Heena is the author of the award-winning novel Deceived. She works as the novel critic and the chief editor at a local publishing house in Pune, India. She is an animal lover as well as an animal activist.
She loves books, music and wine. Travelling and learning about new cultures is an integral part of her life.
She is presently learning Piano and French language.
She lives in Pune, India with her beloved husband and 6 cats.
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The Role of Books & Publishing in India’s Freedom Struggle
India’s freedom struggle was fought not only through marches, speeches and political movements, but through words. From the arrival of the printing press to literature banned by the British, this is the story of how publishing helped ideas of freedom travel.
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7 Reasons Why Readers Lose Interest Halfway Through a Novel
Why do readers lose interest halfway through a novel? A developmental editor explains the pacing, character, conflict, and emotional problems behind sagging middles.
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What Are Style Guides? Decoding the Hidden Rulebooks Behind Every Professionally Edited Book
Most writers think editing is only about grammar, story, and sentence correction. But behind every professionally edited book is an invisible system of consistency: the style guide. This article explains what style guides are, why editors use them, and why Indian writers need to understand them before publishing.
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How to Identify a Weak Character Arc
A young woman loses everything. She embarks on a dangerous journey. She defeats the villain. She returns home. On paper, it sounds like a complete story. But ask yourself this: Who returned home? Was it the same woman who left in Chapter One? Or did the events of the novel fundamentally alter the way she…
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The Art of Storytelling Releases on 6 October 2026 — Pre-Orders Are Now Open!
There are books you publish. And then there are books that become part of who you are. Today, everyone at Verbatik Media is incredibly proud to announce that The Art of Storytelling, written by our Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Heena Rathore-Pardeshi, will officially release on 6 October 2026. Even more exciting… Pre-orders are now officially open!…
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The Difference Between Plot Movement and Emotional Movement
A developmental editor explains why novels can have conflict, reveals, and plot progression but still feel emotionally flat, and how emotional movement fixes that.
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General Manuscript Formatting Guidelines for Indian Writers: What Publishers and Editors Actually Expect
Learn professional manuscript formatting guidelines for Indian writers, including font, spacing, margins, file naming, and common formatting mistakes.
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Why Your Scenes Feel Slow Even When Things Are Happening
Your scenes may contain conflict, dialogue, reveals, and action — yet still feel slow. An experienced developmental editor explains the hidden pacing problems most writers miss.
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How to Write a Book Synopsis with Sample
Learn how to write a powerful book synopsis with a proven structure, expert tips, and a professional sample synopsis.
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How to Design Your Own Book Cover Using Canva (Step-by-Step Guide)
Learn how to design a professional book cover using Canva. A step-by-step guide for self-publishing authors who want stunning covers without hiring a designer.
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From First Draft to Finished Manuscript: A Free 5-Part Live Workshop Series for Writers
If you have completed a draft of your book, or are somewhere stuck in the messy middle of revision, you already know that finishing a draft is not the same as finishing a book. And yet, this is exactly where most writers get stuck. They begin revising without a system. They tweak sentences when the…
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Nonfiction Writers Should Stop Using AI to Write Their Books: An Editorial Perspective from Verbatik Media
Discover why AI-written nonfiction lacks originality, authority, and voice, and how writers should actually use tools like ChatGPT effectively.
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How Authors Actually Make Money From Books (Realistic Guide for 2026)
Discover how authors really earn money from books with royalties, speaking, courses, rights, and more. A realistic guide for aspiring and self-published authors in 2026.
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Is Your Book Ready to Publish? A Professional Manuscript Checklist
Not sure if your book is ready to publish? Use this professional checklist to assess manuscript readiness, and learn when a manuscript assessment is needed.
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How to Self-Publish Your Book in 2026
Planning to self-publish in 2026? Learn the complete process, from editing and design to platforms, pricing, and marketing, with this practical guide.
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You’re Not Undisciplined, You’re Structurally Lost. What Writers Need in 2026 to Finally Finish Their Books
What Writers Need in 2026 to Finally Finish Their Books. Writers today are writing more than ever before. Drafts, notes, half-novels, rewrites, abandoned chapters, we are producing words at an unprecedented scale. Yet completion remains elusive. Let me help you break this loop and FINISH that manuscript using my experience with working authors from around…
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Writing Great Dialogue (Writing Fundamentals #7) with Free Workbook
Learn how to write powerful scenes with clear goals, stakes, conflict, and emotional depth. Watch the Anatomy of a Scene live lecture and download the free workbook.
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Anatomy of a Scene (Writing Fundamentals #6) with Free Workbook
Learn how to write powerful scenes with clear goals, stakes, conflict, and emotional depth. Watch the Anatomy of a Scene live lecture and download the free workbook.
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POV & Voice (Writing Fundamentals #5) with Free Workbook
Learn how Point of View and Voice shape powerful storytelling. Writing Fundamentals #5 with practical examples and a free POV & Voice workbook.
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Worldbuilding (Writing Fundamentals #4) with Free Woorkbook
In Live #2 of the Writing Fundamentals Series, Heena Rathore Pardeshi explores how to create believable, memorable characters. Watch the replay, download free resources, and pre-order her upcoming book The Art of Storytelling for a deeper dive into writing craft.
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Conflict, Story Beats & Character Archetypes (Writing Fundamentals #3) with Free Woorkbooks
In Live #2 of the Writing Fundamentals Series, Heena Rathore Pardeshi explores how to create believable, memorable characters. Watch the replay, download free resources, and pre-order her upcoming book The Art of Storytelling for a deeper dive into writing craft.
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Building Memorable Characters (Writing Fundamentals #2) with Free Ebook
In Live #2 of the Writing Fundamentals Series, Heena Rathore Pardeshi explores how to create believable, memorable characters. Watch the replay, download free resources, and pre-order her upcoming book The Art of Storytelling for a deeper dive into writing craft.
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Anatomy of a Story (Writing Fundamentals #1) with Free Ebook
Learn story structure, plot development, and storytelling techniques in Episode #1 of Heena Rathore Pardeshi’s Writing Fundamentals series, Anatomy of a Story. Watch the live session and download the free 19-page Story Blueprint Workbook to build stronger stories.
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Writing Fundamentals: Free YouTube Live Series on Storytelling (10-Week Guide for Writers)
Join Heena Rathore-Pardeshi’s free 10-week YouTube Live series on Writing Fundamentals. Learn story structure, characters, conflict & more every Saturday.