While surfing through Goodreads a month ago, I came across some positive reviews of Gnana Sujan’s works and immediately realized that he was a new talent to watch out for. I immediately downloaded his short story ‘The Boy, the Dog, and the Robot’ when it was going for free on Amazon. After reading it, I was blown away by the author’s uplifting style, which was totally in the feel-good category. I really enjoyed my warm cup of coffee that evening when I sat down on my recliner to read Gnana Sujan’s latest, and it was a pleasure to review and promote his work on my social media platforms. I then decided to interview him here on my blog, insaneowl.com, where we discuss all things bookish! Welcome to insaneowl.com, Gnana Sujan. It is such a pleasure to have you here.
Biography: Gnana is a versatile and creative content writer with 1+ years of experience and a passion for storytelling, who is curious to research and explore different forms of content. He has written content for blogs, articles, Instagram, LinkedIn, Email, SEO, Academic, Alt text, product description, and more diverse platforms. Additionally, he has content marketing and strategy skills and is equipped with editing, proofreading, reviewing, book cover designing, and content analysis skills. He is a self-published author as well. He has written and published four short stories. In short, he loves writing.
Fiza: First, thank you for accepting my friend request on Goodreads and promptly contacting me. Tell my readers here on Insaneowl.com more about yourself.
Gnana: I am from the beautiful town of Nagercoil, located at the southernmost tip of India. I majored in geology, and my love for literature and nature was equally balanced. However, I decided to build my career around writing, but I am still in touch with geology and connected with Mother Earth. I am an aspiring author. I am exploring a wide range of fiction genres to read right now. I am learning more from other authors and have begun experimenting with versatile genres of fiction in writing. I published three short stories of three different genres.
Fiza: What are your aspirations as an author, and which genres have you explored in your writings?
Gnana: I believe writing is a form of art that can contribute to the greater good. I was impressed by the fiction works of great authors, and I wanted to add some value to the fictional world. Also, I am passionate about writing; whenever I write, I feel like words get poured from my soul as my fingers press against the rhythmic beats of the keyboard. I love the process.
Until now, I have explored science fiction, philosophical fiction, and adventure fiction.
Fiza: I have always wanted to be a Catholic nun, but I’ve never thought of actually being a writer until my 6th grade English literature and language school teacher from Bombay Scottish School, Ms. Karkera, informed me that I was an amazing writer after reading a descriptive essay I had written back then on the sunset. Did you have a similar experience, or did something else prompt you to take up writing as a profession?
Gnana: I loved stories in English subject when I was studying in school, but I had no idea that one day I would become one who writes them. The spark for writing came when I was in college. I added a new hobby of writing stories, which I did personally in a diary, and I also started reading fiction only then. Honestly, the urge to write stories kindled inside me from watching movies initially, and was later honed by reading fiction. I shared the stories with my close circle, which gave me the confidence to publish books.
Fiza: Who are your favorite writers or poets? Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction books?
Gnana: I always prefer fiction as I believe it is exquisite. I read a few non-fiction books. I have a list of favourite authors. I was amused by the short stories of O. Henry, the classical science fiction of H.G. Wells, the detective stories of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, the classical humour of Mark Twain, and the historical fiction of Kalki. I didn’t limit my interests to classics; I began reading contemporary works and was impressed by stories of Matt Haig and Fredrik Backman.
Fiza: I could jell with you very well, Gnana, because we share the same love for classic literature. I loved your choice of Western and Eastern classics that you are reading, and I’ve just seen that you’ve recently read something by one of my favorite South Indian writers, Kalki. Have you always had this love for the classics?
Gnana: I began my reading journey with classics, starting with Sherlock Holmes, as I was interested in crime thrillers. I loved the narrative and wanted more, so I explored different classics from different authors and genres. It was a wonderful experience to feel the stories that lasted centuries.
Fiza: Why do you like the works of Kalki, a Tamilian Indian journalist and author of great repute in South India? Where did you first discover Kalki’s works?
Gnana: I wanted to read a book in Tamil. At that time, director Mani Ratnam announced the Ponniyin Selvan movie project. I read the synopsis and was curious to read this historical spy fiction before the movie adaptation came out. This is how I was introduced to the world of Kalki. Then, I read the short stories written by him, and they were fascinating.
Fiza: Gnana, you indeed have a varied and eclectic taste in literature. Tell my readers on Insaneowl.com more about the books you’ve been reading recently.
Gnana: I am currently reading contemporary literature. I wanted to explore some cozy mysteries, so I chose Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, an intriguing crime thriller, and it was great. I just finished reading Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, a Japanese author who writes feel-good science fiction novels like Matt Haig. I often read classic short stories whenever I visit the library. I read some good short stories by H. G. Wells yesterday in the library.
Fiza: As I mentioned in the introduction to this interview, I read your short story ‘The Boy, the Dog, and the Robot’ and loved it. Can you tell my readers here on Insaneowl.com more about this story and where we can easily procure a copy?
Gnana: The Boy, the Dog, and the Robot is my third short story. If you love feel-good short stories, you should never miss it. These characters’ jungle adventure will be a fun and thought-provoking experience. A hard copy of this book is unavailable, but you can buy the eBook on Amazon Kindle.
Fiza: As I said, I found the short story ‘The Boy, the Dog, and the Robot’ to be a fun ‘feel-good’ read to be enjoyed over a cup of coffee or tea. Was that your intention when you wrote the short? Do all your stories end on a positive note, or are you more of a suspense or thriller writer?
Gnana: I wanted to write this kind of story as a form of personal therapy, which worked well. I want to do more like this. It was a wonderful experience creating it for the readers. However, I am more into stories with suspense and twists, but still, I like to end them positively and with a call for readers to think.
Fiza: Why should my readers here on Insaneowl.com pick your short ‘The Boy, the Dog, and the Robot’ to read, the next time they shop for books on Amazon?
Gnana: Every one of us must have asked a certain question at some point in our lives: What is the meaning of life? Many philosophies have tried to find the answer to this question. My book is a philosophical fiction that explores the meaning of life through the main characters. But that mostly happens in the background as the story is adventurous and filled with fun. The dog named Ginger creates spaces for humour with Atlas, the party robot, and the boy named Ben. To find out if they escaped from the forest, grab the eBook online from Kindle.
Fiza: I am keen on trying something else written by you, Gnana, in the coming days. I was especially keen on your short ‘Monsters Are Coming’ as it seemed thrilling and highly suspenseful, and I love suspenseful fiction. Can you tell my readers on Insaneowl.com more about this short of yours?
Gnana: Monsters Are Coming is a fantasy mystery short story set in a forest. It has just four pages. I first got the idea for a plot twist and developed the story around that. The story unfolds with mystery as the page turns. Who are the creatures the tribes fear as monsters? Find out who they are by reading the book.
Fiza: What led you to craft this story, ‘ Monsters Are Coming’? How similar or different is it to ‘The Boy, the Dog, and the Robot’?
Gnana: The beauty and irony of the story led me to develop it as a whole. Hidden meta-messaging in the story is another motive. It is not entirely different from The Boy, the Dog, and the Robot: both happen in a forest setting. However, something connects both stories, which is a spoiler, so I am not revealing it. However, both stories will give completely different experiences for the readers.
Fiza: Who are your favorite writers, and what have you learnt from their writing styles and books over the years?
Gnana: Like I said earlier, I have many favourite authors. Learning is an endless process; I learned many things from different authors. Agatha Christie taught me about the economy of wording and simple language structure, Mark Twain taught me about applying colloquialism in writing and humour, Anton Chekov taught me the importance of placing things in the story, others taught me character arc, dialogues, plot, setting, tone, mood, and the list will go on. Classic or contemporary every time I read a book I learn something new. I am not just talking about writing skills, but also life skills.
Fiza: Who is your favorite writer of all time and why?
Gnana: I have no singular answer for this. There are many.
Fiza: There is a famous author named Author AntSun whose books are doing really well in the market. Is there any connection between you and him? Or do you not wish to comment on this topic?
Gnana: Yes. He is my elder brother. He started crafting stories before I did and published five books, including a novel. You must try his books if you are into suspense thrillers. I recommend “Everything Got Out of Hand,” “Shattered Faces,” and “Kill for Kill,” if you are a fan of crime thrillers with suspense and twists.
Fiza: Can you tell me something about your family? What is your friend circle like, and where do you all like to hang out these days?
Gnana: My family consists of my parents and brother, and we live in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. My close friend circle consists mainly of my best friends from school and college. The place we hang out varies; sometimes, it is a playground, an eco-park, and sometimes a beach.
Fiza: What are your other favorite hobbies, Gnana, besides reading, writing, and publishing books?
Gnana: I like watching movies, series, and sitcoms. I love watching and playing cricket. I enjoy travelling to places, visiting natural spots, and exploring new things.
Fiza: What do you like to drink when writing – coffee or tea? Mine will always be coffee, which has to be milky, full of jaggery, and it should be lukewarm and not piping hot.
Gnana: I prefer tea over coffee. I like tea with a strong aroma and spices like ginger and cardamom added to it. But I won’t eat or drink much while writing.
Fiza: Choose one from the following and then give a reason for your answer:
Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Charles Dickens, Kalki, Mark Twain
Gnana: Tough choice. I loved the novel Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. It is a wonder how he blended a heartwarming, cozy drama with science fiction. I liked the classics of Charles Dickens, particularly the lucid world-building and character sketches in David Copperfield and Great Expectations. I enjoyed the historical ride given by Kalki through the imperial Chola Empire and lived with the characters in Ponniyin Selvan. But I choose Mark Twain; I am a huge fan of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. The distinct style of humour, satire, and smooth storytelling taught me a lot.
(Q20) Have you written any other shorts under Gnana Sujan? Let my readers here on Insaneowl.com know more about your other writing/writings and the story that you are currently working on.
Gnana: I have written a science fiction short story named “Beyond the Simulation: The Pursuit of Reality.” It is an interesting story of a man named Alan trapped in a simulation resembling a set of video games. Explore this world with mystery and suspense blended with pop culture references and satires. This story is an allegory of digital addiction.
Fiza: Describe some of the books or short stories you are working on.
Gnana: My next book, David’s Last Stone, is a novelette in the crime comedy genre, which I like to explore more in the future. I finished writing the book, which will be published in May 2025. Stay tuned. Most scenes happen in an antique shop, so be ready to experience an aesthetic world tangled with thriller and humor elements.
Fiza: You seem to have a great love for the classics like me, especially your choices as seen on Goodreads, like Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, et al. Have you always had a fascination with the classics? Or is it your new obsession with literature?
Gnana: As I mentioned, I started my reading journey with classic literature. Yes, I have always been fascinated by classics. I began reading contemporary fiction just recently.
Fiza: Choose one from the following and then give a reason for your answer:
Thrillers, Rom-coms, Horror, Literary Fiction, Paranormal Suspense
Gnana: I choose thrillers. I love good crime thrillers with mystery and suspense. I have recently become interested in action thrillers with a humour blend. The idea of literary fiction also amuses me, and I am aware of its importance in literature.
Fiza: Where do you usually write your books? I have written my books in cafes, tea kiosks, libraries galore, then in my own office cum writing hut near my mother’s apartment in Mumbai and now in my own cozy study in my own Badlapur Apartment which is situated on the outskirts of Mumbai.
Gnana: I write my books on my table in the hall. But I have written in various other places like balconies, offices, parks, and libraries.
Fiza: What do you need to have by your side, on your table, or in the atmosphere when writing your books? For me, if I am surrounded by books and have an unlimited supply of coffee on the side, I can write for 16 hours at a stretch!
Gnana: I like to be in an open space with a good natural view while writing.
Fiza: Where do you usually read your books? Do you have a reading nook or a cozy place to do your leisure reading?
Gnana: I mostly do it in my room. But honestly, I have read books in many places; I am not limited to one place. I like reading in libraries.
Fiza: I am known as the reclusive writer and reader of Bandra West in Mumbai because for a greater part of my life I have remained holed up in my office cum writing hut writing books after books after books. Are you also a recluse or an extrovert who loves to travel and see new places?
Gnana: I love to travel and explore places. I believe travelling to more places can open more doors for sparking creativity in writing.
Fiza: Where do you do most of your leisure or professional book shopping? I used to shop for books at all the bookshops and book fairs in Mumbai, not to mention various second-hand bookstalls and even on the roads in the Fort Area. These days, since my tastes have become more specific, I only shop on Amazon and Bookswagon.
Gnana: I used to purchase books at a couple of bookstores in my town. I purchased most of my books from the book exhibitions that occurred in Nagercoil. My recent book purchases are from e-commerce websites like Flipkart and Amazon.
Fiza: Where can my readers here on Insaneowl.com easily find you these days to chat about your books and future projects?
Gnana: You can always contact me on Goodreads and LinkedIn under my name, Gnana Sujan.
Fiza: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Gnana: I see a better version of myself who has explored versatile forms and writing genres and published many books, which I dream of now. I see a man who learned many things on his journey, corrected his mistakes, and applied the lessons. I leave other things like success and recognition to my readers and the God who blessed me with good talents.
Thank you, Fiza, for this wonderful interview session. May god bless us all.
Conclusion
Fiza: It was wonderful having Indian author Gnana Sujan here on Insaneowl.com and learning so much about his books and latest offerings to the public. Do get your copy of his books today! I’m waiting to get hold of his next book, ‘Monsters Are Coming’, on my Kindle Fire. This is an author to watch out for!
If you want to check out some more delicious indie-author book reviews, you can continue browsing insaneowl.com here.
If you are interested in more book reviews, indie author interviews, book analyses, short story analyses, poems, essays, essay analyses, and other bookish content, check out my blog, insaneowl.com. If you are interested in purchasing my books, you can check the products page of my blog or on Amazon. There is a lot of good stuff to buy! Happy reading to you always!
©2025 Fiza Pathan
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