13 Questions shine Operation Awesome's Spotlight
on this
2022 Debut Author
Lioness of Punjab by Anita Jari Kharbanda
1- Would you please tell us a little about Sikh warriors?
Sikh warriors are known as the Khalsa, which means 'pure'. They were named the Khalsa by the tenth Guru of Sikhism. The Khalsa fought the Mughal Empire for religious freedom throughout the 17th and 18th century in undivided India. A Khalsa's tenants were to practice arms, be honest, treat everyone as equal, meditate, be loyal, and resist tyranny.
2- Would you please, in 160 characters or less, give a #WriteTip ?
The best writing tips come from Nathan Bransford. Check out his blog: http://nathanbransford.com
3- What emotions do you hope your book will evoke for the reader?
I hope my book will stimulate intellect by educating readers on Sikh history, inspire people to pursue their passions regardless of gender, empathize with those who've grappled with grief, excite readers with action-packed sequences, and warm hearts with romance.
4- Are you an animal lover and is there a special animal in your life?
I have never had a pet if you can believe that (outside of a turtle we found in our backyard once, and that too was for one day—long story). The main character of my book, Mai Bhago, loves her family's horses. She feeds and cares for them, and rides them for joy or battle.
5- Would you share a picture with us of your book in an inspiring setting?
6- How do you support your fellow debut authors and have any of them supported you?
The writing community of my debut year is amazing, and we are very supportive of one another! We reshare eachother's exciting book news on twitter and instagram. We also read each other's ARCs and provide honest reviews. We share tips too. For example, I found out about operation awesome through another author sharing about it in a 2022 debuts author chat group.
7- Time to double-down on social media! What's your Twitter handle, and do you have two or three writer friends on there to shout-out to for #WriterWednesday ?
Also, can you please recommend a favorite #bookstagram account profile?
My handles:
twitter: @jarianita
instagram and tiktok: @anita_kharbanda_78
twitter:
@gayatrisethi
@B_Yee09
@bhootbabe
@msmayaprasad
@SathyaAchiaAbra
instagram:
@bgyeewriter
@bhootbabe
@msmayaprasad
@desibookaunty
@sathyaachiawrites
Favorite bookstagram:
https://tiktok.com/@thatgirltas
https://instagram.com/thatgirltas/
8- What is your favorite creative non-writing activity to do?
I love to spend time with my family playing board games, reading together, or cuddling.
9- In what ways are the main characters in your book diverse? diversebooks.org #WeNeedDiverseBooks
Lioness of Punjab is diverse in many ways. The main character is Punjabi Sikh, and the setting is in undivided India.
10- What's the biggest writing goal you hope to accomplish in your lifetime? #WriteGoal #BucketList #WriterBucketList
My goal is for my debut to reach readers who've craved stories featuring Sikh characters. Long term, I want to continue to write stories featuring characters whose stories go unheard.
11- What was the query process like for you?
I queried two-hundred plus literary agents over the course of a year. Though I spent a significant amount of time in the query trenches, I signed with an agent who is a great fit for me, and then the submission to editors process was smooth and expedient.
12- Would you please ask our audience an intriguing question to answer in the comments?
What is the greatest feeling reading a good book gives you?
13- Anything else you would care to share about your book and yourself?
Bio: Anita Kharbanda is an Indian-American engineer by trade, and a storyteller by heart. She lives in North Texas with her loving husband and two sons. An avid lifelong reader of all kinds of fiction, she revels in seeing her children do the same. The healing power of letters filled with family history inspired Anita to start writing. She now writes the kinds of stories she’s devoured through the years, with one difference. She promised herself she’d write stories about the characters she dreamed of seeing in books growing up, and lift the voices of those who go unheard.
Blurbs:
"A powerful, heart-stopping debut, LIONESS OF PUNJAB explores love, duty, honor, and faith. Mai Bhago is a strong and complex heroine."-- Kelly Loy Gilbert, Author of Multiple Award-Winning CONVICTION and PICTURE US IN THE LIGHT
"LIONESS OF PUNJAB is exciting, surprising, and important with a heroine we won't forget. Kharbanda gives Mai Bhago her own special voice in a coming-of-age story that is simple but adventurous, intimate but epic. We are the fortunate ones to have this novel and author debut." -- Kalisha Buckhanon, Author of ALA Alex Award Winner UPSTATE
"LIONESS OF PUNJAB is an immersive, poignant, coming-of-age tale of legendary heroine, Mai Bhago. Kharbanda masterfully brings to life a remarkable, complex young woman who finds the strength and courage to fight for her beloved people. Everyday life, family dynamics, action, adventure, and significant historical events are blended seamlessly and skillfully to create an unforgettable world. This is historical fiction at its best!"-- Betty G. Yee, Author of GOLD MOUNTAIN
Website: http://anitakharbanda.com
My handles:twitter: @jarianita
instagram and tiktok: @anita_kharbanda_78
Lioness of Punjab by Anita Jari Kharbanda
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