June, summer has finally reached many parts of the northern hemisphere after a long, cold, and occasional snowy Spring. But in Zambia, where I’m currently working (consulting for a bank) and writing (with the help of a beer or two) there is an increasing need for extra blankets… as I expect there will also be in Ethiopia where I go mid-month before flying back to Malawi.
Living and working in Africa over the last 15 years it is great to see that Africa Day is now celebrated on 25th May and the opportunities that exist on the continent (rather than cliches) can be shared with the wider world. Another important day celebrated in the past month was Ramadan. I was reminded of my time in Jordan (2018) and more especially how, though only 4% of the population are Christian 1/3rd of public holidays are. This is exemplary! With a little more understanding and respect for other religions at the national level (I’m looking at you, Europe and America) then this can only be a good thing so as to increase understanding rather than perpetrate misconceptions.
In the last month since I launched www.creativityxroads.com much has happened. I wrote my first blog about what creativityxroads means to me and I have had time to reflect on the truism that there are two parts of being an author – scribbling and marketing.
I have been writing since 2011 though it is only now that I’m seriously contemplating the marketing part. As such, I have set up this website, blog and newsletter. I have designed business cards and flyers. And I’m doing some video and audio recordings for a social media campaign that I plan in the near future. My aim is to have books (tick) marketing platform (tick) marketing content (working on) followers (getting there) and reviews (slow and steady) so that I have a strong value proposition when I go to agents / publishers… well, that’s the strategy.
Talking of reviews (and which are gold dust to authors) I’ll share this encouraging feedback on 7 Days in a Week.
7 days is the first volume in my prose poems and pictures series and which I write in the genre of dirty realism - telling life as it is – this similar to that of the legend Charles Bukowski.
In other news, I collected the front cover painting for Developing Afronia (volume 5 of the Afronia series) and which has been turned into abook cover, this always a very exciting day.
Thanks for reading this newsletter and following my author journey.I would love to hear your feedback and read your reviews of one / some of my books – go on, you know you want to!
