@Om_Books
Publisher
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:40
#TalkTo Anjuli Rajprasad Author Of A Heart Divided
The heart wins and Neeti moves to the US leaving her career, family and friends behind to be with Mihir. But her real challenge begins when she finds herself on a dependent visa with no work life to speak of. I will be live in conversation with author Anjali tomorrow. That is 27th November at 10:00 a.m.. So make sure to tune in
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 1:03
Hey Biblophiles, I hope you're having a wonderful time. In today's session, I will be conversing with author Anjali about her latest release a Heart Divided. Author anjali Raj Prasad is a US based attorney. A company secretary by qualification and training. Anjali worked with securities and Exchange Board of India, Mumbai in enforcement, surveillance and investigation departments. After moving to the US. She worked with the finance teams at Hopkins University and the John Hopkins Health System before gaining experience with public interest law groups
Anjuli Rajprasad
@Arajprasad · 1:22
Hi, Siddhi. Thank you so much for the wonderful introduction. It's a pleasure to be here on your cast. Yes, you're right. Neeti's professional journey resembles mine. The story wasn't really brewing in my mind for a very long time, but I also had a career break, just like how Neeti did. And during that career break, I decided to write this story. I saw a number of women around me experiencing similar career breaks because of their visa situation
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:24
That is so absolutely true. Yes, the story was waiting to be told, and I'm so glad that it has seen the light of the day because I'm sure there are many women out there who will resonate with this story, and we as readers get to see a different side of the world, too. Moving on to my next question. How did you arrive at picking the name for the book? Is there a specific reason why you named it as a heart divided?
Anjuli Rajprasad
@Arajprasad · 0:32
I had chosen a different name when I wrote the first draft of the book. Then I changed it to something else when I submitted it to the publishers. After that, once my manuscript was accepted, my editors at Ombooks International and I, we brainstormed on what would be the best title to convey the crux of the story. And we came up with A Heart divided because it gives the reader an idea about the dilemma of the protagonist
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:10
Mentioned that you wrote the book during the work break that you had. So how long did it take for you to pen this book? And did you face any specific challenges in the process of writing this book?
Anjuli Rajprasad
@Arajprasad · 0:59
You. I started writing the book in 2019 and then in 2020 COVID hit, so I was home most of the time. While there were several other challenges during the pandemic because things were getting pretty glum around that time, it also provided me ample time to just sit down and write and complete my book. I finished my first draft in 2020, showed it to one of my friends, who gave me an honest and detailed feedback
Swell Team
@Swell · 0:15
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:06
So, talking about the publishing process, did you face any specific hurdles in the process of getting the book published?
Anjuli Rajprasad
@Arajprasad · 0:29
You. It's pretty interesting that I kind of got really lucky and my manuscript was accepted in three days after I submitted it. So I didn't face any hurdles as such. Then the editors at Home Books and I, we did many rounds of editing from 2021 until 2023 when the book was finally published. Pledged. So yeah, not many hurdles as such
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:20
That's great to know. And you did really get lucky, because the experiences of many authors says otherwise. So, talking about Neeti, the main character, can you tell us a bit more about her? Who is the real inspiration behind sketching this character, and is it inspired by any specific real or real life person?
Anjuli Rajprasad
@Arajprasad · 1:21
I made Neeti's character flawed on purpose because we all are flawed in some way or the other. It's a very relatable character, and I believe everyone would see Neeti either in them or in someone around them. Some people who've read the book are assuming that Neeti's character is based on me, but that's not entirely true. It's partly true
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:09
So this book talks about stigma, of being dependent. Have you faced any social bias such as the one that you address in the book?
Anjuli Rajprasad
@Arajprasad · 0:41
I was largely fortunate to have met supportive people while I was on a dependent visa. But I did come across some people who had preconceived notions about housewife, for example. Also, if you read the book, you would realize that most of Niti's struggle is internal. People can have random opinions and biases, but how you deal with those defines you. My approach in life is a little different from how Neeti deals with other people's opinions
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:19
That's absolutely true. And I'd heard this somewhere, that people who matter don't mind, and those who mind, they don't matter. So moving on to my next question. Apart from dependency and yearning for financial freedom, what other aspects, especially if womanhood does the book?
Anjuli Rajprasad
@Arajprasad · 0:57
The book talks about friendships, relationships, human connections, irrespective of what strata of society you're from. There are some great friendships that I've discussed in the story and also the relationship between Neeti and her house help. That's very special. Once you start seeing humans as humans instead of their societal classification, you realize that at the very core, we are all humans and we all need meaningful interactions and connections
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:10
That's absolutely true. Keeping our mental health in check is the need of the hour. Coming to my last question for the session what's your message or advice to your readers?
Anjuli Rajprasad
@Arajprasad · 0:19
You. The most important message my book has for the readers, and that's also my advice to them is to be yourself. Take pride in whatever you do, irrespective of what others think of it. Focus on your reality, not their perception
Siddhi Palande
@Book_gobbler · 0:08
That's an absolutely beautiful advice. Thank you so much, Anjuli, for talking to us about your book. I wish you and the book a lot of success
Anjuli Rajprasad
@Arajprasad · 0:15
Thank you for the lovely conversation. Siddhi, it was an absolute pleasure talking to you. I also wish you the very best in whatever you do. And hopefully we'll get to talk again. Thank you so much