Puneet Pundhir talks about his latest book | Interview

Writing had always been a long-pending goal for author Puneet Pundhir as he talks about his latest book, one that finally found its fruition in his debut work of fiction, Fifteen Minutes Fifteen Seconds.

In his own words, Puneet is more of a reader than a writer. His interest in all things spiritual, mythological, and mystical has led him to read voraciously on the said subjects. He also has a penchant for writing Hindi poetry that he used to share on his blog.

On the professional front, Puneet holds a Master’s in Business Administration and an M.Phil in Industrial Psychology. He owns and runs a successful business that keeps him busy. His other interest, apart from reading and writing, is traveling. He loves to travel as it enables him to explore new places and people while also indulging his interests in spirituality.

His debut book narrates the story of a young man Arya who is an introvert addicted to alcohol. Meditation and drinking are part of his daily routine, and he has trouble mingling with the people around him. As a part of a family vacation, he tags along with his maternal family for a trip to the religious sites of Kedarnath and Badrinath, and it is there that his life undergoes a massive change.

Soon after, a tragedy strikes that leaves him shattered. This unfortunate event catalyzes his spiritual transformation, as he eventually sets out on a path to find the true meaning of life.

Through this book, Puneet wishes to popularize the concepts of Yoga and Tatra amongst the youth. The readers would find a manifestation of this in his explanations of Shangri-La and Shambhala. Puneet continues to work on his next book that will be published in the Hindi language. 

We at bookGeeks got a lucky opportunity to have a candid conversation with the author. Read on to know more about the author’s work and his love for writing and reading.

How would you differentiate the author Puneet from the real Puneet? Tell us a bit of the back-story of your real-life that eventually led to the book.

I would say real life Puneet is more of a reader than an author. I love reading books especially if they are mythological, spiritual, or related to mysticism. I used to write Hindi poetry on my blog that I later deleted. It is my wife who has always pushed me to start writing, as she thinks I am very spontaneous and that sometimes I have an extraordinary grip on some topics. So, that is how I started working on this novelette.

How did you come up with the storyline/idea for this book?

My main motive to write this book was more for a social cause rather than finding a means for finance or fame. Maybe I was lucky that I got to meet some people with some supernatural powers. I thought to mention some of them in this book that would ultimately draw the young generation towards Yoga and Tantra. At the end of the book, I have tried to explain Shangri-la/Shambhala/Gyanganj with some different perspectives. When I started writing, I already had a few boats and just wanted a river. So, I used my imagination and real-time experiences to create that river/storyline.

Did putting out this book in front of the world change your life in any way?

Well yes. Definitely, it has. This was something I really wanted to do, and to hold my book now is just like a dream come true. I am an introvert, and I usually don’t talk to people much, but through this book, I got a platform to convey my thoughts. I think no one expected that I would publish a book, but I believe in revealing my plan only when it is ready to execute.

Why did you choose self-publishing over traditional publishing? What is the biggest pro and con of self-publishing according to you?

I found out that traditional publishing was taking a very long duration to publish, and that was the primary reason that I decided to go for self-publishing. In self-publishing, you have more control over the content, the book title, and the cover page. Whereas, I think in traditional publishing the book could have got a better market.

What promotional methods did you use to market this book since it is a self-published piece?

Right now, I am giving free book give-away to bloggers and reviews for promotion, nothing more than that.

Which Indian author, according to you, is the next breakthrough novelist?

I have a name. In fact, I saw him in the mirror this morning.

Describe your experience of writing this book. What problems did you face during the journey?

My goal was to write a book of more than 50,000 words. I admit that I was not writing regularly. I would start typing on my Mac whenever I felt like or had the time. In August, it happened that one night I was not able to sleep. And at 3 am a thought struck my mind, and I told my wife it is time to publish the book. She said, but the book is not complete yet. I said whatever happens, I am going to publish it now. This was the main reason for self-publishing.

Was writing this book a long-time goal or an impulsive step

A very long-time goal

Are you planning on venturing into the non-fiction category anytime soon?

Right now, I will stick to fiction only.

Tell us what your readers can expect soon from you?

Currently, I am working on a short story for Hindi readers.