Interview of Author KRISHNAKUMAR , BOOK - THE FERRYMAN

 Q1. Who inspired you to write this book , is it any event and why you have choose to write ? 

During the lockdown in 2020 I was exploring different ideas for a book. The idea for ‘The Ferryman’ came to me as a nightmare. I woke up in the middle of the night from the nightmare. I calmed down myself, drank some water and went back to bed. The nightmare was fresh in my mind. I remembered what it was about. Then I saw how this could be a good idea for a supernatural plot. By the time I fell asleep I had pretty much the first chapter of the book formed in my mind. The next morning I began to write.

Q2. How has writing this book impacted your own self development and personal journey ? 

I wrote this book after many unsuccessful attempts at writing fiction and a decade long wait for wanting to write one. With this book I found that with the right idea, you will have the right motivation and what it takes to be consistent at writing.

Q3. How has your or experiences influenced the stories in this book?

The whole first chapter was something that happened to me partially in my own life. When I had the idea I thought of something that could serve as a right start to go into the story and this experience of mine was quite apt.

Q4. Are there any particular themes or messages that you hope readers will take away from your book?

Well, not particularly. I wanted to do something different in horror, in a localized setting, that doesn’t borrow from mythology or folklore – which I think are the content mostly available out there. 

I just want the readers to recognize that.

Q5. How do you think these stories can impact readers and their perspectives on life?

At this point, I just want them to have some fun, sleepless nights with a good piece of horror fiction. 

Q6. What challenges did you face while writing and publishing your book ,  and how did you overcome them ? 

Writing was a challenging process in itself. To be consistent, to come back to writing again and again, is not that easy. You can face a lot of blocking points. But then, I think the idea that you have – if it is good enough to keep you excited – will make you go through the process.

On the publishing part – Whatever it is that we find in the internet about the publishing industry is true. Not many of them respond to you – even to deny your submission. And yet, you find in their submission guidelines to wait for months and even drop reminder emails. But none of it is taken seriously. After one year of submissions and ping-pongs with some publishers, I ended up self publishing the work. There are many companies that allows you very smooth publishing services.

Q7. What does the title tell us about the book ? 

The title describes the changes the main character undergoes in an other-worldly dream setting. He wields the power to ferry people across a lake and kill them. Hence the title, ‘The Ferryman’

Q8. Are there any particular themes or messages that you hope readers will take away from your book and that prospective make this book different from others in this genre? 

The answer to this is same as my answer for question number four. The book is different from the competition in the way that it doesn’t rely on any mythology or folklore, yet takes place in a limited Indian setting with just a handful of characters.

Q9. Now , I would like to ask what are your plans for future writing projects and can read outside with more books from you in the near future ?

I do not have much plans now. I’m working on a short novel. It’s fantasy with some realism. I have made some progress into it. I do have a good view of where I will go with it. 

And in parallel, I’m trying to plot a techno thriller.