MAM ISSUE #2

MEGA BOOK REVIEW
Any tips on how to get through the
dreaded writer's block?
Just drop everything and wait for the
inspiration. And oh, don't be lazy.
Were you good at English?
My English was horrible. In fact I was taught
English in N Sotho. It was bad but I defied the
odds.
What are your ambitions for your writing
career?
I want to write awesome stuff. I have got
bestselling books in me. I hope to drop them
soon. I am writing a movie at the moment. It
is work in progress. I hope to have it out next
year.
Which writers inspire you?
Zakes Mda, Paulo Coelho and Dr Cornel
West.
What advice would you give to aspiring
writers?’
Read, read and read. You can't write if you
don't read.
If you could have been the original author
of any book, what would it have been and
why?
Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. It's a marvelous
piece of genius.
Feel free to contact Hosea on
072 502 6727 or www.hosearamphekwa.co.za or
hosea.ramphekwa@gmail.com. Facebook: Hosea
Ramphekwa Twitter: hosear8
Issue no: 02
To establish yourself as expert in a field.
In an era of increasing specialization, and a daily explosion in
knowledge, experts have clout and authority. So if you want
to be at the head of your field, you need that book – especially
if you’re a consultant or something similar, who’s hired
because of your expertise. And then you’ll probably need
another book in a few years’ time. But let’s worry about the
next book later.
To become a professional public speaker in your field.
Public speakers – the paid ones – still need a book to point to,
to establish their bona fides. The only exception to this is
celebrity status from something remarkable you've done. If
the status is sufficiently strong, you can just have people talk
to your agent when they call. But watch out – last year’s
celebrity status fades quickly, and then you'll need that book.
Even (former) President Clinton has had to write books to
keep himself in the public eye.
To satisfy your inner need to get it down on paper.
It may be ego, it may be explanation, it may be just wanting to
leave a record of your passing through this world of woe. But I
happen to think that writing a book to make a personal
statement is a perfectly good idea for book writing.
To create a public persona and personal brand in order to
succeed in your field of endeavor.
It used to be loyalty that bound employer and employee
together. Now, loyalty is passé, and you need an edge for
getting that promotion, or making that smart lateral move, or
jumping to another organization. I’ve seen too many great
workers cast aside because of politics or because of a sudden
shift in the business. They’re left in career limbo and may
never get back to where they were. A book is the beginning of
a personal brand and a public persona that will keep you in
demand.
To create marketing oomph.
I've seen a number of friends and clients write their way to
marketing success with a book that catapults them into the
inner circle of consultants, companies or service providers. If
you’re a small organization, a book can help you compete with
the big players. If you’re in a crowded field, a book can help
you stand out. And so on.
I believe all of these reasons are good ones to write a book.
A combination of several reasons makes even more
compelling an argument. Each one of these reasons will
suggest different marketing strategies and roles for your book.
That’s why it’s important to get clear from the outset why
you’re writing one.
On the next issue, we'll talk more about what to do next, after
you have decided on writing a book. (Forbes.com)
www.megaartists.co.za NOV-DEC 2014 Page 21