In the dynamic world of publishing, Prashant's journey stands out as a remarkable tale of transformation and passion. An associate professor at a business school in Ahmedabad, he has published seven books over nine years, each a unique exploration of his diverse interests.

His writing journey is anything but conventional. Spanning domains from dairy sector economics to Indian mythology, from business lessons to spiritual narratives, Prashant's books reflect a deep-seated curiosity and a commitment to sharing meaningful insights. What distinguishes him is not just his ability to write, but his approach to writing – each book is a carefully curated exploration of a subject that has deeply resonated with him.

Unlike authors chasing market trends, Prashant's writing emerges organically from his life experiences, professional interactions, and intellectual pursuits. His work demonstrates that true authorship is about sharing knowledge, personal perspectives, and unique insights.

From his initial project with the Department of Science and Technology to his later books on Shiva Mahapurana and Krishna's narratives, Prashant has consistently shown that writing is a powerful medium of personal and professional expression. His journey challenges conventional notions of authorship, proving that a book is more than a product – it's a vehicle for knowledge transmission and intellectual exploration.

As we delve into his story, we'll uncover the motivations, strategies, and triumphs that have defined his remarkable transformation from an academician to a multifaceted author who has successfully bridged multiple domains through the power of storytelling.

Prashant's professional journey began in media, working with the Danny Baskar group before transitioning into academia. Since 2012, he has been an academician, currently serving as an associate professor at a business school in Ahmedabad.

His academic background provided a unique perspective that would later support his writing endeavors. More than just classroom teaching, Prashant was deeply interested in understanding how people acquire knowledge and skills. He developed a teaching style that bridged theoretical knowledge with practical application – a philosophy that would later define his approach to writing.

A pivotal moment came through a project with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. This assignment took him to 150 villages in Gujarat, where he discovered the story of the Amul brand. What began as a professional research project would soon transform into his first book – a 100-page exploration of the dairy sector and village life.

During these years, Prashant was quietly accumulating a wealth of knowledge and experiences. His media background, academic training, and field research created a unique perspective waiting to be shared. He wasn't just collecting information, but developing a holistic understanding of storytelling as a medium of knowledge transmission.

The transition from media to academia was deliberate, driven by a passion for learning and sharing knowledge. Working with various teams and participating in learning initiatives gave him insights into knowledge creation and dissemination – skills that would prove invaluable in his future writing career.

The decision to write was not a calculated career move, but a spontaneous response to his experiences. After his project in Gujarat, Prashant felt compelled to share his learnings. "I thought of publishing my learnings in a book form," he recalls. "It should not be a big book, but a book where the reader should get information about the dairy sector of Gujarat and the village life."

This initial experience opened up new literary avenues. Driven by his interests in Indian mythology and storytelling, he began exploring diverse topics. His subsequent books emerged from personal passions and unique experiences:

• A study of the dairy sector in Gujarat

• Compilation of Shiva Mahapurana stories

• Business lessons derived from storytelling

• Narratives about Lord Krishna

A particularly memorable experience came during a visit to Vrindavan with his family. Interacting with temple priests and elders, he collected 26 stories that would become his only Hindi book, "Lok Kathayein Vrindavan se". Each book was not a strategic publishing decision, but a genuine expression of his curiosity and learning.

Prashant's approach to selecting book topics is refreshingly simple: follow your genuine interests. "You should take a domain that is your interest area," he advises. "Because you will be able to contribute to that domain."

His book selection process is driven by personal curiosity and meaningful experiences. Whether exploring the dairy sector, diving into Indian mythology, or extracting business lessons from stories, each book represents a deep personal engagement with the subject matter.

Key considerations in his topic selection include:

• Personal passion and interest

• Unique perspective to offer

• Potential to provide meaningful insights

• Connection to lived experiences

His diverse portfolio demonstrates this approach:

• First book on the dairy sector, inspired by field research

• Books on Shiva Mahapurana and Jyotirlingas

• A collection of business lessons from stories

• Narratives about Lord Krishna, inspired by his Vrindavan trip

"The content is inviting me to come and work on it," Prashant says. This organic approach ensures that each book is not just a publication, but a genuine contribution to knowledge.

He encourages aspiring authors to look beyond market trends and focus on domains they truly understand. "If aspiring authors think like this," he notes, "they will get a lot of content and a new perspective to the readers."

Time management and writing discipline are crucial elements of Dr. Pareek's approach to book creation. "In 2015, the first book came and in 2024, in 9 years, I have written 7 books," he says. "On an average, I publish one book in a year."

His methodology for writing is both structured and flexible. "It is important to divide the whole project into small milestones," he advises. "Rather than writing a book with a burden, you should enjoy the journey and learn from it."

He breaks down the writing process into manageable parts. "You should make a target that I have to finish this in a year," he explains. "So how much work do you have to do in a week? How much work should be done in 15 days? You have to pursue that thing with motivation."

Dr. Pareek emphasizes the importance of seeking expert help during the writing process. "Even today, when I write a book, I take help from people who can proofread it well," he shares. "You cannot say that I am the best. This is not a thought process."

His key recommendations for writing include:

• Divide the project into small milestones

• Set clear yearly targets

• Enjoy the writing journey

• Learn from the process

• Seek expert proofreading

• Focus on grammatical accuracy

He acknowledges the challenges of writing, especially for first-time authors. "Writing a book is a very difficult way to express," he notes. "Because you have to write 150-200 pages in a flow." The goal is not just to complete a book, but to create something meaningful. "One book should be better," he emphasizes. "This should be our mission. So how to make it better and establish every book as an author."His approach reflects a commitment to quality over quantity, and a belief that each book should represent a step forward in an author's journey of learning and expression.

Choosing the right publisher is a critical aspect of Dr. Pareek's publishing journey. He highlights several approaches authors can consider in the publishing landscape.

"As of now, you get a good amount of calls or mails from publishers," he explains. "They say we publish books, we provide these kinds of services, we will look at the cover design, we will read the proof."

He identifies three categories of publishing:

1. Publishers offering comprehensive services

2. Self-publishing authors

3. Legacy publishers with long waiting periods

Dr. Pareek has explored multiple publishing routes. "I took the help of universities for a couple of books," he shares. "I went to a couple of universities who have their own publication ring. And those universities were ready to publish the content."

His advice is to choose a publisher who understands the author's vision. "Do you want to spread this book so much that it becomes your own name? Do people start considering you an expert in this domain?"

He warns against publishing just to add something to one's CV. "Many authors have this vision that, okay, I wrote a book and I had to write for it, I had to add something to the CV. That won't happen."

The key is to have a clear purpose. "If you are becoming an author, then become an author with a vision," he advises. "That vision should be clear that I will have a domain, in that domain there will be my books and I will become an expert in that domain, then people will start to take you seriously."

Dr. Pareek suggests considering:

• The publisher's understanding of your vision

• Their capabilities in brand building

• Their approach to your work

• Long-term potential for growth

His experience shows that the right publishing partnership can be crucial in an author's journey, transforming a book from a mere publication to a platform for professional growth and recognition.