Monday, January 12, 2009

my bonnie blue book is out

Finally, finally, after three years of writing it, 'A Grasshopper's Pilgrimage' is all set to see the light of the day.

These are the first reactions of people I called to tell them that the postman just delivered two bonnie blue babies of mine.

novelist sister: How does it feel to hold your book in your hands?

me: It's a scrawny little thing. The font is smaller than what I wrote it in.

sis: Don't say that! Give it a kiss. Welcome it into this world.

geek hubby: Photo le and blogit.


Aai: who are you calling for the mumbai launch?

me: meaning? I will invite all those I know.

aai: the chief guest, stupid.

me: Tom Alter will come. He was one of the first to like the book.

aai: Who will come to see tom alter? You need a cute little thing!

me: a cute little thing?

aai: yes sir!


novelist dost: stop calling people. savor this moment. sit for a few minutes holding it in your lap.

brat : your book has come! now I will learn to read. can I take one for my friend? can I, can I?




mithaiwallah: why didn't you write in kannad, amma?


neighbor: (leafing through it ), is it about shree Ramakrishna?

me: Umm... not exactly...

neighbor: when it will come in the book shops?

me: I don't know, in a week or two. But you can order it from the Indiaplaza online store. They are giving a twenty five percent discount.

brat: but Aai, how can a leaf hold a mountain?

me: but Pavan, how else will the grasshopper go on a pilgrimage?

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wowzers, how exciting! I love the cover, and look forward to reading (the latest version of) the inside! Well done.r

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! the cover looks attractive. It must be such a proud moment.

Stumbled upon your space couple of times before now leaving the comment. I am looking forward to getting a copy of it in my hand too.

Manjushree Abhinav said...

Thanks Johnathan. I don't think Indiaplaza delivers in London, though. I will try and get the International rights sold asap.Or, if you send me your address, I will mail you a copy. After all, you are a character in the book! :)

Abhijit Karnik said...

Looks interesting. Your friend Ekta deserves full credit for directing me to the site. Recommend that you try http://www.bagchee.com/
They seem to arrange international shipping (i.e. if they respond)

P.S. Am a first time writer and currently going through the protracted process of getting a book onto the bookshelves.

Anonymous said...

Hey Manjushree,

Congrats on the book! :D - All the best with many more! - hope you are doing well..

Manjushree Abhinav said...

hi, Anar,

Am doing well. How have you been? Any plans to come to Banglore, do lets catch up.

Henri said...

What rubbish, wait till Jan 25th and die of suspense before I read it!!!! He he he, I am sure it's been worth the wait for you and it will be for me as well :) Lovely, totally dig the cover and you look pretty damn satiated, but Pavan looks more like the Grasshopper in the pic, I must say :)

Banno said...

Wow, the cover's looking even better than the one I saw last. Do let me know when the book launch is in Mumbai. I'm not a cute little thing, but would definitely like to be there. The 25% discount is tempting, but I want to go buy it in a bookshop. See it on the racks and all.

Nino's Mum said...

congratulations Manjushree! Yay!
Can't wait for the A'bad launch.
I barely know you - and yet feel so proud of you!

Manjushree Abhinav said...

Banno, Nino's mum,

Ofcource I will call you ladies for the launches.
Let the book come into the bookshops, or it will be a book launch klpd. ;)

Thanks for the enthu. Will start planning soon.

Irene said...

Great news pal, me too will buy it off the shelf :-)

Ruchika said...

Congratulations! Looking forward to read it..... :)

DR JITESH BHATT MD said...

good to see u smile with u r book, i am happy for your first book.
congratulations.

Radha said...

Hey Manju....

Congrats on the book release....love the cover & the colour.....

All the best.... waiting for more...
Lots of love
radha

Nishchal Shukla નિશ્ચલ શુક્લ said...

too cool! Author toh Pavan lag raha hai :)

Shayari said...

Hey stumbled on your blog through Smita's:) Congratulations! on your first book:)All the very best!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! God Bless you.
Will get my Copy soon.

Samir Sanghavi said...

Congratulations!
I feel privileged to have read it before the launch. Will be buying my official copy soon. Are you doing the launch in Ahmedabad?

Manjushree Abhinav said...

Thanks, Samir,

Yes, I am planning to do a multi-city launch; will definitely do one in Ahmedabad, don't know when. The book should be out in the bookshops by 21st of January, though.Please let me know if it is available in Abd crossword ?

Smita said...

Do keep me informed about the mumbai launch will try my level best to make it (this is called self invitation :D)


Congrats!!! am buying the book right away :)

Space Bar said...

Congratulations! Looking forward to reading it once it's in the stores. Will you read in Hyderabad?

Manjushree Abhinav said...

Smita,

I would be honored to have you at the launch.
But you can buy the book only on one condition: You have to review it. This is called Dadagiri.:)

Space bar,

Have we met? Sorry but I haven't yet figured out if I know you. I am planning a multi-city launch, in all the cities I have lived in , and wherever I get an invitation.
So lets see...

7dayholiday said...

Hey Manjushree! This is great news, congratulations! I am so happy for you.

Let me know when the book launch is in Mumbai

Anonymous said...

Wonderful Shaheen chattan tere saath yatra mein ...what else can make me happy....remembering Swaminathanjee(of Bharat Bhawan)...Man zoo, I m off to buy the book now...