Gods of War is in bookstores – I’m not! :-)

So, it’s finally here. Almost a month and a half after it’s official publication date: 15th August as listed on the Penguin India website, Gods of War is finally in all Indian bookstores. In fact, I received word on Monday, but waited till Thursday to confirm it. And I’m hearing from people everywhere that they’re buying copies, for themselves as well as for friends or relatives. So it’s already selling!

Now here’s the downside: There are no readings, signings, launch events, or any kind of promotional activities planned for the book. I was in touch with Penguin India from end-July, the first time in my career that I’ve even remembered the release date of a book before it happened! Venues were booked, events were planned, and I was taking an active part in the planning. But due to the constant delays, venue bookings were cancelled and finally, now, with elections looming and Penguin having a dozen other book launches already lined up in October, and Diwali around the corner, it looks like there will not be any promotional events or activities for Gods of War.

I’ve done what I could to make up for it: By offering signed copies at MRP weeks ahead of the book being available in bookstores. Those are sold out now and it’s time for me to return to my writing. I’m sure Penguin never meant for things to work out this way, but here we are. In the end, it’s all for the best: I had no events or PR for my past 3 books, not counting the Ramayana hardcovers which also came out unheralded, and those of you who have been tracking my career know that the media rarely bothers with me, or I with the media.

So this it. Moving on now… to the next book. And the others after that!

Picture of window display, Crossword Kemp’s Corner, courtesy Dr Ranjit Mankeshwar – thanks, @qtfan ! )