreaker of the Year Award-  by Harper Collins.
• Acharya Chanakya Shikshavid Samman -2020 for valuable contribution to empowering the society.
• Nation Builder Award.
• Super -30 Teacher nomination by IB Hub.
• ‘Most Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award,’ during World Education Summit in Feb-2021.
• Winner of Womennovator Award and  1000 Women of Asia Award, given in association with Ministry of Electronics and Information technology ( Government of India ). Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( Government of India ) and Agni Invest India.
• She has recently been nominated for the 2021 ELTons Outstanding Achievement Award by the British Council.
As a publisher, she believes that EACH SOUL THAT WRITES HAS THE RIGHT TO GET PUBLISHED.
 

Questionnaire with Meena Mishra

 
1.       How did you first get involved in writing, are you an imaginative person?
 
Meet Ms Meena Mishra, the author who sold 1k copies of her latest book ‘The Impish Lass- Book 2 ‘  without spending a penny on any sales, promotion or advertisement,  in less than 2 months, in this pandemic.
 
2.       What is more challenging – writing a book successfully or selling it?
 
Writing a book is easier than selling it. You have control over your writing but you have no control over the sales of the book. If you have lots of money to spend on marketing and advertisement, the visibility of your book helps you reach out to the readers. If you are already famous with a big sales record you don’t have to put in efforts for these things but if you are a beginner like me who is beginning from the scratch with no support from any big name in the industry, it’s very difficult to sell your book.
 
3.       Your book has got 5-star ratings on amazon.in and kindle apart from receiving raving reviews from the readers including the greatest nuclear scientist of this country Padma Vibhushan Dr. R. Chidambaram. How are you feeling as an author?
 
I am glad ‘The Impish Lass- Part 2’ has been well received by the readers. Actually, at the end of the day, you feel delighted as an author if your readers value and appreciate your efforts. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have been a part of my editing team. ( The participants of the ‘Be an Editor for a Day,’ contest, Yutika Bhansali for handling this contest. Core editing and proofreading team - Praniti Gulyani, Ishani Behari, Kirthika Jayakumar, Sheila Bhattacharya, Shruti Bhardwaj, Anamika Kundu and Aparna Bhat for editing and proofreading all the stories at least 5 times. I am so very grateful to my self-motivated team. Of course, I would like to express my infinite gratitude towards Dr R. Chidambaram for being kind enough to accept my invitation of writing the foreword for this book. The official letter sent by him is like ‘Bharat Ratna’ for me. Something I would like to treasure for a lifetime.
 
4.       How did you manage to sell 1000 copies within two months in this pandemic and lockdown without any marketing or advertisement?
 
I do have my personal contacts that include my friends, colleagues, poets, writers, editors, relatives and ex-students. I received an overwhelming response from all of them. I would send them personal messages asking them to support me by buying my book and they would oblige me. There have been writers and friends who were either hospitalized or quarantined due to Covid, still, they bought my book to show their love and support towards me. My friends from Mumbai English Educators’ Team and Asian Literary Society also came forward to support me despite their personal struggles. My colleagues who had never ever read a story or poem of mine before, also came forward to support me wholeheartedly. I am so very grateful to each one of them.
 
5.  Is it right that you discouraged the readers to buy the book from different online platforms and encouraged them to buy directly from the publishing house? Don’t you think it would have added to your book coming up in the ranking of bestsellers?

Yes, I did. I am not only an author but the CEO of The Impish Lass Publishing House too. Why should I encourage people to buy from online platforms?  I don’t believe in this bestseller ranking and all. For me, It reached my readers and they could resonate with the stories, nothing else is more important than that.
 
6.  Which is your favourite story in this book?
 
‘How I Spent My First Earning ‘ is my personal favourite as it portrays my love towards my mother.
 
7. Who inspires you to write?
 
I have been living in an imaginary world with my secret muse. It’s my world where there is love, fancy, imagination, drama and much more. Whenever I am happy, sad, mad, upset, I share my feelings with him. He is a patient listener and always gives me the right suggestions. Whenever I write something, first of all, I seek his opinion on it and then proceed further. The last chapter of this book, ‘A Letter to My Muse,’ is dedicated to him.
 
8.       What would be your next step after this? I mean any other book in line?
 
I would like to rework my novel ‘Within the Cocoon of Love,’ co-authored by Vishwas Vaidya, a poet cum scientist from Pune.
 
9.       What is your message for the budding writers?
 
Don’t consider your first draft as your final draft. Work and re-work upon it. Get it edited, re-edited and proofread before your work goes for final printing. Be patient. There’s no shortcut to success. You never know whether your book would get buyers or not. Have faith in your skills and keep on honing them.

So this month's featured author is  'Orbindu Ganga'

Can you tell us about your literary journey? Your profession and your hobbies!! 

First of all, I am pleased and honoured to have my thoughts being worth shared with the reading community. I am Orbindu Ganga, have completed my masters in science, worked in various domains in the market analysis as a Process Associate in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), investment banking as Band II Officer in Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Content Account Manager (Client Relationship Manager) in global electronic operations in Reed Elsevier. I made a significant shift with the realisation of my passion. I made a move from content management as a Content Account Manager (Client Relationship Manager) into writing and spirituality. My passion has become my profession. The journey began when I started writing and made my cue into spirituality. I am the founder and editorial director of an international English Literary Journal – INNSÆI, International Journal of Creative Literature for Peace and Humanity (IJCLPH), author, poet, content writer, researcher, sketch artist, and spiritual healer.

I am touched by various shades of life. Content writing intrigued me to love the world of English literature. Loving the words and understanding the origin made me agog for semantics, etymology, and neology. I touched the nuances to get imbibed in understanding human behaviour psychology and counselling. Understanding the dynamics and the deeper conscience of the mind are my thoughts of knowing neuroscience and philosophy. The past has always been a subject of discussion which I adsorb from history and archaeological studies. Nature and its diverse species have fascinated me in the study of entomology, ecology, oceanography, and ichthyology. Walls do speak and so do is the structure that captivated me to get imbued in architecture and interior designing. Knowing the world around and creating a thought to get answers whirled in the thoughts to the world of quizzing. Understanding the people and the places created more inquisitiveness towards travelling. The heavenly bodies and their movement primed my love for astronomy. The waves of silence have always whispered me to music. In pursuit of the truth of the unknown influenced me deep in spirituality.

Poetry has been his first love. I have been the featured poet twice in November 2019 and July 2020 edition of "The Year of Poet VI and VII" for the poems - "Alone in the garden", "Scary eyes", "Dilapidated edifice", "Hiding her tears", "Waiting", and "Flowing" published by Inner Child Press International Publication (United States of America). My poetry "Lighting a candle of hope" has been published in the yearly "World Healing World Peace 2020" anthology published by the publishing house Inner Child Press International Publication from the United States of America. My poetry featured among the 42 poets around the world in the yearly anthology WHISPERS OF SOFTLAY: Yearly Anthology of poetry. My poetry “Renaissance within” has been published in the book WAR – WE ARE REVOLUTION by Inner Child Press International Publication (United States of America). I have been invited as the Guest Writer in Dr Hulya N Yilmaz's literary space.

 My poems have been published in international publications like  The Writers Club (United Kingdom) - "Tsunami", SIPAY Literary Journal (Seychelles) - “Revered the silence", "Humanity in nature's cry: Kerala Flood" and "Unflowered", Teesta Review: A Journal of poetry (India) - "Touching edifices" and "Mendicant", Sahitya Anand (India) - "Time to awake", "Shards of glass", "Perpetuity in backwaters" and "It rained like never before", Spillwords Press (United Kingdom) "My smiling assassin", "Premonition", "Metamorphosed", "Ricocheting the self", "Phrontistery", "Aurora splashes", "Searching him", "Her creation", "Flowing ink", and "The waiting days", SETU (United States of America), OPA - "Living with her memories", Atunis (Albania) - “A way to snowfondland", “Silence after the commotion”, and “My snobbish little bridge”, Winamop (United Kingdom) - "Ashes", "Touch me not", "My snout-fair snow", "Walking in the snow", "Being forlorn in autumn", "Serendipity", "Starry Night", "Tears", "Culacino", "Junction", "Blank", and "The 'I' in me", Science Shore (India) - "Realization", Borderless Journal (India) - "Praying Mantis" & Poetry of Spring's Embrace (United States of America) - "Sun Sliced the Ice", "If you had ...", "She was my mother", "Haunted exile", "Confetti of mizzle", "Where do I seek justice ?", "Flowing like a river", "Inane species", "To think different", "In tune with nature", "Sauntering heart for her", "Let her go", "Broken Wings", "My colours", "Still inspiring us", "God's own country", "Being", "Shadow", "Troubled water", "Inundated flow", "The nameless", "Remorse", "Let them heal alone", "The shift", "Tittle", "Voice of a revolution", "Chiaroscuro", "Dusted in dust", "Astral", "To connect", "Nihility", "Substance of a thought", "Seeing the life through", "Thoughtfulness", "The Unsung", "Like never before", "At last, not again - The rain", "Weeping in my heart", "The choice of knowing", "Listening to her", "Adam-Eved", "Never the same", "An ink forever" ,"A drive at night", "Living with her, delighted forever", "Au Revoir", "She is my smile", "Karmic flow", "A helping hand", "Copious in silence", "A taste of being amarantine", "Harakiri", "Lost with the mind", "Pulchritudinous drained", "Moments of beauty", "Existence of Tagore",

"Mastered, Slave within", "Enprint of nature - Truth of life, "Musligark", "I am Unlettered", "Scattered Letters", "The Mad Race - The Farcical Life", "Still", "Flowing with the wind", "Changing Colours", "My Tears Are Alone", "Ardhanareeshvara", "An Exploration", "Buried and Smiling", "Left Me With Tears", "Infinity", "Mysteries in Symmetries", "I am Waiting", "None to see", "I am Unlettered", "Musligark", "An Enprint of Nature - Truth of Life", "Mastered, Slave Within", "Existence of Tagore", and "Moments of Beauty".

The November edition of the prestigious Poiesisonline Multiversity International Monthly magazine THE MAG has published my multilingual poetry from English (My Silence ...) to Hindi -  मेरी खामोशियां (Meri Khamoshiyaan) and Tamil - என் மௌனம் (En maunam). My poetry "A clarion call for synergy" and "I breathe, waiting to fulfil my dreams" have been published in the special edition of the international E-Magazine Cultural Reverence.

 My poems have been published in anthologies like VASUDHA 2 - “Selfless”, RAINDROPS OF LOVE, HEARTISTRY - “She” and “Love being floored”, POEMS FROM 30 BEST POETS - "Knowing me", "Journey to heart" and "Hide & Seek", MOONLIGHT - "Moonglade", "Pleine Lune" and "Moonwake", MEDLEY OF MELODIES - “Cleanse me”, CORONA - SOCIAL DISTANCING - "The known assassin - Corona", "ROOBROO - II - " Watered" and THE HEART OF A POET - "Being humane." My poems have been published in Techtouchtalk, an English Weekly - "The landfall" and "Ant - The Cleaner." My poetry has been published in the anthology GREEN AWAKENINGS published by Kavya-Adisakrit. My poem "An unknown guest in the family" has been published in the book "THE CYCLONE WILL END" published by Farha Pustaka (Indonesia).

 My poetry featured in an international anthology "WORLD FOR PEACE" by World Institute for Peace (WIP). I have published my oeuvre "Where is my daughter ?" on dementia in the book TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS WITH DEMENTIA. My poetry "My words" featured in the YouTube channel POETRY FOR PEACE on World Poetry Day March 21, 2019. My three poems - "Playing around", "Eternal love" and "Princess" are published in the anthology "HARMONIOUS SYMPHONIES" by Solitaire. My two poems "Smiling with a gelasin" and "Like never before" are published in the anthology " BEYOND WORDS." My poem "lesson learnt" has been published in the anthology THE DIFFICULT TIMES."

 My short story "Dharma's Battle" has been published in the book "The land of unfree labourers." My short story “Searching For Voice” has been published in the book UNFURLING MY HEART published by Evince Publication. My two research papers are published in the journal - Thar Multidiscipline Journal (A spiritual insight: A study on Rudyard Kipling's poem "IF") and a book - The Poetry of Vihang A. Naik (New Literary Dimensions) - Quest for peace and Hope: A study of Vihang A. Naik's Poetry Manifesto (New & Selected Poems). I have reviewed a book - Reneging Quiescence by Dr Samiha Zubair.

My articles "Thoughts have a heart" and "God's own country - A model to emulate during a medical emergency", "A journey away from crescendo", "Mother: A God on earth" and "The inception of a new dimension" have been published in the digital platform in yoursnews.in. My articles "Education system needs reform" and "The suicidal SELF" has been published in Sindh Courier. My articles "The art of learning" and "Substance of a thought" are published in SCIENCE SHORE. My poetry and prose have been published in the book "Complexion Based Discriminations."

 My science article "Understanding bipolar disorder with pineal gland" has been published in the book  "NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE - Volume 2."

My painting "Adsorbing the energy" and the article "A journey to explore" have been published in a spiritual journal - Awakening (India). My photography "THEYYAM" has been published in Winamop.

 I feature in World Anthology by World Nation Writers' Union (Kazakistan) (Temirqazyq - Best Poet/Writer 2017) - "Reams of dreams", "Painting my pain" and "The shadows of the past." I am an official member of the World Healing World Peace Foundation. I have authored the book “SAUDADE.”

My interview:

https://authorsinterviews.wordpress.com/2018/02/14/here-is-my-interview-with-orbindu-ganga/

Invited as a Guest Writer:

https://hulyanyilmaz.com/2020/07/19/guest-post-2/?fbclid=IwAR3HTlYvJOnD1YrBJJyvc0N_lNwAnZSxfVBMlQwd0IIo3F4IGqNbsHkrBjY

 Amazon link:

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0793TPYCJ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1516336249&sr=8-8&keywords=saudade#

 Amazon author page:

https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B079S3LWPN

 Facebook:

https://m.facebook.com/orlando.blake.5036

 Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ordinary_is_beautiful/

 Qestionnaire with Orbindu Ganga

How did you first get involved in writing, are you an imaginative person?

It was serendipity. It happened in 2014 when I started scribbling those thoughts through my ink, those became poetry. It was never looking back from thereon.  I am very much in the world of imagination when my ink flows. Spirituality has helped me into exploration and showed me a path of imagination. 

What do you find most challenging about your writing?

Writer's block is a challenging one where we are unable to pen a single word. At such a time, everything seems to be oblivious. In search of thoughts, we try even harder, end up doing nothing with no thoughts flowing to write. It takes days or weeks to come out of hibernation and make the ink flow again. But I do enjoy each phase as it gives you so much to observe within and reiterate the fact that life is such a wonderful experience. Life teaches you so much with our observations. We have to observe and be in the flow. 

What do you do when you are not writing?

As I said before, I am more in observation when my ink doesn't flow. Spirituality has given me a lot the way I think. I am never satisfied with one thing. So my thoughts are exploring many things. I have to handle my journal and we are in the process of starting another journal. I love healthy conversations because I love the art of listening, being my passion. I do offline counselling, in the training session to become one very soon.  

Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

We would have started our next multilingual literary journal, one of its kind within 6 months. I will have my anthologies published as an editor to provide a platform for young creators. I will be doing my counselling session as a professional life coach, one of my dreams, to listen to people and help them see life with lucidity. I will also be more involved in spiritual healing.

Five years is a long journey, there are many things in mind to initiate various projects. One will be a project in science related to education. Another project is for humanity and to bring a smile to others. Hope to see many more anthologies being published as an editor. We will have another colossal literary journal to be launched. I have my book launched, working on it for many years. 

How do you keep coming up with material/content for your story? 

You just need to love yourself and explore the self. As you do every day, you will come up with many thoughts, those thoughts become your oeuvre. 

Just be in the flow, the universe will show the path...

 Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books? 

The universe has a path for each one of us. It's our prerogative to realise and understand the real essence of life. We should not be following anyone, not replicate what others have done before. It is their journey, they realised it in their ways. Similarly, each one has a journey of their own. Each one needs to have faith in their talent and efficaciously work on it to sharpen it. One needs to be aware and accept their journey. Never think of a result of how it will serve you.

 Love what you do, you shall receive what you deserve... 

 What’s the best thing a writer can give to his readers?

He/she should be true to oneself in his/her creations. Let the world be against you, believe in your ability and create your oeuvres. Every time you create, unless you're satisfied with your oeuvre, never publish it. Be your authentic self in bringing out the best in your creativity. When the readers like your oeuvre, they would love your authentic self. So be the original, never become someone else.  

A lot of people are interested in writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

Writing is not for those who want to mint money. They might have a smile in the early phase, but they won't continue the journey because you need to love your craft and one should have the passion. Writing is a passion, if you love writing, you will flow in the literary journey without thinking much. You need to sow a seed with passion and compassion, the result will be overwhelming. Never think of the result, love your work, do it with passion, you will find the result.

Impossible is nothing. Anything is possible in this world. You need to believe in yourself and creations should be authentic of yourself. Though it might take some time, you shall find the taste of bliss in the beautiful journey. Just believe in yourself, challenge the existing, and work efficaciously the world will be yours. 

 What motivates you most in life?

 Having a beautiful life itself is a motivation. Not all souls created to become a human form. The day I was born, I consider myself to be fortunate. It is the way we think in this beautiful life. Each one of us has both phases in life. One can make you smile and another lesson to learn. How you take both in the same stride is more important. Each moment lived is valuable. Each moment to make someone smile is bliss. I am adding bliss every day, the little I could.I am the being, I am becoming the life. 

The majority of the readers tend to take sides due to religion and other considerations.

 Each one should have an opinion. We are human having a form to express what we believe. But there is a fine line where it should not go beyond the self unless the person is more attached to the cause. We are all independent to express our opinions, it is all about where we put a pause, a comma and a period. 

What is the story behind the name of your book?

Saudade is one of my favourite words which doesn't have an equivalent English word. The word has a lot of significance in terms of the emotional phase where one feels nostalgic and melancholic at the same time. The book touches those feelings misted with tears, with a smile. There is the phase in life when we look back, it brings mixed emotions which can't be explained in words. Such words are silent and they reach out with the tears showing their helplessness and rekindling the memories. 

What are your views on increasing plagiarism?

A coin has two sides, we accept two sides to realise the importance. Plagiarism is found everywhere. If we take a sword to wipe off, you might be successful in cleaving the weeds. But it shall again sprout. The approach shouldn't be to negate and talk tough. We need to accept the status quo. We need to understand the root cause for such a phenomenon existing incessantly every time. The only way is to educate the people who do plagiarize. Let us join together to educate our people about plagiarism to make them understand the pros and cons of it. More importantly to show them the direction to correct themselves. We will be cleaving the foundation of the weeds. It will help us to have a society where plagiarism becomes zilch. The solution should be for the development and not neglected those, leaving them alone, which can make them anti-social elements in future.

So this month featuring author is ' Roopali Sircar Gaur '

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Your profession and your hobbies!!

 I am a former Associate Professor of English, Delhi University. I taught creative writing in Indira Gandhi Open University. My interests lie in the study of women and other marginalised groups. I am a social justice activist and have worked with women, children, the elderly and people with disability.

 

Questionnaire with Roopali Sircar Gaur

1.       How did you first get involved in with writing, are you an imaginative person?

As a student and teacher of literature I was bound to write academically as well as creatively. I am a person with imagination but my academic and creative work is grounded in reality. 

2.       What do you find most challenging about your writing?

A writer faces many challenges. She/he must have an authentic voice, the right language skills, knowledge of literary methodology, an understanding of social processes and a sharp communicative skill. I am constantly concerned with getting my story across. Clarity and truth is exceptional challenges.

3.       What do you do when you are not writing?

I constantly want to write. Even as I cook and clean and look after my family, the garden and my dogs and the birds that visits.

4.       Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

I see myself as a poet performer, a novelist and short-story writer and a serious mentor to younger poets and writers. I want to help young people publish.

5.       How do you keep coming up with material/content for your story?

My creative material is all around me. In the visibility of people, their lives, the irony of social behaviour and rituals. Eg. I just wrote on Holika Dahan. The whole idea of us getting together to burn a woman because we are told she is wicked. Or Sita walking on fire to prove she is pure. And Surpnakha’s nose being cut off because she shows desire. We accept these as truths. I write about this and about the whitewash man, or the tile layer or the grass cutter or the mango tree that only gives and gives.

6.    Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books?

Younger writers must feel a sense of dedication. They must be true to the craft of writing. Their language must be good and very clear. Their writing must be passionate and correct. They must see the world as their canvas. Words must come from deep within only then will their writing draw attention. Developing one’s own style is very important.

7.       What’s the best thing a a writer can give to his readers?

Money should not be the reason for writing unless you are into content development and corporate writing. There are many sites that can guide a freelancer. If it's poetry then there is no money in poetry and no poetry in money!

8.  A lot of people are interested in writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

I am motivated by service. I come from a soldier’s family. My father, father in law my husband and many members of my family have served and are serving in the armed forces. I have worked with our soldiers' families and have made efforts to successfully empower them. Others have been doctors and teachers. A totally service-oriented life.

9.       What motivates you most in life?

I am the Founder Director of YUVATI and Mera Kitab Ghar works with women and children in urban and rural areas. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than helping somebody to improve his or her life. Be it an 80-year-old or a 14-year-old. I have written and edited a number of books and am continuously writing and publishing. It gives me opportunities to publish others and help them launch into a literary or writing career.

10.   What are your views on increasing plagiarism?

Plagiarism is a criminal act. All efforts to track a plagiarist should be made. Today there are lots of Apps for this so it is easy. My advice to any writer young and old would be to desist from such criminal activity. It has severe repercussions and once discovered a loss of reputation.

  

This month's featured Author is ' J. Alchem '

  Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

I am a simple person with a kind heart and high morale. I am an MBA in International Business and Finance from the an esteemed University of India. I provide academic support to international students and professionals. I am also an advisory panelist to the Association of Indian Students where I share space with many big personalities and figures.

 Questionnaire with J. Alchem

1.       What are your interests apart from writing bestsellers?

I am into cooking lip-smacking cuisines, watching movies, listening to songs, and chit-chatting with my friends about the vast universe of books. I feel there is a lot in this world to explore.

2.       How did you first get involved with writing?

It professionally started with writing an article for a magazine. It was loved by readers as well as the editorial body and I kept getting newer opportunities every week. I wrote my first book when I was doing MBA and it took me three years to complete and publish the same. It won several accolades and became a huge inspiration for me and my career.

3.       Are you an imaginative person? It is what I felt reading your books.

Yes, I am an imaginative person. I don’t write about my life or the people around me. I imagine things and then I write about them. Everything from a character to subplots is part of my sheer imagination. This is how I bring novelty to my books.

4.       What do you find most challenging about your writing?

I feel the most challenging part is getting started with a new story. Once I am done with 2-3 chapters, there is nothing that can stop me from completing a book.

5.       What do you do when you are not writing?

I am either sleeping peacefully or thinking about what character should be killed next in my new book. I always have murdered someone in each book. I am not kind when it comes to my books and my editor also has told me that I don’t have to be.

6.       How do you keep coming up with material/content for your story?

I read a lot and when I come across something unique or different, I imagine a story around that. It doesn’t always work, but when it does, I have a new novel to publish.

7.       Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books?

I don’t think anyone needs a tip nowadays. People are intelligent enough to make the right choices. However, if you want to make it big, you must focus on small-small things.

8.       What’s the best thing a writer can give to his readers?

A book worth embracing. What else a writer can give? Yes, an interview worth reading.

9.       A lot of people are interested in writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from writing?

I am not against writing for money, but I feel it is what people must not do. Writing is a work of soul and it must not be seen as how much you can earn out of it.  

But if they seriously want to earn, copywriting, scriptwriting, editing, and ghost-writing are some of the things they can do.

10.   What motivates you most in life?

New books, movies, web series, and people. There are many sources. I feel the whole world is a source of motivation.

11.   The majority of the readers tend to take sides due to religion and other considerations.

This is unfortunate. Art is divine and people should not mix it with religions or whatsoever.

12.   Tell us about your new release, “It doesn’t end here”?

This book is the first in the trilogy of End Series. It is the story of Samuel and Sara. Samuel wants to break up with Sara because he has outgrown. However, Sara has something else to share with him. It is a romantic read. However, its sequel will be a crime thriller.

13.   What are your views on increasing plagiarism?

I believe there should be strict laws to protect copyright. Also, authors should get their books copyrighted before sharing or sending them to publishers so they can sue the culprit or at least shame them publicly. 

 So this month's featured Author is ' Vandana Saxena'

 So this month featuring Author is  ' Manali Desai'

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Your profession and your hobbies! 

Somehow, that question still makes me feel like I'm appearing for a job interview. But I'll relent anyway. So, I'm Manali Desai, a freelance writer and editor cum blogger. 

 My hobbies include hunting for ideas for my writing, and some normal ones like reading and binge-watching a series or catching up on my movie watch list. 

Quesionairrie with Manali Desai

 1.      How did you first get involved in with writing, are you an imaginative person?

As a hobby, I got involved with writing since my teenage. Professionally I began content writing in 2012. And since then I have been exploring other areas of writing such as copywriting, book publishing, ghostwriting, and much more.

Yes, my imagination is my solace from the mundane and routine life. Also, my source for fiction which ultimately becomes my bread and butter. 

 2. What do you find most challenging about your writing?

Turning the many ideas that turn up in my imaginative mind into something concrete and worthy of reading. 

3. What do you do when you are not writing?

Either read or travel; sometimes both together. 

 4. Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

I believe in taking life as it comes, living one day at a time, but also following a schedule every day. So, this 6 months and 5 years future question, isn't really something I focus on. But yes, one thing is clear, I want to grow as a writer and explore new areas of writing. 

 5.      How do you keep coming up with material / content for your story?

Through everyday incidents and my observation

6. Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books?

1. Don't write to get published. 

      2. Know and understand the kind of publishing options available out there and the difference                      between each. 

       3. WRITE EVERY DAY 

7. What’s the best thing a writer can give to his readers?

 An honest piece of writing. Seriously, a piece written from the heart, will most definitely resonate and not to mention, give you satisfaction like nothing else when it comes to your work. 

 8.  A lot of people are interested in writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interested in making money from writing? What are some realistic expectations in regard to what can be made?

 Book sales alone won’t be enough (unless you are Chetan Bhagat) so you’ll need to keep exploring more options and be open about writing n varied topics and on varied platforms. There are many platforms like Medium, Vocal, PopSugar, et, al that pay writers well for any kind of piece that contributed to their platform. You can also take-up freelance writing work like content writing, copywriting, etc.

 But with everything said and done, one thing to keep in mind is to be consistent with your writing and have the patience to start earning potentially well.

9.     What motivates you most in life?

The goal to keep getting better. 

10.  The majority of the readers tend to take sides due to religion and such other considerations.

My motto is, 'Focus on the creation rather than the creator'. This helps me choose without bias and I guess that should help any reader make a choice. 

 11.  What is the story behind the name of your book?

The Art of Being Grateful and Other Stories was titled after the book cover was finalised. The simple reason being, the cover resonated best with that story which is one of the 8 short stories in the book. 

12.  What are your views on increasing plagiarism?

There needs to be a line between inspiration and blatant copying. Of course, I follow others in my field are doing too, but how do I make myself different from them or how I add the 'my factor' to what I do, is what differentiates inspiration from plagiarism. 

It's a shame that despite being so talented on our own, some of us don't put in that effort and resort to copying other's work.