Ask the Author: R.V. Raman
Answered Questions (19)
R.V. Raman
Hi Harshi. I've been advised to start a new crime series with a new character. I guess that will be my next project. Of course, if my publisher wants it, I'd be happy to write more Athreya novels too. In the mean time I wrote a science fiction novel. Unfortunately, no publisher has picked it up yet. :)
R.V. Raman
A Dire Isle is slated for release in the USA in December this year. Discussions with Indian publishers are ongoing. As a result, we don't have a India release date yet. Hopefully, it will be released in India along with the US, but we can't be sure until the discussions are completed.
As far as future books are concerned, I hope to write a mix in the coming years. The third Athreya mystery is already written. I am trying out a science fiction novel right now. I hope to write the third Dhruvi novels sometime soon.
Thanks for your interest.
As far as future books are concerned, I hope to write a mix in the coming years. The third Athreya mystery is already written. I am trying out a science fiction novel right now. I hope to write the third Dhruvi novels sometime soon.
Thanks for your interest.
R.V. Raman
The Feluda stories by Satyajit Ray come to mind. I must have read between 60 and 80 contemporary Indian writers in the last few years, many of whom are mystery writers. But I don't have any favourites among them. I tend to try new Indian writers, but also read the second, third, etc. books of some established ones that work for me.
R.V. Raman
Hi Varun. My next novel is ready. However, the publication date will depend on the publisher's priorities. Unfortunately, it is unlikely to hit the shelves in 2020. This coming year is likely to see other projects based on already published books. Best regards.
R.V. Raman
That's right. The earlier ones were corporate crime thrillers with elaborate white-collar crimes. A Will to Kill is a traditional murder mystery. While both are crime fiction, they are of different sub-genres.
R.V. Raman
I like to experiment. After writing epic fantasy (under a different name), I tried my hand at corporate crime thrillers. I then thought that I should try another sub-genre in crime fiction.
Meanwhile, I've always wanted to try my hand at classic whodunits - the kind of books I grew up reading. Initially, I didn't have the confidence that I could pull off a traditional Christie-like mystery. Last year, I began feeling that I could take a shot at one. So, here it is! A cozie, as you call it. Curious to see how it is received.
Meanwhile, I've always wanted to try my hand at classic whodunits - the kind of books I grew up reading. Initially, I didn't have the confidence that I could pull off a traditional Christie-like mystery. Last year, I began feeling that I could take a shot at one. So, here it is! A cozie, as you call it. Curious to see how it is received.
R.V. Raman
That's right. A Will to Kill is a "domestic mystery". It's a classic whodunit modelled after the traditional mysteries of yesteryear. To answer your question, yes, I will return to white-collar crimes in corporate India.
R.V. Raman
Well, I am not sure why some thriller authors stereotype female characters in their stories. By limiting the roles of women, it seems to me, they are leaving out half the world. To me, it’s a no-brainer that a writer must cast as wide a net as possible when drawing up a list of characters for his story, and strong women characters open up possibilities so much more.
As a reader, I have never been attracted to novels where female roles are limited to providing sleaze and an ‘object of desire’ angle. Yes, they have a legitimate place in many a story, and are an integral part of human interaction. However, when an author doesn’t go beyond these while exploring female characters, his books can become predictable and unidimensional.
As a reader, I have never been attracted to novels where female roles are limited to providing sleaze and an ‘object of desire’ angle. Yes, they have a legitimate place in many a story, and are an integral part of human interaction. However, when an author doesn’t go beyond these while exploring female characters, his books can become predictable and unidimensional.
R.V. Raman
As you write books, you want to try variations. The theme of SABOTEUR (white-collar crime in eCommerce) lent itself well to Bangalore as the setting. And I had anyway been contemplating creating a lady inspector. The two just came together in this book.
To the last part of your question, I guess I would like to set future stories in other Indian cities including Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
To the last part of your question, I guess I would like to set future stories in other Indian cities including Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
R.V. Raman
Working on the next (fourth) corporate thriller. After that, I need to decide what I will write,
R.V. Raman
That's right, two more corporate thrillers are scheduled, a year apart. The one to be published in 2017 is set in a high-octane, technology-enabled, start-up. Naturally, it is based in Bangalore.
The fourth corporate thriller is still under wraps. Will talk about it later.
The fourth corporate thriller is still under wraps. Will talk about it later.
R.V. Raman
Thanks for writing in.
No, the crime is not based on any real-life incident. I constructed it from scratch based on what I believe is eminently do-able in corporate India. The cherry on the cake came when I designed an IT mechanism to enable the crime.
However, one does hear of people supplementing their income by selling privileged information, and in some cases, by indulging in insider trading.
No, the crime is not based on any real-life incident. I constructed it from scratch based on what I believe is eminently do-able in corporate India. The cherry on the cake came when I designed an IT mechanism to enable the crime.
However, one does hear of people supplementing their income by selling privileged information, and in some cases, by indulging in insider trading.
R.V. Raman
Good question, Rumm.
You may have read several times in the newspapers about gross undervaluation of property in related party transactions, especially in real estate related scams. Similar overvaluation also happens, but as a part of more complex deals, like the one described in the novel. These are not always reported in newspapers.
3x or 5x overvaluation is not unheard of in the real estate sector, particularly in suburban and rural locations, where guideline values are inaccurate/outdated.
You may have read several times in the newspapers about gross undervaluation of property in related party transactions, especially in real estate related scams. Similar overvaluation also happens, but as a part of more complex deals, like the one described in the novel. These are not always reported in newspapers.
3x or 5x overvaluation is not unheard of in the real estate sector, particularly in suburban and rural locations, where guideline values are inaccurate/outdated.
R.V. Raman
Corporate India is a fertile ground. Lots to write about.
R.V. Raman
Another corporate thriller!
R.V. Raman
Write for your own satisfaction. Don't do it for commercial reasons. If you get fixated about sales, reviews or commercial aspects, you won't enjoy writing as much.
R.V. Raman
Freedom to create!
R.V. Raman
Goon to something else, like non-fiction or fantasy.
R.V. Raman
From the variegated personalities, motivations and opportunities in the melting pot that is corporate India. It is a fertile ground for stories -both real and fictional.
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