Author Interview: Ahmed Faiyaz, (Bestselling Author,Director and Editor)

Author Interview: Ahmed Faiyaz in conversation with Animesh Das

Ahmed Faiyaz is an Indian author, filmmaker, chartered accountant and management consultant. He has authored three bestselling books, “Another Chance”, “Scammed”, “Love, Life and all that Jazz”, and a novella “The Graveyard Shift”. He has also edited the bestselling “Urban Shots Crossroads” and “Down the Road”. In his latest work “Bestseller” he has unmasked the dark side of the Indian Publishing Industry. He was born and raised in Bangalore and currently works in Dubai.

Recently I got an opportunity to interview him and in it he has shared with me his ideas and opinion on various things which will help the readers understand his works in a better way.

A.D- First of all, I would like to congratulate you on the massive success of your current work of fiction “Bestseller”

A.F- Thank you, you’re very kind. Appreciate the good wishes.

A.D- Your latest novel “Bestseller” is based on the issue of unethical practices in the Indian Publishing Industry, a topic most authors avoid to talk about. What makes you choose this particular topic?

A.F- What I can share is that the book is loosely inspired from and draws from real life experiences from my time and journey in the publishing business. Between 7-10 years ago, I was very active as a writer who authored several bestsellers and contributed and pulled together short story anthologies that were very successful, while also publishing these as well as other books. Through this journey, I met with and interacted with a number of writers, publishers and people from the trade – in the business of promoting, selling and distributing books, and a germ of an idea emerged in my head, because it’s a tough and complicated business, with highs and lows, and also many interesting characters which makes for an interesting plot.

A.D- You have given us so many amazing books and we love all your literary works, but as readers we would like to know which of your works in your favourite?

A.F- I would say my answer has kept changing and will keep changing with time 😊 I would say Another Chance was very special as it was loosely based on and inspired from moments in my life and someone I loved. Also, Bestseller for its entertainment quotient and for being an enjoyable book to write.

A.D- What is your favourite time and place to write books?

A.F- Quiet weekends and holidays when my kids are away. This is the only possible time that I can write.

A.D- What do you like to do in your spare time, when not working on any projects?

A.F- I like to read, spend time with my kids, play tennis or basketball and also travel.

A.D- Sir I have noticed one thing that all your books are very well-researched. Where do you get your ideas for your books?

A.F- Actually, I do no research at all. I draw from my own imagination and places I’ve been to and spent time in. Given that my stories are set in contemporary times, I feel that its best to write about characters and places I’m more familiar with, as I can do my best to portray them true to life and spirit.

A.D- Recently in an interview to PTI, iconic author Ruskin Bond says that India might soon have more writers than readers as more and more writers are making good money out of it. Do you agree with that?

A.F- Its true, isn’t it? And he’s right about this, and this is sadly driven by the soulless self – publishing ventures who bringing to life half – baked novels and vanity projects to life. I have come across a novel or two by a talented writer who didn’t find acceptance with a traditional publisher, but these are one or two among thousands, who actually get published through the self – publishing route and don’t deserve it. Sadly, they buy into this dream and it takes time and growing up to understand that it was a mistake.

A.D- Do you hear from your readers much? What kind of things do they say?

A.F- I do hear from them from time to time, and usually it is to tell me what they liked about my novel(s), and characters that they could relate to. Its always a high for a writer to win praise from readers.

A.D- Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

A.F- Not really, no. Although, we first published Scammed as “anonymous” instead of using my name, but this was a marketing ploy by the publishing house.

A.D- You have a deep penchant for films and travelling. What is the last film you have watched with Zahir? What is the most amazing place you have visited so far?

A.F- Well most recently the boys and I watched Dumbo in the cinema, a beautifully made film and a retelling of a classic. We also watched Pokemon Detective Pikachu which they quite enjoyed, and which was different from the animated films they usually watch.

I’ve been lucky to visit so many beautiful places and its hard to pick one. I would have to say, the snowcapped peaks of Himachal and Switzerland, landscapes across the Swiss Alps, Bhutan and Italy, the coastline from Monaco to Nice in South of France, and the beautiful cities of Prague, Copenhagen and Rome are my favorites.

A.D- If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

A.F- You can write better, please keep working on it.

A.D- Do you believe in writer’s block?

A.F- yes, it happens a lot, when you’re tired or uninspired.

A.D- Do you set a plot or prefer going whether an idea takes you?

A.F- Usually by setting a plot, and often this comes after the ideas build up in your head, sometimes for several years.

A.D- Do you believe attractive book covers help in its sales?

A.F- Sure, it does help.

A.D-Have any new author grasped your attention recently?

A.F- I really enjoyed Shubanghi Swaroop’s novel, Latitudes and Longitudes

A.D-Do you have any advice for the young writers?

A.F- If you asked me 6-8 years back, I would have said finding a good book with good commercial value and potential to work with the reading audience was harder than marketing a good book. I feel today this has flipped on its head. A few reasons for this, the reading audience has evolved in taste and maturity and with so many more books that have been written and published across genres, it has led to the emergence of a new crop of writers, who even if are few in number, write really well. The writing talent in India today is several notches above what we had a decade ago, especially in non – fiction and contemporary fiction. On the other hand, brick and mortar stores which dominated sales and accounted for 80-90% of book sales have seen a significant change and many of those who were around have shrunk in size and volume or are no longer around. So today, a writer and publisher has to find ways to market their book in a far more competitive environment where a couple of online portals account for most of books sold in certain genres and categories, and have to create a pull for the books. It was easier when you had a wider base of independent and chain bookstores, and the publisher could get copies in to stores and the reading audience would find these books by browsing at the bookstore or seeing recommendations on various lists or a book review somewhere. In an algorithm driven world it is much more challenging, but one has to adapt and find new ways to reach out to and get more visibility.

A.D- Can you tell us about your upcoming projects?

A.F- I have two books that are complete but I’m unsure which one will come out first and who will publish these two. Both are in the contemporary fiction/ romance genre, although one is darker and more experimental in the narrative style. Fingers crossed on both. They are very different from each other, and as different from Bestseller as chalk and cheese.

A.D- Thank you for sharing your experiences with us and best of luck for your future endeavors.

A.F- Thank you for the opportunity.

Follow Him on Instagram @ahmedfaiyazofficial

Check out the books by Ahmed Faiyaz