Annu Subramanian is the director of the Writing Center at Brown School, Schenectady, New York. She co-founded Albany Women Connection, a
support group in Albany, New York. She was chosen as one of four national
finalists by the Norman
Mailer Center and National Council of Teachers of English
(NCTE) in 2011 for her short story, SO FAIR AND VERY LOVELY. She was
chosen as Educator of Excellence in 2011 by the New York State English Council.
Her latest book is the factu-fiction, Another
Heaven.
Visit her website at www.annusubramanian.com.
About the Book:
Annu Subramanian's new novel, ANOTHER HEAVEN, exposes with
unflinching honesty and deep psychological insight the twisted relationship
between terrorism and human trafficking. ANOTHER HEAVEN may be difficult
to digest in part, but its frankness and refusal to turn away from the
unsparing horror of its terrible premise make the book an essential addition to
the literature of terrorism and its links to international human trafficking.
Subramanian, a
self-described “writer of conscience,” employs her considerable literary skills
in the service of shining a bright light on human rights abuses and terrorism.
In her previous novel, WAITING FOR THE PERFECT DAWN, Subramanian focused
on bringing awareness about the suppression of women and domestic violence.
Purchase your copy:
AMAZON
Can you tell us what your book is about?
Why did you write your book?
Can you tell us a little about your main and supporting
characters?
Main character:
Tina Matthew- an American doctoral student in the
field of psychology from Pennsylvania. She goes to India for an internship in
counter-terrorism, and her visit changes her life forever.
Supporting characters:
Dr. Neil Shaker - An American psychoanalyst who is
on a temporary assignment in Chennai, India (who becomes Tina’s mentor)
Usman- antagonist (a master terrorist who recruits
and trains missionaries for terrorism-some of the missions are terminal)
Maya- the key victim of human trafficking (her
horrific and tragic experiences change the course of the novel)
While completing her thesis in India, Tina
unknowingly is thrown into a terrorist’s plot based on religious fanaticism.
With the help of her mentor, Dr. Shaker, she learns how Usman executes his
crazed religious righteousness through psychological manipulation of trafficked
victims. After encountering real-life trauma faced by the victims, Tina’s
resolution to address terrorism turns into a passion and becomes her calling.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they
totally from your imagination?
My characters are from my imagination. However, they represent
figures generated from current world issues, my observations, and my interviews
with various individuals.
Are you consciously aware of the plot before you begin a novel
or do you discover it as you write?
I am aware of the plot before I begin to write my novels. The
plot is the seed that develops slowly through the chapters.
Your book is set in United
States and India. Can you tell us why you chose this city in particular?
Due to the sensitive nature of the issues addressed, I have
given imaginary names to the cities where the episodes take place.
Further, I use Another Heaven to
speak about social issues which affect the global community. As a writer of
conscience, I want my readers to think about these issues as a universal
concern and not as a secular or territorial problem.
Does the setting play a major part in the development of your
story?
Yes. This is a novel that brings both the eastern and the
western worlds together to discuss social and global issues.
Open the book to page 69.
What is happening?
A homeless boy, about 12, has been targeted as a likely
candidate by one of the recruiters of human trafficking. The boy is an ideal
target; poor, homeless, and vulnerable. The recruiter has been observing the
boy for a while and in this instance, he tries to make an impression in the
child’s trusting mind by being very kind and friendly.
An excerpt from the page:
“When
do you go home?” asked Imran, smiling warmly at the destitute child.
And
the child liked the smile that held something he had not felt in a while—a
long-forgotten caress, a touch of affection—and he cherished it for a few
moments. “I don’t go home,” he responded softly, looking away. He wouldn’t look
at the man’s face because he didn’t want to cry. And there were unshed tears
sloshing within his small frame, trying to break loose. “I don’t have a home.”
Is it hard to get a literary/contemporary fiction book
published?
Yes. Publishing is a competitive business. In addition, the
topics covered must be of interest to a publisher.
Is it hard to promote a novel of conscience book and where
do you start?
It has been a wonderful experience promoting my novel. Readers
are concerned about human rights issues and they welcome a book that addresses
two global issues, human trafficking and terrorism, under one project. I
communicate with my readers, on a daily basis, about women’s issues,
empowerment, and other social issues through my Author Page on Facebook. I work
with a publicist who shares my concern for the issues I try to address.
Have you suffered from writer’s block and what do you do to
get back on track?
So far, I have not suffered from this ailment.
What would you do with an extra hour today if you could do
anything you wanted?
Make a pot of tea. Turn on classical music. Read a chapter
from To Kill A Mocking Bird, or Pride and
Prejudice, or one of Agatha Christie’s short stories.
Which holiday is your favorite and why?
Thanksgiving. I like the idea of a harvest festival that
brings friends and family to say thanks to farmers; the salt of the earth. It
also reminds me of my childhood in India
when we had similar, earthy celebrations.
If we were to meet for lunch to talk books, where would we go?
My favorite place for lunch is any tea lounge and my most
favorite one is The Whistling Kettle in Ballston
Spa, New York.
What do you like to do for fun?
Writing, listening to music (mostly classical and jazz),
taking long walks, baking, visiting Lake George,
collecting odds and ends from antique shops.
Can you tell us about your family?
My husband came to this country over 35 years ago to study. He
is working in a multinational company as an engineer. My son is in the U.S. Air
Force. My daughter is working in Washington D.C.
What do you like the most about being an author?
I love how I can talk to my readers, one-on-one, about life,
love, relationships, and how I feel at home with scattered words and ideas
which magically come together. When my readers write to me that they feel happy
and empowered after reading my scribblings, I feel truly grateful for being an
author.
What is the most pivotal point of a writer’s life?
Making a difference in somebody’s day. When readers share the
passion I have expressed in my stories, I feel gratified and fulfilled.
What kind of advice would you give other fiction authors?
“Be passionate about the topic you have chosen. You are
writing a book and allowing your readers to step into a different world because
your voice is bursting to come out. Speak to the world as freely and as often
as you can.”
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card & one of four copies of her book!
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