Everyone welcome Solstice author, Malay A. Upadhyay!

1. What’s the title of your latest release? Link?

There have been several short stories that have released this Winter. Selfie Simulation, a SciFi story based in Switzerland’s St. Gallen’s & France’s Nice, released as part of Project 9 anthology. Meanwhile, the standout novellas were A Christmas in Barcelona and An Enlightened Fly. All these stories are linked to the world of Kalki Evian, and are based around one of the major characters, providing in-depth look at his/her background and character.

2. Why do you like writing in this genre?

Fiction, in general, is where one gets to create. I find it to be the most potent form of sharing knowledge – through imagination and entertainment, as in mythology, which has been the crux of all that mankind has learnt till date. Contrary to belief, fiction is more reflective of human nature than other genres, for it caters not just to the tangible but also to the more abstract, unexplained elements of our character that we can only sense.

3. What do you like to read?

I read a lot of factual stuff to fuel my managerial interests, particularly with regards to cultural behaviors and Marketing concepts. It helps me build ideas and knowledge which I can use in stories or at work. In fiction, I like adventure, mystery and stories of individual heroics. So Prof. Tolkien’s Middle Earth is right up top, then there’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Sherlock & Fountainhead.

4. Favorite movie?

Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Bourne trilogy. Shawshank Redemption. Man from Earth. And a host of others.

5. What are your writing habits? Music or silence? Daily regimen or spurts of creativity?

Silence & spurts of creativity. There is a technological, managerial or social concept around which the story is to revolve. For the flow of story itself, I try to pen ideas down as they come, wherever I am, whatever I am doing. The challenge is to organize all such notes as they begin to pile up over time. Eventually, with the thoughts set in front of you, you realize that the characters have already been defined, the flow of the story more or less set, and the gaps clear enough for you to work on. And then comes the improvisation.

6. What was the most surreal moment you’ve had as a author?

It was while I was writing my second novel – The Fly That Followed Me. It is the prequel to Kalki Evian: The Ring of Khaoriphea, and I hope to see it next year. In one of the chapters, a certain Fish approach is suggested to determine the fit between any two parties. I started it as a way to decide one’s career progress but as the concept developed, I realized it could very well be used between any two entities, even among couples! Of course, that’d turn marriages rather institutional.

7. How can readers find you?

They can find me on Twitter at @KalkiEvian. On Linkedin, I’m at www.linkedin.com/in/upadhyaymalay. They can also follow my blog at http://www.kalkievian.com.

8. What do you know now about being published that you wish you’d known before submitting?

While I have come across many promotional windows, it’s a never ending job. And a clarity of strategy as well as avenues would be excellent for any author before his/her book is published.

9. Favorite snack/drink while writing?

Tea.

10. Look at your writing area…what’s the item you keep to inspire you (piece of artwork, figurine)?

I do not have a fixed writing area as it is important for me to change settings to stay refreshed. But I tend to have music handy for when I take breaks.