Thursday, March 19, 2009

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award + Sarasvati


Sarasvati. Ever heard of her? She's the Goddess of Art, Music and the Written Word. In the Hindu culture, she is believed to have taught man to write so as to pass along her songs of wisdom. She has four hands; one to play her vina instrument, one to hold her prayer beads, one to hold a pot of sacred water and one to hold the book containing all the knowledge of the world (wish they sold that on Amazon). 

My friend told me to place a picture of Sarasvati on top of my manuscript and ask for her help in getting it out to the world. What the heck, I decided. Anyone who can look that good with four arms has to know a thing or two. A few weeks later, my book Apron, 11, made the quarterfinals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. A coincidience? Maybe. Worth a shot anyway? Definitely.

So for all of you artists out there, head to the web and find an image of Sarasvati. Place her in your office, studio, or maybe even on your forehead the next time you're in need of inspiration. That's what I'm going to do.

And if you'd like to read the excerpt from Apron, 11, go to amazon.com/abna and search for it. If I make the semi-finals, I'll be the one walking around with a cut-out of my newest friend and her four arms.