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I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Certified Addictions Professional. I have been in practice as a therapist for over 10 years working for private hospitals, substance abuse treatment agencies and public mental health institutions. I specialize in helping people to effectively deal with destructive-dysfunctional thought patterns and behaviors related to alcohol/drug use, repair broken relationships and regain trust of loved ones. I also assist with stress management and empower people to lead active lives in the family, workplace, and community.
One of my recent projects that I am particularly proud of is writing and publishing an addiction self-help book How To Stay Sober, which is the outcome of my year-long professional quest for a new addiction treatment model that will allow people with alcohol and drug addiction recover and stay sober without relapsing. A staggering 50% to 90% of people relapse within a year after successfully completing a treatment, and it’s always been very frustrating for me to watch them and their loved ones suffer when they do. Therefore, I spent about five years researching, analysing, and testing different treatment methods to identify a model that will not only get the addicted person to clean up, but also will give them the skills they need to stay sober long-term.
Where are you from?
The first thing you may have noticed is my last name Nzuzu. Let me tell you the story behind my name. I grew up in Zimbabwe and Nzuzu means mermaid. In the late 80s I moved to Manchester (UK) where I lived, studied and worked. Before moving to the United States in 2003 I was a management consultant in Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe for both government entities and private commercial companies. In the United States I completed a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling at Springfield College in Tampa Fl and went on to study for my PhD in psychology at Capella University. Once I graduated with my Master’s degree, that was all that the state of Florida required to get me licensed as a mental health counselor, but I knew in my heart that my standards are to be the best of the best; and that is why I spent four years studying for a doctoral degree at Capella University since that extra qualification would give me everything I needed to serve my clients.
Whydo you write?
Over the years I have seen many alcoholics and drug addicts move in and out of treatment programs without being able to overcome alcohol and drugs. This book was written for people who have a desire to be sober but have run out of their options. It is a life line to those people who believe that they have tried everything but nothing works.
Whatdo you write about?
I write about health, healing and wellness.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I have not identified my writing style yet but I tend to write as if I am having a conversation with the reader.
Whatare obstacles that come in the way of writing?
Sometimes no inspiration and motivation do write even when the ideas are there.
What’sthe most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
Many people have told me that my work has changed their lives at a time they had given up trying. Others have said that my work has helped them to look at their problems with hope, expectation and anticipation of getting better.
Howlong have you been writing?
Over 30 years but all of the writing consists of unpublished short stories and essays as well as auto-biographical material.
Whendid you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
I realized that I have the gift of reading and writing when I was in grade school. I have boxes full of unpublished short stories and essays on human behavior and organization performance.
Whatis your work schedule like when you are writing?
I don’t have a writing schedule. I make notes as the ideas come to me and after sometime put together those ideas into book pages.
How To Stay Sober
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I love describing real life experiences based on my observations and people’s responses during conversations. I like my writing to be as close as can be to lived experiences.
Howlong does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)
I didn’t intend to write a book . It started as notes of interesting issues and observations over a 3 year period. It was in year 4 of writing the notes that I saw the possibility of converting them into a book
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
I really don’t have any advice for new authors because I don’t know where they are at and what their needs are. I didn’t start of as intending to write a book. I was recording my observations over the years and after sometime I realized that they formed a coherent pattern of messages which I can put together into book to help people with alcohol and drug problems.
Whatchallenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?
How to Stay Sober is a book about healing, hope and living life again to the full. The greatest struggle was finding a way to convey the message in a manner that brings about healing, wellness, health and wholeness to my readers. I wanted to show the reader that both the addiction problem and its solution are inside the addict and not external. Sometimes, it was tempting to write in a judgmental, criticizing and blaming style—my fear was that this approach would offend the people I am supposed to help. So, I struggled to show that the alcoholic and drug addict are their own worst enemies without pointing fingers. I had to find diplomatic ways to show that they persevered in self-abuse and overseeing their own misery and suffering.
How To Stay Sober Workbook
Whatdo you think makes a good story?
To be a good depiction of reality and less fictitious.
What does your family think of your writing?
My family don’t understand the complexities of writing, publishing and marketing. They are supportive but they often don’t know how to fit in so they end up being there but detached.
Doyou see writing as a career?
I write if I think that I have an answer to some important question of life or a message to address a need of specific target group of people.
Doyou have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?
The book seeks to convey the message that recovery is possible and always available. The major ingredients for sobriety are motivation, a clear vision, and honesty. Recovery is possible when you need it and seek it from inside the heart. You can live a life free from alcohol and drugs but you have to cherish and embrace the new life and give up the old one. Your willingness and commitment to becoming brutally honest with yourself are key to successful recovery. A desire without willingness to change will remain just that, a desire and nothing else.
Whendid you first consider yourself a writer?
I knew that I have writing creative ability by the time I completed high school and I was 18 years old.
Thirty years ago I cut my teeth in writing fiction and enjoyed both sci-fi and historical fiction. A strange combination right? I agree. As time went on I found myself drawn away from fiction and spent many years working on factual matters related to travel and business. It kept me very busy and I enjoyed the research and the writing. But in recent years, I’ve slowed down on the steady work of “fact” and slowly returned to my first love: fiction.
I must confess that I have a certain devilish very dry sense of humor. This manifests itself in my books. I don’t strive to write comedy — far from it — but if you’re seeking something absolutely dry and heavy on science then you’re looking in the wrong place. If you’re looking for something with an actual scientific basis, careful research and just a dash of dry humor then I may be your man.
I’m interested in concepts but fundamentally I am far more interested in people. If a volcano erupts, that is interesting. But I’m more interested in how people react to it. I’m fortunate in that I have travelled the world and seen the proverbial good, bad and ugly. That is what drives my stories.
Describe yourself in five words
Tall, funny, eccentric, irreverent, nutty
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I am a licensed soccer coach and referee
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
Meditation, long walks, going to the gym
What scares you the most?
Spiders
What makes you happiest?
Spending fun times with friends and family
When Babel Floods
Why do you write?
Fiction that draws heavily one people and places I have experienced
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Always, since I was a very young kid I’ve had an active imagination
What motivates you to write?
The idea of escaping from the monotony of life.
What writing are you most proud of? .
I have made a lot of money with finance publications but I much more enjoy writing fiction and that’s the work I am proud of.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
My daughter
What books did you love growing up?
Science fiction books, and Charles Dickens classics.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
We made a mistake, he’s actually just sleeping
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in London, but I live in Texas now. Same language but different worlds in so many ways.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
Mostly they are supportive but you always get that one cantankerous “friendly” reviewer.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
In a Bure in Tahiti
Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?
It’s been in the works for many years and I started it, stopped it, changed it over and over again while I finished many other projects. I finally got to the point in my life where I felt I could relate to each of the evolving characters and satisfactorily bring this book to a conclusion.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
Charles Dickens, maybe someone like Stalin just to beat the crap out of him.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
Hopefully it’s real enough to connect with but unpredictable enough to offer them some joy.
My name is Memphis Ayoade, I am currently a rising athlete. I have independently written and published my own book, which has entitled me to become an author. I am a CEO and founder of a ltd company, Hurricane Enterprise.
Where are you from?
My name is Memphis Ayoade. I am from the UK, and the Author of The Nature Of Hard work.
Why do you write?
I write to inspire people and help motivate the unmotivated.
What do you write about?
The Genre I write about is self-help and non-fiction.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I wouldn’t say I have a specific writing style I would class myself as versatile.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
When writing my first book, my schedule was very busy because I was still at school.
The Nature of Hard Work
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
The most memorable thing asked by a reader, I would say, is when people say I am inspiring because I’m the only author they know and youngest.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing for just under a year.
How long does it take to write a book?
I independently published my first book at 17 years of age. My first took me I’d say over a week to write and publish.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
If people want to write my suggestion to them is to find something they’re passionate about, this will help with their confidence when writing and prevent them from running out of things to write about.
What do you think makes a good story?
What makes a wonderful story? It’s simple. A start. Middle. And end. Your readers want to feel as if they’re in your shoes when reading, make it relate to them.
What does your family think of your writing?
My family & friends were surprised when I told them I published my book, they questioned whether I really did because no one they knew especially at 17 wrote a book.
Do you see writing as a career?
For me, writing is a hobby not a career although if I makes money consistently from it, all glory to GOD but I do it when the occasion is written. I also write blogs for my website hurricaneaffiliates.com
Paul G. Wright is a native of Atlanta. He has worked as a newspaper journalist, freelance writer, and screenwriter. He studied acting at the Warehouse Actors Theater and earned his degree in filmmaking from Columbia College Hollywood, in Tarzana, CA. ‘A College Story’ is his first novel and is loosely based on his undergraduate experiences at a small North Georgia school. He continues to live in the Atlanta area with his wife, Tara, and their cat Dusty.
A College Story
Where are you from? Atlanta, GA.
Why do you write? I developed an interest in writing in grade school. My father worked as a newspaper reporter and I seem to have inherited his love of language.
What do you write about? I generally write about my own experiences and the people I know, but not always. Ideas come from many places and if it is a good one, I will explore it.
Do you have a specific writing style? I think my style is influenced by journalism. I worked for a short time as a reporter myself and the desire to say what needs to be said, using the fewest words possible, is still there.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? Fleshing out the story. Having an idea for a story is the easy part. Working out who the characters are, what happens to them, what the story is actually about is the where the real work begins. I am writing a new book and am fast approaching what many authors call, ‘the muddy middle’. What happens between the beginning and the end.
What is the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? I received a very nice review on Amazon by a current college student about my first book. The novel is based on my own undergraduate days and takes place in the late 1980s. In her review, she mentioned that she loved the book and that the journey of the protagonist mirrored much of her own experiences as a student. This was very rewarding because it validated something I’d believed while writing the book. That young people would still be able to relate to the story.
How long have you been writing? For at least twenty years.
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? I read Judy Blume’s work when I was in grade school and something about her books connected with me. I remember thinking, ‘I think I can do this, too.’
What is your work schedule like when you are writing? I try to write between 5 and ten pages a day, as early as I can.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I have music that goes with each story. A song, or songs, that I listen to before each writing session which helps me get into the story. Sometimes, it will take me a while to figure out what that song is. What that story ‘sounds like’.
How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non) I wrote my first novel in just under three months. This is not typical for most writers and isn’t typical for me. The country was in the middle of the lockdown and I found myself with a great deal of spare time on my hands. Most books take longer to compose and successfully edit. The authors I follow often say that six months is not unusual to go from idea to finished manuscript. That being said, every story and every writer is different.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? Read and write. I know that sounds simplistic, but it is true. Any coach will tell you that the best way to become a better athlete is to practice and every discipline is the same. The more you do it, the better you become and the more your confidence in your own abilities will grow. Read what others have written, take what you can learn from their work and create your own.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? Often, finding the right name for a character can be difficult. The name has to convey the personality in some way, and it can be hard to hit on just the right one. There is a wonderful scene in the film ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’, which depicts the struggle writers go through in this process. In the movie, Charles Dickens is composing ‘A Christmas Carol’ and is trying to find a name for his lead character. He finally utters the name ‘Scrooge’ and Mr. Scrooge literally appears in front of him and begins talking. Very often, that is how it feels when you find the right name. The character begins talking to you.
What do you think makes a good story? A story needs to be relatable and needs to say something worthwhile. We watch movies, TV and read books to be entertained but also to learn. To connect with other people and see how they handle things. An instructor I had once said that all good stories are built on a ‘truism’. Something that is timeless and true for every generation. I think working out what that is for your story, what it is that your story is trying to ‘say’, is a good place to start. That will be your foundation.
What does your family think of your writing? As I’ve been doing this since I was a kid, my family isn’t surprised. I’m lucky to have a wonderful, supportive wife who, realizes her husband has this odd need to pull words out of the air and type them on his computer several hours a day.
Do you see writing as a career? Writing is always going to be my ‘career’, despite what I do to make money. It is what I was built to do and makes me happy. So yes, in that sense, I do see it as a career. Whether I will ever be as financially successful at it as someone like Dan Brown remains to be seen.
Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? I hope you enjoy my book and all books you read and for those of you who are aspiring to write your own books, you can. Don’t let anyone tell you it impossible because it isn’t. It simply takes time, effort and discipline.
When did you first consider yourself a writer? I first considered myself a writer when I wrote my first short story in grade school. The words on the pages in front of me were mine. I’d put them there.
Achal Kumar is an author, a creative writer, a global thinker and an engineer. His work “Success and Happiness” is in the midst of being published on Amazon at the moment. His book is expected to be available soon on Amazon and all other major platforms.
• Where are you from? India • Why do you write? To share my thoughts and long managerial experience. I believe this is my social responsibility towards the next generation. • What do you write about? Motivational quotes and stories. I believe everyone has right to get success and happiness. I am already working on it’s professional approach. • Do you have a specific writing style? Yes, I write in simple language and use simple words • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? Nothing. • What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? Well said. • How long have you been writing? Last one year. • When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? First I wrote a short story then wrote few poems, posted them on social media. They were liked by the peoples. After that I realized I should write. • What is your work schedule like when you are writing? I write in night • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? Humanity • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? Write in such a way that at any stage, reader should not feel bore. • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? Nothing. • What do you think makes a good story? Stories based on healthy literature are the good stories. • What does your family think of your writing? They encouraged me for writing. • Do you see writing as a career? Yes • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? Read good books which entertain you and provide lessons of life. Good stories play major role in the development of a person, this is my personal experience. • When did you first consider yourself a writer? When I wrote my first motivational short story.
William A. Glass, formerly a VP at Gallup, now coaches soccer at a small college in South Carolina and writes. He lives with wife, Bettina, who is a high school German teacher. They have three sons who have all moved away to pursue careers.
His book, ‘As Good As Can Be’ draws on the author’s experiences growing up in an out-of-control military family during the 1950’s and his own military experience.
Dale L. Roberts is an accomplished indie author and host of Self-Publishing with Dale on YouTube. Since 2014, Dale pursued a full-time career in self-publishing books and now shares his experience on his YouTube channel devoted to building a successful self-publishing business. His specialties include book publishing, video production, public speaking, and networking. Appearing on numerous YouTube channels and podcast interviews, Dale is always looking for ways to reach a broader audience to share the value of self-publishing books. He lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife Kelli and cat Izzie.
Q&A With Dale
Where are you from? Columbus, Ohio (U.S.)
Why do you write? I’m a lifelong reader and simply wanted to scratch a creative itch when I was a kid. As an adult, I found it to be a natural high for me in helping other people succeed in life and in business.
What do you write about? I used to write about health and fitness, but more recently pivoted to discussing the business of self-publishing. In 2016, I had my biggest breakthrough as an author, so I started helping other indie authors get their breakthroughs.
Do you have a specific writing style? I write much like a speak, so it reads as a casual conversation with a friend. My writing is informal while still remaining professional and informative.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? Ooo, I tend to not let much impede my writing these days. The biggest obstacles I have are managing my YouTube channel (over 42,000 subscribers) and keeping my email inbox at zero.
Whats the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? It’s hard to cite any one reader since I see a lot of positive comments. More recently, I had readers say “Amazon Keywords for Books” was like their “Keywords Bible.” That made me chuckle and flattered me.
How long have you been writing? Truthfully, I haven’t seriously been writing very long. I started writing full-time in 2014.
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? When I was a boy, I wanted to grow up to be a writer and even went to college to become a journalist. But, college wasn’t a good fit for me so I dropped out. Life got in the way and I stopped chasing my dream. It wasn’t until 2014 that someone challenged me to write a book about health and fitness. The rest is history!
What is your work schedule like when you are writing? I typically schedule chunks of time devoted to writing. Right now, it’s 4-hour blocks every Saturday. If I have a bigger manuscript I want to complete sooner, then I’ll write more often throughout the week.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I absolutely must have an outline. It’s not a big deal if I deviate slightly off the outline, but I cannot go without it. Otherwise, I write and write and write and it’s REALLY boring!
How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non) I can complete a 20,000- to 40,000-word manuscript in a month. That’s simply the first draft and is a far cry from the finished product.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? If you want to be a better writer, study the craft, practice regularly and hire a good editor. Having an editor has been critical in my development.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? Since I write primarily nonfiction, I have little trouble at all. My biggest challenge would be in citing my sources and fact checking. Instead of hiring out for that task, I do it all myself. So, it tends to be a boring process, but helps in creating a credible publication.
What do you think makes a good story? A book that leads with a good hook and closes in a way that leaves the reader thinking for long after finishing. I believe a good story should impact a person’s life in some meaningful way.
What does your family think of your writing? My family is extremely supportive of my career as an author, especially my wife. I couldn’t ask for better friends and family who’ve been with me every step of the way.
Do you see writing as a career? It is! Being a writer is only one avenue I express myself. I’m also a video content creator. So, I guess you could call me a creative entrepreneur since I’m both an author and video creator.
Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? Never give up on your dreams! Follow your passions with relentless pursuit. It won’t always be great at first, but it’ll eventually all work out as it should.
When did you first consider yourself a writer? Since I was a boy. I took many years off between, but it all came full circle as it should have.
Do you have links that you’d like to share for others to read?
Yes, I’m promoting one of my latest releases, Promotional Strategies for Books which is available at https://dalelinks.com/promobook. Grab a copy to find out various ways to market and promote your book.
Award winning author Ralph Webster received worldwide acclaim for his first book, A Smile in One Eye: A Tear in the Other, which tells the story of his father’s flight from the Holocaust. Voted by readers as a Goodreads 2016 Choice Awards Nominee for Best Memoir/Autobiography, A Smile in One Eye: A Tear in the Other, his second book, One More Moon, and now his third, The Other Mrs. Samson, are proven book club selections for thought-provoking and engaging discussions. Whether in person or online, Ralph welcomes and values his exchanges with readers and makes every effort to participate in conversations about his books. Now retired, he lives with his wife, Ginger, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Please Contact Ralph to schedule via Zoom, Skype or in person for your book club.
Surviving two wars, sharing one husband, searching for answers…
A hidden compartment in a black lacquer cabinet left in an attic reveals the secrets of two incredible women: Hilda, born and raised in one of the wealthiest Jewish families in turn-of-the-century San Francisco, and Katie, whose early life in Germany is marked by tragedy and death. Their lives are forever entwined by their love of the same man, the brilliant and compassionate Dr. Josef Samson.
From the earliest, rough-and-tumble days of San Francisco, through the devastation of the Great War in Berlin and the terrors of Vichy France, and then to a new yet uncertain life in New York City, their stories span the most tumultuous events of the twentieth century. In the end, one of these women will complete the life of the other and make a startling discovery about the husband they share.
Enter to receive one of 100 Kindle advanced reader copies of this new book by 2016 Goodreads Readers Choice Awards Nominee Ralph Webster.
In the effort to boost the Author Live Chat with Fans interview’s marketing plan, I thought of coming up with an idea of bringing in two author friends (preferably from the same genre) to join our interview session. This will help both authors to leverage each other’s existing network and find new fans. The live session will also be more fun and exciting as two friends coming on screen would feel more comfortable talking to each other. Apart from that, the cost of the live interview session for one author would be reduced by half as the half will be borne by the other.
We are rolling this out soon and will notify our mailing list audience first to test things out first at $10. Join our email list to enjoy perks like this!
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International Book Promotion 