Discovering the path from the corporate world to the enchanting realm of storytelling, Nilshree embarked on a journey fueled by her own experiences as a mother, writer, and entrepreneur. With a spirit undeterred by obstacles, she delved into the world of self-publishing, birthing seven books that reflect her multifaceted creativity and unwavering determination. From the challenges of vanity publishing to the joys of assembling vibrant anthologies, Nilshree's story is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. In this exclusive interview, she shares insights into her literary adventures, the inspiration drawn from motherhood, and the birth of Authoropod, a platform dedicated to nurturing authors' dreams.
Alright, spill the beans! What sparked that fire in your belly for writing, and how did you make the leap from engineering to the creative wonderland of storytelling?
I started documenting my feelings in 2017, which I now have figured out was post-partum
depression. I was not aware it is called journalling, back then. A full-time working woman was
confined to 4 walls of her home just because she chose and embraced motherhood, the career break was neither planned nor organic. The constant conflict between a career-oriented brain and a new mother's heart is where it all started.
Self-publishing ain't for the faint of heart! What were the biggest hurdles you faced along the way, and how did you bulldoze through them like a boss?
For my debut book, I opted for vanity publishing (guided self-publishing). It was a conscious
choice because I was very new to this arena of book writing. No planning, no strategy, and no clarity in communication from the publisher made me feel like something was wrong. Upon getting in touch with fellow authors, I learned about self-publishing where I had access to everything and I was the solo decision-maker of anything and everything around my book. I learned everything on my own, be it cover design, book formatting, illustration placement, font, and page break; I know these look like very small tasks, but in making a good book they play amajor role. To date, with 7 published books, I do everything on my own and do not outsource anything.
Motherhood is no joke! How has being a mom influenced your journey as a writer and your knack for spinning tales?
My debut book came just before the pandemic, and the reason behind it is my son. He wanted me to do something for myself like everyone in the house had a properly designated job. He has been a source of motivation, a constant cheerleader, a supporter I am blessed to have. Not only this, whenever I am clueless or stuck (fortunately no WRITER'S BLOCK yet!) he also acts as a source of innovative ideas, unintentionally. He is growing up and I am blooming as a writer in his company.
Let's chat about Authoropod! What lit the fuse for creating this platform, and how does it reflect your mission to be the wind beneath authors' wings in the literary world?
After choosing to go for vanity publishing, there was no support as far as promoting my book was concerned. And this was not only the case with vanity or self-publishing, it was the same with traditional publishing as well. To promote my books, I was looking for a dedicated platform that would majorly have ardent readers and like-minded, supportive authors. Promoting my book on any lifestyle platform did not have the impact that I imagined it would have on a dedicated platform. That's the whole point behind making Authoropod.
With 7 killer books in your arsenal, you've tackled a lot of ground thematically. How do you decide on what themes to explore, and what keeps your storytelling mojo flowing?
I wouldn't claim my books to be unique, there would be similar ones written already, but my
books are my version of the perspective. When I needed a self-help book for homemakers, I could not find a single book, hence I started writing one! (Whispers of a Budgie) Once an idea hits my mind, it depends on how intensely I am convinced about it and then the work around it starts. In the case of Hear Me Out, I was so convinced that I invited 10 other authors to the party and it turned out to be an amazing one! Right now, it's been two years and I have not published any solo book, still convincing my mind to work on pending ideas!
Rhyme Rapture: 100 Poems Full of Life sounds like a poetic party! Wrangling a hundred poems from ten talented poets sounds like herding cats. What was it like putting together this vibrant collection?
It was one of its one-of-a-kind experiences! Poetry does not happen very frequently to me, for this one I had to reach a different level of creativity, that is my take on the prompts we decided on. As far as anthologies are concerned, they have been unique as I get to bond with the author/ contributor on a personal level. The process is very fulfilling and organic at the same time!
Anthologies are no joke! How do you wrangle all those voices into a harmonious chorus while still letting each one shine?
There are a few things we mutually decide, while the rest are my call and the contributors trust me enough to let me take some tough calls. The first anthology was not this smooth, obviously I have also learned through the process!
Balancing mama duties with author life – spill it! How do you keep all those plates spinning without losing your marbles, especially when juggling new projects or running the Authoropod show?
All or majority of my work happens when my son is off to school. Once I wave at him, I rush
back home and complete my domestic chores, and then it's only me and my words and creative pursuits. There were times when I had to grab my laptop when he was around just because I did not want to miss the deadline. And he understood it because he knew his mumma would have easily avoided it if it were not urgent or important.
Inspiration can strike from the wildest places! What's the weirdest source that sparked one of your books or articles?
Recently, I have been inclined to write shorter formats. So blogs and short stories are happening more. In 2023, I pulled off a whole A to Z challenge writing on parenting, a genre that I deliberately kept avoiding, just because I thought it was different for everyone! But each blog was received well and don't be surprised if you get to see a book on those lines soon by me!
What's your top advice for wannabe authors eyeing the self-publishing route?
I would say learn about it, and get clarity of your responsibilities if you choose self-publishing. There will be innumerable things that the process will teach you, but that does not mean you will enter the battlefield unarmed! This comparison is not exaggerated by the way, you will understand what I am trying to say when you dive into it!
Any juicy projects cooking up in the Nilshree lab that we should be salivating over?
A book on parenting may come soon! And for the rest of the year, no specific plan as such!
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