Stop asking for a seat at a table that wasn’t built for you. Join me for 1:1 mentorship and learn how to publish fearlessly, launch globally, and take up space—without waiting for the gatekeepers to validate your voice.
I Was Rejected 39 Times. So I Built My Own Damn Table.
Thirty-nine UK publishers rejected my book.
Thirty-nine industry gatekeepers looked at a brown woman’s lived experience, told me they “loved the writing,” but ultimately decided there was “no market” for my story.
I could have listened. I could have shrunk myself to fit their sanitised, comfortable boxes. I could have put my manuscript in a drawer and waited for their permission to exist.
Instead, I did what any Bad Daughter would do. I channelled my rage into action. I fired my agent, burned the traditional rulebook, and decided to fiercely, unapologetically back myself.
I spent the next year navigating the unglamorous, frustrating reality of the indie publishing industry. The odds are heavily stacked against us, but armed with a Kali-like determination, I refused to be ignored.
And look at what I did – I self-published my book. I organised three book launches in three international locations. I got my book into local libraries and indie book shops (in two countries). I got invited to one of India’s biggest book festivals. I was invited to speak on radio. The best bit: I did all of this in under one year!
If you’re tired of waiting to be “picked” by a publisher, I’ve got good news. I’m opening up my one-to-one mentorships (for a few authors only!) where I share my self-publishing secrets. Pop your email below if you’d like to be invited.
I learnt how to design a stand-out book cover
Your book cover is your book’s first impression, a visual elevator pitch that promises a specific experience to your reader. This one little cover needs to grab readers’ attention, it needs to stops the scroll. A great book cover has a single, bold focal point, something that captures the “vibe” of your genre—whether it’s an arresting graphic for a thriller or whimsical typography for a romance title. I spent a lot of time researching what made a great book cover, literally visiting innumerable book shops and trying to see what caught my attention as a reader. I followed a lot of expert advice and blog posts – before designing my own book cover for Bad Daughter, which is eye-catching. And I don’t think I’m being biased…
I organised book launches in 3 cities & 2 countries
Every author dreams of a spectacular book launch! But what do you do when you don’t have a publisher or a fancy budget to organise a swanky book launch?
Well, I’m here to tell you that you can do it yourself. Do it in style. Do it all over the world.
I organised a stunning book launch in central London, in a gorgeous venue in Soho. I designed the decor (with help from my amazing friends!) to reflect my book’s Indian vibe with colourful saris draped all over the walls, hundreds of candles & tea lights to reflect the spiritual side of the book. We ate luscious Indian food & drank Prosecco. I was interviewed and I answered questions from the 100-plus audience. Standing at my sparkling London book launch, signing books with all the candles glowing, all the love pouring: it felt like a dream come true.
Then I did it all over again: twice. I arranged a book launch in Kerala (again felt very fitting considering my story!) in a fancy club in Fort Kochi. This used to be a British club and it tickled me that someone like me wouldn’t even have been allowed in a few decades ago. And here I was, having my book launch in the samae venue.
And finally, I created a book launch in a cute little indie bookshop in Bangalore. The vibe was fun and fabulous with old Bangalore friends and a great interview about the themes of the book.
London Book Launch
Bangalore Book Launch
Kerala Book Launch
I got myself invited to international book festivals & radio shows
I’ve often dreamt of speaking at book festivals. But I learnt that most of the bigger festivals are closed to self-published authors.
I didn’t give up. I just pitched to a lot of independent book festivals, all over the world.
I was invited to speak at one of India’s biggest & most respected book festivals: Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters. (I got invited to another biggie: The Galle Literary Festival but sadly the festival was postponed.)
I spoke on two panels at the Mathrubhumi festival. The first one was exclusively about my book Bad Daughter. It was a full house (standing room only!) and the talk was published on the Matrubhumi website. The second panel was with some incredible female writers, about the power of older women.
I also snagged an interview on a Dubai radio station: Dubai Talk 100.3 where I spoke with the fabulous female hosts about my book and my feminist views.
I delivered author talks in local libraries
It’s practically impossible to get local libraries to stock self-published books. But I don’t give up that easy….
I got my book into three London libraries: Canada Water Library, Lewisham Library as well as the Ideas Stores in Tower Hamlets.
I didn’t stop there. I organised Author Talks at all three libraries, where I could engage with local residents who had read my book. Each talk had engaged audiences with great discussions around the themes of the book: feminism, trauma, confidence and healing.
These local library events were such a joy. Over the years, I’ve borrowed many hundreds of books from my local library. And now, my book is in there too!
I learnt the tough bits: from ISBN numbers, Amazon set-up to distribution in libraries & bookshops
Learning about book distributon was the hardest bit for me. What is an ISBN number & where do you get one? How could I get my book baby into the local library? How do I get my book to the right wholesaler, so it could be distributed? How do I get my book set up on Amazon? How do I create an e-book? Where could I begin the process of getting my book into bookshops? (Hint: you can forget about the big bookstore chains because most are owned by an American hedge-fund & have tie-ups with the big publishers!)
I researched & learnt everything I possibly could – and to be honest, sometimes it felt impossible because the odds are stacked against indie authors & publishers.
But as always, I didn’t give up.
Now, my book is available to buy directly on my new website (which I built!). It’s available to purchase in a few indie bookshops. It’s also available on Amazon. It’s available to buy pretty much anywhere in the world. Morever, I’ve set things up so libraries and book shops can order it directly. I couldn’t manage to get it absolutely everywhere, but I think I’ve done well.
My book is even available on the Barnes & Noble website in the US (not sure why that makes me feel cool but it does!) 😊
Bad Daughter took me 7 years to write & one year to publish as well as distribute. The marketing will probably take a while, because it’s a one-person writing/marketing/publishing/PR team.
I wanted to share my book journey with you because I want you to know that you can do it too (despite many who would have you believe otherwise).
