Dear All,
Just a quick short post. Things have been hectic and the response to 3 quite overwhelming. I am still in the middle of launches and so life will settle down only after a few weeks. I have read each and every comment and fan mail that has come to me. The sheer volume makes it difficult to reply (and please forgive me for not), but I do want to thank you for making the effort to give me feedback. And if you liked the book, thanks once more.
Everything about 3 was beyond expectations for myself and everyone in the team. The opening sales, the media attention, the volume of fan mail, the frenzy at the launches.
I am still under equipped at handling all this. I knew the books were popular - but so much? I went to McDonald’s at CST and three people came to me. I had sauce smeared on my face - not very youth icon like at all.
I am trying to come up with a system to better respond to readers, an area where I can definitely improve. To that effect, I am cutting down on media stories for now. I think I have said enough and people have seen the yellow book and me enough times. I have four more cities left for the launches in this phase, and it will end in the next 10 days. The ad is below, see if you can come. Please do.
The most important thing is, a large number of people have liked the book. To match up to the last two is an achievement in itself. I want to thank you for giving these new characters a place in your heart. I had big concerns given the topic, but I have received so many complimentary mails from Gujarat as well. When I received the first mail praising 3 from Ahmedabad, I cried.
More soon.
Love,
Chetan
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Dear All,
My apologies for the somewhat impersonal nature of the last few posts. There was a lot of factual information to be presented associated with the launch, so I put that down first as the date is approaching soon. To avoid confusion, let me reconfirm - The post below shows the launch schedule in this phase. Yes, I will be there at all these launches to talk to you and sign books. Yes, these are public launch events and everyone can come. Yes, the book 3 is priced at Rs95 again (trust me, took tremendous effort. Rs95 of 2008 is not the same as Rs95 of 2004). Yes, I want you to come as this is the rare time I get to interact with my readers. Yes, other cities will also be covered in the next phase. Yes, the book will be available all over India from May 8 onwards.
Anyway, back to what I really wanted to talk about. Thanks for the wonderful, honest comments and the words of encouragement. I have been trying to keep calm but as the D-day approaches, the nervousness is creeping in. While I am confident about the book, the feeling is similar to what you have before a big exam. No matter how well prepared you are, a certain amount of anxiety is inevitable.
So, to counter that anxiety, last night I stepped back from it all and went back to the first principles behind my writing. I had worked in Goldman Sachs earlier, and that firm used to have a set of business principles. Inspired by that, I came up with my own set of writing principles. I thought I will share these with you, 3 days before the launch of 3.
In the coming few weeks, you may see several media stories about me. Some may be accurate, some may not. But everytime you get confused about where I am really coming from, refer to the below!
My Writing Principles - Chetan Bhagat
1) My reader’s interests always come first. My experience shows that if I serve readers well, my own success will follow.
2) I have two goals. My first goal is to make my readers happy. This can come from the enjoyment they get while reading the book, or a positive influence the book can become in their lives. My second goal is a personal agenda to do whatever I can to make India a developed country as soon as possible.
3) I take pride in having an Indian audience. I will strive for excellence to cater to them first. Though my books may be published abroad across various countries, if it came to a choice I’d rather be writing for Indians than anyone else.
4) Be simple yet articulate. The idea of writing is to express, not to impress.
5) Always try something new as that keeps me challenged. I will never arrive, and I don’t want to arrive. The game is to keep going.
6) Every reader is important. While the sheer number of readers may make it difficult to have a one-on-one interaction, reader feedback is to be taken very seriously.
7) The ‘celebrity’ factor is essential to promoting my work and fun to a certain extent. However, it is not an end-goal in itself or to be taken seriously. What matters is my work, not my face.
8 ) I am not working alone. While the books carry my name, there is a whole team behind that works relentlessly. The printers, salespeople, editors, promotion departments have all had a contribution in the book’s success. And of course, the biggest contribution is the readers who passionately recommend my books to others.
9) The connection my readers feel to me and my books is greater than one finds in most other books. I think this is an important part of my success.
10) I regularly receive mails from readers who open up about their lives. To breach their confidence and trust is unthinkable. Integrity and honesty is at the heart of my relationship with my readers
11) There is a lot of competition among books and authors.However, I must always be a fair competitor and must never criticize other books and authors. Similarly, all critical feedback is accepted and not to be argued with.
12) Irrespective of the above, never forget that the idea is for all connected to my books to have fun. Don’t be serious, be sincere. There is a difference.
That will be all for now.
Love,
Chetan
- Mumbai- 8th May - 7:00 PM
Courtyard, Near Big Bazaar,
Phoneix Mills Compound, Lower Parel, Mumbai
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- Delhi - 10th May - 6:30 PM
Ambience Mall, Big Bazaar,
Ambience Mall, Near Gurgaon Border, NH-8, Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Gurgaon
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- Kolkatta - 11th May - 4:30 PM
Kankurgachi Pantaloons
Pantaloon Kankurgachi, Orchid Point, 33/1A,
Upendra Chandra Banerjee Road, Kankurgachi
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- Kolkatta - 11th May - 7:00 PM
Hiland Park, Big Bazaar,
Big Bazaar Hiland Park, 6, Hiland Park 1925 Chakgaria,
Near Peerless Hospital, Em Bypass,
Kolkatta - 700094
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- Hyderabad - 17th May - 6:30 PM
Ameerpet, Big Bazaar,
Big Bazaar,-Hyderabad-Ameerpet, 8-3-949/1, Ameerpet,
Hyderabad - 5000016
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- Bangalore - 18th May - 6:30 PM
OMR, Big Bazaar,
Salapuria Nova, No.1 & 2, Varthur Road,Nagavarapalya, Old Madras Road
Bangalore - 560016
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- Ahmedabad - 24th May - 6:30 PM
Himalaya, Big Bazaar,
Big Bazaar, Himalaya Mall, Drive in Road
Near Drive in Open Theater, Gurukul,
Ahmedabad
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- Pune - 25th May - 4:00 PM
Kothrud, Big Bazaar,
Plot No. CC3 of S. No. 20/2, Adjoining City Pride Multiplex, Kothrud
Pune
P.S.: There are 2 events in kolkata on same day. Irrespective of the launch events, the book will be avaliable in bookstores across India from May 8. 2008.
All I would like to say is, if you can come, do come. It will make me very happy.
