Interview with Soumyadeep Koley- By Nainika Gautam

Soumyadeep Koley is a writer, poet, women’s rights activist and photographer. After graduating with Honours degree in Chemistry from Scottish Church College, Kolkata, he joined the global fight against violence on women. He has worked with Jason Jayology Jeremias, the Founder and Artistic Director of Price of Silence, New York, which employs performing arts to bring the global struggle for women's rights to life. Soumyadeep has three years of experience in psychological counselling of domestic violence and rape survivors from India and abroad, through unique mystical and metaphysical techniques.

Buy his book here: Amazon (and don't forget to drop your reviews)

Here we get to know him a little more closely:

Nainika: Hello Soumyadeep, so how would you like to define yourself?

Soumyadeep: Someone who is crazy enough to believe that a one man’s dream can change the world.

Nainika: Tell us something about your journey as an author so far.

Soumyadeep: I put the first footstep of being an author back in early 2012. Since then, the tumultuous journey has seen a plethora of twists and turns, making me none the wiser along the way.

Nainika: How does it feel to have your book released, and getting such good reviews

Soumyadeep: It's like a dream come true. An author can expect for nothing more, seeing his/her readers being able to live the book.

Nainika: Define your book in a single line.

Soumyadeep: Her Resurrection’ is a moving eulogy to one and every woman’s life.

Nainika: What is “Her Resurrection” about?

Soumyadeep: It’s a lone woman’s struggle through the one of the darkest subcultures of the society, and ultimately her journey into the light of salvation and acceptance.

Nainika: Please throw some light on the lead characters of your book.

Soumyadeep: There is only one character in the leading role--Maya--the woman with a backbone of steel and a heart of gold, forged from the flames of hell.

Nainika: Are your characters inspired from the real life people you come across?

Soumyadeep: Every character (and most incidents) in the book are inspired by people (and events) I've encountered in real life. 


Nainika: Is there any character that resembles you somewhere?

Soumyadeep: Many traits of Damien and Maya resemble me. Also Dr. Ramasubban's character closely resembles me when I counsel people. 

Nainika: Why do you think should readers choose your book?

Soumyadeep: The book is written in accordance with the current social picture of India after an extensive research of the Indian society, and fusing together the experiences of rape, domestic violence and sex-trafficking survivors. The story inimitably portrays violence on women, the life of prostitutes in India, social apathy, and celebrates women’s strength, all with an exceptional profundity. In my opinion, this is the strongest positive point for the market of this novel that’s in a perfect harmony with the current picture of the appalling status of women in India. I think, this book has a strong potential to stand out of the crowd because, at present, there are very few other books available, which commingle the life of an Indian prostitute, violence against women, as well as contemporary romance, all within a single package that would appeal to every reader. Being an unconventional, but fresh topic, the book would also allure readers who are looking for something new, something well-researched, which would enlighten them about the societal scenario.


Nainika: What changes is your book capable of bringing to the reader’s life?

Soumyadeep: I hope ‘Her Resurrection’ serves as an unfaltering support and motivation to the survivors of rape, domestic violence and prostitution.

I have tried to be extremely practical while writing the story, so that the book serves as a ray of hope for everyone whoever might be going through dark phases of their lives, and feel there’s no way out. This book, I sincerely hope, would show them the light to respite from their grinding burdens.


Nainika: How was experience with Gargi Publishers?

Soumyadeep: It is well beyond description. Mr. Pulkit Gupta is an awesome person to say the least. Also Mr. Ammol Karambe's creativity is commendable. Mr. Ajay Verma has done a praiseworthy job in the typesetting of the book.

Nainika: Would you like to give any message to the readers?

Soumyadeep: Whatever storm life brings you, wade through it with fortitude. Life's storms are well worth the ushering rainbow, and finding the pot of gold at its end. And, yes, never stop believing in miracles and magic. They happen only when you believe in them so much that they can’t help, but just...happen. 

Thank you for stopping by. Love you all.

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers)

Interview with Shikha Khanduja Kaul- By Nainika Gautam

Shikha Khanduja Kaul is an Indian author who was born in Amritsar, Punjab. Her family moved to Gurgaon in 1992 and she has seen the city grow from a small town to being the Millennium City of India. She completed her schooling from Gurgaon and later graduated with Honours in Physics from Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (HR) from Symbiosis Center for Distance Learning.

A mother to a beautiful daughter and a wife to the handsomest husband, a daughter to loving parents and a daughter-in-law to the most caring parents-in-law, she works in the Staffing Industry and is passionate about penning her thoughts and creating stories out of thin air. She loves to dance and spend time with her little princess. In short, she can be described as a complete woman who ensures she goes to bed with a content smile every day; someone who manages her 24 hours, balancing both her personal and professional lives, perfectly.

She found her passion for writing not too long ago. Her debut fiction novel is a love-story with a touch of the realities prevailing in the Indian society that form the foundation of the biases against women for centuries. She hopes to come up with at least one novel every year for as many years as she can. With the plethora of ideas that the author in her is eager to offer, she wishes her readers ‘Happy Reading’.

Buy her book here: Amazon (and don't forget to drop your reviews)

Here we get to know her more closely:

Nainika: Hi Shikha, so how would you like to define yourself?

Shikha: I love to experiment new things in life and writing was one of those, which came a surprise to me. I have been into a profession where I get to meet and interact with people from across the world (being in staffing industry) and I have always enjoyed my work. I am a Libran and have all the qualities of a Libran- balanced, calm, composed, confident and a bit short-tempered too. But the best part about my temper is it subsides within seconds. I mostly would have an opinion about everything in life. Sometimes I share and sometimes I just absorb.

Writing makes it easier for me to express myself and my views. Although I am an extrovert, I still find it easier to exhibit my emotions through pen as it always has a stronger and lasting impact. 

Nainika: Tell us something about your journey as an author so far?

Shikha: As I have mentioned, it just came as a surprise to me. I was never too much into books. I would read just once in a while. It began with writing short articles on LinkedIn and gradually it became an obsession. I had a wonderful story in mind and just knew I had to pen it down. And the result was my debut novel ‘Hidden Husband’.

The book has come out better than my own expectations. It has been a great journey so far and I am still living with all my characters every moment of my life.

Nainika: How does it feel to have your book released, and getting such good reviews?

Shikha: Being an author was never an ambition for me. I always used to wonder how authors could have so much patience to write endlessly and could come up with new words, emotions, thoughts, stories all their lives. But then when it hit me, I knew it’s possible and anyone can write. It only makes you a better person.

Sometimes I just go speechless with such amazing reviews and that too from the best reviewers in the industry. It’s like raining 4/5 ratings everyday and I am loving it.

Nainika: Define your book in a single line.

Shikha: A woman’s journey of love, desires, compassion, challenges and sacrifice, and a book that everyone would relate to. 

Nainika: “Hidden Husband”, title seems quite interesting; would you like to share something about your book?

Shikha: Well, the title says it all. It’s all hidden. You need to read it to explore.

All right, well it’s a love story that unfolds the dark side of our society in a very simple way, in the eyes of a simple girl, who is forced to keep her secret hidden from the rest of the world. You will re-live the moments and life of India which we all have experienced in this decade.

Nainika: What inspired you to write, “Hidden Husband”?

Shikha: People and the world around. The filth of the societal traditions and customs which is only degrading our roots and freedom. The greed, the casteism, the criminal minds, the fear, the hatred…and yet everything and everyone exist midst a charmer called love.

Nainika: Please throw some light on the lead characters of your book.

Shikha: About the protagonist Aisha…every girl/ woman would find something in Aisha common to her. She is a kind of girl every guy could easily fall in love with. A lover’s girl, a parents’ daughter, a husband’s wife, she plays all roles to the best of her capabilities, at times at the cost of her own desires.

Raghav, Aisha’s love, although lives through the beginning till the end of the book, he remains a mystery to Aisha and would possibly remain a mystery to the readers as well. He is a common man sandwiched between his true love and the society. Many men would relate to him and his life. 

The best part about the book is that every reader would wish it would not end.

Nainika: Are your characters inspired from the real life people you come across?

Shikha: Yes, almost all of them.

Nainika: Is there any character that resembles you somewhere?

Shikha: Yes, Aisha…a lot! She is very much like me, her thought process, her helplessness, her look-out on everything in life, her connection with God, her inspiration through her dreams. If I had been at her place, I would have done and undergone everything she goes through.

Nainika: Why do you think should readers choose your book?

Shikha: It’s a complete new and a refreshing story, unlike usual love stories. People would actually wonder whether to even call it a love story. It has got so much and covers so many aspects of our lives and society. It promises to be a page turner with a new twist every now and then. I assure everyone would love the book.

Nainika: What changes is your book capable of bring

ing to the reader’s life?

Shikha: The readers would possibly look at every negative aspect of our society in a new way, in a fresh way and with intent to improve themselves and the world around. The book will make you smile, make you cry, make you feel happy and at times wonder where we are going wrong. Every reader would end up recommending this book to others.

Nainika: How was your experience with Gargi Publishers?

Shikha: Simply amazing. From the very moment when I first met Pulkit Gupta in World Book Fair this year to each and every step of transforming my manuscript into a beautiful book. From the cover page to the print, from the promotions to the effort of bringing the best for the readers. And not to forget, for choosing my work to be published among so many other manuscripts, I am grateful to Gargi Publishers as they have changed my world. I owe them this recognition and love of my readers. 

Nainika: Would you like to give any message to the readers?

Shikha: Please read my book. It will certainly touch your hearts. Live and enjoy your life as it comes only once. Finally, work to become not to acquire.

(This interview was taken by Nainika Gautam under the internship program by Gargi Publishers)