11 years ago today, my first novel The Brotherhood was published. 5 years ago today, the second edition of The Brotherhood was published.
The Brotherhood remains my most popular book. I’ve been talking with some people in TV about making it into a limited TV series. If so, it would be as groundbreaking, if not more so, than the book: the first mystery/drama TV series with mostly Indian-American characters set in the USA, that I can think of.
Because of that, the project still remains an up-hill battle. Almost all American TV series with People of Color are comedies, and despite what they claim, very few industry insiders are interested in financing and screening content that’s genuinely original and challenging. I’m looking to connect with more people in the TV/film industry, particularly of South Asian descent, who can make this happen: content acquirers, writers, directors, producers, actors, actresses, agents etc. If you know anyone who can help, please send them my way.
It’s been 4 years since the publication of The Run and Hide, the second volume of The Brotherhood Chronicle. Despite getting the least acclaim and having won no awards, this remains my personal favorite book, and a darling for Desai diehards.
The Dance Towards Death was published 3 years ago, and it’s won 13 literary honors in that time, my most acclaimed book so far.
In about a month, it will be the 10th anniversary of Good Americans, my most provocative book and a subject of divided opinion. Its anthology sequel, Bad Americans, is my longest and most ambitious book to date, a novel and short story collection in one. I’m working hard on it, and the polished manuscript should be ready to send out to agents etc. around January 2024.
I’ve stayed the course and maintained my literary independence for more than a decade. Let’s see if I can do that and still convince a major publisher to bring Bad Americans out into the literary sphere and get it the wide acclamation and readership I believe it deserves.
The New Wei Literary Movement and its associated Salons are gaining traction. I’ve met many writers, artists, musicians, actors and filmmakers over the last six months and I hope we’ve inspired them to produce new dynamic projects.
I’m also working to interview provocative artists of many mediums and produce articles on them. Ultimately I plan to write a book on the wider literary/artistic scene, our tumultuous decade and The New Wei.
Then there are my travels: recently to Germany/Austria/Italy, across the USA and soon to Greece and Turkey too. I know a lot of people have been screaming for me to write a non-fiction book about all these crazy adventures, and that might finally happen.
In addition, there’s plenty afoot at the library too: our annual Southeast Queens Author Festival at Cambria Heights Library on 9/30 at 1:30pm, dynamic planned panels for ALA in Baltimore and San Diego, a renovated Teen Center, new art installations, and plenty more.
Things have been busy in the best possible way, and I’m grateful for it.
