About Anuj Paul
Anuj Paul is a seasoned software engineering leader turned author, whose years of mentoring teams and guiding young professionals inspired him to reach a younger audience — teenagers and pre-teens stepping into an increasingly complex world.
Drawing from his leadership experience, Anuj transforms life and workplace lessons into relatable, everyday stories that help teens develop self-awareness, empathy, and confidence. His storytelling blends real-world wisdom with the simplicity of human connection — the kind that helps young readers pause, reflect, and grow.
Through his debut work, Before The World Gets Louder, Anuj brings the heart of a mentor and the voice of a father — hoping to equip today’s youth with the clarity, kindness, and courage they’ll need for tomorrow.
LiFT: Tell us about your book, the journey of writing it, and its content.
Anuj Paul: My life has been shaped by a cosmopolitan childhood, college years full of discovery, and a career that brought me close to people from all walks of life — each with their own stories of ambition, fear, courage, and quiet resilience. I’ve seen how people evolve under pressure, open up when trusted, and sometimes falter when misunderstood. Over time, I realized that emotional intelligence isn’t just a leadership skill — it’s a life skill. Yet, it’s something we rarely teach explicitly.
The real spark behind this book, however, was my daughter. Watching her grow — curious, bright, and sensitive — made me wonder how we can prepare our children for a world that’s changing faster than we can explain. A world where confidence is measured in likes, where information overwhelms reflection, and where identity is shaped as much by algorithms as by real connections.
Today’s teens face more complexity than ever. They navigate blurred lines — between humor and offense, assertiveness and arrogance, individuality and belonging. These are nuanced challenges, and the answers don’t exist in any textbook. That’s why I chose to write this book in the form of relatable, illustrated stories — not as lectures, but as reflections of real moments in a teenager’s life.
Each chapter explores a situation today’s teens might find themselves in — sometimes light, sometimes difficult — and through those stories, I’ve tried to weave lessons around empathy, communication, boundaries, and self-awareness.
Before The World Gets Louder isn’t a manual. It’s a mirror — one that helps young readers pause, think, and perhaps see a bit of themselves in the stories. If it helps even one teenager feel understood, or gives one parent a conversation starter with their child, then I’ll feel this journey has truly been worth it.
LiFT: Why did you choose this title?
Anuj Paul: Choosing a title is always a journey for any author, and it was no different for me. I wanted something simple, relatable, yet thought-provoking — a phrase that gently points to a need many teens and parents may not always recognize right away.
Before The World Gets Louder felt like the right expression of that idea. It’s a soft nudge — a reminder that the world will inevitably grow louder with opinions, expectations, and distractions. But before that happens, there’s a window of time when we can help our teens pause, reflect, and build the inner strength to find their own path.
The title, to me, captures both urgency and tenderness — a father’s quiet wish for his child, and for every child, to be ready before the noise of the world takes over.
LiFT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer, and what was your inspiration behind it?
Anuj Paul: I’ve always been an introvert, and for me, writing — along with art and design — has been my most natural way of expressing myself. While I never set out to write for a wider audience, I’ve often used writing in my professional life to motivate, mentor, and guide people around me.
Being an introvert also makes me a keen observer of people and situations. I tend to look beyond the surface — to understand why people react the way they do, what drives them, and what holds them back. Over the years, I’ve mentored many fresh graduates entering the corporate world, and those experiences made me realize how valuable it is to help the next generation navigate life with awareness and empathy.
This book grew from that realization — an attempt to reach a younger audience who may live in a very different world than the one I grew up in, yet face the same human dilemmas in new forms. And of course, being a father to a tween daughter added a deeply personal layer to it. In many ways, this book is both a guide for her generation and a father’s heartfelt attempt to prepare them — gently — before the world gets louder.
LiFT: Where do you see yourself ten years down the line in the world of literature?
Anuj Paul: I don’t see myself as a literary expert, nor is my goal to become one. My motivation for writing has always been rooted in connection — to share life experiences, simplify everyday dilemmas, and help people reflect and grow in their personal and professional lives.
That said, I do hope to keep evolving as a writer — to make my voice and thoughts resonate more deeply with readers. For me, success won’t be measured in awards or acclaim, but in quiet impact — if my words can help someone pause, rediscover themselves, or simply choose kindness in a difficult moment, I’ll know I’m on the right path.
LiFT: How important do you think marketing and the quality of a book are in promoting it and increasing its readership?
Anuj Paul: If a book doesn’t reach its intended audience, its purpose remains unfulfilled — no matter how meaningful the content is. Marketing plays a crucial role in putting the book, and its message, in front of the right people. But for me, marketing must feel genuine and authentic. It may take longer to build momentum, but it attracts readers who truly connect with the intent behind the work.
At the same time, quality is what turns first-time readers into advocates. When a book resonates, it begins to market itself — through word of mouth, authentic reviews, and shared experiences. So while marketing opens the door, it’s the quality of writing and sincerity of purpose that keep it open.
LiFT: What message do you want to convey to people through your writing?
Anuj Paul: For me, writing is about sharing experiences and offering gentle guidance that helps people discover themselves. I want my words to encourage self-reflection, self-love, and a rethinking of how we define success in life.
I see myself as a guide — someone who draws from personal experiences and observations of people around me, to make sense of the everyday challenges we all face. My hope is that readers find motivation in my writing to introspect, to choose what resonates with them, and to take action in their own way.
Ultimately, I want my stories to spark meaningful conversations — between parents and children, friends, and even colleagues — that lead to more understanding, empathy, and clarity in how we live and grow.
LiFT: What do you do apart from writing?
Anuj Paul: I’ve spent nearly three decades as a software professional and executive leader, building technology solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. More recently, I’ve taken a creative pivot — combining my experience in technology with my passion for design to create purpose-driven everyday products.
Through our brand “Thematic Prints,” I explore the idea of creative commerce — where each design is meant to express individuality, spark meaningful conversations, celebrate culture, or inspire mindful living. It’s a venture close to my heart and currently takes most of my time as we build its foundation.
Alongside that, I continue to coach, mentor, and guide professionals, students, and fresh graduates through Topmate.io, staying connected to my long-standing passion for helping people grow and find their paths.
LiFT: What activities do you resort to when you face writer’s block?
Anuj Paul: I haven’t hit a full-blown writer’s block yet, but I do encounter moments of uncertainty—especially writing for an audience I haven’t addressed widely before. When that happens I borrow a trick from my tech days: troubleshoot by working backwards.
Instead of getting stuck on how to say something, I go back to what I want to convey and why it matters. Once the purpose is crystal clear, the tone and structure usually follow. So I return to the drawing board, reaffirm the core message, then test whether different approaches actually serve that purpose. If they don’t, I iterate—just like debugging—until the right form reveals itself.
LiFT: Are you working on your next book? If so, could you tell us something about it?
Anuj Paul: I do have plans for my next book and hope to start writing once Thematic Prints finds its rhythm and runs on its own. While the concept is still taking shape, it will most likely be a reflective narrative — a journey that moves through different cultures, circumstances, and challenges, touching on themes of belonging, self-doubt, resilience, and personal reinvention.
It won’t be a story about success in the conventional sense, but about the comeback — the mindset it takes to rise after setbacks, to find inclusion when you feel like the odd one out, and to stay grounded even as you grow. Ultimately, it’s about defining success not by titles or positions, but by the kind of person you become and the impact you leave behind.
LiFT: What are your suggestions for budding writers and poets to help them improve their writing skills?
Anuj Paul: If I had to sum it up in one line, it would be: “Just write.”
If there’s something you want to express — a thought, an experience, or a perspective that could help or inspire others — don’t overthink it, just put it into words. With the tools and platforms available today, publishing your work has never been easier. So write and share boldly.
Don’t start with the goal of fame or financial success — those things may come later, but they shouldn’t be your reason to write. Focus instead on what you want to say and why it matters. Even if it doesn’t resonate right away, it will teach you what to refine and how to grow. Be clear about your purpose, stay authentic, and keep writing. The right readers will find you.
Click here to order Anuj Paul’s Book – Before The World Gets Louder
