First of all on behalf of reviewstation I congratulate Abhishek Gupta for his debut novel "Embers Of Light"..
Thank you so much.
Q1. Firstly, tell me something about yourself?
Ans) I did my graduation from Delhi College of Engineering and post graduation, in management, from IMI Delhi. I specialize in branding, qualitative market research with a short stint in advertising. I am an idealist who loves creativity and enjoys laughing.
Q2. How was your experience in writing a fantasy? From where did you get the idea?
Ans) Writing a fantasy has its own perks. It gives one a Godly feeling because you are creating a new world in the way you wanted. And it gives creativity in you the maximum opportunity when you try to create something in your mind what does not even exist.
How I got the idea to this book is the one question I have been asked the maximum number of times, and it is the one question I find most difficult to answer. Because there is not one but many reasons which made me pick up this project. I grew up watching many mythological serials and reading religious books. And in my childhood I had total faith in them. But when you grow older and you read about the concentration camps in the World War 2; see a world infested with diseases and hunger; and people dying without getting justice, it makes you wonder if the God in real is same as the one in the religious books. I was spiritually confused and wanted answers. Second reason was that in my engineering days I got selected for a software firm. But my heart was not into coding and all. I wanted to do something creative. I remember one night I was watching a sci-fi movie; it had a very interesting plot which mentally aroused me. I wondered if I could create a story so intriguing which could entertain people, mentally arouse them and at the same time give them a good message. I started looking for a story. It then occurred to me why not write the story of god, a story which may be fictitious but makes some sense with the contemporary times. The problem then was I myself didn’t have the answers which I wanted to give to the world. Nevertheless, I still decided to go along this path. I had no experience of story writing but things slowly started happening. The story automatically kept coming to me and everything kept on falling in the right place, as if the power sitting up there wanted to be discovered, as if it was just not coincidence, but always a part of my destiny to write this story.
Q3 Since these days love stories and fiction are best sellers why did u choose your debut novel as fantacy... have you faced any difficulty in writing this book"
Ans) An author does not pick up his story on the basis of what sells and what not sells in the market. If he does that then he is not an author but a shopkeeper. You pick a story on what you believe in.
Surprisingly, I did not face much difficulty in writing the book. However, the journey which a debutant author has to travel between completing his book and making his book available on the shelves was a difficult one. At the end, I am just happy that I was able to make through it.
Q4. What is the source of your inspiration?
Ans) I don’t like to get inspired by anyone. Coz when you get inspired you set an upper level for yourself which no matter how hard you try you cannot surpass. Good writers are not the ones who walk on each other’s path. They ought to make their own way. I believe in this and have tried to keep my story as uninspired and as original as possible.
Q5. Tell me something about your book.
Ans) It is technically an epic fantasy trilogy with three parts; The Sacred Secret; The Eight Color of Rainbow; and The Race to Infinity. The story runs across three parallel universes. Each book is based in a different universe. The first part, The Sacred Secret, is based in the universe we are present in.
It is the story of the God. The God who is very different from the one you find in religious books. At this point I can not reveal much about it. It is also the story of five human beings; a Brazilian street fighter, an American cop, a Chinese karate instructor, a Russian environmentalist, and an Indian ad maker, who were contacted by a mysterious race living secretly on this planet from centuries. They were asked to save the planet. But when they went on to this journey they realized that the things are much bigger than saving a planet.
The trilogy also gives a new definition of courage. The world is full of courageous people who do heroic things, risking their lives, because they have faith that God is with them and will protect them. And even if they die, in the line of duty, he would take care of them on the other side. But does any hero have courage to stand against the God? What if your heart feels that the right thing to do is very different than what God wants you to do? What will you do then; do the right thing or surrender yourself to your faith? This is the story of those extraordinary humans who chose the right path above god.
This trilogy cover concept like heaven, hell, parallel universes, life after death, destiny, angels, demons, many new fictitious species have been introduced in it.
Q6. In future will you try your hand in love stories or you will continue writing fantasy?
Ans) Again, I will not pick book based on genre or market demand. I will pick the story on what I believe in and what mentally arouses me. Coz if I am myself not excited about anything then how can I make the book enjoyable for the readers.
Q7. How was your experience with the publisher?
Ans ) It has been good till now. Konark has been in this industry for very long. It is only recently they have entered in fiction genre with the new imprint, Sparks. Their dedication to this project can be understood by the fact that the book has been edited 4 times by 3 different editors. The quality of the book, pages and jacket, is also very good. I could not have wished for a better partner.
Q8. What are your future goals in terms of writing?
Ans) I have been working on this trilogy for 7 years and it will surely take a few more years of my life. So I will decide upon the future after seeing how well the readers will take this trilogy. I have also started writing articles and blogs very recently. They will also certainly share a part of my future.
Q9. How it feels when you see your debut novel being Published?
Ans) It is a good feeling like holding your baby. But also distressing as you are fully aware that you have to do a lot to protect this baby from dying in the flood of uncountable books in the market.
Q10. How will you Promote your book and how will you reach the reviwers for the book?
Ans) The media does not support a debutant author too much and I don’t have butt load of money to hire celebrities and make them sing song of praises for my book. I am very confident about the quality of my story. And the challenge will be to tell as many readers as possible that this is a book worth spending their money. So I am trying to reach out to as many reviewers and bloggers as possible, making them read my book, and expecting them to pass to their followers the true worth of this book.
As it is my first book and I am very new to the industry, I don’t have any concrete marketing plan prepared. I am learning what situations are teaching me and trying to come up with the solutions creatively.
Q11. How will you face the negative feedback for the book. Do you feel Fantacy fiction will be loved by the audience or not?
Ans) In the past I have given my book to lot of book enthusiast from all age groups, and I have got more than two dozen feedbacks. So I am well aware where does my book stand and I am very positive about its quality. So no, I am not apprehensive about what if the people read the book and they may not like it. My only worry as of now is that will I be able to make the readers aware that my book exists.
The biggest bestsellers across the world have always been fantasy; Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Eragon, games of Throne, Narnia etc. The list is very long. Also in Indian context the recent success of Shiva Trilogy is very motivating. So this book being a fantasy is a plus point not negative. Apart from that, a good and touching story is always appreciated, regardless of what genre it is from.
Q12. This book is Published as a paperback or Ebook or Kindle version?
Ans) In India the book is available in paperback version. Outside the country people can enjoy it on kindle.
Q13. Do you have any idols or inspiration in the writing industry?
Ans) My favourite writer is Gulzar Saheb. He is the magician of words and king of hearts. I admire many more creative writers. Some of the writers on top of my list are Christopher Nolan for the mind boggling script of his movie Memento, and the writers of American sitcoms, Friends.
Q14. Apart from writing what are your other interests?
Ans) Whenever I am not taking anything out of my mind, I am putting stuff in it. To keep it occupied, to keep it happy and most importantly to keep it alive in true sense. I read a lot about politics; watch movies and serial; try to learn about various stuff, universe, religion, economy, etc; talk to friends and sometimes strangers also and exchange ideas as well as emotion.
I am also a big foodie.
Q15. Finally what you would like to tell our readers and debut writers?
Ans) I will say to readers that don’t buy my book just because I am saying it. Go step by step, read the blurb, reviews, sample chapters etc. Everything will be available on my facebook page, Embers of Light. If you like what you read then purchase the book and embark on this journey with me. I assure, in the end, you will not regret being the part of it.
To the debutant authors, I will say only one thing – make your own way and be the best of you
Author can be contacted at: [email protected]
Thank you Abhishek for talking to us. It was nice talking to you. All the best for your debut novel....
Thank you so much.
Q1. Firstly, tell me something about yourself?
Ans) I did my graduation from Delhi College of Engineering and post graduation, in management, from IMI Delhi. I specialize in branding, qualitative market research with a short stint in advertising. I am an idealist who loves creativity and enjoys laughing.
Q2. How was your experience in writing a fantasy? From where did you get the idea?
Ans) Writing a fantasy has its own perks. It gives one a Godly feeling because you are creating a new world in the way you wanted. And it gives creativity in you the maximum opportunity when you try to create something in your mind what does not even exist.
How I got the idea to this book is the one question I have been asked the maximum number of times, and it is the one question I find most difficult to answer. Because there is not one but many reasons which made me pick up this project. I grew up watching many mythological serials and reading religious books. And in my childhood I had total faith in them. But when you grow older and you read about the concentration camps in the World War 2; see a world infested with diseases and hunger; and people dying without getting justice, it makes you wonder if the God in real is same as the one in the religious books. I was spiritually confused and wanted answers. Second reason was that in my engineering days I got selected for a software firm. But my heart was not into coding and all. I wanted to do something creative. I remember one night I was watching a sci-fi movie; it had a very interesting plot which mentally aroused me. I wondered if I could create a story so intriguing which could entertain people, mentally arouse them and at the same time give them a good message. I started looking for a story. It then occurred to me why not write the story of god, a story which may be fictitious but makes some sense with the contemporary times. The problem then was I myself didn’t have the answers which I wanted to give to the world. Nevertheless, I still decided to go along this path. I had no experience of story writing but things slowly started happening. The story automatically kept coming to me and everything kept on falling in the right place, as if the power sitting up there wanted to be discovered, as if it was just not coincidence, but always a part of my destiny to write this story.
Q3 Since these days love stories and fiction are best sellers why did u choose your debut novel as fantacy... have you faced any difficulty in writing this book"
Ans) An author does not pick up his story on the basis of what sells and what not sells in the market. If he does that then he is not an author but a shopkeeper. You pick a story on what you believe in.
Surprisingly, I did not face much difficulty in writing the book. However, the journey which a debutant author has to travel between completing his book and making his book available on the shelves was a difficult one. At the end, I am just happy that I was able to make through it.
Q4. What is the source of your inspiration?
Ans) I don’t like to get inspired by anyone. Coz when you get inspired you set an upper level for yourself which no matter how hard you try you cannot surpass. Good writers are not the ones who walk on each other’s path. They ought to make their own way. I believe in this and have tried to keep my story as uninspired and as original as possible.
Q5. Tell me something about your book.
Ans) It is technically an epic fantasy trilogy with three parts; The Sacred Secret; The Eight Color of Rainbow; and The Race to Infinity. The story runs across three parallel universes. Each book is based in a different universe. The first part, The Sacred Secret, is based in the universe we are present in.
It is the story of the God. The God who is very different from the one you find in religious books. At this point I can not reveal much about it. It is also the story of five human beings; a Brazilian street fighter, an American cop, a Chinese karate instructor, a Russian environmentalist, and an Indian ad maker, who were contacted by a mysterious race living secretly on this planet from centuries. They were asked to save the planet. But when they went on to this journey they realized that the things are much bigger than saving a planet.
The trilogy also gives a new definition of courage. The world is full of courageous people who do heroic things, risking their lives, because they have faith that God is with them and will protect them. And even if they die, in the line of duty, he would take care of them on the other side. But does any hero have courage to stand against the God? What if your heart feels that the right thing to do is very different than what God wants you to do? What will you do then; do the right thing or surrender yourself to your faith? This is the story of those extraordinary humans who chose the right path above god.
This trilogy cover concept like heaven, hell, parallel universes, life after death, destiny, angels, demons, many new fictitious species have been introduced in it.
Q6. In future will you try your hand in love stories or you will continue writing fantasy?
Ans) Again, I will not pick book based on genre or market demand. I will pick the story on what I believe in and what mentally arouses me. Coz if I am myself not excited about anything then how can I make the book enjoyable for the readers.
Q7. How was your experience with the publisher?
Ans ) It has been good till now. Konark has been in this industry for very long. It is only recently they have entered in fiction genre with the new imprint, Sparks. Their dedication to this project can be understood by the fact that the book has been edited 4 times by 3 different editors. The quality of the book, pages and jacket, is also very good. I could not have wished for a better partner.
Q8. What are your future goals in terms of writing?
Ans) I have been working on this trilogy for 7 years and it will surely take a few more years of my life. So I will decide upon the future after seeing how well the readers will take this trilogy. I have also started writing articles and blogs very recently. They will also certainly share a part of my future.
Q9. How it feels when you see your debut novel being Published?
Ans) It is a good feeling like holding your baby. But also distressing as you are fully aware that you have to do a lot to protect this baby from dying in the flood of uncountable books in the market.
Q10. How will you Promote your book and how will you reach the reviwers for the book?
Ans) The media does not support a debutant author too much and I don’t have butt load of money to hire celebrities and make them sing song of praises for my book. I am very confident about the quality of my story. And the challenge will be to tell as many readers as possible that this is a book worth spending their money. So I am trying to reach out to as many reviewers and bloggers as possible, making them read my book, and expecting them to pass to their followers the true worth of this book.
As it is my first book and I am very new to the industry, I don’t have any concrete marketing plan prepared. I am learning what situations are teaching me and trying to come up with the solutions creatively.
Q11. How will you face the negative feedback for the book. Do you feel Fantacy fiction will be loved by the audience or not?
Ans) In the past I have given my book to lot of book enthusiast from all age groups, and I have got more than two dozen feedbacks. So I am well aware where does my book stand and I am very positive about its quality. So no, I am not apprehensive about what if the people read the book and they may not like it. My only worry as of now is that will I be able to make the readers aware that my book exists.
The biggest bestsellers across the world have always been fantasy; Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Eragon, games of Throne, Narnia etc. The list is very long. Also in Indian context the recent success of Shiva Trilogy is very motivating. So this book being a fantasy is a plus point not negative. Apart from that, a good and touching story is always appreciated, regardless of what genre it is from.
Q12. This book is Published as a paperback or Ebook or Kindle version?
Ans) In India the book is available in paperback version. Outside the country people can enjoy it on kindle.
Q13. Do you have any idols or inspiration in the writing industry?
Ans) My favourite writer is Gulzar Saheb. He is the magician of words and king of hearts. I admire many more creative writers. Some of the writers on top of my list are Christopher Nolan for the mind boggling script of his movie Memento, and the writers of American sitcoms, Friends.
Q14. Apart from writing what are your other interests?
Ans) Whenever I am not taking anything out of my mind, I am putting stuff in it. To keep it occupied, to keep it happy and most importantly to keep it alive in true sense. I read a lot about politics; watch movies and serial; try to learn about various stuff, universe, religion, economy, etc; talk to friends and sometimes strangers also and exchange ideas as well as emotion.
I am also a big foodie.
Q15. Finally what you would like to tell our readers and debut writers?
Ans) I will say to readers that don’t buy my book just because I am saying it. Go step by step, read the blurb, reviews, sample chapters etc. Everything will be available on my facebook page, Embers of Light. If you like what you read then purchase the book and embark on this journey with me. I assure, in the end, you will not regret being the part of it.
To the debutant authors, I will say only one thing – make your own way and be the best of you
Author can be contacted at: [email protected]
Thank you Abhishek for talking to us. It was nice talking to you. All the best for your debut novel....