Opening 100 spots for readers who want to be part of this story before it goes public
A father walks his five-year-old daughter to a temple. He buys her a wind-up toy cat. A small sweet.
That moment is the opening of my new novel, The Girl Who Lived: Book 1 – The Journey.
It’s a fast, emotionally intense story about a child trapped inside a network of “spiritual” ashrams, the machinery that protects powerful men, and the quiet, stubborn courage it takes to survive long enough to fight back.
If that premise hits you in the chest, I want you on my Advance Reader Team.
One quick note before you read further: this is an emotionally intense story, but it avoids graphic violence, sexual imagery, or gory scenes. The impact comes from emotional truth and psychological tension, not shock value.
I’m recruiting 100 early readers for a limited ARC (Advance Review Copy) inner circle ahead of release on Amazon and Kobo on January 14, 2026.
To join, comment “ARC” below (or reply to this email). I’ll send you the next steps.
What you’re signing up to read
The Girl Who Lived is a character-driven survival story with real social stakes.
You’ll follow Meera through:
A drought-stricken village in South India, where debt pushes her father toward an unforgivable decision
An ashram where girls scrub floors, fear punishment rooms, and learn the rules: obey, stay silent, don’t run
A failed escape that turns dangerous, revealing how corruption keeps the system sealed
Ten years later, when Meera is older, sharper, and closer to home than she’s been in a decade, and the story becomes a reckoning
The book wrestles with:
Faith vs blind devotion
Power, complicity, and the cost of speaking up
What “home” means after betrayal
How survival reshapes a person, and what it takes to reclaim a future
The chapters are tight and cinematic. The subject is heavy, but the reading experience is fast and immersive.
This is Book 1 in a two-part series. It stands on its own, but it ends with the promise of the final book, The Girl Who Lived: The Redemption.
Content notes (please read)
This story deals with child exploitation, abuse of power, and institutional corruption.
It does not rely on graphic scenes or explicit imagery. The darkness is conveyed through implication, restraint, and emotional weight rather than detail.
If this subject matter is not right for you right now, I completely understand.
How to join (closes December 27)
Spots: Limited to 100 readers
Signup closes: December 27, or earlier if spots fill
To join, choose any one option:
Comment “ARC” below this post
Reply to this email with “ARC”
Fill out this short form: Google Form
Or DM me directly if you’d like to connect personally
Once accepted, you’ll receive the ARC and reading timeline.
What you get as an ARC reader
ARC readers will receive:
A complete advance copy of The Girl Who Lived: The Journey
A simple ARC kit with the launch link, quote snippets, content notes, and review prompts
Access to a private update thread with:
exact dates and reminders
clear review instructions
space to react, discuss, and decompress after reading
You’ll also get first priority access to Book 2 ARCs when the final installment is ready.
This isn’t a generic “free book for a review” exchange. It’s an invitation to help a difficult story land with clarity and impact.
Who this ARC is for (and who it’s not)
You’re a great fit if you:
Enjoy emotionally intense fiction with social stakes
Finish books you start
Like being part of a launch that helps an important story travel further
Are willing to leave a short, honest review during launch week
This ARC is not for you if:
You’re overloaded and won’t realistically have time to read
You’re looking for a light or cosy read
You only want a free copy without any intent to review
No pressure either way. I’d rather have 60 committed readers than 200 silent downloads.
What I’m asking ARC readers to do
If you join, here’s the commitment:
1. Read the book early
You’ll receive a full digital ARC (epub and PDF). The book is less than 100 pages and designed to read quickly despite the subject matter.
2. Leave an honest review during launch week (Jan 14–Jan 21)
Even a 2–4 sentence review helps tremendously.
Reviews are always voluntary. You’re never required to leave one, and I will never ask for a positive review. If you choose to mention it, best practice is to note that you received an advance copy.
3. Optional: share on your platform
Substack, Instagram, X, WhatsApp, Facebook, or anywhere you actually post.
I’ll provide ready-to-use text, pull quotes, and content notes so sharing takes minutes, not effort.
If this feels like too much commitment, it’s completely okay not to apply.
Timeline and expectations
Now–Dec 27: ARC signups open; ARCs sent on a rolling basis
One week before launch: gentle reminder to finish or reach ~70%
Launch week (Jan 14): live Amazon and Kobo links, review instructions, and optional share templates
One week after launch: final thank-you note and a short behind-the-scenes message
No guilt trips. No spam. Just clarity, respect, and a shared goal: helping Meera’s story reach the readers who need to hear it.
If you want to be part of the first wave of readers who can say, “I read it before it took off,” comment “ARC” below before the team closes on December 27.
I can’t promise this story will be easy to read but I can promise it will stay with you.