How I got a €150k publishing deal at 17 | Jyoti Guptara | Episode 1
Nov 3, 2024
Dive into the story of how the bestselling novelist Jyoti Guptara secured a $150,000 publishing deal at age 17.
About the Guest
Our very first guest on the Curious Mavericks podcast, Jyoti Guptara, is an accomplished storyteller and bestselling author who has been helping people and businesses tell powerful stories. Dropping out of school at 15, Jyoti published his first book just three years later, setting a record as one of the world’s youngest bestselling novelists. Today, he works with companies and individuals to improve their storytelling, focusing on both mindset and method. He also leads the Ambassador Programme for the Global Peter Drucker Forum and has been featured by the BBC, Business Standard, and Times of India, among others.
Key Topics Discussed
In our conversation with Jyoti, we delved into various aspects of storytelling and its application in business and everyday life:
Why We Struggle with Storytelling: Jyoti breaks down why so many teachers, managers, and corporate leaders struggle to tell engaging stories. He believes it’s a combination of mindset and method—and a misunderstanding of the subtle power of stories.
Jyoti’s Four-Part Storytelling Framework: Jyoti shares his framework for effective storytelling, emphasizing spotting, storing, shaping, and sharing stories in a structured way. His advice encourages us to identify story-worthy moments in our daily lives.
Personal Stories in Business: Jyoti explores the importance of sharing personal anecdotes in professional settings, giving an example of how adding a touch of personality can enhance communication and engagement.
Storytelling Techniques: We discussed techniques like suspense, stakes, surprise, and humor that add depth to stories. Jyoti shared insights on structuring stories for maximum impact, from setting up the context to creating a memorable payoff.
The Evolving Role of AI in Writing: As an author who has experienced the rapid changes in publishing and storytelling, Jyoti offered his thoughts on the role of AI in writing, acknowledging both its benefits and ethical concerns.
Takeaways
Mindset Matters: Without the right mindset, people often struggle to communicate effectively. Jyoti encourages businesses to embrace storytelling not just as a method but as a fundamental approach to engagement.
Spot, Store, Shape, and Share: Jyoti’s framework for storytelling is a practical approach anyone can use. By recognizing and capturing stories around us, we can find powerful ways to connect with others.
Personal Touch: Bringing elements of our personal journey into professional contexts can create stronger bonds and help others relate to us. As Jyoti says, sometimes the smallest details can make the biggest impact.
Storytelling with AI: While AI tools can aid creativity, Jyoti stresses the importance of human intuition and quality. He uses AI as a brainstorming partner rather than as a replacement for his unique voice.
Key Links for the Guest
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyotiguptara/
Twitter: https://x.com/JyotiGuptara
Website: https://www.guptara.com/
What if love wasn’t a grand gesture, but a daily decision? What if the person who changed your life wasn’t a soulmate, but a stranger who became family?
