Briefly who are you?
Martin Sichilima is a Zambian youth passionate about leadership and believes in giving humanity a chance. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Copperbelt University School of natural resources. He also holds an international diploma from Ramat Negev Agriculture training center, Israel. He is a public speaker, trainer, as well as an author of four books namely Tears of an African child, Agnize the strength within you, when great men fall and also am not a bride. He is also a governance, child, environment and climate change activist.
How did you become a force to reckon with in literature?
Finding space in the writing industry and reaching at a point where my works are being recognized internationally is something good I was looking forward to. My passion and dedication as well as consistence in my writings gave me enough space to create room for myself for penetration and also establishment in the industry. Always writing and talking about what people want to hear has really built me to be a force I am today.
- What inspired you to write?
My advocacy works, the problems around Africa, the problems around people and also the situations in our areas and the country at large really inspired me to write, because I realized the essence of my voice and how many people and nations it would transform if put in writing form and that is a book.
- Do books yield income?
Yes they do.
Book writing and publishing is one of the ways of generating income.
People are there to buy books and support with the resources they have especially if there are in love with the content of the book.
- Literacy in Africa, do people read in general?
Yes People do read.
Actually, it’s interesting to know that the rate at which literacy is improving in Africa is so overwhelming and deserves to be admired. People in Africa are really so much anxious to know about their history, life, what is happening around and also how they can improve and develop Africa as well as better their lives. Hence the desire for reading.
- What can one do to increase sales in Africa?
To increase sells one needs to create a good network and relationship with people as well as building their personal brand nicely.
It is people that buy books from us and so if we cannot have that mutual relationship and active network with people, then it will be difficult for one to increase or sale books in Africa and of course everywhere.
- Do you feel fulfilled when people buy your books?
Yes I do.
Actually it is the greatest joy and feeling ever I always have when I see people buy my books. And it really motivates me even to write more.
- Can you encourage upcoming authors to write?
Yes I would encourage them to write because their potential and what they want to contribute through book writing might be a solution to someone out there.
- Do you see a future for authors?
Yes I do.
There is a bright future for authors because they do support each other and also there are a lot of people and institutions supporting authors both locally and internationally.
- Any movement and toast masters or local government, how did they help in promoting your work?
Actually there is an institution in the USA called Library of congress. The representatives from this institution have supported me by purchasing copies of my books and in Zambia there is a book store called bookworld that is providing a platform for authors to sell their books from there.
- Do you have any endorsements? What’s the importance of networking in book world?
Yes I have endorsements from great people in our country who have noticed and endorsed and also recommended my works to others.
What’s the importance of Networking in book world?
Networking is important because it helps to learn, grow and also brings new opportunities.
- EBooks vs hardcopies do you think technology has come to kill the traditional hardcopy or e books are simply continuation of the reading culture?
Technology has not come to kill the traditional hardcopy, actually it has contributed to the increased and improved levels of literacy because more people are accessing and reading books by getting EBooks. Hence E books are actually the continuation of reading culture.
- Your parting short! Okay
Reading is the only weapon we can use to develop ourselves and nations, hence the need for everyone, those who are not reading to start reading so as to help develop our societies. I believe that two people who have read the same right information have the power to transform lives and societies.
Thank you.
Mt Kenya Times