SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Jan 2: At the age of playing video games and hanging out with friends, 12-year-old Apurva Raj Jha, a DAV Kapildev student of class 7 has written a book named ‘Traditional Indian Exercises and Martial Arts’. Here are excerpts of a conversation with the young writer.
Q. How did you get the inspiration to write a book, and how did you come upon the subject?
A. My father is a journalist, and I had the opportunity to visit his workplace once. Being there and watching others work gave me the inspiration to begin writing. I also am passionate about Martial Arts since I was 10, which is why I chose this as the subject for the book.
Over four months back, I came to know about the first martial art of the world and how it was created in India. I wanted to know more about it so I started researching. After that, around one month back, I got the idea to share this knowledge along with my research with everyone through a book. However, I also wanted to begin earning and supporting my family.
Q. Tell us about your journey of research on the topics.
A. A YouTube channel named Karate TV, which I have mentioned in the bibliography of the book. I also researched the topics on several other websites that have information on the related topics.
Q. What was connecting with the publishers and Amazon like? Did the companies promise royalty of any kind?
A. I used Amazon KDP, also known as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, which is used to self-publish a book. The process is fairly simple and it did not take me long to publish it there. I just uploaded the content and entered the required details. Apart from this, I did not need to meet any other publisher.
Soon after the book was published, Amazon picked it up and started selling it on Kindle. As far as royalty is concerned, the company has promised Rs 57 per copy.
Q. What is the cost of the book online?
A. The book is being sold on Kindle in an eBook format for Rs 100 at the moment.
Q. What are your plans for the future? Do you have plans to write more?
A. Indeed, I want to keep writing, as I really had a good time over the book. I also have many ideas on which to write a book, and I hope to keep exploring new possibilities here.
