The Buddhists say you are exactly where you’re supposed to be at any given moment. That mantra was exactly what I needed when Mira Books released my debut novel, , on March 10, 2020. On March 11, the World Health Organization declared that COVID-19 was now a global pandemic.
I watched as every scheduled event on my long-anticipated book tour disappeared. Book signings, conferences, panel discussions were canceled. Bookstores closed. Libraries closed. Stores stopped shipping books.
I was 62 years old. I’d worked on the novel for 10 years. Were the Buddhists serious? Was this really where I was supposed to be?
And then: Reese happened.
In May 2020, Reese Witherspoon chose as her book club pick. I was stunned, ecstatic, hopeful, grateful. In the past year, I’d posted photos of my mother—my inspiration for the novel—as well as and images of Jaipur, where the novel is set. Because of Reese, I could share stories of my mother’s India—and mine—with her book club fans.
I made myself accessible. Told readers to contact me. 375 Bookclubs in 15 countries responded. To date, I’ve talked to 5000 readers virtually about my mother’s story, Lakshmi’s story and my story, and readers have shared remarkable insights of their own. They’ve also provided me a lot of comfort during this strange period of isolation. When I Zoom with book clubs, I’m learning about their families, their jobs, their pets. It feels, to me, as if I’m among friends, a cup of chai or a glass of wine to hand, chatting about anything and everything.
In June 2020, made the New York Times Bestseller list as well as that of the LA Times, the Toronto Star, USA Today, and the Globe & Mail. It was featured in major magazines like Ms, O Magazine, Vogue, and Harpers Bazaar. It was optioned for a TV series. I was asked to write stories and essays and teach workshops.
During the past year, I’ve continued adding to my social media content, interviewing Indian chefs, actresses, textile designers, herbal healers, perfumers, other authors—and meeting such amazing people! I’ve shared tips about writing, securing literary agents, and publishing on my YouTube channel.
Were it not for the pandemic, people wouldn’t have been so eager for creative escapes through books, especially ones that took them to a land so different than their own, scented with sandalwood, and spicy curries and coconut hair oil—a land where henna artists ply their craft.
On April 6th Mira Books released the paperback version of . On June 22, they will release the first sequel, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur. To celebrate, I’ll be in conversation on June 20th with actress Freida Pinto, who will play Lakshmi in The Henna Artist TV series. I hope you’ll join us by RSVP’g at Book Passage.
It seems the Buddhists had it right. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. And loving every minute of it!
