The authors of the book, The Quest of the Sparrows, bring to us the scene behind the curtain called Publishing. To read about the book, click here.

Enjoy the Monologue on “Tryst with publishers”

Awakening

I grew feeding on a diet of books and food in that order. From Enid Blytons, I graduated into more ‘serious stuff.’ When I laid my hands on Five Point Someone, I realized Rupa Publications encouraged innovative writing. Here was a publisher who was different from others in terms of voice and content of the book. More than the literary merit, it was, I soon found out, a vibrant platform for the youth and by the youth.

It was like I had stumbled upon a treasure. A nirvana realization I had: That if I could be innovative, I too could make my mark. With this thought haunting me during wakefulness and sleep, I set out to write an idea, based on my observations and the contradictions that are inherent to India. We speak of spirituality but are perhaps the most materialistically oriented people in the world. I saw students into streams that had nothing to do with their passions or spirits, just a tag was what they were looking at. And the tag syndrome began from childhood to youth to old age.

The metamorphosis

So I penned the manuscript and then developed writer pangs. This was my make or break chance, and I curbed the temptation to send it immediately. I went back to the manuscript, two months later. EEEEK! What had I written and what was I thinking? Went back to the computer, deleted scenes, edited chapters. And got even more confused. This was not happening! Writing is easier imagined than written.

Life was passing by and I was not at all happy with my novel. But the diehard spirit in me made me go back to the table. I celebrated the confusion because it was a sign I was progressing.

Seven draft later and still not 100% but 80% there, I felt I had a good enough book in my hand. I researched the net on “How to…” stuff for sending manuscripts to publishers. And I came across with some useful advice.

I deliver the baby

I sent a synopsis, 5 chapters and an introduction about me.

Five weeks later they wanted me to tell when I could show the complete manuscript. They also mentioned right up-front that my delivering the completed novel did not imply they will accept the work. They would evaluate its merit.

I had written the whole novel but once again developed cold feet. I asked for one month. This was the toughest period of my life. This was the only time when I saw the book, not from my perspective but from a publisher’s perspective.

Will anybody want to read a book on practical spirituality? Who was I kidding? All the youth were talking of everything else, accept spirituality! Was it outdated, out of fashion? I had one chance and I had come up with the strangest of subjects? Why not something else? The doubter in me raised its head. I became so paralyzed, I lost a week. I thought of changing the treatment, but no way could I do anything good in one month. It was this or nothing.

Then the calmer voice intervened. India is a spiritual nation and you have a unique theme and unique idea. Your book may give insights to many people running their rat races and give them a chance to taste real joy, instead of material happiness. It is not a pot boiler but a game changer you have in your hands. Stick to it. And that’s what I did.

I read the manuscript in a detached manner and corrected many chapters. The stuff was getting better and better with each revision.

Kartik calling Rupa!

Finally, I called Rupa to inform that the script was ready and I was coming to hand it over.

“Come before 2’ O Clock,” said the voice at the other end.

I took the printouts and started my journey to Daryaganj on the eve of Diwali. Bound them on a beautiful file folder that cost me a good deal of money (Will I get this back, in case….).

The traffic jams were seen to be believed: Delhi during Diwali is undiluted, pure mayhem. I reached just five minutes before two. The office was simply furnished, without any gloss. No swanky exterior, no frills, no drama. That is how they control their costs.

I signed the register and asked for my contact. The guard phoned her up.

“You can go up. Through those stairs.”

My heart pounding, I reached upstairs. Would there be an interview? Would I face a committee?

I waited outside and then someone came out.

“You are Kartik?”

“Yes maam. I brought the manuscript.”

She glanced through. “It’s complete?”

“Yes,” I croaked.

“You could have posted this by courier. Anyway, we will let you about our decision.”

“When would I get to know of it?

“It would be conveyed to you in four weeks.”

“Would you giving me an acknowledgement?”

“I will send you a mail. I have your id.”

So there was going to be no interview, no committee. What caused me concern a few moments ago was causing the exact reverse reaction, now. “Maybe they have already made up their mind. There is not much to see, no way it will get published.” I worried.

I walked down the stairs, unable to believe that I had handed a book to an impersonal face and not met anyone involved in the decision making. So crazy!

I loitered in the streets of Daryaganj thinking this couldn’t be the big day of my life: It had simply no drama.

I took chai and bread pokaras from a stall that seemed to be a specialist. I had never tasted such stuff in my life. I had not had my breakfast, maybe that was why I found them so tasty.

I went home and wondered how I would kill the 28 days ahead of me.

The nail biting waiting

Four weeks passed. The fifth passed and so did the sixth.

They don’t like it. Don’t even feel like telling me of their decision.

I couldn’t wait anymore, so I decided to shoot a mail. I have been advised to wait and not be impatient. But this was enough of waiting. Even if it was bad news, I had a right to know.

I sent a mail, choosing the words carefully. Anything could be misconstrued and I was not taking any chances. After reading the mail 25 times I clicked the send button.

No reply for another week.

Then another.

Now this was getting into my nerves!

Wrote another mail and kept checking my mail for a hundred times.

Good news comes most undramatically

In about two hours I got the reply:

Dear Mr Sharma,

Joy Forever

We are enclosing herewith the above contract in triplicate.

Please sign and return two copies of the above contract, initialing each page and keep one copy for your records. Also, please send us the following along with the signed contract — 2 photographs, about the book (200 words), about yourself (50 words), photo copy of the PAN card.

Kindly confirm that the manuscript you have sent is the final version.

Also fill in clause no 27. It is essential.

Kindly acknowledge receipt.

With regards,

V K Sharma

Encl: as above

Yohooooooooo I did it!

I couldn’t believe it. And when I screamed with joy, everyone would have wondered if I was mad! The initial name of The Quest of the Sparrows was Joy Forever. I signed the contract and send it back, return post. You guessed why!

Edits

Then came the mail that my book would be edited by Amrita and I would have to work closely with her. She had some assignments and said she would mail me when she would begin working on my novel.

One month later there was no reply. I wrote back to her. She had not even started and apologized for the delay. About one month later she began working on it!

The first edit came back to me after a month. There were several alterations and some of them seemed wrong. Many phones and explanations later, I saw the point. The editor was bright.

What’s in a name?

There was a lot of thinking for the new name: Joy Forever did not seem to belong to Fiction category. Finally we all liked the new name.

My name’s Bond, James Bond: Of taglines

Then came the need for a tag line. The publishers wanted a tagline, a teaser of what the book contained. I felt it was unnecessary. But Amrita showed us some references where books had a tagline and it actually helped in sales. They had a point.

We spent the next 10 days to come up with an appropriate tagline. The book had so many messages, which one to highlight. Finally everyone agreed on: Explore the joy of freedom.

First impression should be the best impression

The cover had some issues too: The birds didn’t look like sparrows but pigeons. Finally, two changes and one month later, our cover was finalized.

“The book is being sent to production, it should be out in two months,” Amrita wrote to us in her last mail as an editor. Her job was over.

We knew by now that two months meant three. Meanwhile everyone wanted to know when my book would be out. It is one of the best phases of an author’s life.

It’s alive!

One fine day, 4 books of The Quest of the Sparrows arrived by post. The rest is in the making of a history……

I guess it’s not a too glamorous account to share. Just a behind the scenes approach to a published author’s life. I hope you enjoyed this ride with me.

Why do I write?

First I would like to make an attempt at defining who, or rather what, a writer means to me.

Ever wondered what goes on inside the mind of that seemingly troubled soul in your peer group or in your school / college – that coiled up personality, who wouldn’t express his feelings, no matter how challenging and undulating the circumstances might be. The one who is always more interested in listening to your feelings and opinions on all issues rather than bore you with his?

A writer has opinions, do not be confused. But he is the one who always understands that his opinions are not the only ones that matter and the fact that he lacks access to more points of view always perturbs him. He will thus hang on each word that you say with spider-legs. Most of his friends fail to recognize their words when they read his blog / short story / novel – because what is a fleeting expression / outlet of emotion for them is something for the writer to latch on to with all his mind and attention. Its all that matters to these people. Yes, I believe writers are a kind of people. One of the many kinds. And as I always like to say – it takes all kinds to make a World.

Being an introvert, it is not his nature to go and confront the world, rant senselessly. Nor can he just take refuge in banal things or get intoxicated enough to forget the burning questions: Who am I? Why am I? Why this life?

Nor can a writer frolic in the lightness of being, however strong the temptations.

There are some writers who begin for fame but if that is the real intent, then their journey is extremely short lived. Their beautiful words, wrapped in intellectualism fail to connect with anyone because they only seek self-glory. There is no interesting story!

But if you are a rebel with a cause, any cause, then, one day, you make the world pause: make people sit and turn your pages and share your view point. In short captivate them.

I’m into writing because for me it is a healing process. If I don’t write for long, it’s as if I am not breathing. The works of exceptional writers like Somerset Maugham, Khaled Hosseini, Orhan Pamuk, Kazuo Ishiguro, Milan Kundera  etc have helped me to look at life from a completely different perspective and I thank them for giving me that perspective. I wish to pass on another creative perspective to my readers, one that can makes them think: Wow! This is a new angle!

If we are all here to make our contributions to this world, then I am trying to make mine in the way I like – the only way I know how. If my readers appreciate my perspective, then as a writer I would have done justice to the thousands of words spewed by my thoughts and imagination.

Writing to me is one of those adrenalin pumping rides that thrill, amaze and leave everlasting memories. So far the ride has been good.