"Sometimes when you feel like you've reached a dead end, it's the Universe's way of showing you a new path," says Shubham Joshi, author of the bestselling novel "Strange 5 Hours 20 Minutes." In this feature, we delve into the journey that transformed a young observer with a passion for storytelling into a celebrated author.
The Early Years: A Spark of Creativity
Shubham Joshi's journey into the literary world began during his school years. He was a creative kid, always observing and finding stories in everyday moments. The emotional depth and vivid characterization of Hindi short stories fascinated him, planting the seeds of his own passion for writing.
He started collecting newspaper cuttings of short stories, poetry, and sayari that captured his imagination. By the age of twelve or thirteen, he was already writing stories—often centered around school romance and the first inklings of young love. However, as he grew older and read more widely, he realized that his initial ideas lacked the depth he craved. This realization led him to shift from novel-length projects to shorter stories.
Finding the Right Path: A Train Journey's Revelation
As he entered college, Joshi's creative freedom felt constrained by the reality of academic life. The uncertainty of his future weighed heavily on him. It was during a train journey in 2013 that a pivotal moment occurred. Gazing out of the window, he realized that he could reach his destination through a different route, even if it took longer. This moment of clarity inspired him to write "Strange 5 Hours 20 Minutes," his debut novel. Despite working part-time as a teacher and later joining various engineering and management companies, he remained steadfast in his commitment to becoming a writer.
Joshi's journey into banking followed a similar pattern. He joined with the mindset of only staying for three years, using the time to instill discipline and complete his book. However, the reality of the corporate world left little room for creativity, and writing once again took a back seat. But his passion never waned.
The Turning Point: Embracing Writing and Yoga
By 2019, Joshi had decided to leave his well-paid job in banking and pursue his passion for writing and yoga. After eight years of hard work, "Strange 5 Hours 20 Minutes" was finally complete. Yet the journey to publication was challenging. His manuscript faced rejection or silence from several major publishers. It was only through a serendipitous meeting with his literary agent, Suhail Mathur of "The Book Bakers," that his dream of publication became a reality.
The Success of "Strange 5 Hours 20 Minutes"
After a decade of perseverance, "Strange 5 Hours 20 Minutes" was published. The novel quickly rose to the top rankings on Amazon, alongside international bestsellers like Agatha Christie, Richard Osman, and Chetan Bhagat. The book's unique story and relatable characters resonated with readers, earning it a place among the bestsellers.
Joshi's journey from a young creative to a bestselling author is a testament to the power of persistence and following one's passion. As he continues to work on three new books, he reflects on the gratitude he feels for those who supported him along the way—the Bookoholics book club, his literary agent, and all those who believed in him. Most of all, he's grateful to the Universe for guiding him through the ups and downs.
The Road Ahead
Shubham Joshi's journey is far from over. With three new books in the works and a passion for yoga and storytelling, he's eager to continue exploring new narratives and connecting with readers. His story is a reminder that even when the road seems uncertain, staying true to your calling can lead to remarkable places.
This Article is exclusively brought to you by Team Bookoholics Book Club and Jigna from Bookoholics is grateful to Nilshree Damani Yelulkar from Authoropod for assisting us with amazing author connects.