Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a relatively new author. I am also a public health professional with a concentration in Epidemiology. I have always loved writing. From the time I began to read other people’s literary work I felt a nudging toward writing. In school I always loved essay questions and compositions because they allowed me to express myself, to exercise my creativity and imagination. I saw this as an opportunity for me to hone my writing skills. Writing gives me a voice to reach people I might never meet in person and to share my thoughts with them just as I have had access to the thoughts of other authors I might not have the privilege to meet in person, ever. It never ceases to amaze me that these squiggly lines we draw on paper have such tremendous power, and that they can carry information that can alter an individual’s life or even change the course of history. I think being an author is an awesome responsibility.
So far I have written and published 2 books. I am currently writing a third one.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled Biblical Principles in Modern Legislation. But that’s not the book I will discuss here. I feel I need to follow the sequence of publication and discuss my first book titled The Perfect Prescription: Godly Wisdom on Public Health. Maybe we can talk about the other one next time.
As a healthcare professional I am well aware of the disconcerting constant rise in the cost of healthcare. That is why I believe that one of the best strategies any healthcare system can advocate is disease prevention. Most diseases (not all, but most) are preventable. Disease prevention, to me, is an important aspect of healthcare delivery anywhere in the world, for both communicable and non-communicable diseases. It is not only cost effective, but it is also absolutely accessible to anyone in most community clinics and other settings. Preventive campaigns that include smoking cessation programs and cancer screening programs and vaccinations have been known to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality rates. As far back as Bible times when there were no hospitals as we know them today people always relied on preventive measures. They were warned against engaging in certain deleterious behaviors. Even in modern day we know that most diseases are linked to certain behavioral choices and lifestyles that can be prevented. Modern public health community education campaigns have adopted some of the age-old strategies and are using the help of technology to design and implement related intervention programs to reach their target audiences. This is what inspired this book. The book highlights and underscores the role played by disease prevention strategies in optimizing personal and community health.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
For some reason my Eureka moments occur when I am showering. This is my most creative time; the time when my insight is at its peak. Probably the water’s cleansing and revitalizing power somewhat translates into a rejuvenation of my mind as well, and stimulates it to be innovative. As such, I often carry a recorder with me when I go to shower so that I can record my thoughts. Sometimes I awake in the middle of the night and have clear thoughts about a certain topic. In order not to lose these thoughts I record them, too.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am indebted to a host of authors since reading is my main hobby. I learned early in life that each time I open a book and I read a minimum of one page I learn something new. Different literary work has influenced by my life greatly. I read an array of books by different authors such as public health authors, philosophers, Christian authors and secular authors. Some of the authors include Mary-Jane Schneider, Viktor Frankl, Norm Geisler, Simone Weil, Wole Soyinka, Richard H. Hiers, and authors of some Old and New Testament books as well as a multitude of other authors I have not mentioned but have equally influenced me. I always say I am standing on the shoulders of numerous individuals; producers of stellar literary work.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a third non-fiction book, The Red Letter Gems.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
As of now, I hesitate to say I have found the best method to promote my books. I am still feeling my ground, as it were. But I have my books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Tate Publishing websites. I also have a Facebook Fan Page but I need help to tweak it so that it can attract more traffic. I sometimes advertise via Twitter, Tumbler, my website, and I also have a blog. I am also grateful to individuals and organizations who have given me book interviews such as the Awesomegang here.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I am a relatively new author myself and I am in need of the help of experts in increasing the visibility of my books, but I can share what I have learned so far: If you feel you have something to share with the world, go ahead and write it down.
Getting your work published is a great accomplishment, but it is only the beginning of a rigorously challenging journey. Getting the word out about your book is tough, but with perseverance and tenacity and help from other authors, it is doable. Someone once said, through perseverance and patience the snail made it into the ark. Adversity fosters resilience and survivability (I just now made that one up).
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The darkest hour comes just before dawn. Often times when we feel we are at the end our tether, when all options seem exhausted, that’s when things start turning around for the better. As such, I believe that there is always a way out no matter how long it may take; no matter how dismal or formidable the situation may seem at the moment.
What are you reading now?
This may sound strange, even weird. But I am concurrently reading 3 books. One on philosophy, a second one on religion and a third one on field epidemiology. I have identified a common theme connecting all three of them.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am working on finishing the draft of my third book and to get it published in 2015. Then I will start writing my fourth book, after that my fifth, sixth, seventh…etc.
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?
I would need a book on how to protect myself from nocturnal predators, a book on what wild plants are edible, a book on how to quickly get the attention of rescue vessels and aircraft, and my Bible to bolster my hope and courage.
Author Websites and Profiles
Reigh Simuzoshya Website
Reigh Simuzoshya Amazon Profile
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