Author Interview-Come on Readers, Let's get IN-Formation with Author Avni Parekh
Welcome to Untamed Publishing's Author Interviews! As a company that caters to the self-published author, we want to highlight and support indie authors. There is a vast array of talent amongst us, and here's the opportunity to connect the readers to their next favorite author!
This interview features, Author Avni Parekh, the non-fiction informational writer. Readers! Let's get In-Formation from this educational and motivational writer.
Welcome to the UP Hot Seat Avni! Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Miami, Florida, and earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Florida International University. Prior to publishing “Be The Bigger Person: Scenarios & Solutions to Better Yourself”, I served as public relations manager at VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s largest hospice provider, where I worked for six years. Before that, I served as director of operations at The Prana Yoga Center—South Florida’s premier yoga studio.
I specialize in public relations and strategic communications, online reputation management and copyediting, and have more than a decade of managerial, business development and marketing experience.
A forever lover of the arts, I also highly encourage and support innovation.
Why did you make the decision to become a published author?
Since childhood, it has been my dream to become an author—actually it’s been more of a calling than a dream. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed writing and it only seemed natural to take my writing to the next level by publishing a book. My goal is to positively impact readers through the information I share and the perspective I write about.
What genres do you write or wish to write?
My preference is writing non-fiction, with a strong focus on informative and motivational writing. I also dabble in writing poetry and have hopes of publishing at least one fiction book during my lifetime.
Let's get to know you as an author. When it comes to writing, are you a morning person or a night owl?
I have to say, when it comes to writing, I can write all day long. However, I’m a night owl and find it easier to gather my thoughts at night, or as soon as the sun goes down. The energy at night is very different than in the day, the air is calmer and it has more of a soothing effect on the mind.
Tell us a unique writing habit that you have.
I’m not sure if I’d consider this habit unique, but an incessant habit of mine is that I write on anything I can get my hands on. Ideas can come and go as quickly as flicking a light switch on and off, so it’s important to be able to capture them the very moment they drift into your mind. I have a tendency to write on napkins, envelopes, post-its and every notepad lying around the house.
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it and why?
One of the last books I plan on releasing will be a fantasy novel based upon different chapters of my life. I don’t have a name for this book just yet as it may take me a couple more decades to develop.
Now let's delve into your book. Tell us about your current book project?
A couple of months ago, I announced the release of my first published book, “Be The Bigger Person: Scenarios & Solutions to Better Yourself.”
My goal for writing this book is to be able to ease emotional suffering caused by interpersonal conflicts. For example, every experience we have, negative or positive, can leave a lasting effect on our psyche. Sometimes, an experience or a series of events in a person’s life can negatively impact their outlook on life and can inhibit their good judgment, causing them to react in a way they normally wouldn’t if they were in a positive state of mind.
There is unnecessary violence taking place in the world, and I know that each one of us can contribute to reducing conflict by being more mindful about how we treat one another and by choosing to take the high road when faced with difficult situations.
A neat aspect of the book is that readers, as well as nonreaders, are encouraged to pay it forward by using the hashtag #BTBP on social media when they see their loved ones upset or reaching out for help.
What is your upcoming project about and when will it be released?
I have a few upcoming projects actually. I have two books in the works; one pertains to adopting a healthy diet and the other delves into healthcare. Ideally, the books will be released in 2019, or by 2020 latest.
I’d also like to share a couple of my ongoing projects. In 2015, I launched www.LuvlyLongLocks.com, a multicultural blog site that helps women cultivate and maintain beautiful hair. In 2016, I started a petition on Change.org to implement a mandatory, annual psychological examination to all officers across the nation to help protect good cops from catching a bad reputation and to minimize unnecessary police shootings. Those interested in reviewing or signing the petition can visit http://bit.ly/PolicePsychExam.
What are some of your aspirations for your writing career?
I think it’s very important to help others and give back to one’s community. I’d really like for my writing career to allow me to branch out to bigger projects that can positively impact the world.
What makes your writing stand apart from other authors?
I think all authors are unique and have something special to offer readers. As far as what makes me stand apart from other authors, what I will say is this, I take great pride not only in my ability to write well, but also in my ability to edit. Additionally, with appropriate research, I’m able to write about virtually anything.
Would you like to collaborate with other authors?
I am always open to collaborating with extremely creative, hard-working and disciplined writers. I am also open to coaching serious, aspiring authors as they embark on their journey to self publishing.
Now let's get to know a little about you. Name 5 of your favorite books by indie authors. Why are they your faves?
My top five favorite books by indie authors are,
A) “The Martian” by Andy Weir because I’m very intrigued by astronomy.
B) “There’s Always Room at the Top” by Alan S. Becker because it shares eight secrets of very successful people.
C) “The Celestine Prophecy” by James Redfield because of the magic it contains.
D) “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill because it’s practical and inspiring.
E) “Wool” by Hugh Howley because it was absolutely thrilling.
Outside of writing, what are your favorite past times?
Besides writing, I love to read. My favorite past times are being close to the ocean, though I don’t get to visit as often as I’d like, or being out in nature observing wildlife. I like tinkering with gadgets, working with my hands, as well as gardening on a sporadic basis. I also love interior decorating and curating fashion to add to my personal collection.
Tell us one thing about yourself that's a little known fact.
A little known fact about me is, though I have lived in Miami practically my entire life, I was born in England.
Lastly, we would love to get your take on your experience in the industry. What is one lesson you've learned since becoming a published author?
One lesson I have learned since becoming a published author is that every goal is achievable, even the ones we think we have to retire from our minds or assumed weren’t within our scope of reach. It has been a life-long goal of mine to write a book, and I have always been a firm believer that goals don’t have an expiration date.
What is one myth about being a published author that you've learned and would like to share?
Oftentimes, people think that self-published books are not made as well as traditionally published books. In reality, self-published books can look just as professionally made as traditionally published books—from the cover design to the assembly. All it takes is in-depth research and seamless execution.
Avni, it was a pleasure to interview you, and we look forward to your future works! Please connect with the author and check out her book,“Be The Bigger Person: Scenarios & Solutions to Better Yourself.”.
Avni Parekh
Stay Connected with Avni Parekh Website: http://AvniParekh.com
Instagram: @AvniParekh
Twitter: @AvniParekh
Facebook: @Avni.USA
Follow the #BTBP movement
Website: https://BTBPbook.com
Instagram: @BTBPbook
Twitter: @BTBPbook
Facebook: @BTBPbook
Purchase Links:
· E-book: http://bit.ly/buyBTBPebook
Book Synopsis
Being the “bigger person” is easier said than done. Every human being encounters situations—daily—that can inhibit their good judgment and cause them to react in a way they normally wouldn’t if they were in a positive state of mind.
“Be The Bigger Person: Scenarios & Solutions to Better Yourself” by Avni Parekh is a self-help guide for successfully managing and overcoming common negative experiences dealt within a person’s public and private lives, like family, friends, relationships, home maintenance, work, academia, driving, flying, tragedies and even public places.
Readers are presented with a plethora of everyday experiences and then offered a simple, three-tier process to help them overcome the situation they are dealing with. First, the situation is posed as a statement or scenario. Second, two main points are offered, providing the reader with an honest view of the situation. Third, since everything that happens in life is about perspective, a positive takeaway or solution is suggested.
By the time the reader reaches the end of the book, they will have gained insight into a variety of life experiences, whether they have personally experienced them or not. The tips and solutions shared with readers has a proven effect to improve their mood and self-image, reduce their stress, and help them lead a more satisfying and fulfilling life.
