Shilpa Agarwal discusses her debut novel Haunting Bombay

Shilpa Agarwal's debut novel Haunting Bombay spans nearly two decades between the end of World War II and the 1960s, painting a dramatic mosaic of the Mittal family in India.  The death of Pinky's mother and the death of a young infant are just some of the secrets buried in the poetic prose of this novel.  Readers will embark upon a vivid journey through Bombay and its outlying slums as the Mittal family seeks to exorcise its ghosts.

Agarwal took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about the ghost story of Haunting Bombay and some of her favorite Halloween reads.

As a debut author, are there any tips you could provide to those still writing their first novel and hoping to get it published?

I would say to stay present in your writing and immerse yourself in the unfolding of your story in a way that brings you happiness.  You will have a much better idea of which agent is best for you once you have a completed manuscript in hand. 

I would also recommend that you find one or two other writers that you trust, and get together each week as a writing group.  It is fantastic to get continuous feedback and also have a weekly deadline that pushes you to write something . . . anything.  Even if you write one page, it is one more page than you had last week!

Could you describe your experience with critics and reviews?  Have they mostly been favorable? If there have been unfavorable ones, how have you handled it?

In general, Haunting Bombay has been very well-received in the presses, bookstores, and magazines, and it recently hit the San Francisco Bestseller List. 

Haunting Bombay is a book that doesn't neatly fit into one genre -- it is a blend of literary, historical, supernatural, and mystery.  If you are open to something new and unique, an ensemble piece that is both dark and humorous, then I think you will enjoy my book. 

Every week I receive emails from readers and it is always wonderful to hear their thoughts and enthusiasm about my story.  Connecting with readers as I've been traveling around the United States has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a published author.

With Halloween coming up quickly, what boks would you recommend for young readers or adults this holiday season and why?

As a child I used to enjoy Lois Duncan's supernatural/paranormal books, including Down a Dark Hall and Stranger With My Face.  As an adult, I am very interested in the metaphorical use of the supernatural within literature such as Toni Morrison's Beloved, or moments of connection between the earthlyand spirit realms such as in Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits.

What's your favorite Halloween book and candy?

The only Halloween books I know are the ones I read to my children!  The Berenstein Bears Trick or Treat and The Berenstein Bears and the Prize Pumpkin are favorites in my household. 

I am also a fan of Ed Emberley's drawing books and he has one called Drawing Book of Halloween that looks like fun.  I try to stay away from candy these days but I might sneak a bag of those mini-M&Ms if I get a chance.

For some reviews of Haunting Bombay, check out Savvy Verse & Wit, Peeking Between the Pages, A Striped Armchair, and Ramya's Bookshelf.  Don't forget to check out Shilpa Agarwal's Web site.