Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I have written one book and am in the process of writing another. I have written over 100 blog articles and half a dozen published articles over the past few years as a futurist. I have also published over 170 YouTube videos educating people about subjects such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, genetic engineering, energy science and anything that is new and causes concern with the population.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The book is called “Engineering Paradise: Are You Ready?”. The idea of writing a book as I work as a serial entrepreneur in the entertainment media technologies field came about when I decided to do more to educate people about how today’s technology can finally free our civilization from the concept of working for a living. People are afraid of automation, AI and robotics because they are concerned about their livelihood. As a futurist delving in technology day in and day out, I know that we can actually change our socio-economics to ensure everyone has their basic needs met, free healthcare and free education. I decided I should speak to crowds more on this very topic, and hence put myself on the path of the futurist formally. Thus, the decision to write a book to nail down my message of hope for the future to whoever wanted to listen came about. That’s what this first book is about. The book I’m currently writing is a followup to this first one, to complete the picture and address some specifics not covered at length in the first book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. I am very disciplined. I write according to a schedule. The topics I write about are very integrated within me thanks to my experience in technology and my regular reading regimen. I suppose one unusual thing I do, not as a habit, but deliberately, is to write my book chapters as blogs and recording YouTube videos and share on social media both of these. I don’t write to make money. I write and prepare to do conferences more regularly on the book topic because I believe we can change this world into one that is 100 times better than what we have today. I’m motivated.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am not influenced so much by authors or books. I think I am more influenced by personalities, both dead and alive. Ghandi, Rael, Martin Luther King Jr, Marina Sirtis…. There are a lot of people out there that do great things for the betterment of humanity and I feel like I need to be part of that gang and facilitate positive change.
What are you working on now?
My second book on “Engineering Paradise” and multiple YouTube educational series. I’m also involved in multiple international infrastructure and entertainment media projects as a connector or project manager that leverage some of the technologies I speak of in my books.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I depend heavily on my extensive network of contacts for promotions and to help me organize promotional events. I also use social media quite a bit to share my ideas directly. Those who like my ideas follow me and they can then find my book and YouTube channel somewhere in there afterwards.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it. Don’t wait. It is so easy to publish your book nowadays. You no longer need to have the approval of a publishing company to get something out there. The difficulty is to get your book under the eyes of the right people. Don’t expect you’ll make a living out of writing books either. Very few get there. Think of your book as a way to develop an expertise in the market or to become a subject authority. If you are doing fiction, do it for extra income and for fun.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Follow your heart and your dreams. They will never guide you wrong.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading the Wizard of Oz series by L. Frank Baum. There are 15 of them, plus another 18 written by others after M. Baum died. Great imagination, hundreds of characters, and a beautiful message within that we could all appreciate, even though those books were written over 100 years ago.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After my second book, I want to do a speaking tour internationally to educate people about making a “paradise” for all of this human civilization. I’m hoping many will join me and help me out so we can succeed. Are you one of them?
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?
Probably “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, “Intelligent Design: A Message from the Designers”, and a guide on how to survive on a deserted island. The first will make me laugh and dream, the second will keep me on track with my place in the universe, and the third is there for obvious practical reasons.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sylvain Rochon Website
Sylvain Rochon Amazon Profile
Sylvain Rochon’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account