Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in Sikalongo, a rural missionary station located south-east of Choma, not far from the Zambezi escarpment north-west of Lake Kariba in Southern Province, Zambia. As a teen, I often haunted the nearby foothills like a second home. In WE’RE ALL POTENTIAL PRISONERS, I explore how personal experiences, mostly negative, are valuable crucibles of business development and communication lessons. I obtained a Bachelor of Mass Communication and a Master of Mass Communication from the University of Zambia and I have worked in the business development, public relations and communication space for over a decade. When not writing, I enjoy exploring the outdoors and travelling. WE’RE ALL POTENTIAL PRISONERS is my first memoir, and book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
WE’RE ALL POTENTIAL PRISONERS. I was inspired by a personal experience that I underwent, the support that I received from family and friends, and the lessons I learned post-restoration. I see a lot of people finding comfort and learning from my ordeal.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If opening a laptop in the middle of the city or on the bedside in a hospital to write a thought is unusual, then yes.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Andrew Sotiris Sardanis (13 March 1931 – 28 February 2021) a Zambian Journalist and businessman, and Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts
What are you working on now?
Currently working on my second memoir detailing life after a series of sad and joyful events – my wife breaks her leg in the ninth month of our pregnancy, our son is born through caesarian section, and in a space of one week, she undergoes Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery to repair a broken bone. What follows is a period of learning, loving pain management and appreciation of life. The joy of having a healthy son, second child, is the “spirit cooler”.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am yet to find one and hope Awesome Gang is the elixir!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Being a new author myself, I would just encourage you to do it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Everyone has a story, but not everyone can tell it.
What are you reading now?
The River Between, for the third time.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing.
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?
Anything from Kenyan writer, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, and my own, WE’RE ALL POTENTIAL PRISONERS. I like to read through to see other ways I could improve.
Author Websites and Profiles
Thomas Sakala Amazon Profile