Dubai writer unveils her dream at Sharjah book fair

“It was always my dream to write a book, but ‘Anamica’ happened by chance,” reveals Dubai writer Nisha Sanjeev, who is all set to showcase her first book at the Sharjah International Book Fair.

This book about self-discovery and purpose is a strange reflection of the writer’s own journey. “I would call it an exaggerated autobiography. You could say it’s 80 per cent my life, and 20 per cent fiction.”

Just like most writers, Nisha too was apprehensive about revealing her story, but after writing ‘Anamica’ she claims the exercise is very liberating, and has even motivated her to blog and write about her personal journey. “I feel that when I am true to myself, my writing is honest.”

Nisha had set out to compile her poems, never imagining it would turn into a book. She even sourced her first one, which she penned when she was 16 years old. It was while collecting and putting the poems together, she discovered a narrative, and decided to weave it into a story. “’Anamica’ is a novel with verse,” she explains.

It took her six months to create ‘Anamica’, but much longer to find a publishing house to back her up.

“I was rejected by a dozen publishing houses.”

That didn’t stop her, and she decided to publish it herself.

“I spent one month’s salary for the publishing in India, and had the books shipped here. I also started work on my second book, a romantic novel. But, the distribution didn’t take off like I had expected it to.”

It’s after more research and legwork that she finally finds a befitting opening at the 35th edition of the Sharjah book fair. The second book, has however, suffered, because Nisha was dejected after ‘Anamica’, but one that she hopes to correct soon.

In her own words, ‘Anamica’ is a book that attempts to find out what makes people happy.

It trails the journey of a woman, who is unable to find happiness in her marriage, motherhood or profession. “She starts talking to a voice, and discusses deeply about her unhappiness. And, discovers how happiness is strangely but surely linked to one’s purpose in life.”

‘Anamica’ priced at Dh30 will be at the 34th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) at the Expo Centre.