Stan Montsho

1. Who are you?

My name is Stan Montsho, an Author, Publisher, Motivational Speaker, Child Activist, An Actor and a Civil Servant.

2. Where are you from?

I hail from Mabitse Village, which is in Rustenburg, the Northwest Province of South Africa.  I currently reside in Johannesburg.

3. What is your profession?

I do not have a specific profession per se as I cut across many portfolios such as international relations, intergovernmental relations, Marketing and Public Relations, Speech Writing and most recently Tourism Safety programmes and initiatives.

4. Where did you publish it?

My book, Mommy Touched Me which is about Mommy figures who touch young boys inappropriately and in a way molest them was published in Johannesburg, South Africa under my publishing stable, Stan Montsho Publishers.

5. Who is your illustrator?

My illustrator is Sfiso Mokoena. I also work with my designer Junior Allan Sithole to ensure the layout is of impeccable look and feel.  These are young talented individuals that have proven professionalism and am so proud to continue to work with as a team.

6. Did you make an input on the Cover Design?

Yes, I do provide a written and verbal brief on exactly how I want the cover and all the illustrations to look like.

7. What is the best part/chapter of the book?

The best part of the book is the ten golden rules for kids and ten golden rules for adults.  It cautions the kids not to report whenever they touched inappropriately by adults but even their peers. In addition, the part warns the adults to not call a family meeting whenever a child is reporting violation.  They must report this with the police instead.

8. Who motivated you to write?

My first publisher, Mme Eunice Molefe motivated me to write my own book while I was editing and reviewing her own book.

9. What is inspired you to write?

The challenge put before me and the burning desire to influence change from my own point of view.

10. Do you have fans? How do you react to fans?

I do have people who follow my work. I react to my follows with caution, respect and humility through various social media platforms.

11. Bogus versus legitimate publishers, have you encountered such?

I have encountered a publisher that wanted me to pay for the ISBN number which is obtained freely through our National Library in South Africa.  I took this as a lesson and moved on positively without any squabbles.

12. Merging the books with community service, are you involved in any community service?

Definitely, in fact two of my books, Diphiri Diphirimisi and Ke Nosi Fa Letlhabaphefong have been selected for the School Reading Competition in the Northwest Province in September 2022.  The aim of this social initiative is to encourage children to preserve culture and tradition through speaking and promoting their mother tongues.

13. How did your faith help in marketing your craft?

I am a believer and am directed by gut feeling most of the times. I believe we should not look at money as a motivator for our craft but mainly to change through it. As such, I have decided that the book: Mommy Touched will not be for sale but I will solicit the sponsors to assist with printing the book which I will the distribute in schools.

14. How many copies did you sell so far? Or How many do you plan to sell in the future?

The book Mommy Touched Me will not be for sale, instead I will solicit sponsors to assist with printing of copies that will be distributed to children. Potential sponsors can contact me on smontsh@gmail.com.

15. What are your future plans?

I am continuing to write books.  My ultimate future goal for the future is to see one or two of my books adapted into motion pictures.  I am working and praying hard for this breakthrough.

16. Encouragement to up and coming writers, what can you say to them?

Let not your current situation deter your journey of greatness.  Seek into your heart a path that will lead you to your destiny. Continue to write, that breakthrough to publish will come. Be very careful when sharing to material with potential publishers. Protect your work and make sure you know who you are sharing your work with.

17. How can people get your book?

People can contact me on smontsh@gmail.com for the book.  I will then alert if sponsored copied are available. Otherwise I will outline the process going forward.

18. Do you plan to convert your book to an eBook too?

Yes, at some stage we will be compelled by the end user to do so. However, for now, every child must have their own copy which will act as a guardian angel by the bed side.

19. Parting shot or last word!

Be strengthened boy child, the future is in your hands. Be blessed too girl child, the future will not hold without your voice.