Author Interview + Giveaway (IN only)- Voicemates by Anamika Mishra

Hi, guys! Welcome  to another post with an awesome giveaway. This time around, Janhvi interviewed author of Too Hard To Handle and the latest, Voicemates, Anamika Mishra. Just a few days ago, during Pune International Literary Festival, Janhvi and I had the pleasure of meeting Anamika who is a wonderful person, and has generously offered to give away one signed copy of her latest release to one lucky Indian reader. Without much ado, let's get on to the post we have for you. 

BOOK SUMMARY:

Tulip Hill is an obedient and intelligent daughter to her disciplinarian parents. She has been a topper throughout her school, because her parents wanted her to be. Now, they want her to enroll in one of the best colleges. But Tulip harbors the desire to become a singer, for music is her only passion that helps her see through life's miseries.
Then there is Sam - witty, easy-going and flirty. Both Tulip and Sam share their love for music. Yet, both dream of a different life.
What are those dreams? What happens when they meet and enter the biggest duet competition together? Will their love blossom during this emotional roller-coaster? 
Join the VoiceMates in their musical journey to know more!

BOOK TRAILER: 

BOOK LINKS:

GOODREADS / AMAZON / FLIPKART 

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

Janhvi: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Anamika: I am Anamika Mishra, basically from Kanpur, U.P. I am an author and blogger by profession. I love to address myself as a writer because I love to write on and about anything that interests me, it can be writing an article, essay, jingle, poem, experience, news or a book. I am a science person who loves ancient historical and paranormal facts. My love of science and history was so much that as a kid when I saw Jurassic Park 1^st part, I told my dad that I want to be like Dr. Alan Grant and same thing happened when I saw Indiana Jones. I am a bibliophile kinda person who loves to explore with different genres and types. Travelling and photography is like a passion to me. I am a huge dog-lover, pure vegetarian and for me, family is above all!

Janhvi: Tell us about your book, Voicemates.

Anamika: VoiceMates is an inspiring novel in which a girl who secretly nurtures her passion for singing but is afraid to take a step further because of family’s hopes and fear of failure. It about an international duet singing reality show called as VoiceMates which is the only way for Tulip to make her dreams come true. How Sam, a total stranger enters her life and how things change in her life is the story.

Through this novel, I just want to spread one message that if you have a passion for something, then go for it... at least once, leaving behind the fear of failure. If you win, excellent... if you lose, at least you tried and you learned something... And if you really want to achieve something and if you are really determined that nothing can stop you from getting it! Take chances for your dreams...

Janhvi: What inspired you to write your book?

Anamika: I believe inspiration is everywhere, it just we need that vision to see it. And for VoiceMates, my own experiences inspired me to write this one. When I told everyone that I want to be a writer, everyone was like What? Nothing is gonna happen! Continue your job bla bla... The only support I had at that time was of my family. At that time, if I wouldn’t have taken the risk of following my dreams and today I wouldn’t have been sitting here and sharing my experiences with you!

Also, this being about a singing reality show is something which is new for readers. I am having really high expectations from this novel of mine. Lets see how readers accept VoiceMates.

Janhvi: Who are some of your favourite authors and what are some of your favourite books?

Anamika: My list of favourite authors includes Paulo Coelho, J.K Rowling, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, Dan Brown, Charles Dickens, Robin Sharma, Nicholas Sparks and Ruskin Bond. My favourite books are Like the flowing river, David copper field, Heidi, The Secret, The Lost Symbol and Zoya.

Janhvi: If you could read only one book for the rest of your life, what book would you pick and why?

Anamika: Without any doubt, Like the flowing river by Paulo Coelho. It is one book that I will never get bored of and I find it interesting every time I read it. Even when I am going through writer’s block, I pick that book and flip through some of my favourite chapters of it.

Janhvi: If you could read only one author’s works for the rest of your life, which author would you pick and why?

Anamika: Paulo Coelho or Dan Brown, because both of these author write on almost all aspects those interests me...

Janhvi: What are the three things you’d like to have with you on a deserted island?

Anamika: My kindle, my ipod and coffee :D

Janhvi: What advice would you give to aspiring young writers?

Anamika: I would like to advice all the aspiring writers that take writing very seriously. It is more difficult than a full time job. You have be more determined and dedicated to writing. And then, obviously stay calm; keep patience and do you work. Success might get delayed but it will surely reach you, if you really work hard for it.

Janhvi: Did you always want to become an author or was it something that you eventually thought of or realised? If not an author, what did you want to be when growing up?

Anamika: Yes... I have grown up reading English classics of Charles Dickens, Enid Blyton and all. And I well remember that every time, I used to finish reading their books, I used to come to my mom and tell her that I want become a writer like them!

Janhvi: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Anamika: Shopping (I’m a big shopaholic, bigger than Rebecca from Confessions of a shopaholic ;)), listening music, watching Tv or travelling. Also, apart from these activities, I love to spend time with my family. So, during my off-writing hours, I sit with my mum or anyone who is available in my family and chit chat!

Janhvi: Give us glimpse into any normal day of your life.

Anamika: A normal day in my life is actually very normal. (haha) Yeah, I get up at 6:30 AM, do Yoga or go for jogging or cycling. Then I go off to sleep (around 7:30). Then I get up around 8:30 and follow a plain simple routine. I work from home. So, I am on my working desk (home-office) at 10:00AM. Then I work till 6:00PM. Then after chilling for sometime and having dinner, I am back on with my lapy and work on my blog or books. Then I read for about half an hour (around 1:00AM) and then, go off to sleep!

Janhvi: According to you, in today’s day and age, how important a role do blogs play in spreading the word about a book?

Anamika: Blog is very important, especially for authors. It is like having one’s own publication or news board where one is able to share the news updates, thoughts and creations directly with the readers.

Janhvi: What’s your writing situation or schedule like (timing, place, etc.)?

Anamika: For my blog and books, I usually write at night. I have a little lamp kept on my bed side table. I simply switch it on, lay-down on my bed and write...

Janhvi: If you were granted a wish by means of which you would be able to spend an entire day with a dead person, particularly a writer, who would you pick and why? What would you like to discuss with them?

Anamika: I would like to spend that day with Charles Dickens. I would try to learn and understand his thought process and perception towards human beings and life.

Janhvi: If you were granted a wish by means of which you would be able to spend an entire day with any fictional character (only one), who would you pick and why? What would you like to discuss with them?

Anamika: Without any doubt, Hagrid! Gosh! I am big big fan of Hagrid. I would spend the day with him discussing about Norberta, Buckbeak, Fang and all of his pet creatures.

FAVOURITES:

Favourite book? Heidi

Favourite author? Paulo Coelho

Favourite drink? Iced Coffee

Favourite food? Rajma-Rice

Favourite snack? French-fries

Favourite cuisine? Indian

Favourite place? Home

Favourite person? Mum & Dad

Favourite time of the day? 5:00AM

Favourite book character? Hagrid, Harry Potter

Favourite book cover? Presently, I am in love with VoiceMates’ book cover

Favourite colour? black

Favourite holiday destination? Nainital

Favourite month? December

Favourite day? SUNDAY

Favourite name? Anamika

Favourite sport? Basket ball

Favourite sportsperson? Sebastian Vettel (F1 Racer)

THIS OR THAT:

Day or night? night

Dark or light? light

Black or white? black

Tea or coffee? coffee

Coke or Pepsi? pepsi

E-book or physical copy? physical copy

Novel or novella? novel

Beach or mountain? beach

Salty or sweet? salty

Left or right? left

ABOUT ANAMIKA MISHRA:

Anamika Mishra is an Indian Author.

Her debut novel Too hard to handle was released in Sept 2013. Her new novel with Jaico is all set to release.

She is also a blogger and occasionally delivers motivational talks. Writing is her first passion. Second is travelling and photography. 

Anamika holds a degree of Masters in Journalism & Mass Communication. She is known for strong opinions and passionate defense for her beliefs. Her witty, cheerful & humorous persona has made her popular amongst the youth. She has a 'think positive & keep patience' perception towards life. Her articles on life and relationships have inspired many people from all across the world.

She is a member of Indian Speakers Bureau and People For Animals NGO.

AUTHOR LINKS: 

WEBSITE / GOODREADS / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / BLOGLOVIN' / GOOGLE+ / WIKIPEDIA / YOUTUBE

GIVEAWAY: 

We're now at the most important part of the post- the giveaway! As promised, one copy of Voicemates is up for grabs for one lucky Indian reader. The cherry on the cake is that the copy will be signed by Anamika. 

Giveaway rules are simple:

*Giveaway is open to residents of India only. 

*Fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter the giveaway. 

*Once a winner is picked, she/ he will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond, or else, we'll be compelled to pick a new winner. 

*The book will be shipped by the author/ publisher. 
*If the form doesn't load, go here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to all participants! Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! And of course, a big thank you to Anamika for answering our questions and for the giveaway for our readers.