Interview with Author Naveen Sridhar
Naveen Sridhar is a scientist and an author. Born in India, he migrated to Germany for studies at the Technical University of Berlin. He has a Ph.D. in chemistry and chemical engineering. Besides his profession, he pursued various interests and was also active as an entertainer. Widely traveled, he is fluent in several languages.
The subjects of the books he has authored cover entertainment, biography, and historical fiction, all available in English. Widowed, he has two sons. He lives in Munich, Germany.
Tell me more about your latest book
An outbreak of war is imminent between Ancient Egypt and the Hittite kingdom Nefertari, the queen of Ramses II, receives a surprising message from the Hittites. She gets involved in the intrigues of power politics and faces severe resistance to achieving peace between the two powers. Rising to the challenge with her talent for diplomacy, she decides to fight against the belligerent enemy and her court. A Hittite and a shaman assist her in the tortuous way towards her goal.
Here is the untold story behind the first accord, which ensured permanent peace between the two major powers of ancient times. The version of the treaty is at the UN office in New York, the Berlin State Museum in Germany, and the Museum of the Ancient World in Ankara, Turkey.
The present war in Europe lends this story a timely relevance.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?
Research. After reading about the queen of ancient Egypt, the first queen of Ramses II, I was surprised by lack of any details of her accomplishment. She was an erudite person held in high esteem by her husband, all facts well established, yet nothing is known about her deeds and contribution to history. I had to dig deep into this to make sure I was not missing any known facts, only then I had to choose the way of the writer of historical fiction, to connect the dots and fill in the spaces.
What is your normal procedure to get your books published?
My normal procedure is self-publishing. This means, I must attend to all facet of publishing, namely formatting, cover work etc. Yet it is the quickest way to get the book done and to proceed to the next work, instead of going through a long process of finding an agent, publisher, correspondence etc. with the publication only in 1-2 years after the work had been completed.
My first book was self-published with Createspace of Amazon. The next was with a publisher. My last two books were self-published with kdp Amazon.
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
No, I do not. It may be the case if the subject is itself spiritual.
How many books have you written so far?
So far, I have written and published four books:
A COMPLETE GUIDE TO VENTRILOQUISM: Principles, practice, and performance
CANDLELIGHT IN A STORM: Born to be a Berliner
STARLIGHT IN THE DAWN: The Poetic Priestess who chose to fight
A HITTITE AND A SHAMAN: At Queen Nefertari’s Secret Service
What’s the best way to market your books?
I write in English but live in Germany. So, the best way for me may not work for others. I do all the marketing from home with no direct contact with the Anglophile world. Even before I publish, I make sure I have good editorial reviews. I include them when I publish and receive some thereafter. Podcasts, critiques, social media etc. help too, along with word-of-mouth. But I have not found any way of measuring the outcome or success of each such venue.
How hard or easy is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?
To get established, not only good work is necessary. Several books that are well received is a pre-requisite. Beyond that of course, good luck.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Do not ask if you are too young, too old, or have the talent to write. Read a lot, whatever your interest. Read self-help books on writing and work on your writing craft.
Do not plan to monetise your effort. Writing is an art. Artists do not begin the path in order to make money. Ego is needed for motivation and ambition. Control your ego. Do not disdain ego; let it not be the master giving way to vanity only to be exploited by others.
Follow your passion. Rest will follow, even the discovery of your talent.
Visit Author Naveen Sridhar book links:-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naveen.sridhar.9
Webpage: www.naveensridhar.com
e-mail: [email protected]
All books available with Amazon:
A Complete Guide to Ventriloquism
Candlelight in a Storm
Starlight in the Dawn
https://amazon.com/dp/B093QFL75B
A Hittite and a Shaman
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