Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Manh Dang. I am a medical oncologist at the Clearview Cancer Institute in Huntsville, Alabama. I am married to Karen and we have a daughter named Emily and triplet sons named Mark, Blake, and Tray. Aside from a busy oncology practice, my passion is doing medical missions, traveling, writing, dabbling in photography, and simply driving through the countryside at dawn. I am a new author and my first book is due for release on 1/21/2020.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Fields: Our Journey through Medicine, Mission, Life, and Faith is the name of my book. It is a compilation of my inspirational Facebook posts over the years. The inspirations for these posts came from my family, friends, colleagues, staff, patients, sometimes strangers, and oftentimes from spending quiet times with God. The book discusses the challenges of life, especially from the medical perspective, the beauty of God’s creations and human relationships, the need to care for the least among us through mission works, and appreciation for the simple gifts of life. 100% OF THE PROCEEDS OF THIS BOOK WILL BE DONATED TO:
1. The Russell Hill Cancer Foundation (to aid poor and/or uninsured cancer patients in and around North Alabama).
2. Project Abundant Life (a transitional housing ministry for single moms in Madison County, Alabama).
3. Bessong Ministries (to aid poor and/or divorced, downtrodden people in North Alabama, and hospital and cancer center chaplaincy).
4. Until They Know Ministry (a ministry for poor Haitians and Dominicans in and around Puerto Plata, the Dominican Republic).
5. Desert Rose Ministries (ministries to rescue girls from forced marriages, FGM, and to reach the unreached people in Kenya, Africa).
6. Kenya Relief (a ministry to rescue, house and educate orphans, and to provide medical care for the poor people in Migori, Kenya, Africa).
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
In my case, the inspirations sometimes came at odd times. I wrote some of my pieces at 2 or 3 am while I was on call and couldn’t sleep. Sometimes I wrote while walking from my clinic to the hospitals, or while walking from one patient’s room to another. One time while driving, I had to stop at a gas station and wrote. I was afraid the words would leave my head if I didn’t put them down on paper (or in my case, my iPhone, lol). Most of the times, I wrote after going through emotional highs or lows (after seeing the beauty of God’s creations or goodness of humanity; after witnessing suffering from poverty, hunger, or illnesses; or after losing a patient to cancer, etc.) When the inspirations came, words would flow fluidly. I struggled when I tried to force the process. I may be wrong but I think that’s the norm for most authors.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Love Does by Bob Goff, Windows of the Soul by Ken Gire, Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman, and Desperate for Hope by my friend Bruce Martin are some of my favorite books and authors. They have undoubtedly, in someway, helped shape my outlook on life and faith.
What are you working on now?
Honestly, at the moment, I’m working on marketing my book. This is uncharted territory for me and the learning curve is steep, lol. But I don’t stop writing and hopefully, I can put the manuscript together for a second book in a year or so.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As a newbie, I honestly don’t know. Hopefully by advertising on websites like this one, on goodreads, BookBub, Amazon Marketing Service, etc. would help to promote this book. I have a couple of invitations to speak at book clubs so far. I also plan on a book-signing event or two.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m probably not qualified to answer this question as I’m a new author myself. But I would say, for me, the most satisfying feeling about publishing a book is that I knew I wrote it from my heart and with a purpose. I did a lot of homework before having this book published, but that didn’t seem enough as I learned along the way, there was always a better way of doing things and I wish I had done some things differently. In the end, even before putting the manuscript together, I gave the whole project to God. I did my best but it’s up to Him to use it according to His will. So, I guess my advise would be: believe in yourself, trust God, and go for it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write! You will never know how much your words can impact others!
What are you reading now?
Waking the Dead by John Eldredge
What’s next for you as a writer?
Working on the second book. Maybe I’ll give it the title The Streams?
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?
A Bible (I know I’ll be praying and studying the Word even more in that situation), The Ultimate Guide to Surviving in the Wild by Clive Gifford, and God’s Message for Each Day by Eugene H. Peterson
Author Websites and Profiles
Manh Dang Website
Manh Dang Amazon Profile
Manh Dang’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile