Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a doctor at a Big Ugly Hospital in Scotland. I was born in India, grew up in the Middle East and moved to the UK decades ago.
After years in medicine, I thought it was time for a change of tack, took stock of my (few) other skills and decided to give writing a go.
I’ve written three books so far and am very experienced at collecting rejections from literary agents. My latest book, however, made it as far as the desk of an editor at one of the Big Five publishing companies so I seem to be getting there.
Writing, like medicine, is craft; you need to do a lot of it to get good.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It’s called “The Tender Coconut Tamasha”, is set in a modern-day Indian metropolis and features an upright police Inspector who’s been put in charge of a new unit to deal with minor crime: the Bangalore Civil Nuisance Unit. He’s just trying to get the Unit off the ground when he’s drawn into what, at first glance, appears just a minor nuisance but evolves into a grand conspiracy that leaves the city in flames.
It was inspired by a walk down Mahatma Gandhi Road in Bangalore a few years ago with my wife and brother. We were talking about my plans to start writing mysteries and happened to pass a man selling tender coconuts on a street corner.
“I should write a mystery about that!” I said in jest. The idea stuck and, a year later, evolved into the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to plot things out with boxes and arrows on a large drawing pad. It gets very messy.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hilary Mantell for prose (Wolf Hall trilogy).
Michael Chabon for inventiveness (The Yiddish Policeman’s Union).
Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams for humour and satire.
E. Annie Proulx for her ability to take you somewhere else in just a few words and kill you dead in a few more (Accordian Tales, The Shipping News)
What are you working on now?
A gritty, noir, hospital-based murder mystery as submission for a writing competition. It couldn’t be further from The Tender Coconut Tamasha.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I haven’t figured it all out yet but Awesomegang.com seems great. Reedsy has lots of useful free info and tutorials. Joanna Penn’s website also has tons of great tips and free resources.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persevere. Keep writing. As I said earlier, writing is craft, like medicine. You need a certain amount of knowledge but it’s 90% about application. You get better the more you do. Oh, and learn from your mistakes.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“People are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of things.” Epictetus, Stoic philosopher
What are you reading now?
The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Work on marketing this book. Learn how to do it and keep getting better. And write the next one.
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?
The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx
Inferno by Dante Alighieri
The Enchiridion by Epictetus
The Hitchiker’s Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Author Websites and Profiles
Joe Chacko Website
Joe Chacko Amazon Profile
Joe Chacko’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account