Authors’ Background: Author Nikitha Kunta is known for her book, “Beneath The Burnt Pages” which is a deeply emotional slow-burn novel about love, loss, and healing. She writes stories that gently unravel the human emotions — stories that speak through the silence and linger long after the final page. Originally from India and now based in the United States, Nikitha balances her career in supply chain management with her passion for storytelling!
Questionnaire:
Neel Preet: Deeply Congratulations on your debut book, “Beneath The Burnt Pages!” What kind of responses are you getting from this book of yours? Please share your experience about this book.
Nikitha Kunta: Thank you so much! It’s been an absolute pleasure witnessing Maya’s journey—quiet, emotional, and deeply human. Beneath the Burnt Pages is a story for all those beautiful souls who love in silence, who carry emotions they never say out loud, and who sometimes sacrifice their love for the sake of love itself.
The response has been incredibly moving. Many readers have shared how the story touched something personal in them—especially the idea that love isn’t always about staying, but about letting go when that’s what’s needed. The subtle reference to Krishna and Rukmini seems to have added a deeper emotional layer for those who noticed it.
To all the RUKMINI-spirited people out there—this one’s for you.
Neel Preet: What inspired you to write this book? What was the impetus behind this work of yours?
Nikitha Kunta: When I started writing this book, I was at one of the lowest points in my life. I was far from my loved ones, feeling lost, and silently suffering through emotions I couldn’t explain—and worse, there was no one to blame for it. That made it even heavier.
Around that time, I often found myself thinking about Rukmini—the quiet strength she carried, the sacrifices she made without ever demanding attention. One night, I had a dream that stayed with me—a story unfolding in silence, full of unspoken love and pain. I took that dream and shaped it into a book, mixing in everything I was going through, and layered it with the emotional flavor of Rukmini’s spirit.
That’s how Beneath the Burnt Pages was born—a blend of personal emotion, mythological inspiration, and the kind of love that doesn’t scream but still stays.
Neel Preet: Your book’s title, “Beneath The Burnt Pages” appears to be very catchy as well as thought-provoking. Well, what made you go for this particular title?
Nikitha Kunta: The whole and sole credit for the title Beneath the Burnt Pages goes to my editor, Bobby George. He was the one who suggested it, and the moment I heard it, I knew it captured the soul of the story perfectly. It reflects the idea that even when pages are burnt—damaged or painful—there’s still something left underneath that’s worth uncovering. It felt like the perfect metaphor for Maya’s journey and everything the story stands for.
Neel Preet: What was your mind-set, while working on this book? What are some of those major points which you expect the readers to extract from this book?
Nikitha Kunta: While working on this book, my mind was heavy—filled with silence, questions, and emotions I couldn’t explain to anyone. I wasn’t writing to impress; I was writing to survive. Maya became the voice for everything I was feeling but couldn’t say out loud.
I want readers to feel that this story isn’t about right or wrong—it’s about the quiet spaces in between. It’s about how we stay in places where we feel safe, even if deep down we know we don’t fully belong. I want people to see Maya’s guilt, her fear of being second, and understand how often we carry pain that no one sees.
There’s one truth I hope people take with them:
Choose yourself before the pain changes you.
Don’t wait for the breaking point. Don’t stay out of comfort if your heart’s constantly questioning its place. Love is beautiful, but loving yourself is necessary.
This story is for everyone who’s ever loved too much, stayed too long, and walked away not because they wanted to—but because they had to.
Neel Preet: How is this book different from the other titles of the same genre? And who are some of those writers and authors, whom you follow?
Nikitha Kunta: What makes Beneath the Burnt Pages different is that it’s not built on drama or plot twists—it’s built on emotion. It’s a quiet story, but it stays with you. It dives deep into guilt, insecurity, and unspoken love. It’s about the pain of staying, the strength it takes to leave, and the courage to choose yourself even when your heart is still attached.
I’ve always admired Colleen Hoover for how she writes emotions so raw and real. Her stories make you feel every word, and that’s what I wanted this book to do too—not shout, but leave something behind that stays in your chest.
Neel Preet: Next, can you please tell us some of those points which the budding authors should follow while working on ‘Literary Fiction’ genre!
Nikitha Kunta: I don’t think I’m in a place to give advice yet, but I can share what I did. I didn’t follow any fixed structure or formula—I just followed what I felt. Every word, every name, every moment in the book came from what I was feeling or experiencing at that time. I didn’t overthink it. I let the story flow the way it wanted to.
So, if anything, I’d say—stay honest. Don’t try to write what you think people want to read. Write what you need to say. That honesty is what connects with readers.
Neel Preet: Which segment of readers is your primary target through this book of yours? And, how is your book relevant in the present day scenario?
Nikitha Kunta: This book is for anyone who has ever loved silently, questioned their worth, or stayed in a place where they weren’t fully chosen. It’s especially for people who overthink, who feel too much, and who often put others before themselves.
In today’s world, where everything moves so fast and love sometimes feels performative, Beneath the Burnt Pages slows things down. It reminds readers that it’s okay to feel deeply, to walk away from something that hurts—even if no one is at fault. The book speaks to those quiet, emotional struggles that many of us go through but rarely talk about. And that makes it very relevant right now.
Neel Preet: Is there any message that you would like to convey to your readers? Or any piece of advice, which you would like to give to the readers out there!
Nikitha Kunta: Sometimes, things fall apart without anyone being at fault. There’s no clear mistake, no one to blame—but the pain is still real. In those moments, my only message is: choose yourself.
Even when it’s hard, even when it hurts—put yourself first. That’s not being selfish. That’s being honest with your heart.
Neel Preet: Now that “Beneath The Burnt Pages” is out, what’s next for you as an author? Can the readers expect more such incredible works in the future?
Nikitha Kunta: Honestly, I don’t know what’s next—but I do know this story isn’t fully over. Beneath the Burnt Pages is told only from Maya’s point of view, so readers only see what she is feeling, what she is going through. I’ve been thinking about exploring Arjun’s side of the story next—his silence, his confusion, his pain. Because love stories are never one-sided.
Neel Preet: Thank you so much for answering all my questions. Best wishes to you for the book!
Nikitha Kunta: Thank you so much for having me. It means a lot to share a piece of my heart with readers. I’m truly grateful for the love Beneath the Burnt Pages has received, and I hope it continues to reach the ones who need it most.
