Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Out!

I've spent a lot of time wondering whether I should do what I'm going to. After all, I've enjoyed the couple of years I've done this; I like my name, the one I've assumed. But the time has come to (at least temporarily, at least for today) chuck it out.

This afternoon, I received my copies of my first book. I knew yesterday that they were being sent to me, but I really did not think that they would reach me quite so soon. It's a very strange feeling: when you have proof-read the MS three times and know what the cover will look like, you think you know what the book will also look like. But nothing prepares you for the sensation of seeing it come together into one whole. It all looks so professional... you feel you could not possibly have had anything to do with it!
Okay...so much excitement is unseemly.

So, with no further digressions, here's the cover of my first book of poetry: A Reluctant Survivor (Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, 2007).

Cover Design © Neelima Rao.

The book should be available in the Sahitya Akademi sales offices in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great! Congratulations!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats Sridala! Very very happy for you!

At the same time, having had a sampler of the quality of your work, I'm sure it's the first of many!

Alok said...

Oh wow! I didn't know you were a published poet... Congratulations. (I thought you were in the movies!)

Space Bar said...

Uma, Amit: Thanks! Amit, I hope so too!

Alok: I was. I am. Now, it appears, I am also a poet. Heh.

SUR NOTES said...

arrey wah- congrats D. i want a signed copy!

Cheshire Cat said...

Congrats! But as far as being out is concerned, you have been for a few months now...

Space Bar said...

Sur: But naturally! (did you get my mail?)

Cat: Huh? How? Where? In what way? *with a suspicious frown*

And thanks!

Cheshire Cat said...

Caferati :)

The Black Mamba said...

that is awesome! congrats!

Space Bar said...

Cheshire Cat: Dammit. :D You're on Caferati?!

Black Mamba: Thank you!

Falstaff said...

Congratulations!

Now to get my hands on a copy...

Diptakirti Chaudhuri said...

Oh thank God, your name is finally out! I get very jittery when people I know write anonymous blogs! Now I can put your name on my blogroll... I can, right?

Congrats on the book... will come to whistle and cheer at the Delhi reading! Actually, it is better to politely clap. Sahitya Akademi and all...

Oh - and Happy Birthday to Spaniard!

Cheshire Cat said...

No, no, when you blogged about winning a prize in that Caferati contest in Feb., it disambiguated you completely.

Space Bar said...

Falstaff: Thanks! Would love to know what you think. (and you, BM).

Dipta: Clap and whistle by all means. In fact, let's rehearse, and we'll incorporate it into the reading. But please don't put my name on your blogroll. I like Space Bar.

Cheshire Cat: Ah...sigh. This is what happens when you're indiscreet. It only remains for me to suss you out now.

Anonymous said...

this is completely awesome. congrats dala.

The Black Mamba said...

Would you want our comments in speech bubbles now? ;)

for all of you who rub your hands in glee and wait for the book to arrive at your doorsteps, here to whet your appetite.

Space Bar said...

AKB: Thanks!

Black Mamba: Speech bubbles are an excellent idea. :D

Swathi Sambhani aka Chimera said...

Congrats!!!
and I'm disappointed that 'Hyderabad' doesn't feature anywhere in the list of sales offices.

wordmonkey said...

Congratulations!!! :)

Space Bar said...

Chimera: But Hyderabad there will be reading, please to attend.

Wordmonkey: Thanks!

Anita Vachharajani said...

hey sridala! congrats! will look out for the book... lovely cover - looks most magnetic. couldn't access ur blog for days - got thru via surabhi's today! will tell hansa abt the book! congratulations!!

Banno said...

Lovely. Hope I can lay my hands on it soon.

Space Bar said...

Anita: Thanks! I mailed Hansa. Not sure what her current email is, though, so thanks for telling her.

Batul: Thanks! Glad you're posting again...don't disappear!

ajay noronha said...

o too cool! many cheers!!

the mad momma said...

congratulations... and celebrations!!! will og hu nting for copies for Dipta and myself asap. we're absolutely proud of you!