Your full name
Arjan Bogaers
Your book title
Africa - the World Heart
If you had to pitch your book in a single sentence, what would you say?
Richly illustrated and drawing strong parallels between the physical, functional and essential dynamics of the human heart and those same aspects of the African continent, this metaphysical study reveals the potential of Africa as the world mediator due to its spiritual healing forces and potential life forces, and in so doing it brings a vision of future hope to a continent that is often exploited and misunderstood.
What makes your book different?
This study offers a unique evaluation and reappraisal of Africa that has not been offered before.
Who is your ideal reader, and what do you hope they get from reading your book?
The ideal reader is the person who has a heartfelt connection with Africa and who is interested in methods of observation and reasoning that present non-conformist ideas, and through this, learn about the hitherto hidden essence and future potential of the African continent.
What is your full-time profession?
Coach and counsellor for chronic illness and disability.
What inspired you to begin writing this book?
It was an idea I’ve had for many years, and now, in my later years, I finally wanted to manifest this.
How long did it take you to complete your book’s final draft?
5 months.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in writing your book, and how did you overcome them?
To streamline the information, to create an order that would fit into the theme of each subsequent chapter, to build a sequence of steps that would culminate in a conclusion, to bring in a degree of literary tension, to keep the word count limited.
How did you approach the editing and proofreading stages of your book?
With the help of the MYeBOOK team.
What made you decide to opt for the self-publishing route for your book?
The niche-nature of the subject, which would have a limited reader target.
Could you share a key learning experience from the self-publishing process?
Only self-publish if you feel passionate about your own book and really want to see it out there. Be flexible and have patience. Have and maintain a clear image of the end product - you’ll have to refer to it frequently.
What resources or tools did you find most valuable during your self-publishing journey?
Online advice from self-publishing houses and companies, step-by-step online guides of the self-publishing process - there’s really a lot out there.
Have you written any other books?
How are you planning to connect with and find new readers?
Advertise through online platforms, social media, send out write-ups to targeted organizations and societies, submissions for review.
What advice would you give to other self-published authors struggling to promote their book/s?
Keep at it! Actively explore options, review platforms, online libraries and especially: focus on your niche. Advertise your upcoming publication way in advance: I pre-sold some 40 hard copies before I’d even received them.
What did you find most exciting about writing and self-publishing your book?
About Writing: Doing the research, creating my own illustrations, bringing all the different aspects together in a cohesive whole and creating the book as a self-contained, complete unit.
About Self-publishing: working with the editor and interior designer, since this was a first for me, slowly witnessing my original idea becoming a manifest reality, exploring the advertising options.
Where can readers find out more about you and your book?
Facebook |
