I was up at 4:45 am and showered and in front of my computer, a cup of kaapi in hand, at 5:30 am. Today was the first of my virtual school visits to promote my book. My screen was filled with eager, hopeful seventh graders sitting half way across the world in New Delhi, India. […]
Read moreCOVID-19 Diaries: Past Midway Point
I casually look at the calendar one morning and I am taken aback we are in August already. August spells back to school, Fall, cooler weather, and festival season. In any other year, this would have been when I am scouring back to school lists, actively networking to find which kids are in my children’s […]
Read moreCOVID-19 Diaries: Back to School Rumblings
This week the school district my children are part of voted on a plan for the fall. Kids stay home until November. Then, they revisit the guidelines at that time, evaluate the safety of students and teachers and make a decision. The board meeting was telecast live. I tuned it and listened on and off. […]
Read moreThank YOU
I woke up this morning feeling incredibly blessed. Yesterday was a dream come true. It was my book birthday. I was live on FB, joined by a handful of family and friends. I answered questions. I cut a cake as they cheered on. My local friends joined for a bite of the cake. My brother […]
Read moreInsta Live, Facebook Live
Over the next few days, I will be online with different people at different times. Join in, ask me questions and learn about the book, the writing process or just say Hello! Instagram Live with Shweta Ganesh Kumar of Times of Amma on Saturday July 18th at 9:30 am EST (US) and 7:00 pm IST […]
Read moreDreams: The Long Story
In a few days, “Why is my Hair Curly?” will officially be out in the world in paperback. In itself, this day will be no different from the day the Kindle or Audible versions were released. In the words of a wise friend, “the story is no longer yours, let it fly”. Last year, after […]
Read moreCOVID-19 Diaries: Cleaning
My calf muscles and hamstrings are sore from bending over one too many times. This time I am on my knees and elbows reaching for a hard to reach inflated ball that is wedged right in the middle of the futon width. I let out a string of curses knowing no one can hear me. […]
Read moreInterview with Lakshmi Iyer: How to Grow your Blog as an Author
Hear from veteran blogger and new author, Lakshmi Iyer, as she talks about her blog, her first book and her journey as an adoptive mother. Continue … Interview with Lakshmi Iyer: How to Grow your Blog as an Author
Read moreUnboxing Happiness
The package lay on the floor, tossed carelessly by a child who found it on the front porch. It lay there unclaimed until I took a break from work to get some water. I picked it off the floor, noticed the absence of any Amazon branding and wondered who might have sent me something. As […]
Read moreThe Author Life
“So, how does it feel like to be an Author?” I have been asked this question by various friends over the past few days. I laugh and answer that I am living the dream. It is true. This all feels like a dream, a lovely one. The truth though is that the day of the […]
Read moreFirst Review Is Here!
So, Women’s Web published their review of my book “Why is my Hair Curly?” on their website. Hop on over to read and let me know what you thought.
Read moreCOVID-19 Diaries: Changing Ways of Life
Today, I pulled the plug on our landline. A number we have had since 2001. A number that has followed us through three moves, seen three babies and been a constant across multiple job changes and career changes. The landline has been like a recalcitrant child, acting up, refusing to work and often causing me […]
Read moreMeet The Narrator: Shruti Bhola
A few months before the book release date was fixed, I woke up around 2:30 am in the morning to a message that Audible had agreed to create the Audio version of the book. I remember feeling excited, like someone had found worth in the story to give it voice. I say this as someone […]
Read moreMeet The Illustrator: Niloufer Wadia
Early on during the book writing process, I was told the book would have illustrations. Me, being me, assumed that it would be picture book like with glossy pictures and text that flowed around the pictures. Clearly, I had no idea about the MG book market. I found later that that the illustrations would be […]
Read moreMy Cup Floweth Over
I end the day, my heart full, my eyes teary, and overcome with emotion. All through the day, I watched as friends and family shared posts on their social media. They accompanied links to my books with lengthy write-ups, an ode to the time we have known each other. Each of these posts were heartfelt, […]
Read moreHow Can YOU Help A Debut Author?
(The Obvious) BUY THEIR BOOK(S). Buy a second copy of their book(s) to gift to a friend. Buy a copy to donate to a school library. Review their book(s) on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, BookDepository – anywhere you can think of. Reviews get books seen. Books that are seen are books that are […]
Read moreBook Birthday: Why is my hair curly?
The day is finally here. Year-long labor of love, my children’s book “Why is my hair curly?” by Red Panda (an imprint of Westland Books – An Amazon company) is out in Kindle and Audible formats today. The paperback version will be out on July 20th, 2020. Get your book at: getbook.at/WhyIsMyHairCurly Join me for […]
Read moreCOVID-19 Diaries: It Takes A Village
I woke up at 2:45 am to news that Amma will be discharged Friday. By the time I brushed and checked messages again, I learned she would be going home today. The following hour was manic. Phone lines buzzed between continents. Friends and family worked in tandem to make sure she could go home without […]
Read moreCOVID-19 Diaries: A Lull
I woke today to news that Amma may be discharged in a day or two. Panic set in. Was she really okay? What if she got sent home and her condition worsened? How will we manage to clean the home and make it ready in a day? What preparation do we need to do in […]
Read moreCOVID-19 Diaries: Bone Tired
It has been five days since Amma has been admitted. The communication gaps when trying to coordinate care in a country 8000 miles away is staggering. Basic questions like what medications is she on? Why is she being given the medicines she is being administered? What is the prognosis? Will they check her lungs again? […]
Read moreCOVID-19 Diaries: Glimmers of Hope
I am on a work call. I am distracted by incoming messages. At some point, I request the rest of the day off and focus on the messages on my phone instead. There are different sets. One with Amma. One with my siblings. One for my medically competent friends. I share details and worries. I […]
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