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Many Stories, One Lesson

Between Facebook and YouTube, I really can't tell which has got the better part of my attention. As an internet citizen, I have a compound on Facebook, while as an addict of knowledge, YouTube subscription reflects heavily on my budget. I have lots of favorite clips on YouTube ranging from documentaries, interviews, Ted talks, stand-up comedy, sermons and tutorials.

Sometime last year I stumbled on a clip on YouTube where Daddy Freeze interviewed Timaya in his mansion. It lasted for about two hours, and I stayed up all night to savor every bit of it. Weird, right? Not at all.

Timaya told a story about hi short trip from Abuja to Lagos. Upon his arrival at the airport, he met unusual heavy security presence. After his inquiry, he was told that the security operatives were the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They had come to arrest former governor; Fayose of Ekiti state. While he sorted himself out, Fayose arrived at the airport and was immediately whisked away by the security men.

The arrival lounge was quiet. No one hailed or praised the former governor as usual. People only stood, watched and pointed. As Fayose and him made eye contact and slightly waved at each other, Timaya said he realized that this is the same man that his arrival on a place like this some months ago would have attracted crowd jostling to see him or welcome him because he was in power. Since he was no longer in power, people whom he thought really loved him have deserted him. As far as they are concerned, he was no longer relevant. The praise singers could no longer find their voices!

 Timaya told another similar story:

He had gone to visit his sister who had just been delivered of a child in one of the hospitals around Mafoloku, Lagos state. As soon as he set foot at the hospital, words quickly spread that he is in town. Not long after, the hospital was nearly shut down by the crowd that rushed in to see him. He was flattered by the overwhelming reception that he received at the hospital. After he managed to leave the hospital and find his way home, he got a call from his mother who was still at the hospital with her daughter.

"Timaya,” she began, “This people wey gather there, you think say them like you?"  She asked her son.

"But mama na my fans na."

"Same people wey dey hail you, na them go laugh you. Don't put it in your mind.

Work very hard. Just dey go your own because the day wey them no go see you again, they won't talk to you. Them forget about you. Them no go hail you."

Tai Solarin: Our successes are conditioned by the amount of risk we are ready to take.

Bishop David Oyedepo: You were created for dominion, you are born to win.

Some days ago, global media went agog with the news of what has been termed the greatest comeback in sports history. Tiger Woods had won The Masters (his 15th major title) after missing in action for 11 years. Same Tiger Woods that 11 years ago had been dragged around by the media on his cases of infidelity in marriage which led to divorce, and consequently a slash on his net worth and performance in sports.

Different people had used Woods as a case study for their "From grace to grass" homily. If you wanted a good contemporary example of how "charisma will take you up, but character will bring you down", Woods was the flagship.  He paid dearly for his mistakes. Not many thought that he would bounce back.

11 YEARS LATER…Woods' story has changed. People are singing his praises. We're beginning to find motivation in his situation. I don't mean to say everyone celebrating Tiger Woods now is a hypocrite. I only mean to say life is tough. Never swell on the compliment or condemnation of people. Like the adage, success has many friends but failure is an orphan. So wisdom demands you don't attach too much to criticism or celebration. Always give your best. The constant in this life are you, God and your decision. Everyone else is a dependent or independent variable.

Set your priorities right and duly put things in the right perspective. When people praise you, appreciate them, but don't be a fool to think they've got your back forever. Also when they jeer at you, don't take it personal. Such is life. Learn from your fall and bounce back again as quickly as possible. Some people only have permanent interests. It is not dependent on you or what you are to them. Once they no longer get what they expect to receive from you, they move on.

No mentally balanced athlete will stop at the middle of a race to yell back at critiques, or return pleasant greetings of his fans, family and friends. Focus on your game and goal. Keep your eyes on the prize and don't lose sight of the finish line.

People will always be people. Don’t try to impress everyone.

…fathers will use you as an example to teach their sons.

…mothers will mention you in late night gist with their daughters.

…mentors will use you as a case study for their protégés.

…consultants will sketch your history on the board for their clients.

…pastors will feature you in their Sunday school manual.

…public speakers will host events and presentations by your inspiration.

…bloggers will be grateful for your traffic.

Do what is right. Not what you like.

Culled from Facebook
Edited by Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

There’s Future for Self publishing in Nigeria.

I am a Christian. I write middle grade adventure fiction and picture books. Also, I write tract, pamphlets and little Christian books. Most of my books are in paperbacks and they are not published online. They are sold directly to schools in Nigeria. In Nigeria alone, I have been so fortunate to have my books published by: Learnrite Publishers, Apex Books Limited, Pekan Ventures, Net continental Publications and recently Human Change Communications Company. All these publishers distribute their titles directly to schools (public and private) in Nigeria. Also, I have two publishers overseas (Open Books and Bouncing Ball Books). One is defunct and the other is doing well. But someday our marriage will be over.

Today I self publish my books in Nigeria through my own outfit, Human Change Communications Company. I have been able to combine book publishing and evangelism successfully. While most of my books have themes and messages of love, charity, redemption and faith, my target is often children. I believe they are the future. They should have the best.

 One of my success stories is my recently published little book, The Promised Land. In the last one month, the paperback has sold over 500 copies in Nigeria. It’s only forty pages. I included questions and lots of activities. So it’s fun all the way!

As part of my mission to evangelize through publishing pamphlets, tracts and little books, I have made the Promised Land free online. You can download any format at free-ebooks.net and the PDF on my blog here. The Promised Land is not the only Christian book that I have published as paperback in Nigeria. Some of my books include: Money Not Enough, the Good Father, the Honorable Man, and Tales of Mr Townsend. Like my other books, they are all used in primary schools in Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Imo, Abia, Delta, Rivers, and Ekiti. Soon they will be on the internet for a token or free.

There’s a future for self publishing in Nigeria. However, it has a price. Doing business in Nigeria is generally harsh. If you are not tough, the sharks will swallow you! Like every other business, publishing or self publishing in Nigeria is tedious, rigorous and frustrating. You could be printing today and then be out of business in the next season. It is as simple as that. If you are not careful, you will run into debt as you try to satisfy your distributors and sales representatives.

If you hope to get something tangible out of self publishing, you must be prepared to have all the factors of production right under your nose!  Meaning, you must own a printing press, provide your own electricity, have a genuine source of finance that you can easily pull cash, be a friend of the paper merchant or you become a paper merchant yourself and lastly have loyal distributors and sales representatives. If all of these things are not under your control, book publishing in Nigeria is not for you. It will kill you!

It is not easy to be a successful publisher or self publisher in Nigeria. To get to the top of the food chain, you need to wield enough power and control very large number of people. It is the people you control that make the process successful. The lesser the number of people you control, the more likely you will struggle in the book industry in Nigeria. Because self publishing in Nigeria is very difficult, less people are willing to undertake the stress. Publishing is a goldmine that is deeper than the deep blue sea. If you survive the stress, you will become a very powerful person. To get to the top in the publishing industry in Nigeria, you must control people. Not just your employees who in my own opinion are the least on the list of people who must be under your control. You must stamp your authority. You control everything including the bank, paper merchants, printers, collators, distributors and reps. Nothing more, nothing less! 

Yes, you can achieve it! It is possible! Learnrite publishers did it! Net Continental publications did it! Pekan Ventures did it! You too can!

 Learnrite, Net Continental and Pekan were all once self publishers!

Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

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Free Book: The City Heroes and other stories from the Heart of Africa.

Synopsis: Tonight during story time take a trip to the heart of Africa.

Make new friends including a clutter of cats otherwise known as The City Heroes. Follow a pair of jungle ants as they rescue their friend from a raging storm. Tag along with a country boy as he hunts wild birds to prepare a feast for his father’s arrival. Understand the true meaning of mercy and charity when a stranger is caught stealing eggs from a farmer. Help a baby named Thomas find his way home after he strays from his father’s boat. Follow Blaize and his newfound canine friend Thatcher as they thwart a group of kidnappers in Blaize and the Master of Enchantment.

Beautifully illustrated pictures help tell all six stories including The City Heroes, The Jungle Ants, The Country Boy, Stranger on the Farm, Baby Thomas and Blaize and the Master of Enchantment. Encounter adventures beyond your wildest dreams, learn about the beautiful country of Nigeria, and see how easy and how fun it is to learn about a new culture in the heart of Africa.

The City Heroes and other stories from the Heart of Africa by Nigerian writer Omoruyi Uwuigiaren is a perfect introduction for young readers to learn about the African experience. Suitable for middle grade readers, the stories within the collection contain messages and themes about forgiveness, charity, redemption and loyalty all from a decidedly African perspective.

Author: Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

Publisher: Open Books

FREE PDF

Free Book: The Promised Land.

Synopsis: It is normal to be angry. It is only wrong if you cannot control yourself in anger. We are who we choose to be. In the Promised Land, friendship was tested and the very issues of life are in the balance.

Author: Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

Publisher: Human Change Communications Company

FREE PDF

Ruyi's Interview with Nigerian Born British Writer, Life Coach and Motivational Speaker, Sam Akowe.

Ruyi: Tell us something about yourself, where you are based, and how you came to be a writer.

My name is Sam Akowe. I was born 63 years ago in Oza-Nogogo town in Ika South Local Government of Delta State of Nigeria. I am the youngest child of a family of six (4 men and 2 women). I left Oza in 1968 to Agbor in Delta State (then Mid-West) during the Nigerian civil war. I later relocated to Lagos in 1973.  When my father died in 1963, continuing my primary education became very difficult. When my mother could no longer cope, she withdrew me from school, therefore unable to complete my elementary education.  She handed me over to a local trader who also had a shop at Agbor to become a shop assistant at the age of 12. I left Agbor for Lagos in 1973 having served my “master” for three years without any reward.

On arrival in Lagos, I wanted to continue my education but my elder brothers who I had joined in Lagos where in no financial position to sponsor me. I ended up going into a local Commercial Institute (one room school) where I studied Typewriting, Shorthand, English Language and Accounting.

I secure my first even employment as a Copy Typist with a clearing company based at the Ikeja Airport, Lagos in 1975 – without any paper qualification!  That was how my life began.  As I began to earn, my quest for education continued to grow even stronger. After office hours, I will go to an evening private school. I continued to struggle and believe that I will make it. A few years later, in 1975 I sat for Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Examination in Typewriting Stages one and two (I & II) and passed. In 1979 I sat for my GCE O’Levels in Commerce, Government, Economics and Business Methods… Alas, I passed them all.  I worked in many companies in Lagos between 1975 and 1991 before I migrated to United Kingdom. My last job was with a Merchant Bank in Victoria Island.

On arrival in United Kingdom in 1991, it was really difficult to survive. As many other migrants before me, I did not have enough information about life in UK. I just wanted to travel, believing that getting there will solve all my life’s (economic) problems.  Anyway, I am still in the UK with my family of 5 – my wife and 3 children.

I became a writer through incessant social commentaries with friends and pals at work or public engagement. I am a positive minded person, very out-spoken and always have opinion on any given issue or topic and never afraid to express them.  Through positive response to the ideologies I profess from time to time, friends and those close to me began to impress upon me to document my thoughts. I started by Blogging, the rest they say, is history.

Ruyi: The master who did not reward you after serving him for three years only motivated you to bend the ugly circumstance to your favor. And I am glad you did. What genre do you really write and have you considered other genres?

My genre is Motivation.  I am very passionate about motivating and inspiring people.  It has helped me in my personal development and I have observed that it is a vital ingredient to the scheme of success. With clear, positive and realistic thinking anyone can achieve.

Hopefully, I will write a fiction book someday in the future. For now, I still have so much to talk about in self building and actualization of individual dreams through positive thinking and actions.

Ruyi: Tell us something about the books/contents that you have written or created and the story behind them. 

BUY

My book GOD, FAITH AND REALITY (Locate the Key to Your Door of Success) talks about positive thinking, defeating fears and believing in self.  It is a book that walks on the edge. As an African, we are very scared to express our opinion, especially if they are contrary to the belief of many people. Religion is one of those subjects.  For many years, though I was not born a Christian, I became a Christian and did all that is expected of a Christian.  However, when I experienced personal difficulties that defied professed solutions, I turned to God as I am taught to do all to no avail.  I began to think about the whole concept of Religion, God’s power to influence our lives positively.  I could not find answers to my problems, no matter how hard I prayed and fasted.  I look around myself, others around me, the society, the country (UK) and it dawned on me that my long held belief could not be sustained by evidence around me.  I began to wonder why Africans in Africa and indeed Africans in Europe, America and Asia struggle so much to improve life.  Majority of us are religious.  On the contrary, the Europeans and Asians are not as religious as us, yet we depend on them for our existence!  Something is not right!  Look at Africa, blindly following the teachings of Religion while disease and poverty ravage the continent!  What God will watch His people damaged this way? The reality is that we are the architect of our own destiny.  Great countries and continents are not built by faith – they are created and built through vision, integrity, hard work and scientific creations.

Ruyi: Sam, if Africa have more people like you, the continent will be able to solve most of her problems. So what place does writing or content creation hold in your life? 

Prominent!  Everything we use and enjoy in life begins with a simple thought.  Therefore, knowledge is crucial if you are to succeed in life.  I will continue to express myself through live seminars, videos and writing of materials that will inspire people to achieve their ultimate goals in life.

Ruyi: All right. What is your writing process or a typical writing day routine? 

BUY

I write better at night.  It is calm and serene.  On the other hand, ideas flow all the time. Whenever any thought comes to me, I must jot it down and expand on it later. Honestly, I do not have a rigid process. Ideas come to me from unusual circumstances, therefore I respond as they appear.  I could be driving my car, walking along the road or just being in a public place – always observing things and people.

Ruyi: What marketing techniques have been most effective for you? 

My book is published by Amazon Create-Space USA. They are the primary marketer of it.  Facebook had been very effective for me.  However, I have tried to promote it through my website, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Ruyi: Browse my blog. You will find over two hundred websites where you can promote your books. Some are free. Others you need to pay to have your book promoted. You can also list your free books on my blog. Send me an email if you want me to get your free books on my blog. Free books are great tools in the art of book promotion. Take advantage of it. You can discount your books on Amazon and promote them on some of the websites on my blog. What do you think makes a book or content sell, or makes a reader buy it? 

In my view, personality is first.  Much as a book may contain valuable information or story, buyers tend to swing heavily on the status of the writer – is he/she a public figure of controversial nature? Yes content is also a strong factor that sells a book, but it also depends on the marketing tool and process of the publisher to push the book to the buying public.

Ruyi: What's the most moving or affecting thing a reader has said to you? 

Wow… there are many readers who have expressed very encouraging and heart-felt appreciation for the privilege and benefit for reading my book.  It is priceless.  A reader wrote to me via Facebook (with a picture of himself with the book) and said: “This is a valuable book that must be read by all. Thank you, Sam Akowe, for defying fear to write this book”.

 Ruyi: What are your favorite books, and why? 

My favourite books are:

(1)   Things Fall Apart (by Chinua Achebe)

(2)   Gulliver’s Travel (Jonathan Swift)

(3)   Animal Farm (by George Orwell)

I      I love the three books!  Though I do not consider myself as a political activist, but I do like to know what is going on around me.  The three books are highly political and they highlight what goes on in our society and world.

Ruyi: Yes, I read the Animal Farm in high school. I agree with you that George Orwell’s book’s a classic. Who are your favorite authors and what do you like the most about them? 

My favorite authors are Chinua Achebe, Jonathan Swift and George Orwell.  I love their styles of writing; the satiric approach to social and political issues in society is marvelous.

Ruyi: Well, my favorite author is “Charles Dickens” and “David Copperfield” is my favorite book. Tell us about the works that you are currently working on and their progress. 

I am just gathering materials for my second book.  It will be based on relationships.  Relationships have become too volatile.  Those inside want out and those out – not really sure of what they want to get themselves into are eager to get in.  A small group has actually decided that relationships are not for them.  Relationship is a beautiful thing if you understand it, your role and ability to compromise. I feel I have something to say about creating a better understanding in relationship, offer information that might help couples make educative choice and gaining the ability to maintain a healthy relationship.  What out!

Ruyi: What challenges do you think are faced by writers and content creators like you, and what's the worst thing about the industry according to you? 

The challenges faced by writers and content creators are multi-faceted.  Creators of intellectual properties, especially new ones find it extremely difficult to find publishers to accept their scripts.  They will ridicule you by making you feel you have written nonsense material. When you finally find one to publish it, you are ripped off so badly.  Publishers are so powerful that they can make you forfeit your dream.  Authors are publishers’ Fat Cows – they milk you until you are dry.

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Morgen Bailey's Author Interview with Omoruyi Uwuigiaren

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Ruyi's World of Books & Stories Interview with Carlos Farias CEO (Wicked Comics)

http://omoruyiu.blogspot.com/2019/03/ruyis-world-of-books-stories-interview.html

Ruyi: Apart from writing, what goals do you want to achieve in life? 

I want to mount some big stages around the world, delivering seminars and lecture, motivating and building champions around the world. That is my dream and I will make it happen!

Ruyi: Is there anything else you would like to mention?

First I am a Nigerian, then African.  Africans are great people but our mind set is drawing us back from really developing.  For us to progress, we must re-design our mind-set.  We must start thinking positively so we can effect realistic change in the continent.  At the moment what most people are doing is trying to solve physical problems with spiritual solutions.  It is not working and will never work.

Ruyi: You are right about people trying to solve physical problems with spiritual solutions. What is the title of your recently published book? Please include an extract of the book here.

The Title of my book is: God, Faith and Reality.

…here is excerpt from the book:

“A great number of people across all ages and educational background are superstitious. 

This tendency can easily be traced to fundamental, cultural and traditional beliefs most people hold.  Irrespective of whether or not you are educated, your culture and way of life influences your thinking and reasoning when it comes to matters of poverty or success.  Superstition and blame culture prevents people from having positive view on matter of development and wealth, especially when things are not going so well.  This is very common among religious people who believe that only God is able to make good things happen.  On the other hand, the devil is responsible for all the bad things that happen to us.  This belief is prevalent among Africans and those from developing countries.  We are in the 21^st century, yet many, particularly Africans, still believe that their failure to be successful in life is attributable to bad luck or misfortune caused by their enemies, usually within the family.

   Apart from witchcraft spells, there is also the issue of generational curse.  To many readers of this book, this may sound strange and confusing for you.  Do not despair too much as I will endeavour to explain it.  Many Africans particularly those that are religious are often told by their pastors and spiritual leaders that their poverty, ill health, barrenness, sudden death and so on is caused by certain curse that has been placed upon their past generations (ancestors) that they have inherited.  In other instance, they claim that generational curse could also be as a result of indebtedness to the gods for a pledge our ancestors made in the past.  These are speculations without proof, yet many still believe them.  Instead of dealing with issues that confront them, such as poor health, unemployment, premature death or failed business in a logical way, many resort to endless prayers, fasting and exorcism.

In recent time, there have been reported cases in Nigeria, Uganda and the Congo where children and young adults have been tortured and killed because they have been condemned by pastors as witches and wizards.  The question that begs for an answer is: after these children were tortured and killed by the fake pastors or spiritual leaders, did the problems facing these families subside or completely disappear?  The answer is emphatic No!  I have only cited these few examples to buttress the fact that none of these are true.  They are unfounded and are mere superstition.  They are speculations born out of sheer ignorance and backwardness.  The saddest thing about it all is that even educated people in our society are equally guilty of this calamity.

 The genesis of this problem is borne in our blame culture.  People always look for whom to blame when things go wrong.  Rather than search for real answers to their problems, they look for someone to blame.  That someone could be their mother, father, husband, wife, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, close neighbour or colleague from the office.  Some has gone as far as accusing their own children for their misfortunes.  Whenever things go wrong it has to be caused by someone who does not want their progress.  As ridiculous as this may sound, many don’t find it funny.  They will go to any length to find out who among their family members is responsible.  In so doing, they play into the hands of unscrupulous pastors and spiritual healers who take full advance of their stupidity and grave ignorance”.

Ruyi: Your book is fantastic! I hope every African, especially Nigerians get a copy. You nailed it. Africans are too superstitious. However, the synopsis of a book is important and most times determine how readers react. Add the synopsis of your recently published book here.

God, Faith and Reality, a Motivational Book. This book will inspire you to alter the way you think - from negative to positive thinking. We often wonder why we are not doing well, struggle endlessly to change our misfortunes, yet nothing seems to work. This is because, for many who trust God hundred percent, they trust themselves less. God, Faith and Reality will teach you how to work hard doing the right things - not the wrong things! More importantly, you will discover that when you trust and believe more in yourself, you will excel in all that you do. You are well endowed by God, therefore, use your given talent, wisdom, intellect and comportment to make yourself great. As a Motivational Speaker/Life Coach and Mentor, I am very passionate about change and helping others achieve their set life goals. We have grown into a society that depends on God for virtually everything: health, jobs, career, relationship and general well-being. Africans in particular, have relinquished their intellect, intelligence and talents in pursuit of God’s promise of signs, miracles and wonders for those who obey and worship Him. Consequently, they do less for themselves while spending their valuable time in Churches and other places of worship in pursuit of this fantastic vision. You are responsible for your own actions, therefore, your life. Remember, life is like a bank account, what you put in is what you will take out. God, Faith and Reality will inspire you to achieve great things in your chosen career, relationships, and general approach to life’s issues. We often wonder why we do not achieve our chosen goals while others around us, do great things. It is down to our individual fear and resistance to change, attitude, thought and desire. Therefore, to succeed in life, we must first conquer our fear of the unknown. To enable us do that, we must change the way we think, for, whatsoever we do begins with a simple thought. God, Faith and Reality will inspire you to change the way you think. To be successful, you must be prepared to do extra-ordinary things. Be your own master and take absolute control of your life! God, Faith and Reality will greatly inspire you.

Ruyi: You have a nice synopsis. No doubt, people will find your book interesting. What message do you want to share with budding writers and content creators? 

Never give up on your dream.  You will experience difficulty; humiliation and rejection by the powers that be (publishers) even your friends and family, but believe in yourself and do what is right for you.  I can assure you that the feeling when you open pages of a newspaper or a web and seeing your work published are indescribable. Your ability to create a legacy for yourself is priceless. Most importantly, research into your subject.  Readers are most intelligent and aware now, therefore be sure of yourself and the material you intend to put out there.  Get your work through professional editors before you go to press.

Ruyi: You are right about writers who are depressed due to rejections and your advised to them is priceless. Where can readers find you on social media?

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

www.samakowe.com

Ruyi: Sam, thank you for everything!

Ruyi's World of Books & Stories Interview with Author and former Associate Professor Urvashi Vats.

Q. How would you describe yourself? Tell us something about yourself, where you are based, and how you came to be a writer.

I am Urvashi Vats from Dehradun, Uttarakhand state in India. I am a career counselor, positive thinker, and author at Mirakee. I have Masters in Commerce, Masters in Business Administration (Human Resources) and Masters in Education (Educational Psychology). I had passion for writing since my college days. My first work was a poem titled, “Sister's Relation”. It was published as a note on Facebook. It encouraged me and made me love writing. I started my own blog called “Momspresso” on word press and blogger. Then I joined “QWERTY Thoughts”, “Women's Web” and “Youth ki Awaaz” so that I can develop as a writer. On QWERTY Thoughts, I write poems and stories and I am fortunate to have all my works published on QWERTY Thoughts platform. Now I have a book published there too. You can find my articles on “Women's web”, “Youth Ki Awaaz” and Momspresso”. My aim is to impact the world, especially women. I focus my writing on social issues as it affects women. However, I have worked as an Assistant Professor in the Faculty for Personality Development. You can find some of my quotes at “Your Quote app” and “Mirakee”. I have written 290 Quotes.  One of my articles was published at “Decent eNews”, an Australian News and Media firm. And recently my article on “Holistic Holi” was published in four leading newspapers in India. I have published four books. One is a fiction titled, “I am My Papa's Princess”. Others are Non-fiction (self help) and their titles are “Change Begins with Us” published by QWERTY Thoughts, Self Help Guide for Business Studies class X11 th CBSE Board, Self Help Guide for Business Studies class X1 th CSBE Board.

Q. What genre do you really write and have you considered other genres?

I write prose. This type of writing is broad and includes fiction and non-fiction.

Q. Tell us something about the books/contents that you have written or created and the story behind them.

I write books with the purpose of creating awareness about the importance of children, especially the girl child. I believe a child should have a great relationship with their parents. Most of my books, articles or quotes are about social issues as it concerns the girl child and I am proud that I have touched many lives through my published books.

 Q. What place does writing or content creation hold in your life? 

It means everything to me. I am enjoying every bit of it.

Q. What is your writing process, or a typical writing day routine?

I write daily whether a line, sentence or paragraph. I make sure I do something that will enhance my writing every single day. I don’t have a specific time that I write. Once the urge comes, I write.

Q. What marketing techniques have been most effective for you? 

Promoting books on my own blog, sharing on social media like Facebook and Twitter, have been effective for me. Also QWERTY Thoughts have helped me do some good promotions on their website.

READ ALSO THE CITY HEROES

Q. What do you think makes a book or content sell, or makes a reader buy it? 

In my view, the content of the book and the publishing services which include proofreading, editing, fantastic cover image that makes it sell. Without any of these, the chances that a book will sell are very slim. Also, the book needs to have a good layout and be adequately promoted.

 Q. What's the most moving or affecting thing a reader has said to you? 

The most moving thing a reader said to me about my book was that it is really beautiful and heart touching story. The people who know the Indian mythology behind kanyadaan (marriage ceremony) definitely can't stay without liking it.

Q. What are your favorite three books, and why? 

My Favorite three books are:

1) “You Can Win” by Shiv Khera. It tells that if we have a positive attitude we can win no matter the circumstances.

2) “Everything Happens For a Reason” by Kate Bowler. It tells that we should always be ready to accept whatever happens in life. If anything good happens we should try to do our best and if anything wrong happens learn a lesson from it and move on.

3) “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey. It tells that our values govern our behavior while principles ultimately determine the consequences.

Q. Who are your favorite three authors and what do you like the most about them? 

My Favorite three authors are:

1) Munshi Premchand: In his novels, he explained the critics of social issues in such an easy way. The message in the book resonates with everyone and I not surprised that he is a famous Indian novelist.

2) Swami Vivekanand: He writes quotes and books on the basis of his real experience in a simple way that has become an inspiration to many.

3) Harivansh Rai Bachchan: I like the way he plays with words. That is what endeared me to him.

Q. Tell us about the works that you are currently working on and their progress. 

Currently I am working on English and Hindi Poetry Anthology and a memoir about parenting.

Q. What challenges do you think are faced by writers and content creators like you, and what's the worst thing about the industry according to you? 

One clear challenge is lack of funds to promote books. Sadly some publishers don’t promote your book. Once they published your book, you are on your own. So, writers are left to do nearly everything that will make the book sell.

Q. Apart from writing, what goals do you want to achieve in life? 

I want to help women to know their rights, have a voice, and be free to air their opinion without any fear of intimidation, stigmatization, and backlash and be self dependence. It is possible for women to lead. I think more women are needed in the position of authority.

Q. Is there anything else you would like to mention?

My book, “Change Begins with  Ourselves” was nominated for Readers Choice Awards 2018 and 2019. It was also 2018 Editor’s Choice at Qwerty Thoughts.

Q. Where can we find you or your works?

QWERTY THOUGHTS

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

WEBSITE

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