My debut literary crime novel,”You Beneath Your Skin,” published by the fab team at Simon and Schuster IN is slowly making its way into the world.
It is available in India here.
Worldwide, here.
Reviews are appreciated–please get in touch if you’d like a review copy.
Today’s post is for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group—and I’m a little clueless.
It’s been 12 years of blogging and today I want to just give up a huzzah of gratitude–for the comments, for the advice, for the support of my writing over the years and of the debut novel.
For my 12th blogiversary, I’m giving away 12 books to 12 bloggers who have supported this blog over the years.
The Legend of Virinara by Usha Alexander
Mistress by Anita Nair
Nobody’s Child by Kanchana Banerjee
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Patna Blues Hardcover by Abdullah Khan
A Fistful of Earth and Other Stories by Siddhartha Gigoo
Combat Skirts by Sahana Ahmed
No Regrets: The Guilt-Free Woman’s Guide to a Good Life by Kaveree Bamzai
Hotel Iris by Yoko Ogawa
For Love and Kisses by Andrea Pasion-Flores
The Heartsick Diaspora: and other stories by Elaine Chiew
Telltale Food by Bettina Chua Abdullah
Winners will be selected from those who have left comments on posts, and supported my writing in so many ways.
The optional question to answer for todays’s IWSG post is the nature of our writing journeys–I was an accidental writer–never thought I’d write. My husband (who I never talk about on this blog) has been instrumental in getting me to write, then write fiction, then write a novel. It is a long story, for another time.
For right now, I need to recover from my burnout, gather strength and get back to what I do best (I hope, because I’m feeling a little insecure at the moment): writing.
For the readers in India, if you’re on Instagram, here’s another little giveaway, this time of my Debut Novel, You Beneath Your Skin. Very easy to enter, and two copies to be won.
What about you? Have you read any of these books from the giveaway? Would you like to? As a reader are you ever curious about a writer’s journey? As a writer, would you like to share your journey?
The awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG are T. Powell Coltrin, Victoria Marie Lees, Stephen Tremp, Renee Scattergood, and J.H. Moncrieff!
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Thanks a ton for letting me know that I am one of the lucky ones to get picked from this giveaway. I’m on a pact this year where I’ve decided not to buy books amongst many other things. So, I’m happy to win a book from you. I’d like to tell you that this will be my second book gift this year and I’m proud already.
I’m glad that writing happened to you accidentally and I appreciate your hubby for being a constant support. Hugs Damayanti. Always wishing the best for you.♥️
Damyanti – how can you feel insecure with all your success?
I’m rooting for you along with your many followers. You are a breath of fresh air in the blogosphere!
I suppose we continue to be insecure till we can believe we’re enough. Thanks for the kind words, Cinda. So grateful for your support.
Cheers for 12 years. 🙂
and thank you for being a constant support. 🙂
Thanks to you, as well, Prakash. I can’t forget your contributions during Nano–hope to participate again this year!
Hi Damyanti – you’ve done so well … and I’d love to read all the books you’ve suggested … but I’m such a poor reader … the desire is there … the time frame just seems to slip by … I need to make a plan somehow. Take care – recover and get your health back … big hugs and lots of thoughts – and many congratulations for your book … Hilary xo
Thanks as always for your support, Hilary. I’ve slagged so much on my reading in 2019. Hope to have a better 2020, though I have yet to finish the one book I’ve been reading for the past 15 days! Not good, lol.
12 years of blogging is amazing, Damyanti. And its wonderful to hear about your success right out of the gate. Congrats!
Thanks so much, Diana! Very grateful for your support over the past so many years.
I love hearing how well your book is doing. What a year for you, Damyanti!
Thanks so much, Jacqui. You’re such a star, with all the support for the book!
Congratulations on 12 years of blogging!
What a wonderful giveaway! A Gentleman In Moscow is on my list. I’ve heard so many great things about the book.
I hope you’re recovering from your burnout so that you can get back to doing what you do so well: writing!
Take care.
Thanks so much, Michelle! I’m trying to recover–which is why my assignment from you is taking a tad longer than anticipated. Hope to show up in your inbox soon!
I understand. 🤗
Thanks so kind of you, life is all about being grateful and give back to the society.
These are bookish treasure.
I would want to receive a review copy, if available especially of no regrets and combat skirts.
Congratulations Maam, bless you.
Noor, thanks for stopping by, and your support.
This is so exciting. Heartiest congratulations. I haven’t read any of those books so hoping to get lucky with the giveaway. Like you I was an accidental writer too. Had chance not landed me in a newspaper office I’d probably have been slogging away at a finance/marketing job and hating it all the way.
thanks so much, Tulika. Landing into writing by accident seems to have happened to a lot of us! Thank you for your support, and sending you good wishes for the year ahead.
Congratulations again Damyanti! It was lovely to meet you last year. I look forward to reading your book which I have bought on my kindle. It’s always lovely if a spouse or a friend or relative is super supportive in one’s writing. Congratulations on your 12 year blogaversary.
Thanks so much, Kalpanaa, it was lovely to meet you as well. Hope you’ve been doing great and your writing is going great guns! I really appreciate your support–thank you for getting the book.
Congratulations, Damyanti! It’s a big achievement. And congratulations for the success of your first book. So happy for you!
I have read Nobody’s Child.
I wish you all the best. Keep writing. Keep blogging. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, Tarang! I really enjoy or interactions on social media, and hope to stay in touch. All the best with your writing and your goals this year.
Ma’am you are a true inspiration for me. I have written a few poems(10 of them have been featured in many International Journals) and 6 short stories(One of them got published in a Bengali Magazine).The rest of the stories I wrote basically for the Write India Campaign (Never won any). But one thing I have understood that it is not an easy task.The best part is the mental satisfaction I get whever I finish a story or a poem. Ma’am you have spent 12 years in this field and believe me it is very much evident in your debut work which I am reading right now.
Wish You all the very best for your upcoming projects.😊
Thanks so much, Animesh, and I wish you absolutely the very best in your writing journey. Perseverance is very important in this field and you seem to have that in spades!
Thank You ma’am🙏😊
Well twelve years is a really really long time and I so appreciate your patience with writing. Your debut book is super and I wish you great success with your writing and your causes.
Thanks so much, Sonia! So pleased you like You beneath Your Skin–your support will highlight the causes, so thank you.
Your debut was excellent. I really enjoyed. Don’t be nervous I bet you will do it again, and again, again. I’m a little late making the rounds. Happy IWSG!
That is so reassuring to hear, Juneta! Thanks so much for reading, and your kind wishes!
Congrats on your 12 years of blogging. As a reader I love reading about authors inspirations. As a writer, I find it inspirational. I am kind of an accidental writer, too. I love your story.
Thanks so much Allie, and happy to meet another ‘accidental’ writer!
12 years already… but then again it feels like forever. You are an institution, Damyanti. I’d like to thank you for the support you’ve given me on this blogging and writing journey. I don’t often comment on your posts, but I read most of them 🙂
Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Jemima. We’ve worked toegtehr before on bloggng events, and it has always been a joy. Thank you for your support down the years as well–truly appreciated.
Happy anniversary! What a generous gift. I haven’t read any of those books, but quite a few look interesting.
As a reader, I’m definitely inspired by success stories, and they don’t have to be from writers. I recently read Elton John’s memoir because the movie made his success seem overnight, and I wanted to know how he got to be where he is. I love stories of struggle. I can’t relate to those who try something once and are an instant success–that always seems suspect to me.
Sorry to hear you’re feeling burned out, but you did so much to launch your novel last year. Hopefully you can take some time for yourself.
Thanks, so much JH. I love reading success stories, but so much of it is also such a lonely journey full of struggles. I think I need to take some time off regular life, and come back rejuvenated. Sending you good wishes for the new year and all your fabulous writing!
Congratulations for the 12 years of blogging, Damyanti!
From among the books you shared above – no, I haven’t read any 🙁 Would love to read, though. 🙂 and, I am hoping to win at least this giveaway! 😛
About a writer’s journey….it’s quite lonesome, at times, frustrating, at others, when you are blank, tired, and least bit motivated to even type a sentence. And, from learning about all your experiences, well, I would say, it is far from glamorous or happening–the way so many people think about it! 🙂
Thanks so much–and no, the writer’s life is not very glamorous, is it. I try and give as accurate a picture as possible, but it is not without its joys, friends like you among them. I would have never met you if not for this blog and my writing!
Congrats on 12 years of blogging and the release of your book!
Thank you, Prachi!
Congratulations on 12 years of blogging and a special congrats on the release of your book. Wishing you much success.
Thanks so much, Mason. I need all the good wishes I can get.
Wow, twelve years……what a lovely journey!
Thanks for coming along for the ride on so many of them, Arlene! I appreciate the support.
Happy 12th Blog-O-Versary!!! 😀
Thank you very much!
Here is to your success, Damyanti. Greetings,
Thanks so much, Benny.
What a lovely collection of give-away books. I havent read any of these.
12th Blogiversary… wow! Heartiest congratulations!
Take rest… you need it!
Thank you, Shilpa. You have been very kind to me, my blog and my book–I appreciate the support!
I can only imagine how burned out you must be right now. You’ve had quite the busy time with the launch of Beneath Your Skin. I’m an accidental writer too. It’s not something I thought I would do from an early age and kind of stumbled into it. How sweet that your hubby encouraged you to write.
My husband has been instrumental in my writing. On some days I love him for it, and on others–when the writing isn’t working out–not so much, lol. Thanks for the support of teh blog and the book. Truly appreciate it. And very happy to meet another ‘accidental writer’!
Congratulations
🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈
Thank you, Luisa!
Happy anniversary! It’s nice that you are also an accidental author.
Thanks, Meka! Astonishing, isn’t it, how many of us just stumbled into writing?
Congrats on the 12 years – that’s awesome!
It appears being a writer has snuck up on many of us – sneaky profession 🙂
Take some time for you – you’ve been on a speeding train for the past few months!
Thanks so much, Jemi! And I need that respite–right now I’m looking at the month of March, I think.
Congratulations on twelve years!
I never wanted to be a writer either.
Thanks so much, Alex! It is crazy how we both came into writing without wanting to.