Blurb:

Do you have a great story to tell but don t know where to begin or how to give it shape?

Whether you re an aspiring writer or a seasoned one, a writer of fiction or narrative non-fiction, Kissing the Demon will help you navigate the maze of plot construction, narrative viewpoint, character development, dialogue creation and description even while allowing your imagination to flow.

Written by an editor and publisher who has for over four decades nurtured some of India s finest writers, it also tackles the insular world of publishers, agents, contracts and editors. It tells you how to find a publisher or agent, what gets a publisher s attention and what turns it off all the stuff writers take years to learn.

Finally, it offers solutions to the vexing issue of balancing everyday life with writing, a problem every writer faces and the reason why so many books remain unwritten.

George Orwell once described writing as a horrible, exhausting experience, and that he wouldn t have written a single book were he not driven by some demon he could neither resist nor understand. Kissing the Demon will make your journey as a writer a little less painful, make you look upon that demon with a little more love.

Review:

Kissing the Demon was like a surprise gift for me. I have never written a book neither I am aware of the technical details of writing a book. Yes, like many other millions of readers and book lovers, I do want to write a book some day. And this book just came like a Bible on writing to me. I am glad that I am lucky to find this book before even planning and plotting my first novel. It has not only saved me from unnecessary heart aches and frustrations that come due to rejection by publishers, but has also provided an in-depth knowledge on how to develop a novel systematically.

Kissing The Demon is perfectly set up for the Indian publishing scene. The Indian scene is very much different from the International scene and this book is just apt for those who want to write and publish in India. Kissing the demon is a handy journal or a handbook written for the benefit of aspiring authors. The detailed yet simple and to the point explanations the author has provided on various aspects of writing is simply amazing.

The best part is that the author Amrita Kumar hasn't limited herself to fiction but non-fiction writers will also get to learn strategies devised by her to make their drafts more appealing. She has explained the nitty gritties of building a character very well. The book also makes us aware about you how to get a book published and make new write-up reach to a wider audience.

This book is a great help for both; who are either at early stage of writing or are planning to write one. Even the writers who have made mistakes with their first or second book may also seek help to create better books. All in all Kissing the Demon is a must read and have book for every writer aspiring to publish and become successful in Indian scene.

I received a free copy from Writersmelon in lieu of an honest review.  

My Rating: 5/5