My struggle to get published

I had pivoted my career as a writer, no doubt, but what is the point of having 50,000 + words of remarkable manuscript hibernating in an electronic folder?

I began researching as how to catch the attention of a publisher, who would take a chance on me. My daughter said that I must have an online presence and I listened to her ?? I created my online presence by starting my FB Page - Expression of pearls. This was when FB was gaining ground. Friends and family became my followers initially and that was a good start, indeed! I was excited to be part of the social media and kept building on it.

Despite my best efforts and a well-articulated book proposal, I did not get a positive response. Rejections after rejections with no explanation or feedback. This went on for several months. It reached a point where I started doubting the quality of my work. No matter how hard I tried to convince myself that I had written a readerworthy material, my confidence level yo yoed.

One day, as I expecting to open yet another rejection mail, I received an acceptance with a request to submit my manuscript. I was delighted and all those self-doubts vanished in thin air.

I enjoyed the hardwork and the entire process involved in getting my first book published.

"My Friendship with Yoga," was launched amidst fanfare at the New Delhi World Book Fair in 2017 with the support of Lifi Publications. I was a bit nervous as I faced the audience as well as dignitaries from Delhi University and the Ministry of Ayush. When I started speaking about my book, I was more at ease but definitely uneasy as the cameras clicked.

I am extremely happy and grateful to see over 100 + reviews on Amazon!

Since then, I have published two more books - "Syra's Secret," & "Tales from Sri Lanka and India," and several anthologies including one on poetry.

One of the most valuable lesson I learnt was -

Rejections are a part of ultimately being accepted and acknowledged as a writer!