Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi,
I am Ell P (not popularly known as Lakshmi Priya). I am a writer, artist and Leadership coach from Bangalore, India. I have over the years studied in thirteen different schools and colleges and moved across India and Europe. With an MBA in Marketing and Finance, I make my money coaching and training people in Leadership skills.
But really, my true passion has always been spinning a damn good yarn. My writing career began in August, 2014 when I became an integral part of the Write Club, Bangalore. An avid reader and writer since childhood, I rediscovered my calling in writing fiction when Litlatte was born, a publishing platform created by me and four other writers.
Apart from publishing anthologies and books, I regularly write for the monthly edition of Write Club Magazine and www.womensweb.com. I have been published in over 15 books, all available in Amazon.
I also attempt my hand at wall art and life size murals through, my art startup, www.m-artini.com.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The latest book is called “The Door”, an Indie horror.
While I wrote the first draft of the story in 2014, I have only recently visited it again, re-written it.
At that point, my son, Simba, would hound me every single night, to tell him a story. The stories had to have horror and adventure, inspired by that, this particular book is all about a bedtime story, that ends with a twist, you would never see coming. (I can safely say that, because while writing it, even I didn’t see the twist coming).
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I usually write best, on my lounge, with a glass of wine in my hand. So if you spot any drunken rants, they would in all likelihood be true.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some of the authors that have paved my path while growing up, and still do are Harper Lee, Stephen King, JK Rowling, Margaret Atwood, Jussi Adler Olsen, Tana French, Gillian Flynn and Joyce Carol Oates.
I bet there are many other that I can’t think of now, but would definitely kick myself later, for not mentioning them.
What are you working on now?
I get published in various anthologies, so the idea is to churn out short stories weekly.
Plus I am working on redrafting an existing manuscript and a humorous parenting book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Organic marketing works best if you have thousands of friends/followers on social media. Since I don’t think I am that popular, I often have to resort to Free book promotions.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read, read and read.
Because if you can’t find time to read, anything you write will not be worth a reading.
Harsh..huh?
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When writing magical realism, often I have seen people create a fantastical plot, and then try and explain it away as a drug induced hallucination. The best advice I heard on this, was that, “Don’t cheat your reader. If your imagination can’t logically explain fantasy, don’t attempt it, yet.”
What are you reading now?
Just finished Sapiens.
Reading The Rosie Project.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Publishing a series of full blown novels, in the genres of Paranormal Romance.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Of course, first one would be mine. I will be my worst critic.
Ruskin Bond’s omnibus. (another one I should’ve mentioned in favourite writer’s section)
Neil Gaimann’s American Gods. (Dammit)
Stephen King’s Rose Madder.
Author Websites and Profiles
Ell P Website
Ell P Amazon Profile
Ell P’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account