Image Cc children in Malpura Rajasthan reading children book The Princess and the Crow Image of my meeting with Austin Macauley representative at the London Book Fair 2025Meeting with children book publishers at London Book Fair 2025 . Image copyright Image cc. My passion for books at LBF 2025.
My passion for books and for writing once again drove my steps to the London Book Fair at Olympia in London last month.
I was flabbergasted to see the innumerable children books exposed. I met several publishers including the Austin Macauley team and I was curious to know about the future of writers of children books.
I was over the moon to learn from a big children book publisher that ‘ for Austin Macauley to publish your story means that your story is a very good one!’ He wished to remain anonymous because he is a publisher too.
With my book ‘The Princess and the Crow’ I was proud to walk around visiting the book stalls as an author of Austin Macauley.
My Rajasthan friends bought their copy of The Princess and the Crow from Amazon India. I am sharing a photo of village children in Malpura reading a paperback copy.
I am invited by Austin Macauley to submit a new manuscript. It dawned upon me to write unique stories about my childhood.
Why unique? Because each one of us has a unique childhood.
I’m working on a new book for children except that it will take some time to write because of my eyes problems.
LEAVES, A Collection of Haiku, Senryu and Tanka Poems was released in July 2024. It immediately gained a lot of popularity in Kindle Amazon and readers started to purchase the paperback, the kindle and to read for free. I was happy. Readers believe in me and in my work.
At the same time, I was sad. Amazon is not available in my birth country, Mauritius. The only thing I could do was to bring LEAVES to my faithful audience in Mauritius. I did.
Organized in a jiffy, the main hall of Mauritius Gymkhana Club was booked for Wednesday 04 2024. The books were expected to arrive from U.S.A by special delivery on Tuesday 03. Invitations were sent.
The Big Day arrived in a flash.
The hall was packed with keen, enthusiastic guests and my followers on social media.
Welcome address by Mr. Yogen Bacha, Master of Ceremony and laudable words about me, the author and, about LEAVES, my book were a terrific start for the evening. Quote-
‘Leaves’ is a poetic exploration of Nature, seasons and the human experience, blending haiku, senryu and tanka to create a vibrant tapestry of emotion and imagery. This collection is a tribute to the beauty of life’s fleeting moments and a testament to Mrs. Bacha’s mastery of poetic expression.
My colleague at The Bar, Mridula , Govind Nagi, Mr. Mauritius 2024 and others read poems from LEAVES. Applause filled my ears.
Last I picked up the mic to address the audience.
It was a rather long speech interlaced by recital of tanka poems by me.
I have chosen a few excerpts from my speech that may interest you, my dear friends-
‘I started the project of writing a second collection of short poems after the resounding success of my debut anthology of haiku, ‘PINK MOON’. However, the journey was filled with moments of doubts, tiredness, sleepless nights and health problems.’
‘LEAVES is a collection of haiku, senryu and tanka poems that I wrote during the past two years. It is more than just an anthology of short poems of Japanese style in English to me. It’s an expression of thanks to Mother Nature. Leaves come and go similar to the cycle of life and death.’
‘It’s a reflection of the human spirit, our capacity for resilience and, the power of hope in the darkest times.’
‘My readers, both longtime fans and those just discovering my work, this book is for you. Your views, likes, messages and support on the social media, WordPress, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have fueled my passion to write. I hope LEAVES resonates with you and perhaps offers you a new perspective of life challenges just as I have left a piece of myself in every word.
I am signing off with these words ‘This is my last book’.
Anita Bacha
Master of Ceremony, Mr. Yogen Bacha ,F.C.ALaunch of the book Recitals of Short Poems Book signing for Barrister Mridula Cheereemoony
Anita Bacha 