By: Paula.O.M Otukile
paula200500293@gmail.com
Senior Editor Botswana & S. Africa
Worth Noting:
- Publish or perish, sounds deeper than a king’s sword! When you don’t write and die, you perish. Rather write and publish, so live forever. We celebrate many giants of literature though passed on many years ago, because they published. More interestingly, when you feel you have something very important that the entire world would know, write it.
- Absolutely yes, one my book is now a bestselling book ‘SET THE PRISONER FREE’ has awarded me money. It is a great source of income. While I launched that book, I made huge sales, thank goodness, some copies were purchased very expensively – it was awesome, I felted loved; and inspired to write the more.
- Briefly who are you?
My name is Nsubuga Gonza Deogratius, am born in Uganda in the central region next to the capital. Professionally, I am a science teacher of physics and mathematics in High School and colleges. I teach because I love children a lot, they are the fountain of the future. There are those particular students who everyday want to be at school because of that particular teacher, I want to be that particular teacher. It is exciting to mention, I’m a celebrated author and a speaker.
How did you become a force to reckon with in literature?
I loved literature as a subject that I started, in school I was at a frontline of literature related work; it was a big push into my career of writing. To imagine, visionarise and finally penning those many ‘crazy’ ideas to inspire, rebuke, motivate or and teach is overwhelmingly a joy. Each time and ofcourse many times, I get emails, calls and messages when someone is praising the wisdom in my book and how they have been inspired, their lives changed – oh goodness, you can’t imagine. That will keep your head high, and so you write the more.
People are a force, when different people read your books; they recommend them to others. With me, it has worked. I travel, I get invited on different platforms, and it is people who have read my books and gotten inspired do give me invitations.
Well, my books are a unique integral voice that everyone is ought to hear in this generation. For instance ‘What marriage is not?’, ‘Set the prisoner free’ were very timely that you won’t like missing to read.
2). What inspired you to write?
Publish or perish, sounds deeper than a king’s sword! When you don’t write and die, you perish. Rather write and publish, so live forever. We celebrate many giants of literature though passed on many years ago, because they published. More interestingly, when you feel you have something very important that the entire world would know, write it.
3). Do books yield income?
Absolutely yes, one my book is now a bestselling book ‘SET THE PRISONER FREE’ has awarded me money. It is a great source of income. While I launched that book, I made huge sales, thank goodness, some copies were purchased very expensively – it was awesome, I felted loved; and inspired to write the more.
4). Literacy in Africa, do people read in general ?
The analogies have changed, times have redefined Africa. In general, Africa, people read. Well, it maynot be at the level of western counties – however, people in Africa are now exposed, some well-travelled, attained education and thus reading culture is impressively improving.
5) What can one do to increase sales in Africa?
Collaborations, online platforms, and creating good content is the way to go. How does it feel to know that there is a new book on market when everybody is talking about it? It is a joy, creating good content is a key point. Collaborate, then the rest is just tenacity. Further, advertising of the books is as important as writing them, people need to know what’s available for their consumption – hence easily consume it. A good example is how renowned companies like bottling beverages companies, telecommunication keep doing it; they advertise, so we have gotten to advertise our books.
6). Do you feel fulfilled when people buy your books?
Yes, it is nourishing when people appreciate you wisdom. I get overjoyed when I receive emails and feedback that I bought your book, I feel proud about it. When you cook food for your guests planned to come and dine; and shockingly one shows up. It can be very much traumatizing, when people buy my books, I feel fulfilled.
7). Can you encourage upcoming authors to write? Do you see a future for authors?
There is a great future for authors. “The future is full of challenges but there are even more opportunities” – Bill Clinton. I do strongly encourage upcoming authors to write, we need that wisdom; the world need that knowledge. There are even many successful people who never completed school but just read books and their lives changes, they are world leaders today. Never underestimate the power in books. Authors take their time, make study and research, use their experiences and share their lives with others who read their books.
8). Any movement and Toast masters or local government how did they help in promoting your work?
I have frequently invited leaders in local governments, organizations and main stream government to attend my book launches, their presence is great confidence to the public. My books have gained strong market, I look forward writing more.
9). Do you have any endorsements? What’s the importance of networking in book world?
Networking in book world in instrumental, collaborating, teaming up is power. In fact, it a big milestone when authors can network; on national levels, regional levels and international levels. I remember one time when a friend of mine from Germany viewed a whatsapp status of Ms. Pauline of Bostwana; my friend exclaimed – hello Deogratius you have a strong network, do you know that I am seeing your book being advertised in Bostwana. It was nourishing hearing that. And that’s why I’m more than ready for networking and engage in endorsements.
10). Ebooks vs hard copies do you think technology has come to kill the traditional hard copy or e books are simply continuation of the reading culture?
The physical touch and feel is so unique, it remains the strongest. Look at long distance relationships, which kind of relationship would you vote for – physical or long distance?! Likewise, the ebooks can never kill the hardcopies. Ebooks are simply continuation of the reading culture. Regardless, authors, we need to advance to technology and embrace it, people who cannot afford to ship in hard copies can be taken care of online using technology.
11).You parting short!
Okay
