What's Next

Hello. It's been AGES since I've been on this blog but frankly, it's time I was back.

There's a LOT, and I do mean a LOT, of changes coming up.

Firstly, the trip to New York was rather great, thanks for asking. You'll be finding out HOW GREAT very, very soon.

Secondly, there are some new writing projects on the horizon, hence the ARTS COUNCIL logo up there.

As you know, there's been a lot of talk about diversity, or the lack of, in children's publishing. If you know anything about my books you'll know that I've been bringing you diverse heroes from Day One, Page One.

In case you needed reminding:

The Devil's Kiss series
Billi SanGreal. Half-English half-Pakistani kickass heroine with Muslim Mother, Christian Father and Jewish Godmother.

The Ash Mistry series
Ash Mistry. British-born Indian demon slayer and divine superweapon of the goddess of death and destruction, Kali.

If you feel you are lacking in badass reading material, check out those two series.

This will continue, but in new and VERY special ways. The Arts Council are funding my next two projects. The first is with the rather wonderful Sarah Davies of Greenhouse Literary Agency. Now you must know Sarah. Basically she is the most rocking literary agent out there. By a long way. The plan is some polishes on the first project over the summer and then out into the big wide publishing world soon after.

The second project is super-early days but will have a Eastern angle to it. It will rock. It will be BADASS. I would deliver nothing less.

So, stay tuned. Prepare for a tidal wave of badassness.

Sarwat 'Dr. Badass' Chadda

Ash Mistry Website

Dear Chums,
There comes a time to move on and put the past behind. SO THIS BLOG IS OFFICIALLY DEAD!
All the action is now at www.ashmistry.com.
See you there!
Sarwat

Hello from Ash Mistry (aged 13.5)

Ash Mistry, age 13 (but almost 14!)
Appearance
Well, that’s a bit difficult. Until the summer hols I would say I was slightly above average in weight, slightly below average in physical coordination, courage and in general acts of extreme and suicidal heroism.
THEN after the summer hols (which you will be able to read about VERY SOON) and following a strict diet of violence, absolute terror and basically being hunted by demons I’ve acquired, what can be only described as ‘gaunt and frightening to look upon’ aspect. My colour has gone from a healthy and hearty brown to ‘gore-splattered.’
A bit about myself
I’m at West Dulwich High School and (unofficial) leader of the Nerd Herd. I’m a non-sporty, bookish ‘stay indoors even when the sun is shining’ kind of guy. You’ve probably stolen my lunch money at some point.
My favourite things (and not so much)
The greatest moment of my life has to be when I was the first person in our school to find the secret machine-gun armoury in the latest Assassin’s Creed game. Oh, yeah, I did also save the world from the greatest evil the universe has ever known. If you’re alive right now, that’s because of me. You can thank me later.
Sort of makes up for me being voted ‘least likely to survive a zombie apocalypse’ three years running.
My fav Dr. Who is, and forever will be, David Tennant. Now you know everything important about me.
Quote
“Is now a bad time to mention I’m risk intolerant?”

art by Mr. Murphy (great, isn't it)

Sarwat's Guide to the Gods Part One- KALI

The Black One. Goddess of death and destruction. She haunts the graveyards and dances in the ashes of the funereal pyres.
Appearance
Black-skinned and almost skeletal gaunt. She has blazing eyes, a long red tongue (all the better to lap up blood with) fangs and claws. Kali has six arms and carries weapons, a noose and the severed head of a demon. She wears a necklace of skulls and her skirt is made of severed limbs. You do not want to bump into her in an alley on a dark night.
What You Need to Know
Kali is mad, bad and oh so very dangerous to know. She is the demon killer and there are plenty of stories of all the other gods fleeing the battle-field and leaving Kali to kill absolutely everyone. Then she usually eats them. He victory dance once threatened to destroy the universe.
Her hideous appearance is all part of her charm. She is the one thing that terrifies demons so she is also the last hope for humanity. When all else has failed, you turn to Kali. But be careful, she’s as likely to destroy the world as save it.
STRENGTHS all the arts of death
WEAKNESSES completely lacking in social skills
WEAPONS all of them
ATTITUDE totally bad
RELATIONSHIPS Married to Shiva. Often depicted dancing on his corpse. Nice.
If you like Kali you’ll also like: Wearing black, jewellery made from bones, goth music.
Other Goddesses like Kali : Baba Yaga (Russian), Hecate (Greek), Morrigan (Celtic), Hel (Norse)