One of the pictures above is me holding my first book for the first time on September 19,2019.
There’s good news about it that I can’t talk about just yet on the fourth birthday of You Beneath Your Skin, but I hope this book will find its path.
Writing life is a roller-coaster and traditional publishing is like being stabbed and massaged at the same time—add to that the pandemic and deadlines—time and perceptions have turned elastic.
You Beneath Your Skin brought me my first agent, who, despite the best contacts, couldn’t sell the book outside of India. At the peak of the pandemic, in end 2020, the two of us amicably parted ways. He liked my next book, but couldn’t see a way forward to selling it. That book became The Blue Bar, and in the June of 2021 I signed my second agent who continues to represent me today.
The same book that lost me one agent, got me another. The book sold within fifteen days of going out on submission, to Thomas & Mercer, in a 2-book deal. My third book, The Blue Monsoon, will be out this October.
Through all this time, my doubting thomas within has tried to focus on what could have been and what should have been, but today I’ve chosen to ignore that self-doubting monster. I want to go back to the person I no longer am from four years ago, and celebrate her clueless, unalloyed smile.
These years haven’t been without their rewards. Chief among them has been the support of friends, especially blog friends.
So many of you have read and reviewed all my books–I can count Jacqui Murray, Dan Antion, Marian Allen, Denise Covey, Sonia Dogra, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Shilpa Gupte, Jemi Fraser, Hilary Melton-Butcher, Lisa Southard, J L Campbell, Anna Tan, J Lenni Dorner, Kalpana Misra, Inderpreet Kaur Uppal, Lisa Southard, Amisha Bahl Chawla, and so many others who have continued to cheer me on, especially during my dark days.
Today I heard from the sister of Paul Warburton, my much-mourned blog-friend. She sent me these pictures of his notes of You Beneath Your Skin. He wrote me a lovely review.
The other picture is of her holding her brother’s copy to read.
Others have reached out, telling me how well they remember having read the book.
It also gives me great joy to report that the proceeds of You Beneath Your Skin have continued to go to Project WHY and Stop Acid Attacks, the two organizations that the book will support throughout its lifetime.
More than monetary gains, my joy lies in those who my books have reached, the hearts they have touched, and the love they have brought me in return. This week has been dark, personally speaking, but I’ve decided to think of all the pleasure and emotion my books have wrought, and take heart from it.
I may not be the world’s most talented writer, or its most successful, but I certainly am the most blessed with love and solidarity that I have no idea what I’ve done to deserve.
So, corny as it sounds, and despite what my debilitating self-doubt tells me–I know I have much further ahead to go. If you have kind thoughts, wishes and cheers, I’ll take them now, thank you.
Have you known me from my days of before You Beneath Your Skin? Would you like to share a word to cheer me on as I forge ahead with my writing? What have the past few years been like for you?
My literary crime novel, The Blue Bar is on Kindle Unlimited now. Add it to Goodreads or snag a copy to make my day. The sequel, The Blue Monsoon is up for pre-orders! And if you’d like to read a book outside the series, you can check out You Beneath Your Skin. Find all info about my books here or on Linktree.
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Hi Damyanti – at least 12 years … when you were posting under amioliblogs … long, long ago!! It’s been great – cheers Hilary
I’m so happy we found each other! And wow, it’s strange to think about how much time has gone by. 12 years!!
For me, you are one of the world’s best writers and I am your fan. And to have YOU as a friend makes me feel so good! 🙂
May your book reach many readers and libraries all over the world, Damyanti. Wish you the best!
Oh, and please trash that nagging self-doubt into the bin. Or tell it you are boss and you don’t permit it to loiter anywhere near you. Give it a name and a face and look it in the eye and tell it to get lost once and for all. It works! I do it with my anxiety, but a bit differently. 🙂
Hugs!
You’re absolutely wonderful, Shilpa! Having your friendship means the world. Thank you for being so, so kind to me. And I definitely plan on trying out your method of dealing with anxiety. I’m looking forward to chucking the old self-doubt out the door! Much love!!
Congrats on all your success Damyanti. I knew your blog before your first book. You are blooming beautifully. I enjoy your writing. <3
Thank you, Debby! I’m so grateful that you’ve stayed for all these years. It’s an honor to be able to see your blog and writing grow!
Thanks Damyanti, I’m glad too. 🙂 And about my blog, I posted a review for your new short story book, on my blog. <3
You’re SO wonderful to do that, thank you!! SORRY about the confusion with the twitter tag. My brain has gone on vacation.
Hi Damyanti! Thank you so much for the mention, so kind of you. I wasn’t expecting this actually:) Honestly, I’ve wanted to write like you ever since I read your flash fiction in 2019 and then YBYS. I also treasure you as a friend from the writing community with a very beautiful heart. Always so proud!
That’s so sweet, Sonia! I really admire you as a writer, and it’s an absolute honor to be able to read your work. You’ve always been such a supportive, motivating influence, and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Thank you, my fabulous friend!
Thank you, Damyanti!
I’ve watched you develop over the years from short stories in publications to an acclaimed author. Wishing you the very best as you continue with your career and build your reputation as an author over coming years. 🙂
Thank you so much, Ian! Your kindness means a lot to me. I’m very grateful that you always take the time to comment on the blog. I’ve loved reading your writing, and I’m excited for the next installment of ‘Family in Transition’! All the best to you, too!
Well as you originated in Bharat Mata I have great fondness for and now live in the beautiful city state of Singapore I also stayed in for ten years I have a natural interest in you and your success Damyanti. In my mind you were always talented and successful but now the rest of the world is discovering that too and I’m very happy to see that.
I think it’s the blessings from friends like you that propels me on. Thanks very much, Ian. I hope to do justice to your expectations, and continue to cheer your writing journey.
Well, it’s been a few years, Damyanti. And yes, sending my very best wishes.
Yes, time is such a strange thing. All the best to you, too, Mick!
Thanks, Damyanti.
Thank you for sharing!!.. “The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” ( Joel Brown) and “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” (Roy T. Bennett )… 🙂
Hope your path is paved with dreams, life is all that you wish for it to be and until we meet again…
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
May the sun shine all day long
Everything go right, nothing go wrong
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true
(Irish Saying)
I love the sayings, thank you for sharing them with me. It’s good to get a reminder to stay motivated and keep out the doubts!
Hi Damyanti, I think I have known you since the first time I took part in the A to Z challenge in 2013. Doesn’t time fly? Yes, lots of things have changed. I am privileged to be part of an on-line community of writers, some of whom I have met in person. Keep writing!
Time really does go by so quickly! I can’t believe it’s already been ten years since then. The writing community is so wonderful and supportive, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of it and to have come to know you. Thank you for being here!
Seems like I’ve known you forever, or at least since 2012. Best of luck!
Wow, it’s amazing to know that it’s been that long! And hopefully many years more. Wishing you all the best!
That’s awesome! And yes, I remember when you took your A to Z posts and made them into a book all those years ago.
It’s good to remember where I started! There’s such a sense of nostalgia, looking back.
From your SA fan – you’ve always been the sweetest most generous person Damyanti. Thank you 🙏🏽
That’s so kind, Susan. You’re absolutely wonderful, and I’m so grateful to have you supporting me! It means the world.
This isn’t corny at all. It’s gratifying to have supportive friends at your side during a difficult journey.
I couldn’t agree more. I wouldn’t be here without my friends and book family to get me through all the ups and downs.
I think we’ve been connected in some way for a long time! I realize you were one of my first followers on Twitter 🙂
We definitely have been! And it’s been wonderful to see how much your Twitter has grown since then.
You write with a passion for India–Mumbai–like few others I read. The story, characters–setting–are all gritty but enticing. I am definitely a fan, Damyanti.
I’m a great fan of your work, so that means a lot to me, Jacqui. Thank you for supporting me and my writing. I love seeing your comments pop up on my blog!