Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an Indian author. I have published seven books so far through kindle. Right now, I am getting all my books re-edited and also changing the book cover and description. One of my books “The Heart of Gold” was republished recently and is available for free now. I am now almost ready to re-publish my second book. [By second week of August 2018].
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book which I just finished writing is “Blackmail”. I am yet to publish the same. In India, taking the help of detectives instead of going to the police is becoming common these days. Even parents, before finding a suitable bridegroom for their daughter consults a detective to verify the details of the boy. This concept of depending too much on the detectives inspired me to write this book. In this book, the detective after learning all the details of her family, blackmails her that she is the cause of a murder and draws out money from her frequently.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes. For the last two years, I have been experiencing a writer’s block [due to my mother’s passing away]. In fact, I have decided to stop writing. I wish to get out these eight books of mine out into the world first. I feel there is no point of writing when no one is reading. These days, with self-publishing, sometimes, I feel there are more authors than readers. And I wonder, how to get out my books to my readers. Hence, this decision to stop writing and concentrate more on spreading my books. In fact, I am learning the different marketing methods for my books.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors like Rabindranath Tagore, Sidney Sheldon, Jackie Collins have influenced me a lot. Presently I am reading Kuzhro Ishiguru’s [the nobel prize winner of this year] books. I finished “Never Let me Go”, “The remains of the day” and now reading The unconsoled.
What are you working on now?
Just learning to market my ebooks and searching the web for some good mentors who could help me in this regard.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am yet to come to a conclusion on this. However, I believe that shelling out a lot of money really helps. As everyone says, paid promotion works well. I like your awesome gang website as well. I have already promoted my books twice with you – one by paying $10
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I feel I am not yet capable to offer any advice. However, out of experience, I learnt that you need to spend some money for editing, book cover and book description, if you want people to even click on your free book link.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Same as enumerated above. Spend some money for paid promotion, if you want your book to get noticed by readers. Also, make your book free for a while and keep promoting it on all free websites and facebook groups. Building your email list, facebook ads and amazon ads are a few other things by which you can reach your readers, but I have so far not acquired knowledge about these.
What are you reading now?
“Unconsoled” Kazhroo Ishiguru
What’s next for you as a writer?
promoting and marketing my books. Once I succeed in this, I think of writing another book.
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?
Books of Rabindranath Tagore and Jackie Collins.
Author Websites and Profiles
Hemalatha Gnanasekar Website
Hemalatha Gnanasekar’s Social Media Links
Twitter Account