In the first part of a travelogue on her anecdote-studded book tour, first-time author Jennifer Nandi brings alive the excitement of writing, self-publishing, and evangelising No Half Measures, which has become a runaway success.
“How’s the book journey going, Jennifer?”
“It feels like I’ve taken on a whole new job,” I’d say with a smile. The learning curve has been steep, from navigating the intricacies of working with a self-publishing platform, to managing a flood of congratulatory messages and taking charge of every detail that will move the book forward.
These are exciting challenges, but they’re also a test of everything I’ve built over the years—my ability to make quick decisions, trust my instincts, and act decisively. Responding to readers’ feedback on delivery issues or paper quality, for example, became an unexpected part of the process.
How fast can I respond, and how effective is my solution?
Who would have thought that with No Half Measures reaching the No. 1 spot on Amazon, it would come with its fair share of challenges? It reminds me of when my son was about to open his first restaurant in Mayfair. Everyone was amazed by his strategy—he got himself a job in one of the Michelin-starred kitchens. On his first day, he was assigned to clean pods of garlic, and in his inexperience, he threw away most of the pods and kept the skins! But he learned quickly, working his way through every role, from serving tables to manning the reception. So, when he finally opened his own restaurant, he knew exactly what went on behind the scenes. It’s that kind of hands-on experience that makes all the difference.
My fingers are in every pie—satisfying readers, managing social media, organizing book events and signings, ensuring enough copies are available, keeping an eye out for international readers struggling to get their hands on the book, and not least of all – designing my wardrobe! The challenges are endless. All new. All exciting.
With absolutely no prior experience in the publishing world or the marketing space, I’ve had to dive in headfirst and make it my business. It’s a whirlwind, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to learn and adapt on the fly, embracing every twist and turn along the way. It matters to me that my readers receive a book that I am proud of.
Jaypee – the odyssey begins at home
It was at Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida, where my book, No Half Measures, was first launched – a sophisticated and elegant event organised by my magnanimous friends from the community. I am truly fortunate to have them in my life.
The evening reached new heights of significance with the attendance of the multifaceted actor Gul Panag and her husband. Gul, with her unique charm, captivated the audience with an impromptu speech about me. Her diverse accomplishments as an aviatrix, actor, producer, automobile enthusiast, and fitness advocate added immense value to the occasion. I was truly thrilled and honoured by her presence. After a triumphant launch, the charm of an after-party beckoned us. Little did I know, this was just the beginning.
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No Half Measures had been on Amazon for barely three days when it shot to No. 1 in the Wildlife and Travel category. I could hardly believe it because I had spent two years struggling to carve a place in this world for the book. Now, it was finally out there, and it was already making an impression.
Hopping on the school bus
Even before my book launch at Jaypee, several schools reached out, inviting me to speak to their students. These events held a special place in my heart, taking me back to my roots as a volunteer consultant for nature workshops and especially teaching Natural History subjects. This was how I had promoted myself as a teacher.
Over 50 years ago I had begun my journey both in the classroom and on the mountainside, igniting young minds with the wonders of the natural world. Now, standing before those eager faces in the different schools I visited, I felt a profound sense of nostalgia and purpose. It was as if I had come full circle – starting out with just a passion for the wild and a desire to share it, and now, decades later, having the opportunity to inspire yet another new generation. The energy and curiosity of the students were infectious. It wasn’t just about imparting knowledge; it was about kindling a spark. And at my event at Ladakh, I understood just what a spark could do. But before making that trans-Himalayan journey, I had been invited to a function just down the road from where I live.
Book Foraging at Farage
Ashish Verma of Nandastone, a vacation home rental deep in the forest at Jilling, Uttarakhand, and currently a consultant with Radisson Blu, Greater Noida, provided me with a platform to present my book and share my insights at their curated ‘Farage’ dinner event by Chef Anuj Kapoor.
‘Farage’ is a portmanteau coined to represent ingredients sourced from afar – the Kumaon Himalaya – and ‘to forage’. Needless to say the curated cuisine was a hit! But I wasn’t just charmed by the delectable morsels on the eclectic menu, I also deeply appreciated the hotel’s commitment to promoting heterogeneous perspectives and to fostering intellectual discourse within our community, and by their dedication to supporting local authors. This and the incredible culinary experience, went down very well!
Jennifer Nandi’s book tour is a story in itself! Read the second episode in which she travels to the Himalayan village of Munsiyari
