The Killing Of An Author

An Autobiographical Literary Thriller

This laugh-out loud, yet poignant true story of an ambitious and ballsy Indian writer navigating the maze that is Western publishing illustrates the immense battle that a new writer must face for writing an unconventional, norm-defying book and contains lessons for would-be authors and general readers’ romantic notions of book publishing.

When buying books from this website, the payment process is handled securely via PayPal. You can pay either by Debit or Credit Card or with your PayPal account.

Secure Payments by PayPal
Clear
Or buy at external site:
Paperback edition available at:

A true story of an Indian boy with an American Dream—of becoming a recognized novelist in America—that results in his meeting powerful writers, editors, and Nobel Prizewinners: from Joseph Brodsky to John Updike, John Irving, and Kurt Vonnegut.

With fantasy moments such as this: Indeed, had Jesus Christ been living in America around 1990 A.D., he would certainly, as is the fashion for presidents as well as film stars and retired generals, bagged a book contract, possibly more than one, for Memoirs of a Godman, Fifty Neat Tricks with Loaves and Fishes, What if Lucifer Had Won? And maybe The Truth About Me and the Magdalene Babe.

It is also a book full of regrets and self-examination, providing a catalogue of mistakes writers might avoid (such as making a god of freedom of expression, complimenting a female editor’s beauty, or sending angry faxes to literary agents). It is a literary thriller leading to some dark or at least sobering truths about the world of publishing…and life itself.

Above all, this books should be viewed as a literary tragicomedy, a book of regrets and lessons in how not to deal with editors and agents. This book made NDTV’s list of five best new books for nearly a full year, and this 2021 edition contains additional material that is not in the original 2007 edition.

“What comes out is his integrity. Not many people about whom you can say this. If Richard succeeds, we shall all succeed.” — Kuldip Nayar, eminent Indian author/editor/statesman

“Crasta has a sense of humour which he maintains from the start to the end. Funny, sad, and eye-opening… Dares to be different. We need more writers like him.” — The Deccan Chronicle

“You are funny and delightful . . . and nowhere are you too heavy to carry. I’ve never read anyone like you. I laugh, I ache, I smile, I cry – but never close the book without that smile surfacing.” — Sheelagh Grenon, Canada