AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Greetings Raj..

Hope you are doing good. Let me begin the interview with the first question.

· Can you tell us about yourself?

I am Raju Kumar Dubey. My pen name is Raj Siddhi. I am a B.A. I have had good experience in doing theatre since school life.

· When did you first start writing?

I do remember that I composed my first poem in August 2012.

· Do you remember what you wrote first?

I remember that I wrote a couplet, which I expanded later. It is as follows:

'Raat gahri tanhaai me main ek sapnaa sajaayaa tha

Par din ke ujaale ne use badi berahmi se jallayaa thaa'

· Who has been your inspiration?

Truly speaking, my inner urge motivated me to write something. My dear and close ones appreciated my writings which paved my way. Later, I read Mirza Ghalib. I want to write as he did.

· Can u share few lines from that?

(1) 'Ham to fanaa ho gaye unki aankhen dekhkar Ghalib

Naa Jaane wo aainaa kaise dekhte honge.'

(2) Kuch is tarah se jindagi ko aasaan kar liya

Kisi se maafi maang lee to kisi ko maaf kar diya.'

· How did you get the interest in writing?

Frankly speaking, I got interest in writing in a professional way when I learnt that a novel can also be filmed. I have always had keen interest in doing acting since childhood.

· Who are your favourite authors?

Munshi Premchand, R.K. Narayan are my favourite authors.

· Tell us about "The Author"

'The Author' is all about love; it is all about being an author; it is an unquenched thirst of a passionate reader.

· What is the purpose of writing this book?

The purpose of writing this book is to give vent to my innermost feelings.

· Why did you choose this title?

This title goes perfect with the story. The story revolves round the effort of being an author.

· Who or what has been the inspiration behind this story?

While travelling in a train from Jharkhand to Delhi, I happened to talk to some blind children from an orphanage about their life and career.

· Is this your debut book? If no, can you tell us about your first book?

Yes! This is my debut book.

· What were the feedbacks you received from your readers?

Before I published the book, I posted some of the parts of the book in social media for feedback. I got positive response. I received positive feedback from my dear ones via e-mail. Now the book is already published and I am receiving bestowal of praise through emails.

· Is this a total fiction or inspired from true incidents?

In fact, this is a fiction; but I can't say that this is a total fiction. Some of the incidents are based on the personal experience.

· Does Samar's character relate to you in anyway?

Yes! Samar's character relates to me but partially.

· The publisher's name in the story has been modified as Blue Whale publishers. Is it a co-incidence or did you know previously that you will be publishing with blue rose publishers?

Ans:

In fact, I wrote the book in Hindi in which the name of the publisher was 'Neeli Pari'. When I got the book translated by my Sir Ashish Anandam, the term also got translated into 'Blue Angel'. One of my author friends came across this name and told me about its existence. I then looked for some other name and found the presence of 'Blue Rose Publisher'. I then went on with 'Blue Whale Publication' with a little modification in it.

· And the Character's name of Rose, was it taken from Blue Rose publishers' middle name?

This is completely co-incidence.

· Is it just me finding relation between a relation between Blue Rose Publishers and the publishers that you had mentioned in the book and the owner being Rose or is there any reason behind it that you would like to say?

This is all co-incidence; but, if this co-incidence makes our relationship with Blue Rose Publishers good enough, it will really be a nice experience.

· How do you feel when you write?

I feel each moment while writing.

· What are your other hobbies?

My hobbies are subject to change as per the nature of my work. At present, my hobby is 'travelling'.

· How supportive were your family?

At the outset, I didn't receive much support; but as my debut novel is now published, every member of my family is now happy and supportive.

· How was your publishing journey with blue rose publishers?

It was nice.

· When can we expect your next book?

Quite soon.

· Where can readers find your other writings?

Readers can find other writings of mine on Facebook, Instagram and Your quote.

· Where can readers connect to you?

Readers can join me on Facebook, Instagram and Your Quote.

· Finally, few words of advice for the upcoming writers?

The upcoming writers should keep patience and never think that they are going to be the stars overnight. They should focus on their work wholeheartedly.

It was a pleasant time talking with you Raj. All the best for your future endeavors.

RhU;