Interview with Author Sonia Sahijwani (Towards Literature)

Interview with Author Sonia Sahijwani Saini

"Yours Legally"

 

1) Though you are well prominent among readers, yet we would like to have an introduction from your side. 

I am Sonia Sahijwani Saini, Author of Yours Legally-a collection of short stories my debut book and Baby on Board-An Ordinary Couple's extraordinary pregnancy journey my second title. I am a law graduate from Delhi University Faculty of Law currently working in a MaharRatna PSU in Chandigarh in its legal department. After doing my graduation in B.Com Hons, i pursued PG in Eng Print Journalism and then made the unusual but interesting digression towards the field of law. I currently stay in Chandigarh with my husband and my 1.5 years old son.

2) Your debut novel, "Yours Legally" is reflecting the light of law by its name. Please briefly describe about your book.

Yours Legally is a collection of 6 short stories which are inspired and based on my experiences in the legal profession. Each story is unique yet held together by common elements of law, humanity and a common protagonist, Sia. The stories revolve around 6 elements of law which I feel are critical to this profession being: complainant, case, judge, counsel, confinement and criminal/accused.

3) Is your book able to help law students for their career enhancement?

Well, it definitely is appealing to law students and they are relating to the court room dramas, the prison stories, the experiences of working with advocates since all of them undergo this phase as a part of their internships and training while pursuing law. However, this book is not solely aimed at them since my main target audience is the readers with a non legal background who are unaware of the legalities but are curious about this profession. With lucid language and without any technical legal jargons, I have tried to keep my book simple and an easy read for all. I feel my book is unique and is a new genre of anthologies/short stories on law as this genre has not been experimented with before by any Indian author as far as I know.

4) In case of Book Reviews, What you prefer a good rating or good review? (Here good review means critical but honest which may improve your writing).

Well, I definitely prefer a good review as a good review is mostly followed by a good rating but a good rating may or may not necessarily contain a genuine honest review. I am open to positive criticism and would love to know through the medium of reviews what readers liked or enjoyed while reading the book and what they expect from me in future.

5) You are nominated for different literary awards. Apart from this, what's your dream in the journey of writing? 

In today's time of social media, people have lost the habit of reading and books are losing their charm. My dream is that even those for whom reading a book/novel seems like a herculean task or those who want to read but are scared of reading voluminous novels are able to inculcate the wonderful habit of reading through my short books with a language and emotions which appeals to all. Every author wants to be famous and I too want my small share of fame. More than that I want to be able to write stuff which appeals to my readers and which makes them think and feel. 

6) In your opinion, what makes an author prominent and what should be? Justify your answer in between Author/Book Promotion and Book/Author reach.

Like any good movie cannot sustain without a good script, similarly any good book no matter written by as much a prominent author cannot become  a success if it lacks a good story. To compliment it, a debut author like me has to do the marketing and promotion on his/her own. The sole responsibility to make your book reach wide audiences lies on you. There are many book promoters, book event organizers who are there to support our motive but the author has to be extremely proactive and interactive in its marketing strategy. The fact that everyone on social media is talking about your book at the same time is what I feel is the key to make an author prominent in a short time.

7) What about your upcoming project?

Currently, I am solely focusing on promoting my two books. However, there is a third book in the pipeline which I had begun writing and I should be able to finish it this year.

8) Any Suggestion for improving this literary platform, "Towards Literature".

It's a  great platform for young and debut authors to get a medium to express their thoughts and its an honour to be featured here. I wish you good luck for your future endeavours.

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"A Step Forward Towards Literature"