In a candid interview, KEEKLI explores the dimensions and vision that inspired Samhitha Reddy to venture on this creative journey, along with an introspective line of questions to understand what sets her apart from the rest.
A lawyer by profession and pursuing MSc in Human Rights, Samhitha Reddy is a young, passionate, budding writer as well as a voracious reader whose first published work is a two-part anthology titled, Shades of a Woman: Navigating Society as a Woman and Liberation: Breaking the Glass Ceiling of Society. The series showcases heartening and awe-inspiring stories of women and how they have always strived to be better, not only for themselves but also for their families. Be it a real story or fictional, this collection of heartfelt prose and poetry will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions of anger, joy, sadness, love, perseverance and determination!
KEEKLI: How was this project conceived and what was the basic framework to prepare these anthologies? What drew you to this project?
REDDY: When I came across this opportunity, I just knew that I was going to work on a women-themed anthology. I was free to decide what kind of work to include and what kind of pieces I wanted. I decided to go with both poetry and prose in order to receive the most diverse entries. Poetry is a beautiful form of expression and I have always been fascinated with it, so I wanted to include those as well! I drew up an initial write-up to share with potential authors and subsequently told them to write whatever they wished in any format they felt comfortable. This led to me receiving stories, essays and poems!
This project was a result of wanting to do something productive during the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. It has always been my dream to get into the literary world. So, when I came across this opportunity to be able to compile my own anthology, I just had to take it up. There was never any confusion about the theme. I knew instinctively that it would be about women! I suppose it is because I am a woman myself and having spent so much time with the women in my family, I began to see that they had so many stories to tell. I felt that this theme and this project was the best way to provide a platform for all those who wanted to express themselves. And that’s how, Shades of a Woman: Navigating Society as a Woman and Liberation: Breaking the Glass Ceiling of Society, came to be!
KEEKLI: What motivated you to start this project?
REDDY: The women in my life motivated me to take up this theme. I felt that they had so many stories to tell and not a single platform to share or people to listen. That got me thinking about how that is true for so many of us out there, especially women. That is why I wanted to pursue this project. I wanted to provide a platform for people to share their thoughts and experiences, especially those people who had written in a public forum before! I find that writing can be freeing and a strong tool to spread awareness about less-talked about topics and that is exactly what I aimed to do through these books.
KEEKLI: What kind of editorial skills do you have, since you mostly talk about being a writer? What qualified you to be suitable for this project?
REDDY: I suppose I have always been into editing. I was the editor of my school magazine for 4-5 years. I am also currently the Editor-in-Chief of the LSE Human Rights Blog. Therefore, I felt I had the necessary skills and experience to take on this project.
It has been my dream for so long now, to become a writer. I hope to be published sometime in the near future! I happened to come across this editorial set-up with Inkfeathers Publishing and it was just something that I had to take up! I had the option to include my own work in these books but I decided against it. I wanted to concentrate on giving a platform to other people to share their stories as I wished to work purely in an editorial capacity. Now, I having entered the literary world, I have been learning how it works, what is expected of the authors, etc. I feel that I am now equipped with a better understanding and can set out on my solo adventure!
KEEKLI: Your two-part anthology has writers from varied fields, how did you get them on a single platform?
REDDY: This project actually started out as a one book project but it snowballed into a two-part anthology resulting from the high number of heartfelt and touching entries that I received. I not only reached out to people I already knew but I also messaged people on Instagram whose poetry / blogs I came across and resonated with. I told all those who showed some interest in my project about the theme. “The theme is broadly based on women,” I told them. I did not give them any directives or guidelines as to what to write and I think that that really worked. I received a myriad of entries about the varied aspects of a woman’s life, each based on the different interpretation of the theme by the authors! That is how I was able to collect and compile a diverse set of poetry and prose encompassing every aspect of a woman’s life from authors who themselves come from varied walks of life!
KEEKLI: Most of these poems and stories talk about women, they are either true events or inspired. What was the most touching or emotional poem/story that made you feel different or think differently.
REDDY: I do not think I can pick just one poem or story. This is because I can relate to almost all of them. As I read through the pieces I received, edited and compiled them, I found myself resonating with each one. It was like a whirlwind of emotions for me. I suppose it is because I am a woman myself, I was able to relate to experiences and incidents from my own life. This made me feel validated, inspired and even less lonely. Most of these are based on true events and I believe it takes a lot for the authors to come forward and share their experiences from a vulnerable space. I found myself feeling empowered, inspired, emotional and thankful all at once as I read through and compiled each addition. They all are unique and cover different aspect of a woman’s life. Picking just one piece would take away from the experience of the books as a whole.
KEEKLI: Based on true events or fiction stories related to women are mostly depressing as they always talk about the struggle and hardship conditions through which they undergo. What will inspire or encourage people to read them.
REDDY: Yes, a woman’s life is filled with hardships. There is no denying that. But there are also so many other aspects of a woman’s life, without downplaying the hardships of course. A woman is so much more than just one role or one emotion. She is multifaceted and that is what I wanted to showcase through the books. Dealing with hardships is challenging but it need not be depressing. There are pieces about mental health, harassment and inequality but there are also pieces about love, friendship, motherhood and sisterhood. Looking at women not just for their hardships but also for their love, consideration, care and companionship is imperative. A woman is so much more than just struggles and hardships. I believe it is time to infuse some positivity and inspiration into these narratives making them less ‘depressing’ and more ‘liberating’.
We spend so much of our time fixating on all that is bad about being a woman that we often overlook the joys of being one. I wanted to showcase this. Reading about the struggles and hardships need not be depressing. It can be empowering to read about other women dealing with things and working through situations that we are in now or have been previously. It can be a source of strength, positivity and solidarity. At least it was for me and some of the readers who reached out to me!
KEEKLI: There are already so many books out in the market on women struggles, challenges, overcoming depression and finally few achievers, what makes your anthologies different from the rest?
REDDY: My anthologies showcase people, men and women, from different walks of life sharing their experiences. What makes these anthologies so unique are the people who contributed to them. This carefully curated collection showcases people from all walks of life: entrepreneurs, Padma Shri awardees, students, activists, homemakers, authors, centennials, professionals sharing their thoughts, feelings and experiences with the world. The sheer diversity of the authors adds to the authenticity and experience of the book.
KEEKLI: What kind of challenges did you face while dealing with all the authors?
REDDY: I found many of the authors to be unsure of themselves, initially. I think it is pertinent to note that most of the authors are first-time writers. This made them nervous. But having spoken to them repeatedly and going through their work, I could see how talented each and every one of them is. I remember speaking with them about this repeatedly and I think I can now say that they are very confident and many of them want to continue writing!
Also, I was coordinating with almost 70 authors. Finding time to speak with each one of them about their pieces and to better understand what drove them to share their stories was quite challenging but I enjoyed every moment of the process and can even call many of them my friends today!
KEEKLI: Do you feel that under the present scenario when people are trying to survive the Covid pandemic, will they want to read these anthologies?
REDDY: Well, as the editor, I genuinely hope they do! I do understand that it is such a difficult time for all of us and it is just heart-breaking. But the people who have read told me many a times how they felt less lonely and more positive as they read through these books, men and women alike. So if people do pick up these books, I can assure them that it will fill them with positivity and inspiration.
KEEKLI: How long did it take you to complete this project?
REDDY: The whole project took about six months to come to fruition. I had to reach out to authors, follow up with them and get them to submit their work. I then had to edit and compile. While editing was something I had done previously, it took me a while to figure out how I wanted to categorize the fabulous pieces I had received. I finally categorized them on an emotional quotient. Following this, the manuscript had to go through multiple edits based on changes the authors wanted to make. I also had to collect the author bios and photographs for the books! After the formatting, we had to pick a cover and finally set a date for the worldwide release on Amazon and the Inkfeathers website!
KEEKLI: What kind of feedback did you receive from the reader’s community so far?
REDDY: I can honestly say I have received nothing but positive feedback from the readers! I have had people thank me for selecting their work for the books when times were difficult for them, when it should be me thanking them for believing in this project and me enough to bare their souls and share their work with me.
I have had readers reach out to me and discuss their favourite pieces and how they related to it! I have also had some people tell me that they were not aware of some of the aspects brought out in the books as well! Therefore, it is my understanding that these books are very relatable and the response I have received is really encouraging me to keep working on projects in the literary world.
KEEKLI: What was the most difficult moment during this project?
REDDY: The pandemic has really changed the world as we knew it and I suppose working with authors across various time zones, checking in with them, making sure they’re okay and are up to interviews, etc., has been quite challenging. No one is aware of what the other is going through and it was the same in my case as well. Balancing my academics while trying to be mindful of the authors and their space and simultaneously working on the book release, etc., has been demanding. I have been and am still trying to be understanding and respectful of what each author is going through and how they are coping. The pandemic has really affected us all.
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KEEKLI: Who is your inspiration?
REDDY: My mother, my grandmother and my aunt. Just watching them go through their lives and listening to their stories has made me a more aware and a considerate person. Especially living with them this past year, I was blessed with more time to spend with them. They’re each so different in their own ways and yet, they’re similar. They really are the strongest people I know!
KEEKLI: What is it that you love about writing?
REDDY: I suppose my love of writing stemmed from my love of reading. In school, there was never a time when I could be spotted without a book in my hand. As a voracious reader, I began to dream about writing myself, someday. I find writing to be an effective way to express my emotions. Many a times, when I reread what I’d previously written in a frenzy, I find myself being able to better understand my own emotions. I find it to be a method of self-discovery and introspection.
KEEKLI: What kind of articles and stories do you like to read?
REDDY: I am a huge fan of Indian mythological and historical fiction. These are my go-to genres! I especially love reading diverse retellings of the same tale from the points of view of the women characters or the antagonists as those are the narratives that are lost over time. Apart from this, I enjoy reading crime thrillers set in any time and age.
KEEKLI: What type of topics interest you when you think of writing?
REDDY: I am the kind of person who predominantly writes from experience, either my own or stories that I have heard. I feel that basing my poems or stories based on emotions or situations that I am familiar with helps me express myself better. I like to explore the sea of human emotions and inter-personal relationships!
KEEKLI: Is writing your passion or your profession?
REDDY: Writing is more of a passion to me. Until now, it has been more of a private exercise, a release for my emotions and to better understand myself and the situations I have been in. But now, I am working on sharing it in the public domain. Human rights research and advocacy is also my passion but that is my profession too!
KEEKLI: Empowerment of women and their liberation is the most talked about issue, also a hot topic of conversation at global forum. How much of an improvement do you see these discussions have in our male dominated society?
REDDY: I feel that we are making some progress slowly. Having these conversations, writing about them, getting people to read them is also a way to break taboos and garner acceptance. I can defer to my own experience with my books. When I was reaching out to people to contribute, I was also looking for men to share their stories as well, about the women in their lives. But the first reaction I always received was, “Oh but the theme is women, so I do not think we are eligible to contribute.” I was taken aback initially and found that quite shocking. But eventually, I did receive contributions from men, and those are some of the most heartfelt homages to the women in their lives. So, it is a start! But we do have a long way to go.
KEEKLI: Human Rights is a highly debatable topic, despite being implemented as actual Rights, enforcement is far from seen. Why is it so, and what would you do to change that?
REDDY: Almost every right can be viewed as a human right. But due to a lack of resources, structure, governance and a growing population, not everyone seems to be aware of their rights or mechanisms to avail them. I know of the debates surrounding this but I would rather focus on implementation. Human rights, as they are called, have been envisioned to make the world a better place, to ensure that each of us get what we deserve from society. As a lawyer currently pursuing my MSc. Human Rights from the London School of Economics and Political Science, I want to work with grassroots organizations after graduating. I believe that that is where the most change can be affected and that is where the awareness needs to be spread.
KEEKLI: What are your future plans? Any new project you are working on?
REDDY: Professionally, I wish to pursue a career in international human rights law, eventually working with an international organization. Literarily, I am currently editing and compiling another anthology with a similar set-up based on the LGBTQ community. I have already reached out to and received a diverse set of poetry and prose from people of the community from all over the globe! This should be released in the next 2-3 months.
Apart from this, I am also finally working on a little something of my own! It is a little too early to speak about it because I am not sure what it will shape up to be but I hope I will be able to realise my dream of becoming a published author soon!
KEEKLI: Anything else you wish to share with the readers?
REDDY: I’d just like to ask the readers to take a chance on these books. Not just because this is a project that is close to my heart but because the contributors to these anthologies are amazing people and deserve to be widely read. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed!
