Vengeance of Ravana: Book 7 of The Ramayana Series – on the path to publication
This is the almost final cover design for the Penguin India edition of VENGEANCE OF RAVANA: Book 7 of The Ramayana. I’m posting it here along with some good news. The first is that I have finally resolved the textual issues I had with the manuscripts of VoR and SoS and as a result I’ve finally (finally-finally-finally!) decided that both books ought to be published. This means that the series will end at eight books, not six or seven, and that I have finally been able to deal with the Sita banishment issue in a manner with which I feel satisfied. It’s only taken me six years – which is longer than it took me to write the first six books in the series! But it’s done. VoR will be released in a mass market edition by Penguin in a few months, followed within three months by the mass market edition of SoS. I’ll confirm publication dates once Penguin informs me of the same.
For those of you – “you few, you happy few!” – who’ve bought and read the exclusive limited signed AKB BOOKS edition of VoR and have ordered the exclusive limited signed AKB BOOKS edition of SoS, this may not be reason to jump up and down, which is bad for your joints anyway. But for the vast majority of Ramayana Series readers out there, I’m sure you will be happy to see why I chose to rescind my own earlier decision to end the series at six books and chose to continue it in these two additional volumes. I can’t promise that the answers I provide in these two books will please everyone. Indeed, they may please no one. Because the point of writing these books is not to please or displease, it’s simply to complete the mental journey I embarked upon when I began writing Prince of Ayodhya and finished that first book way back in the year 2000, long before any publisher was willing to even look at such a manuscript, let alone publish it. Today, I have journalists, readers, editors, booksellers, publishers and others who keep writing to me and telling me that I’m responsible for a wave of resurgence in Indian mythology. I really don’t give a damn about any resurgence or the commercial ramifications of making mythology “cool” as one editor put it. What I do care about is the wealth of great Indian literature that has been ignored by the world for so long in favour of other mythologies and legends of the western hemisphere and that deserves a wider readership and exposure.
As I’ve always said to anyone who praised me for the series: This is not about me. It’s not my story alone. It’s our story. Our history in fact. I’m proud and happy to have been the one to retell it in my humble and flawed attempt. But I’m not anyone special or talented for having done it, just a product of a great culture and people that share one of the world’s finest storytelling traditions. In my opinion, the finest.
Hi Parag,
Once you write a great manuscript, depending on when that happens – a few years from now if you’re a very fast and talented writer, or a decade or two if you’re like most authors – then there may be many more agents and publishers to choose from. It’s no use getting advice on where to submit until you have something to submit!
If you write a great publishable manuscript on your first attempt, then you will be one of the most talented novelists in this country and will have no trouble finding a publisher or agent, or both if you want. For most of us, it takes a decade or three to get the manuscript right, and then another few years to get it published. In publishing we plan meetings months ahead and books years ahead. My new book, Slayer of Kamsa was completed in 2005 and is being published end of 2010. And that’s quite fast! I hope you have a lot of patience – but since you’re a H.C. advocate, I’m sure you must be.
All the best writing a great novel – it’s much harder than winning a major case in the Supreme Court on your first hearing!
Ashok
Yes Ashok,
You are right. We have so many great epics in our culture that we dont even need to read the western fantasies before we have finished with the wealth of our own culture. I am working as an advocate now in Bombay high Court. glad you remember now!
My ambition to write and sell a novel still remains.. Hopefully I will soon write one and submit it for publication. Can you tell me if I should send a manuscript directly to the publishers or should i find an agent? so far I have only Jacaranda.com, a literary agent. Can you guide me in this?
Hi again Parag,
Lol. I don’t need to guess now – I looked at your email ID and saw your surname there. Of course, I remember you, Parag Dube! And I recall sending you the signed copies as well. I recall you were still studying when you last wrote. Have you completed your studies now? Working?
Glad you like the titles – and yes, my Mba Series is definitely far superior to my Ramayana Series. Even my Krishna Coriolis series is superior to my Ramayana, but the Mba is inherently a greater story, and by hewing closer to the original Sanskrit and attempting to freely translate it into English lyric, I feel I’ve achieved a high level of literary quality. Of course, you and other readers will have to judge for yourselves! I’m happy having striven and succeeded even in some small way to better my art and will always continue to do so.
But the important thing to remember is that I have never sought and will never seek to be known or remembered as a great writer, merely as the author of great epics. It’s not my story in the end, but our story that I retell through these works. Therefore, you and every reader shares an equal part of the credit.
Ashok
Well Ashok,
I am sure I must be one of the two Parags from Pune! The titles are magnificent and I am sure the books are magnificent as well. You always said that your Mba is twice as good as the Ramayana.. Judging by that, I have very high expectations. One more hint which may give you a clue to my identity… I was an aspiring writer then and still am! You were kind enough to send me lots of books including autographed copies of Ramayana… Can u guess now?
Hi Parag,
I recall at least three Parags writing in to me over the years – at least two from Pune itself. But hi and welcome back!
As The Blind King Watched is a great title and remains the title for Book 3 in the series. The book you’re referring to (the first in the Mba) is Volume 0 (Shunya) and is titled The Forest of Stories. Here are the titles of the AKB MBA in order:
THE FOREST OF STORIES: Volume 0 of The Mba Series
THE CHILDREN OF MIDNIGHT: Volume 1 of The Mba Series
THE SEEDS OF WAR: Volume 2 of The Mba Series
AS THE BLIND KING WATCHED: Volume 3 of The Mba Series
BROTHERS IN EXILE: Volume 4 of The Mba Series
WHILE WAR LORDS SPEAK OF PEACE: Volume 5 of The Mba Series
UPON THIS CRIMSON FIELD: Volume 6 of The Mba Series
WHEN THE BLUE GOD AWAKENS: Volume 7 of The Mba Series
BEYOND BLACK WHITE AND GREY: Volume 8 of The Mba Series
THE AGE OF KALI: Volume 9 of The Mba Series
Hello Ashok,
Remember me? This is Parag from Pune… Its great to hear that your Mba series is being published soon. I remember that your original book title for Book 1 was “As the blind king watched” . I rather liked it. Its poetic. Its also great to hear that Vengeance of Ravana is being published soon. I will buy it as soon as it hits the stores. Wish you lots of luck.
Hi Ankit,
That’s quite a coincidence! Thanks for your kind words.
Yes, you’re quite right, KoA raises more questions than it answers. I can’t answer them easily here except to say that as you know, there were far larger forces at play than just Rama and Ravana and those were responsible for the feeling of more happening than was obvious. I’ve tried to answer all questions in the final two books, VoR and SoS (Vengeance of Ravana and Sons of Sita) but VoR also splits off sideways in time to other paths, other explanations. Eventually, once the whole Epic India Library is published, it will all interconnect to form a massive ur-story of which the events of the Ramayana Series are only one part. Once you see that larger picture, those events of KoA (and other questions) will make much more sense and you will be able to see the reasons for yourself without my having to explain them.
Perhaps the biggest challenge for a sincere writer is to answer questions only within the framework and dramatic integrity of the story itself. Not to step out and play ‘guru-guru’ and explain everything. And yes, to keep the reader constantly thinking, questing, guessing – but with definite answers in sight. Even based on what is already known about the Ramayana or with a little research, you can find out those answers at once. All I can do is make the journey sweeter than the reward! (i.e. Give you more exciting books to read and incidentally answer the questions along the way, while taking you off on other tangential paths of adventure!)
Either way, thanks for writing in and for appreciating.
Best
Ashok
Hello Mr. Banker,
I started reading Prince of Ayodhya about 3 months back, and by coincidence finished the last book only yesterday (Dussera), and am glad to know that there are another two in the waiting.
I must congratulate you for weaving a new spin to the old tale. My favourite of the series would always remain Prince of Ayodhya, and Siege of Mithila. For me they were always the “unknown parts” of Ramayana, told in a hush fast tone, and never pondered upon. Thanks for putting an imaginative spin to them. What confused me though is the final chapters of the Book 6. Why did Rama had doubts while killing Ravana? Why was he in such a haste that he didn’t even wanted to listen to Ravana, especially when he had reprived him the last evening? Why did he send lakshman and others to verify? Why wasn’t he as clear minded towards the end as he had been through out the war?
These questions have been burning in my mind since yesterday, and I believe thats what your aim was too. But really would appreciate your views on this.
Eagerly waiting for the Mba series.
Thanks,
Ankit
Dear Dr Amul Kapoor,
It is indeed appropriate that you finished Book 6 of my Ramayana Series on Dassera day. Thank you for your kind words and I appreciate your taking the effort and time to write to tell me how much you liked reading the books.
Arshia Sattar’s abridged translation is certainly a very good one. I can’t recommend it too highly. Perhaps you should try an online Indian bookstore such as Indiaplaza or Flipkart and see if they have it in stock.
My next book which is due for publication any day now – I am waiting for copies to reach me any day – is SLAYER OF KAMSA: Book 1 of the Krishna Coriolis. My Mahabharata retelling, which I call my Mba, will be published starting late next year. Vengeance of Ravana and Sons of Sita are not yet scheduled for publication.
I offer a small number of signed copies of each of my books prior to their mass market publication via this website. If you wish, you can fill up a Request Form selecting the titles that you are interested in. As and when they are available, you will receive an email informing you and at that time you may wish to order the books (or not) as you please. There is no charge for placing a request but since these are very limited copies, the only way to be assured of getting a copy is by placing a request.
Click on this link to place your request: http://ashokbanker.com/akb-books/request-a-book/
Thank you again for writing in and for sharing your kind comments.
All best,
Ashok
Dear Mr Banker,
have finished reading vol 6 of Ramayana & found it very appropriate that i completed it on vijaydashmi i.e today.
Like lakhs of readers I must thank you for helping me revisit all the stories of Ramayana that I had heard at my grand-mother knees nearly forty years ago.
i would like to read Arshia sattar’s transltion of the Ramayana and would request you to guide me where to look for it (I am presently based in kolkata and could not find it in the book stores here).
While visiting your site I got answers to questions like where do I get your of first vol of mahabaharat and am eagerly awaiting the promised vol 7 & 8 of the ramayana series
thanking you once again for helping me read the epic of ramayana
with regards
Dr amul kapoor
Well you can easily assume that I am more than an over-enthusiastic reader!!! I was recently introduced to the series by a friend who regularly visits your blog and had ‘long’ conversations with you over here. He is a bigger and a more enthusiastic fan of yours but unfortunately he missed out on this offer for some reason.
Though now I have asked him to order the slayer of Kamsa – which also reminds me, are you planning to release the limited edition of the MBA series?
Dear Abhay,
No apologies needed – the system is entirely via online form submissions which are easy to trace. Since I use volunteers – basically readers like yourself who help out from time to time, I keep tabs on the overall running myself. As for the impatience, well, man, I’d rather have over-enthusiastic readers than under-enthu ones. Don’t you agree? Contact me anytime, it’s my pleasure to respond.
Ashok
Dear Ashok
Just wanted to inform you that my copy of VOR was delivered to me today after I sent you the message. I am sorry that you had to verify a few things at your end because of me being impatient.
I guess when it comes to books I can act like a 2 year old – restless and impulsive.
Leaving all that aside, I want to thank you for personally looking into the matter and giving out these signed limited editions for your fans.
Thank you
Abhay
Dear Abhay,
I am able to confirm that your copy was definitely despatched by courier on 21st to your Pune address (Daffodils Society, etc). I can only assume that nobody was home to receive it when the courier tried to deliver it. Please wait a day or two more in case they try again. I can only check with the courier on Monday now.
Best
Ashok
Hi Atharva,
Yes, I do tend to have a somewhat bulky memory – I even seem to remember that you’re March-born, but I’m sure that’s wrong because how would I know that? Anyway, it’s admirable that you’re writing historical fiction because I am too! It only took me ten years to finally finish my lifelong research and start writing, but I did so at last, and this year I submitted the manuscript of TEN KINGS, based on the Dasarajna battle in the Rig Veda. This predates the Indus Valley Civilization. Next up in that line is a novel covering the period from the Mahavira, then Buddha, right upto Ashoka. And then comes my Alexandrian age novel about Chandragupta Maurya, Alexander himself and many others! My goal is go continue through to the present day in the Four Wheels of my Epic India Library. There are posts sprinkled around this blog about these various items – search for them if you’re interested.
All the best with your own book. We need not just one but a whole army of historical fiction authors here.
And I also recall that you were a huge fan of Manfredi. Although, to repeat what I said back then: You can do much, much better than him!
Ashok
Dear Mr. Banker
I received my confirmation for VOR on my e-mail address on September, 21. But unfortunately I havent received my copy yet. I would really apreciate if you could try and look into this matter because like many readers I am eagerly awaiting to read VOR.
Thank you for your time.
Abhay
Well, it seems you’ve got an elephantine memory…yes, I’m 21 now, almost a lawyer..one year to go, and an articled clerk in a law firm. My novel (or what is there of it so far) is my attempt to contribute historical fiction to the wealth of Indian English writing we have already..I’ve grown up devouring historical novels about the greeks and romans, the mongols and the visigoths, native americans, napoleonic soldiers, you name it..we but have shockingly little historical fiction in english based on indian history (if you have read any good novels please, please tell me). So I thought it’s high time we had strong body of indian english ‘hi-fi’ to call our own, hence my book…its set in the India just after Alexander’s invasion and follows a mercenary soldier, his brother and an assorted cast of characters as they accompany a young boy with kingly ambitions and his ugly, eccentric tutor on their path to power.
Yes, of course I’ll stay in touch..this blog is a great place- I’ve been going through the posts. Great to hear from you again!
Hi Atharva,
Of course I remember you – we even met in person in June 2005 at Crossword Kemp’s Corner. You were 16 then, I recall, so you must be 21 or 22 now and a graduate, like my son Ayush! I remember all the readers who’ve been in touch with me – almost every single one of the 30,000+ so far!
I’m intrigued to hear about your historical novel. All the best with it! And thanks for the wishes! Stay in touch now.
Ashok
Ashok,
I don’t know if you remeber me- Atharva: I used to frequent your old epic india website/blog and avdily follow and review your ramayana. After devouring book six, I went into hibernation…to focus on two things: my job and the historical fiction novel I’ve been struggling to write (struggling against my own sloth, that is). Today I happened to google you again to find out about your mahabharata project and found this blog. Great to see you’re still at it. I will refrain from reading your online krisna excerpts, instead, I’ll buy the book when it comes out. Still a fan, and cheers!
Atharva
Dear Bala,
You are reaching out to me in person! It is not practical for me to give out my telephone number, especially for book requests since I get several dozen requests a day. SoS has never been published, not even in a limited edition. It is now indefinitely delayed due to a publishing technicality. Your request for 2 copies of VoR (and other books) has been received and is being processed. Feel free to leave a comment here again any time you wish to communicate with me. This way, I can catch up with comments and reply at my convenience, rather than being on call telephonically at any hour! I’m sure you understand.
Best wishes
Ashok
Does this mean that we can get SoS soon. I would be really obliged if I can get a copy of the limited edition you had circulated earlier. In fact even on a returnable basis.
Is there a way we can speak or reach out to you in person please.
Chirag,
Have passed on the message to my trusty ‘elves’ – your second order of VoR stands cancelled. Not to worry.
Best
Ashok
Hi Ashok,
I accidentally filled out the request form twice, so I’m about to receive my second copy of Vengeance of Ravana (I already received the first copy). Is there anyway you can stop shipment of this second book? Thanks.
Chirag
Hey Gaurav,
No delay, man. I’m here, whenever you can drop by! Yeah, it’s tough for writers, especially the long waiting. Most new writers don’t know that or else they probably wouldn’t enter the biz!
And yes, count on these books hitting the stands…can’t promise soon or super soon but hit the stands they will.
Risidi Ticket sounds interesting. I’ll definitely catch it!
Ashok
hey ashok,
sorry for the delay… was away for work and then to goa for a friends wedding….
your comment made me feel so bad for all the writers…. imagine what a new guy would have to face….
i’ll do my own bit… in my own small way.. i pray that both these books and esp the one that’s been sitting to be published for last 6 years hit the stands super soon…
rasidi ticket was very nice.. it also has an english version called the revenue stamp.. but i’m sure it would not have the same punch as the hindi one.
u take care….
catch u soon
gaurav