‘I want my books to reach the masses, not just elite readers’

The latest addition to the English author community in the city is corporation commissioner K Vijayakarthikeyan. While he has written motivational books in Tamil earlier, his book, 'Once Upon an IAS Exam' which came out in October, has made his presence as an author more visible. He was also awarded the ‘most inspiring author of 2018’ at the Gurgaon Literature Festival. He talks to TOI about his writing, how he manages to find time to write and his future books.
How did you start writing?

I have been writing since school. When I was a sub-collector in Kovilpatti, I saw kids wanted to become civil servants, but they did not know how to clear the exam. So, we started ‘Kovilpatti Study League’ and conducted weekly classes. I thought more people would need such information. So, in 2014, I wrote ‘Ettum Dhoorathil IAS’ for civil service aspirants. Later, Vijaya Pathippagam asked me to write a motivational book and I wrote ‘Adhuvum Idhuvum’ about human emotions. I kept it simple and appealing, so it sold well. Then I wrote ‘Orey Kallil 13 Maangaai’, another motivational book. After three non-fiction books, I wanted a change. So, I looked into my own civil service preparations and wrote a novel. As the characters were based on people I saw, readers related to it. It was published in October and has been doing well.

How do you manage work and writing?

My first preference is work, it gets over around 7pm. My second circle is family, I spend time from 7pm to 10pm with my family. From 10,00pm to midnight I write. Writing helps me reinvent myself. I have started enjoying writing.

Your book titles are catchy. How do you choose them?

I think a book’s title and cover weigh in about 40% to 50%. If the cover is not attractive, no one would pick up. I want my books to be simple yet motivational. That’s what I want to tell through the titles. I want my books to reach the masses not just elite readers.

Is it easy for debut authors to publish today?

It was easy for me, as I think my book’s content was new. There is no fiction around an IAS exam. People should choose their content cleverly. Today there are also a lot of avenues such as self-publishing. If the content is good, it will sell, and bigger firms would approach authors.

What are your working on now?

I have two fiction books lined. One involves cricket, crime and romance which would be out in June and the other is a medical thriller. In January, a motivational book ‘Oru Cup Coffee Saapidalaama’ would be released, the same year another book for competitive exam aspirants, Jeyyippadhu Eppadi’ is due.