In Shoes Of… An Author

‘The Serpentine Scrolls’ has gained much recognition and success in the Kindle market. The much awaited book by Ajay Kumar aka Alcatraz Dey is soon to release by Jan 20, 2015. At a young age the 25 year old author has managed to create such a strong impact with his new venture. His book speaks volumes about the research that has gone in finishing the book. Here are excerpts of a candid chat with the author.

What is your real name and pen name?

Ajay is my real name. Alcatraz Dey is my pen name.

Where were you born?

 Bangalore.

So what have you studied?

 B.Sc. physics honors JNU New Delhi

What led you into becoming an author?

Post my education phase, I became a content writer. I thought I was wasting my talent for people who did not even have respect for writers.

Initially, I wanted to write about my life, but simultaneously was studying a lot about history and religion. So, my novel includes subjects like history, religion and science.

It took me two years to finish my research and finally complete the script. And gladly the thriller was picked up by red ink publishers.

So have you completely dedicated all your time to writing?

Yes, I write all the time. That’s the only thing I know and I am planning to run a publishing house soon.

You said you were writing the book since two years. So how have you sustained yourself during this period?

I was freelancing as a graphic designer and writer. I’m grateful to my family too, who supported me a lot during this phase.

What was the career you had planned during your education days?

Something in the creative field itself. I was an active dancer and theatre guy.

Then why did you take up science?

I loved physics. And who says science is not creative? It’s where all the creativity lies.

So what inspires you the most?

People who have read my script, messaged me back saying it was really splendid. That is one for sure.

And for me writing is a source through which I can channelize my frustration into a better outcome.

So after you completed your first book how did long did you have to wait to find a publisher?

I self-published my book initially. Got a great response in US kindle market with great reviews.

After 7 months red ink picked it up.

Is the main lead in the story based on you?

Character of Ihsin is inspired from me but only about 10-15%.

Which are your favorite genres and the best books you have read so far?

I like reality based thrillers. My favorite books are Angels and Demons by Dan Brown, Khaled Hosseini’s Kite Runner, Michael Crichton’s Airframe and all books by Jules Verne.

Below is a glimpse of the book- ‘The Serpentine Scrolls’

A young boy opens his eyes in a desert and rummages around for the reason behind his bizarre existence. Thousands of years later a young man wakes up after four days and finds himself in Munich.

Two high profile terrorists are covert in the country for two decades. An intelligence officer, learning to live the pain of his dead wife, is assigned the case. A girl leaves the love of her life and moves away without any prior warning. Adam and Eve, Jesus Christ, Muhammed, Gautama Buddha, Galileo, Birbal and the saint from Manchale have witnessed something that holds the key to two living beings that a saint is desperately searching for.

Leave behind your notions of religion and faith. Leave behind everything that you have known. Discover the truth that will startle you and change you forever.