#diarydeceitanddeath – soniasmusings

Visiting the Kolkata Book Fair 2026 as an author for the second year

Yesterday was my second year as an author at the International Kolkata Book Fair 2026. I visited the Sristhi Publishers Stall (E-94) where I signed copies of my non-fiction book ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ and interacted with a few readers.

Moments of book signing at the Sristhi Publishers Stall E-94

The next stop was at the Storyteller Stall (E-95), where I signed copies of both my books – the detective thriller ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’ featuring Raya Ray and the true crime story ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’.

With Sunil of Storytelling Bookstore Stall E-95

Met and chatted with some of my fellow authors. It was heartwarming to see a few readers who have read all my books drop in to say hi and enquire about what I am writing next.

Holding both my books as I speak about them

Team Storyteller captured my journey as an author where I also spoke about both my books, about those who have been my pillars of support in this journey and my thoughts about Kolkata Book Fair this year. The reel is available to view on my Insta page.

Heartfelt gratitude to all my readers, my publishers – Sristhi Publishers and Vishwakarma Publishers, my literary agency – The Book Bakers, and Storyteller Bookstore team.

Signed copies of both the books are available at E-94 and E-95 (both stalls are near Gate no 2). So, go get your copy now and don’t forget to send me a picture.

With the kid who makes me want to write more books so that he can keep reading them while growing up

Meet me at the Storyteller Bookstore Stall on 27th Jan

I’ll be there at the Storyteller Bookstore Stall (E-95, near Gate no. 2) from 7 to 7:30 p.m. signing copies of ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’, meeting and interacting with readers. So if you are in the Kolkata Book Fair premises today, please drop in to say hi.

‘Diary, Deceit and Death’ is nominated at the Reader’s Choice Awards by Kolkata Bookworms

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 –

https://www.amazon.in/dp/9395481862

‘Diary,Deceit and Death’ at the Pune Book Festival 2025

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.

https://youtube.com/shorts/aivQK00zsiU

Meeting my literary agent, Suhail Mathur, of The Book Bakers in Kolkata

7 years ago, I met Suhail for the first time in Kolkata. I had just been signed up by The Book Bakers. I felt nervous excitement as I spoke about my aspirations in the new journey of writing. He was patient and understanding. It took me three more years to give him the manuscript of ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’ since I decided to go ahead with an MFA in 2019. And then he got me the deal for ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ in 2023.

Two days ago, he came to Kolkata with Sumedha and Samaira for Prasun’s wife Brinda’s book launch. It was a delight to meet him in person and his rocking sense of humour put everyone at ease.

Over the past few years, every time I spoke to him, I never failed to mention how grateful I’m to have him in my life as my mentor, friend, and guide. He has never been just my literary agent but more like a younger brother to me. So when we met yesterday for a brainstorming session on our upcoming collaborations, I tied a rakhi on his wrist. This moment will forever be one of the most special memories for me.

He always jokes about how I don’t know what it means to send a short written or audio message and he has to read/hear my messages in installments. So how could I let go of this opportunity to write paragraphs for one of the most special persons in my life and writing journey? I’m sure he’s going to come back with another ‘puntastistic’ response to this

Here’s to many more amazing books, future collaborations and special moments. Come back sooner to Kolkata, Suhail!

My books featured in the Heyzine magazine

Heartfelt gratitude to Kainaz, Aabs Publishing House & Reader’s Choice for featuring both my books in the Heyzine magazine.

The magazine carries details of –

My true crime non fiction book ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ published by Srishti Publishers & Distributors (link to purchase – https://srishti.pub/sanyasi )

And

My detective thriller in the Detective Raya Ray series titled ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’ published by Vishwakarma Publications (link to buy – https://www.amazon.in/dp/9395481862 )

I hope you enjoy reading it.

Featured in The Statesman newspaper for being a part of the Kolkata Crime Writers Festival

The Statesman was the first English newspaper I read, or rather I was advised to read for a better command over English. To see my name and picture in the same paper for being a part of the Kolkata Crime Writers Festival at Storyteller Bookstore feels surreal. It’s equally wonderful to see both my books, ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ and ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’ featured prominently in the article.

Baba was so excited that he immediately went out to grab a physical copy of the newspaper. I only wish Ma was still around to share this joy.

Heartfelt gratitude to my literary agent Suhail and The Book Bakers for being a part of my journey as an author. I’m grateful to my publishers – Arup Bose from Srishti Publishers & Distributors and Vishal Soni from Vishwakarma Publications for their continued support in all my bookish endeavours.

Thank you Amrita Di and Mayura for having me.

Link to the e- paper:
https://epaper.thestatesman.com/m5/4010473/Delhi-The-Statesman/18-05-2025#page/12/1

Join us tomorrow at 6 30 pm on Instagram

Tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. I’ll be in conversation with Rrashima Verma on the Instagram page of The Book Bakers , where I’ll be discussing my books, best selling non fiction ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ and PVLF nominated fiction ‘Diary, Deceit, and Death’.

Join us for an enthralling and engaging session as we touch upon the ideas of writing murder mysteries on the Instagram handle @thebookbakers.

World Book Day 2025

On World Book Day 2025, here’s the link to all the books written by me available on Amazon. I hope you choose one or more and enjoy reading them.

https://amazon.com/author/soniachatterjee

World Book Day

Happy reading!

Request for ratings/reviews of my books on Amazon and a major announcement

A gratitude post for:

My literary agent- The Book Bakers,
The publisher ‘Diary, Deceit and Death’ – Vishwakarma Publications,
The publisher of ‘The Sanyasi who became a King’ – Srishti Publishers & Distributors
&
All my readers who chose and read my book(s).

I only have one more request for you. If you’ve read one or both my books, please leave a rating/review on Amazon on the below links –

Diary, Deceit and Death:

The Sanyasi who became a King –

https://srishti.pub/sanyasi

It’s going to help me improve my craft as an author.

And now a happy announcement to end the post. I’ve started working on the next book and it’s going to be a fresh detective thriller, although there’s going to be a major twist. Stay tuned to know more.