By: Paula .O.M Otukile
- Who are you?
My name is Winnie Motsokono , I am a teacher by profession. As an author I use the pen name- Winnie Winani Mpala. Mpala is my maiden name. Winnie is many things to a lot of people; a mother, a grandmother, an inspirational speaker, an author, a budding poet, a dancer and a great cook.
2. Where are you from?
I come from Maun, Botswana, in the Northwest District. Interestingly though, my roots straddle two countries: Zimbabwe, where my father originates from and Botswana, my mother’s country. I was born in Gumare, my mother’s home village, then we settled in Maun, where my parents built their home.
3. What is your profession?
I am a teacher at Nata Senior Secondary School, offering English Language and Literature in English. I am also a trained librarian; I am in charge of the school library.
- What is the title of your book?
My debut novel, Lea’s Secret, which is a haunting tale of pain, tears and restoration, is a story centred around rape, child abuse in homes as well as bullying in schools. A gripping voyage of a mother driven to the brink of depression. She was raped twice as a young girl and ended up getting pregnant. The trauma ate her from within, altered her personality and turned her into an abusive mother.
The daughter, Lea, born from the rape incident, had to bear the brunt of her mother’s violent outbursts. The abuse and aggression pushed her to the point of suicide.
5. Where did you publish it?
The book was published by PoeticBlood Publisher, in Gaborone, Botswana in 2022
6. Who is your Illustrator?
The novel does not have illustrations, so I did not engage any illustrator.
7. Did you make an input on cover design?
Definitely. I was the creator of the story, and I wanted a cover that will bring out the emotions and the very essence of the story to the forefront. I categorically asked for a picture of a young girl who looked sad to tie up with the themes illustrated in the story.
8. You best poem from your book, tell us more about that poem!
Even though I am working on a compilation of an assortment of poems, quotes and motivational messages. I will share on one of my favourite poems. It is not your typical poetry anthology but more of a ministering voice to women who are undergoing challenges in their lives, those who are undergoing trials and those who really want to understand the dynamics behind Gender Based Violence.
The poem “Metamorphosis” deals with the transformation that this woman undergoes. It is a journey of transformation from being someone dependent on people’s validation to being a queen that she was destined to be by the maker. The poem is more autobiographical. It speaks to my challenges, the tentative steps I took to become the jewel that I am today.
9. Who motivated you to write?
My counsellor, Gideon Smart, an online counsellor based in South Africa. The foundation of the story had already been set in 2011, but he motivated me in 2021 to pick a manuscript that I abandoned due to the challenges of life and write the book to completion.
10. What inspired you to write?
Pain was the driving force. The story has been lying in my heart for many years and my heart was heavy from hiding, from running from the truth.
What compelled me to pen the novel was a traumatic incident in my childhood, in which I was raped at 11 years old. I wanted to show how devastating such an act is and how crippling it can be if not addressed and counseling offered.
11. Do you have fans? How do you react to fans?
My students are my number one fans. Then my family, friends, colleagues and I would confidently say my fan base is steadily rising. My author page “ Winnie Winani Mpala” has opened great exposure for me and through interaction with my fans, word is reaching out to people in the digital space and I am pleasantly surprised everyday when new members like and follow my page. It is an honour indeed.
12. Bogus versus legitimate publishers, have you encountered such?
For now, I can safely attest that I have not had an encounter with any questionable or bogus publishers. Poeticblood publisher is a well-established publishing house and the public speak highly of it. I even gave them a positive review after they published my book.
- Merging the books with community service, are you involved in any community service?
I have always been involved in community projects. Last year I began a young ladies empowerment program where our tagline was #make self respect fashionable and I resourced the young ladies on character matters and finding your voice. It is going to be an annual event.
Again, I am in the process of registering a foundation called Courageous Connections that will focus on empowering both the boy and the girl child and people undergoing GBV issues. Using Lea’s secret as a tool to reach out to the communities, I believe that my voice can make a difference in someone’s life and bring transformation and create a healthy community.
14. How did your faith help in marketing your craft?
Hebrews 11: 16 says “ And without faith it is impossible to please God” Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The fact that God gave me the strength to bring out this book, was proof enough that He wanted it to spread to all ends of the world. Therefore, with faith and hope in my heart I knocked on doors, some were shut in face, promises made and broken. I was taken advantage of by people even in government offices getting my book for free under the guise of marketing it for me and went back on their word. I lost a lot of books through this route, because I was eager and naïve, and I trusted their word.
I did not give up, I intensified my marketing strategies and became wiser, and I know God will open the correct doors.
15. How many copies did you sell so far? Or how many do you plan to sell in near future?
I printed 300 copies and from that figure some were given out on promotional basis, and I still believe it was for a good cause even though it might look like nothing is showing. My target is to sell more than 10 000 copies and it will come to pass.
16. What is your future plans?
Lea’s secret is a book that tugs at your heartstrings, it is a story waiting to be viewed on the big screen and my greatest desire is to see it turned into a film.
I am working on my second novel, “Wounds Under the Blue Sky” a book that tells the painful tales of the abuse that happens behind closed doors. The one that makes parents and neighbours very uncomfortable to mention. The kind of abuse that society expect you to swallow and pretend that it is not happening.
17. Encouragement to up upcoming writers, what can you say?
Your voice is your power; use it to change the world. Bring out the story lying in your heart and share a piece of yourself with the world. You might be a reason why someone did not commit suicide that day when they picked your book. Believe in your story and just write. Learn from other authors but do not lose yourself in their stories. There is a reason why you are here. Let your character shine through your writing.
18. How can people get your book?
The hard copy is 299 pages. It goes for P200. You can send me a message at +26773688674
It is also available on Amazon.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMGNDG2K?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_ts_WWPVN58SEW1EWAP34FXN
19. Do you plan to convert your book to an ebook too?
It is available on Amazon as a kindle reader. I plan to have it as an audio book and again have it in different languages.
20. Parting shot or last word!?
Reading feeds writing. Never stop reading. Have intercourse with the greatest minds in the literary circles and your writing will be enriched. Writing is very addictive, once you catch the bug, you are hooked for life. Thank you.
It is also available on Amazon.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMGNDG2K?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_ts_WWPVN58SEW1EWAP34FXN
My advice to upcoming authors is that the training that a writer needs is in reading profusely. Extensive knowledge boosts your creative muscles. Writing is hard work yet fulfilling at the same time.. To string words together and heal, minister, change and impact someone’s life, is mindblowing.
Contacts:
WhatsApp number: 73688674
FB : Winnie Winani Mpala ( Author page)
Similar Posts by Mt Kenya Times:
- Mau Mau descendants push for recognition and compensation at Thika conference
- NEWS IN BRIEF 13 MAY 2026
- Exodus in Murang’a: 18 former MCAs join Safina in major political realignment
- Mt Kenya Times ePAPER May 13, 2026
- Democratic Party of Kenya strengthens global women leadership ties at Morocco conference
Tajalla Qureshi 
Mt Kenya Times