No writer can assume that her career is without risks. Writing stories for
public consumption comes with innumerable risks. No matter what the topic,
fiction or non-fiction, someone out there abhors it, is offended by it, or
decides to deride it publicly. I believe writing ethnic fiction is somewhat
riskier than other kinds because it deviates from the typical readers'
perception and expectations.
While most Indian authors write serious literary books, I write mainstream
novels with romantic elements, something I enjoy immensely. When I started
writing my debut book,
The
Dowry Bride, I wondered if there was a market for such a story. Would any
agent bother to look at a manuscript that was so outside the box? It fitted into
no particular genre, the setting was unusual, the theme controversial, and the
author unknown. It was "Bollywood in a Book." It could be a perfect recipe for
disaster. Nonetheless I started querying various agents.
It took me a while to find the right agent. Naturally I had my share of
rejections, since fiction is so subjective--one agent's food is another agent's
poison. Editors are no different. After some effort, when three agents offered
me representation, I was thrilled that at least three people in the literary
world thought my story had potential, despite its unusual elements.
Of course, the next challenge was to find a publisher. My talented agent managed
to accomplish that feat by selling the rights to my manuscript to Kensington
Books in a two-book deal in April 2006. At last, I had found an editor who
thought my stories had promise. In fact, she seemed passionate about it because
of its ethnicity and diversity.
For that I am indebted to both these wonderfully supportive women who were
willing to take a chance on an unknown author and unusual topics. And the risks
they have taken alongside my own have paid off. After three successful novels,
my fourth,
THE UNEXPECTED
SON, was released on August 1, 2010. Early reviews have been excellent, full
of praise.
Information on my Bollywood style books, including excerpts, videos, reviews,
photos, and contests, is on my
website.
Today's society is more open-minded, and wants to learn more about other nationalities than the older generation did. With all the trouble going on in the world, I think it helps to give them an insight into their neighbor as well. You shouldn't be surprised at all!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:46am August 2, 2010)
I feel that we all need to try to accept others and teach our children the same.
(Vickie Hightower 12:48pm August 2, 2010)
Thanks for a great post, Shobhan! I'm getting ready to start querying my international suspense novel and have similar nervousness as you did when you pitched your books. But you're blazing a trail, a successful one at that. Thanks for the inspiration.
(Supriya Savkoor 5:47pm August 2, 2010)
Thanks to all of you who posted a comment. I'm amazed and delighted at the amount of interest in my "outside the box" books. My readers are a very loyal bunch, too.
Shobhan Bantwal
(Shobhan Bantwal 8:19pm August 2, 2010)
Indian writing is hot right now. Last year one in my writers group had words which explained some of the culture in a familial context and we couldn't wait to get more.
(Alyson Widen 8:25pm August 2, 2010)
© 2003-2026