Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Madhu B. Wangu is an author and the founder of Writing Meditation for Mindful Writers. She has a doctorate in the phenomenology of Religion from the University of Pittsburgh (1988) and a post-doctoral Fellowship from Harvard University (1989-1991). For fifteen years she taught Hindu and Buddhist art history at various universities. A member of Pennwriters Organization she was its board member from 2007-10012.
Madhu Wangu has written two books about goddesses. Images of Indian Goddesses: Myths, Meanings and Models, (Abhinav Publications, New Delhi, 2003) discusses the meaning of goddess myths and symbols. A Goddess is Born, (Spark Publishers, 2002) details the social, political, and cultural meanings of the Kashmiri goddess, Khir Bhavani. She has also written two extensively illustrated books for young adults, Hinduism (Facts on File, Inc., New York, 1991) and Buddhism (Facts on File, Inc., New York, 1993).
Based on decades of meditation Madhu Wangu has developed Writing Meditation Method. In 2010 she founded the Mindful Writers Group. Five years since its inception, the group has twenty members and a waiting list. The success of the practice is evident in the novels and books written and published by the members.
Her CD, “Meditations for Mindful Writers” (2011) has inspired professional as well as novice writers to practice their skill with mindfulness. Writing Meditation Method improves focus, reduces stress and anxiety, removes blocks, and increases writing flow. Due to the success of the Mindful Writers Group (North), Dr. Wangu is starting a second group of Mindful Writers in the east of Pittsburgh beginning March 2016.
Madhu Wangu’s debut collection, Chance Meetings: Stories About Cross-Cultural Karmic Collisions and Compassion was released in April 2015. Her novel, An Immigrant Wife: Her Spiritual Journey is to be released in April 2016. Currently, she is writing her second novel, The Last Suttee.
She lives in Wexford, Pennsylvania, USA with her husband Manoj, a retired robotics engineer. They have two daughters—an avionics engineer and a pediatrician. Madhu and Manoj are blessed with three grandchildren.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Immigrant Wife: Her Spiritual Journey, a novel.
Painting, falling in love, struggle, determination, world travel, Meditation
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get up before twilight, meditate, write in my journal and, after breakfast, follow with three to four hours of writing everyday.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Virginia Woolf, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Eckhart Tolle, Julia Cameron, Anne Lamott, Natalie Goldberg, Thomas Merton, Deepak Chopra
What are you working on now?
My second novel, The Last Suttee.
Second Collection of Stories: Strange Relationships
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Free Kindle Books and Tips
ManyBooks
Beck Valley Books
Fussy Librarian
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never send out a manuscript to agents/editors/ publishers that you are not yet proud of.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do not listen to the voice in your head.
Observe your thoughts and emotions.
Then completely trust your deeper voice.
What are you reading now?
The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
What’s next for you as a writer?
Get my second novel and second collection of stories published.
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?
Any books written by the authors I have mentioned above.
Author Websites and Profiles
Madhu Bazaz Wangu Website
Madhu Bazaz Wangu Amazon Profile
Madhu Bazaz Wangu Author Profile on Smashwords
Madhu Bazaz Wangu’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account