Author Interview: Sanjiv Behera, magical realist short story writer

Click to get the Kindle edition of Azad.

Sanjiv Behera's imagination is a brilliant world of Venetian escapes, mythical beasts, and mysterious dancers. Fusing his South Asian storytelling tradition with stories he made up for his children, he debuts this first collection of YA magical realist short stories as a Kindle eBook. I had the pleasure of working in a genre near to my heart–the multicultural story that dances along the borders of speculative fiction–and it is with equal pleasure that I interviewed Sanjiv about storytelling, cultures, and self-publishing.

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Tell us about Azad: A Flight of Desi Fantasy. What kinds of stories do you tell?

Azad, is a collection of six short stories, all revolving around a central theme of liberation (azad means liberation in a number of South Asian languages). In the stories, main characters break free from the confines of their lives with the help of mystical forces, artifacts, or supernatural beings with roots from the South Asian peninsula. I guess the stories would be classified as magical realism.

Is there a Desi storytelling tradition that you draw from and elaborate upon, or would you YA magical realism?

I would say that I draw from a bit of both.

Growing up (my father probably doesn't know this), I looked forward to long road trips in the family station wagon, because during the ride, he would tell stories, mainly about Indian mythology. I recall being on the edge of my seat, listening to his version of the Ramayana or tales from the Mahabharata, both classic Indian epics. These stories are so pervasive in India. Children have been exposed to them through bedtime stories, plays, and dance performances for years and years.

Also, while putting me to bed, my mother would recite Indian folktales involving some sort of supernatural phenomenon, stories that her mother told her when she was young, stories that were undoubtedly passed on by her grandmother.

Magical realism first caught my interest in my teens. I read Salman Rushdie's "Haroun and the Sea of Stories", which till this day, remains one of my favorite books of all time.

Many of the stories feature characters who are confused, confined, or oppressed by their circumstances. None of them starts out believing in the supernatural⎯but magic aids your characters anyway, helping them gain clarity or escape. Is the magic a metaphor for imagination? Or should we take it at face value?

At face value, the use of magic in my stories makes for good entertainment. But it does serve another purpose. I wanted to demonstrate how powerful and influential a helping hand can be, how it can even change the course of a life. Specifically, I wanted the reader to understand that, to a certain extent, they themselves can actually become the magic in the lives of others, especially the exploited.

I wrote these stories because I was moved by something I had read about the plight of India's trafficked children. All of my proceeds from this book are being donated to a charity in India that works to stop child trafficking there. So, those that have purchased the book already have become the magical azad in a few children's lives.

What is your cultural background? Do you think a writer has to be part of a culture in order to write about it?

I am a second generation Indo-American. My parents immigrated in the 60s, and I was born and brought up in North America. While my life outside the house was stereotypically American: going to school, playing sports, hanging out with friends, and being exposed to a variety of cultures: mainstream and sub. Inside the home, my life was very Indian: eating Indian food, speaking the language, listening to Indian music, etc. We spent the majority of free time associating with the local Indian community as well.

I don't think that a writer has to be part of a culture to write about it. But, to adequately capture all of the nuances and subtleties of a culture, one must do some extensive research. Writing about other cultures can be and has been done rather well. Stowe, Kipling, and Martel are three authors that immediately come to mind.

What advice would you offer other writers who are considering self-publishing?

Go for it! There is nothing to lose. With the advent of the Kindle, Nook, and iPad, self-publishing is now quick, cheap, and offers widespread distribution. You can literally deliver an electronic book to practically every computer, tablet, or eReader in America, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France. And the list of countries is growing.

Yes, you have to work hard to raise awareness about and market your book. But that is true of all books. And if you manage to sell some books, the profit margins are incredible.

Since self-publishing is gaining steam, it's best to put your best work forward. Find a great editor to make your work stand apart. Really, my editor was amazing! She helped to bring out the intricacies of my characters, which made my stories so much more compelling.

Also, have an attractive cover. With all of the choices people have these days, you really need something to draw readers in.

What are you working on next?

Currently, I'm in the process of writing a middle-grade, science-fiction novel.

Is there any question you hoped I would ask?

Well, you've pretty much hit all of the main points. Maybe how did I get started in writing?

I've always enjoyed writing stories. But, writing became more meaningful to me once I had children. I wrote my first novel when our first child was born. Now, I find myself writing for the kids constantly: constructing stories that excite them and introducing concepts that challenge their thoughts. I don't know how my stories will evolve as they grow older. But, in the end, it's all about creating something significant in their eyes, something valuable to them.

Be sure to visit Sanjiv's website, Rickshaw Publishing, for more about Azad and Vikram and the Enchanted Seals.