Conversation with Sunita Pant Bansal

Born in 1960 in Delhi, India, Sunita Pant Bansal has been a passionate wordsmith since her early years. A voracious reader and natural storyteller, she penned her first poem at the age of eight, which was published in her school magazine. This early recognition spurred her journey as a writer, and she continued contributing creatively to her school magazine, eventually taking on the role of editor for the school newsletter during her high school years.

Over the past four decades, Sunita has established herself as a versatile and prolific writer. Her portfolio spans articles, short stories, jigsaw puzzles, board games, multimedia CD-ROMs, and short films. She has authored hundreds of books for children and young adults, focusing on folk literature and mythology. Her works reflect a deep understanding and love for India's rich storytelling traditions, making them accessible and engaging for younger generations.

For adult audiences, Sunita’s writing delves into themes of body, mind, and soul, exploring dimensions of personal growth and spirituality. Her books have reached a global readership, translated into multiple languages, and appreciated for their insightful content.

Beyond writing, Sunita’s career is a testament to her multifaceted talents. She has helmed publishing houses and served as the founding editor for newspapers and magazines catering to audiences in India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Her creative collaborations include projects with global giants like Walt Disney and Warner Bros., as well as leading educational publishers like Pearson Education. She has also contributed to prominent media outlets, including The Times of India, Hindustan Times, and the ABP Group.

Sunita Pant Bansal’s illustrious journey is not just a chronicle of literary achievements but also a celebration of her enduring passion for words and storytelling. Her contributions continue to inspire readers across generations and geographies.

1. When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?

Sunita Pant Bansal : I had started writing in school itself, my first poem got published in the school magazine when I was 7 yrs old, thereafter I remained a regular contributor to the magazine. I loved our holiday assignments of making albums where I would write stories and poems; I even started a news tabloid in high school with some friends. Then I entered college to study Nutrition. I became a dietician and started writing health columns for newspapers to earn my pocket money. It was Manohar Shyam Joshi ji, for whose paper (Weekend Review, Hindustan Times), for whose paper I used to write regularly, who encouraged me to write on other subjects… and my journey as a writer began. That was when I realised that writing was my real passion. 

2. As we know that you have written 1000 books for children. From where did you get the idea? Because understanding children is one of the hardest work. 

Sunita Pant Bansal : I have written more than a thousand books for children of all ages till now. Writing for children is indeed not an easy task, but here again I was lucky to be encouraged by Rosalind Wilson, editor of Target (a children’s magazine of India Today group). I met Rosalind by chance when I was visiting a friend in their office. We got talking. Realising that we lived in the same area, we decided to share a three-wheeler. During that journey, when Rosalind came to know that I was a writer, she suggested that I should try my hand in writing for children, and literally gave me a tutorial on how to write for them! And that’s how I entered the field of children’s literature. Though challenging, writing for children is also extremely gratifying, especially when parents of children find me on social media and share pics of their children reading my books with me. 

3. What do you want to say on victim card play of bookstores that they are facing problems because of Amazon and Flipkart monopoly. And on another hand they prefer to keep books of publishers which have monopoly in this market. 

Sunita Pant Bansal : Bookstores definitely face competition from online portals like Flipkart and Amazon, as well as publishers selling online, so they have to find ways and means to survive in this business. I think they prefer to keep books of publishers from where they get a good credit deal and better discounts, and also where the publisher is making efforts to promote their books. 

5. What are the major changes you have seen in this industry in your 40 years of experience in this industry ? 

Sunita Pant Bansal : The number of independent bookstores has reduced, as has the number of public libraries. At the same time, I see popular cafes having reading corners. Online bookselling portals have increased. I also see more nuclear families where the parents are taking interest in buying good quality books for their children. Self-publishing has become popular, so more and more people are now trying their hand in writing. Overall, I see more writers, more number of books, and more variety of books to read for booklovers and readers like me. 

6. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have ? 

Sunita Pant Bansal : Fortunately, I don’t have any unpublished or half-finished books, though I have a bunch of ideas that I plan to develop into books in the coming years. 

7. Which part of your book " EVERYDAY GITA: 365 DAYS OF WISDOM " is your personal favorite ? 

Sunita Pant Bansal : Actually the entire process of writing Everyday Gita would remain special for me. I went to Gethia, in Uttarakhand, to do the major part of writing. Every chapter of the book is special, it’s difficult to identify a personal favorite. 

8. In an interview with Ajitabha Bose, he said that, "Without a good budget you can't reach your audience, maybe your book is very good". Do you agree with this statement? 

Sunita Pant Bansal : No, I don’t. I believe that a book has its own destiny, it reaches where it has to reach sooner or later. With a good budget, maybe you can expedite the book’s movement, give it a better exposure, but if the book has little or no substance, it cannot survive for long.