Rowena Dawn's Blog, page 5
August 19, 2017
JD DeHart is a writer and teacher. He blogs at 
August 14, 2017
INTERVIEW WITH DAVID PERLMUTTER
INTERVIEW WITH DAVID PERLMUTTER
David Perlmutter is a freelance writer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is the author of America Toons In: A History of Television Animation (McFarland and Co.), The Singular Adventures Of Jefferson Ball (Chupa Cabra House), The Pups (Booklocker.com), Certain Private Conversations and Other Stories (Aurora Publishing) Orthicon; or, the History of a Bad Idea (Linkville Press, forthcoming), and The Encyclopedia of American Animated Cartoon Series (Rowman and Littlefield, forthcoming.) He can be reached on Facebook at David Perlmutter-Writer, Twitter at @DKPLJW1, and Tumblr at The Musings of David Perlmutter (yesdavidperlmutterfan).
Welcome to Roxana’s blog!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I was born in 1980 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and have lived there my entire life. I have Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in History and a Library Technician certification.
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Yes, they did. I had my first exposure to writing in school, and enjoyed doing it. I also encountered many of the writers who first influenced me in school reading, on my own and for assignments. Since I was rather shy and retiring then, as now, I tended to do a lot more reading then most people on average, and I probably still do.
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
English was one of my better subjects, along with History.
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
To keep writing and publishing books in fiction and non-fiction forms on a regular basis, as long as I can find publishers willing to underwrite me in this endeavors.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
Here are the highlights:
America Toons In: A History of Television Animation (McFarland and Co., 2014)
The Singular Adventures Of Jefferson Ball (Chupa Cabra House, 2014)
The Pups (Booklocker.com, originally 2009),
Certain Private Conversations and Other Stories (Aurora Publishing, 2013)
Honey and Salt (Scarlet Leaf Publishing, 2017)
Orthicon; or, the History of a Bad Idea (Linkville Press, forthcoming)
The Encyclopedia of American Animated Cartoon Series (Rowman and Littlefield, forthcoming)
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
Amazon, Abebooks and the various publisher’s websites.
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?
In fiction, I write in science fiction, fantasy and horror. I find that these forms are not bound to the same sorts of restrictions in terms of expectations that other genres have. Also, they allow me to write narratives and characters that are close in feel and style to the animated television programs that have been my primary cultural influence.
Q: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
I could name some names, but, because they are television animation voice actors, you’re not likely to have heard of any of them, so why bother?
Q: How much research do you do for your books?
A lot! Whatever it is, it has to be as accurate as possible, or else the people and things depicted in it will give you hell. Even for stuff that isn’t “real” in the first place.
Q: When did you decide to become a writer and why? What was the principal reason for taking up a pen (metaphorical speaking) and write that first sentence?
As soon as I realized that animated cartoons were made by actual people, and were not documentary depictions of real places I wanted to visit more than once every week.
Q: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
Part when I am at work at my library job, full otherwise. No particular time, just when I feel I can fit it in without being interrupted.
Q: Where do your ideas come from? Or is it just the spur of the moment, a special feeling you experience or a specific conjuncture that offers you inspiration?
Some sort of union between what I watch on television and read, and the desire to fix any and all of the “mistakes” I felt had been made by the writers in doing their work.
Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
I have a stronger sense of moral purpose about my work than I used to do, as well as a stronger sense of humor, and a stronger sense that I seem to know about things other people don’t know about at all, since I have to explain some of the more obscure references I put into my work sometimes.
Q: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
For longer works I have an outline; for shorter things, I wing it as much as I can.
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?
Not getting paid a regular and dependable weekly salary for doing it.
Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?
Being the boss of everything and everybody I write about.
Q: Do you ever get writer’s Block and if so do you have any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
Keep exposing yourself to new things culturally. The more you expose yourself to other people’s ideas, the more you’ll figure out how to do those same things yourself.
Q: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I read considerably. I am a paper book person, and will be so forever. Particular favorite authors who have influenced me are many, but a small list would include: Robert Bloch, Jack London, Mark Twain, Philip Jose Farmer, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, Sherwood Anderson, Lawrence Block, H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Arthur Machen, Algernon Blackwood, M.R. James, Joe Lansdale and Ring Lardner Sr.
Q: What book/s are you reading at present?
The collected stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer, in the three volume Library of America edition.
Q: Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I do much of my own proofreading and editing, with some assistance from my mother on non-fiction works.
Q: Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
I let it stew when I first draft it. When it’s finished the way I want it like that, that’s when I type.
Q: Who edited your last book and how did you select him/her?
It was edited by an editor chosen by the publisher.
Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it/they come about?
I try to tell the publisher what I want, and they try to find an artist who can make it work.
Q: Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Not terribly, but it can sway some people, so it can’t be glossed over.
Q: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
With self-publishing, you have to promote everything yourself, and that’s hard if you are, like me, an introverted, insecure person at heart. With mainstream publishing, they take care of promotion, and you just have to do what they tell you to do, and you let them, because it’s their business and not yours.
Q: What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Good reviews help you get what you want as a writer. Bad reviews ruin entire careers.
Q: Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch?
No. I have been strongly ignored by the media in Winnipeg for most of my writing career so far, although I don’t think I did or said anything that caused that.
Q: Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?
Because the publisher didn’t help the author to promote their work enough in a positive way. Or, if they published it themselves, they didn’t do a good enough job promoting it.
Q: How do you relax?
Reading.
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
“The Call of the Wild” by Jack London. The book that truly turned me on to adult reading, and the author whose life and work I have admired the most, and whose commitment to sparse but vivid storytelling and social justice I have attempted to honor in my own work.
Q: Where can you see yourself in 5 years-time?
Doing what I am doing right now- reading, writing and working. Possibly I might get paid more, better and more often as well.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
You will get through all of this. Do not be bewildered by any of it- it is all normal and commonplace.
Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He seems to me to be the only person in the modern world who completely understood the true meaning of peace and racial brotherhood. We all could have learned a great deal more from him had he not been so tragically taken from us.
Q: If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Any of Jack London’s. He wrote anything and everything he felt like doing, and he did it without being pretentious, because he was a man from low origins who nevertheless was more perceptive that most of his more learned contemporaries.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Keep doing it. You won’t get it the first time you do it, but eventually it’ll come, and you’ll be glad it did.
Q: Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Wherever it wants. I’ll have to keep up with it regardless.
Q: How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Blog: yesdavidperlmutterfan (Tumblr)
Facebook: David Perlmutter- Writer
Twitter: @DKPLJW1
LInkedin: David Perlmutter
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
NEW BOOK RELEASE
HONEY & SALT
BY
DAVID PERLMUTTER
Bravery comes in all forms: fighting bullies and fighting your own demons.
Honey and Salt is a superhero novella that will draw you in the just fight of a few super heroines. The story is packed with action and humor.
Their quest against evil superheroes and against their own weaknesses is refreshing. You can identify with them and embrace their battles.
Rousing fantasy action with amazing young girls ready to fight for justice and for the oppressed.
If you enjoy a good action with an unusual plot, then this is the book for you.
David Perlmutter is a freelance writer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is the author of America Toons In: A History of Television Animation (McFarland and Co.), The Singular Adventures Of Jefferson Ball (Chupa Cabra House), The Pups (Booklocker.com), Certain Private Conversations and Other Stories (Aurora Publishing) Orthicon; or, the History of a Bad Idea (Linkville Press, forthcoming), and The Encyclopedia of American Animated Cartoon Series (Rowman and Littlefield, forthcoming.) He can be reached on Facebook at David Perlmutter-Writer, Twitter at @DKPLJW1, and Tumblr at The Musings of David Perlmutter (yesdavidperlmutterfan).
Welcome to Roxana’s blog!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I was born in 1980 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and have lived there my entire life. I have Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in History and a Library Technician certification.
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Yes, they did. I had my first exposure to writing in school, and enjoyed doing it. I also encountered many of the writers who first influenced me in school reading, on my own and for assignments. Since I was rather shy and retiring then, as now, I tended to do a lot more reading then most people on average, and I probably still do.
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
English was one of my better subjects, along with History.
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
To keep writing and publishing books in fiction and non-fiction forms on a regular basis, as long as I can find publishers willing to underwrite me in this endeavors.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
Here are the highlights:
America Toons In: A History of Television Animation (McFarland and Co., 2014)
The Singular Adventures Of Jefferson Ball (Chupa Cabra House, 2014)
The Pups (Booklocker.com, originally 2009),
Certain Private Conversations and Other Stories (Aurora Publishing, 2013)
Honey and Salt (Scarlet Leaf Publishing, 2017)
Orthicon; or, the History of a Bad Idea (Linkville Press, forthcoming)
The Encyclopedia of American Animated Cartoon Series (Rowman and Littlefield, forthcoming)
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
Amazon, Abebooks and the various publisher’s websites.
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?
In fiction, I write in science fiction, fantasy and horror. I find that these forms are not bound to the same sorts of restrictions in terms of expectations that other genres have. Also, they allow me to write narratives and characters that are close in feel and style to the animated television programs that have been my primary cultural influence.
Q: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from your most recent book?
I could name some names, but, because they are television animation voice actors, you’re not likely to have heard of any of them, so why bother?
Q: How much research do you do for your books?
A lot! Whatever it is, it has to be as accurate as possible, or else the people and things depicted in it will give you hell. Even for stuff that isn’t “real” in the first place.
Q: When did you decide to become a writer and why? What was the principal reason for taking up a pen (metaphorical speaking) and write that first sentence?
As soon as I realized that animated cartoons were made by actual people, and were not documentary depictions of real places I wanted to visit more than once every week.
Q: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
Part when I am at work at my library job, full otherwise. No particular time, just when I feel I can fit it in without being interrupted.
Q: Where do your ideas come from? Or is it just the spur of the moment, a special feeling you experience or a specific conjuncture that offers you inspiration?
Some sort of union between what I watch on television and read, and the desire to fix any and all of the “mistakes” I felt had been made by the writers in doing their work.
Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
I have a stronger sense of moral purpose about my work than I used to do, as well as a stronger sense of humor, and a stronger sense that I seem to know about things other people don’t know about at all, since I have to explain some of the more obscure references I put into my work sometimes.
Q: Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
For longer works I have an outline; for shorter things, I wing it as much as I can.
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?
Not getting paid a regular and dependable weekly salary for doing it.
Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?
Being the boss of everything and everybody I write about.
Q: Do you ever get writer’s Block and if so do you have any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
Keep exposing yourself to new things culturally. The more you expose yourself to other people’s ideas, the more you’ll figure out how to do those same things yourself.
Q: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I read considerably. I am a paper book person, and will be so forever. Particular favorite authors who have influenced me are many, but a small list would include: Robert Bloch, Jack London, Mark Twain, Philip Jose Farmer, Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Isaac Asimov, Sherwood Anderson, Lawrence Block, H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Arthur Machen, Algernon Blackwood, M.R. James, Joe Lansdale and Ring Lardner Sr.
Q: What book/s are you reading at present?
The collected stories of Isaac Bashevis Singer, in the three volume Library of America edition.
Q: Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I do much of my own proofreading and editing, with some assistance from my mother on non-fiction works.
Q: Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
I let it stew when I first draft it. When it’s finished the way I want it like that, that’s when I type.
Q: Who edited your last book and how did you select him/her?
It was edited by an editor chosen by the publisher.
Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it/they come about?
I try to tell the publisher what I want, and they try to find an artist who can make it work.
Q: Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Not terribly, but it can sway some people, so it can’t be glossed over.
Q: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
With self-publishing, you have to promote everything yourself, and that’s hard if you are, like me, an introverted, insecure person at heart. With mainstream publishing, they take care of promotion, and you just have to do what they tell you to do, and you let them, because it’s their business and not yours.
Q: What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Good reviews help you get what you want as a writer. Bad reviews ruin entire careers.
Q: Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch?
No. I have been strongly ignored by the media in Winnipeg for most of my writing career so far, although I don’t think I did or said anything that caused that.
Q: Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?
Because the publisher didn’t help the author to promote their work enough in a positive way. Or, if they published it themselves, they didn’t do a good enough job promoting it.
Q: How do you relax?
Reading.
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
“The Call of the Wild” by Jack London. The book that truly turned me on to adult reading, and the author whose life and work I have admired the most, and whose commitment to sparse but vivid storytelling and social justice I have attempted to honor in my own work.
Q: Where can you see yourself in 5 years-time?
Doing what I am doing right now- reading, writing and working. Possibly I might get paid more, better and more often as well.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
You will get through all of this. Do not be bewildered by any of it- it is all normal and commonplace.
Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He seems to me to be the only person in the modern world who completely understood the true meaning of peace and racial brotherhood. We all could have learned a great deal more from him had he not been so tragically taken from us.
Q: If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Any of Jack London’s. He wrote anything and everything he felt like doing, and he did it without being pretentious, because he was a man from low origins who nevertheless was more perceptive that most of his more learned contemporaries.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Keep doing it. You won’t get it the first time you do it, but eventually it’ll come, and you’ll be glad it did.
Q: Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Wherever it wants. I’ll have to keep up with it regardless.
Q: How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Blog: yesdavidperlmutterfan (Tumblr)
Facebook: David Perlmutter- Writer
Twitter: @DKPLJW1
LInkedin: David Perlmutter
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
NEW BOOK RELEASE
HONEY & SALT
BY
DAVID PERLMUTTER
Bravery comes in all forms: fighting bullies and fighting your own demons.
Honey and Salt is a superhero novella that will draw you in the just fight of a few super heroines. The story is packed with action and humor.
Their quest against evil superheroes and against their own weaknesses is refreshing. You can identify with them and embrace their battles.
Rousing fantasy action with amazing young girls ready to fight for justice and for the oppressed.
If you enjoy a good action with an unusual plot, then this is the book for you.
August 13, 2017
INTERVIEW WITH THE POET MARTIN CHAN
INTERVIEW WITH THE POET MARTIN CHAN
Martin Chan is an international poet who is dedicated to expressing his emotions and thoughts with pen and paper.
He loves the American literature, though he's not a native American, and he has always regarded Phillips Andover as his dream school.
Besides writing, he is an avid reader. He is currently working on his first novel, the first short-story collection, and the first poetry collection (hopefully self-published).
He has always regarded himself as a stranger in the literature circle, though he has a lot of work published in different journals (online and print).Instagram: @martinchanofficial
Twitter: @HaimingChan
Facebook: Martin Chan
Snapchat: @thecoolmartin
Musical.ly: @crazykidmartin
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Martin-chan/e/B00IT7TONK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
INTERVIEW WITH THE YOUNG POET
MARTIN CHAN
Welcome to Roxana's Blog!
1. Tell us about yourself and your background.
Sure. My name is Martin Chan. I am a Taiwanese high school student. I was born in 2000. I considered myself to be the youngest poet with a poetry collection published traditionally. I have an older brother and sister. I love reading and always expect myself to be able to express my emotions through pens and pieces of paper. I love writing also. I am now working on my first novel, ‘’ Finding Her’’. Hopefully I will find an agent for this book by the end of the year and publish it before 2019.
2. Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Well, my school years wasn’t as good as I first thought to be. I was bullied during elementary, middle and high school for not having strong following on social media and an Iphone. Everyone in the school considered me a freak. They always call me an English monster, since I do lots of English reading everyday and get good grades in English. Writing is the only way for me to avoid their cruel bullying. I start writing poems in high school, since my classmates bullied me even more. I have gone through much experience regarding bullying, and that does have some impact on my writing career. Most of my poems are dark and desperate, since I was studying in the hell-like school. Writing has helped me with a lot of things. Ever since I started writing, I felt a little bit better and started feeling hopeful for my school life.
3. Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
I read a lot of English novels and I am kinda good at English. I got more than 2300 points on SSAT and 1500 on SAT. I don’t take Toefl as they are kinda easy for me.
4. What are your future writing ambitions for your writing career?
Have a book that was adapted to a filmJ
5. So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
So far I have written 12 short stories that have already been published in different literary journals. I am also working on my first short story collection titled ‘’ The Fears’’ and a thriller called ‘’Finding Her’’. I have a blog called Teen’s Weekly Insider where I post some poems written by me. I have received a Pushcart award for Short Story and a bluestone award for poems. I am developing an upcoming Young Adult novel focusing on the school life of four Internet sensations. Hopefully I will begin writing this December.
6. Where can we buy or see them?
You may Google Martin Chan Mid-Autumn Moon and I’m 100% sure that you will find different literary journals publishing the same story.
Below is the link to my short stories that have been published:
https://www.magzter.com/TW/Freshman-Press/Entertainment-Teens/Entertainment
http://www.pangyrus.com/fiction/isle-of-delights/
http://www.themanchesterreview.co.uk/?p=7093
http://www.indianavoicejournal.com/2017/02/fiction-by-martin-chan-and-oscar-goes.html
http://en.calameo.com/books/00473905971ac8ff20c7e
http://teenweeklyinsider.weebly.com/poetry
7. What are you working on at the minute? What is it about?
I am now trying to get my first literary agent for my thriller ‘’ Finding Her’’, a riveting thriller novel about a detective hired to find a missing woman. Readers can't help but become absorbed in this book as the story unfolds and shocking secrets are discovered. The suspense is unrelenting with twists and turns that lead to a startling climax. I am also working on my first short story collection titled ‘’ The Fears’’ and a thriller called ‘’Finding Her’’. I am developing an upcoming Young Adult novel focusing on the school life of four Internet sensations. Hopefully I will begin writing this December.
8. What genres are your books and what draws you to this genre?
Well, I didn’t limit myself to a specific genre. Since this is my first poetry collection I want to be free with what I wrote.
9. What is your favorite book and why?
Jack Reacher Series. I love Lee Child! Jack Reacher is dope.
10. Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Just told you. Definitely Lee Child. I want to ask him of some questions regarding Jack Reecher. I want to know if there would be more Jack Reacher.
11. How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Facebook: Martin Chan
Twitter: @HaimingChan
Snapchat: @thecoolmartin
Instagram: @martinchanofficial
Tumblr: @MartinChan
Webstie: https://www.magzter.com/TW/Freshman-Press/Entertainment-Teens/Entertainment
Blog: teenweeklyinsider.weebly.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Martin-Chan/e/B00IT7TONK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
12. What books are you reading at the present?
Jack Reacher and Stephen King’s It!
13. What’s the hardest thing about writing?
You got to think an eye-catching plot with compelling story. And then it’s grammar.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
NEW RELEASE
The Debut: Poetry Collection
Turn Emotions Into A Book
by Martin Chan
Let Me Belong
I walk with the crowd,
all alone,
I look at the strained faces of strangers,
the dead emptiness of their eyes,
the weariness of their broken smiles searching for hope of tomorrow…
I follow…I follow
I have no family, I
have no country,
I have no past,
I have no present,
only the emptiness of my heart’s memories of a land,
once my home, now ravished by war.
With images of my past left behind… I cry…I cry
I follow the crowd to promises of lies,
In the passing forms
I see silhouettes of pain,
hear the cries of despair,
shouts of anger,
I feel the tears of nothingness.
With words of silent prayers of hope…
I pray…I pray
"An urgent heart in need, demanding answers: there is much to admire in Mr. Chan's poetry; and I wish I had written so well at his age. But regardless of age, his words dedicated to a relentless quest for the truth and all the pain associated with that is to be admired."
Robin Wyatt Dunn
When I read Martin Chan's poems for the first time, I knew I held the verses of one of the best poets of the time in my hands. Little did I know then that this poet wasn't even seventeen at the time.
Yet, despite his tender age, Martin Chan's poetry shows depth and feeling. His words have the power to touch your soul and mind."
Roxana Nastase - Editor In Chief, Scarlet Leaf
Martin Chan's debut poems book - Martin Chan is a foreign high school student who has more than 10 works published in different reputable magazines & journals. He is also the first Taiwanese who has his work appear in both Quarterly West & Manchester Review and the first high school student who has been ever nominated for a Pushcart Prize for Best Short Story. His latest works can be found in Manchester Review, Pangyrus, Quarterly West, Indiana Voice, and more.
Martin Chan is an international poet who is dedicated to expressing his emotions and thoughts with pen and paper.He loves the American literature, though he's not a native American, and he has always regarded Phillips Andover as his dream school.
Besides writing, he is an avid reader. He is currently working on his first novel, the first short-story collection, and the first poetry collection (hopefully self-published).
He has always regarded himself as a stranger in the literature circle, though he has a lot of work published in different journals (online and print).Instagram: @martinchanofficial
Twitter: @HaimingChan
Facebook: Martin Chan
Snapchat: @thecoolmartin
Musical.ly: @crazykidmartin
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Martin-chan/e/B00IT7TONK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
INTERVIEW WITH THE YOUNG POET
MARTIN CHAN
Welcome to Roxana's Blog!
1. Tell us about yourself and your background.
Sure. My name is Martin Chan. I am a Taiwanese high school student. I was born in 2000. I considered myself to be the youngest poet with a poetry collection published traditionally. I have an older brother and sister. I love reading and always expect myself to be able to express my emotions through pens and pieces of paper. I love writing also. I am now working on my first novel, ‘’ Finding Her’’. Hopefully I will find an agent for this book by the end of the year and publish it before 2019.
2. Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Well, my school years wasn’t as good as I first thought to be. I was bullied during elementary, middle and high school for not having strong following on social media and an Iphone. Everyone in the school considered me a freak. They always call me an English monster, since I do lots of English reading everyday and get good grades in English. Writing is the only way for me to avoid their cruel bullying. I start writing poems in high school, since my classmates bullied me even more. I have gone through much experience regarding bullying, and that does have some impact on my writing career. Most of my poems are dark and desperate, since I was studying in the hell-like school. Writing has helped me with a lot of things. Ever since I started writing, I felt a little bit better and started feeling hopeful for my school life.
3. Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
I read a lot of English novels and I am kinda good at English. I got more than 2300 points on SSAT and 1500 on SAT. I don’t take Toefl as they are kinda easy for me.
4. What are your future writing ambitions for your writing career?
Have a book that was adapted to a filmJ
5. So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
So far I have written 12 short stories that have already been published in different literary journals. I am also working on my first short story collection titled ‘’ The Fears’’ and a thriller called ‘’Finding Her’’. I have a blog called Teen’s Weekly Insider where I post some poems written by me. I have received a Pushcart award for Short Story and a bluestone award for poems. I am developing an upcoming Young Adult novel focusing on the school life of four Internet sensations. Hopefully I will begin writing this December.
6. Where can we buy or see them?
You may Google Martin Chan Mid-Autumn Moon and I’m 100% sure that you will find different literary journals publishing the same story.
Below is the link to my short stories that have been published:
https://www.magzter.com/TW/Freshman-Press/Entertainment-Teens/Entertainment
http://www.pangyrus.com/fiction/isle-of-delights/
http://www.themanchesterreview.co.uk/?p=7093
http://www.indianavoicejournal.com/2017/02/fiction-by-martin-chan-and-oscar-goes.html
http://en.calameo.com/books/00473905971ac8ff20c7e
http://teenweeklyinsider.weebly.com/poetry
7. What are you working on at the minute? What is it about?
I am now trying to get my first literary agent for my thriller ‘’ Finding Her’’, a riveting thriller novel about a detective hired to find a missing woman. Readers can't help but become absorbed in this book as the story unfolds and shocking secrets are discovered. The suspense is unrelenting with twists and turns that lead to a startling climax. I am also working on my first short story collection titled ‘’ The Fears’’ and a thriller called ‘’Finding Her’’. I am developing an upcoming Young Adult novel focusing on the school life of four Internet sensations. Hopefully I will begin writing this December.
8. What genres are your books and what draws you to this genre?
Well, I didn’t limit myself to a specific genre. Since this is my first poetry collection I want to be free with what I wrote.
9. What is your favorite book and why?
Jack Reacher Series. I love Lee Child! Jack Reacher is dope.
10. Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Just told you. Definitely Lee Child. I want to ask him of some questions regarding Jack Reecher. I want to know if there would be more Jack Reacher.
11. How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Facebook: Martin Chan
Twitter: @HaimingChan
Snapchat: @thecoolmartin
Instagram: @martinchanofficial
Tumblr: @MartinChan
Webstie: https://www.magzter.com/TW/Freshman-Press/Entertainment-Teens/Entertainment
Blog: teenweeklyinsider.weebly.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Martin-Chan/e/B00IT7TONK/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
12. What books are you reading at the present?
Jack Reacher and Stephen King’s It!
13. What’s the hardest thing about writing?
You got to think an eye-catching plot with compelling story. And then it’s grammar.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
NEW RELEASE
The Debut: Poetry Collection
Turn Emotions Into A Book
by Martin Chan
Let Me Belong
I walk with the crowd,
all alone,
I look at the strained faces of strangers,
the dead emptiness of their eyes,
the weariness of their broken smiles searching for hope of tomorrow…
I follow…I follow
I have no family, I
have no country,
I have no past,
I have no present,
only the emptiness of my heart’s memories of a land,
once my home, now ravished by war.
With images of my past left behind… I cry…I cry
I follow the crowd to promises of lies,
In the passing forms
I see silhouettes of pain,
hear the cries of despair,
shouts of anger,
I feel the tears of nothingness.
With words of silent prayers of hope…
I pray…I pray
"An urgent heart in need, demanding answers: there is much to admire in Mr. Chan's poetry; and I wish I had written so well at his age. But regardless of age, his words dedicated to a relentless quest for the truth and all the pain associated with that is to be admired."
Robin Wyatt Dunn
When I read Martin Chan's poems for the first time, I knew I held the verses of one of the best poets of the time in my hands. Little did I know then that this poet wasn't even seventeen at the time.
Yet, despite his tender age, Martin Chan's poetry shows depth and feeling. His words have the power to touch your soul and mind."
Roxana Nastase - Editor In Chief, Scarlet Leaf
Martin Chan's debut poems book - Martin Chan is a foreign high school student who has more than 10 works published in different reputable magazines & journals. He is also the first Taiwanese who has his work appear in both Quarterly West & Manchester Review and the first high school student who has been ever nominated for a Pushcart Prize for Best Short Story. His latest works can be found in Manchester Review, Pangyrus, Quarterly West, Indiana Voice, and more.
August 12, 2017
INTERVIEW WITH MONA ILLINGWORTH & DANIEL ANDREWS
INTERVIEW WITH MONA ILLINGWORTH & DANIEL ANDREWS
Both Mona Illingworth and Daniel Andrews underwent a medical doctor training. Nonetheless, they have managed to retain a strong and fulfilling relationship with the nature, connection which began in the country during early childhood. In order to hand over their knowledge, as well as the humankind thousands-years old in-formation about the nature, they created the Bees' Products Series. "Honey - The Nature's Gold Recipes for Health" represents the first volume. The second volume is already in the making. They hope this series will make a difference in people's life.
Welcome to Roxana's Blog!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
Mona: Hi! Thank you so much for having Daniel and me for an interview. We do appreciate it. Now, there are so many things to be said about myself. Let me see! First of all, I’m a young woman, full of energy and ideas. I love reading, cooking, travelling, but above all, I love nature in all its wonderful expressions. Together with Daniel, I enjoy taking long walks on fields, through forests, or beaches. These are long walks, for we often stop to admire a tiny insect, the fresh blossom of a flower or to follow the majestic flight of a bird. My professional field is a bit less poetic, for as a medical doctor, I deal daily with various ailments of the people. However, the relief we manage to bring to people many times represent a satisfaction in itself.
Daniel: My background is pretty similar to Mona’s: we both spent lots of time at the countryside during our childhood, and we chose the same profession. As Mona has pointed out, we indulge in lengthy strolls, and we like to acknowledge everything around us. We share the same passion for reading, travelling and cooking, and I also enjoy a good old-fashioned fight on my computer.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
Mona: We have started with a pretty interesting and fully packed with information book about honey. The name says it all: Honey The Nature’s Gold Recipes for Health. Anyway, putting together so many recipes for such a high number of ailments required a good deal of time and energy. It was sometimes a challenge to synthesize the information, but also a joy to write down so many captivating facts about these tiny insects, capable of such a complex and intricate social organization.
Daniel: We are particularly satisfied of having included the precautions and adverse effects in the recipes, so that these can be safely used. That was an absent part in the naturist books I laid hand until now. And we found the inclusion of preparation time and difficulty, as well as the layout of the recipes as a whole quite helpful. Actually, this book is the first from a series regarding bees’ products
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
Mona: We are planning to continue the book series about bees. There are so many fascinating things to share about them and their products!
Daniel: We are also playing with the idea of including practical and fashionable things in one of our future books, such as a fairly elaborated cosmetic book based on natural ingredients. Later on, there are so many other topics we are keen to tap into.
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
Mona: Well, you can find our book as a print in kindle format on Amazon.
Daniel: And Ingram Spark is also a good place to start.
Q: What are you working on at the minute? What’s it about?
Mona: As promised in our book, Honey The Nature’s Gold, we have begun the next book in the series.
Daniel: It is also about bees’ products, and for the time being we are in the research phase.
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?
Mona: I’m afraid I’m a bit eclectic when it comes to books. I enjoy as much a Balzac’s book, as I savor an Agatha Christie’s book or one of Asimov’s books. I think I’m the inquiring type and I just like to have a finger in every pie.
Daniel: I too enjoy lots of genres of books: crimes, science-fiction, fantasy, and classic books just to name a few. Like Mona I prefer to keep an open mind and gather as many information as possible. And to enjoy the things in the process!
Q: When did you decide to become a writer and why? What was the principal reason for taking up a pen (metaphorical speaking) and write that first sentence?
Mona: Daniel and I had often remarked how much had been lost or simply ignored from the ancient wisdom and connection with nature.
Daniel: There are actually so many wonderful things in the nature to be known and used. Mona and I, as medical doctors and keepers of some of this knowledge, we decided to offer parts of these to other people so that hopefully a larger and larger number of people will benefit from it.
Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it come about?
Mona: From the beginning, we agreed there had to be a bee on the cover, for the bees are, actually, the essential actors when it comes to honey.
Daniel: And as we both love lavender, a field with lots of it seemed the best idea. We also find the poppies on the back cover a nice touch.
Q: Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Mona: Some would say it is fundamental. I like a good cover too, but this has never been the main incentive for buying a book. I’ m more interested in the title of the book.
Daniel: I think for many it is quite important a good, catchy cover. Indeed, it is the very first thing one sees, before reading the title. So, accordingly, and also for the sake of our book’s beauty, we spent much time on deciding the right cover. And the right one we found!
Q: What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Mona: Good reviews are the vital food for any writer. We hope we’ll enjoy lots of them. Now, regarding the bad ones, what can I say? People are very different. What’s pretty good for one is uninteresting for the next one, or even unpalatable for another one.
Daniel: I totally agree with Mona. However, I’m pretty confident we’ll receive our fair share of good reviews.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Mona: We truly believe our series, and particularly our first book, Honey The Nature’s Gold Recipes for Health , will cover a missing segment in the natural medicine domain, specifically the bridge between it and the modern medicine. And I hope you’ll enjoy it and benefit from it.
Daniel: Well, I have a single thing to add: Enjoy!
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
NEW BOOK RELEASE:
HONEY - THE NATURE'S GOLD
RECIPES FOR HEALTH
by
MONA ILLINGWORTH & DANIEL ANDREWS
Honey and Health - they go hand in hand.
The book brings in the foreground the multiple benefits of honey. The nature' s gold stands out because of its multiple therapeutic characteristics, in particular the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial features. These properties play a significant role in preventing aging and averting and treating degenerative, as well as chronic conditions, such as cardio-vascular and pulmonary diseases. By regular consumption, honey also boosts the immune system, so that it helps in preventing and treating infections. Overall, honey consumption reduces fatigue and is one of the most effective energizers in nature.
The book represents a guide with numerous recipes for many conditions, also briefly and simply depicted. The authors never tired to warn about the importance of precisely following the recipes, and kept advising that the treatment should be applied under medical supervision.
We hope you will appreciate the information presented and will take advantage of the nature's gold benefits shortly.
Both Mona Illingworth and Daniel Andrews underwent a medical doctor training. Nonetheless, they have managed to retain a strong and fulfilling relationship with the nature, connection which began in the country during early childhood. In order to hand over their knowledge, as well as the humankind thousands-years old in-formation about the nature, they created the Bees' Products Series. "Honey - The Nature's Gold Recipes for Health" represents the first volume. The second volume is already in the making. They hope this series will make a difference in people's life.
Welcome to Roxana's Blog!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
Mona: Hi! Thank you so much for having Daniel and me for an interview. We do appreciate it. Now, there are so many things to be said about myself. Let me see! First of all, I’m a young woman, full of energy and ideas. I love reading, cooking, travelling, but above all, I love nature in all its wonderful expressions. Together with Daniel, I enjoy taking long walks on fields, through forests, or beaches. These are long walks, for we often stop to admire a tiny insect, the fresh blossom of a flower or to follow the majestic flight of a bird. My professional field is a bit less poetic, for as a medical doctor, I deal daily with various ailments of the people. However, the relief we manage to bring to people many times represent a satisfaction in itself.
Daniel: My background is pretty similar to Mona’s: we both spent lots of time at the countryside during our childhood, and we chose the same profession. As Mona has pointed out, we indulge in lengthy strolls, and we like to acknowledge everything around us. We share the same passion for reading, travelling and cooking, and I also enjoy a good old-fashioned fight on my computer.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
Mona: We have started with a pretty interesting and fully packed with information book about honey. The name says it all: Honey The Nature’s Gold Recipes for Health. Anyway, putting together so many recipes for such a high number of ailments required a good deal of time and energy. It was sometimes a challenge to synthesize the information, but also a joy to write down so many captivating facts about these tiny insects, capable of such a complex and intricate social organization.
Daniel: We are particularly satisfied of having included the precautions and adverse effects in the recipes, so that these can be safely used. That was an absent part in the naturist books I laid hand until now. And we found the inclusion of preparation time and difficulty, as well as the layout of the recipes as a whole quite helpful. Actually, this book is the first from a series regarding bees’ products
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
Mona: We are planning to continue the book series about bees. There are so many fascinating things to share about them and their products!
Daniel: We are also playing with the idea of including practical and fashionable things in one of our future books, such as a fairly elaborated cosmetic book based on natural ingredients. Later on, there are so many other topics we are keen to tap into.
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
Mona: Well, you can find our book as a print in kindle format on Amazon.
Daniel: And Ingram Spark is also a good place to start.
Q: What are you working on at the minute? What’s it about?
Mona: As promised in our book, Honey The Nature’s Gold, we have begun the next book in the series.
Daniel: It is also about bees’ products, and for the time being we are in the research phase.
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?
Mona: I’m afraid I’m a bit eclectic when it comes to books. I enjoy as much a Balzac’s book, as I savor an Agatha Christie’s book or one of Asimov’s books. I think I’m the inquiring type and I just like to have a finger in every pie.
Daniel: I too enjoy lots of genres of books: crimes, science-fiction, fantasy, and classic books just to name a few. Like Mona I prefer to keep an open mind and gather as many information as possible. And to enjoy the things in the process!
Q: When did you decide to become a writer and why? What was the principal reason for taking up a pen (metaphorical speaking) and write that first sentence?
Mona: Daniel and I had often remarked how much had been lost or simply ignored from the ancient wisdom and connection with nature.
Daniel: There are actually so many wonderful things in the nature to be known and used. Mona and I, as medical doctors and keepers of some of this knowledge, we decided to offer parts of these to other people so that hopefully a larger and larger number of people will benefit from it.
Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it come about?
Mona: From the beginning, we agreed there had to be a bee on the cover, for the bees are, actually, the essential actors when it comes to honey.
Daniel: And as we both love lavender, a field with lots of it seemed the best idea. We also find the poppies on the back cover a nice touch.
Q: Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Mona: Some would say it is fundamental. I like a good cover too, but this has never been the main incentive for buying a book. I’ m more interested in the title of the book.
Daniel: I think for many it is quite important a good, catchy cover. Indeed, it is the very first thing one sees, before reading the title. So, accordingly, and also for the sake of our book’s beauty, we spent much time on deciding the right cover. And the right one we found!
Q: What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Mona: Good reviews are the vital food for any writer. We hope we’ll enjoy lots of them. Now, regarding the bad ones, what can I say? People are very different. What’s pretty good for one is uninteresting for the next one, or even unpalatable for another one.
Daniel: I totally agree with Mona. However, I’m pretty confident we’ll receive our fair share of good reviews.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Mona: We truly believe our series, and particularly our first book, Honey The Nature’s Gold Recipes for Health , will cover a missing segment in the natural medicine domain, specifically the bridge between it and the modern medicine. And I hope you’ll enjoy it and benefit from it.
Daniel: Well, I have a single thing to add: Enjoy!
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
NEW BOOK RELEASE:
HONEY - THE NATURE'S GOLD
RECIPES FOR HEALTH
by
MONA ILLINGWORTH & DANIEL ANDREWS
Honey and Health - they go hand in hand.
The book brings in the foreground the multiple benefits of honey. The nature' s gold stands out because of its multiple therapeutic characteristics, in particular the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial features. These properties play a significant role in preventing aging and averting and treating degenerative, as well as chronic conditions, such as cardio-vascular and pulmonary diseases. By regular consumption, honey also boosts the immune system, so that it helps in preventing and treating infections. Overall, honey consumption reduces fatigue and is one of the most effective energizers in nature.
The book represents a guide with numerous recipes for many conditions, also briefly and simply depicted. The authors never tired to warn about the importance of precisely following the recipes, and kept advising that the treatment should be applied under medical supervision.
We hope you will appreciate the information presented and will take advantage of the nature's gold benefits shortly.
August 11, 2017
ROBIN WYATT DUNN - LITERATURE IS THE ATOMIC BOMB
ROBIN WYATT DUNN - LITERATURE IS THE ATOMIC BOMB 
Robin Wyatt Dunn lives in a state of desperation engineered by late capitalism, within which his mind is a mere subset of a much larger hallucination wherein men are machines, machines are men, and the world and everything in it are mere dreams whose eddies and currents poets can channel briefly but cannot control. Perhaps it goes without saying that he lives in Los Angeles.
LITERATURE IS THE ATOMIC BOMB
Literature is the atomic bomb, launched every day, and devastating cities and empires across the earth. It cannot be stopped.
Like the bomb, literature-people find they have very little room to negotiate: this power backs us into a corner, and we, frothing at the mouth, can only point to our pen.
Still, North Korea and Iran aren't stupid: they know literature (and the atomic bomb) is the only thing that will save them in this dog eat dog world, and since I am fortunate to be a nuclear scientist, I give my knowledge away freely (or sometimes for five bucks) to the world, in the hopes that we will all become more heavily armed with dangerous weapons, and so that, if not my children (I have none), then at least some fortunate brat somewhere will coalesce his mighty and small brain around a deserving comeuppance: even if he be fired and enslaved like me, forced to work for his daily bread by uncaring tyrants, who rob, cheat and humiliate him, even if this unlucky brat has all manners of horrors visited upon him, I will have provided him with the red button, which, like the gadget in Will Smith's eager little Hollywood thumb, can wipe not only individual minds but whole continents clean, denuding them of hypocrisy, lies, and fear.
I sell the brave stuff; like whiskey, brewed at a reasonable rate, and like Jack Daniels, "each day we make it we'll make it the best we can."
TWO NEW POETRY BOOKS
BY ROBIN WYATT DUNN
“Remarriages” is for the outcast and the disappointed. Dark poems riding wildly through the mind of an angry man who both loves and hates the world. The words reveal a bitter struggle to reconcile with the horrors and the violence inherent in the world.
Dunn’s poetry is psychological and raw, with a delicate balance between light and darkness.
Dunn’s poems are valiant in expressing the darkness many fear, yet others embrace. Some of his poems nudge the reader to take time to examine the bizarre existence we call life.
Roxana Nastase
Sunsborne pitches darkly into another world. Often the world and characters is hazy, but ''Sunsborne'' is a true picture of the reality, conflict and tensions.
In the midst of a conflict torn situation there is love. Robin Wyatt Dunn presents an uncanny story of past and present, darkness and light. His way with language and its thick opacity create a stunning impact on the mind.
If you are looking for ''meanings'', leave it. If you are looking for legerdemain stunts, leave it. But if you are looking for a fabulous world, in mythic settings, here it is, in the manner that only Dunn can achieve - credulity climaxing into incredible and fascinating story.
Ananya S Guha
Shillong, INDIA.
Robin Wyatt Dunn lives in a state of desperation engineered by late capitalism, within which his mind is a mere subset of a much larger hallucination wherein men are machines, machines are men, and the world and everything in it are mere dreams whose eddies and currents poets can channel briefly but cannot control. Perhaps it goes without saying that he lives in Los Angeles.
LITERATURE IS THE ATOMIC BOMB
Literature is the atomic bomb, launched every day, and devastating cities and empires across the earth. It cannot be stopped.
Like the bomb, literature-people find they have very little room to negotiate: this power backs us into a corner, and we, frothing at the mouth, can only point to our pen.
Still, North Korea and Iran aren't stupid: they know literature (and the atomic bomb) is the only thing that will save them in this dog eat dog world, and since I am fortunate to be a nuclear scientist, I give my knowledge away freely (or sometimes for five bucks) to the world, in the hopes that we will all become more heavily armed with dangerous weapons, and so that, if not my children (I have none), then at least some fortunate brat somewhere will coalesce his mighty and small brain around a deserving comeuppance: even if he be fired and enslaved like me, forced to work for his daily bread by uncaring tyrants, who rob, cheat and humiliate him, even if this unlucky brat has all manners of horrors visited upon him, I will have provided him with the red button, which, like the gadget in Will Smith's eager little Hollywood thumb, can wipe not only individual minds but whole continents clean, denuding them of hypocrisy, lies, and fear.
I sell the brave stuff; like whiskey, brewed at a reasonable rate, and like Jack Daniels, "each day we make it we'll make it the best we can."
TWO NEW POETRY BOOKS
BY ROBIN WYATT DUNN
“Remarriages” is for the outcast and the disappointed. Dark poems riding wildly through the mind of an angry man who both loves and hates the world. The words reveal a bitter struggle to reconcile with the horrors and the violence inherent in the world.
Dunn’s poetry is psychological and raw, with a delicate balance between light and darkness.
Dunn’s poems are valiant in expressing the darkness many fear, yet others embrace. Some of his poems nudge the reader to take time to examine the bizarre existence we call life.
Roxana Nastase
Sunsborne pitches darkly into another world. Often the world and characters is hazy, but ''Sunsborne'' is a true picture of the reality, conflict and tensions.
In the midst of a conflict torn situation there is love. Robin Wyatt Dunn presents an uncanny story of past and present, darkness and light. His way with language and its thick opacity create a stunning impact on the mind.
If you are looking for ''meanings'', leave it. If you are looking for legerdemain stunts, leave it. But if you are looking for a fabulous world, in mythic settings, here it is, in the manner that only Dunn can achieve - credulity climaxing into incredible and fascinating story.
Ananya S Guha
Shillong, INDIA.
August 10, 2017
INTERVIEW SERIES - THE POET VATSALA RADHAKEESOON
INTERVIEW WITH THE POET
VATSALA RADHAKEESOON
Born in Mauritius in 1977, Vatsala Radhakeesoon has had a keen interest in poetry-writing since the age of 14. Her poems have been previously published in various local and international printed and online newspapers, journals, magazines, anthologies and blogs. She is the representative of Immagine and Poesia (Italy based artistic movement) for Mauritius.
Vatsala considers Poetry to be her first love , her friend, guide and confidant.
As a teenager in the early 1990’s ,her love for poetry mainly originated from the lyrics of songs of the French Canadian singer, Roch Voisine , Australian singer, Jason Donovan and British singer Phil Collins. Her mother being a Hindi teacher and her best teacher of poetry has also been her inspiration for poetry-writing. The great poets of English Literature,
William Blake, T.S Eliot, Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou and Carol Ann Duffy have had an influence on her works.
Depth of the River is her second collection of poems following When Solitude Speaks (2013).
Vatsala Radhakeesoon is a MBA graduate from Management College of Southern Africa and is currently self-employed. She lives at Rose-Hill, Mauritius and continues to write poems in English, Mauritian Kreol (Kreol Morisien) , French and Hindi. INTERVIEW WITH VATSALA RADHAKEESOON
Welcome to Roxana's Blog!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I was born on 17 October 1977 at Curepipe, the coldest and rainiest town of Mauritius. But I have been brought up and live at Rose-Hill, one of the warmest and business-centered towns of the island. I’m the youngest of a family of 4 children. My late parents were both Hindi teachers and they maintained much discipline at home. They emphasized much on formal and informal education as well as reading books in the main languages that were taught in Mauritius. I was a pupil of St Enfant Jesus RCA , primary school and a student of Loreto Convent Rose-Hill, secondary school – both schools founded initially by Christian missionaries. At tertiary level, I did a MBA from Management College of Southern Africa. I’m currently self-employed and also an independent interviewer and translator for Setu journal.
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Yes indeed. When I was in Standard One (first year) of primary school), my mother who was also my teacher taught me a short poem in Hindi referring to a little girl called Manjul Rani . Then I had to learn this poem by heart and recite it in front of everyone during the school artistic event .Since then I enjoyed reading and reciting poems in English, French and Hindi. When I was in Form I (first year of secondary school) our English teacher, Sister Antonia originally an Irish nun taught us a poem entitled The Lovely Unicorn. It was a poem referring to Noah’s Ark. We had to learn the poem and recite it during the prize giving ceremony programme at school. So all these led to my writing of poems a few years later when I was in Form 4 (fourth year of secondary school).
At school I was shy and mostly love to study. I could hardly express myself verbally or voice out. So my pen and paper helped me to express my thoughts, views and feelings as a means to unburden my confused teenage mind.
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
Well, I have always loved English language. I enjoyed mostly the grammar related parts as everything was systematic and well organized. But I didn’t like all genres of English literature as the critical analysis of novels were too tedious for me. However I loved studying poetry and plays (drama). Later on I chose Science as main subjects.
But English as a language has always been compulsory in all Mauritian schools at all levels. When I was in HSC (Higher School Certificate) (last year of Secondary school), I enjoyed the General Paper classes , that were part of English class. General paper helped us to do research in all fields that is Arts, Science, Economics, politics and much more and then write essays regarding a vast range of issues.
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
I wish to keep writing more poetry books and also short stories books in various languages that I know that is English, French, Hindi and Kreol. I also wish to translate the works of other authors in the field of Literature.
Q: Which poets have inspired you and how? What was their impact on your work or your literary perspective?
I have been much inspired by William Blake, T.S Elliot, Victor Hugo, Maya Angelou and Emily Dickinson.
From Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience, I have learnt that poetry can be written beautifully in a simple language. T.S Eliot and Victor Hugo have inspired me to write philosophical poems. Maya Angelou has inspired me to write feminist poems and voice out without fear as an independent woman. Emily Dickinson’s poems have taught me the beauty of writing in solitude.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
My first poetry book is entitled When Solitude Speaks. It was published in 2013 by the sponsorship of Ministry of Arts and Culture, Mauritius. This book is a self- published one .It consists of a selection of poems that I’ve written between the ages of 14 to 35.
Some of my poems have been published in Immagine and Poesia anthology 2016 and 2017 (Italy).
My poem Being Myself with Maurtian Kreol, French and Hindi translations has appeared in Women, Wit and Wisdom Anthology 2017 (India).
My second poetry book entitled Depth of the River has been published in July 2017 by Scarlet Leaf Publishing House, Canada. It consists of a series of philosophical, spiritual, and emotional poems.
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
When Solitude Speaks – Available at Bookcourt bookshops Mauritius
Immagine and Poesia anthology 2016 , 2017 can be read for free by downloading from
immaginepoesia.jimdo.com
Women, Wit and Wisdom anthology can be ordered by Author’s Press India (New Delhi)
Depth of the River – Available on Amazon.com, Amazon UK, Amazon France, Amazon India, Amazon Italy, Amazon Australia.
Kindle price : $2.99
Paperback : $10
Q: What are you working on at the minute? What’s it about?
I’m actually working on my first poetry book in French. It basically consists of philosophical poems.
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?
Basically I’m much into poetry. Poetry’s musicality, its ability to covey feelings thoughts and facts in a concise way and delivering powerful messages instantly draw me to this particular genre.
Q: When did you decide to become a poet? What was the decisive factor or you just took a pen and starting writing poems?
I decided to become a poet at the age of 14 in August 1992. I have always been a music lover.
And the songs sung by my favourite singer, Roch Voisine (French Canadian singer) mesmerized me.
I loved the lyrics of his French songs , Hélène , L’Idole, La L’égende D’Oochigeas and those of his English songs such as I’ll always be there, Jamie’s Girl and others . So this compelled me to start writing poems.
Q: What makes you write? What’s the force behind taking your pen (or your keyboard) and put verses down?
Basically I feel my inspiration comes from God – the Divine energy. Then the words in my mind and soul begin to flow on paper.
Q: Where do your ideas come from? Or is it just the spur of the moment, a special feeling you experience or a specific conjuncture that offers you inspiration?
A word, a conversation with someone, an event, a friend, a song, a movie, observing Nature and moments of solitude compel me to write poems.
Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
During my 25 years of poetry writing, contemporary poetry has evolved as well, so have I creatively.
When I started writing poems I was using a simple language and merely free verse style. But with continuous poetry -writing practice and reading more poetry books I feel I use more complex words, and alter the styles from free verse to rhyming or at times blend both. I no longer follow the trends or rules.
I’ve acquired my own voice and my freedom in writing.
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?
To write for a particular cause and within word limit. This hinders the freedom of a writer. A writer is a person who loves freedom; his/her space and hates inhibitions or shackles of various sorts.
Confining a writer to word limit or asking him to write for a particular cause is like stopping his spontaneous flow of feelings, views and ideas. It destroys the writer’s individuality.
I have written some specific cause related poems but after writing them I have always felt that I didn’t give the best of myself and I felt something imposed on me.
Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?
The easiest thing is that once we become a writer, it means we have created our special space, comfort zone. So whatever happens in life we can find solace from writing. It’s a cozy place where no one can interfere, or really judge us.
Q: Do you ever get writer’s Block and if so do you have any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
When I was much younger I did get it. But now I don’t really get writer’s block. My tips for writer’s block are:
Never panic. If you can’t write just stop and take a deep breath. Go for a walk, cook something in the kitchen or do some routine household tasks.
Read a book by other writer.
Gradually writer’s block will disappear. Writer’s block is just the product of a stressed mind. A relaxed mind produces better works of Arts.
Q: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
Yes I do read. My favourite Mauritian poets are Anoucheka Gangabissoon, and Cyril Luximan.
Among the classics I like William Blake, T.S Eliot, and Emily Dickinson.
Among the contemporary poets of foreign countries, I like the poems by Scott Thomas Outlar,,
Sunil Sharma and Santosh Bakaya.
Among the novelists, I’m a big fan of Mitch Albom and Paulo Coelho.
I like both e books and traditional books as both help us to perform the same action, that is reading and to cultivate our minds.
Q: What book/s are you reading at present?
I’m re-reading Selected Poems of T.S Eliot.
Q: Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I first edit it myself. Then I give to someone else to have a look.
Q: Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?Yes as times I take a break after finishing my book manuscript and edit it much later. This helps me to go through my poems with a different perception.
Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it/they come about?
The cover of my first book consists of the Maurtian sea with a single boat sailing. This represents the title of the book When Solitude Speaks.
For my second book, Depth of the River, the cover consists of lady walking amidst the river. This represents the poem The River’s Poetess featured in the book.
Q: Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Yes the cover can play an important role. An attractive cover definitely catches the customers’ eyes and makes him/her willing to do a purchase and read the book.
Q: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
Self -publishing helps the author to maintain complete control of his/her book ie. in terms of marketing, sales and profit in his/her own country. But self-publishing doesn’t make it easy to market and sell internationally. It is difficult and stressful for a writer to handle both his writing and marketing all alone.
Publishing with a publisher gives a book a more professional look. The marketing and sales responsibilities are shared by both the author and the publisher. So sales and marketing become much an adventure instead of dreaded duties. However publishing with a publisher, at times restricts the freedom of a writer as he/she cannot decide what to do with the book independently.
Q: How do you market your books, if you do the marketing yourself?
I market through Facebook, individual Facebook messages, Whats App, e-mails, newspapers, Literary T.V and radio programmes and book signing at bookshops.
Q: Would you or do you use a PR agency?
I haven’t done it for my previous book but may be in future I will do it.
Q: Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
The fastest way to reach out a large number of people is social media. So it is worthwhile to keep marketing through it. Then, marketing is an ongoing process. Ups and down will be there but we must keep on marketing every week or every month. Never be discouraged. If one strategy doesn’t work, try another one. Always have an innovative and positive approach.
Q: Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you?
Once when I was doing a book signing a child who was passing by took one copy of my book and didn’t let go of it. This compelled the parents to buy it.
Q: Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?
I haven’t tried so far. But I’m willing to do it for my second book that has been recently published.
Q: Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch?
Yes for my first poetry book When Solitude Speaks I got interviewed by the local newspapers L’Express, Le Défi and literary T.V programmes Passerelles and Portraits D’artistes.
Q: Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
Marketing through Facebook and doing book signing have helped in the past.
Q: Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future?
Yes, previously I was informing everyone about my book but gradually I have realized that all people are not interested in buying and reading books. So now I use the marketing technique of proper market segmentation and select the potential customers properly.
Q: Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?
Tough question! Based on my Marketing knowledge as a MBA person and following the great marketing guru, professor and author Philip Kotler’s advice, I think sales depend on the marketing approach.
When we talk about sales it refers to the business world. When we study sales and Marketing, we learn that business is all about building a long term business relations with the customers.
Logically in the writing world, most writers simply let the publishing companies do the marketing and sales job. But we must realize that the publisher doesn’t have only our books to sell. He/she has to care about other authors too. So, well written books may not sell because many writers shy off and don’t like to reach out to customers and readers in a humane and friendly way. Many writers remain hostile to readers and do not make the effort of getting to know their readers even at book festivals or other literary events.
Yes, we need our solitude to write but if we want our books to sell we must adopt a friendly and humane approach to others and not walk with the aura of ego that we are writers, we have published thousands of books and keep thinking that people are compelled to buy our books. Many good books don’t sell because the writers don’t take the responsibility of being involved in sales and marketing themselves.
Q: What do you think of “trailers” for books?
I think they are good means of marketing books in order to attract the right readers and customers.
Q: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
Sometimes it may work, sometimes it may not. Providing books for free may enable those who can’t afford to buy it, be able to read it. It can be an incentive for the reader to read the book.
The negative aspect of this is that when we give books for free, readers adopt ‘the taking for granted attitude’ and they do not value the book as a valuable work of Arts and the writer’s hard work. So we must bring a balance between providing books for free and selling them
Q: How do you relax?
Since, I’m a great music lover. Music is my best means of relaxation. I like pop music, classical music, spiritual songs and I’m open to all other forms of music. Then I like to go for walks, observe nature and go to the seaside whenever I can.
Q: What is your favorite motivational phrase? What is your favorite positive saying?
“To let go” – in the Buddhist way.
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
When it comes to poetry, my favourite book is Four Quartets by T.S Eliot. I like that book because it centers on deep philosophical views. When it comes to novels, my favourite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. This book shows the strength of a woman and teaches women to keep fighting for their rights and never give up. Never fall in the trap of self-pity. Regarding plays, my favourite is The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams as the playwright has shown a deep insight in human psychology.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
“I am no bird, and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
Q: Where can you see yourself in 5 years-time?
Writing more books and exploring new horizons of spirituality and philosophy.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
To keep reading so as to cultivate their minds. To bring a balance between the mundane and the spiritual in order to live happily.
Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
I would like to meet my favourite contemporary American author Mitch Albom . I’m mesmerized by all his novels as they really touch my soul.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Keep writing. Never be discouraged by rejection notes and other ups and down. Persevere and you will fulfill your mission as a writer.
Q: Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Since the world is IT oriented I see e-books being the future of publishing world.
But paperback books will co-exist much as a luxury.
Q: How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: Amazon.com
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073ZKMKL4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500351060&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=vatsala+Radhakeesoon&dpPI=1&dpID=51-jJ6lt7GL7ref=plSrch
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Vatsala.D.Radhakeesoon
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
NEW RELEASE:
DEPTH OF THE RIVER
by Vatsala Radhakeesoon
Death and After
Wait, wait, I’m coming!
Neither am I scared nor screaming,
With joy my eyes are dancing,
I can hear Divine Music echoing.
Feel, now, O, Detached Soul, you surely can!
Feel pure light, perfect knowledge of Immortal Friend;
Fly freely to all planets, you surely can!
It’s All- blissful, no sorrows to mend.
Depth of the River is the author’s second collection of poems emphasizing on her life as it is. She considers this book as her open confessions manifesting from her subconscious mind.
This book also brings forth, social and global issues that touch the Human race, as a whole.
Through her poems, the poet has also pointed out that the connection to the Divine energy,
that is God, is the best cure to all sufferings and the priceless means to recognizing real joy and leading a peaceful life.
The poems in this book have been written by blending elements of modern and traditional poetry. Some have a rhyming pattern. Others are purely in free verse.
VATSALA RADHAKEESOON
Born in Mauritius in 1977, Vatsala Radhakeesoon has had a keen interest in poetry-writing since the age of 14. Her poems have been previously published in various local and international printed and online newspapers, journals, magazines, anthologies and blogs. She is the representative of Immagine and Poesia (Italy based artistic movement) for Mauritius.Vatsala considers Poetry to be her first love , her friend, guide and confidant.
As a teenager in the early 1990’s ,her love for poetry mainly originated from the lyrics of songs of the French Canadian singer, Roch Voisine , Australian singer, Jason Donovan and British singer Phil Collins. Her mother being a Hindi teacher and her best teacher of poetry has also been her inspiration for poetry-writing. The great poets of English Literature,
William Blake, T.S Eliot, Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou and Carol Ann Duffy have had an influence on her works.
Depth of the River is her second collection of poems following When Solitude Speaks (2013).
Vatsala Radhakeesoon is a MBA graduate from Management College of Southern Africa and is currently self-employed. She lives at Rose-Hill, Mauritius and continues to write poems in English, Mauritian Kreol (Kreol Morisien) , French and Hindi. INTERVIEW WITH VATSALA RADHAKEESOON
Welcome to Roxana's Blog!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I was born on 17 October 1977 at Curepipe, the coldest and rainiest town of Mauritius. But I have been brought up and live at Rose-Hill, one of the warmest and business-centered towns of the island. I’m the youngest of a family of 4 children. My late parents were both Hindi teachers and they maintained much discipline at home. They emphasized much on formal and informal education as well as reading books in the main languages that were taught in Mauritius. I was a pupil of St Enfant Jesus RCA , primary school and a student of Loreto Convent Rose-Hill, secondary school – both schools founded initially by Christian missionaries. At tertiary level, I did a MBA from Management College of Southern Africa. I’m currently self-employed and also an independent interviewer and translator for Setu journal.
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Yes indeed. When I was in Standard One (first year) of primary school), my mother who was also my teacher taught me a short poem in Hindi referring to a little girl called Manjul Rani . Then I had to learn this poem by heart and recite it in front of everyone during the school artistic event .Since then I enjoyed reading and reciting poems in English, French and Hindi. When I was in Form I (first year of secondary school) our English teacher, Sister Antonia originally an Irish nun taught us a poem entitled The Lovely Unicorn. It was a poem referring to Noah’s Ark. We had to learn the poem and recite it during the prize giving ceremony programme at school. So all these led to my writing of poems a few years later when I was in Form 4 (fourth year of secondary school).
At school I was shy and mostly love to study. I could hardly express myself verbally or voice out. So my pen and paper helped me to express my thoughts, views and feelings as a means to unburden my confused teenage mind.
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
Well, I have always loved English language. I enjoyed mostly the grammar related parts as everything was systematic and well organized. But I didn’t like all genres of English literature as the critical analysis of novels were too tedious for me. However I loved studying poetry and plays (drama). Later on I chose Science as main subjects.
But English as a language has always been compulsory in all Mauritian schools at all levels. When I was in HSC (Higher School Certificate) (last year of Secondary school), I enjoyed the General Paper classes , that were part of English class. General paper helped us to do research in all fields that is Arts, Science, Economics, politics and much more and then write essays regarding a vast range of issues.
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
I wish to keep writing more poetry books and also short stories books in various languages that I know that is English, French, Hindi and Kreol. I also wish to translate the works of other authors in the field of Literature.
Q: Which poets have inspired you and how? What was their impact on your work or your literary perspective?
I have been much inspired by William Blake, T.S Elliot, Victor Hugo, Maya Angelou and Emily Dickinson.
From Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience, I have learnt that poetry can be written beautifully in a simple language. T.S Eliot and Victor Hugo have inspired me to write philosophical poems. Maya Angelou has inspired me to write feminist poems and voice out without fear as an independent woman. Emily Dickinson’s poems have taught me the beauty of writing in solitude.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
My first poetry book is entitled When Solitude Speaks. It was published in 2013 by the sponsorship of Ministry of Arts and Culture, Mauritius. This book is a self- published one .It consists of a selection of poems that I’ve written between the ages of 14 to 35.
Some of my poems have been published in Immagine and Poesia anthology 2016 and 2017 (Italy).
My poem Being Myself with Maurtian Kreol, French and Hindi translations has appeared in Women, Wit and Wisdom Anthology 2017 (India).
My second poetry book entitled Depth of the River has been published in July 2017 by Scarlet Leaf Publishing House, Canada. It consists of a series of philosophical, spiritual, and emotional poems.
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
When Solitude Speaks – Available at Bookcourt bookshops Mauritius
Immagine and Poesia anthology 2016 , 2017 can be read for free by downloading from
immaginepoesia.jimdo.com
Women, Wit and Wisdom anthology can be ordered by Author’s Press India (New Delhi)
Depth of the River – Available on Amazon.com, Amazon UK, Amazon France, Amazon India, Amazon Italy, Amazon Australia.
Kindle price : $2.99
Paperback : $10
Q: What are you working on at the minute? What’s it about?
I’m actually working on my first poetry book in French. It basically consists of philosophical poems.
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?
Basically I’m much into poetry. Poetry’s musicality, its ability to covey feelings thoughts and facts in a concise way and delivering powerful messages instantly draw me to this particular genre.
Q: When did you decide to become a poet? What was the decisive factor or you just took a pen and starting writing poems?
I decided to become a poet at the age of 14 in August 1992. I have always been a music lover.
And the songs sung by my favourite singer, Roch Voisine (French Canadian singer) mesmerized me.
I loved the lyrics of his French songs , Hélène , L’Idole, La L’égende D’Oochigeas and those of his English songs such as I’ll always be there, Jamie’s Girl and others . So this compelled me to start writing poems.
Q: What makes you write? What’s the force behind taking your pen (or your keyboard) and put verses down?
Basically I feel my inspiration comes from God – the Divine energy. Then the words in my mind and soul begin to flow on paper.
Q: Where do your ideas come from? Or is it just the spur of the moment, a special feeling you experience or a specific conjuncture that offers you inspiration?
A word, a conversation with someone, an event, a friend, a song, a movie, observing Nature and moments of solitude compel me to write poems.
Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
During my 25 years of poetry writing, contemporary poetry has evolved as well, so have I creatively.
When I started writing poems I was using a simple language and merely free verse style. But with continuous poetry -writing practice and reading more poetry books I feel I use more complex words, and alter the styles from free verse to rhyming or at times blend both. I no longer follow the trends or rules.
I’ve acquired my own voice and my freedom in writing.
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?
To write for a particular cause and within word limit. This hinders the freedom of a writer. A writer is a person who loves freedom; his/her space and hates inhibitions or shackles of various sorts.
Confining a writer to word limit or asking him to write for a particular cause is like stopping his spontaneous flow of feelings, views and ideas. It destroys the writer’s individuality.
I have written some specific cause related poems but after writing them I have always felt that I didn’t give the best of myself and I felt something imposed on me.
Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?
The easiest thing is that once we become a writer, it means we have created our special space, comfort zone. So whatever happens in life we can find solace from writing. It’s a cozy place where no one can interfere, or really judge us.
Q: Do you ever get writer’s Block and if so do you have any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
When I was much younger I did get it. But now I don’t really get writer’s block. My tips for writer’s block are:
Never panic. If you can’t write just stop and take a deep breath. Go for a walk, cook something in the kitchen or do some routine household tasks.
Read a book by other writer.
Gradually writer’s block will disappear. Writer’s block is just the product of a stressed mind. A relaxed mind produces better works of Arts.
Q: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
Yes I do read. My favourite Mauritian poets are Anoucheka Gangabissoon, and Cyril Luximan.
Among the classics I like William Blake, T.S Eliot, and Emily Dickinson.
Among the contemporary poets of foreign countries, I like the poems by Scott Thomas Outlar,,
Sunil Sharma and Santosh Bakaya.
Among the novelists, I’m a big fan of Mitch Albom and Paulo Coelho.
I like both e books and traditional books as both help us to perform the same action, that is reading and to cultivate our minds.
Q: What book/s are you reading at present?
I’m re-reading Selected Poems of T.S Eliot.
Q: Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I first edit it myself. Then I give to someone else to have a look.
Q: Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?Yes as times I take a break after finishing my book manuscript and edit it much later. This helps me to go through my poems with a different perception.
Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it/they come about?
The cover of my first book consists of the Maurtian sea with a single boat sailing. This represents the title of the book When Solitude Speaks.
For my second book, Depth of the River, the cover consists of lady walking amidst the river. This represents the poem The River’s Poetess featured in the book.
Q: Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Yes the cover can play an important role. An attractive cover definitely catches the customers’ eyes and makes him/her willing to do a purchase and read the book.
Q: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
Self -publishing helps the author to maintain complete control of his/her book ie. in terms of marketing, sales and profit in his/her own country. But self-publishing doesn’t make it easy to market and sell internationally. It is difficult and stressful for a writer to handle both his writing and marketing all alone.
Publishing with a publisher gives a book a more professional look. The marketing and sales responsibilities are shared by both the author and the publisher. So sales and marketing become much an adventure instead of dreaded duties. However publishing with a publisher, at times restricts the freedom of a writer as he/she cannot decide what to do with the book independently.
Q: How do you market your books, if you do the marketing yourself?
I market through Facebook, individual Facebook messages, Whats App, e-mails, newspapers, Literary T.V and radio programmes and book signing at bookshops.
Q: Would you or do you use a PR agency?
I haven’t done it for my previous book but may be in future I will do it.
Q: Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
The fastest way to reach out a large number of people is social media. So it is worthwhile to keep marketing through it. Then, marketing is an ongoing process. Ups and down will be there but we must keep on marketing every week or every month. Never be discouraged. If one strategy doesn’t work, try another one. Always have an innovative and positive approach.
Q: Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you?
Once when I was doing a book signing a child who was passing by took one copy of my book and didn’t let go of it. This compelled the parents to buy it.
Q: Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?
I haven’t tried so far. But I’m willing to do it for my second book that has been recently published.
Q: Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch?
Yes for my first poetry book When Solitude Speaks I got interviewed by the local newspapers L’Express, Le Défi and literary T.V programmes Passerelles and Portraits D’artistes.
Q: Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
Marketing through Facebook and doing book signing have helped in the past.
Q: Did you make any marketing mistakes or is there anything you would avoid in future?
Yes, previously I was informing everyone about my book but gradually I have realized that all people are not interested in buying and reading books. So now I use the marketing technique of proper market segmentation and select the potential customers properly.
Q: Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?
Tough question! Based on my Marketing knowledge as a MBA person and following the great marketing guru, professor and author Philip Kotler’s advice, I think sales depend on the marketing approach.
When we talk about sales it refers to the business world. When we study sales and Marketing, we learn that business is all about building a long term business relations with the customers.
Logically in the writing world, most writers simply let the publishing companies do the marketing and sales job. But we must realize that the publisher doesn’t have only our books to sell. He/she has to care about other authors too. So, well written books may not sell because many writers shy off and don’t like to reach out to customers and readers in a humane and friendly way. Many writers remain hostile to readers and do not make the effort of getting to know their readers even at book festivals or other literary events.
Yes, we need our solitude to write but if we want our books to sell we must adopt a friendly and humane approach to others and not walk with the aura of ego that we are writers, we have published thousands of books and keep thinking that people are compelled to buy our books. Many good books don’t sell because the writers don’t take the responsibility of being involved in sales and marketing themselves.
Q: What do you think of “trailers” for books?
I think they are good means of marketing books in order to attract the right readers and customers.
Q: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
Sometimes it may work, sometimes it may not. Providing books for free may enable those who can’t afford to buy it, be able to read it. It can be an incentive for the reader to read the book.
The negative aspect of this is that when we give books for free, readers adopt ‘the taking for granted attitude’ and they do not value the book as a valuable work of Arts and the writer’s hard work. So we must bring a balance between providing books for free and selling them
Q: How do you relax?
Since, I’m a great music lover. Music is my best means of relaxation. I like pop music, classical music, spiritual songs and I’m open to all other forms of music. Then I like to go for walks, observe nature and go to the seaside whenever I can.
Q: What is your favorite motivational phrase? What is your favorite positive saying?
“To let go” – in the Buddhist way.
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
When it comes to poetry, my favourite book is Four Quartets by T.S Eliot. I like that book because it centers on deep philosophical views. When it comes to novels, my favourite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. This book shows the strength of a woman and teaches women to keep fighting for their rights and never give up. Never fall in the trap of self-pity. Regarding plays, my favourite is The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams as the playwright has shown a deep insight in human psychology.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
“I am no bird, and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
Q: Where can you see yourself in 5 years-time?
Writing more books and exploring new horizons of spirituality and philosophy.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
To keep reading so as to cultivate their minds. To bring a balance between the mundane and the spiritual in order to live happily.
Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
I would like to meet my favourite contemporary American author Mitch Albom . I’m mesmerized by all his novels as they really touch my soul.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Keep writing. Never be discouraged by rejection notes and other ups and down. Persevere and you will fulfill your mission as a writer.
Q: Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Since the world is IT oriented I see e-books being the future of publishing world.
But paperback books will co-exist much as a luxury.
Q: How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: Amazon.com
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B073ZKMKL4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500351060&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=vatsala+Radhakeesoon&dpPI=1&dpID=51-jJ6lt7GL7ref=plSrch
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Vatsala.D.Radhakeesoon
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
NEW RELEASE:
DEPTH OF THE RIVER
by Vatsala Radhakeesoon
Death and After
Wait, wait, I’m coming!
Neither am I scared nor screaming,
With joy my eyes are dancing,
I can hear Divine Music echoing.
Feel, now, O, Detached Soul, you surely can!
Feel pure light, perfect knowledge of Immortal Friend;
Fly freely to all planets, you surely can!
It’s All- blissful, no sorrows to mend.
Depth of the River is the author’s second collection of poems emphasizing on her life as it is. She considers this book as her open confessions manifesting from her subconscious mind.
This book also brings forth, social and global issues that touch the Human race, as a whole.
Through her poems, the poet has also pointed out that the connection to the Divine energy,
that is God, is the best cure to all sufferings and the priceless means to recognizing real joy and leading a peaceful life.
The poems in this book have been written by blending elements of modern and traditional poetry. Some have a rhyming pattern. Others are purely in free verse.
August 7, 2017
SCENTS AND SHADOWS - NEW RELEASE
Hello there,
I wanted to let you know that my new crime nove, Scents and Shadows , Book 2 in McNamara series has been released.
Of course, it is a stand alone novel. Even if you didn't read Book 1 you can understand what's going on. I don't like the books who don't have a definite end.
An improbable killer. A stubborn detective. Misleading evidence.
Nothing is what it seems to be. A beheaded victim leads to revealing a sordid story. Throw a new crime in the middle, and you may get lost in the evidence.
Follow McNamara and his team in his quest to find a bold murderer. Even though many might think the killer should be decorated, McNamara must follow the letter of the law.
A shy love story seasons the darkness of the crimes.
If you love a good traditional crime story, then this is the book to you. Buy it and spend a nice afternoon – or two with a compelling and riveting story.
At the middle of August, I will release another crime novel, A Churchgoing Woman ,. Stay tuned!
Here's the cover!
I wanted to let you know that my new crime nove, Scents and Shadows , Book 2 in McNamara series has been released.
Of course, it is a stand alone novel. Even if you didn't read Book 1 you can understand what's going on. I don't like the books who don't have a definite end.
An improbable killer. A stubborn detective. Misleading evidence.
Nothing is what it seems to be. A beheaded victim leads to revealing a sordid story. Throw a new crime in the middle, and you may get lost in the evidence.
Follow McNamara and his team in his quest to find a bold murderer. Even though many might think the killer should be decorated, McNamara must follow the letter of the law.
A shy love story seasons the darkness of the crimes.
If you love a good traditional crime story, then this is the book to you. Buy it and spend a nice afternoon – or two with a compelling and riveting story.
At the middle of August, I will release another crime novel, A Churchgoing Woman ,. Stay tuned!
Here's the cover!
July 23, 2017
INTERVIEW SERIES - THE POET PRANAB GHOSH & LAUNCH OF THE POETRY BOOK: SOUL SEARCHING AND OTHER POEMS
Hello Dear Readers,
Before sharing the interview I had a chance to have with the poet Pranab Ghosh, let me share the launch of his new poetry book with you: SOUL SEARCHING AND OTHER POEMS.
If you enjoy poetry, then you will enjoy these poems that originate from deep meditation upon the world and people making up this world. These poems reveal deep thoughts and desires but they also point to the bleakness of reality. The poet raises his voice against oppression and terrorism and speaks against war, terrorism and violence, with the same easiness he finds in revealing the deepest desires of the heart. Contradictions depicts nuances that people usually don’t want to notice or try to hide. Ghosh’s darker poems touch on the erosion of the human values and point to the greed for power leading to destruction. In the poet’s words: “Man’s craving to stand up against all that is negative, all that is against human values – to stand up against oppression and injustice had been juxtaposed with man’s eternal wish to take refuge in the Eternal, the Divine. Side by side poems of great human values, there are lighter reads on love bordering on mischievous take on the fair sex.” Pranab Ghosh’s Soul Searching and Other Poems is a collection of several verses with varied flavor and source. While Ghosh, as I found him a loner, is engaged in exploring ‘self,’ his other poems are essentially derived from the material world. A must read book, especially whoever appreciates philosophy in verses. Kiriti Sengupta www.kiritisengupta.com TO BUY: 
INTERVIEW SERIES - THE POET PRANAB GHOSH
Pranab Ghosh is a journalist, writer, poet, translator and blogger. He writes a blog “Existential Problems”. His poems and prose pieces have been published and accepted by Tuck Magazine, Transendent Zero Press, Scarlet Leaf Review, Literature Studio Review, Leaves of Ink, Hans India, Dissident Voice etc. He has co-authored a book of poems, titled Air & Age. He has to his credit a translation of a book of Bengali short stories titled Shantiramer Cha, authored by Bitan Chakraborty. The title of the English translation is Bougainvillea and Other Stories. Welcome to my blog!
Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I did my graduation with honours in English literature from Scottish Church College in Kolkata and then went on to do my masters in Journalism from Calcutta University. While in school I extensively took part in various debate and recitation competitions and had won many prizes. This continued during the university years as well. I eat non-vegetarian dishes. I generally do not take alcoholic drinks. I am a law-abiding, God-fearing person.
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Yes, my school years have had an impact on my writing career. My first poem in English was published in my School magazine. I was in Class Six then, age 11 years. I was considered a good student. According to my teachers my English was above average compared to the peers I had.
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
Same as above.
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
I want to carry on with my
writing. Write better stuff and excel with each publishing work. At the back of my mind I cherish a desire to bag literary awards based on the merit of my writing skills.
Q: Which poets have inspired you and how? What was their impact on your work or your literary perspective?
The Romantic poets of English literature, especially John Keats, have had an impact on me while I was in College. This apart, Rabindranath Tagore has been an influence. These poets have impacted my inner thoughts and that at times that get reflected in my writings.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far?
I have been a journalist for years and have written several articles till date. While in Hindustan Times, Delhi, I wrote several stories related to education for young adults and that was an enriching experience. At present I write for Business India, a premier business magazine of India. These apart I have co-authored a book of poems – Air and Age and have translated a book of Bengali short stories into English. Apart from the recently published Soul Searching and Other Poems the above mentioned two books had been my published works. I have seriously taken to writing poetry and fiction for the past two years.
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
Those could be bought online. On Amazon and other sites.
Q: What are you working on at the minute? What’s it about?
t present I am working on a book of poems. It is more or less complete. I am fine tuning and rewriting. The name of this proposed book of poems is Karma-Cola.
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?
I write poetry and short stories. I have not restricted myself to any genre. You as my publisher would be in a better position to say in which genre my poetry falls.
Q: When did you decide to become a poet? What was the decisive factor or you just took a pen and starting writing poems?
I was toying with the idea for years. But couple of years ago I met a student of mine who had formed a band by then and was the lead singer in it. He wanted me to write songs for them. The subsequent discussions with him did not take place, but I became a poet in the process.
Q: What makes you write? What’s the force behind taking your pen (or your keyboard) and put verses down?
My inner being. That I think as I live. That there is a living and responsive world around me that laughs, cries and bleeds. The power of life and everything surrounding it forces me to take up a pen and write.
Q: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
I have been a journalist. That’s my profession. And as a poet, short-story writer – that’s a part-time affair. It is very difficult to sustain as a full-time author, at least for me till now. But things might change. You never know. At times I write on all the days in a week and at times there is a lull for weeks together. I have to earn a living and life has been difficult. Let’s see.
Q: Where do your ideas come from? Or is it just the spur of the moment, a special feeling you experience or a specific conjuncture that offers you inspiration?
From life around and from my inner self.
Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
The process of evolving is continuing.
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?
To take the decision that you will seriously take up writing as a profession.
Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?
The scope that you are giving vent to your deepest thought process; that you are sharing with people most of whom, may be you will never meet.
Q: Do you ever get writer’s Block and if so do you have any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block?
As of now there has been no writer’s block. But certainly there are times when you scratch your head and do not know what to write about. Of late, existential problems are keeping me away from writing. Life’s difficult as you are required to earn a living. The concept of a professional poet is yet to take root in India. We are all like part-time poets.
Q: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
Well the list is long. And at this moment I do not have the mind to go for a short list. I prefer traditional paper.
Q: What book/s are you reading at present?
An anthology of Indian poets and a book on brand journalism.
Q: Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I do it myself.
Q: Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
No. I do it as I finish writing it, unless it is a compilation work like the current one.
Q: Who edited your last book and how did you select him/her?
I edited my last book and it was re-edited by the publisher himself.
Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it/they come about?
No comments.
Q: Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Yes I do.
Q: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around?
No comments.
Q: How do you market your books, if you do the marketing yourself? I do not do marketing myself and I do not have the right knowledge about books marketing.
Q: Would you or do you use a PR agency?
I have till date not used any PR agency. Given my current financial status I would not be in a position to afford one now. Maybe in future.
Q: Do you have any advice for other authors on how to market their books?
No comments.
Q: What part of your writing time do you devote to marketing your book?
None.
Q: What do you do to get book reviews?
Till date I have not done anything substantial apart from visiting one local English newspaper office and giving them the copies of my two published books.
Q: How successful has your quest for reviews been so far?
I have not had much of success. All the reviews and good ones, mind you that I have had till date had been my publisher’s work.
Q: Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers?
As of now I do not have a strategy. I would like to leave it to my publisher.
Q: What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
It should be taken in the stride.
Q: Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you?
None.
Q: What are your views on social media for marketing?Which social network worked best for you?Any tips on what to do and what not to do?
Social media is very important. But I am not that social media savvy, especially from the point of exploiting it. I would need my publisher’s help.
Q: Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything else to promote your work and did it work?
My publisher did the press releases and the book launches. The response was good.
Q: Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch?
My Air and Age was launched in the Benaras University. Local press spoke to me and covered the launch as well.
Q: Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
None.
Q: Why do you think that other well written books just don’t sell?
Lack of proper marketing and ‘luck’.
Q: What do you think of “trailers” for books?
Not a bad idea.
Q: Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book/s?
I did not think of this, I mean trailers till date. Your question has put in motion the concept.
Q: Do you think that giving books away free works and why?
No, it doesn’t work barring for the reviews.
Q: How do you relax?
I read or just lie down with my eyes closed. At times I watch movies as well. Meditation could be an option too.
Q: What is your favorite motivational phrase? What is your favorite positive saying?
Never say die. Do or die.
Q: What is your favorite book and why?
My favourite book is one written in Bengali called Pather Panchali (Song of the Road) written by Bibhutibhusan Bandopadhyay and famous Satyajit Ray movie later on. It was the movie that launched his illustrious career as a film director.
Q: What is your favorite quote?
To be or not to be that is the question.
Q: Where can you see yourself in 5 years-time?
You tell me. I would like to touch the stars.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Never say die. Quitters are cowards.
Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
Salman Rushdie. His Midnight’s Children made me envious of him.
Q: If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
Midnight’s Children. The subject has been so close to my heart.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Same as the one I would give to my younger self.
Q: Where do you see publishing going in the future?
Places. But I think the journey would be digital.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?
Nothing. It was exhaustive.
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
July 19, 2017
INTERVIEW SERIES - THE POET FETHI SASSI
FETHI SASSI was born on the 1st of June 1962 in Nabeul Tunisia. He writes prose poetry and short poems. He participated in several national literary meetings. He is a member of the Tunisian Writers' Union and a member of the Literature Club at the cultural center of Sousse. His first book of poetry entitled "A Seed of Love" was published in the year 2010. The second entitled "I dream .... And I sign on birds the last words " in 2013. The third book of poetry "A sky for a strange bird" was published in Egypt as well as a short poem book entitled "All the universe is only the face of my beloved". Welcome to Scarlet Leaf Review! Q: Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
My name is FETHI SASSI. I m a poet from Tunisia in the north of Africa; born
in 1962 in Nabeul; very attached to learning and writing. I have four Arabic
poetry books; and some others translated … coming soon.
Q: Do you think that your school years have had an impact in your writing career? If so, what were you like at school?
Really; I was a child with a great interest in studying, always in the first rank
with a great interest in books and reading. At the same time, I collected the best
expressions to make wonderful texts that’s why I ‘m going with great love to the
prose poetry where the pictures are the most important. On the other hand, I was
had a scientific reasoning and love for mathematics and this world of writing. They were very organized and fulfilling.
Q: Were you good at English or like Einstein you excel now in a field that was a nightmare for you as a student?
I like English and German languages … only because English is one of the keys which I can use to open most of the closed doors.
Because of my translations I stepped worldwide and I am near readers from everywhere.
Q: What are your future ambitions for your writing career?
I have a lot of ambition but the most important is to bestow my poetic voice all over the world; I would like to cry for all and whisper: we all are brothers and we need love… and nothing more than love. Another ambition is to translate for the Arabic library the work of many poets and know the poetry all over and the different ways of fulfilment.
Q: Which poets have inspired you and how? What was their impact on your work or your literary perspective?
Before, I was interested in the poets of the pre-Islamic era, to build and have a strong and a correct writing with the desert meaning first to love and fly. But in the secondary school, my purpose was on the poet full of dreams and desire, Nizar Kabani . His poetry has taught me how to love and how to respect a woman. And this beauty, the woman, can be everything: motherland, life and so on. But it was not lonely. I have been inspired by several creators as Saadi, Darwish, Ounsi, Maghout and many others.
Q: So, would you mind telling us what you have written so far
When I was twelve years old, I began to write my first poems. I was learning how to walk on the whiteness but I always felt that I was describing to the world how I felt, and how I saw all things. In 2008 I ‘ve decided to present my writing to the club of literary creators of Sousse and decided finally to publish my first book on 2010 (seeds of love) and in 2013 I dream …and I sign on birds my last words. In 2016, I published A sky for a strange bird and in 2017 As a lone rose … on a chair together with my first translated book with Scarlet House in Canada - And you are the entire poem.
Q: Where can we buy or see them?
I would like to put all my Arabic poem books on Amazon site to begin advertising my poems to the entire world but I do not find the help to do it. (I would like to find a person that can seriously help me to put them in all the sellers sites).
Q: What genre are your books and what draws you to this genre?
My books are a ticket to the heaven of love. They are a cup of wine with the smell of passion, a little journey on the waves with a breeze of happiness … a wonderful
butterfly flying on the edge of every heart.
Q: When did you decide to become a poet? What was the decisive factor or you just took a pen and starting writing poems?
When I was twelve, I tried writing for the first time. It was a challenge to be
different from others. In the darkness of my room, when all the world is asleep,
some deep whispers come to my mind as an inspiration for a coming prophet.
But surely there is in my heart a sadness never been slept for one day … this pain
Is only the ink of my writing that told …where here you are?? What do you do in this empty world lonely as a story never to be told. Too many questions but no
answers , and surely the poetry is no more that a question but with no answer .
Q: What makes you write? What’s the force behind taking your pen (or your keyboard) and put verses down?
Pain is my direction. Happiness never led to creation; only the sadness full of
questions takes you far to the philosophic way of being; it is the force and the
power made especially for all writers to give the real meaning and explain issues.But surely the method of writing is different from one to another; one take his pen to make this creation and other his brush to draw as
Socrates [said] to" Videros" in "The Conversations "
Do you know "Videros " What makes the writing marvelous
It is that is resembles painting tremendously?
and so on; too much method but the main purpose is the search for the absent
answers.
Q: Do you write full-time or part-time? Do you have a special time to write or do you write every day, 5 days a week or as and when?
I am mad of writing; I try to write non stop to take the real breath for Life. When inspiration comes with all devils to dance on whiteness; take it by hand and fly with to the far sky. But I feel the night would be the time more efficient to create a wonderful words.
Q: Where do your ideas come from? Or is it just the spur of the moment, a special feeling you experience or a specific conjuncture that offers you inspiration?
My feelings offer me usually the prayers of writing
Q: How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?
Step by step is the long travel of writing. Every book is really a step; is a part of
my experience.
Q: In your opinion, what is the hardest thing about writing?
The first moment of birth .. the moment when one discovers the world after a big silence in The memory. This moment is a cesarean birth that separates life and death’ it is the fugitive moment coming with a full inspiration .
Q: Now, what about the easiest thing about writing?
In this way, there are no easy things; everything has a special role to play until
we finally have the book in our hands .
Q: Do you read much and if so who are your favorite authors? For your own reading, do you prefer eBooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I have never stopped reading since my childhood. Reading was and is my passion;
And right now I like to Be with some special authors as Sarkon Bolss ; Saadi
Youssef; Ouns Hadj Bessem Hajjar and so on … I usually read the excellent magic realist Marquez; and Gualliano …
Generally, paper book is the best way to read and to smell the perfect paper
perfume. But if the book is only in ebook I can read it as I do now .
Q: What book/s are you reading at present?
At present, I’m passionate by the short stories of the great Sarcon Bolss .
Q: Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I work with a group of proofreaders in English and Arabic; they control all my
work to keep my texts with no mistakes; I never do a perfect work alone . It must
be some professional touches on the final texts.
But now I need only someone to help me to put my books on the international
great book sellers as Amazon and Create Space and so on.
Q: Do you let the book stew – leave it for a month and then come back to it to edit?
Yes, indeed ; every work has to take a good period to go back to the publication .
I keep all my books on my desk to complete all the details needed to be in the final
State to the way of publication.
This period is important for the decision of last touches. Surely so many things
can be changed; it is in fact the last decision .
Q: Who edited your last book and how did you select him/her?
My last book is And You Are the Entire Poem. This poetry book is translated. It has been recently published in Canada by Scarlet Leaf House. I was invited by madame Roxana Nastase to work together on a translated short poems book . We have been in fact good friends for a good while .
Q: Tell us about the covers of your books. How did it/they come about?
In general I select my book covers with the meaning that leads the book ; to be
in a direct relation . And about my last book I have a deep friendship with the
fresh painter Pascal Chove; he has given me with great love a wonderful image
to put it on my cover book ; and I think that I will choose some others only
because our common and mutual view on poetry and art .
Q: Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
Yes, of course; with no doubt. The book cover is really an important part of
the buying process; due to the fact that the cover is the first picture that
meets the reader and generally it can help readers to buy .
Q: What would you say are the main advantages and disadvantages of self-publishing against being published or the other way around ?
Self-publishing get some advantages and in the same way some disadvantages
But it is a method between some others to keep the book in the library for readers .
But the writer must see the possible way to the reader and get to work with it .
Q: Would you or do you use a PR agency?
No ; I do not use public relation ; really what I use to do is only the power of my
texts , and the beauty of my poem .
Q: What are your views on social media for marketing? Which social network worked best for you? Any tips on what to do and what not to do ?
All social media has a huge impact on the marketing.
I use Facebook due to the great number of users. But on the other hand I use
contacts with hotmail, yahoo; gmail ; and others .
Q: Did you get interviewed by local press/radio for your book launch?
Yes ; in fact from time to time I was interviewed about my first book and now no
more ; because in Tunisia from a long time culture was not for culture but for
friends and personal purpose .
Q: Is there any marketing technique you used that had an immediate impact on your sales figures?
The main problem that has all Arabic writers is an efficient strategy for selling
books , we have unfortunately only the first state of the book production and no
more especially in Tunisia ; no distribution . That’s why we go to the FACEBOOK
and TWITER and so on to find the way to make our books known .
Q: What do you think of “trailers” for books?
They are very important for the marketing of the book , for a big number of sale
To give the writer a great chance to be read from all and everywhere .
Q: What is your favorite motivational phrase? What is your favorite positive saying ?
I feel really motivated by two words they are only my little boat in this big life sea
Love and work ; I cannot live without .It is my travel ticket in this difficult
poetry experience . And woman gives me this travel .
Q: What is your favorite quote?
The great Nietzsche " Without music , life would be a mistake " .
Q: Where can you see yourself in 5 years-time?
I feel that I will fly all over the world and my poetry will go further than I. Our real
wings are our poetry books and no more.
Q: Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why ?
My father is the great personality in my mind, the only man on this earth who spent his life with one purpose in mind our happiness and success .
Q: Where do you see publishing going in the future?
The publishing is getting more and more difficult with time. I’m in the way to
discover the self-publishing. This is a way quick and efficient to the readers .
Q: How can readers discover more about you and your work ?
I hope for all readers will contact me on my face book accounts and my blog too ,
And I will answer all questions and enquiries.
Blog : https://sassifathi62.wixsite.com/mysi...
Facebook : ttps://www.facebook.com/fethi.sassi.54
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Twitter : https://twitter.com/lapoesiepourtoi
Lnkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sassi-fet...
Amazon Author Page : https://www.createspace.com/pub/membe...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4...
Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.)
Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4570266-fethi-sassi
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
Who said that romance is dead? Fethi Sassi brings you peerless lyrical verses reminding of another century, singing love, eternal questions, joy and loneliness. They will warm your soul and make you feel as if you were part of an endless time.
If you look for that indefinite feeling that only love and reflection could bring, then this is the book for you.
ASCENT OF HER DESIRE
She was travelling by night
in the twilight jubbah;
crying behind the cloud ascent of her
desire asking....:
who took away her harlot night?
Congratulations Fethi Sassi!
June 22, 2017
SUMMER PROMOTION - LOVE ON THE BRAIN - SUMMER WEDDING - WARM YOUR HEART WITH A ROMANCE AND ENJOY A WEDDING
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Enjoy romance, fun and suspense - promotion for three days only: June 23 - June 25
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Some of the books can be found on other sites as well!!!
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