Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I started imagining at a very early age itself, that is, at my tenth year I think. I imagined my own stories after hearing stories from my friends, teachers and my parents. All my imaginations used to be similar to the stories I have heard. That imagination gave me a sort of happiness.
At my twelfth year, I have imagined my own story without basing on any other story. I wrote that also and sent it to a children’s magazine. But it was not published. I disappointed a lot indeed. I thought it would be published without fail as that story was that much good for me. But I did not stop. I wrote more and more stories and sent all of them to the children’s magazines. More and more disappointments! But I did not stop writing. In fact, I could not stop writing. I addicted to imagine and write. Without bothering about getting published, I continued imagining and writing for children. I sent all of them to the children’s magazines. Some of the stories were published. That encouragement boosted me a lot.
I became an adult, twenty five years old. My writing also got adulthood and I started writing novels for adults and sent them to weekly magazines, monthly magazines and some publishing houses for publication. Few of them were published and I have got self-published my remaining writings. I could make some profit also. Until this moment, I wrote only in my mother tongue Telugu.
Before I turned forty, I took a masters degree in English Literature. Reading English novels is one of my hobbies and I started reading them at my twentieth year itself. Wilber Smith, Sidney Sheldon, Irving Wallace, James Hardly Chase are some of my favorite writers. That gave me sufficient command over English language, confidence and courage to take up studying post-graduation in English literature.
Writing in English was in my mind for a long time but I have started it only after completing my post-graduation in English literature. I stopped writing in my mother tongue completely and devoted myself to write in English. I have completed five novels in writing in English and my initial idea was to get them self published just like the way I did for my novels in my mother tongue. But by the time I completed my fifth novel, the paperback reading is drastically decreased with the advent of e-books and the various available devices to read them. I was compelled to consider whether it would be better to get my novels published as e-books rather than take them out as paperbacks on my own. I have started searching for perfect platform to put my novels as e-books and for sometime I have considered launching my own website also to put my novels as e-books. At that time, Smashwords came into my notice and it appeared as a perfect platform to launch my novels. I did not waste much time to put my novels as e-books on Smashwords.
Smashwords is indeed wonderful. So far I have enjoyed a lot in uploading my books into Smashwords. The support Smashwords providing to the authors is amazing! Smashwords is the best platform to launch any type of ebook
I think I have told enough about my writing. In fact there is not much to say about me. I am a post graduate in English literature and forty four years old at present. I am doing a private job. I am living with my wife, daughter and son in Visakhapatnam a small city in Andhra Pradesh which is a medium size state in India.
I have written six romantic and suspense novels so far. Angel of Darkness (Sex, Psychology and Supernatural), Laughter In Darkness, “Oh” (Pretty Spicy Stuff), Sweeter Than Heaven, Lovelock are available in kindle, smashwords and other digital platforms. My sixth novel ‘Lipstick’ (a perfect blend of sex and psychology) now available only on Kindle. I am going to publish this on other websites also very soon
Contact me: sivaramakrishnakotra@gamil.com
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Lipstick (a perfect bled of sex and psychology). In fact I am not particularly inspired by anything to write this novel.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. I am not having any unusual writing habits I think. But I don’t like my writings to be seen by anyone, even my close relatives also until it is published. It may be unusual but I don’t know.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Wilbur Smith-Seventh Scroll, Arthur Hailey – Evening News influenced me a lot
What are you working on now?
I am not working on any novel at present. After writing six novels I am taking little rest.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Google blogger and Twitter. I am using face book also. Now this Awesomegang.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t think your writings do see the light immediately they published. You have to do work even after your writings published also. Be patient. Patience is the greatest virtue. Do two things always. Continue writing and continue promoting your book.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be patient. Patience is the best virtue. Never stop trying to achieve your goal. At one point you do sure get what you want.
What are you reading now?
P.G.Wode House Indescritions of Archie.
What’s next for you as a writer?
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?
I will pick any four of P.G.Wode House books which I don’t read yet.
Author Websites and Profiles
siva rama krishna kotra Author Profile on Smashwords
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