Vengeance of Ravana and Sons of Sita

Would you like to see two more books in my Ramayana series published?

Not written, mind you, because they’re already written, but published.

You do?

Well, what are you waiting for?

Head on over to the Readerswrite page, read the ongoing discussion on these two unsubmitted manuscripts lying on my workdesk right now, and pitch in with your comment in favour of (or against) publishing these books.

And don’t forget to leave your full name when you comment. That’s so that I can thank all of you who join in the discussion if and when these books appear.

How did this come about? Well, a brief explanation…

As some of you who’ve been in touch with me before know quite well, I’m notorious for leaving books unpublished for years after finishing them.

Why? Well, partly because I don’t think an author should publish everything he’s written, no matter how good the books are, because while writing is a creative occupation, publication is a commercial process, and it’s easy for a writer, especially one who’s fairly successful as I seem to be, to get seduced by the lure of capitalistic commerce, and keep publishing everything he writes, until he reaches a point where he looks back and realizes he’s just been publishing to earn money, without regard for his art.

So I write a lot of books, and put them aside, and move on to other books. (I only write, read and spend time with my family, which is why I’m able to produce so much–you’d be surprised how much work you get done when you cut out useless stuff like ‘networking’ and socializing and self-promotional activities from a writer’s life.) And some time later, maybe months, maybe years, maybe even decades, I come back to the manuscript and look at it, and decide, perhaps, to send it to a publisher.

This also ensures that I’m not publishing something just because it’s what readers or publishers want right now. Or because it coincides with a current trend or something that’s in the news. I began writing my Ramayana at a time when it seemed like madness and career suicide to even attempt a modern reteling of the Ramayana, of all things. And by the time it was published, the whole fuss and furore about the Ramayana being potentially ‘controversial’ seemed like a non-issue. As I said at the time, “controversies and politics change every day, the Ramayana has lasted thousands of years.”

That’s what a good story should be: It should be as relevant to read today or twenty three years from now, or even a hundred years later.

But with my Mba requiring at least another year or two to complete, I recently began to think, well, why not look at the pile of completed manuscripts and see if there’s something there that’s worth publishing.

These two novels, Vengeance of Ravana and Sons of Sita seem to fit that bill.

And so, if enough readers out there–this means you, my friend–are still eager to read more in my Ramayana series, well, just post your vote of support on the Readerswrite page now.

And if, in another few weeks, there are enough people voting ‘Aye’, then, yes, I will finally pluck up the courage to send those two manuscripts to my publisher.

And if they also vote ‘Aye’, well, then, about six months after that, you’ll finally know what happened to Rama, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, et al, after the war of Lanka.

And what happened after that.

As well as the answers to many questions left unanswered at the end of King of Ayodhya.

So go on, vote by leaving a comment. And let’s see how this turns out.

For once, you’ll be deciding how this ends, instead of me.

Nov 20, 2007 | Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »

FAQs of (my) life: Updated January 2007

These are several Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s), recently updated to include the latest news on my front. If you’d like to ask me a question, visit the Readerswrite page and leave a comment there.

UPDATED: 8 NOVEMBER, 2007.

When is your next book being published?
As of November 2007, I have no new book in the publication pipeline. Although I have several publishable manuscripts, I have chosen not to send any of them to my publishers until I complete my Mba and have a chance to relook at them all and decide which one to publish next. Since the kind of books I write are not topical or dependent on passing fads or trends, nor are they written to deadline, it could be a long time before you see my next book in stores. Perhaps even years.
Update, 24 January 2008: Am now on the final draft of my Mba. I now expect to start offering volumes of the Mba for publication in a few weeks, and the series should start appearing this year itself. Keep checking this page or The Mba Page for updates.

If you don’t promote your books or do book launches, readings, signings, etc, how will we know when your new book is published?
Stay in touch with this website, and I will mention an upcoming book once it’s published–although I won’t promote it even here on my own website, just as I don’t promote my previous books, as you can see for yourself. But you will know that the book is published, and that’s really all that matters, isn’t it?

When will your Mahabharata be published?
When I finish writing it. (For more details, check out the Mba page).

Is your Ramayana series being adapted to film? Details, please!
As of now, there is no film adaptation in production, nor have the rights been purchased, although several substantial offers have been received from major Hollywood studios and production houses including Warner Brothers, Sir Ben Kingsley Pictures, Canyon Entertainment, Endeavour Agency, William Morris Agency, Adlabs Films, and people working with ILM (George Lucas’ special effects company), New Line Cinema, and the director and producer of 300 have all claimed to be huge fans of the books. An option was purchased early in 2007 for a substantial sum of money but to date no film has ensued and the option is due to lapse. Meanwhile, new offers continue to roll in and once the current option period expires, I will be open to new proposals.

Is the film adaptation of your Ramayana series books going to be an animated film? I read something about you writing an animated film.
To the best of my knowledge, no. The film adaptation of my Ramayana series was intended to be a live-action film with Indian actors, shot on actual locations as well as sets. It would be what’s called a VFX film these days, definitely not animation. However, I love the medium of animation and would personally love to see my work adapted to animation, or even write, produce and direct an animation film based on any one of several original stories I have. I know several professionals in the animation industry and am in talks about such a project, but as of now, nothing concrete has been finalized, mainly because I don’t wish to tie myself up with anything that may distract from my book writing.

We’re huge fans of your’s. Would you please, please, please inaugurate our college literary festival?
I’m flattered that you thought of me, but I don’t do any kind of PR at all, not even promoting my own books. In fact, I’m against all book promotion and authorial self-promotion, without exception. You can always keep in touch with me through comments or Live Chat on this website though!

Will you deliver a talk or workshop for our college/cultural group/literary festival, etc?
I’m flattered that you thought of me, but I don’t do any kind of PR at all, not even promoting my own books. You can always keep in touch with me through comments or Live Chat on this website though!

Our bookstore would like to host a book reading and signing with you.
I’m flattered that you thought of me, but I don’t do any kind of PR at all, not even promoting my own books. You can always keep in touch with me through comments or Live Chat on this website though!

May I interview you for my newspaper/channel/magazine/radio channel/site?
I’m flattered that you thought of me, but I don’t do any kind of PR at all, not even promoting my own books. You can always keep in touch with me through comments or Live Chat on this website though!

Who’s your agent or literary representative? And your PR firm?
I don’t use an agent or representative, manager, associate, assistant, PR firm, etc. I work completely alone, and do everything myself, from research to writing to contracts, and even make my own tea.

I’m the Editor of a forthcoming anthology, and would love to include a short story by you. Our pay rate would be xyz.
I’m sorry. While several of my short stories were published internationally over the past twenty years, I haven’t written short stories for several years now. I can’t write a new one for you as I don’t accept commissioned assignments.

Hi. You may remember me from your advertising days. My client is a major MNC/Corporation/well-known brand/etc and thinks highly of your work. We want you to write and direct a TV ad spot for XYZ brand. Please let us know your charges and when you can come in for a briefing.
Hi. It’s been a long time since my brief stint in advertising (in the 80’s). Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t do that kind of work anymore.

Dear Mr Banker, this is Ekta Kapoor. I’m your biggest fan since your novel Vertigo was first published back in 1993. It was one of the inspirations for my first success, as I have said in several media interviews. Congrats on all your success. It would be really great to combine our talents and do something great together. When and where can I meet you to discuss?
Dear Ekta, I’m truly and sincerely flattered by your offer. Yes, I have read your generous comments praising Vertigo and my work. I do appreciate that. However, I don’t do commissioned projects anymore, and no longer write television serials. Thank you for your interest and I wish you all the best.

Mr Banker, sir, our client is the main sponsor for the (country name) Cricket team and he is a great admirer of your work. He wishes to commission you to write a book of short stories on the theme of tea, which is the product he manufacturers. On his behalf, we would like to invite you to his tea estate in (country name) as his honoured guest. Please let us know dates convenient to you and your charges for writing the short stories.
Dear sirs, thank you, and please thank your client as well. I’m honoured by his appreciation but I don’t take on commissioned work. I wish you the very best in finding other writers more suited to the task.

I am a great fan of your’s and am really eager to meet you and get a glimpse of the man behind the work. Please don’t say no!
Occasionally, I do meet with readers directly, usually at a food court in a mall over a cup of tea, with my family present. But the last few ‘readers’ who said they needed to meet me urgently turned to be people with various business propositions in mind rather than a mere meeting of minds. So I have to gently suggest that you enjoy the books, and forget about the man who wrote them, thank you for your interest, best wishes.
You can always keep in touch with me through comments or Live Chat on this website though!

Sirji, I am the producer of a forthcoming film on Buddha/Rama/Krishna/ Hanuman/etc and feel that nobody can do justice to the script as you can. Let’s meet to discuss terms and deadlines. We have a $20 million production budget.
Sorry, sirji. I don’t do commissioned work and am not accepting scriptwriting work at present.

Namaskaram, Shri Ashokji. We are the trust that manages the ABCD Temple in (place name). We are great admirers of your Ramayana novels. You are doing a great thing for Indian culture. We would like to meet with you to discuss your writing some scripts for corporate films for us, as well as two books on our sanstha. We are willing to pay a fee of Rs 35 lakhs for each script. Can we meet at Taj Land’s End, Bandra, on (xyz) day at (xyz) time?
Dear Punditji, I am sorry but I don’t take on commissioned assignments, whatever the fee and am not available for scriptwriting work.

Dear Ashok Banker, I am a literary agent based in New York. We handle authors such as (names). Congratulations on the tremendous success of your Ramayana books. We have a publisher who is looking for an Indian writer to produce a non-fiction book on Vaastu Shaastra/Bollywood/Sunjay Dutt/Vedic Mathematics. The advance being offered is $50,000 but it is negotiable.
Dear NYC Literary Agent, I’m sorry but I don’t accept commissioned assignments, whatever the advance. I only write original books that I wish to write and then seek a publisher afterwards. I also don’t work with agents or representatives and only deal directly with publishers–which is why I don’t publish in the USA since all major publishers there only deal through agents.

Hi Ashok, this is XYZ, Editor of (name of publication). We would like you to write an essay/editorial column/book review/etc for our Anniversay issue/Sunday edition/etc. The deadline is (date).
Hi, XYZ, nice hearing from you. Even if I wanted to write, my books seem to demand every last bit of my energy these days, and I’m one of those unfashionably low-profile people who prefers to keep his name out of the media–even as a byline under an essay, article or reivew.

Where can I find copies of your books in the USA?
You can’t. My books are only published in India.

Where do you live, in India, USA or elsewhere?
In India since birth. I don’t own a passport and have never been outside India.

What religion, caste, etc, are you?
I’m of mixed race, mixed religion, and was exposed to so many different cultural and communal influences when growing up that I guess you’d have to just call me ‘Indian’.

Nov 20, 2007 | Uncategorized | Leave A Comment »