Author Priyanka Baranwal in a chat with Timid Fingers

“In our first interview we have got the author, who chose to write about women safety over regular chick lit, an author whose writing motivated women all over the country, an author who wants to stand apart from the crowd by her writing abilities. Yes we are talking about PRIYANKA BARANWAL, the author of IT’S NEVER TOO LATE.  Here we present a chat with the author Priyanka Baranwal, where she opens up on how she maintains her work with her life, why she had chosen such a subject for her debut book, her view on the ‘name controversy’ and a lot more…”

Q: From  staring  at  your  blog  to  holding  your  own book,  how  it  feels?

PB: It feels fantastic; first of its kind experience. I had always spared myself from imagining the moment during the journey but when it happened, I was speechless. It was a dreamlike sensation to feel my own book in hands. I have also mentioned the same ecstasy in From the Author’s Heart section in the book.

Q: How  important  is  writing  to  you  when  you  are loaded  with  household  chores  in  your  everyday life?

PB: It’s all about managing time. Actually I try to manage my other chores as per my writing schedule not my writing according to the other chores.

   Q: Let’s  talk  about  your  book, what  made  you  write            about  this?  I mean  is  it  the  result  of  humiliation a        woman  has  to  face  now  a  days  or  you  always                   wanted  to  write  about  this?

PB: I had never thought of becoming an author, if truth to be spoken. I have been a writer but authorship came completely out of the blue. On August 26^th 2012, Sumit, my husband, encouraged me to write a novel. He has seen my articles online (that I have written being as a freelancer) and he believed that I could also do well in literature world. I was tentative at the moment but nonetheless I started the journey and here I am…an author today.

However my book is a work of fiction yet I tried my best to echo out an issue that’s much in the need of attention i.e. women safety concerns. Given the Delhi Moving Bus Rape Case and other horrible incidents, I was deeply shaken though they happened much later after submitting my manuscript. I just hope my book to reach out to the masses to sensitize people towards women and how important it is to pay respect they deserve.

Q: What  is  the  reaction  you  are  getting  for  this brave  attempt  of  yours?

PB: Very prompt and highly positive. The Hindu has mentioned like this –

"I believe the plot has been written with the intention of making a difference — not just in the lives of women, but everyone, the central theme being to face our fears, emerge victorious over them by never giving up, to keep trying no matter how desolate the future may seem.

Readers have been messaging and mailing me about how much they are in love with the book. In fact, every one of them has said that my book is very inspirational and speaks loads about the issue. I am glad every time I hear such motivational comments.

Because of the plot and readers’ love, It’s Never Too Late has got covered in The Hindu with a realistic and positive review. The book has risen up to Amazon’s bestsellers rank in overall category as well as in Top 100 books in Literature and Fiction. It has also been covered in The New Indian Express Bangalore under Bestsellers. All in all, It’s Never Too Late is getting huge response from people that I had never anticipated.

Q: For  a  debut  writer,  how  tough  it  is  to  get published?

PB: It’s certainly not a child’s task to find a publisher for sure. I myself had faced 2-3 rejections before getting finalized by Srishti Publications. I can’t speak on behalf of others but as I have heard from other sources and on the basis of till date experience, getting published has become rather easier as there are now emergence of good numbers of publication houses who are willing to give generous opportunities to good stories and hence, new authors but still, one has to write good and face the struggle to get published.

Q: How  is  your  experience  to  work  with  such  a  big name  like  Srishti?

PB: A very satisfactory one. I am privileged to be associated with such a big publication house. It needed time for me to understand how publishing industry works. With all the procedures and queries, Mr. Arup Bose and my editor from Srishti Publishers have helped me a lot. I am extremely thankful for the entire team of Srishti for giving me the chance to get published and making my journey easier.

Q: For  your  readers  who  exactly  is  Priyanka Baranwal?

PB: Priyanka Baranwal is a person who believes in giving out her best in whatever she pitches in. She religiously believes in the concept of family and finds eternal peace being with them. Priyanka loves reading, writing, travelling, music and is keen to learn Guitar someday. Coming from a small town Mirzapur, located in Uttar Pradesh, she is a graduate in Science and have pursued Diploma in Pre & Primary Teacher’s Training with Specialization in Teaching English from ATI (American TESOL Institute) and, in Textile designing as well. Versatile in achievements, she is also a Freelancer and blogger.

On the regular basis, I am a normal person who loves little perks of life and the challenges. It’s the writing ability that makes me stand apart in the crowd.

Q: Didn't  you  think  of  changing  your  book's  name after  the  so  called  'name  controversy'  just  before the  release  of  your  book?

PB: No. I never had any second thought about changing the name of my book. I gradually came to know that two books can be of similar names if they are generic in use. I also searched on the internet and interestingly found several books listed with the name of It’s Never Too Late. Thus, I never gave a second thought on the title of my book. I had always been sure since then.

Q: Did  the  controversy  help  your  book  to  create  hype?

PB: I was surprised when you asked the above question as I had never talked about the controversy anywhere or in any of my interviews. I only mentioned it once on my facebook author page but I expressed only my shock, grief and uncertainty about such people on why they do it. As for the hype, I did not create anything as such. People who did this, I think, are cheap minded, craved to create hype about their work and surely do not have any faith in their work. May be that is why they wanted to create a hype to publicize their own work. I did not even post anything related to this controversy on any of my official pages. I have always believed in my work and thus, I chose to stay mum and let this horrible experience pass, however, I was very hurt thinking how others can go this much insensitive taking someone’s advantage yet I did not speak ill of them. I just went silent. In the process, my editor helped me to cope with the issue. At last, the culprits had to take back seat as they failed to scare me.

Q: At  the  end  of  your  book  you  have  mentioned a  NGO  named  NWLO (National Women Liberating Organization) and  you  have  also  worked  with  a NGO,  so  is  the  s tory-line  somehow related  to your real life?

PB: No. The NGO that I have mentioned in my book is a complete work of fiction and do not resemble to any other organization/committee in realty or the one I have worked with. The NGO, that I have worked for, promotes disabled children in particular.

Q: So, when  are  we  getting  to  see  more  of Priyanka  Baranwal?

PB: As I am reading Robin Sharma’s The Leader Who Had No Title, it says, uncertainty is a good thing as it sends you out on an adventure. I am also on one such adventure while working on my second project. Unless I am sure of anything, it wouldn’t be wise to speak. So please wait for the right time.

Q:  At  last, congratulations  for  your book!  Hope your  book  gets  its desired  success.

Thank you very much for these wonderful questions and taking out your precious time talking to me. It was great to answer the questions.

Q: Now I would  like  to request  you  to  say  something for our blog  and  to                            

        your readers  too!

The first time I visited Timid Fingers was then when Purnendu had reviewed my book, It’s Never Too Late. Though the blog is simple yet it is always the content that actually connects a reader to the portal. Overall, the blog seems good and (I guess) majorly deals with the reviews of books. Best wishes!

As for the readers, always believe in your dreams and take actions for them. Stay in touch with your loved ones as they are the only people who will never ever walk away from you. And yes…read my book It’s Never Too Late and let me know your views on it.

Connect with her on –

WEBSITE,  BLOG,  FACEBOOK,  BOOK PAGE,  TWITTER,  PINTEREST,  GOODREADS

Buy her book at your nearest bookstore or order online @

 Amazon,  Flipkart,  Snapdeal,  Infibeam,  HomeShop18,  Sapna online, and  Bookadda

Sita's Curse by Sreemoyee Piu Kundu: A Review

Name: SITA’S CURSE – The Language of Desire
Author: Sreemoyee Piu Kundu
Publisher: Hachette India

The back cover says: Somewhere, behind closed doors, in her solitary world; Somewhere, under the sheets with an indifferent lover; Somewhere, is a woman who will not be denied…

Trapped for fifteen years in the stranglehold of a dead marriage and soulless household domesticity, the beautiful, full-bodied and passionate Meera Patel depends on her memories and her flights of fancy to soothe the aches that wrack her body; to quieten an unquebchable need. Until one cataclysmic day in Mumbai, when she finally breaks free…

Bold, brazen and defiant, Sita’s Curse looks at the hypocrisy of Indian society and tells the compelling story of a middle-class Indian housewife’s urgent need for love, respect, acceptance – and sexual fulfillment.

On the name and the cover:

The name of the book leaves every reader comparing the book with Sita! Well yes, as the author has asked, ‘Is Sitahood a curse?’ for this answer and for many more, one must read the book.
After the name, the first thing a reader notices about a book is the cover! A bold and beautiful cover of black-white and red combination; and the curve of a woman very well tell every reader the pain and pleasure of every woman! The name and the cover together make the book an instant hit among all the readers.

On the narrating style:
 A very swift and crisp narrating style by the author gives the book a wonderful charm and a great pickup speed! Written in the best way an erotica should be, for this is the first erotica in my list, the narrating style surely catches the attention.

On the story line:
The story of Mrs. Meera Patel; this book is all about her passion from childhood till death where she breaks free from all the hindrances that had ever crossed her way. Never liking the system in which every woman is bound to stay, she loves to explore her passion and confide in every person she meets. What and how does she break free and cross the ‘lakshman rekha’ is what the book is about.

+ Point: The wonderful writing style that keeps the reader attracted to the book throughout.

- Point: At times the book seems a bit too revealing about the life of a woman, though it was necessary but it seems exaggerating at one point of time!

A bold and wonderful projection of the inner passion of a woman helps the book climb up the ladders of success! Yes, a must read book as I may call it for today’s time.

A

A+ (Excellent)     A (Very Good)      B+ (Good)      B (Average)      C (Below Average)

Note: This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program.

Murdered To Moksh by Ketki Borgaonkar & Rohit Shetty: A Review

Name: Murdered To Moksh
Author: Ketki Borgaonkar & Rohit Shetty
Publisher: First Step Publishing

The back cover says: “WIFE’S MURDERER OR A VICTIM OF FATE”. THIS HEADLINE FLOODED THE NEWS CHANNELS. A 35 YR OLD GUY KILLING HIS WIFE AT CITY HOSPITAL AND THEN TRYING TO JUMP OFF THE SAME BUILDING. A SHELFISH, RUTHLESS MURDERER WHO TOOK AWAY A 10 YR OLD GIRLS MOTHER AND THEN ATTEMPTED A SUICIDE.
WHY?
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS?...NO.
DISPUTES WITH WIFE?...NO.
MENTALLY UNSTABLE?...NO.
THEN, WHY?
ONLY PERSON WHO HAD AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.. HE, HIMSELF.
HIS SILENCE EVEN AT THE COURT SESSIONS ADDED TO THE TWIST OF THE CASE. HE SAID NOTHING IN HIS DEFENCE NEITHER HIRED A LAWYER. HE SEEMED HEARTLESS, COLD BLOODED KILLER, A MURDERER, A MANIAC, MENTALLY UNSTABLE TO THE WORLD. EVERY MEDIUM SPOKE BAD FOR HIM BUT NO ONE REALLY CARED TO KNOW THE REASON WHY HE KILLED HIS WIFE.
HE WAS A MURDERER UNTIL ………

On the name & the cover:
The name itself sends a tickling sensation down the spine. No one can think of a better name for this work.  The authors have done proper justice to the name.
The cover looks scary which is very much needed in a book like this. The wonderful font chosen by the designer makes the cover more interesting. If I go by the content I didn’t find any significance for the blood in the cover, though the red color in the cover gives the perfect feeling the book needs.

On the narrating style:
The narrating style is fresh and very much reader friendly. Readers can easily visualize every scene by the way this book has been written. Each and every conversation is written in a way in which normal people usually converse. Without giving excessive description, the authors have very efficiently described each and every scene.

On the story-line:
As the blurb says, the story started with Aarav Rathore being sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his wife. As the story goes on and Aarav starts to walk down his memory lane from leaving his house to starting his own business to marrying his childhood friend Esha which brings the lady luck in Aarav’s life, the story picks up its speed. What made Aarav kill his wife who supported him throughout his struggle is the main prospect of the book. I would like to give Ketaki & Rohit a huge thumbs up for the amount of research they have done, readers would definitely like the researches they have put at the end of the story.

+ Point: The wonderfully written poems and their perfect placement.

- Point: Frequent chapter division and widespread chapter names.

This book has everything love, friendship, emotions, drama & thrill mixed very efficiently. A fast paced entertainer which I will recommend to every book lover.

A

A+ (Excellent)     A (Very Good)      B+ (Good)      B (Average)      C (Below Average)

It's no Longer a Dream by Sanjeev Ranjan: A Review

Name: It’s No Longer A Dream

Author: Sanjeev Ranjan

Publisher: Srishti Publishers& Distributors

The back cover say – “Does love manage to find a way, even when all illusions fade? Where does the journey end?”

Akshat Diwan has everything that the tangible world can offer for a dream-like life – luxurious cars, a palatial mansion, extravagant wealth and an heirloom of infinite opulence. All but peace! His parents are forever in a state of prolonged hostility; add to it failing spurious friendships and dwindling love life which metamorphoses him into a soul-less creature. Cursing his misfortune and in an attempt to end his anguish and disparity, Akshat embarks on an unknown journey, seeking nothing but solitude, or perhaps a glimpse of his inner being. It is when he meets a stranger that he realizes his journey is not just any journey, but a roller coaster ride to unravel the harsh realities of life.

It’s no Longer a Dream is all about collecting the shattered pieces of meaning of life, love and relationships and bringing them back to a whole again.

On the name and the cover:
The cover says everything about the book. The green color gives a soothing effect to the readers' eyes. Two chairs on the front cover centering the bonfire, has done proper justice to the main scene of the book where two main protagonists experience the story-telling session. Kudos to the designer for such a wonderful creation.
The name sounds good. But readers may find the name a bit indifferent to the content of the book, though the author has very efficiently linked the last line with the name.

On the narrating style:
This authors' narrating style will make every reader glued to every page of the book. The friendly words and lovely description helps the readers to visualize every scene. At the beginning readers might find it a bit descriptive but later the author’s flawless writing covers everything up.

On the story line:
The story starts with Akshat returning home after his fateful journey. At the beginning, the story is a bit stretched, but as soon as Akshat meets Randhir and when Randhir starts to narrate his part of story the book picks up speed. The way the author juggles the story of Randhir with Akshat’s story is commendable. The book is all about Akshat’s tryst of finding his lost faith in love through Randhir’s eyes. A sweet love story that will bring tears to the readers eyes at the end.

+ Point: The story line and the author’s flawless narrating style.

- Point: A bit exaggerating descriptions and few stretched scenes at the beginning.

This book will help readers to redefine the meaning of love. I would like to recommend this book to every reader who is searching for a perfect love story.

A

A+ (Excellent)     A (Very Good)      B+ (Good)      B (Average)      C (Below Average)

Maverick by Gaurav Yadav: A Review

Name: Maverick
Author: Gaurav Yadav
Publisher: Notion Press

The back cover says – This is a schoolboy’s tale of love, which started in his childhood, the infatuation that never died. The hidden and deep buried story of all Indians, who once have been in love with someone or the other in their life. It is a story of dreams, mischievousness, fights, passion that kids have in school life. This tale represents the mental state of a typical Indian student, who has entered the adolescence and experiences the emotions’ which were alien to him, his quest to get the answers. This book is his journey for true love of his life. It is the story of a boy “Maverick” who becomes a Fighter Pilot and meets his love of childhood almost a decade later just to find that his destiny has planned something else for them. When everything seemed to be right, he finds himself across the border in hostile terrains, in hands of enemy and declared dead by his government. His journey back to his nation, with help of the lady doctor who recovered him from death bed, his proving of being alive and loyalty. This is the story of finding and loosing love, life and death, war, sorrow, patriotism, protest & reunion, a classic to read & go back to your childhood.

On the name & the cover:
The name ‘Maverick’ itself  gives the reader a feeling of fighter pilot because of the performance given by Tom Cruise in the movie Top Gun. This book has quite similarly stated a story of a guy name Maverick. So the reader would not be disappointed if they grab the book by the name. 

The cover is simple. A guy dressed in a pilot suit with two blurred faces of the two main female characters of the story. The red color, the fence and the air-craft do gives a feeling of war but it can be designed in a better way.

On the narrating style:
From the very first page the author started to narrate the story by interacting with the readers, which I find interesting. But as the story picks up speed the author lacked the interactions. This book is for those who like light reads.

On the story-line:
When every second author is writing about love in IIT, this story unfolds around the love in sixth standard. Nice usage of words will make readers glued to the story of Dilaveez and Naina. Readers might find the end is written in a hurry or the author can’t suppress the urge to tell what going to happen next. Though the author manages to keep the suspense till the end which will force the reader to complete the book. Lots of editing errors is the main drawback of the book. Misusage of comma and full stop and lack of inverted comma's in conversations drops the speed of the book. A better edited version is awaited.

+ Point: Readers are definitely going to like the story-line.

- Point: Editing errors are the main flaws of the book.

My favorite scene: The teacher scolding Gaurav for answering for Dilaveez on^th August. ( I started recollecting my school days after this)

12

B

A+ (Excellent)     A (Very Good)      B+ (Good)     B (Average)    C (Below Average)