Kuhu Learns to Deal With Life- A Debut Author’s Wishlist

Dear Reader

Seven-year-old Kuhu Joshi is out in the world since my last post! I’m happy to introduce her to you and give a little sneak peek into her world.

This brilliant cover design is by Bazma Ahmad. The book is up for preorder at a discounted price until 15 November. Please click on the following link to order your copy.

Kuhu Learns to Deal With Life

And now, here is an illustration from the first chapter, which is called The Interview.

Let me give you a brief – Kuhu and her mother are going to a ‘big’ school here, where the seven-year-old will be interviewed. It’s also her Ma’s old school. Now, Kuhu is your math-struggling protagonist. So, the multiplication tables have got her in a twist. Do you think she’ll be able to relax and do well in the interview? Well, I’m not going to tell you that… you’ll have to dive into the book to find out how she saves the day (or not)?

Hats off to illustrator Anisha Kotibhaskar and editor/publisher Sahana Ahmed, whose efforts have resulted in twenty-five wonderful black and white illustrations that have brought the story to life.

And now, dear reader, carrying on with the journey I started last time, today I bring to you the things on the wishlist of a debut author (with sweaty palms and cold feet). Trust me, I am not making this up. I seriously need…

1. Tea, coffee, or anything to calm the nerves, please?
2. Friends who check in to ask if I’m okay, not just how many copies I’ve sold.
3. Family/friends who won’t ask me about Booker nominations…
4. Fewer congratulations, more sales.
5. A new burrow for every time I post about the book on social media… because right now humility feels overrated!
6. A recipe for survival of an overthinking brain: wine, Netflix, and ignoring Insta/Twitter (X).
7. Anyone willing to sign a contract not to give unsolicited advice.
8. A device to understand what’s happening in my brain… an Ouija board?
9. Another device to navigate the existential crisis that comes with being an author… may be a GPS for life.
10. Reloading of the writing/poetry brain… so that creativity and anxiety can co-exist.

Yes, I understand, the first book is special and I should be more enthusiastic right now. Instead, I feel like a new mother with her postpartum issues. May be my excitement will peak when I have a copy in my hands, which should be very soon. Until then, dear reader, I hope you will consider buying the book for yourself or for somebody you know. I’ll give you just one more reason to do that… the wonderful Khyrunnisa A. of ‘Butterfingers’ fame has magnanimously endorsed Kuhu’s story with these words:

The easy narrative technique and sympathetic depiction of the characters are pointers to the author’s poetic talent and her understanding of children. Kuhu Learns to Deal With Life is not just for middle-graders, it is for readers of all ages; for there is something for everyone in it. This is an excellent debut.

I will forever be grateful for her kindness for that is something definitely on a debut author’s wishlist. Until we meet again, stay safe and happy.