Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an author, lawyer, newspaper editor and businessman based in the United Kingdom. I have edited over 10 books, mostly on domestic violence and written by women authors and have written many newspaper reviews on other books. My interest is in self-help books and I have written a new book on the topic.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest book is ‘Reconditioning: Change Your Life In One Minute’. This book was inspired by my experience as an immigrant in the United Kingdom. I arrived at Heathrow Airport, London, 1995 with only $20 to my name and in a space of twenty four years I have managed to become a property owner, open several businesses and achieve seven academic degrees including a PhD. My story is true testament that any person, regardless of their ethnicity, gender or any other characteristic can achieve their goals. It may seem impossible, but if you recondition your mind to think positively, you can achieve anything that you put your mind to.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write on the go. I keep a notebook with me all the time where I write everything that comes to my mind, then I expand on it when I sit down in my office. Everyone has great ideas, but most of them get lost as they are not recorded, so keeping a notebook or writing things in a journal is always a great idea. That way you don’t lose some valuable ideas.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
The last book I read that inspired and influenced my work was by Viktor Frankl called ‘Man’s Search For Meaning’. It is about a man that survived the Holocaust and how he used the power of visualisation about the future to maintain hope. I also keep Dale Carnegie’s book, ‘How To Win Friends And Influence Others’ on the table all the time as a reference. This book was published in 1936 and I still relevant today. I also enjoy fictional writing, especially by Wilbur Smith, Terry Pratchet, and Jeffrey Archer, among others. ‘Kane and Abel’ is my favorite. I hope to write a fictional book soon.
What are you working on now?
At the moment I am working on my first fictional book called ‘Caged Intellect’. It is a book about an immigrant who comes to England, well-learned and with vast work experience, but finds it very difficult to get settled in the country because of the difficult immigration policies. He is a lawyer and is able to contribute positively to the country. He gets caught up in the drug trade where he nearly loses his life. He, however, manages to escape the life of crime, but after he has lost many friends along the way. It is a story of triumph in an environment that is hostile to immigrants.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think awesomegang.com is great. Amazon is also a great resource as it allows authors to publish without the hassle of applying for ISBNs, cover designs and restrictive printing costs. It also has great algorithms that allow one to make it to the bestseller list and has great marketing opportunities.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write from the heart and be fearless in telling your story. Do not give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
What are you reading now?
At the moment I am reading Margaret Attwood’s ‘The Testaments’ and Jokha Alharthi’s ‘Celestial Bodies’. These are two outstanding novels and I feel like I don’t want to finish reading them. Chigozie Obioma’s ‘An Orchestra of Minorities’ is also on the list to be read next.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am publishing legal self-help texts for women who have suffered domestic abuse and violence. They find it difficult to navigate the difficult legal terrain sometimes and do not have resources at had to deal with abuse. I aim to write pocket-size texts that they can refer to all the time.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee
‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell
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