Hello API Romance Authors!

This month, we have picked "Sikander, Don't Die" by Shivran86 for Book of the Month. If you'd like to read this story, we encourage you to check it out in our My Heart Beats For You reading list here.

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Logline: A princess marries a conqueror she doesn't love. A favourite breathes in forbidden love for the same man. 

Excerpt from the Book:

Initially, Hridayank was sceptical of the time the prince was giving him. He mistook it for some kind of fake humility or an extravagant show of benevolence. Hridayank didn't want pity, so he would try to run away from the prince. Soon, it was clear that the blond was not staying with him for petty political reasons, but out of some emotion Hridayank himself couldn't comprehend.

Sikander was a very lively boy. He mixed with Hridayank like there was no difference in their status and birth. The prince taught him many things, although Hridayank found himself staring at the prince most of the time. When he would be alone, he would daydream of the soft pink feet of the prince, the curve of his hipbone, the crook of his neck.

Things went out of hand when such thoughts caused a tingle between his thighs. Hridayank would allow his hand to wander down, and then return to class with a red face. If the prince asked him where he had been, he would lie. Sikander would narrow his eyes and try to have a peek of his best friend's feelings. Hridayank hoped he was hiding things well. Until the day, when they were thirteen, and the prince thought a kiss was the perfect gift for his companion. 

About the Author:

Born and raised in West Bengal, Srijita is a multi-genre author who started her writing on Wattpad in 2020. She likes to go by the pen name Maya and has been featured on ambassador profiles, Editor's Pick, Wattpad Community Happenings and has also won many awards, including Ambys. When not writing, she is daydreaming about her characters or her future, snacking on carbs or maybe just scrolling insta.

Interview:

1. What influenced your story? What inspired you to write it?

All my stories take inspiration from folklore, mythology and history. Sikander, Don't Die is no different and is a sort of retelling of the lives of the real life Sikander, that is, Alexander the Great, and his family. My focus is not on delivering absolute historical accuracy, but retell the story in a way that makes them alive for a second time. I had longed to write a book on Roshanak (or Roxanne). This ONC 2024 project fulfilled the dream.

2. What were some challenges you faced while writing your story?

Roshanak's character was the most challenging one to me. I knew I could ace Hridayank and Sikander, but Roshanak was different. She is supposed to be both delicate and daring. I couldn't afford to go wrong with her representation since many have already darkened her in history.

3. What message do you hope to convey with your story?

There are multiple messages, but if I have to choose one, I will say this: You can't have everything, but you can make everything with what you have. Roshanak lost so much but chose to not be a victim and instead see herself as a hero in a man's world. It's not always brutal strength; sometimes love and perseverance takes us where power cannot.

4. Do you have any advice for other authors who are interested in writing Asian and Pacific Islander Fiction?

Since it's API themes we are talking about, one must do heavy research on the culture they are writing on. Being an Indian, I see so much of flawed Indian representation, all influenced by a foreign mindset. Even while writing Roshanak and Persian culture I had to be careful because movies have already portrayed Persians in a very unnecessarily luxurious light, to the point of Persians being shown as people of materialistic obsession. A culture has its own good and bad, so we must tread carefully. What is normal to us may not be so to others. Talking about romance, many asian families have strict rules about it and traditions drive relationships. These are points one should think about while writing Asian romance.

5. If you could write another story to be featured on the profile, which of our reading lists would you write it for?

I wish I had a story for Hidden in the Stars reading list. First of all the name is so cool, and mystery romance is so exciting! Hopefully I will write something like that one day <3

6. If you are an author of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent, what's one cool fact about your culture you can share with us?

Hmm, one cool fact about Bengalis then, since I am a Bengali– we can't live without fish, rice and chai. Yes, and call it just chai or tea, never chai tea! It's like tea tea two times! Even if it's 47 degrees and everybody is melting, hot chai is a must. And yes, we have rice at least 2-3 times a day, fish is a staple too. You can't expect a Bengali to survive without fish and rice. We will die >.<

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Thank you Shivran86 for giving us the opportunity to interview you and chat more about your book!

We'll see you all in the next Book of the Month.