On becoming an author...

The other day, an old friend of mine asked me why and how did I become an author… I didn’t have an answer nor did I attempt to cook up one for her. I preferred to remain quiet but her question left me thinking...

Later in the night, I vaguely guessed that probably it has been the result of my self-exploration! The deep soul-searching that I have done in the recent years must have ultimately led me to my pursuit of story-telling. Well, irrespective of the cause, I feel really fortunate to have discovered and pursued my calling in life and my first book ‘Chasing Maya’ is an unfolding of this journey of mine.

Now, coming back to the idea of becoming an author, writing a book - a novel to be precise, was always a dormant desire... There have been too many thoughts on my mind and a few noteworthy experiences which I thought could provide me the required ingredients... Many times in the past, I was tempted to start off. Couple of times I even did. But nothing really seemed to take off.

When I started writing ‘Chasing Maya’ in 2007, I didn’t have the vaguest of clues that it would one day become my first published novel. In all probability, it wouldn’t have really been so. But I was fortunate that I met the right people at the right time…And it made all the difference!

From the publishers of 'Chasing Maya'

"For over four decades, having published immortal works of renowned and highly respected authors in the league of Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (former President of India), Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (former Prime Minister of India), Ms. Amrita Pritam and Mr. Khushwant Singh, we were on the lookout for bright and young writers to further extend our heritage of excellence to the English publishing industry. In this endeavour of ours, Mr. Rohan Gogoi has been one of our prized discoveries and the Global Vision Press team is really excited about working with this exceptionally talented story-teller. Mr. Gogoi’s novel, ‘Chasing Maya’ is a beautifully crafted piece of literature. Though deeply philosophical in its essence, the narration is simple, lucid and intriguing. Mr. Gogoi has this tremendous ability of interweaving profound thoughts with free-flowing fiction. His style is cosmopolitan; has a universal appeal and holds the promise of reaching out to audiences beyond the boundaries of nationality, ethnicity and culture."

- Prashanta Kaushik, Managing Partner, Global Vision Press

Chasing Maya: My debut novel, releasing this year...

Better jobs, bigger salaries, expensive cars, exclusive homes, exotic vacations, shopping abroad, admiration and jealousy of peers... What more can you expect from life! Or, may be, you can…! Come; explore your truth with ‘Chasing Maya’!

‘Chasing Maya’ is about thirty-two-year old Siddhartha Kumar, who in spite of his evident material success finds himself trapped in the grip of mediocrity – the distress and despair of being no different from millions of others in this world. Bemused, he sets on a quest to rediscover the zeal that once fuelled his dreams and passion and comes across with situations and people that lead him to astounding revelations.

Share the anxiety, live the excitement and experience the magical transcendence as ‘Chasing Maya’ takes you on an incredible journey that every human soul instinctively seeks to undertake but only a negligible few truly succeed to accomplish!

('Chasing Maya' is being published by Global Vision Press, New Delhi, India)