Strategize.
Streamline.
Succeed.

An Interview with Harsha Sheelam

by | Apr 20, 2018

Harsha Sheelam contacted me a couple of weeks ago after seeing my interview with poet Allyson Whipple. Since she, too, is a children’s author, like I am, I was very happy to be introduced to her work!  

AW: Which author wasn’t your greatest inspiration, but did make you think, “Maybe I could be an author”?

HS: I always wanted to make comic strips when I was in school. Though the creator of Archie Comics, John L. Goldwater wasn’t someone I followed at that time, but I truly loved his work. It was only later when I received an opportunity later, and an idea struck me, and I began to pen down.

AW: Tell me about the first time you thought, “Wow. I’m a real author!”

HS: When my first book, Beautiful Inside and Out took their places on bookshelves in online and offline stores. I had the most surreal feeling, and I could finally sink it all in and take a sigh of relief.

AW: What’s the oddest part about your routine that you simply must do in order to sit down and write?

HS: I need to be alone. I can’t write with noises around me. Hence, I do most of my work at night when everyone’s asleep.

AW: What is your biggest writing obstacle? 

HS: Of course when you’re out of ideas. When I’m out of more themes I decide to take a break and begin only when I have better ideas. I love Aesop’s fables, and they are the best children’s stories to be inspired, reflect and relax upon.

AW: How do you prefer to network, and what impact do you think those avenues have had on your sales?

HS: I have been blogging about true stories and my experiences. I also share my favorites from the poetic world. I accept all invitations for guest writing. Through these avenues I feel welcomes to new readers.

AW: What is one mistake you’ve made in your publishing career that you’d like to warn other authors off of?

HS: Don’t go for vanity press, and have an alternative illustrator if the illustrator is hired by your publisher. Self-publishing is a good way to bring your work out, but keep yourself revised about marketing.

AW: Is there any advice you’d like to give to a new writer?

HS: I’ve always said that believe in yourself and your passion. Do it for the love of writing, and no other strings attached. Sometimes your first book might not do well, or bring you sales, but success is not determined through numbers.

AW: What are you currently reading?

HS: I am currently working on a poetry book for adults. My next children’s book named Poppydown Pals is under review.

AW: Have any super fans found you yet, and if so, what sort of things have they done that seem surreal to you!

HS: I had one from Switzerland, Europe. He was the first parent to purchase my book, he also sent me a picture of him reading to his child. It was a pleasant experience.

AW: When people read your books, what do you want their greatest take-away to be?

HS: I want to leave them amazed. My young adult novel, Good Exists in all that Exists which is a book of fiction, with many suspense revelations in the end, is sure to leave the reader bewildered. With my short stories books, I want children to be encouraged, the books teach good morals, and that’s the best take-away.

 

Harsha Sheelam always had the passion for writing. In the year 2016, she practiced writing more extensively. This led to her recognition in newspapers, magazines, blogs, and digital content. She possesses versatility in writing stories, debatable topics, politics, social, fashion, entertainment, reviews, fashion and lifestyle. Today she is a children’ book author, she debuted in 2017 with the book Beautiful Inside and Out which is a collection of short stories. She launched it with the aim of empowering young girls and boys. She has the dedication to her craft which makes the children believe that they are beautiful inside and out. Same year her juvenile fiction novel, Good Exists in all that Exists released. As the title suggests, the book is based around the theme of ‘good overpowering the bad’.  There is a hidden meaning  for every action. The book does not fail to enhance the enchanted experience of the reader.

Beginning of a new year, in 2018 The House of Terry Atterberry made it to book-selling portals. Terry’s tales champion hard work, perseverance, honesty and compassion. The riches that kids gain through this book are overcoming fear, not undermining people, understanding no one is perfect, knowing your true friends, and more. The book is a collection of 15 inspiring fables from the life of a fictional character.

You can find Author:

Website    GoodReads    Amazon

Adriel Wiggins

Adriel Wiggins

Owner, Adriel Wiggins Author Services and Consulting

Hello! I’m Adriel Wiggins, wife, mother of three, bibliophile, art geek, and all around student. I’ve been on a quest all of my life to learn as much as I possibly can about everything I possibly can. This has helped me tremendously in what eventually became my life’s purpose: to help other people become the best version of themselves. It is in that line that I became an assistant.

Strategize for Success. Streamline your Business. Succeed with your Goals.

WP to LinkedIn Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This