Author Srujan Chowdary Panda, a technical lead in the software industry and passionate aviation enthusiast, presents his debut novel, The Mayday. Inspired by the mysterious disappearance of Malaysian flight MH370 and fueled by a lifelong curiosity about aviation, Panda combines meticulous research, simulation, and imagination to craft a thrilling narrative.
From exploring flight simulators to studying historical crash investigations, Panda has woven a story that balances technical precision with compelling human drama. The Mayday is not just an aviation thriller—it is a story of hope, determination, and the resilience of the human spirit when facing life-threatening emergencies.
Q1: What inspired you to write this novel, and how did the idea come to you?
I have always been curious about how things work—from microscopic elements to the vast universe. This curiosity led me to explore howstuffworks.com and eventually Microsoft Flight Simulator. While playing, I became fascinated by aircraft mechanics and flight dynamics.
The disappearance of MH370 captured my attention and sparked the idea. I experimented with flight simulations, studied crash documentaries, and gradually developed a storyline. Over a decade, the story evolved from scribbles and a screenplay into a full-fledged novel, enriched by insights from aviation professionals and enthusiasts. The result is The Mayday.
Q2: Can you share insights into your writing process?
It began with a single idea or one-liner, which I would scribble in my notepad. From there, I iteratively built each incident, added characters, and shaped the narrative. Multiple revisions helped refine the story, ensuring fluency and cohesion before the final draft emerged.
Q3: Are the characters based on real people or purely fictional?
Some lead characters are inspired by real people, with emotions based on my interactions with them. Most characters, however, are fictional, designed to fit the narrative and emotional arc of the story.
Q4: Your book delves into aviation. What motivated this theme, and what do you hope readers take away?
Being an aviation enthusiast, I wanted to combine storytelling with my passion. The novel aims to ignite curiosity, share knowledge, and inspire both readers and the aviation community. It also highlights the transformative power of storytelling in connecting people with knowledge and emotion.
Q5: How did you create the immersive world of your novel?
The story draws from real historical aviation crashes, but the narrative connecting these incidents is fictional. This combination allowed me to create a compelling, realistic, and emotionally engaging aviation world.
Q6: How did you balance originality with the technical expectations of the aviation genre?
Originality is central to the story. I consulted aviation professionals, incorporated their feedback, and ensured technical accuracy. One of the biggest challenges was framing a sequence of disasters and portraying three amateur women landing an impaired aircraft—this required careful blending of technical details with human emotion.
Q7: How did you maintain tension and pacing throughout the story?
I framed each incident with characters and emotions that draw readers in, helping them understand aviation intricacies while remaining engaged. Reading the story aloud and simulating scenes allowed me to fine-tune emotional tone and pacing for maximum impact.
Q8: How do you see traditional storytelling evolving in the digital age?
Writing has always preserved history, creativity, and human imagination. Books remain timeless companions, offering new interpretations with each read. Storytelling continues to inspire creativity, imagination, and critical thinking, no matter the era.
✈️ Take off with The Mayday!
Experience heart-stopping suspense, unforgettable characters, and the thrilling world of aviation like never before. The Mayday isn’t just a novel—it’s a journey into courage, hope, and human ingenuity.
Get your copy today on amazon and soar through a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
