Draft:Sharad Kumar Rastogi

Biography

Sharad Kumar is an Indian author and the visionary founder of The Literary Book Club (TLB), India’s largest and most active online digital book city comprising of Authors, Artists, Graphic Designers, Musicians, Actors and Bookstagrammers. He gained recognition through his debut novel, The Sugar Lake Tragedy, published in 2024, which blends elements of science fiction, dark fantasy, and thriller, with an underlying theme of environmental pollution and its impact on entire universe. Kumar’s writing often reflects his concerns about the environment, nature, and how scientific progress can hinder with human life, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences with allergies caused by pollution. Growing up with a passion for reading and science, Sharad began writing early on, crafting stories that integrate imaginative worlds with real-world scientific issues. His background in science heavily influences his works, which often feature speculative technology and environmental commentary. His debut work has been praised for its originality and for bringing attention to under-discussed topics such as environmental degradation, pollution, and their effects on human life and most importantly on the entire universe.

In addition to his work as an author, Sharad is the founder of TLB - The Digital City, a thriving literary community which has now turned into the biggest online digital city, that began on WhatsApp. Since its establishment in July 2024, the digital city has grown exponentially, connecting over 1500 members from across the country in meaningful discussions about books, literature, creative writing, arts, and manga comics. This rapidly expanding community, known as the "Digital City," is celebrated for fostering an inclusive space for readers and authors and artists alike.

Debut Novel

The Sugar Lake Tragedy:

Sharad’s debut novel, The Sugar Lake Tragedy, is a science fiction thriller set in a dystopian world grappling with extreme environmental pollution. The novel weaves a suspenseful narrative about a mysterious tragedy that befalls an entire country near a toxic lake, drawing parallels between human actions and the devastation of natural ecosystems. With elements of dark fantasy and thrilling suspense, the novel has been noted for its deep moral undertones, questioning the cost of unchecked industrialization and the consequences of environmental neglect. Sharad’s ability to blend fast-paced action with thought-provoking themes has garnered him praise from critics and readers alike.

TLB - The Digital City

In July 2024, Sharad Kumar founded TLB - The Digital City, a groundbreaking digital community designed to bring together book lovers, authors, artists, graphic designers, actors, musicians and other creative thinkers from across the country. Primarily operating through WhatsApp, the community has quickly become a hub for literary engagement, hosting a variety of activities such as:

TLB Author's Reality Show
TLB Review Circle
TLB Film City
TLB Magazine
TLB Comics (Manga)
TLB Poem Anthology
TLB Book Series
Book of the Week (BOTW): Every week, a different book is selected for in-depth discussions. These sessions include author introductions, book cover debates, sharing favourite passages, and ending with members choosing the most popular contributor of the week.
Author of the Week (AOTW): This segment highlights a new author every week, exploring their works, writing style, and organizing Q&A sessions for direct interactions between members and authors.
Instagram Book Recommendation Reels

Competitions in TLB:

TLB hosts a variety of creative competitions, including-
Instagram Post Competition
YouTube Competition
Weekly Debate competition
Weekly Photography Competition
Weekly Book Cover Design Competition

And all these are held among the literary members - in the Daily Competition Room of the online digital city.

TLB also hosts a variety of Arts Competition such as -

Pen-art sketch competition
Colour-Pencil Art sketch competition
Charcoal/Graphite pencil Art sketch competition
Painting Competition
Graphic Designer/Digital Arts Competition

And all these arts competition takes place in the Artist Competition Room Of the online digital city.

TLB has also started hosting -

Music Competition
Chess Competition
Writer of the Week Competition

Under Sharad’s leadership, TLB has transformed from a simple book club in the month of June 2024 into a dynamic “Digital City” by the end of year 2024, a city that fosters a love for reading and a sense of arts and music among its members. Each year, TLB’s anniversary will be celebrated on July 19th with an Annual Award Event and other offline events shall be hosted in all the major cities of India, recognizing the contributions of members, artists and authors to the digital city.

Writing Style and Themes:

Sharad Kumar’s writing is often noted for its detailed world-building, dark and imaginative storytelling, and integration of real-world issues with speculative fiction. His works are deeply influenced by his concerns for environmental degradation, often portraying dystopian futures where technology and nature collide. He skilfully balances high-octane thrillers with moral commentary, using suspense and fantasy to engage readers while encouraging reflection on pressing global issues like pollution, corporate greed, and scientific ethics.

His novels also feature complex characters grappling with the ethical dilemmas of scientific progress and its unintended consequences, often set against the backdrop of deteriorating ecosystems.

Career:

Sharad’s career as an author began with the release of The Sugar Lake Tragedy in 2024, which garnered attention for its fresh take on environmental issues through the lens of science fiction. His ability to create suspenseful, action-packed plots, combined with meaningful commentary on real-world issues, sets him apart from traditional genre fiction.

Notable Works:

The Sugar Lake Tragedy (2024)

The White Hole (Upcoming)

Personal Life:

Born on March 31^st 1992, Sharad Kumar’s interest in literature, science, and the environment has been a defining aspect of his life. His personal experiences with allergies, likely triggered by environmental pollution, have fuelled his passion for writing stories that address ecological issues. When he is not writing currently, Sharad remains actively engaged with the TLB community, often participating in discussions, organizing events, and promoting a culture of reading, artistic creations and creative expressions.

Sharad lives in Patna (Bihar), where he continues to work on expanding TLB-The Digital City. He is passionate about connecting readers and authors and artists through his online Digital City and using literature and arts to inspire change in the world.

External Links

TLB - The Digital City instagram page TLB - The Digital City Youtube page Sharad Kumar instagram profile