When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Ever since I was a child, my dream was to become a medical doctor and one day I saw my soul holding pen and I think I was twelve years old by then. That was when I knew I wanted to be a writer. The power to write came naturally and I did not struggle. I wrote several short stories during my teen days. I took writing serious when I was fourteen years old. I completed my book that same year I turned fourteen. But I never published that book.
What genre do you write and why?
It is only romance that I have never tried writing but I will very soon. When I began writing, I was doing only non-fiction but right now, I have gone pass that and I am writing a fictional story. I just love to write about the things that we relate to in our daily life.
Tell us about your latest book.
The Tale of an Orphan: A Lesson to Learn is my latest book.
Richard lost both of his parents at the ages of 5 and 7. In the book he takes you through his life of survival as a village boy in Ghana. Relying on God each day for his needs; Suffering physical abuse and verbal abuse, he never gives-up on accomplishing the mission God placed on his heart.
This book is about life. How painful and beautiful it can be. It is a lesson teacher as well as a comforter. It is an encourager as well as a chastiser. It is a journey through a storm with a triumphant ending. It will be a book that can help change the world. It is a spellbinding memoir of childhood aching sadness and desperate humor. It is a testament which makes you believe, in spite of poverty and death, there is hope for the future. This chronicle of amazing triumph against all odds will help you understand life properly and live to be a blessing to the world.
From this book, I want you to not just grow spiritually. Not just relate my life struggles with yours, but understand how important it is to open your heart to the needy in the world. To be a voice for the voiceless and to lose the stereotype that you may have in your head about orphans.
What marketing methods are you using to promote your book?
I want to hit the International Bestselling list, so I have employed all means to market, promote and sell my book not just online but offline. When you go on facebook, you would see my fan page which I update daily. I am also on twitter, google plus, blogger and youtube. I have been on radio stations and hoping to be on TV soon. I am doing door-to-door marketing locally. As an author, I am not just acting locally, but I am also thinking globally.
What formats is the book available in?
My book is available both in Print and as ebooks on all major platforms: (PDF, Kindle, Nook, epub, mobi)
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
I like to play soccer on all kinds of electronic gadgets. Also, I like to watch movies when I’m not writing. If I’m not writing, I enjoy travelling.
Who are your favourite authors?
I’m thinking of Stephen King, Nora Roberts, Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, John Maxwell, Emmanuel Young, Kofi Akpabli, Dr. Mensa Otabil, Robert Kiyosaki, Max Lucado, John Orberg, Ama Atta Aidoo, Sarah Young, John Piper, Dave Ramsey, Carmen Leal...the list is too long.
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| Richard Paa Kofi Botchwey |
What advice do you have for other writers?
I do read a lot. Each week, I visit Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all major bookstores to see the newly release book. That gives me an idea of what’s already on the market and which book my book is going to compete with. I listen to lot of radio interviews and watch lot of TV interviews of authors and writers. That motivates me to keep writing. My advice to other writers is that; never stop writing when your manuscript is rejected. Remember, I had 88 rejections but still got my book published.
The key to successful book marketing is to explore as many ways as possible to sell books. That’s what I want every writer on earth to understand.
What's your favourite quote about writing/for writers?
“I’ve learned the hard way. I’ve learned that God’s ways are best. We have to believe if our books, articles, whatever, were inspired, God will complete what He set out to do ---big marketing strategies or not.”Jill Lord
“Many authors have difficulty with the concept of giving books away. To them, a book given away is lost revenue. If your book is well written, the opposite is true.” –Carmen Leal
What's the best thing about being a writer?
People see you as an expert in your field. And I think that’s brilliant. When there is an issue, everyone wants to hear what you have to say. The best thing about being a writer is that I have a book not just to myself but a testament for the world.
Where can people find out more about you and your writing?
You can find me on facebook: www.facebook.com/botchwey or my blog: www.rbotchwey.blogspot.com follow me on pinterest: www.pinterest.com/botchwey or follow me on twitter: www.twitter.com/richardbotchwey
Anything else you'd like to add?
Please get a copy of my book. It’s on amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007MD8X3Y/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk , itunes and I need for you to leave your reviews. And Jo thank you for giving me the opportunity to reach the international market. Watch out for my next book: My Shoes Don't Fit. Let me use this opportunity to thank a brother from another mother, Emmanuel Young, CEO of E-Magine Publishing Company & Bestselling author of The Psalms of a Warrior’s Heart for helping me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And to Mr. Dan K. Odei, CEO of ICON Publishing LLC for believing in me.
