I woke up late as usual with an after taste of grass still in my mouth, it felt parched and my cheeks felt swollen. I don’t remember when my house boy cleaned the dishes and swept the floor. I was asleep throughout, there is a hint of grogginess in my head and I haven’t shaved for a few days, just lying on the sofa, sleeping or just gazing at the ceiling, the youtube.com can be distraction ans dod manage to catch some world news and listen to some sermons from Satguru. To my surprise, it was not even eleven o clock in the morning, but the rain had started to fall and there was a chill in the air, a sudden gush of wind followed by thunder, the sky was overcast with rain clouds and it had been raining for some time now.

The first thing I did was make a shave and try and see the rain outside my porch, it was an almighty drizzle. My butler had kept some rice and mutton in the fridge for me to eat and I had that willingly in the afternoon all the while staring at the rain. The street dogs had hidden in the shelters and the ice cream man who silvers my evening ice cream called up and said he would be late due to the rain. It’s at times like these that I used technology to my advantage, I used Swiggy app to order two scrumptious seekh and chicken tikka rolls, all cooked in low fat and healthy to the core.

Swiggy is all you need when your butler is away and you need a snack that is light and yet very tasty. The app gave we me a plethora of kabab joints to order from and I choose Rolling Stones Kabab’s. Each payed by Paytm and delivered to my door in 30 min intervals. It’s me muting on them as I watch the rainfall. No fans needed I do cover myself with a quilt when I am typing away at the sofa, with the morsels of my KEBABS still in my mouth and its rashes sticking to my teeth.

But twiggy did the job home delved piping hot snacks at less the Rs 200 apiece what more can a single man with no regular cook want. What’s more, you get your order number and you can track the order how long it will take to reach you. All with a few clicks of the mobile and yes you are spoilt for choice out there. So it’s Ganja, Ice cream Kebab’s and the Delhi rain for me these days and I seem to be in peace with myself. Some say it is an animalistic life I lead, I just call it my fucking life.

Keep busy throughout the day chatting to old friends or working on my next big hobby like audiobooks or planning a trip to the Arctic. But the rain is a welcome break, there has been general gloom around the world. Carona virus has hit the stock market and thus my earnings are down. But I do keep myself busy watching the trump visit India, he does speak Hindi very freakishly.

Well, it does really!

It’s been 6 months that I deactivated my account on kobo.com and some other online book stores to go all the way with the amazon.com kip select program, this will get me access to the vast KDP market for e-books, free promotional offers that I can run and a whole host of other benefits including more royalty and thus more income from sales of my books. But this is an exclusive offer, I am not able to sell from any other market place on the web. I decided to go for the exclusive deal. In six months I ran a free book offer for five days on all my new books, I stuck to my book blogger reviews. I noticed a tend the sales of my books had increased three folds but all the books were selling for free, therefore I was making no money the free book offers were a hit with 20 books being given away free in a day. Let me share some figures in the last five months I have sold 266 free books through the KDP select program using the free book promotion offer, do you want to know how many paid books I sold for which I will get royalty to guess what the figure is a puny 30 books that were sold for money. Although on a slightly brighter point the number of pages reads from my books went up considerably about 1350 pages were read from my various books and yes people are reading the Malayalam edition of the books with a few dozen being taken for free.

Compare that to six moths further back I sold 45 books paid and royalty received. But then the pages read were less than a 100 or so. But yes one other cost of mine has reduced I have stopped getting reviews from book bloggers and saved money there instead I have used the free book promotion tool of KDP and given away free books at no cost to me. Remember I was shelling out Rs 500 plus book cost to get a review from one book blogger per book. I think I can say that using the free book offer tool I managed to save at least Rs 6000 a month from my book blogger review cost.

I did run a promotion on my blog which cost me Rs 10,000, I quiz question the winner gets cashback on their Paytm when they buy my erotica book. We have had a dozen entered and the people can be contacted and sold over the mail or the phone.

So going with KDP sect helps you in reducing your promotional and book review cost as their promotional offers help in giving the readers a free taste of your book. But that’s about it they do not really lead to an increase in sales, however, they do lead to a substantial increase in the number of pages of your book read and you get paid for that too under the program. So go form it go for KDP elect all the way. If you do not get the desired sales over a sustained period you can always reject the exclusive offer and take your book to other online stores the exclusive deal has to be renewed every three months.

1 – Make sure you have clearly explained to your sound eng. that apart from recording mixing and packaging the mp3 as per your guidelines with proper intro and outro, he is also responsible for uploading the mp3 chapter by chapter and then waiting for any instructions from the audio team of acx.com in case of changes making the changes as per the instructions and making sure the audiobook has gone live and is actively selling on audible.com and iTunes. This is the last but most crucial step, most audio eng. just give the package of the audiobook on we transfer file and think their job is done but it is not. They have to make it live with all the corrections and make sure the deal you negotiate with them covers this last mile or critical task of making the audiobook active for sale. If not done your budget will go up as the Eng. will charge you some more for corrections and final upload.

2 – Make sure the voice artist is negotiated with and paid per hour basis and records at least 4 hours in a day. Rs 500 to Rs 800 per hour is a fair rate to give the artist.

1 – The activity of production audiobooks to be sold through ace.com  will require three people the audio eng. the producer and the narrator.

2 – The audio eng. is responsible for smooth recording, mixing of bed effects and soundtrack along with the packaging. He will also be responsible for uploading the final MP3 audio file and doing corrections if need be on the audio track if suggested by the ace.com team. Finally, it will be his responsibility to make the audiobook live and see that it has started selling perfectly.

3 – The producer will fix the right studio to get a sample voice from the narrator for me to approve. Pick the right narrator for the right audiobook depending on the genre and tone of the book. He will make studio bookings and make sure the narrator is in time and has all the written material ready for him to narrate. He will be responsible for directing the narrator and getting him to narrate quickly so that time is not wasted and the narration can happen smoothly without wasting precious studio hours. He will advise the audio eng. with effects and sound beds. He will also make payments to all parties and season for final delivery with me. He is my one point contact for final audiobook delivery and will have to adhere to strict timelines.

4 – Standard rate: A rate of Rs 1000 per hour for studio time and Rs 800 per hour for a good quality narrator is to be fixed. An average audiobook should not take more than 15 hours to narrate about three to four days of recording work. In one day the producer should try and get the narrator to narrate at least 5 hours of text taking short 10 min breaks every hour. It is the producer who has to see that productivity is maximum and we are able to record more hours and min of the audiobook for every hour of studio time payed for. He has to see that rhythm and enthusiasm is maintained throughout the recording days.

5 – The Rs 1000 her hour studio rate is inclusive of final delivery on ace.com and making the audiobook live. No extra money will be given to make the book live and corrections no matter how many are part of this final package.

I have been listening to OSHO for the past few days in youtube.com and I could not stop to wonder the power and magic of words either spoken, written, sung or just said. Each word, couplet, and the sonnet is a vibration of energy, which emanates from the originator. The words carry energy packets, vibrations in the air, meaning, words and even pictures and animations along with them. It is for the listener or receiver to make meaning out of them. The more you focus and the more you concentrate on what is said the more substance you will derive from the words. The more intensely I listened to old masters more I got to know the real meaning of what they were saying or what the message for their stories where.

One needs to then learn about the art of dancing with words, a sort of synergetic intermingling of the listener and the transmitter. Where both are in tune harmony will be created and a deeper meaning will emerge. It’s like looking at a painting at first glance nothing makes sense, it’s all meaningless, paints and colors. But at deeper observation, the painting will come alive and show its true meaning all objects will make sense and the story hidden in the picture will become apparent.

It’s something I am beginning to realize as I go ahead in my writing journey, dancing with words. As I tap away on the keyboard of my laptop, it feels like I am pressing the keys on a piano or doing tap dance with my toe. Each word I type comes out of the soul like a rocket and as a great American writer said,” If each word you write does not come out of your soul like a rocket don’t do it, don’t write, write only when it’s bursting out of you .” Yes, that man was good old Charles Bukowski and he did give us some great work.

Rhythm needs to be established and maintained unbroken so that the juice of what you want to say is laid bare.

The more pictures and images your words can create the deeper they will take the reader into your own imaginary world and then engrossed he will be with what you have to say.

So just write write write and get engrossed with words.

Hi all just got an invite from the Delhi Literature Festival taking place at Delhi Haat near the INA Market from the 6th to the 8th of March. I will be speaking on my travel blog and reading excerpts from my book Travelthon Tales at the venue, it is free for all to come. Enjoy the magic of books and the tranquil party atmosphere . Bask in the magic of stories and meet the literary giants of our times talk about writing and their books.

Open invite to all Book lovers in Delhi grace this occasion and make it a festival to remember. Books and stories that is the best way to pass knowledge to others and to educate one’s self. S festival period.  Join me and many eminent writers spin a yarn just for you over the three days of festival period. This is time for families to come out and buy ethnic wear from Delhi Haat and also indulge in the mullet ethnic cuisine on display. Best way to usher in the spring and get zip back into your life come to enjoy the wonders of books and the power of words.

ow to carry out a perfect Book Recitation

Now that I have been a published author for almost two years with over 20 books selling online on amazon.com and kobo.com along with other internet book stores. I have started taking part in literature festivals as they are the perfect place to meet fellow authors and promote your work. Most of the time you get the Dias to read an excerpt or two from your book and talk about your writing experience, so what should you keep in mind if you want to give that perfect recitation of your book, that garbs everyone by the ear and gets their attention. It also motivates and intrigues them further to buy your book. Here are a few pointers from my side.

Mike and Distance: Make sure you have a mike to speak from and keep it at six fingers length make sure it has been modulated and checked for an echo.

Seat and Delivery position: What position are you reading from, are you standing up or are you seated on a chair or a sofa. Have your reading glasses on at all times. I prefer to read from my iPhone X, I have got all my books on my kindle app and through a swish of a finger, I can flip the pages on the screen of my mobile and recite from the chapters word by word. Make sure your voice reaches the backbenchers and there is a  throw-in your recitation.

Publicity Material: Have your posters and a few paperback copies of your book near the Dias so that the people can see it and identify it as your work. The poster should be large enough in size.

The Hook: It’s always good to start cheerful and full of energy and joy and the audience should get that feel from you. Crack a joke to start off as you introduce yourself and your writings. Slip in the introduction and about yourself bit here at the start. Have one or two ready with you and use them at the start to build the mood. Always check that everyone can hear you well at the back and request the audience to switch their cell phones off.

Water Please: Have a bottle of mineral water or lime juice at all times as your throat will get parched as you read and it is the best way to clear your throat as you slip into the storytelling mode reciting the character dialogues.

Material: Have at least two chapters from your book ready from you to recite the opening has to be the first chapter, but before you start to give the audience a brief synopsis of what the story is about and any dedications you may have.

Just do it!  Once you start reciting keep a steady pace after the first dozen lines you will start getting the flow. Don’t hold back keep focused on the words and the story. Take pauses when necessary, they add to the tension. You must try and maintain eye contact with the audience and can look up at them after a few main paragraphs have been read. This builds intimacy and also Telles you how they are receiving your story and your recitation. Ideally, a five-minute recitation is good enough to start from, you may take it to 10 min not more than that. Make sure the audience leaves knowing what the story is about but not the entire storyline. You need to keep them hanging and wanting more so that they buy the book. Just build intrigue.

Close: You must have closure, crack a joke or an observation you want to share. May be an interesting anecdote or happening that took place when you were writing this particular book. Something wise and hearty for people to chew on as you wind up the proceedings. Maybe you can close with a short poem of yours to give that final touch.

Literature festivals, blogger conferences, and book reading sessions are the best way to build credibility as a genuine author and get publicity for your work. So to all authors and budding ones make sure you arrive here on time to hear and learn from the professionals in the trade.

Guys and Gals enjoy the Spring season and bask in the sweet afternoon sun that envelops Delhi in the month of March. Feel the morning dew and the chilly spring air, come to the Delhi Literature Festival and feast on the latest authors and book titles that are on offer. The festival takes place app the INA Market in Delhi Haat the dates are 6th 7th and 8th of March. This is a aap ka apna festival, for you and for your friends to enjoy, see the great library minds of our time recite their works in person.

The area of the Haat is spread out for 6 acres and one can shop for handicrafts and artifacts from almost all states in India. Shop with your loved ones and enjoy the food and the song and dance that goes on. Bask in the wonder of great literature and books.

The book through the sites

The art of idling or the art of doing nothing is something I have perfected over time. I haven’t worked for over five years, spent most of my time either traveling or being at home with myself, with the luxury of silence. Now that my servants have left and I have gotten rid of the last thorn in my flesh, the atmosphere of my house seems more tranquil and energized. The last shreds of the past have been done away with. The memory of my long lost father has been removed. I find deep peace and joy within myself and in my heart.

The winter is still on and I am enjoying the morning it even rains at times in the evening, my writing has gone quiet and all I do every day is contemplate, contemplate and contemplate. The drawing-room sofa is my best friend as my bed was destroyed by termites years back. I feel like being at home in Delhi now that I have got peace in my life. But my writing has slowed down, its as if I am waiting for things to happen to me.

I truly am doing nothing, nothing at all just listening to time pass youtube videos and old OSHO talks. But the fun part is there is no one to tell me that I should do something, and in doing nothing is where my actual peace lies. The art of total relaxation, where you know all that is, is and all that is what it should be.

Days bleed into months and months into seasons all passes as if nothing has happened, lazy days and lazy nights al is one and one is all. I sit in my hollow and empty existence just staring at the emptiness and a blank echo. I do nothing yet it happens as if on it’s own, my not doing actually makes it happen, life it keeps moving nothing is to be done no effort any pain and no strain.

Yes, I am perfecting the art of doing nothing, the art of non-doing and doing through non-doing.

This week has been hectic for me as now I am hunting for the lead actress for my web series, my heart is clear on this only one person can play the lead role and that is Anupriya Goenka the finest actress in the world, her pivotal role win Panchali for Ullu app proves that and her various works in. Ads and some big Bollywood films show her acting talent and versatility. It is as if she was born to play the role of Rashmi Verma. But alas! How am I to get in touch with her, one connect was Yaar my Party Girl go-between, ”Are sir Anupriya Goenka kya Badi cheese hei, I will get her for one and a half lakhs, you want to have dinner with her and discuss the role for your web series, I will arrange just put Rs 5000 For my air ticket to Mumbai. ”Yaar was ready to help in this matter. I contacted StarClinch a big events agency with an office and a huge website on the net, I fill in the entry forms and asked for a quotation for a one-day event a book launch for my book I also slept with Rashmi Verma. An executive called Yash picked the phone,” Sorry if this is not an escort service, we don’t provide services for sleeping with fuck .” No no sir that is the title of my Book it is an erotica and I want Anupriya Goenka to do a book launch, I will email the details of the book .”I suggested smoothening things. I got a welcome email from the portal and a quote of 2.5 lakhs for a three-hour event. I thought that a steep but for Anupriya I was even willing to shell out that.

“But you have to ask her and tell her what it is about not everyone wants to endorse erotica, she has to be comfortable with it and thus should be contacted directly .” We Have to first speak to her manager who will book her dates.

“We will do an MOU with you, now that we feel this story has the potential to become big .” Anuj rang up and told me from Rashmi Verma productions. It seems that I will be able to get some money from my book and story, what amount I am yet to know. I think I will ask for 5 lakhs for the book and my role as Mama Molester.

The web-series web still chugs on and I yet to get an answer from Anupriya Goenka on this.