Wishing all my friends, readers and subscribers a very happy and healthy new year. May 2026 be filled with joy, peace, satisfaction, creativity, success, prosperity and love. I hope to write more books and more blog posts this year.
Bidding goodbye to 2025 with gratitude and a sense of fulfillment in my heart. I had an amazing beginning with the launch of my first non-fiction ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’, the book that ended up getting shortlisted for multiple awards. My detective thriller ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’, also nominated for a couple of awards, was loved and rated high by the readers. It was my first time as an author at the Kolkata Book Fair and getting featured on a newspaper article. Book signings at stores and airports, book launches, book readings, and author sessions for both my books made it an eventful year. Meeting my publisher Arup and my literary agent Suhail are moments forever etched in my memory. The mini vacation to Mandarmani and Taki gave us the much needed getaways. The kid made us proud with his academic awards and extracurricular performances. Our annual vacation to Dooars/Chalsa followed by a trip to Kochi was rejuvenating and professionally satisfying. Meeting Kolkata authors and catching up with a few close old friends led to some wonderful moments. I’m blessed to end this year with a trip to the land of Lord Jagannath – Puri, where my whole family could offer prayers and seek blessings of the Almighty.
Looking forward to a productive, satisfying, peaceful, joyful, successful and creative 2026 engulfed by the love of my family and blessings of God.
Thank you ,Kolkata Bookworms. It feels like a dream to see my detective thriller ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’ nominated alongside books by stalwarts like Ashwin Sanghi (the reader in me is overjoyed) & S Hussain Zaidi.
Amazon link of the book –
My detective thriller ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’ is now available in the Vishwakarma Publications stall (G-53) at the ongoing Pune Book Festival from 13th -21st December. If you are in Pune, please visit the venue to grab a copy.
The book is represented by The Book Bakers and published by Vishwakarma Publications.
My non fiction true crime book ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ is now available in the Dilipraj Prakashan stall (D-33) at the ongoing Pune Book Festival from 13-21 December. If you are in Pune, please visit the venue to grab a copy.
https://youtube.com/shorts/vQvJdKzZ1JQ
The book is represented by The Book Bakers and published by Srishti Publishers & Distributors.
What happens when a bunch of Kolkata based authors decide to meet at Peter Cat on a Sunday afternoon? Food, fun and adda. That’s what yesterday was about as I met up with some familiar and some new faces over chelo kebabs and cups of coffee.
A quick trip to Oxford Bookstores to surprise Kolkata Bookworms where they were celebrating their third anniversary followed. This group is close to my heart for the role it played in my journey as an author until now. All my good wishes to this vibrant group of young readers.
Here’s a glimpse of the meet-up:
Thank you, Arup Bose, CEO of Sristhi Publications for sharing this image of my book ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ at Bengaluru International Airport, T2 Terminal.
You can grab a copy from the WH Smith stores in airports across metro cities in India, in bookstores and on Amazon from the link below.
A few days ago I posted on ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ getting shortlisted in the Best Non Fiction category of the Pen N Paper Awards. It feels unreal to see my book published by Sristhi Publishers and represented by The Book Bakers in the august company of books by stalwarts like Amitav Ghosh and Dr Ramachandra Guha.
Overwhelmed and grateful for the love that’s coming my way.
And if you haven’t read the true story behind the mystery of the Bhawal Raja yet, here’s the link to do it right away.
It’s heartwarming to see the recognition my non-fiction true crime novel ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ is getting from multiple quarters. Thrilled to announce that the book has been shortlisted for the prestigious Pen n Paper Awards 2025.
A big shoutout to my literary agency, The Book Bakers and my publisher, Srishti Publishers & Distributors for their unwavering support and faith in my craft.
The book is available on Amazon –
5/1/25 – My non-fiction true crime story ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’, represented by Suhail Mathur of The Book Bakers, edited by Stuti Sharma Gupta was published by Arup Bose of Srishti Publishers & Distributors.
Cut to 5/11/25 – 11 months later, I ticked an item off my wishlist as I signed copies of this best selling book at the WH Smith store in Kolkata International Airport. Words aren’t enough to thank Arup and Shouvik Bose for making the necessary arrangements to execute the same. Thanks to the cooperative staff of WH Smith for a smooth session.
Dreams do come true if we keep working with dedication and focus. Forever grateful to my family, friends and readers for the love and support.
Check the book signing event here –
soniasmusings 