My name is Qwantu Amaru. I am the debut author of One Blood a supernatural thriller about a voodoo curse tormenting a group of people unaware of their hidden connections. I am also a managing partner with The Pantheon Collective, and independent publishing venture dedicated to empowering and inspiring writers to take control of their publishing destinies.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I write down everything, that’s the beginning. And then I move those ideas into outline form and finally into digital form via my iMac. The key is capturing every idea no matter how big or small and then shining the harsh light of day on each to see which will grow and which will wither and die. The one’s that grow get harvested.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
One Blood by Qwantu Amaru of course, because this novel is jam-packed with ideas about the danger of belief, overcoming the past, and reclaiming your innocence. It is diligently researched, fast-paced, provocative, and entertaining.
What is one piece of advice that you’d like to give?
I’d like to tell all the other writers in this community who have not published yet to keep believing in yourself, your ideas, and your dreams of publishing. It took me 12 years to go from idea to publication of One Blood and the only thing that kept me going was my belief in myself and continually educating myself about the process of publishing and forging connections.
What is one idea that you’re going to bring to life in 2012?
In 2012 we will be launching the Independent Author Academy, a website where writers and aspiring authors can go and learn from experts in the field of editing, social media marketing, book production, book marketing, etc.
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.