| |
Behind Every Series Hides a Story
The Winds of Fire series has been a twenty-year journey from conception in Singapore to publication in the U.S., and like my travel experiences, crosses continents. Like Duty and Desire (Book 1), so too Lethal Secrets has endured countless rewrites, revisions, hurdles, and rejections. Talented professionals and mammoth research have given the story wings to fly, and any mistakes are my own.
They say it takes one agent and one publisher to bring a book to fruition. Not three or two. Just one. I’m grateful to my literary agent Bob Diforio, D4EO Literary Agency (our journey began with Lethal Secrets) and Scarsdale Publishing, for believing in the fire and fight against abuse and domestic violence, advocating mental health, and diversity in storytelling.
To Lindsay Preston: five years ago you got the ball rolling at “Hello” and you continue to be my biggest cheerleader. Where would I be without your unrelenting enthusiasm? You are a true blessing in my life and the best cohost ever on our YouTube channel “Story Mantra.” Here’s to everlasting love of fiction and friendship!
Deepest thanks to India’s leading fashion designers, Ms. Anita Dongre, House of Anita Dongre, and Mr. Arjun Khanna, House of Classic Couture, for designing Rakesh and Sheetal’s ensembles and guiding me through the lives of the rich and famous. To oil painter and artist extraordinaire, Laura Terry, the joy of watching you fill canvases with captivating land and seascapes continues. I hope Sheetal will learn to paint like you someday.
Sangeeta Mehta, Mehta Book Editing, New York, I am eternally grateful for your infectious enthusiasm with the characters and this series, and for believing in me when I doubted myself. To master instructor, David Corbett, I would not have come this far without The Art of Character and The Compass of Character—my writing bibles. Thank you for your wisdom.
To Dr. Shruti Daga, aka little sister—hugs for being one of my first readers, taking on the role of medical advisor for the series, and for screaming when I made you kill characters because your profession as a cardiologist demanded (and still does) that you save lives. What can I say? Fiction is another beast altogether and we have many more books to write, many more characters to kill, and I promise you more homework—always. What are big sisters for?
To U.S.A. Today Bestseller Jade Lee (soul sister), New York Times Bestsellers Haywood Smith (Guruji) and Beverly Jenkins, thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me cross two decades of hurdles and rejections. You are my rock.
I am grateful to Anshu Chopra for insights on Karva Chauth. I fall short of words to express gratitude to Renuka Maheshwari, Praveena Baid, Samantha Thomas, Paige Santmyer, Shukti Basu, Chitra Thomas, Aarti Khater, and Jayanthi Kanderi—what more can a girl ask for than sisters and friends like you?
Mom (Lalita) and Dad (Ghanshyam Das)...I made it through Book 1. With your love, courage, and conviction I sailed into Book 2, weathered more mayhem in the crazy world of publishing, and now persevere with Book 3. I could not have come this far without you. What a blessing to have parents like you who cheer me every step of the way and who held my hand when I first held that pen.
Vikhyat and Vishesh, my Golden Boys. Vik, you coined the term “Winds of Fire.” Vishesh, you nailed Yash’s character. Through endless debates over the years, you two helped me develop this series. You both are the light of my life and I know you will always shine bright. Your belief keeps me going.
They say, save the best for last...and why not?
Vivek, my husband, my love, and partner in this crazy publishing journey. After twenty-seven Karva Chauths to my credit, surely you can read this book one more time? You first read the raw manuscript in 2003 and said, “Anju, I think you have a story!”
My answer in 2021. “Honey, we have a series.”