#zeecrustom

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW- Zeec Rustom

ABOUT ME:

I am first and foremost a voracious reader and dreamer, who loves & lives for stories. I spend my free time doing anything from sketching, painting, embroidery, and even singing off-key karaoke songs, when I am not reading. I am a debut author from India and have published my first Contemporary NA Romance book named A SENSE OF BETRAYAL. The book is having a good response in India, especially among the young readers.

I love reading and writing Romance primarily, but also a few other genres like fantasy, mythology, thriller etc. I am planning to try my hand at all or most of the sub-genres in Romance. I recently also wrote an Erotica on the online platform Inkitt and it is getting a good response.

Further, I am planning to try and promote the Indian myths & legends through fantasy books and also introduce the Indian supernatural elements to the world through Romantasy books. We are all familiar and fond of Romances with vampires, werewolves and witches, but India has a few of her own supernatural/paranormal and mythological elements for me to explore. I also plan to try my hand at some other genres as well in future.

Q & A

(Laura)

1-Is there a special reason behind the title of your book/series?

(Zeec)

My book's title is A SENSE OF BETRAYAL, and the word "sense" is the most important one to notice here, as this word makes it clear that the story is not about betrayal but about something which seems like or is misunderstood as betrayal. The FL of my story Pragati is sent away from home in disgrace as punishment for a prank gone wrong during her teen years. Her childhood sweetheart Vikram, the ML supports her rival during this incident. Pragati feels hurt by this betrayal, as he doesn't support her at her time of need. She is sent away after this and they are parted. Hence the Title name.

(Laura)

2-What was the inspiration behind your story/series?

(Zeec)

My book is equal parts about friendship as it is about love. So, the inspiration is my love for romances as a reader, and also the value I place over the strength of having good friends in life and true friendship.

(Laura)

3-Are there any more books in the series?

(Zeec)

There are going to be 2 more books to this series/world. Though they will be spin-offs telling the stories of some other characters from my debut book. Each will be a standalone but will have interlinked characters.

(Laura)

4-How many books have you written?

(Zeec)

I have published 2 books. But I have written 3 books and am working on a couple more right now.

(Laura)

5-What can your readers expect from your next book?

(Zeec)

My next book is a spin-off of my debut book, A SENSE OF BELONGING. It is also an Indian NA Contemporary Romance.

(Laura)

6-What made you want to write?

(Zeec)

My fascination towards stories. I started writing around the age of 8 with short stories, and have always wanted to get a whole novel published one day.

(Laura)

7- Can you explain your book or series for the people who haven't read them yet?

(Zeec)

My book is about a girl named Pragati, who used to be a tomboy during her childhood days. She was sent away from home after a teenage prank goes wrong. She is finally back home, after being sent away in disgrace for seven years. When she had needed him the most, her love Vikram had chosen to stand with her enemy. Only her best buddy Nik was with her throughout the ordeal. Now that she's back Vikram intently pursues her as if nothing's wrong between them. How can she avoid Vikram when being with Nik, makes it near impossible to avoid his elder brother. Can Pragati keep her heart in check? And where does Nik stand in all this?

(Laura)

8-What is your favorite part of your book or series?

(Zeec)

As this is my first book, the whole book is endearing to me. But, if asked to choose, I think my favorite will be the part where Pragati & Vikram get lost in the jungle and what ensues after that.

(Laura)

9-Do you prefer paperbacks or ebooks?

(Zeec)

I am a total book addict, so the format doesn’t matter much. I even listen to audiobooks. But, like any other booklover, the feel & smell of a physical book does appeal to me a lot.

(Laura)

10-Softcover or hardcover books?

(Zeec)

Hardcover definitely.

(Laura)

11-Do you have a favorite book or series from when you were a child?

(Zeec)

I was crazy about Enid Blyton’s books and her Famous Five series was my favorite.

(Laura)

12-What is one of the most important things your readers should take away from your books?

(Zeec)

The meaning of true friendship and how life-long friends can enrich your lives even during the darkest of times.

(Laura)

13-Why do you think more people should read books?

(Zeec)

Book addiction is the only ‘addiction’ which is encouraged by everyone and not frowned upon…LOL. Jokes apart, books are the best away to uplift your mood or relieve your stress in a positive manner. A good book can transport you to different magical/distant realms and take you on an adventure, whisking you away from your life. Also, reading books improves your vocabulary. It also widens your perspective, by improving your imagination, understanding and way of perceiving things.

(Laura)

14-Do you think beta readers should be compensated in some way? And are they necessary?

(Zeec)

To be very frank, being very new to the writing world I was not aware of the role a beta reader played in the journey of writing a book. I published my first book without any input from beta readers. But I am definitely looking into getting a few beta readers for my second book now. As, I very much feel that having someone look at your manuscript through the eyes of a true reader before you publish, is a good way for an author to further improve the work, based on the reader reaction.

Regarding compensating beta readers, it depends on a few things. I have seen some authors worry that paid beta readers might not be truthful in the reports, as they would not want to offend their clients. Also, sometimes paid beta readers do tend to pick up books, not of their genre and then end up giving a generic report, not of much help to the author. Whereas, there are others who feel that paid beta readers are professional and you can be sure to get your beta report in correct time and with quality work done.

Personally, I think it’s not wrong to compensate them as they are putting in some time and effort to work on a story. But the rates they charge should be reasonable, because most of the indie authors, especially the new ones like me are on a limited budget. And when it comes to cutting down our expenses, beta reading might be the only place we can do that.

(Laura)

15-Paper, computer or typewriter what do you write your story on?

(Zeec)

Plot on paper initially and then write the story on computer.

(Laura)

16-The last book you read was?

(Zeec)

Its an audiobook, ‘Vow of the Shadow King’ by Sylvia Mercedes.

(Laura)

17-Name one character you liked writing for/about in your book?

(Zeec)

Pragati my female lead.

(Laura)

18-What three adjectives would best describe your book/story?

(Zeec)

Heartwarming, fast-paced, fun.

(Laura)

19-How would you best describe your characters to someone who has not read your book yet?

(Zeec)

Pragati--- A mischievous tomboy during childhood. She is bold, loyal, steadfast, brave and honest. She has average height and slim figure. Thick black wavy hair, black eyes and an indomitable spirit. She would always stick up for her friends and go to any lengths to help them.

Vikram--- He is handsome, tall and masculine. He has an amazing chiseled body. He has thick jet-black wavy hair. Vikram has a clam, mature and understanding personality and has always adored Pragati since they were kids, indulging all her whims and supporting her in her mad capers.

Nik--- Pragati’s best friend and Vikram’s younger brother. Nik is as mad and riotous as Pragati and both together caused a lot of mischief and mayhem in their childhood days. Nik has a charming, fun loving and happy persona making it easy for everyone to like him. He is a total flirt and charmer, making hearts flutter anywhere he passes by. Nik is also steadfast, loving, loyal and inherently caring towards the people he is close to.

(Laura)

20-Current book you're reading?

(Zeec)

I am presently listening to the audiobook ‘Heart of the Shadow King’ by Sylvia Mercedes. It is the final instalment of the Romantasy series ‘Bride of the Shadow King’.

Any social media pages our very few readers can find you at and were they can buy your books

My reader friends can find me and catch up for a chat, on the following social media pages…..

My website…. www.zeecrustom.com

Instagram Handle…. @zeecrustom

Facebook…. @Zeec Rustom

Twitter…. @Zeec_Rustom

Email…. zeecrustom@gmail.com

[takeeachdayonebookatatime]

Zeec Rustom is a Contemporary NA Romance author her book is called A SENSE OF BETRAYAL. I am so happy she could participate in this author Q&A.