Simple but Meaningful Gestures
On being seen and feeling seen.
My third book The Other Lata has been out for nearly exactly one month, and when I think back on these past few weeks and the fun whirlwind of events, two moments stand out that happened on the same day.
I attended the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books last weekend, and while signing copies of my books at The Ripped Bodice1 booth, a reader came up to me and gave me a bracelet that had the names of my main characters from each of my novels.
Receiving this gave me a tiny smidgen of an idea of what it would be like to be Taylor Swift. And while it might seem like a simple thing, seeing these three names linked together on a bracelet was unexpectedly affecting. I appreciated the thought that went into it, and it made feel the impact I had as a writer in a tangible way.
After the signing, I went to the festival’s green room where authors gathered during their downtime between events. I had arranged to meet an author friend there, and it would be our first time meeting in person. My husband was also there waiting for me, and I quickly realized he was sitting across from someone I admire whose most recent work I found deeply moving. (Yes, keeping it intentionally vague!) I introduced myself as a fan and we made a tiny bit of small talk. I also really wanted to give her a copy of my novel, but didn’t want to impose on her either.
When my friend arrived, I told her of my hopes and she was so sweet and totally got it. We sat back down across from the person I admire and began to chat, and my author friend said nice things about my books in front of her. In the meantime, my husband went to the bar to get us glasses of wine. He ran into a logjam of people on the way back and set the glasses down on a nearby table until he had space to move past them and hand them to us.
And then the person I admire told my husband, “I’ll take the wine to them.” And he said, it’s okay, I can. And she said, “No, I want to.” (I learned this part after the fact.)
She brought over the wine to my friend and me, sat down across from us and asked me about my books. And I got to tell her about Lata and that I’d love to give her a copy, which she kindly accepted.
Again, it might seem like a small gesture. But it was also the end of a long and busy festival weekend, and we were all exhausted. Still, she took the time to sit down and chat with me knowing that I was a fan. It was just a very gracious thing to do.
(Also, my author friend and I hit it off in a sparkly way where it felt like we knew each other forever, and that was lovely too.)
Here’s the thing: Being an author is kind of weird. You spend a lot by yourself writing and fretting and writing some more. Then your book comes out and you venture out in the world to promote it and are reminded Oh, I have readers. And it shouldn’t feel surprising, but it always kind of is. (At least to me.)
There are many people whose work I enjoy and admire…and then you get to realize that there are some people who feel the same way about you. I experienced both sides of that within the same afternoon. It was, and will be, quite surreal.
LATA news + events
The Other Lata was lucky to be recognized in two fun ways:
As one of PEOPLE’s best books of April…
…and as the May selection for Lilly Singh’s Lilly’s Library Book Club.
My debut novel Dava was Lilly’s Library pick too, and I’m thrilled to be a two-time Lilly’s Library selection. Especially since each month they select and highlight novels by South Asian authors, and my books are in some excellent company.
In May, I have three more events coming up that will be a lot of fun:
May 13: The Cardigan Connection’s reading series, held monthly in Providence, RI. Four authors, including my friend Saumya Dave who wrote the incredible The Guilt Pill, will chat about our books. Tickets and more info here!
May 15: My friends and Substack collaborators at Ministry of Pop Culture will have our first in-person event at The Common Good in Ellenville, NY. We’ll be chatting about how to turn fandom into a writing career. More info here!
May 31: The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, for a panel called “Romantic Comedies: Chasing Love, Clues and Second Chances.” Tickets and more info here!
Thanks for reading this far! And wishing you a wonderful week. 💐
The Ripped Bodice has stores in both NYC and LA, and it has been such a pleasure to have events at both locations,
What magical moments, thanks for sharing Kirthana!
Wonderful book launch moment captures and interactions — thank you for sharing!