Pump Up Chats with Women’s Fiction Author Shobhan Bantwal

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Shobhan Headshot Shobhan Bantwal calls her writing Bollywood in a Book, commercial fiction about India, women’s issues and socio-political topics, with romantic and cultural elements. Her articles and stories have appeared in The Writer, Romantic Times, India Abroad, Little India, New Woman, and India Currents. Her short fiction has won honors/awards in contests by Writer’s Digest, New York Stories & New Woman magazines. Her debut book, The Dowry Birde, won the 2008 Golden Leaf Award. Visit her website: www.shobhanbantwal.com and her facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ShobhanBantwal.author

Thank you for this interview, Shobhan. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?

A: First of all, my sincere thanks to you. I was not a creative writer in my childhood or even early adulthood. I took up writing rather late in life. And yes, I certainly remember my first published piece. It was an article titled “My Little Girl Comes Home,” which was published by an Indian-American newspaper called India Abroad in 2002. It was about my only child leaving home for college and then coming home for a brief visit the first time. It was such a thrill to see my emotional piece spread out over a full page.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

A: Becoming a published author is an ongoing journey. Nonetheless I have found that positive reader feedback is the most rewarding. The frustration comes from constantly having to spend copious amounts of time, effort, and money on promotion and marketing. It takes away an author’s focus from her writing, the one thing that got her there and the one thing that will keep her career going.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support?

A: I have been in a happy arranged marriage for nearly 37 years. Not only do I have a home and family but I also have a full-time day job, which means I have to juggle those two facets of my life with a full-time writing career. My only support is my dear husband, who was forced into early retirement, so he works as my webmaster, my manager, best friend and everything rolled into one great guy.

The Unexpected Son What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?

A: My main source of fun away from writing is reading. It is actually the love of reading that spawned my writing career. I wanted to craft stories like the ones I loved to read and that is exactly what I did. I had been waiting for many years for an Indian commercial women’s/romantic fiction author to emerge, and when no one did, I decided to take the plunge myself. My husband and I like cruises for vacationing. They are both relaxing and fun.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

A: Italy was a great country to visit. The entire city of Rome is a museum with so much to see and learn and experience. One is practically walking on historical ground all over Rome. I have been there twice and hope to go again.

Who is your biggest fan?

A: I have several women who are avid fans and write lovely emails to me, post messages on my facebook page, and encourage me to write more. These women are all different ages and belong to varied cultures, and that is what makes them special.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

A: I have a crowded desk and computer in a small home office that my husband and I share. He has a desk and computer of his own. More than being a favorite place to write, it is the most convenient and practical. A computer is a must for a writer, so I pretty much do all my writing in this home office.

Do you have any pets?

A: We don’t have any pets at the present time.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

A: Everyone who hears me speak in public thinks I have an abundance of confidence. The truth is, I’m rather nervous about speaking to groups. But I believe a little nervousness is a good thing. Too much confidence can come across as arrogance.

What’s on your to do list today?

A: My “to do” list says I should write one more chapter in my next book. There is no end to the chapters. When one is done, another pops. It is fun to plan what I want to put in it.

Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you. If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?

A: My book is mostly set in India. Perhaps reading my story will encourage him to find a way to get there – a tropical land teeming with vivid colors and spices, not to mention beautiful, exotic women.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi and the newest addition, Ellen DeGeneres, to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make millions of dollars. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?

A: I believe an excerpt would be my best bet to impress the panel of judges. I try to hook my readers within the first page or two. It is a long shot, but perhaps I can entice such discerning judges to pick my book as a winner.

You just got word that your book has received the 2010 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. What would you say and who would you thank?

A: The author is only one element in putting out a book. My sincere thanks would go to my wonderful editor, my efficient agent, and all the crew and staff at my publishing house. I could never have succeeded without that dedicated and talented cadre of professionals who took a chance on an unknown author some years ago.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in September 2010 via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

A: With more and more readers spending time on the Internet and joining online readers’ communities in recent years, it makes complete sense to do virtual tours instead of tours featuring brick-and-mortar bookstores. A worldwide audience is at an author’s fingertips with a cyber book marketing campaign. Pump Up Your Book Promotion has been a great virtual tour operator to work with. I was one of their very first clients back in 2007, when my debut novel was published. This is my fourth book and fourth tour with Pump Up at the helm.

Thank you for this interview, Shobhan. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

A: Thank you so much for an interesting and insightful interview. I look forward to doing it again with my next book. And I appreciate your continued support.

You can find more information on my books, contests, recipes, photos, and contact information on my website: www.shobhanbantwal.com. I’m also on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShobhanBantwal.author

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach