Saturday 28 March 2015

Interview with ANIRBAN NANDA

Anirban is a final year student of Electrical Engineering at Haldia Institute of Technology. He lives in Haldia, West Bengal. He has always wanted to write. Reading books is his favorite pass time. His anthologies “A Phase Unknown Women-A Tribute Season 2” , "Dream-Castle" and "The Paid Eminence" are due release in April, 2015. He has also published some of his works at www.themicrotales.com and in “Indian Authors Association”. Though he is a student of technical intricacy, he loves to read novels more than engineering textbooks. His favorite authors include George Orwell, Harper Lee and Khuswant Singh. You can get in contact with him via. email (anirban.igp@gmail.com), Facebook or his blog Alphabet Speaks (www.anirbanigp.wordpress.com).



~When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I was at class twelve, I started taking part in different essay writing competition and all kind of writing competition. Participating in those events helped me to grow aspiration to write stories, poems etc. When I read deep impact fiction by Indian author in my mother tongue like Rabindranath, Saratchandra, I realized the power of writing and from then I have decided to become a writer.

~Tell us about your story, ‘Heat Of Knife.’ How did you get the idea for it?
This story is about a girl, named Durga who struggled and survived the
bleak world of slum-life. When I first saw the call for submission in this anthology, I was in the midst of preparing for GATE exam. I felt like writing something on women empowerment but could not find a story. Then while travelling to the centre for the exam I witnessed life in slums from bus and right then I got the idea of my story.

~Tell us about the character of Durga. How did you develop the character?
In our mythology, Durga is a symbol of rage and protection the true image of women. Parvati is another name for Durga who is the mother of Durga in my story. I visualized the current situation of women in our society in not like the Durga or Parvati in mythology. To name the character Durga is ironical. I tried to imagine the possible situations in the slum and tried to develop a character as fit as possible for our society.

~How long does it take you to write a story?
It depends on whether I am trying to write a simple story or an artistic one. I took nearly six hours to write this story and another 2-3 hours for correction.

~What is your work schedule like, when you're writing?
 I like to write after midnight, but it always not have to be the case. I read many short stories to experiment with my writing style there is a drastic change in my writing style from this story to the most recent one and I normally write one story in 2 weeks.

~What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I always like to write about dark sides of our society; never loved much romance in writing stories. It is not that I hate romance, I do write romance but they are different not sweet flowery love tales.

~Where do you get your information or ideas for your stories?
I get ideas from our society; real life events of people around us.

~When did you write your first story and how old were you?
I wrote my first story in my first year B.Tech, at age of 17; it was a science fiction.

~What do you like to do when you're not writing?
When I am not not writing, I read novels, watch movies or do my final year project.

~What does your family think of your writing?
My parents are very supportive for my aspiration to become a writer. They think I write well and have the potential to become a good writer. I am very fortunate to born in such family.

~What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your stories?
When I realize naked truths about our society and behaviour and express it in my friend circle, they make joke of it. But when I write the same in a short story or a poem, everyone appreciates it.

~How many stories have you written? Which is your favorite?
 I have written total nine stories, of which I love “The Act of Smiling” the most which will release in the anthology named “The Paid Eminence”.

~Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Just keep writing regularly, you will improve for sure. It is true for everyone who wants to become a writer.

~Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I got mixed reviews when I published my first story in Facebook. Those reviews helped me a lot to write better stories now.

~What do you think makes a good story?
A good story must be racy and thought provoking at the same time. The narration should not be  like a news report, it must be interesting.

~As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
When I was a child I wanted to become a bay-blade fighter shown in cartoon network. J It was very famous in those days and in my locality every afternoon there was a fight between the spinning lattoos or bay-blades.

~How was experience with Sanmati Publishers?
It is vey pleasant and beautiful. They are supportive and very helpful.

~What would be your message for our readers?
Just be yourself, follow your heart and keep smiling.


Thank you Anirban for your precious time. Wish you Good luck!



~Interviewed by Enakshi Johri & Kumar Vikrant

Friday 27 March 2015

Interview with NIKITA GOEL

Nikita Goel is currently working as a Managing Editor for upcoming International Poetry Anthology - Purple Hues. She is a Writer, Blogger and a Counselor. She is a Contributing Author in A Phase Unknown Women - A Tribute Anthology and Co-Poet at Purple Hues and Rhymes and Rhythms. She has completed her Masters in English Literature and has been pursuing French Language. Her passion for Writing made her pursue "Script Writing Course" at Pierce College, Los Angeles under the guidance of Noel Annenberg, the celebrated Author of an International Best-Seller - "A Dog Boy".

She can be contacted at:

Email - nikitagoel1988@gmail.com



~How would you define yourself?
 A Dreamer, Believer, Brand Ambassador of the Universe, Book Lover, Insane, Misfit, Solitude Seeker, Spiritual Junkie and God's Favorite Child.

~Tell us about your story, ‘I Do Not Love Him Any More?’ How did you get the idea for it? What is it about?
" I do not love him anymore " is very close to my heart. It's about a happily married couple who face traumatic situations due to husband's mental instabililty and finally end out of love. The story is about the strength and patience of the wife who did everything she could, to save her relationship but when she decided to move out , there was no coming back.

~Which genre does this story belong to?
A Romantic Thriller

~How long did you take to finish this story? How did you decide the title?
Frankly speaking it took two months. The story was written in two parts with a lapse of ten years.The lapse was introduced purposefully for Miraya, to make her understand that she did not need that man, anymore.When I started writing it , I did not know it would turn out that way.

~Tell us about the character of Miraya. How did you develop the character?
Miraya is a strong, independent woman who exhibits strength of character and endless devotion towards her husband. She is the real Hero of the story. I am more inclined towards creating strong , ambitious and independent woman, as the protagonist.

~Tell us about the research you carried out for this story. How did you go about it?
I did not get into much research. It has a personal touch to it, at some places. Moreover , I was reading a book named " Dianetics" which helped me get inside the minds of the charcters and their sufferings.

~What can a novice reader expect from, ‘I Do Not Love Him Anymore’?
It leaves you Thinking about Miraya and her future . You would want to save her from her own  life and yet feel enamoured by her strong headedness.I am sure most of the women and men , offcourse could relate to the characters in some way or the other.

~Since you are associated with an NGO, how do you find time for writing?
Writing is Breathing to me and you don't need to find time to breathe, it happens everytime on it's own.

~Tell us about your publishing journey.
I am Co-Poet at Purple Hues and Rhymes and Rhythms. A Phase Unknown Women happens to be my first publication.

~Tell us about yourself. What do you do when you are not writing?
I am an avid Reader .

~Who are your favorite authors/ writers?
Charlotte Bronte , Virginia Woolf , Salman Rushdie and Rhonda Byrne.

~What are you currently reading?
Sita's Curse by Sreemoyee Piyu Kundu

~What will you be working on next?
Only time can tell.

~How was experience with Sanmati Publishers?
I feel privileged and blessed to be associated with Sanmati Publishers. The Team is more like a family. Pawan Sir has inspired and encouraged me to be my best. I am deeply honored by his charisma.

~What would be your message for our readers?
Life is Precious, make sure you make every moment count and die with zero regrets. Do everything you want to do before it's too late. Don't get trapped in right and wrong - Anything that makes you happy is good for your soul.


Thank you Nikita for your precious time and for sharing your thoughts with us. Wishing you success in future endeavours!
Best wishes for "A phase Unknown Woman- A tribute, Season 2

~Interviewed by Enakshi Johri & Kumar Vikrant


Tuesday 24 March 2015

A Phase Unknown Women- A Tribute Season 2

This April, presenting before all the enthusiastic and zealous readers, a tribute to womanhood. This anthology is a compilation of short stories and poems, dedicated to all the mothers, daughters, sisters and all the females in different phases of life.
Kudos to all the dedicated and talented authors who have penned down their beautiful thoughts and expressed them splendidly.