MAKING BOOKS WORTHWHILE IN TWENTY FIRST CENTURY: performing Arts, Books, publishing paving the Path in Botswana Literature; Conversation with Dr Lame Pusetso!

MAKING BOOKS WORTHWHILE IN TWENTY FIRST CENTURY: performing Arts, Books, publishing paving the Path in Botswana Literature; Conversation with Dr Lame Pusetso!

1) Briefly who are you?

How did you become an honorary doctorate degree holder & where were you conferred?

Dr. Lame Pusetso is a Botswana born young lady whose passion for literature has always been visible and traceable to all. She is a multi-award winning author of 12 books, Managing Director of Poeticblood Publishers and Botswana Ambassador for African Writers Round Table. She sits in different international boards that deal improving the literature scenarios of different African Countries.

She was bestowed her honorary Doctorate in Arts by IIU University of India.

2).What inspired you to write?

Writing is a way of communication and helping those who are in need of warm words. I am inspired by everything around me, the culture, the history, and the people.

3).Do books yield income?

Yes, books do yield income but not as enough to sustain the livelihood of an author. We still have to do more as Africans in order to support one another, creating a good reading culture among us.

4).Literacy in Africa, do people read in general?

People do read. It is only upon us as authors to write what is really relevant to the times, thus in order to ensure that we do not lag behind while our readers are eager for new information.

5) What can one do to increase sales in Africa?

Learn good marketing and sales skills. Establish your market and learn how to keep your clients happy while making profit at it. Take every client as an important investment; this will help you stay focused on all ways of growth on your book sales.

6). Do you feel fulfilled when people buy your books?

Yes, I am a storyteller. People relate with my work as it relates well with them and their life experiences.

7).Can you encourage upcoming authors to write? Do you see a future for authors?

If you have a story to tell, this is a sign to tell it. But take your time, write, seek help, correct the mistakes, do book reviews before you release the entire book to the public. You are writing for the audience, your target market not yourself, hence you need to ensure that what you release to them is the best.

Authorship is not a quick financial scheme. Understand that it is by hardwork and determination that you keep making sales in all seasons. Be ready to unlearn and learn new things throughout the journey.

8).Any movement and Toast masters or local government how did they help in promoting your work?

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Development via Botswana National Library Services helps authors by purchasing their books. This is a positive step in terms of financial aid. There are other organisations too that are always open to assisting the creative and empowering them.

9).Do you have any endorsements? Whats the importance of networking in book world?

I have several authorship awards, certificates in different international backgrounds for promoting literature. It is important to note that through networking and staying in connection with other writers around the globe help me bench mark, share knowledge and information on how to improve and keep doing better on our craft

10).Ebooks vs hard copies do you think technology has come to kill the traditional hard copy or e books are simply continuation of the reading culture?

I think it is time to acknowledge the role played by digitisation of most of the information as it makes it easier for us to share our works across the globe. This however does not kill the original traditional way of reading books which is by hard copies. They should be balanced 50 50 to keep encouraging people to read without disadvantaging them by who is poorer not to get a tablet for online reading.

11).You parting short!

Trust the process. Believe in yourself and keep winning