IndieView with Dr Svetlana Kogan, author of Diet Slave No More!

diet-slave

I read voraciously as a child growing up in Ukraine – there was only one TV channel and no computers, after all. Books were the only way to learn about the world – Russian, European and American classics. None of them have influenced my writing though, as I am not a writer but rather a doctor who wrote a book.

Dr Svetlana Kogan  – 14 November 2016

The Back Flap

Hundreds of diet books have been written on the subject of weight loss. Perhaps you thought this was one of them? No, this is not a diet book! In fact, it defies all the existing diets.

This book’s approach to weight loss is about you—a holistic plan that focuses on you as an individual. As you explore the question “What am I?” you will discover that the tools you need to create lasting change already exist within you. Learn to use them, and your capabilities will seem almost magical—you will be empowered to make amazing strides in improving your overall wellness and losing weight—progress that used to feel impossible.

Combining the best of Western and Eastern medicine, Svetlana Kogan, MD, guides you on a journey that will align your mind and body.

The path to a healthier you doesn’t have to be miserable. Diet Slave No More! makes the journey enjoyable and entertaining. No restrictions. No pills. Just—finally—weight loss that can last!

About the book

What is the book about?

As a doctor with many years of clinical experience, I was always wondering ‘why all the diets out there ultimately fail us?’ This book demonstrates that every diet out there is essentially a software program, which attempts to override our inborn blueprint. That blueprint cannot be changed however. Now, that’s clearly a conflict of interest, as far as our bodies are concerned. I felt compelled to write a book about this tug of war.

When did you start writing the book?

I started thinking about all this almost 20 years ago.

How long did it take you to write it?

Eventually, after accumulating enough clinical observations and research data, I started writing this book about 7 years ago. Every time a patient failed to maintain lost weight, I would make a note of what did not work and with every success, I would dig deeper into why things worked out permanently. Eventually, after many years of putting it down and picking it up again, the book came together in a monolithic way.

Where did you get the idea from?

From children!

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes! The biggest struggle was to take extremely complicated scientific concepts and simplify them to the point that a 7-year old child would understand them.

What came easily?

I guess the easiest thing was to publish the book with Create Space/Amazon once I finished writing it.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

All of the characters are real people whom I was privileged to observe on my life’s journey.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I read voraciously as a child growing up in Ukraine – there was only one TV channel and no computers, after all. Books were the only way to learn about the world – Russian, European and American classics. None of them have influenced my writing though, as I am not a writer but rather a doctor who wrote a book.

Do you have a target reader?

Yes. Everyone who needs to lose or gain weight or knows someone who struggles with either issue – will never be the same after reading this book. It’s a new paradigm in thinking about food.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

No process – I have only written one book in my life.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I had the most important ideas which I have separated out into different chapters. Towards the end of the book, all of the ideas converge into one leitfmotif.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I did both. I just kept trimming and simplifying. In the end, I have edited out over 200 pages.

Did you hire a professional editor? (May skip if being published by a small press rather than self-publishing)

My daughter proofread the final draft.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I had to write in total silence. Only then would I start hearing my thoughts. Thoughts came from a quiet place.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes, very few.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Since I come from a different profession, my publishing ignorance was a bliss – I knew nothing about how to publish, but I had a very pure diamond in my hand and I wanted the world to know about it. A friend mentioned Create Space and that’s how it became a publisher by default.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I did it myself.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I don’t have a plan yet, but my patients have been spreading the word to their friends and families. I never really had to market myself as a doctor before. The word of mouth has really worked for me in the past – we will see if it does it for Diet Slave No More!

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

If you have something important and different to say to people that may touch their lives – don’t hesitate to set it down on white pages.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Odessa, Ukraine

Where do you live now?

New York City

What would you like readers to know about you?

I believe in self-improvement and practice it every day.

What are you working on now?

I have been writing down thoughts/chapters/ bits and pieces about human experience for years – there may be several books that will emerge from this pile of papers.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Diet Slave No More! from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

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