Readerswrite
30,045 READER EMAILS+COMMENTS REPLIED TO SINCE 2003!
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The Readerswrite Archives are too massive to keep online. Only the most recent comments are posted here. As always, I reply to ALL comments personally as soon as I possibly can. Do remember to come back and read my response – and feel free to drop by and keep in touch anyday, anytime. If you have a comment or query pertaining to a specific post, it’s usually best to leave it at the bottom of that post itself.
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SLAYER OF KAMSA: Book 1 of The Krishna Coriolis will be out next month (October). Written in a pacier style than my Ramayana Series, this short impactful book details the rise to power of the monstrous Kamsa and his brutal campaign to thwart the birth of the prophesied 8th Child. 
May 4th, 2010 at 11:00 am
Dear Ashok,
I refuse to accept that the Mahabharata series may not be published at all. Delay is acceptable but this is not. Readers of good books all around the world and your fans in particular shall be very disappointed if the series does not come out after all the years of waiting patiently. What is more surprising is that you have accepted this situation. I have known you from your writings as a fighter & crusader. Giving up so easily is simply unacceptable.
Or have you finally come to accept that good books too need advertising to reach out to good readers. Somehow I can’t help but thinking that had you gone for large scale publicity like some authors do, your works would have been more famous among the readers and publishers would have been less reluctant to seize this opportunity to publish a series of potential best sellers.
I’m sorry if I sound rude & crude but I’m trying to goad you into action and to make you refuse the accept the situation/circumstances.
Shailendra
April 30th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Ramachandran,
Don’t feel pained. It happens. The Mba was one of several projects I’ve been working on. I’m actually quite happy with the way my other books are going and many are better than the Mba would ever have been, in my opinion.
I think you’ve missed the point of why I had to shelve the Mba – not because it wasn’t possible to publish it in print form – it definitely is possible and several publishers are eager to do so, but because no publisher is willing to commit the resources needed to ensure such a large project is given its due, as well as the author given his (my) due. Do read the discussion under the post to get a clearer picture and you’ll understand why PoD, ebook, etc are out of the question. Click on the link below…
http://ashokbanker.com/2010/04/29/an-epic-ends-even-before-it-begins-akb-mba-shelved-indefinitely/
Thanks again for your support!
Ashok
April 30th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Pained to know that MBA is shelved.
There should be someway to publish MBA in alternative streams to selected interested audience like POD , eBook. I know you would’ve thought about it.
April 29th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Hi Nikhil,
Not sure what you mean by ‘category’? Shelved? If so, then no.
Slayer of Kamsa and Dance of Govinda, the first two books of The Krishna Coriolis have been bought by HarperCollins India and are scheduled for publication in 2011. One presumes they will publish the rest of the Krishna series (8 books total), and I have to say that they’re very enthusiastic about the Mba as well, which is meant to be published side by side, but as I’ve explained briefly in the post, the sheer logistics are daunting.
The Krishna Coriolis books are much shorter books, shorter even than my Ramayana Series, about 300 to 400 pages each. And the first book, Slayer of Kamsa, is even shorter, just 200 or so pages. Short books are no problem, it’s the massive length of the Mba Series books – each one thrice as long as the Ramayana Series books – that makes publishers blanch and flinch!
Ashok
April 29th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Horrifying news about MBA! I was so looking forward to reading it, with all the other books in-between as fillers! Are even the Krishna stories in the same category?
April 28th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Oops! Well, I really did think that the graphic styles looked quite similar
Even if you’re off FB, you can always check our the Ravanayan graphics from someone else’s login. But no rush …
You take care then. Cheers
Mallika
April 27th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Mallika,
Hi again. And LOL!
I realized I know the project you’re speaking about – Ravanayan. It’s a graphic novel being written by a friend of mine, Vijayendra Mohanty. I now assume you were referring to some similarities between the visual style of that graphic novel and that of my Ramayana graphic novel? Well, you’re wrong, the graphic style has absolutely nothing in common with my Ramayana. For one thing, this is the usual exaggerated cartoony style that was used by Virgin Comics and is used in most American comics even now. Whereas my Ramayana graphic novel is illustrated by Enrique Alcatena, an Argentinian artist with a completely different style and technique altogether – in fact, its his uniqueness of style which makes the illustrations so different from all American comics and graphic novels.
It’s not even a question of which is better – I’ve known about Ravanayan for a while and wish Vimoh (Vijayendra’s Twitter handle) the very best with it. They’re so totally different that I’m amused you even thought there was any similarity!
Best
Ashok
April 27th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Hi Mallika,
Nice to hear from you.
Yes, I’m well, thanks for asking, and writing quite leisurely, not furiously at all.
April 27th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
Hi Ashok
I hope this message finds you well – and writing furiously!
If you havent already, do look up “Ravanayan” on Facebook. The graphics are stunningly similar to yours.
Cheers
Mallika
April 27th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Hi Nikhil,
Yes, long time indeed! Good to hear from you. I really liked The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Sad it got canned.
I also highly recommend Medium, The Wire, and among new shows, The Good Wife and Flashforward (which is also being canned after this first season).
Best
Ashok
April 27th, 2010 at 6:00 am
Hi Ashok, Long time no write! I remembered you this weekend. I was watching an episode of ‘The Sarah Connor Chronicles’, which I (think I) remember you recommending. Loved the episode-where you hear a lady’s voice-over of the Wizard of Oz, while watching a terminator being hunted and destroyed. Made Oz seem like a scary story. Good serial!
April 25th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Hi Abhishek,
I’m fine, thanks for asking.
I was wondering about Mahayoddhya Rama too – until I learned some months ago that apparently there was a falling out between the two production firms – partners – who were co-producing the film together, over each one’s share of ownership. Due to this falling out, the film was first delayed and now, in my opinion, it’s indefinitely stalled. I doubt it will ever see the light of day now, which is sad because it was 80% complete.
Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence on movies. I just read the other day that there may not be another Bond film because of a similar disagreement over rights. It’s the reason why the Bond films have taken so long to produce, and only come out once every few years, because of a long-running dispute between the two producers who co-own the rights. At least in the case of MYR, I got paid for my work and I got paid a LOT more than what Ian Fleming got for the rights to the entire Bond franchise!
Ashok
April 25th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Hi Ashok,
Hope you are doing fine.
Just quickly checking in to ask about the status of the “Mahayoddha Rama”, the animation film that was almost complete and was going to release by now?
Am waiting eagerly for it
Thanks,
Abhi
April 24th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Hi Viveak,
And get paid even longer…!
Ashok
April 24th, 2010 at 11:24 am
hahahah rotfl
just read the exchange between you and the retired demon….havent laughed this bad in ages…funny yet insightful…
may u write long…
April 14th, 2010 at 9:06 am
Hi Leena,
Thanks for your enquiry. I assure you I’m not the one stopping the sales outside of India! As an author, I want my books to be widely available to readers everywhere. Of course, I am against the sale of illegal, culturally censored or pirated editions of my work anywhere. Which is why the first six books of my Ramayana Series were not available outside India.
Vengeance of Ravana was indeed available for overseas readers. It’s only recently that the overseas bookstore had to shut down temporarily so they can deal with mailing issues. Sons of Sita is not published yet, and not available anywhere yet, not even in India! The AKB Books editions available from this website are limited edition signed copies. There are only a few hundred copies of each title printed and they sell out quickly, I’m afraid. Nothing I can do about that. For instance, I opened pre-orders for Sons of Sita and the entire limited edition sold out in less than a week. That’s simply the ratio of demand to supply.
The only way that my books could be freely available in the USA again would be if a publisher there were to purchase the US publication rights and offer copies for sale. However, I’ve been told by several dozen publishers and agents that in the ‘present US climate’ nobody is interested in reading ‘foreign authors’ and they advise me to stick to publishing the books in my own country. I have no idea what that means – I’m just telling you what they say.
For the moment, there’s really nothing more I can do for you. I wish there was.
Thanks again for writing in.
Best wishes
Ashok
April 14th, 2010 at 1:53 am
I live the US and have enjoyed reading the first 6 books of the Ramyana series;hoever, I am having a difficult time purchasing book & and 8 (Vengence of Ravana & Sons of Sita). I was told that you are not authorizing the sale of these two books outside of Indian. Please let me know how and where I can purchase a copy of these books.
thank you.
April 12th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Hi Reshma,
Thank you for your reminder and kind words. If you can give me till the end of this week (Friday) I shall be able to give you a definite answer.
Ashok
April 12th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
The school would be honoured to have you. Kindly do take out some time and make the zonals a memorable experience for the students who will be coming from all parts of the west zonal. Thank you. Awaiting your response.
April 12th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Hi Divya,
Glad to hear you found it at last and that it was worth it! Vengeance of Ravana is currently available only via this website – the Penguin mass market edition will only be in bookstores after several months.
Ashok
April 12th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
Hi Mr. Banker
I finally found the Seige of Mithila
And have finished it over the weekend its amazing
Now the next in line is vengence of ravana
April 6th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I’m quite honoured to be invited to judge such a prestigious competition. I’m aware of the Frank Anthony Debate – it’s considered the most prestigious debate contest in India.
Could you give me a few days to figure out my travel plans and other commitments before replying? I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible and give you a definite answer.
Thank you!
I shall. Thank you again for your kind words and even kinder invitation.
Best
Ashok
April 6th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Hello,
I’m a language teacher with an ICSE school in Goregaon, Mumbai. My school is hosting the Frank Anthony Memorial betae competition on June 25, 2010. I would be gratful to know if you would be able to gace us with your presence as the judge for the competition. This is a national level debate and our school is hosting it for the west zone. I know you are quite busy with your work but it would be wonderful to have you with us.
I have read your, ‘Prince of Ayodhya’ and found it to be superb. I think you are doing a wonderful job of rejuvenating the epic tales.
Kindly respond as soon as possible. I would love to hear from you with a positive response.
Thank you.
April 3rd, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Dear M. Ovelar,
Thank you for your enquiry. I would be very pleased to answer any questions you have. You may post the questions here on this page if you wish. Or email them to me and I will respond either way. (I am also responding to your request by email.)
Best regards
Ashok
April 3rd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
This is M. Ovelar, a journalist from the Spanish newspaper EL PAÍS, the
most important newspaper both in Spain and in South America with more than 400.000 newspapers distributed worldwide everyday.
I am writing to you because I would like to interview you.
Thank you in advance,
m.