Thursday, September 11, 2008

My New Book

Escape
Okay. I can no longer keep it hidden: my new book, entitled ESCAPE, published by Picador India, is due out in the first week of November. I don't know at what resolution this image will appear (I have yet to go back and dig up a larger scan of Alice Albinia's book, featured in the post just before this one -- her cover was transformed into a miniature by the time it uploaded), but if it's normal, then it should be possible to read the back-cover blurb.

My editor has forbidden me to say anything even faintly negative about the book/its cover/myself -- which means I pretty much have to cork down right away. Well I suppose I am allowed to say positive things -- in which case I will confess to being really and truly relieved that I wasn't asked to produce a cover because now I ... ummm ... I suppose if I continue in this vein I will say something negative about myself. Okay, I've just GOT to finish that statement (yes, Shruti? Do you grant me that?) -- I realize that with most of my previous books, either I produced a cover that was utterly self-effacing or I refused to get involved in the totally awful covers that the publishers produced -- I will NOT, in this context refer to the title of the book whose cover was created by Picador UK, because it STILL gives me nightmares ...

I am glad to say that I find the current cover practically perfect (like Mary Poppins). Of course there IS something, one tiny thing, that I dis... uhhhhh ... okay! I'll stop right here. *sound of whip being cracked in the distance*

And ...

I'd like to draw attention to the blog newly added to my list on the left -- 30-in-2005 -- lively, feisty, frequently updated. I should've done it some time ago, following my own desire to showcase any site I return to regularly but laziness usually wins out over any other impulse in my world.

10 comments:

The Written Word said...

Hi, I wish to interview you for a webzine called Dhvani regarding the launch of your new book. Could you kindly give us your contact details? Thank you. Regards, Ashwini.

Unknown said...

Hello and thank you Ashwini. I'm away from Delhi for a month. Would you like to do an e-interview? Fine by me -- I'd prefer that actually. Or you might like to wait for the release date, currently fixed for Nov 3rd.

Anonymous said...

Ooh.. Congratulations! :)

Unknown said...

Hi and thx sharanya! It's still far enough away in time that I feel quite calm and disconnected. Keep worrying about proofing errors -- every time I see one in a book I'm reading, I fret about how many probably still remain in MY book and will not be caught until after it's in print. It's like ... deja-angst.

Unknown said...

wh@ a neat idea! will look 4 the book! it looks intriguing! i'm sure you have heard of parthogenesis? a concept that invokes asexual reproduction - usually in plants or lower vertebr8s consisting of fertilization of eggs without males. so interestingly - its really (usually?) the male thats redundant :-). anyway - got to run out and look 4 your book now! regards and good luck! gt

Unknown said...

... tx gt -- but hold your hosses! The book won't be out till the 3rd of November and, needless to add, by "out" I mean ONLY in India. There are no signs at present that it will be distributed elsewhere, so you will have to depend on my friendly assistance if you want your own copy ...

Yep, parthenogenesis is a familiar term. I learnt about it early in life, having spent 8 years in Catholic schools, *wink-wink, nod-nod* It will be very amusing to hear from you if/when you get around to reading the book -- certain elements might well cause a biologist to wince! Or smile.

Sorry I missed your visit to Delhi -- I'm in the US right now. If you send me your telephone number in a comment here, I'll make a note of it and delete the comment without publishing it. I'm on the East Coast and not planning to travel to your sector so aside from friendly grunts I don't suppose there'll be much to say but ... you never know!

Unknown said...

dear friendly grunts. moi number is 858 349 3572. call anytime - and also its no problem if rest of the world sees it. i'd still quote blaise pascal "no man does evil so carefully and so cheerfully as one who does it out of a religious conviction". it'll be fun 2 ketchup - so please don't hesit8 2 holler if you get the op. best gt

Ninja said...

Wow

Congrats! For your new endeavor...

Will try to get hold of a copy soon :)

Nikhil Narayanan said...

Congrats and best wishes.
Will get a copy today.

-Nikhil

Unknown said...

Hi and tx -- the book will be out (in Delhi) on Friday 7th Nov. So you may have to wait a couple of days ...

I've not seen it yet either -but I've just heard that it's been dispatched and I should get it very soon. Exciting!!