Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi My name is Murad and I am a first time published Author. For as long as I can remember I have been a avid book lover. In spite of English not being my language of communication, I had been reading English literature for ages though for a long time the idea of writing and publishing my own work never occurred to me. However, as they say better late than never, I could bring myself to write my first book and fortunately I got a publisher to publish my work as well. So till date I have written one book and have another one in early stages but I know there are many more waiting to take shape in form of words through my pen. I am also an accomplished artist working. I do oil painting primarily in realism genre. A number of my works have been showcased and sold all over the globe especially in my native country India and Europe.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is ‘A Tea-stall by the side of the Road’. It is a collection of short stories based on real life incidences, folklore, anecdotes as well as urban legends from across India. The idea of writing this book developed over a long time and in phases. It started as an attempt to create a blog where I could share a fictionalized version of some of the anecdotes and experiences shared with me by people around me as my friends felt I can be ‘up to the task’. Over several succeeding months and after a lot of encouraging feedback I compiled it in the form of a book and was lucky to have a few publishers in India find it interesting enough to give me my first contract.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wouldn’t call my writing habit unusual but as a serious biking enthusiast I have developed a habit of only writing over a long bike ride usually over a number of cups of tea, at the road side tea stall which are omnipresent here in India. That is how the title of my book also occurred to me. It was a single tribute to all my passions.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
While I have read across genres in the English literature, my primary interest lies in short stories in fiction. As such the author that I admire most is the famous Indian writer Mr. Ruskin bond. Other than him I really like Dan Brown, Charles Dickens, and Douglas Adams among others. Among the contemporary Indian writers I admire the works of Amish Tripathy.
What are you working on now?
I am currently in the early stages of working on the second book, another collection of short stories.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still new of book promotion but I am primarily focusing on getting reviews both paid and free from some of the more active book bloggers and influencers. Other than that I think the power of facebook and youtube in connecting with the book lovers space can not be understated.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Well I am myself a new Author. However based on my whole experience of going through this process I would advice those who are beginning their journey towards the publication of their first book, to first focus on creating something beautiful, something they truly believe in. Once they have their conviction it will give them a lot of support during the latter and more difficult part of the journey i.e. marketing. It is not easy and therefore a lot of them might feel like giving up. It is here that your belief would prod you on.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For me the best advice with regards to my journey towards being an author remains the one that I had from a very close friend a number of years back when he advised me to write a book and try to get it published. Although it seems quite simple but strangely before that the thought of writing a book never occurred to me.
What are you reading now?
I am reading ‘A hitchhikers guide to galaxy’ (once again!)
What’s next for you as a writer?
My next project is definitely another short stories book as that comes naturally to me and I feel very comfortable with it, but sooner rather than later I would like to work upon a full length novel, preferably a historical drama or a crime thriller. I would also love to explore opportunities in script writing for movies or TV series as I feel there is a lot of scope for experimentation there.
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?
A hitchhiker’s guide to galaxy; it would be a unique fun reading it all over again among the stars in the clear night sky of the desert. Atlas shrugged by Ayn Rand for the sheer size of it if not anything else considering the amount of time I would have at my disposal, a desert survival guidebook, because that would be the wise thing to do and a copy of Holy Qur’an to give me spiritual support in such times.
Author Websites and Profiles
Murad Jawed Website
Murad Jawed Amazon Profile
Murad Jawed’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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