We are thrilled to introduce you to our newest published author, Aditi Dinesh! Aditi recently published her book, The Intelligence, through our Fresh Ink publishing program. In Fresh Ink, youth authors with a completed draft of a novel are mentored through a chapter-by-chapter revision process. At the end of the program, the author is guided through the publication process resulting in an ink-and-paper book they can hold in their hands and share with other readers!
We interviewed Aditi about her experience in the program. Keep reading to learn more about Aditi’s book and Fresh Ink.
Interview with Aditi Dinesh
Tell us about your book.
The Intelligence is about Arone, an ordinary eighth-grader, who is just coming to terms with her parents’ death, and popular, handsome Josh who is battling his own insecurities. There’s a strange explosion at the school, a mysterious stranger, and a shadowy organization… and before they know it, nothing is as it seems. Arone and Josh must use their new-found powers against forces that are determined to annihilate everything and everybody they hold dear.
Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
My favorite character is Arone because I modeled her a little after myself, but she is a hundred times braver than I am! I also have a soft spot for Luis, because I had a lot of fun writing him.
Did you enjoy revising your story in layers? What did you learn about revision by working on it stage by stage?
At first it was a little boring to go back again and again to the story, but as I worked on each layer, every aspect of the story came into sharper focus. I enjoyed the final outcome.
What is something that surprised you about revising?
I was a little surprised by the way others perceived my characters. For the most part, they matched my ideas, but sometimes other readers picked up on something that I hadn’t thought of, but they loved.
What do you hope your readers will take away from your book?
I hope that other aspiring youth writers will be encouraged to write. I had this story in my head, it took a while to get it out, it took some effort to get it ready, but it was all worth it.
What would you tell someone who wrote a novel and is not sure they want to do revisions?
You can grab your copy of The Intelligence at Amazon, Bookshop.org, IndieBound, or request it at your favorite indie book store!
Are you ready to publish your novel?
It’s time to take your novel, and your writerly skillset, to the next level! In the Fresh Ink Program, professional writers mentor youth through a chapter-by-chapter revision process which results in a printed or published book available through independent bookstores and other retailers.
Through Fresh Ink, you will: complete a full novel revision, take your writing skills to the next level, and learn what it takes to publish a book
