Writing a book is hard. It’s a lot of work to show up every day and put in the required words despite sickness, despite fatigue and no matter how many other things are going on in your life.
It’s also a lot of work to edit and rewrite a book. To go through each word, to correct the grammar and the awkward prose, to fix plot holes and sometimes to rewrite entire sections of the book is a lot of work.
To publish a book is another battle. Getting the cover designed, getting the pages laid out, coordinating the upload and the printing.
But releasing a book is especially hard. Not the process, or the technicalities of it, but just the act of letting your story out of your safekeeping and instead opening it up to scrutiny and criticism. This is hard.
So, here I am vulnerable as ever, releasing my book to you. The reader is the final collaborator in any story. I did my half of the work, created the characters, the setting, and the plot. Now it’s your turn to imbue it with meaning, theme, and subtext. I wrote about Meera’s blue eyes, but only you can see their hue. I wrote about Chandra’s battle with the lion, but only you can experience it in all its majesty and brutality. I will tell you the story of Bindusara and his actions, but only you can decide if they were justified or unforgivable.
Like a stable hand who has cared for a horse for long and hands over the reins to its rider, I am entrusting this story to you, to do with it as you please, to let you take you where you wish it to go. I hope you enjoy the ride.
As an exclusive sneak peek ahead of the official launch, please click HERE to read the first short story from The Lion of Bharat and the first five chapters from Born to be King.
Join me LIVE on my Instagram on May 14, Saturday night at 7 p.m IST to chat about The Lion of Bharat and anything else that’s on your mind! I’ll have some paperback copies to give away to lucky winners who take part and comment.
See you in the next blog! Warm regards!
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.