A Summing Up
At the beginning of this year, of 2015, I had just published my first novel, Spy, Interrupted: The Waiting Wife. I didn’t know what to expect. After all, I was a research scientist-what did I know of book publishing or promoting a novel? But it has been an incredible year.
The support from friends and family has been simply amazing. They came out in strength to buy my book and show up at book readings and literary festivals, to cheer me on. They bought the Kindle version in India even though they knew it might be hard to find a Kindle reader–because the print edition was not available.
And I made new friends. Writers Jacob Appel, Rich Marcello and Spencer Seidel shared their experience and wisdom, encouraging me to publish and not to hesitate or overthink. Directors of public libraries, owners and managers of independent book stores and organizers of literary festivals–they were welcoming and accessible, and appreciative even if they could not help at that point in time. And it reinforced what I already knew–people who love books and reading are the most friendly and engaging people on the planet. The room simply lights up once the conversation turns to plots, characters and dirty deeds.
I met two great professionals: my publicist Tara and my website designer Gabby. They are a joy to work with, so good natured and full of fun, and always ready to listen to my breathless ideas.
Finally, I get the most satisfaction from the purpose of this entire venture. My husband Kumar and I, with my father’s encouragement and participation, want to support literary and educational causes. That’s why we have donated to International Rescue Committee, Kiva and Malala’s fund among others through our non-profit 501(c)3 company, IndiaWrites. Our royalties are not significant at this point in time but that will change 😉 with the future success of my second novel, The Perfect Candidate: Spy, Interrupted (Book 2). We have big plans for IndiaWrites!
We hope that 2016 will be even more remarkable as we learn from 2015 and improve our ability to get the word out and enlist more writers to our cause. Please join us!
A very happy new year to you and yours!
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