Dan Antion

Fresh Off the Press – #SoCS

The perfect lime wedge.
You Beneath Your Skin
Damyanti Biswas

It’s a special Saturday at the bar, so I’m going to dive right in and try to wrap our conversation around Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt, which is:

“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is ‘ground.’ Use it as a noun or a verb in any tense (i.e. grind). Have fun!”

If we were having a beer, you would be in for a big surprise.

“Ah, my young friend, you’re here early today.”

“Well, David, it’s a special day.”

“Aw, I’m honored. Cheryl, get this man a beer.”

“I’ll get him that beer, but I don’t think you’re what’s making the day special, David.”

“Oh? Oh well, it doesn’t matter. Set me up with some John Howell’s Bourbon, ice and a snifter of seltzer, anyway.”

“Coming right up.”

“So, Dan, if it isn’t me, what is making this day special?”

“A friend is visiting. Her virtual plane in on the ground; she’ll be here in a few minutes.”

“Have I met this friend?”

“No, I don’t believe you know her.”

“But I do. Here’s your bourbon ensemble, David. I added some cherries to make you feel special. I’ll be back with your beer, Dan.”

“Thanks Cheryl, but I’m confused. Both of you know this person, but I don’t?”

“Correct, but that will change, I think I see her coming.”

“Hmmm, that face looks familiar. Is that…no, it couldn’t be…Is that Damyanti Biswas?”

“Yes it is. Damyanti, how are you?”

“I’m fine Dan. Delighted to be here. Cheryl, it’s great to see you.”

“Hi Damyanti. It’s so good to see you. Dan, here’s your Corona, Damyanti, is it trite to assume you want a Singapore Sling?”

“Ha ha – it goes with the territory, but it is bright and colorful, and I like that.”

“Hel-lo…”

“Oh, David. Forgive me. Damyanti, this is David.”

“Hi David. It’s nice to meet you. Dan has told me a lot about you.”

“I didn’t even know he knew you. Dan…?”

“I’m sorry, David. I ‘met’ Damyanti years ago when she was writing in the April A-to-Z challenge. I’ve followed her ever since. I previewed her book and when available, I bought – You Beneath Your Skin.”

“I think I need to get a copy of that, Dan.”

“Here’s your Singapore Sling, Damyanti. This is on the house, in honor of your book and the great cause you’re supporting.”

“Supporting a cause? I’m not sure I understand.”

“Thanks Cheryl. David, I work with Project Why, a charity helping Delhi’s underprivileged children. All the proceeds from this book are going to that charity.”

“That’s fantastic. Good for you! Would you mind if I ask you a couple of questions about the book?”

“Hmmm, ask an author to talk about her book…yes, I think that’s OK.”

“I’ve only read some reviews, but I like to know why authors make certain choices. For example, your main character is Indian American.”

“Yes, Anjali is Indian American. She has the perspective of both an insider and outsider, having lived all her life in the States, and only the last twelve years in New Delhi.”

“In the blurb, you make New Delhi sound rather similar to Dan’s childhood home in Pittsburgh in the 50s.”

“If that equates to a menacing smoggy, cold place, then I think it’s the right comparison.”

“Well, I wouldn’t have called Pittsburgh menacing, but…”

“If I can chime in, I like the fact that you didn’t sensationalize the violence.”

“Thanks Cheryl. I tried not to, even though there was no way to avoid it. Like the poverty and rage, the violence is all too real.”

“I liked the fact that, it wasn’t the typical crime novel, you know, it’s not just a whodunit.”

“I tried to make it more of a ‘whydunit’ Dan, you know, examining how family can lead to crime, and how crime affects families.”

“It would seem it would be hard to work acid attacks into that.”

“Acid attacks didn’t become a part of the plot until the second draft, but once I met Acid Attack survivors, I knew there was no looking back—the experience was overwhelming and moving.”

“I can only imagine.”

“You guys doing OK over here?”

“I could use another beer, Cheryl.”

“I’ll have another splash of bourbon.”

“Damyanti?”

“Oh, I’m good. One of these is quite enough.”

“OK, before I load these two up again, I need to know something.”

“What’s that Cheryl.”

“Anjali is a perfectionist. Is she modeled after anyone we know?”

“Ha ha – I am a bit of a perfectionist. I’m trying to get over that, but I always do more than required, and am baldly honest about everything.”

“Clearly, but you care about people.”

“I also care about my causes: Project WHY and Stop Acid Attacks—and I work for education and women’s empowerment, which are the long-term solutions for violence against women.”

“Let me get those drinks. Dan, why don’t you tell David how he can buy the book.”

“Good idea, Cheryl.”

David, and anyone else who’s interested, you can follow these links to purchase You Beneath Your Skin:

Outside of India

In India

Via Net Galley

Read about it on Goodreads

Hashtag for all social media: #YouBeneathYourSkin

You Beneath Your Skin
Back Cover
Damyanti Biswas
It’s starting to look like Autumn in New England.
Parting sunset from Boston.
C-5 coming for a landing over Springfield, MA.
Maddie’s new wardrobe has arrived.
That’s her usual table.
“Thanks!”
“Can I have a peanut?”
It rained this day.
“I thought you were going to Boston.”
Maddie is liking her new coat. It’s the right size and it’s nice and warm.
“Are you following me?”

80 comments

  1. Hi Dan – it’s excellent and I’m so pleased Damyanti is getting such great encouragement … as well as being able to spread the support the two charities the book’s publication will donate to.

    Wonderful Stream of Consciousness – and as I can see from the photos obviously fresh off the press – the beautiful critters are listening intently as we all will when we read the book …

    So pleased for Damyanti – the book is so well written – while knowing the book will be supporting both charities just adds that essential extra to its purchase … congratulations to Damyanti and thanks to you, David and Cheryl for sharing your take on the book … cheers Hilary

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    • That she is, Judy. She likes this much better than the vest. It fits her and it covers her belly. I think it might giver her a little of the ThunderShirt effect. The first evening she was out there in it, she laid down and nodded off.

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  4. Aw, that’s so kind of you to share Damyanti’s story – I added her book to my Goodreads want to read list! Maddie’s new coat is adorable – she looks much happier in that than the previous one. Happy Saturday to you!

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  5. Nicely done, Dan! I’ve been keeping up with Damyanti’s book promotions onIG. I know…not your kind of place but I can see a lot of things in a short span of time. Such is the necessity of my life. Congrats to you, Damyanti, for bringing into the light what is one of the great shames of Asia in its treatment of women. All the best with the success of your message for change b

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  6. That was fun and interesting, Dan. I admit to a little chuckle at the Pittsburgh comparison, but in a nice not nasty way. :-) It’s also interesting to see what bloggers other bloggers follow/know. I’d like to follow more, but I don’t feel I have the time to put into really following/commenting/interacting.

    Maddie’s coat looks great and very fall-like. This morning was cold, not chilly, 35 and felt like 28 according to my weather app. With the wind blowing, my trip to the market was frigid and a real reminder that it’s almost mid-October!!

    Enjoy your weekend.

    janet

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    • Thanks Janet. This was fun and I hope it helps spread the word about Damyanti’s book. It is excellent. I read an ARC early in the summer, but I read it again once I got my copy.

      It’s cooling off here. Not cold yet, but a good incentive to finish these projects and get the garage clear for cars. Maddie is paying close attention to her end of this project. She’s ready to sit through the fall but wants her deck finished.

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  9. Love this one! Thanks for sharing the news about this You Beneath Your Skin — I hope it’s a successful launch. I also like Maddie’s new coat. I might look into trying one like that for Phoebe once the weather here finally turns a bit.

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  12. Dan, your friend Damyanti sounds like an incredibly special person. When it comes to doing good for others, it sounds like she’s a force to be reckoned with. Hope her book rockets off the shelves!!

    Maddie’s plaid coat is really attractive and fits her nicely, and looks toasty warm. The squirrel eating on her table is a hoot!

    You know Dan, if you keep bringing these famous and soon-to-be famous friends to the bar they’re gonna raise the prices on everything!! Lol.
    🐾Ginger 🐾

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    • Thanks Ginger. Damyanti is a special person and a special friend. I think the book is doing well, but I share your good wishes for its success. It is an excellent book.

      Maddie likes her new coat, and has enjoyed staying outside a little longer on these cool afternoons.

      I like having guests at the bar. They might be tempted to raise the prices, but since Damyanti introduced me to Cheryl, I think we’ll be OK.

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    • Thanks so much, Ginger. I’m not special in any way—just someone trying to do her bit to bring a little bit of light in a world that is increasingly filled with dark.

      I’m hoping You beneath Your Skin resonates with many–it covers issues that plague society all over the world, to varying extents.

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  18. What a friend you are, Dan, in helping to get this book off the ground. Big applause! Love Maddie’s new wardrobe …. she looks so happy in it! Last picture in the gallery is of one of your cats not sure who. She looks so thin to me. Is she OK? Or is it just the angle you took the picture?

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  21. I’m so excited to “see” Damyanti at the bar! Too bad Skippy wasn’t there. I can imagine she would charm him into good behavior. He might even stop saying, “No problem” for her. ~grin~ If anybody reading this comment has NOT read YOU BENEATH YOUR SKIN — get it and read it! You can thank me later.

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