Mr Miranda's Review of my book, "Rose Gardens and Minefields"

I have been picking up and browsing, treading my way carefully through the minefields, yet taking time to smell the fragrance of the roses. I found it to be a delightful collection – a veritable ’bhel puri’, a combination of political, religious, moral values to satisfy all tastes and appetites. I was impressed by your reflections in the poems ‘Philosophy of life’, ’Pleasure’, ’Love’ ’Dreamer’, Thinking,’ and the touch of humour in, ’Trying to enter Heaven,’ and ‘The Husband’ and the note of sadness in ’Agony’ and ‘Night after Christmas’. The essays ’Sport in India’ gives a good insight into Indian sport and Indian sporting legends past and present. ’Tryst with Destiny’ gives a sweeping view of Indian history and the hopes and expectations of a nation while your ‘Mumbai for all’ reveals a true Maharashtrian-East Indian spirit and love for our culture and heritage….I could go on…however, I will conclude by saying that the book as you so well said in your introduction is a literary collection, a bhel puri to ponder, taste and enjoy.. 

(The Reviewer is an eminent East Indian and an expert on English literature). 

"Rose Gardens and Minefields" (published by Leadstart Publishing) is available at several bookstores in India and can be purchased at various online sites including amazon.com, Flipkart.com, simplybooks.co.in, rediffshopping, www.leadstartcorp.com, landmarkonthenet.com, indiaplaza.com

Mr Miranda's Review of my book, "Rose Gardens and Minefields"

I have been picking up and browsing, treading my way carefully through the minefields, yet taking time to smell the fragrance of the roses. I found it to be a delightful collection – a veritable ’bhel puri’, a combination of political, religious, moral values to satisfy all tastes and appetites. I was impressed by your reflections in the poems ‘Philosophy of life’, ’Pleasure’, ’Love’ ’Dreamer’, Thinking,’ and the touch of humour in, ’Trying to enter Heaven,’ and ‘The Husband’ and the note of sadness in ’Agony’ and ‘Night after Christmas’. The essays ’Sport in India’ gives a good insight into Indian sport and Indian sporting legends past and present. ’Tryst with Destiny’ gives a sweeping view of Indian history and the hopes and expectations of a nation while your ‘Mumbai for all’ reveals a true Maharashtrian-East Indian spirit and love for our culture and heritage….I could go on…however, I will conclude by saying that the book as you so well said in your introduction is a literary collection, a bhel puri to ponder, taste and enjoy.. 

(The Reviewer is an eminent East Indian and an expert on English literature). 

"Rose Gardens and Minefields" (published by Leadstart Publishing) is available at several bookstores in India and can be purchased at various online sites including amazon.com, Flipkart.com, simplybooks.co.in, rediffshopping, www.leadstartcorp.com, landmarkonthenet.com, indiaplaza.com

Mr Miranda's Review of my book, "Rose Gardens and Minefields"

I have been picking up and browsing, treading my way carefully through the minefields, yet taking time to smell the fragrance of the roses. I found it to be a delightful collection – a veritable ’bhel puri’, a combination of political, religious, moral values to satisfy all tastes and appetites. I was impressed by your reflections in the poems ‘Philosophy of life’, ’Pleasure’, ’Love’ ’Dreamer’, Thinking,’ and the touch of humour in, ’Trying to enter Heaven,’ and ‘The Husband’ and the note of sadness in ’Agony’ and ‘Night after Christmas’. The essays ’Sport in India’ gives a good insight into Indian sport and Indian sporting legends past and present. ’Tryst with Destiny’ gives a sweeping view of Indian history and the hopes and expectations of a nation while your ‘Mumbai for all’ reveals a true Maharashtrian-East Indian spirit and love for our culture and heritage….I could go on…however, I will conclude by saying that the book as you so well said in your introduction is a literary collection, a bhel puri to ponder, taste and enjoy.. 

(The Reviewer is an eminent East Indian and an expert on English literature). 

"Rose Gardens and Minefields" (published by Leadstart Publishing) is available at several bookstores in India and can be purchased at various online sites including amazon.com, Flipkart.com, simplybooks.co.in, rediffshopping, www.leadstartcorp.com, landmarkonthenet.com, indiaplaza.com

You can even read a review of my book on Ezine at http://ezinearticles.com/?Rose-Gardens-and-Minefields---A-Unique-Book-and-Genre&id=5827593.

Further information about "Rose Gardens and Minefields" is available on wikipedia and wapedia.

                                                          

Sunil Poolani - The Champion of the Written Word

The demise of Sunil Poolani, the executive director and editorial head of the Fiction division of Leadstart Publishing, is definitely a tremendous blow to the publishing business in Mumbai. It is also a huge loss for writers like myself who had received support and guidance from this extremely helpful person. Despite his busy schedule, Sunil would always find time to talk to us or send an email regarding our queries or reservations. Yes, we will miss him a lot.

When I heard the sad news  from Douglas Misquita, the author of Haunted (an amazing novel), I simply could not believe it as Sunil was in his early Forties. Yet he had achieved a lot in this relatively short period of existence. He had transformed the publishing landscape in Mumbai by giving opportunities to aspiring writers of English fiction and non-fiction. Any writer worth his salt in these genres would know how difficult it is to get published in Mumbai where publishers prefer to publish the great works of chefs and textbook writers than the local "Shakespeares" and "Dickens.'" The big publishers like Rupa, Harper Collins and Penguin are based in the northern part of the country and it is difficult to interact with them.

I admit it took a few months before Sunil got back to me after my submission of an assorted sample of poems, short stories and essays on their website but most other publishers would make you wait much longer. After the excitement of my work being selected for publishing, I worked out the details with Sunil and Swarup Nanda, the big boss of Leadstart and my book "Rose Gardens and Minefields" was released in October 2010. Sunil published an article on my book in his blog and had guided me ever since.

Besides being a lion in the publishing business, Sunil was an accomplished reviewer and critic who regularly contributed articles to mainstream publications like the DNA and the Hindustan times. He was one of those dynamic personalities who lived their dream to the fullest. He was one who loved and worshipped his work but still spared some time for poor souls like me. Yes, we salute you O Champion of the written word!!!