Friday, February 14, 2020

You Beneath Your Skin by Damyanti Biswas

Welcome author Damyanti Biswas!


Damyanti Biswas lives in Singapore, and supports Delhi's underprivileged women and children, volunteering with organizations who work for this cause. Her short stories have been published in magazines in the US, UK, and Asia, and she helps edit the Forge Literary Magazine. She was recently awarded The Fay Khoo Award in Penang, Malaysia. You can find her on her blog and twitter. 


Her debut crime novel You Beneath Your Skin is an Amazon bestseller, all author proceeds of which will support the education and empowerment of women at Project WHY and Stop Acid Attacks.

Despite her busy schedule she agreed 

to share a little about herself and her writing:
1          1 .    What was your hardest scene to write?
     Without giving the story of You Beneath Your Skin, it was the scene of confrontation between Anjali and Jatin. There were so many loops to close, physical and emotional, and I needed to do that in an organic, completely spontaneous fashion. I rewrote that scene so many times I’ve lost count.
            2.    What makes you run screaming?
I’m not sure—haven’t run screaming yet. But I imagine it would be dark places and things that go bump in the night. Or simply a toddler I’m babysitting having a tantrum. You never know.     
            3.    You’re about to be dropped in a remote spot for a three-week survival test. Where would you go? What three tools would you take?
I don’t think I’d survive very long. I’d probably take a knife, a rope and something to make fire with. As to what I’d achieve with those—anyone’s guess. They just sound like practical things to carry with you in a remote area.
             4.    What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?
I do not give out too many behind-the-scenes tidbits—but the one thing about my recent writing-life shenanigans that has surprised me recently is my newly-discovered love of butter. For no known reason I’ve found myself scraping butter off the slab we have at home—puts me in a ‘writing mood’ immediately. I am dreading the consequences to my waistline.
             5.    If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
      It could be Italy. Or Scotland. Or Japan. Of all the places I’ve been fortunate enough to visit, these countries top the list. I’d love to know more about them, and what better way to know about them than to live a year and write a book?
          6.    If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
To not be so hard on me. It took me years to learn kindness to self. That’s the most underrated quality in any writer.
7.    What does literary success look like to you
That I would one day look at something I wrote ten years ago, and go, wow, I wrote that? That’s fabulous!
8.    Tell us about the book you’re working on now.
It is set in Mumbai, amid the backdrop of closing and reopening of dance bars—one of the bar girls is payed huge sums to dress up and pose at a railway station and exit the place within three minutes. She soon discovers that others with the same assignment have gone missing.
***
Read my Review of You Beneath Your Skin   HERE!
***




You Beneath Your Skin 
Trailor




Blurb: Lies. Ambition. Family. 

 It’s a dark, smog-choked New  Delhi winter. Indian American single mother Anjali Morgan juggles her job as a psychiatrist with caring for her autistic teenage son. She is in a long-standing affair with ambitious Police Commissioner Jatin Bhatt  – an irresistible attraction that could destroy both their lives. 

Jatin’s home life is falling apart: his handsome and charming son is not all he appears to be, and his wife has too much on her plate to pay attention to either husband or son. But Jatin refuses to listen to anyone, not even the sister to whom he is deeply attached. 

Across the city, there is a crime spree: slum women found stuffed in trash bags,  faces and bodies disfigured by acid. And as events spiral out of control Anjali is horrifyingly at the center of it all.

In a sordid world of poverty, misogyny, and political corruption, Jatin must make some hard choices. But what he unearths is only the tip of the iceberg. Together with Anjali he must confront old wounds and uncover long-held secrets before it is too late.




NEW SALE PRICE


The price will be 


.99 USD from Feb. 12-14th 


and gradually rise to original price of 2.99 

by 

the 18th.

About the novel: YOU BENEATH YOUR SKIN, 
publisher: Simon & Schuster IN

You Beneath Your Skin is an Amazon-bestselling crime novel about the investigation of an acid attack on a woman from Delhi’s upper class, set against the backdrop of crimes against underprivileged women. They are assaulted, disfigured with acid, and murdered.

It is a  whodunit, but also a whydunit because violent crime unravels those affected: the people, the relationships, the very fabric of society, and we get a glimpse of what lies beneath. That’s why the title, You Beneath Your Skin.


On Amazon USA: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X8WCKH6/

On Amazon India: https://www.amazon.in/BENEATH-YOUR-SKIN-DAMYANTI-BISWAS/dp/9386797623


Reviews:

Beneath the veneer of a crime novel, ‘You Beneath Your Skin’ is a study of problematic relationships

Delving Into Dark Themes Of You Beneath Your Skin, One Wonders What One Would Find


Social media info:

Pls tag me at @damyantig on Twitter and Insta, and on @damyantiwrites on FB

To tag Simon & Schuster
@SimonandSchusterIN : Insta
@SimonSchusterIN : Twitter
@Simon & Schuster IN: Facebook
@projectwhydelhi and @stopacidattacks on Twitter, Instagram, and FB

The hashtag for all social media: #YouBeneathYourSkin

Audience:

Bookclubs, because of the discussion questions: Within the framework of a thriller the novel tackles various social issues: crimes against women and why they occur, the nexus between political corruption, police and big money; the abuse of the underprivileged, be it adults or children, and the scourge of acid attacks.

Parents, because of the issues tackled: How do you bring up a good human being in today’s troubled times? If you’re the parent of a special child, what challenges do you face and what sort of support can you expect?




Have you read You Beneath Your Skin? 
Have you posted your review? 
Do you have a question for Damyanti?



CONGRATULATIONS! 
Damyanti Biswas!





32 comments:

Debbie D. said...

Nice to see you here, Damyanti. Congratulations on the success of your book! Another interesting interview, Yolanda. 👌 I am currently reading You Beneath Your Skin and find it gripping, as well as educational. It brings to life the horrors some of us have only seen brief glimpses of in the news.

Denise Covey said...

Lovely to read the interview, Renee, and lovely to know just that little bit more about you, Damyanti. You've written a book to be proud of. (Some diets say butter is good for you and I'm holding to that! Butter and cream, yum.)
Looking forware to reading the next book Damyanti. You know what they say - nothing sells the first book better than the second.

Cheers to both of you!

Denise

Damyanti said...

Thanks so much for reading, Debbie. So pleased You beneath your Skin has made an impact.

Damyanti said...

Thanks, Denise, both for your kind words, and your advice.

So thankful to Renee for her support--it was very kind of her to offer a spot.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Sounds fascinating, I'm looking forward to picking up a paperback edition sometime on my next trip back (I prefer those to Kindle). I've read your shorts Damayanti, and know what a gripping tale you can tell. The next book sounds just as great. All the very best.
Thanks for this post Renee, nice to get to know about the author a bit more.

Damyanti said...

Thanks Nilanjana. Paperbacks are available in the USA from Amazon, though Indian editions will obvs be cheaper.

Thanks so much for the kind words on my writing.

Michelle Wallace said...

I love Damyanti's writing.
The flash fiction and short stories are always so well-crafted and the writing sucks you in.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book... it sounds intriguing.

Computer Tutor said...

Wonderful interview, Damyanti. That was one of my favorite scenes, too. The other--I can't mention without giving too much away.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Nice interview, ladies! Damyanti, enjoy your butter. I have no doubt that it's better for us than man-made margarines are.

Yes, I read and reviewed this book. LOVED it. It took quite a while before I got Amazon to accept the review, but in the end, persistence prevailed. :)

Damyanti said...

Thanks, Michelle, for being such a huge supporter of my writing almost from the very beginning. I know I owe you an email--am working my way towards it. My apologies for the delay.

Damyanti said...

Thanks so much Jacqui, and I'm glad the scene reeonated with you.

Damyanti said...

I've never eaten margarine, but it does not sound in the same league as butter.

I've had renewed inspiration to eat butter today, so I shall continue.

Thanks so much, Susan! Both for reading and reviewing, and your persistence!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi Renee, Hi Damyanti...

First, CONGRATS! I've been seeing your book EVERYWHERE and I am so PROUD OF YOU!!!!!! I must get my copy. I have been through a whirlwind lately with some personal health issues, but once I get back on track and need an intriguing story to read, I will certainly read yours! All the best with your future writings! And congrats again!

Renee... it's been ages. I hope all is well with you.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Wonderful interview! Damyanti - I agree kindness to self is an important quality to foster as an author! And, your current project sounds thrilling and slightly scary to write.
Congratulations again on You Beneath Your Skin!

Chrys Fey said...

Hey Damyanti! You Beneath Your Skin is next up on my TBR list. :)

Hey Yolanda!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Renee – excellent interview with Damyanti – both of you I’ve huge respect for you … you’ve experienced life. I don’t think I’d last anywhere for three weeks! Perhaps a very long book … which I might finish and my waistline would be improved, so perhaps I could join you in your butter obsession … but I know what you mean – salty deliciousness.

The new book sounds really interesting a real mystery – very interesting premise … another one I’d be happy to read … it’s great You Beneath Your Skin has been doing so well – and you’ve put lots of time and sensible effort into your promotions. Good luck with the future and congratulations – cheers Hilary

Damyanti said...

Thanks so much Michael! I hope your health issues are nothing serious and get sorted soon.

The blogging community has been very kind with reads and honest reviews, and I couldn't be more grateful!

Take care of you, and thanks again for your kind comment and for offering to pick up the book.

Damyanti said...

Thanks, Tyrean. Kindness to self is very important indeed for us creatures of self-doubt! Yes, the current project has been quite the journey :).

Thank you so much. You Beneath Your Skin has been out and about, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Damyanti said...

That's so cool to hear, Chrys! Thanks for reading.

Damyanti said...

Thanks as always for your constant support and kindness, HIlary. The new book is on its own journey, let's hope it overtakes You Beneath Your Skin some day, and finds a good home.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you for visiting, Debbie. You Beneath Your Skin is an amazing book!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Denise. I'll leave the butter to you too! :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Nila, it's hard to find or come up with great questions, but I thought these were unique.

Yolanda Renée said...

It'll keep you turning the page. Hi, Michelle!

Yolanda Renée said...

That scene worked very well, as did all the others between the two. Thanks for stopping by Jacqui!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Susan, you are always on top of what the authors are doing. Your reviews Rock!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Michael! I am well, thank you. I'm glad to hear the same for you. I hope you'll rejoin the WEP soon!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Tyrean for stopping in! It's great to see you!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hey, Chrys!

Love your Vlogs! So proud of you!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Hilary, Thank! Writing is a survival tool. I think creativity is an expression from the soul.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Damyanti!
Your response to the questions, and your follow through on all the comments is commendable. I know how busy you are with the new release. It's amazing and well deserved. I wish you many, many books sold and hope as you do that your goals for the charities reach maximum and beyond! I can't wait for the next book!

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