Jasveer Singh Dangi embodies a diverse tapestry of talents—author, podcast host, behavioral trainer, and esteemed health and safety professional hailing from Canada. What began as an unforeseen journey into writing in 2018 with his poignant childhood memoir, Version One and a Half (Version 1 ½), swiftly burgeoned into a prolific career marked by nine published books and two collaborative works. Despite his self-professed label as an accidental author, Jasveer’s literary prowess has garnered widespread acclaim, punctuated by a string of accolades and recognition. Notably, his magnum opus, The Hunter Genesis, found its place among the coveted list of summer must-reads by esteemed platforms like ANI Asia, Jio News, and Zee5. Recognized as the Author of the Year by Ukiyoto Publishing for his anthology Ensemble, and hailed as one of the 10 Indian Authors Redefining Modern Literature by Kathmandu Tribune, Jasveer’s literary footprint is as diverse as it is impactful.
Beyond the realms of writing, he’s earned commendations for his contributions to health and safety training, further cementing his multifaceted expertise. Jasveer’s storytelling finesse often draws inspiration from everyday observations, seamlessly weaving them into his narratives. His diverse array of titles, from The Incredible Mr. Sweets to Diary from Heaven, showcases his range, each narrative a testament to his keen eye for human stories. So, we’re happy to have this opportunity here to ask Jasveer some questions about himself as well as his most recent release, The Hunter Genesis.
What inspired you to write The Hunter Genesis and delve into the superhero fantasy adventure genre? Can you share the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of the story?
I have always been fascinated by action/adventure, fantasy and sci-fi genres. My favourite is old-school Indian fantasy comics; Supercomando Dhruv, Chacha Chaudhary, and Nagraj to name a few. These are well known in India but not so much globally. I grew up reading these comics and my dream was to create a character with a global appeal. I had been working on this book for over 2 years and finally, book 1 was published in January 2023. Book 2 is complete and will go for editing very soon.
Writing is the best stress buster and it lets me unwind and declutter my mind. Because, as a writer, I feel whatever I write, whether it is a happy situation or a sad one. The kick that I get while writing a fantasy, or an action and adventure-packed scene is simply amazing and I intend to write more of Hunter and more action and adventure.
How did you go about developing the characters in the book, especially the protagonist? Are they inspired by real people or entirely fictional? Can you provide insights into the main character’s journey and how they evolve throughout the story?
I am an avid observer of my surroundings and I love using real-life experiences, situations and characters in my stories. The Hunter Genesis is set in eighteenth-century India and while some of the characters are inspired by real historical figures, the Hunter–protagonist–is completely fictional. I have amalgamated history with fiction to create this series. Another fact about the world of Hunter is that while it is set in the eighteenth century, the dialogues and language used are very much modern. A catchphrase used throughout the book, “Son of a bacteria,” has been the highlight for many readers and they have reached out asking about the background of this phrase. So, The Hunter Genesis is a historical fiction fantasy story with a modern outlook.
The Hunter is a complicated character who doesn’t know anything about his past and the first book is all about him trying to find his identity. He is led by certain events which guide him closer to knowing the truth about himself. Book 2 titled, The Hunter Genesis – Revelation, is where he will find his real self and understand his true potential.
The book seems to have a rich and detailed world. How did you go about building the fictional universe in The Hunter Genesis? Were there any particular influences, whether from other works of fiction or real-world events, that shaped the setting?
I have a confession; I am not an avid reader and this has been an issue since childhood. My attention span and retention level are very low and that affects my reading process. By the time I embarked on my literary journey in 2018, I hadn’t read any books. My first book, Version One and a Half was nothing but 
my childhood memoir that was part of my journal. I was told by my dear friend, Chetan Singh (God bless his soul), who glanced through my journal, to publish the journal as a book. He also recommended that I should read some books before I worked on converting the memoir into a book.
I started reading Chetan Bhagat’s One Indian Girl, followed by The Girl in Room 105. I simply loved his writing style. Apart from this, I loved Chalkline by Jane Mitchell and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a ***k by Mark Ronson. The fact that I finished reading these books is a blooming miracle. Henceforth I have not been able to read many books worth remembering and since I haven’t read many books, I write the way I think and imagine stories. That may or may not be at par with the standards of professional writing, so be it. I use simple language to narrate my stories and I love doing it. I have never read any science fiction or fantasy books so my interpretation of The Hunter Genesis is completely unbiased and not affected by any other story of a similar genre.
Everyone who knows me well can vouch that I am a kid at heart. That has been the source of my stories. I write from the point-of-view of a child. This has been my greatest USP while creating the world in The Hunter Genesis. My world is a combination of history and fiction which has been imagined by a child. This approach has been extremely helpful while creating action scenes and also this has brought a comical timing to the exchange of dialogues.
Are there specific themes or messages you aimed to convey through the narrative? How do you see the themes in your book resonating with readers?
India has a rich culture and heritage that dates back to thousands of years. That has not been fully explored in the literary world. Although there are writers who have used Indian mythology to create fiction stories, we still have a long way to go. We have so many ancient stories that need to be told. I want to see more Indian historical fiction stories coming out. The Hunter Series is my homage to the Indian culture.
What was your writing process like for The Hunter Genesis? Do you follow a specific routine or have any unique rituals while writing? Were there any challenges you faced during the writing process, and how did you overcome them?
I am not a disciplined writer; I write when I feel like writing and that can happen anytime. I don’t need a specific setting or location to write, I can practically write anywhere. Back in India, I extensively used my transit time to write on my phone. The Metromaniac Chronicles was 100% written while I travelled through Delhi Metro.
The biggest challenge for a writer is getting their work published and then marketing it. Traditional publishers are very picky. For my first book, I waited for over eight months to get a response. Then I finally took the self-publishing route. I wish traditional publishers would gamble on more self-published authors. Marketing is the second and the biggest challenge for a self-published author. Because we have to spend everything from our pocket. Even after this, becoming a best-selling author is a distant dream.
Superhero stories often have unique powers and abilities. How did you approach creating the superpowers in your book? Did you draw inspiration from existing superheroes, or did you strive for originality in your characters’ abilities?
There are so many superhero characters out there that similarities will always be there. Practically every superhero can fly and is indestructible so no imagination over there. It’s how you present your story that will make a difference to a reader. I have attempted to add that uniqueness by choosing a very unusual period for an Indian superhero. Rather than placing him in the modern world, I placed him in the eighteenth century. Although in the future books he might even live long enough to be in the twenty-first century. I believe that this kind of setting has never been experimented with before.
Concerning his superpowers, I used my lazy side to imagine what I do even without moving my behind 😊. The ability to levitate my coffee cup and get it to me rather than me getting up and picking it up was a huge motivation behind Hunter’s superpowers.
On a serious note, the hero of my story is not the protagonist, but the environment he is in. So, if he is on a boat, the boat is the highlight. If there is a scene where a musket is being reloaded or a cannon fuse is being lit, then the musket and cannon are the highlights. To compensate for his superpowers being repetitive and the same as other superheroes, I have used other aspects of his surroundings to highlight his superpowers.
The superhero genre often involves intense action scenes. How did you approach maintaining a balance between action and the overall pacing of the story? Are there specific action scenes or sequences in the book that were particularly challenging or enjoyable to write?
Book 1 is all about action and less about the Hunters’ superpowers because he is still exploring. The weaponry and tactics of the era has been highlighted and used extensively throughout the book based upon my research. Topography and conditions, such as jungle, night darkness, rugged topography, sea, etc., have also been used to create intense action sequences. Book 2 will highlight his superpowers and also take the action and adventure to a whole new level.
Who do you envision as the target audience for The Hunter Genesis? Is it primarily geared towards fans of the superhero genre, or do you think it has broader appeal? How do you hope readers will engage with and respond to your book?
The Hunter Genesis has appealed to readers of all ages. Anyone who is a fan of action/adventure, superhero, fantasy and historical fiction will surely love it. The book was launched in January 2023 and the overall feedback has been really good. Many readers have reached out to enquire about the status and launch date of Book 2.
If there’s one thing you want readers to take away from The Hunter Genesis, what would it be? Is there anything else you’d like to share with your readers or aspiring writers?
The key takeaway for readers is… A weapon is not good by itself, and neither is it evil. It’s the hand that wields it that decides if it is for a good or a sinister purpose.
The world can surely use some peace and commonsense.
To all aspiring authors, don’t be stuck up on getting your work published through traditional publishing only, self-publishing is amazing. Get your work out there sooner rather than later. If your work is good, readers will surely appreciate it.
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The Hunter Genesis
When Nasir-ud-Din Muḥammad Shah, a weak Mughal king, discovers the whereabouts of powerful weapons used in the worst battle mankind had ever seen, he is ready to go to any lengths to acquire them. His mighty empire is at its weakest, with threats of imminent attack from outside and enemies within India consolidating more control. With desperation, Shah hatches a plan and there is only one man who can help him–THE HUNTER.
The Hunter is a finder of rare antiquities and is highly reputed for his impeccable skills. Though he mysteriously remembers nothing of his past, he has powers that make him invincible. But it all changes one day, when he gets forced to embark to Kanika Dwar, to retrieve weapons the power-hungry king desires.
Tackling difficult mountainous terrains, thick jungles, dangerous bandits and rough waters, The Hunter races against time to find what’s been hidden away for centuries and save a loved one from the clutches of the king. But he knows handing over the Godly weapons can only bring destruction in epic proportions.
Will he relent under pressure? Or find a way to save the world from unthinkable damage?
