About Akshay Kadu
Akshay Vasant Kadu is an emerging Indian author and poet whose writing explores emotional well-being, relationships, self-discovery, and personal growth. His debut book, Before You Call It Love, marks the beginning of his literary journey and invites readers to explore love through the lens of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and introspection. Since its release, the book has received multiple literary recognitions, including the Author Literary Award 2026, the Stage Fame International Author Award 2026, and the International Excellence Award 2026 in the Male Writers category. Akshay is also a nationally selected co-author of the anthology Dear Men! Beyond the Mask of Masculinity & The Universe of us. Through his writing, he hopes to inspire empathy, meaningful conversations, and personal transformation, believing that literature has the power to heal, connect, and create lasting impact.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it, and its content.
Akshay Kadu: Before for you call it Love is my debut book. I wanted to express from long time. I had inception of this book in Dec 2020. I did record the stuff for the further development but I didn’t had the courage to pursue. Every time I would deceive myself internalizing I would write later. Finally in Feb 2026-March 2026 I had my time and wrote the book. I took me 5-5.2 years to muster the courage and I am grateful to everyone who has unconsciously woven the path for book.
The book explores themes such as self-awareness, attachment, emotional healing, vulnerability, boundaries, and personal growth. Rather than offering ready-made answers, it invites readers to question their beliefs, embrace introspection, and build healthier relationships rooted in authenticity.
Every chapter reflects experiences, observations, and lessons that shaped my understanding of love and life.
LiFT: Why did you choose this title?
Akshay Kadu: I chose the title Before You Call It Love because I believe we often label emotions as love without truly understanding what we are experiencing. Sometimes it is attachment, loneliness, fear, admiration, or familiarity. The title invites readers to pause before giving their emotions a name and to explore what lies beneath them.
LiFT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer, and what was your inspiration behind it?
Akshay Kadu: I had written a poem when I was in 9th grade. That was my introduction to writing. My greatest inspiration has been my own real life experiences, the people I have met, and the emotions we all struggle to understand. Every conversation, challenge, and moment of self-reflection has contributed to my writing.
It is not only a book for readers but also a reflection of my own pursuit of understanding human emotions and authentic relationships. Today, I see writing not just as a passion but as a lifelong commitment to creating meaningful conversations and helping readers discover themselves through words.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Akshay Kadu: It’s difficult for me to predict where I’ll be in ten years because I’m deeply enjoying the process of writing today. Rather than focusing on a distant destination, I prefer to focus on becoming a better writer with every book and every poem.
The future will take care of itself for now, I’m grateful to keep writing with honesty and purpose.
LiFT: How important do you think marketing and the quality of a book are in promoting it and increasing its readership?
Akshay Kadu: As a debut author, I’ve learned that marketing opens the door, but the quality of the writing is what builds trust, recommendations, and lasting readership. In the long run, authentic storytelling and genuine reader experiences are what create a book’s true legacy.
I believe both quality and marketing are equally important, but they serve different purposes.
LiFT: What message do you want to convey to people through your writing?
Akshay Kadu: Through my writing, I want to encourage people to explore themselves with honesty. I believe self-awareness begins when we stop running from the parts of ourselves that are uncomfortable to face. We all carry fears, wounds, and unanswered questions, and true growth begins when we acknowledge them instead of hiding them. I hope my books and poems become a mirror rather than a manual, a space where readers can see themselves more clearly, ask difficult questions, and discover their own answers.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Akshay Kadu: Apart from writing, I enjoy observing people and understanding human behavior, including my own. I’m naturally curious about why people think, feel, and act the way they do. Reading is an important part of my life, and I especially enjoy books on psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and personal growth.
I also enjoy quiet moments of reflection, as many of my ideas begin with simply observing the world around me.
LiFT: What activities do you resort to when you face writer’s block?
Akshay Kadu: I don’t believe in forcing creativity. When I face writer’s block, I give myself permission to pause, observe, and reflect. I believe writing is an act of perceiving rather than forcing. Inspiration often arrives naturally when we create space for it, so I trust the process and wait patiently for what I like to call divine intervention.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If so, could you tell us something about it?
Akshay Kadu: At the moment, I’m not actively working on my next book. I do have ideas that I find exciting, but I don’t want to rush the writing process. I believe every book deserves its own time to grow naturally. Right now, my priority is to help Before You Call It Love reach more readers, especially young people and those who have struggled with emotional dependency, unhealthy attachment, or finding themselves in relationships.
When the time is right, I’ll begin writing the next book with the same sincerity and purpose.
LiFT: What are your suggestions for budding writers and poets to help them improve their writing skills?
Akshay Kadu: My biggest suggestion is simple: write, write, and keep writing. Don’t wait for perfection before you begin. Every first draft is an opportunity to learn, and every piece you write teaches you something new. You can only refine your voice by giving yourself permission to create consistently. I believe everyone has the potential to become a better writer if they are genuinely curious and committed to the craft.
Click here to order Akshay Kadu’s Book – Before You Call It Love
