Towards the end of last year, the thought of making a book about various ancient temples I had been to in the past 3 years, began to root itself in my mind. The last two years I have devoted myself to search for and visit ancient temples. So covering the last three years I had enough of matter and photographs to bring it into book form.
In the beginning of this year, I had not completely decided about it, but thought that I could give it a go in May, when I have the summer vacation and my school work wont get affected.
Towards the end of February, things started changing worldwide. News about Covid was popping up regularly and by March, the seriousness of the infection started registering in all our minds. After the 22nd of March, Lock down was announced in India. A new kind of life started. By the end of March, I decided to start work on my book and go for the kindle version..
Giving myself a deadline, I decided that by April 20th, the book should be up on the Amazon website. So after my work each day, I sat with my book and keeping to my deadline, I made sure that it was up in Amazon by April 20th.
Seeing my travels as a book ‘ANCIENT TEMPLES My Travelogue’ was a wonderful feeling. With a sense of accomplishment, I spread the word among family and friends. Few relatives and friends bought the kindle book and were very happy reading it. Many people I know said that they are not comfortable reading a digital version of the book.
I was a little daunted about going for print. So I had not planned to go for paperback immediately. I thought I would wait for few months and then think about it. One day while browsing the net, I came across the concept of self publishing and checked some sites. I felt comfortable with Notion Press and decided to go ahead with the paperback version. I reworked the entire file for the paperback version and submitted it by the first of June. Within a week it was approved, and I immediately ordered few copies. Due to the Lock down situations in various states, the shipment took time to reach me and finally by the end of June, I had the paperback in my hand.
When you hold your hard work in your hands, it is a great feeling. I sent the books to friends and relatives who wanted to read it and I got a lot of appreciation for my book.
What was a period of uncertainty got converted into a period of a doing something that gave me happiness.
“Ancient Temples My Travelogue” by Sudha Raju
Print version (Paperback) is available in India at www.notionpress.com
https://notionpress.com/read/ancient-temples-my-travelogue
Kindle version
India link – https://www.amazon.in/dp/B08799ZXJP/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_i_vzoNEb3314X0R
US link –