On The India Book And Publishing
I’m thinking of putting the Naxalite Rage blog to bed. I’ll keep an archive available, and start over with a new India-focused site when I can. Came to this decision after, oddly enough, talking it over with an agent interested in representing the book.
She thought we could be successful with a Naxals proper book with one of the big houses. Which was cool to hear. Assuming a quick sale. I’d have till sometime mid next year to write it, and then it would be published the following year. So in two years, I’d have a book out on the insurgency. But my friend Eric is already writing that book – plus he’s spent more time on the ground than I have in the last few years. Genuinely excited about that coming out, and using it to think about a another India book.
Because, over the past four years, my thinking on India has evolved along with my own general focus. Less of an emphasis on the mechanics of war, and more on India’s systemic flaws and vulnerabilities. A lot more resilient community thinking. And that’s more of the book I’d like to write now. When I asked about that, she said we’d be less likely to pull it off, and suggested I should work on my platform and try again next year for a 2015 book. Which makes sense.
The original intention with publishing an India book was I felt I needed the validation of going through the traditional publishing pipeline. Don’t really feel that way now given the limitations. The timeline is just too long. The content wouldn’t be what I want.
Which is why I may just do the exact opposite. I’ve been spread pretty thin over the last year or so, and haven’t been able to give it sufficient attention. My schedule is clearing out a bit now, but the next year is shaping up to be hectic as well.
So I’m leaning towards wrapping up the Naxalite Rage blog entirely. Instead, focus on writing stuff of sufficient length and quality to build my reach and succeed through the new publishing channels. Already have some fiction kicking its way out of my head. And there’s a big think India book to be had as well. Just ship.
Would love your thoughts/feedback/suggestions on this.
-Shlok
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