THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES

The amazing Kansas City library

The people of Kansas City were asked to help pick highly influential books that represent Kansas City. Those titles were included as ‘bookbindings’ in the innovative design of the parking garage exterior to inspire people to utilize the downtown Central Library.

Many find happiness in doing different things. Gardening, cleaning, cooking, listening to music, participating in or watching sports, and reading add happiness to a man’s life and take away boredom.

However, I take reading as a priority among all activities, since reading enlightens, educates, provides information, and makes us aware of whatever is going on around us. Just imagine, without reading, how can we follow our career choices?

I have come across many people who mistakenly put themselves into serious situations, just because they failed to read certain documents before they signed. While the standard of reading is rapidly declining, it’s amazing and breathtaking to look at the impact of modern technology in our library institutions today.

The comfort of stepping into a library

Today, we are witnesses to the architectural technology that is transforming library projects. Magnificent, attractive modern libraries are like a magnet, inviting everyone under the comfort of their canopy to read. The question is, how does a beautiful library entice people to read?

Well, there was a time when readers didn’t care much about the cover of books. I remember a local song in my country, of which part of the lyrics includes “Don’t mind the body but the engine.” In today’s publishing industry, designing an attractive book cover is one of the priorities to sell.

It is most likely that people will read your book because of the attractive cover. Thus, the days of readers not judging the cover of books are over. 

What about a glamorous cover but not an interesting book? This question doesn't seem important to readers who depend on attractive covers to choose their books.

This week, while reading, I stumbled upon modern architectural libraries, which stole my heart to the extent that I decided to write this short feature article to share with readers worldwide.

 

Reading is defined in many ways, but I like this: a multifaceted process involving word recognition, comprehension, and motivation.

In today’s society, where reading determines the career of everyone, it’s good to see such buildings to encourage more reading and help those who hate to read to cultivate the habit or talent to read.

“POVERTY IS CREATED BY MAN NOT BY GOD"- ANTHONY B

Anthony B: One of the versatile Jamaican musicians known for his quest for justice and equal rights

Anthony Keith Blair, popularly known as Anthony B, is one of the Jamaican globetrotting, versatile musicians and members of the Rastafari faith.

Usually on stage in African attire depicting his roots, and a staff in his hand, the energetic reggae musician’s lyric reflects on poverty, injustice, and crime, giving hope and consolation to the downtrodden masses.

Once in Antwerp, Belgium, after entertaining the massive spectators at the venue ‘Petrol,’ I took the opportunity to talk to Anthony B. about his life and music.

“Poverty, talking about suffering, I don’t even have words to explain it, because this is the way we live. It is part of our lives that we never try to eliminate it." 

"We always have to remember our roots, as Burning Spear said. For me, there is too much suffering in the world. People live rich, while others live in poverty, yet no one cares. This was created by a man, not God. This is what ‘Mr. Heartless’ is about,” says Anthony B."

You were born Anthony Keith Blair. Did changing your name to Anthony B. enhance your success as a musician?

Not really, but growing up in music in Jamaica as an artist, you need to find a name for yourself. I’m oriented African with an English name, so I made it Anthony B.

Anthony B speaks about his experience in the Gambia.

I have been to Senegal and Gambia. First and foremost, the reality as a reality, I respect my culture. There was an incident during my visit to the Gambia, as my visa expired the same day I was leaving.

I was at the airport when I was told the Gambia police were looking for me to be deported to Jamaica. It was a silly thing to know that you have been to the continent of your origin, but haven’t had enough days to see the people. All these problems were created by political leaders.

Joel Savage speaks to Anthony B.

If you want a visa for the Gambia, you have to go to England first. They have to remove all these political barriers. I remember a friend from Accra, Ghana, who was deported from Germany to Jamaica because he claimed to be Jamaican.

He doesn’t know anyone in Jamaica. Luckily, he had my number. He had to call me to help him because we are all Africans.

Do you want to know more about other reggae stars, including Anthony B, whose conscious and mythical music has stolen the hearts of music lovers around the globe? Get a copy of ‘The Passion Of Reggae And African Music,’ available at 

https://www.amazon.com/Passion-Reggae-African-Music-ebook/dp/B013L9A1JQ

HOW TO FOCUS ON YOUR CAREER WHEN UNDER SCORN AND LAUGHTER

“I became a subject of ridicule, scorn, and laughter in Antwerp, just because I’m writing books, but I refused to live the way they wanted.” – Joel Savage.

Laughing takes place when something funny occurs. It can happen during a conversation, celebration, event, etc. According to a health magazine, laughter can support the immune system, improve blood pressure, stimulate the organs, and even reduce pain. 


Laughter is said to be a medicine that improves health and lifts your spirit. Surprisingly, most laughter isn’t about humor but about taunting and underestimation.

It is very bad to make fun of people, yet many laugh at the handicapped, old people, beggars, biologically deformed people, the sick, and sometimes at people who accidentally fall. 

The features of the human body lead people to laugh at other people. We often hear, What an ugly face? "Bigmouth," "big ears," "big nose," and other disheartening and hurtful comments.

At school, some children bully and laugh at other children. Most of these children are too young even to realize what they are doing is wrong. It therefore baffles me a lot when I see adults, who are supposed to know more than children, doing exactly what children do. No child has ever laughed at me in my efforts to be a writer. 

My bitter experience of becoming a subject of ridicule and laughter in Belgium was at the hands of adults, mostly females I respect most. Jealousy rules the hearts of many Belgians, especially in

Antwerp, when they see foreigners trying to achieve something, because many of them are failures.

A Dutch woman once asked me in Antwerp, “You, you wrote a book?” It seems there isn’t any possibility for a Black person to write a book. This followed when some of her colleagues told her about the books they read online. I smiled and went away. 

That should have given me a little common sense to keep away from people who underestimate others. Underestimation is everywhere. It has nothing to do with racism, but Black people experience it more than anyone in every community.

Then, in the same school where the Dutch teacher made that statement, my trust in the teachers pushed me further to start raising funds to publish one of my books. At a school with over fifty teachers, my efforts to raise that fund became a scene of laughter. I became a center of ridicule. 

I didn’t get a cent; instead of many of the teachers laughed at me to the extent that the director of the school got the information and said to me, “That’s very bad.”

It is not compulsory to donate when someone is raising funds to publish a book, but what has laughter got to do with this? More jealousy, because they can’t stand to see the success of a black man. That is the typical character of most people in Antwerp because they think they know too much.  

My bitter experience is one of the strategies Antwerp people used to discourage Blacks from following their dreams and goals.

They want to see you among Black junkies, who lack the willpower to survive the psychological games of the white man. Many of my African brothers and sisters in Belgium have developed mental problems. I refused to live like that.

For over eight years, I was the only Black man in Belgium who had a press card as a journalist. Thank God, another Black radio journalist has joined me. Many Belgians ask me how I got my press card. “I am qualified for it. 

They wrote down a dozen things to submit if I were a writer or journalist. Then I submitted them.” That’s my answer. I have lived in Belgium for over fourteen years and still haven’t seen a Black journalist on their television.

Many Africans with journalism experience who couldn’t stand the discrimination and the apartheid system of work choice in Belgium migrated to England as soon as they had their Belgian passports. I have signed on the wall. 

I will never migrate to any country but will stay in Belgium to progress and be successful as a writer under their nose. Today, I have achieved what many of their writers and journalists couldn’t do in their entire lives.

I have published seven books, and they are doing well. With the Dutch scientist, Johan Van Dongen, we wrote the English version of ‘AIDS and Ebola, the greatest crime in medical history against mankind.’ The best of all is working on new projects. 

Life is like a driver taking a journey. If you drive carefully, you will get to your destination safely, and if you drive recklessly, you will end up in an accident. My endurance and patience have crowned my efforts.

Thanks to the American media and authors, such as Beem Weeks, Mishael Austin Witty, Amy Metz, Clancy Tucker, and many others, who played a significant role in my career as a writer. All those who laughed at me in Belgium have now realized they laughed at the wrong side of my mouth.

YOUR ENEMY GETS MAD, IF HE FAILS TO SEE YOU THE WAY HE WANTS

A Rae Smith quote

No one gives birth to a child and names him or her ‘Enemy,’ thus, I haven’t met anyone yet called ‘Enemy.’ Yet an enemy exists, the reason the dictionary defines it: As a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.

What causes enmity between people? I watched a program about a man who hates his neighbor. According to him, his neighbor’s stereo was too noisy, and many times when he asked him to reduce the volume, he refused to yield to his demand.

I understand him, especially after the week’s hard work, you wish to have a happy and quiet lovely weekend, reading your favourite books and newspapers, but that neighbour of yours has denied you all those good moments you’re longing for.

At times, you might be an enemy or someone might hate you for doing no wrong, just because of your efforts to live a happy life. Do you know that your hard work can sometimes spark jealousy and hatred from an empire of deceitful enemies?

Do you know that even your successful marriage sometimes makes you an enemy, because your neighbour’s marriage is on the rocks? How do you handle such situations when you haven’t done anything wrong but someone madly hates you?

I do hear people often say: The problem was beyond my control, the reason I used food as a means of consolation, became an alcoholic or a drug addict. That’s really a big mistake. When you’re experiencing problems, you don’t live on destructive measures to solve your problems; you need to fight those destructive elements.

Years back, when I arrived in Europe, among other foreigners, I came to Italy at a time when I didn’t know anyone. I slept at the Central Train Station in Rome for many days. (I have revisited Rome to see where I slept in the early nineties) I saw that the hard conditions were taking their toll on some of the homeless Africans.

Some became alcoholics, drug addicts, involved in drug trafficking, and some decided to go back to Africa. I encouraged them to stay, but many of them returned to Africa. Today, I’m no longer an illegal immigrant. 

Above all, I live with my wife and three children in Europe. I wake up every morning at 5 AM and go to work like other workers, enjoying a happy union with my family when I come back home.

I know what the enemy wants. I wasn’t ready to be a destitute, alcoholic, drug addict, or courier. If I have made it, then you can. Never blame anyone for your failure in life. Don’t let your enemy be happy. Fight those destructive forces to make them mad.

Poetry Enriches The Human Soul, As It Nurtures Love

By Walter William Safar

Poetry enriches the human soul, as it nurtures love, compassion, freedom, and faith in people. I don’t know much about victories, but I am sure of one thing: that compassion is a victory of the human spirit. 

Yes, I consider myself to be lucky to share my poetry with everyone regardless of race or religion because anyone’s tears are the same color, as well as an honest smile.

There is hope in me that you shall become my brothers in art, in terms of literature and compassion. Let it be the beginning of a wonderful friendship that shall be linked through small mercies. As William Wordsworth put it beautifully: “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”

(Those who divide poets into amateurs and professionals are wrong, because poetry is not a profession, but a state of mind, a state of soul… Each verse that brings tears to someone’s eyes remains in memory, and the wise Jean-Paul said: Our memories are the only paradise from which we can never be expelled.)

A man’s heart is small, but it is surrounded by the immensity of its soul. Sometimes our words may appear silent, but they are certainly heading for infinity.

Read Walter William Safar’s

THE LAND BEYOND THE RAINBOW

You are calling me, road of dreams,
To a land beyond the rainbow,
In which diversity is the harmony of living,
In which hatred is losing the battle against love,
In which a strong spirit is a virtue instead of a weakness;

You are calling me, road of dreams,
To where reality is conceived from thousands,
Tens of thousands of dreams,
Dreams that feed the soul,
Dreams that nurture the hearts of
Dreamers from all over the world;

You are calling me, road of dreams,
To a wonderful land of dreamers,
But I am tired,
My mornings are different now,
Full of extinguished sparks,
And the scents of weary nights
That lay beside you now,
Just like night birds,
Your weary wanderers,
Whose passion bled
Into life’s inexhaustible well.

For The Discerning Reader In Love With Diversity Of Culture

Once a journalist asked Chinua Achebe, one of Africa's greatest and internationally known writers, the reason he hasn't written any book about Europe and America. Achebe responded by saying that a lot has already been written about those two continents.

Yes, there are thousands of European and American writers, but only a few write about Africa. The reason my articles and books reflect on my culture as an African, that living in Europe for many years.

I know that there are thousands of readers interested in the non-fiction genre of books; thus, one of my goals is to share my non-fiction books through the diversity of culture. My utterly compelling collections are destined to capture the reader's attention and interest, to learn about other people's culture and heritage.

My books are in the categories of travel, immigration, health, and entertainment. The personal account of the stories reflects on the places I visited in Africa, such as Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Togo, Benin, and The Gambia. And in Europe, it's about life in Barcelona, Spain, Aarhus, Denmark, England, Amsterdam, Holland, Rome, Italy, and Antwerp, Belgium.

The African stories act like a guide to European and American tourists. The books will teach you how to avoid being a victim of thieves, armed robbers, and immigration crooks, who prey on nationals and foreigners, while the European stories teach Africans how to survive in Europe, without papers and crime.

Many ask the reason some of my books have sad titles. Each title reflects on the story, but the books have their humorous part too. Explore the humane, captivating, and emotional account of Joel Savage's books, which will keep you turning the pages late into the night. 

Wishing everyone, including readers, authors, and writers, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Book Review: How Fake Reviews Have Tarnished The Image Of The Publishing Industry

Book reviews are mainly based on false reviews.


Apart from promotion, marketing, and the effectiveness of social media, book review plays an important role in the sales of books. A good review reflects on how good or great the book is, giving it a unique recognition, to entice book readers to go for the product.

Writing a book without any effort to sell it is like putting a lighted candle under an upside-down bucket; no one will see the ray of light, supposed to brighten the environment. 

As a matter of fact, as an aspiring writer, I thought writing a book was the toughest thing on earth until I realized that the hardest part of being an author is facing the reality of promoting or marketing your book.

Like flowers depend on rain or water to blossom, every writer dreams of getting a good review to enhance the sales of his or her book; unfortunately, a review doesn’t come easily. Since it doesn’t come easy, many resort to the means of dishonesty, by faking reviews, at many bookstores, including Amazon, Createspace, and Barnes and Noble.

Life is full of dishonesty and cheating to the extent that, if you don’t follow up to live in that category, you are considered a fool in society. The desire to make it to the top has brought corruption to the book review industry today. 

Many pay for a book review, something I will never do, the fact that I consider it a bribe to someone to review my book. If you are confident your book is good, please desist from paying for a review. This is advice I will give to any genuine author.

Let’s take, for example, if my book isn’t good since I have paid to be reviewed, there is a certain pressure on the reviewer to give me a good review. In my opinion, an author should rely on a review from an unknown reader. 

Just be patient, no matter how long it takes. Don’t let the desire to sell your book at all costs push you into certain things that question your integrity and diminish your credibility as an author or writer.

Cheating ‘Bestselling, award-winning author, R.J. Ellory. He was exposed after faking his reviews for years to reach the top

.

One of the famous writers who resorted to dishonesty by cheating at the top is R.J. Ellory. The cheating, ‘Bestselling, award-winning’ author was caught faking Amazon reviews for both his own books and the books of his competitors. 

Ellory was caught writing fake Amazon reviews by fellow author Jeremy Duns online. He praises his own work and fakes reviews against his competitors, whom he sees as his enemies.

He sold millions of books under false reviews, while his followers acknowledged him as one of the world’s greatest writers. There are many genuine writers with good stories because they aren’t cheating; no one knows, cares, or classifies them as good writers or authors. 

They don’t even have enough followers on Twitter or Facebook, because we are in a world where liars and cheats are easily accepted in society. After all, they often appear on television to deceive the people.

Recently, one of the biggest online bookshops has deleted many reviews that they suspected to be fake. Patience moves mountains. As writers and authors aiming to sell our books, we should take our reputation and credibility into consideration to live clean.

BOOK: CRIME OVER AIDS AND EBOLA EXPOSED - NOW AVAILABLE AT AMAZON

Aids and Ebola medical crimes

There is time for everything, a time to sow and a time to reap. It’s now time to open up crime covered up decades ago. Aids and Ebola are medical crimes against humanity. 

Just as the Germans planned to exterminate all the Jews, the same, America, Belgium, Holland, and the World Health Organization planned to depopulate Africa, with contaminated vaccines.

But not only Jews were used for horrific experiments. Gypsies, orphans, babies, mentally disabled persons, prisoners, and homosexuals were purposely infected with contaminated vaccines which cause not only various brand new diseases but also Aids and Ebola. But the majority of people affected by Aids and Ebola are black-skinned people. (Africans).

Long before the outbreaks of Aids and Ebola in Africa, the viruses responsible for both Aids and Ebola had already been created in laboratories. 

The years between 1960 and 1973, during the darkest days of the cold war in which dangerous experiments on human beings secretly done and massive polio and smallpox vaccinations were used, guided by the WHO and CDC, and mostly paid by the Rockefeller Foundation.

Not everyone has pleasure in wickedness. To avoid animal cruelty and find a substitute to carry on with his experiments, Micro-surgeon and scientist Johan Van Dongen invented the “Anastomosis Simulator” and the “Artificial Rat” and received the “Prize Alternatives for Animal Experiments” from the Ministry of Health, of the Dutch Government, at the Annual Congress of Animal Technicians, on November 3, 1993.

But his nightmare started when his native country recognized him as a whistleblower for revealing that Aids and Ebola are human-made and tested on Africans, in order to find vaccines against it for military defending purposes in two books he published in Dutch.

The Dutch government, journalists and medical establishments discouraged the sales of the books with bad reviews and finally banned them, then afterward lost his job and house. 

“The things I didn't lose were my wife, brain and the courage to continue the revealing of the truth about the real origin of Aids and Ebola” says, Professor Johan Van Dongen.

Professor Johan Van Dongen for a very long time was fighting this battle alone, until he met the Belgian – African journalist, writer, and author Joel Savage, hence; the publication of this book. 

“I am not qualified to polish the shoes of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr, Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah etc; so death doesn't mean anything to me. About the truth on Aids and Ebola, no stone shall be left unturned,” says author Joel Savage. Get your copies at Amazon and find out the truth.

http://www.amazon.com/AIDS-EBOLA-Greatest-Medical-History-ebook/dp/B00QZCYMSS/http://www.amazon.com/AIDS-EBOLA-Greatest-Medical-History-ebook/dp/B00QZCYMSS/

YVONNE MASERUMULE: HER WORLD OF FANTASY, REALITY AND INSPIRATION FROM NELSON MANDELA

Yvonne Mahlape


Imagine a world without books, poets, authors, and writers. How is it going to be? Many writers, scientists, and people from all walks of life continue to change the world with their wisdom and philosophical ideas.


Technology is improving daily, gradually enhancing education and our environment, giving us hope for a better world in the future.

One aspiring young writer who is gradually making her presence felt in the world of literature is Yvonne Mahlape Maserumule. Born and raised in Phokoane, Limpopo, she currently lives in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga Province in South Africa.

At a very tender age, she has always been fascinated by magazines and various works of literature.  The English language rates as one of her best subjects in High School, where she especially fell in love with the literary work of Shakespeare, Stephen King, Danielle Steel, and many other authors of high caliber. 

During her high school years, her outstanding creative abilities were quickly noticed, and in her final academic year in 1992, her short story, SCHOOL DAYS, was published in Drum Magazine.

Her then Headmaster at St Mark's College (Jane Furse, South Africa), Mr. Peter Anderson, was a great fan of her writing abilities and encouraged her to consider a career that would enable her to unveil and promulgate her God-given writing talent. 

She's currently developing a blog titled: ‘My world of fantasy and reality, in which she acknowledges, among others, the late former President of South Africa, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who has been her inspiration. 

Yvonne also blogs on issues that are of common human interest, such as SUBSTANCE ABUSE and its impact on households. On 19th June 2014, Dr. Yomi Garnett broadcast a Radio Promo celebrating the creative abilities of this young lady live from the studios of VOICE AMERICA in Phoenix, Arizona. 

She has recently established a strong relationship with creative people in the field of writing, such as Jeannie Faulkner Barber, Marta, and Merajver Kurlat, who have been tremendously supportive of her writing career in its infant stage.

One of Yvonne's aspirations is to launch a Christian blog, through which she hopes to share the love of Christ with her current and future contacts. 

She is also working on a collection of short stories that she hopes to publish very soon, either in print or online. Apart from her writing career, she enjoys collaborations and is involved in various volunteering projects that involve working with and aiding the impoverished, the homeless, and the sick. 

One of her greatest passions is working in children's ministries and teaching young ones about the love of Christ.  She is therefore hoping to enroll in courses related to Social Work in the near future, to enable her to establish a career in this field.

http://yvonnemahlape.blogspot.com 

https://twitter.com/yvonnemase

https://www.facebook.com/yvonne.maserumule.3

http://za.linkedin.com/pub/yvonne-m-maserumule/40/a06/944

REGGAE AND MUSIC FANS, KNOW THE LIFE AND PASSION OF YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIANS

Interview with great musicians behind the reggae music

Musicians are seen performing daily, travelling from country to country, entertaining fans. They have a lot of fans and followers, but only a few people know about them. One particular music in which concert attracts a large audience is Reggae. 

Even though this type of music that carries a prophetic message is not heavily promoted by MTV like other music, such as R&B, pop, soul, etc, Reggae has penetrated deep into the international platform.

The only way to know the mind, life, and passion of a musician is to be close to them. My love for music led me to meet some of the great musicians behind both Reggae and African music. 

In this book, 'The Passion of Reggae and African Music' are interviews with some of the great musicians. They are Lucky Dube, Gregory Isaacs, Anthony B, Capleton, Andrew Tosh, Julian Marley, Tutu Puoane, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, etc.

A good product needs no publicity, yet I always try to find a way for readers to enjoy this beautiful photo-illustrated book. This book is not only for Reggae fans but for all music lovers. Below are free pages for readers.

http://www.amazon.com/Passion-Reggae-African-Music-ebook/dp/B013L9A1JQ/

BOOK: HOW EUROPE UNDERDEVELOPED AFRICA

Underdevelopment in Africa

How Europe Underdeveloped Africa is a book written by Walter Rodney, which takes the view that Africa was deliberately exploited and underdeveloped by European colonial regimes.

Rodney argues that a combination of power politics and economic exploitation of Africa by Europeans led to the poor state of African political and economic development evident in the late 20th century. In the book's preface, Rodney praises the state of Tanzania, which had pursued the sort of Marxist political ideology that he advocated.

First published in 1972, the book was enormously influential in the study of African history.  This book was groundbreaking in that it was among the first to bring a new perspective to the question of underdevelopment in Africa. Rodney's analysis went far beyond the heretofore accepted approach in the study of Third World underdevelopment. 

Rodney had determined that the only path to truly human development and liberation for the majority of the people of his country was through the transformation of their own lives in a struggle to replace and reshape the neo-colonialist government that dominated their society and prescribed their existence. 

The decisiveness of the short period of colonialism and its negative consequences for Africa spring mainly from the fact that Africa lost power. 

Power is the ultimate determinant in human society, being basic to the relations within any group and between groups. It implies the ability to defend one's interests and, if necessary, to impose one's will by any means available.”

In relations between peoples, the question of power determines maneuverability in bargaining, the extent to which a people survive as a physical and cultural entity. When one society finds itself forced to relinquish power entirely to another society, that in itself is a form of underdevelopment.

https://www.amazon.com/Europe-Underdeveloped-Africa-Walter-Rodney/dp/1574780484

Why Writers Must Research Publishers Before Submitting Their Manuscripts

Dorrance and RoseDog are deceptive publishers.

In every society, there are good and bad people. It also exists in the publishing industry. There is crime and fraud everywhere because the lazy want to be rich equally like the hard worker. 

 

SCOTT HASTIE's 'MEDITATIONS' INSPIRATIONAL POEMS OF WISDOM

Scott Hastie

Scott Hastie is an author and poet based in the Hertfordshire countryside, which is only a thirty-minute commuter ride from London. 


The village where he lives and works is also only a mile or so from a key junction onto the M25, which offers fast access to the capital’s four principal airports at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and London Luton.

Born in Edinburgh, Scott Hastie was brought up and educated in Berkhamsted before college studies in Brighton. Several small press editions of Scott Hastie’s poetry first appeared in the early 1970s, at a time when he was also editor of the college magazine for Sussex University and Brighton Polytechnic (1974–75)

These early anthologies prefaced the first substantial hardback collection of his work, Selected Poetry (1991), which soon found a core audience with its broadly romantic themes, celebrating love and the beauty of the natural world. 

“To write and sell poetry at a profit these days is a minor victory and a major achievement.” Scott’s words gently unlock and force you to face and look at the world with a little more optimism. There are moments of deep joy and others that take your breath away with simply incredible honesty.

Life is a complicated journey with happiness, mystery, and sadness. At times, we need inspirational poems to help us renew ourselves and be filled with the strength to fulfill our life's purpose. 

That’s where Scott Hastie’s ‘Meditations’ comes in. A remarkable book recommended to both teenagers and adults.


http://www.amazon.com/Scott-Hastie/e/B001KCDKQ8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

MY LIFE AND MY BOOKS

Joel Savage

Joel Savage is a freelance writer who enjoys the challenges of creativity and adventure. Growing up in an environment where he sees the experiences of hard living and suffering deepens his understanding and knowledge to start writing. His work is considered to be a pure genre of creative nonfiction. 

He studied at Ebenezer Secondary School and Accra High School and later studied at the Ghana Institute of Journalism in Accra. His first book, “The Writer Died’’ which focuses on his father’s childhood and adult experiences, reveals the ordeal of a neglected child.

His second book, “Road of Agony,” reflects on his life as he struggles to take care of the welfare of his family after the untimely death of his father. 

As a passionate writer, Joel records his life experiences as a roofless illegal immigrant sleeping at the central train station in Rome and shifting camp to Amsterdam, only to be incarcerated in his third memoir, “Overseas Chronicle-The Rome and Amsterdam Experience.”

Leaving his wife and a year-old child in Africa for nine years, they finally joined them in Europe. But the happiness of the family turned into a nightmare as his wife was diagnosed with an aggressive type of breast cancer. Those days of sorrow are recorded in Joel’s fourth book, “Heart of Endurance.”

Having dedicated his life to writing non-fiction books, Joel’s amassed experience and skills from previous publications, enabling him to write his fifth book, "Little Boygium-Wonderful Experience" about his life in Antwerp, as he tries to integrate as a forklift driver, whilst he writes his books between scorn, underestimation, and racism.

“AIDS Doesn’t Discriminate, So Why Do We?” is Joel’s sixth book. The book, which is dedicated to HIV/AIDS victims worldwide, eliminates the fears of caring for such patients and brings the human side to the forefront. 

The writer, a Belgian national and member of the 'Flemish Journalists Association, currently lives in Antwerp with his wife and three children.

Joel Savage is a freelance writer who enjoys the challenges of creativity and adventure. Growing up in an environment where he sees the experiences of hard living and suffering deepens his understanding and knowledge to start writing. His work is considered to be a pure genre of creative nonfiction.

http://www.amazon.com/Joel-Savage/e/B008SCTYI6

HUMAN RIGHTS AND POETRY

A Study of Ugandan Women Poets: Susan Kiguli and Mildred Kiconco Barya By Shallon Maureen Atuhaire

"Human Rights and Poetry" is a study of the contribution made by Ugandan women poets and the extent to which these women writers have advocated for human rights beyond and above women’s rights in their society. 


The study focuses on the works of two distinguished women poets – Susan Kiguli's "The African Saga" and Mildred Kiconco Barya's "Men Eat Chocolates but They Don’t Say" and "The Price of Memory: after the tsunami." 

This writer identifies the human rights concerns addressed and lessons learned, examines the effectiveness of the stylistic devices used by the poets, and makes interesting conclusions regarding human rights advocacy in Kiguli and Barya’s poetry. 

Although the two poets differ in style, language use, and presentation, the study establishes that their contribution to the field of poetry and development of their society reaches well beyond the confines of women’s rights and cuts across almost all universal human rights concerns.

Available at http://www.amazon.com/Human-Rights-Poetry-Ugandan-Mildred/dp/3848413221

A Blue Million Books' interview with Joel Savage

Featured Author: Joel Savage

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Joel Savage, author of Overseas Chronicle—The Rome and Amsterdam Experience, is here today with Virtualbookworm Publishing to talk about the book and writing in general.

About the book:

The Roman Catholic priests continuously abused the young boys they had provided accommodation for, and in Amsterdam, the liberal laws on drugs have destroyed a lot of people so that there are walking dead on the streets.

In Amsterdam, the police have successfully impounded hundreds of kilos of drugs that are brought into the country through the airport Schiphol, yet marijuana and other harmful drugs find their way into the coffee shops for customers. Where do those drugs come from? Who is controlling it? The government, the army, the police, or the queen?


Interview with Joel Savage

Joel, how long have you been writing, and how did you start?

I have been writing since I was a teenager. I grew up in an environment where I witnessed the experiences of those dying in desperation, and it deepened my understanding and knowledge to start writing books inspired by true events.

What do you like best about writing? 

Writing has been my passion. It may be a hereditary thing since my father was a journalist and writer. 

What’s your least favorite thing?

I don’t have any least favorite thing, but I feel restless when a particular book I’m working on is left uncompleted.

Do you have another job outside of writing?

Yes, when I am not behind my desk, I work as a cleaner or sometimes as a forklift driver to support my family.

How did you create the plot for this book?

I was aware of the subject I wanted to write about, and since it falls in the genre of non-fiction, I made the book very interesting to read, letting the reader feel that he or she is witnessing firsthand.

Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, or let your characters tell you what to write?

Having the story in mind, I just plan the outline, and the story continues as the book is inspired by true events.

Did you have any say in your cover art? 

I love being creative and adventurous.  I, therefore, design the cover illustration of every book I have written.

What books have you read more than once or want to read again?

The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale

What’s your favorite line from a book?

There was advice to a certain lady to refrain from thinking to prevent wrinkles from forming on her forehead.

Tell us a book you’re an evangelist for.

The Devil that Danced on the Water by Aminatta Forna.

What do you do to market your book?

I write little feature articles on my blog relating to my books before they are published.

Joel, tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

When I was invited by the police in Amsterdam for my documents, I went without any idea that I was going to be arrested and thrown behind bars. The police told me, “We knew that woman more than you; she takes money from foreigners under the pretext of helping them.” I couldn’t say anything.

What song would you pick to go with your book?

I don’t have any song that suits my case, but I remember that time the African-American musician R. Kelly’s lyrics, “I believe I can fly,” supported me spiritually through faith to survive.

Who are your favorite authors?

Norman Vincent Peale, Aminatta Forna, Jeffrey Archer, and Ryszard Kapuscinski.

What were your favorite books as a child, as a teenager, and as an adult?

Books inspired by true events.

Which author would you most like to invite to dinner, and what would you fix him? 




Harrison Ford. I will first ask him what he likes best.

Do you have a routine for writing? Do you work better at night, in the afternoon, or in the morning?

I write when time is available. It can be morning, evening, or even at midnight.

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

At home at night.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?

At the moment, I haven’t experienced any writer’s block because I’m still working on other scripts.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

“Whatever happens to me benefits me, because it educates me morally and spiritually.”

What three books have you read recently and would recommend?

Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, by Jeffrey Archer; My Laugh Comes Last, by James Hadley Chase; and Cry, My Beloved Country, by Alan Paton.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Watch a favorite program on television.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Australia

If you could take a trip anywhere in the world, where would you go? 




United States of America

What are you working on now?

My new script, The Passion of Reggae and African Music.

The Book Connection Guest Blogger Joel Savage

The book connection

 

Everyone has objectives, but not everything goes as planned for those who want to achieve something unique in society. I am one of them. I missed part of my education after the sudden death of my father. It occurred to me that if I really wanted to further my education, the only option was to travel to Europe. 

 

I wasn’t greedy, thinking that Europe makes one rich overnight, but I had an idea that if I succeeded in integrating legally, I could follow my dreams since they have the best educational facilities and good teachers.

Upon arrival in Europe, I realized that going to a foreign country could be very difficult in regard to financial aspects and visa applications, but nothing was more difficult than gaining legal immigrant status in a foreign country.

 

Like Paul’s missionary journey to Rome, I found myself sleeping in rough places, including the central train station and a deserted food factory. Rome might be a strong Catholic city, but it views foreigners, especially blacks, as people from an unknown, strange planet.

At the mission houses, amongst other foreigners, we continuously witnessed the abuse of young boys by the priests and the constant stealing of money from our letters that passed through the mission’s office, because we had no resident address. In Rome, I went to a school run by the ‘Caritas’ [Charity] under the umbrella of the Vatican City.

 

I could read and write Italian very well, but that didn’t help to facilitate my status as a legal immigrant. The continuous degradation, racism, and discrimination forced many immigrants from Africa to leave Rome as illegal immigrants, but I stayed, hoping for the best; however, the situation never changed.

After working as a houseboy to an Italian journalist, I saved enough money and moved to Amsterdam, leaving behind a year-old child and my wife in Africa. Holland is a multi-cultural country and far ahead in development and integration.

 

Unfortunately, the hard immigration policies and liberal laws on soft drugs have encouraged others to do hard drugs, thereby having a drastic effect on many people, including illegal immigrants. I saw the disastrous effects of drugs on many, but they turned a blind eye and pretended they didn’t know what was going on because the free sales of drugs are like a catalyst that sustains the tourism industry.

This was something I wanted to avoid, and the only way to prevent falling victim to depression and drugs was to fight for my documents after almost four and a half years as an illegal immigrant. One thing I didn’t understand was the drug issue.

 

The Dutch drug force in the past and present has successfully arrested drug couriers in the city and at Schiphol, the airport, but the coffee shops sell drugs, including marijuana, to customers without impunity. Who then supplies drugs to the coffee shops? This was a question I never found the answer to.

I never encourage crime or violence. I fear these two acts, and therefore, try my best to live a clean life. But to upgrade my status to a legal resident, I was involved in a serious crime, leading me to be behind bars. A Surinamese woman collected money from me with the promise of helping me get my papers. I didn’t know her, but I trusted her.

 

According to the police, she was a criminal preying on illegal immigrants. I was thrown behind bars for several days while my passport was with the immigration police. It was likely they were preparing my documents to be deported, as I foresaw my deportation to Africa to be very close.

One day, while behind bars, I had no bath and food for the whole day, even though every day the cell was opened for me to wash and be served food. The next day, when they served me food, I asked them why they had failed to give me my food the day before.

 

The officer thought I was joking, but he quickly realized I was speaking the truth. According to him, I was a very quiet person; therefore, the officers on duty failed to realize that there was someone in the cell. Because of this mistake, they gave back my passport and set me free. Today, I am a married Belgian national with three children.

 

Overseas Chronicle: The Rome and Amsterdam Experience

http://www.amazon.com/Joel-Savage/e/B008SCTYI6