People, I have decided to (self) publish a book!!!!!!
Yaaaaayyyyyy!!!!! People, I am glad to say that I have (at last) decided to self-publish an eBook in Amazon 🙂 Before you think that I sent my manuscripts to hundreds of publishing houses and got selected by some big publisher, I must admit that self publishing an eBook is about writing a book, formatting it and publishing it through a single-click in our computers. That’s it. It’s so easy these days.
Actualy, I planned to write this book same time, last year. I wrote a couple of pages and then procrastinated on the rest until yesterday. I searched for that file, but was not even able to locate it!!
I swiftly wrote two pages today and I have set a goal to finish writing (and publishing) this book within 30 days. By March 27 (hopefully), I should put up another post here saying – It’s done!!!!!!! Yaaaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!!! Let’s remain optimistic for now 🙂
I have not decided on the actual title, but it would be about what foreigners could to when then come to India. It’s not going to be a tourist guide, but it’s more of a happiness guide. It would be on the lines of, ’50 Exciting things you should do when you visit India’, or something similar. Of course, I am not writing this for the Indian audience. It’s mainly for people from US and UK, visiting India.
I wrote the first two exciting things today (1. Watch Bollywood/regional language movies, 2. Eat Indian Sweets). I just need to write 48 more things like this and my book will be ready to publish!!
Frankly, I am not worried about whether the book is going to sell or not, how many copies will it sell, how much to price it, etc. I just want to complete writing it and immerse myself in the experience/challenge of creating a longer-piece of literature. Let’s see how it is going to be 🙂
Yes, you can help. Please suggest some exciting activities that foreigners could do when they visit India, in the comments section below. I will pick some of them and expand it in my book.
I am restlessly waiting for March 27…………………… Did you notice, I didn’t mention the year? Safety net, just in case I am not able to finish it 😛 😛 😛
Destination Infinity
That is great!!!!!!!
All the best 🙂
Will wait to read it…
Thank you. BTW, it’s not for Indians. Indians already know everything I am going to write there. It’s mainly for foreigners who are not familiar with India.
Destination Infinity
An excellent idea.The book would be grabbed by all tourists who visit India by droves and set your cash box ringing continuously! My best wishes to you.
Hmmmm…….. How I wish I was so optimistic, like you! Why to think about sinking the boat while embarking on the journey? So, I do hope what you said will become true 🙂
Destination Infinity
I didn’t mention the year? Lol My wishes on this progress. Nothing comes to my mind right now, helping you. I think our history and tradition has lot to fascinate the foreigners.
Yes, I need to give some pointers on how they can enjoy and learn about our history. I thought about so many things last year, but now I need to refresh my memory!
Destination Infinity
I am still laughing, reading the last line, D.I.!
But the idea is good. Let me think and give you some ideas. All the best!
Oh, do drop in some ideas when you think of something, it will definitely help.
Destination Infinity
Good initiative and my best wishes with you.
Regarding suggestions, I think foreigners can try a few from the below list
1) Local food of the places they are visiting (some cheap and tasty options, not the usual 5 star hotel restaurants which serve almost the same food anywhere)
2) Catch some classical dances
3) Visit Taj Mahal
4) Ride a Camel while in Rajasthan
5) Ride an elephant
6) Watch the morning rituals on the banks of the ganges at Varanasi
I am not going to suggest places to visit, in the book. That would have already been covered amply by tourist guides/tourist sites. Thanks for your other ideas, I will incorporate some of them in the book 🙂
Destination Infinity
Hey that’s cool idea DI. Good luck!
Thank you…….. 🙂
Destination Infinity
great
best luck with book publishing project
Thank you………. 🙂
Destination Infinity
I found you on Shilpa’s blog. Thought I’d drop by and say hello. Interesting blog you have here.
I’m an Indian, have been living abroad for a while now. When I go to India I love to visit a worship place, a temple/dargah/gurudwara. Watching people’s faith gives me courage. But the key is to not be driven by superstitions. Another thing I ‘always’ do is travel by train. Nowhere in the world you can have that experience.
Hope to read your book soon.
I had planned to write about temples/worship places, but thanks for suggesting the ‘travel by train’ point. I should include this point…
Destination Infinity
Lovely DI ! So happy for you – pls do complete it and share the joy here!
I would still read it because am sure I may have something new to do there!
Some suggestions:
1. Ayurvedic spa in Kerala! (Bliss, I tell you!)
2. Jhaalmudi by the beach (I had mine in Puri)
3. Train in Bombay.
4. Mysore masala dosa (How can I leave my place out?)
5. Filter kaapi !
6. Visit a village and do an overnight stay in some of the most hospitable homes there
7. A tonga ride
8. Visit a palace and buy a sketch
Some weird list I know, just from the top of my head!
Great suggestions. I’ll definitely include some of these suggestions in my book. You know what, I ate the best mysore masala dosa in a shop called dosa plaza in CBE. I miss it very much, now!!!!!!!!!!!
Destination Infinity
This is something I would buy – as last year, I was a foreigner in India, but I was lucky that my acquaintance lives in India and was able to keep me entertained in many ways. But, for those, who don’t have anyone already in India do need some sort of guide – not the typical tourist guide but one which the tourist could do or experience without travelling to far.
I can understand your situation. I guess you came to India for the first time, last year. But, I don’t understand why NRI’s, most of them who left India before a few years, show interest in buying this book!
Destination Infinity
hi
from where are you getting it published from? i mean from which self publisher?
I am publishing it myself through Amazon KDP – Kindle Desktop Publishing. Since this is targeted at the audience from abroad, I feel Amazon might be a good place to start.
Destination Infinity
Awesome DI.. I will buy this book for sure.. is it going to be a pdf? Better make it epub and mobi format too, since lot of people use Kindle etc.
3. Shop Sarees (all foreigners loveee to wear Saree) and Gold Jewellery 🙂
4. Visit some ancient temples/ witness some rituals
Let me think of more things to do..
It will be in Amazon format, so it will be possible to read in Kindle. And Amazon has apps for all major tablet platforms, I guess. I may not make an ePub format/pdf format for this book. But I am yet to decide on this point. Thanks for your suggestions. BTW, where are 1 & 2? 🙂
Destination Infinity
1 and 2 are what you mentioned already 😉
Hmmmm…. what precision and observation!! 🙂
Destination Infinity
awesome .. advance congratulations Rajsh Sir .. waiting for March 27, 20XX now 😛
1 thin foreigners must do in India while driving: never wait for signal to turn green .. start on yellow or when it is about to be yellow… 😛
I would rather suggest that they don’t drive on Indian roads 😛
Destination Infinity
Congratulations on the thought.
Hoping I see news of this book before I lose my eyesight and the ability to read blogs.
Let me think of some suggestions:
1. Eat Kala katta ice-gola in Bombay
2. Walk barefoot in the beach
3. Eat upma in Saravana Bhavan
4. Take a ride in the electric train from Tambaram to Beach just for the fun of it.
5. Bargain using sign language
6. Leave the guide book and venture on your own
7. Listen to MGR songs (video)
8. Witness a golu doll arrangement
9. Try and wear pavadai thavani
Joy always,
Susan
I agree that you are passionate about Chennai, many of the suggested points reflect that 🙂
Destination Infinity
Hahaha… the best part is “Did you notice, I didn’t mention the year? Safety net, just in case I am not able to finish it”
A wonderful idea, wish you can complete the eBook soon. All my best.
I too wish I can complete the eBook soon… 🙂 Working on it…
Destination Infinity
Awesome! I really admire your enthusiasm! Way to go, Rajesh and all the very best for the book! 🙂
I too admire my own (new found) enthusiasm… 😛
Destination Infinity
I too decided to do the same last year…and prepared my shitty first draft.Hopefully I will review it this month & ask some friends to check it.
The main thing is – It’s amazing to write a book.(on anything). Exhilarating experience.
Best of Luck 🙂
At least, you prepared the draft. I did not even go beyond the first two pages last year!!! Best of luck to you too… Both of us should become published 😉 authors by the end of this month 🙂
Destination Infinity
First of all, Congrats 🙂 People speak of doing things, but you are actually taking efforts to get it done. Nice to see that you are not worried about the results but doing this just for the experience, Kudos to that spirit 🙂 Looking forward to your book.
And my suggestion would be to taste the local cuisine with masalas and briyanis 😀
Actually I am afraid that the book will have too many food-suggestions! 🙂 Yes, I want to see how the experience is, and I am loving it until now 🙂
Destination Infinity
Its great to hear that you are actually undertaking this arduous task. Hope you are progressing well. In any case do not worry if you do not finish it by march 27th. Its good to have a deadline but the main thing is perfection.
Writing a book is really a long and difficult journey! I am trying to write 2 books at present (one non-fiction and the other is fiction) and its very hard. Have finished the first draft of one but I don’t like it and now I have to go over it again with a fine toothed comb. The second one is in the initial stage and my deadline is two more years! For at least one. But maybe longer.Who knows.
Yes, I am progressing impressive enough, now that I have given a commitment to it publicly!! This book is more like a test-drive, to get a good idea about the publishing process and customer reactions. If I write another book, maybe that will be longer and will take more time… All the best for publishing your book too, Nita. Do let me know when it’s ready.
Destination Infinity