My July IWSG Post and the book world I would live in

 

June was a super hectic for me, two of my books are hurtling for publication in the next few weeks. So, the entire month I was switching between reading edits notes, editing, going through proofs, finalizing covers, going through typeset copies of both the books. Luckily one is a nonfiction book and the other is a fantasy (my favourite genre). Sending the blurbs, author note, acknowledgement, dedication etc. In between, I was doing all my freelance writing and columns. But it was a nice tension, not the worrying kind but adrenaline rushing type.

I had a school session on the 20th for students of grade 2 and 3 of GIIS (Global Indian International School). The children had returned after two years of lockdown and were super enthusiastic and super keen. I had a wonderful time reading two stories and autographing the books for the students.

Enough of my news, it’s the first Wednesday of the month, it’s time for IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) post. IWSG is an online group of writers, it was started by Alex J Cavanaugh the author of Amazon Bestsellers, the successful Cassa series of books : CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars. The IWSG website is full of informative writing related posts. To read the other IWSG posts, visit the group’s page.

July 6 question - If you could live in any book world, which one would you choose?

The awesome co-hosts for the July 6 posting of the IWSG are J Lenni Dorner, Janet Alcorn, PJ Colando, Jenni Enzor and DianeBurton!

I would choose the Harry Potter world. I am a huge, huge, Potter fan. I can easily visualize myself in Hogwarts attending Potions classes and Defence Against The Dark Arts and walking through the corridors with my wand in hand.

What about you all? Which book world would you live in?

 

 

 

My June IWSG Post and when the going gets tough while writing

May was a hectic month for me, I spent the first ten days going over the edits and proofs of my new book, a collection of animal stories titled ‘Chaos in the Jungle and Other Stories,’ published by Ukiyoto Publishing. It released around 11 May (the kindle version) and 14 May (paperback). This was the book for which I had signed the contract in April 2022.

I just saw that amazing Alex Cavanaugh has already given my book a shoutout on his blog in his previous post about new releases. Thankyou Alex, you truly are a gem of a person.

Then in the last one week I have been going through the edits of my non-fiction book, the editor sent me the first edit copy for review. This book will release in August to celebrate India’s 75 years of independence.

 I’m also revising my fantasy novel with my editor’s suggestions. This book is heading for a July release. Will share both these covers in a few weeks.

Things are normal here in India, though I’m always wearing a mask when I step out of my house, some people aren’t. Hope we have left Covid19 far behind us.

All too soon we dropped into June and its time for IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group). IWSG started by Alex J Cavanaugh, the author of Amazon Bestsellers : CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars. Hop over to the IWSG website for some amazing posts and do try to support IWSG members by visiting their blogs and commenting on their IWSG posts.

June 1 question - When the going gets tough writing the story, how do you keep yourself writing to the end? If you have not started the writing yet, why do you think that is and what do you think could help you find your groove and start?

The awesome co-hosts for the June 1 posting of the IWSG are SE White, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguire, JoyleneNowell Butler, and Jacqui Murray.

For my love story I got so badly stuck that I wanted to shelve that book for some time, at one point. But luckily for me, I continued writing and constantly motivated myself that I could work through that roadblock and writer’s block (I had got stuck at a very crucial point in the book). That book was and is very close to my heart, there was no way I was giving it up for anything. I feel we should just keep writing and the knots will start untangling.

What about you all?

 

 

 

My May IWSG Post and my writing highs and lows

 

April was a lucky month for me as I signed two book deals and luckily for me, both the books will be out by June, maybe end of May itself. I’m doing a happy dance. Plus, I also discussed a picture book trilogy with another independent publisher.

With a new month and the first Wednesday of the month, it’s time for IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) post. IWSG is an online group of writers, it was started by Alex J Cavanaugh the author of Amazon Bestsellers : CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars. The IWSG website is packed with writing related posts. To read the other IWSG posts, visit the group’s page.

May 4 question - It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?

The awesome co-hosts for the May 4 posting of the IWSG are Kim Elliot, Melissa Maygrove, Chemist Ken, Lee Lowery, and Nancy Gideon!

I have had both the highs and lows and trust me when I say that both have been in extremes. The writer highs have ofcourse been book contracts and amazing reader reviews and the books going into multiple reprints, inching towards 10,000 copies being sold of each title. The lows have been a series of long waits by the publishers for replies and the delays of two of my non-fiction books, due to the pandemic and the lockdowns.

Writer lows: Last year I signed a contract for a picture book with a new and small publisher. I was paid a small advance by the publisher and next week the contract was terminated. Luckily the publisher (the single woman organization) asked me to keep the advance as I had revised the book. Before that in 2019, I had been commissioned a mythology book based on my serialized story, by one of India’s independent publishers, the book was ready, complete with wonderful illustrations and the final PDF was sent to me for approval. I promptly went through the PDF and sent in my changes which were done overnight. Sadly, a day later, on the day the book was supposed to be sent to the printer, the editor calls me to tell me that the book has been put on an indefinite hold. A few months later we mutually terminated the contract. As the advance hadn’t yet been paid, there was no money to return.

Well those were the lows, as I had come so close to the books being published,  and then experienced disappointment.

I try to hold on to the highs, instead of clinging to the lows.