Interview With Author TREVER RUSTIC

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?

I had been compiling "moments" for several decades.  The tragic loss of my traveling partner and wife of 40 years impacted me so deeply I was inspired to pick a few of these more interesting moments in Africa despite my lack of experience in writing stories for publication.   

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for?

AFRICA. SAFARI. Learn the many escapades, trials, and tribulations of Americans Kellie and Gary Wolf from their base camp at Sabie Bush Grand Lodge in South Africa's province of Mpumalanga; a Zulu people word meaning “the place where the Sun rises.”  

Based on actual events, these collection of stories paint a canvas of wondrous days under African skies filled with adventure, unique animals, people from all over the world, touching personal interactions, and seldom learned lessons of other cultures including their history, language, and mysticism. For all explorers new and old! I wrote this to honor my late wife which greatly enjoyed travel to Africa.  

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?

I hope each reader gains an appreciation of the African landscape, it's culture, and the meaningful interaction with others visiting the camps while present. 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?

As these stories are largely based in Mpumlanga province of South Africa, the provincial name meaning in the local dialect "the place where the Sun rises", the title came rather easily.  

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?

As this was my first work and my specialization remains technology, I offer these from the perspective of a writing "newbie". Give yourself time. Engage reviewers you can respect; the more diversified the better.  In my case I used both Americans and non-Americans. Pick a few writers that were successful in the past.  5,000 years ago or last week is of little importance. Understand the material and what each chapter is meant to achieve for its own merit and that of the larger work. Don't be afraid to scrap a concept in favor of starting again.  

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? 

I have no opinion as a new writer on this question.  This world is all but unknown to me other than as a reader of books; both technical and others.   

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? 

This book would not have been possible without my personal experiences.  

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

I was most inspired by Samuel Clemens (Twain) as I like his approach to a cynicism perspective delivered in often a humorous manner. I have read others, of course, and my material research enriched me further in this regard.  

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

Overwhelming grief and sense of loss of my wife at the beginning. Understanding my role as a writer with my first interaction with my publisher.  

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

[My stories are at their heart REAL.  So, a reading will familiarize and "de-mystify" the "African experience" as seen through American eyes enjoying nature and culture in a land often misrepresented in other publications.  

Trever Rustic, who is a world-recognized subject matter expert and technologist specializing in biometrics, smart card technology, and credentialing systems, has completed his new book “Where the Sun Rises: Short Stories”: a collection of gripping and potent short stories that paint a canvas of wondrous days under African skies filled with adventure, unique animals, people from all over the world, touching personal interactions, and seldom learned lessons of other cultures including their history and language. for more info, check out:  http://www.newmansprings.com/release/?book=where-the-sun-rises 

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.3 million pageviews. With 4,400+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.