Srinagar
True Colours – the debut novel of budding novelist Sufi Auqib was released on Saturday at the Seminar Hall of JKAACL, Lal Mandi Srinagar. The novel has been published by FreshCode Books – a self-publishing platform started recently.
The novel is a poignant take on relationships in a besieged age, and conflict torn land. It seeks to provide answers to the questions of desire and longing while circumstances conspire against them.
The launch was attended by the author – Shafi Ather, author Half-Widow, cultural activist and author Taha Mughal, academic Nazrul Islam, Chairman Life School Chari Shareef and radio jockey RJ Rafia aka Rafia Mirchi of Radio Mirchi FM.
Among the speakers who lauded the author for his novel, Taha Mughal said “Writing is one of the best mediums to ensure that the true history of Kashmir is recorded, and our legacy preserved for future generations. Any step, no matter how small that ensures this must be encouraged.”
On the occasion, the author of the book said, “I started with the germ of an idea, and I kept turning it over in my mind. I wrote two three drafts and even then I feel my work is yet half done. It is a start, and I wish to produce better work in future.”
He also expressed his gratitude for his publishers, FreshCode Books for helping him realize his dream.
Ehsan Quddusi, one of the co-founders of the startup provided a brief introduction to their endeavour. He said “We realized that our authors are opting for presses outside the state which provide minimal services while charging a lot. We decided we must offer this facility in our own valley, and at a better price.”
He said, “Authors can see the difference on their own, by comparing our offer with other houses. We guarantee our offer will be more competitive than any other publishing house.”
