Making of a book

Making of a book

I am in an extraordinary space of anticipation, anxiety and dare devilry. I write lines on twitter which I would have cringed to do a month ago, why I had no twitter account a month ago. I strike up conversations with strangers, I stay up to watch midnight football and I am reading, reading, reading. All brought on by my book making project.

My foray into book making started five years ago when I announced that I was going to write essays and verse on Vedanta thought. Even more audacious I had the title ready, ‘Rope-snake: pot-Space’. The writing went well but I was stuck on how to publish. I was discouraged and shelved the project and heard many a “I told you so’. Then in early 2010, Srilata Menon called me from Delhi and suggested I approach Writers Workshop, Kolkata; she had heard that they assist green horn writers and treated them gently without damaging egos. Srilata believes in swift action and messaged me the telephone number.

This was my introduction to Prof. P Lal of Writers Workshop Kolkata, who was known to possibly every one but my self. Prof. Purushottama Lal a legendry personage who has nurtured Indian writers in English with tireless passion, aesthetic presentation and boundless energy. Shahnaz Habib, The Guardian, December 5 2010, writes in his obituary that, “He had three criteria for accepting work for publication, none of them pragmatic or profit-oriented. One: a writer sends in material that's so impossibly good that it's 10 years ahead of its time – and there are very few commercial publishers who would think of investing in such first-rate postdated creativity. Two: the work shows promise, and the writer might stop writing altogether if not discreetly encouraged through publishing. Three: the manuscript appeals to my taste, such as it is, and I enjoy bringing out stuff that I like; it's like introducing a talented friend to strangers, though some may well wonder where the talent lies."

Hearing from Srilata, I googled Writers Workshop and then called Prof Lal on a Thursday. A clear thin voice answered and acknowledged my introduction. ‘Please look under submissions at the web site and send your manuscript. I need a typed copy only.” I was feverish with excitement as no one so far had offered to even read the manuscript. I read the submission guidelines; made sure I had a spare ink cartridge and rolled out the 125 pages without a hitch, rushed to the courier office and sent it off. Around 8 pm Monday night, I received a call from Prof Lal, I am so overwhelmed that I stood up in deference, to talk to him. In his clear precise manner of speech, Prof Lal informed me that he found my work good. I stammered my gratitude which he cut short.

‘Try some commercial publishers before you come to me. I do not promote the books so cannot promise any sale. You will incur costs and you must be prepared for it.”

‘Sir, your reading and agreeing to publish my work is honour enough for me. Please tell me what I need to do.”

“Proof read your work and correct your spellings, see on page …you have spelt …….wrong. Send me a final corrected copy. I will send you a contract letter.”

The contract letter itself a rare artwork! 

Our correspondence went like this….

March 11, 2010

Dear Prof Lal,

Namaste. Ugadi Greetings to you and yours.

Thank you for your telephone call last evening.

I was rather overwhelmed by your call and could not express myself adequately.

Thank you for taking up the manuscript and I look forward to receiving the contract. Could I request you to please send this as a soft copy as well?

I do hope I will have the occasion soon to meet with you in person as I have only a second hand acquaintance through Manohar Malgonkars book “Dropping Names” which a friend has shared with me.

With best regards

Suraksha giri

So began my initiation into the world of publishing the Prof Lal way. Hand bound Odissi fabric cover with gold embossed calligraphy writing of the title changing my ordinary manuscript into a spill of colours. My words seemed stronger, more certain encased now between regal book ends. We exchanged in all maybe a dozen emails and a few phone calls but work flew fast between Kolkata and Chennai, courier from my side, registered post from his end.  

May 31, 2010

Dear Shri Prof Lal,

Sub: Proof book: Rope-snake; pot-Space

Namaste. How are you?

I am enclosing the corrected proof for your further action. Along with the corrected proof I am attaching a typed list of the corrections by chapter, page and line.

Kindly excuse any amateur handling of this as it is my first experience.

Kindly acknowledge receipt of the proof.

With Best regards to you and Mrs Lal

Suraksha Giri

April 1, 2010

Dear Shri Prof Lal,

Sub: Manuscript of book: Rope-snake; pot-Space

Namaste to you and Smt Lal.

I am enclosing the following:

*Photo of self in CD format

*Biographical note

*Dedication

*Acknowledgements

*CD of the manuscript

I would be grateful if the sloka from Isa Upanishad could be written in Sanskrit as I was unable to do it myself and would be glad to take care of any extra cost for this.

I complete my 60^th year (11-09-1950) in 6 months and it would be a blessing if the book could be ready by then without any inconvenience to you. 

Kindly acknowledge receipt of this courier.

With kind regards

Suraksha Giri

Imagine my unmitigated delight when after completing Ganesh Puja on my Birthday, the post arrives with the first copy hand bound in resplendent red! I knew I was truly blessed and my association with Prof Lal would be my most special gift for my 60^th year. On the day of my book launch Oct 10^th Prof.Lal presented me a copy of his own work ‘The Dhammapada’, transcreated from Pali with this message: ‘ for Suraksha Devi with admiration…..atta hi attano natho…One’s self is lord of oneself.’

In countless ways I am inspired by Prof Lal in my writing. I have received a wealth of instruction and direction from him that I can not describe. Prof Lal was not just a legend in literary tradition but a wise person who has enriched my life.

Embarking on my second foray, a novel I allowed my book to be led to its chosen destiny. 

                                                                                                                                    ......to be continued