Interview with Raj Anand, APOPHIS

 1.    What are the things that your readers would be most surprised to learn about you? ·               I wake up at 3:30 am to read, write as well as to design my architectural projects. I have followed this regimen for more than 20 years. ·               I had heart surgery when I was 29 years-old to fix an electrical problem (ventricular tachycardia). I watched as the cardiologist made an incision into my heart, insert a catheter and then felt the tip of the catheter burn the faulty nerve inside my heart.  ·               As an Architect, I have designed over 400 projects across India including homes, offices, factories, exhibitions and even a Tibetan Nunnery near Dharamshala, in North India. And ironically, I still live in a rented accommodation – and dream about designing my own home one day. Such is life!·               I once worked to document a far-off Buddhist Monastery (Hemis), located in the frigid, silent mountains of Ladakh for nearly two months along with twelve other Architects. Since our cook ran away at the end of the first day, besides doing my Architecture work, I also became the chief cook for the entire duration of the project (and secretly added vodka to everything, which went down very well with everyone!). ·               I was Captain of the Cross-country team in my senior year in high school in New York, and led my team to their best (unbeaten) record in the 80-year history of the school. ·               I bought a black & white glass painting in 2008, because I believed that I could see the face of my future daughter in it. My daughter – Sophie – was born in 2013 and looks exactly the same – she is ethereal and magical! In fact, it was she, who in a prescient other-worldly moment quoted Socrates when she was all of 18 months old. And forthwith set me down the path of writing and completing this my first book.
2.    Do you like to travel? Which country fascinated you most?As an 11-year-old living all by myself in New Delhi, I used to spend every Saturday morning travelling to the diplomatic enclave, nearby.  I would walk to a few embassies every week, collect glossy travel brochures and then carefully read through each one, dreaming about travelling to each one of them - one day. I think it was then that I caught a life-long travel bug, which began with me running away to New York when I was 13 years old - alone. Till date, I have travelled to over 40 countries across the world, a few of them several times over. And although I live in India, in my heart and soul – New York is still home! 
3.     Did you learn anything from writing this book? If so, what? ‘The Universe always (eventually) listens to an obstinate, stubborn heart (and soul).’The five years spent writing – APOPHIS – I learnt to be ever more patient and resolute with the process and the journey of writing the book. And beyond all my life-travails (which I assume was a rather long and difficult test), the Universe finally did listen and permit.
4.    E-book or Print? And why?Both! At times, one makes more sense than the other. But at all times, I would like to possess a copy of a book in both formats.
5.    What is your favorite scene in this book?The moment, when the five sentient 9-year-olds (the primary protagonists) discover that they have to travel across time inside a time bubble.


BLURB:December, 2012: Five sentient beings born in different cities – New York, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Azores Islands and Istanbul, discover amongst haunting memories of their phantasmal past lives, that it is their destiny to save humanity from the evil forces unleashed by the alien fiends – the Skyllats.
And now, the reincarnated 9-year-olds must rely on their shared, ancient wisdom to prepare humanity for the war across the galaxy that is imminent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Savinder Raj Anand is an architect and has been teaching Architecture & Design at various Universities in India for more than 12 years. A long-distance runner with a wanderlust to explore the world, and write stories that traverse across diverse cultures. He lives in Goa with his daughter, a dog, and two cats.
Inspired by his then 18-month-old daughter – when she quoted Socrates – while they together sat in a children’s bookstore in Bangalore (LIGHTROOM) in early January of 2015, he has completed this – his first book – as she turns 7 years old.
The book is $0.99 During the Tour
https://www.rajanandbooks.com/

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXPA0eY42VQ  
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