With Indian writers dodging the pure science fiction genre, software engineer-turned-writer Anil Menon may be treading on tricky terrain with his new book, the beast with nine billion feet
With Indian writers dodging the pure science fiction genre, software engineer-turned-writer Anil Menon may be treading on tricky terrain with his new book, the beast with nine billion feet
What does it take to be a science fiction writer in India? A riotous imagination, of course. But a background in software engineering and the iconic crash of the dotcom wave, help too, Anil Menon will tell you. The guy who worked for nine years at Whiz Bang Labs in Pittsburgh, USA, gave up a career inu00a0 technology and the land of opportunity to tell a story about a beast with multiple feet. 
Menon, who is out with his first science fiction novel, The Beast withu00a0 Nine Billion Feet, says writing full-time came easily after years of spending time penning short stories, and blogging. "I didn't think of myself as a writer, though. But when the dotcom bubble burst, I knew I had to move on," he says.
Ironically, he admits that it was a lot easier than he had expected. Signing up for a workshop in Seattle turned out to be his big break. It's here that he had the chance to interact with writers and editors over a six-week period. Soon, he found himself cutting down on work, working flexi hours and getting serious about writing. A workshop organised by IIT Kanpur on science fiction, sealed the professional transformation.
"The genre is unique. All speculative fiction is based in the West. You don't find aliens landing in Mumbai!" he laughs. "If you look at pure science fiction in India, there's Manish Jha'su00a0 Mathrubhumi (2006) set in Bihar, and the Malayalam book, Vichitra Deepam," he says.
The novel is set in 2040 AD, against the backdrop of Pune. The fact that Pune lives in the shadow of a megalopolis like Mumbai, lends it character, Anil shares. The story traces the journey of the young protagonist Tara who lives with her brother Aditya. The author promises that their's is an unusually fascinating journey.
u00a0
The Beast with Nine Billion Feet was picked up by Young Zubaan Publishers, a company that up until now has focussed on promoting women writers.
The first-time writer has spent the past three months in India promoting his novel,u00a0 especially among school and college kids.
The writer in brief
>Brought up in Mumbai
>Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
>Married to Saraswati
>Future plans include launching an online magazine
The Beast With Nine Billion Feet by Anil Menon, published by Young Zubaan is available at leading bookstores.
Log on tou00a0www.zubaan-books.com
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
