Shobhan Bantwal on Getting Published
September 20, 2007
My first book, THE DOWRY BRIDE, started out as a rather dark short story—a homework assignment for the one and only creative writing course I took a few years ago.
When everyone in the class was asked to read a paragraph or two each week for critiquing, as our respective stories progressed, mine sounded rather strange. I was the only ethnic student in class (Indian-American) and THE DOWRY BRIDE was set in small-town India. I was reluctant to read something that was so different from everyone else’s material. However, most of the class was surprisingly fascinated by the cultural elements of the story.
My instructor suggested that since I had too many characters to make it an effective short story I should perhaps aim to turn it into a full-length novel. So I took up the challenge and started writing my first novel.
It was a difficult task. While most Indian authors write serious literary books, I wanted to write a mainstream book with romantic elements, something I love to read. I wondered if there would be a market for such a book. Would any agent even bother to look at a manuscript that was so different from the usual? It fitted into no particular genre, the setting was unusual, the theme controversial, and the author unknown.
Needless to say, it took me two years to find a reputable agent to sign me on, but she sold the book within a few months. THE DOWRY BRIDE was sold to Kensington Books in a two-book deal in April 2006. At last, I had found one editor out there who thought my book had promise. For that I shall remain forever in the debt of both these wonderful women who were willing to take the risk with me. Now I am confident the risk will pay off.
About Shobhan Bantwal
SHOBHAN BANTWAL was born and raised in India and came to the United States as a young bride in an arranged marriage. She has published short fiction in literary magazines and articles in a number of publications. Writing plays in her mother tongue (Indian language - Konkani) and performing on stage at Indian-American conventions are her favorite pastimes. Shobhan loves to hear from her readers. Visit her at her web site:
www.shobhanbantwal.com.
Shobhan Bantwal Profile at OnceWritten.com
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