And I also want to raise the public awareness on teen suicide. Because we can see that around us there are so many teenagers who are suffering from depression.
Salman Aziz – 1 March 2018
The Back Flap
The story is based on a Bangladeshi teenager boy named Aabrar who killed himself by taking sleeping pills. But the reason of his suicide remained unknown because his diary goes missing by an irresponsible police. The story reflected how Aabrar killed himself and how the things went so wrong when his parent knew it. And some people took the advantage of his death and so many interesting things.
About the book
What is the book about?
Actually, my book 6th September: A Very Unknown Mysterious Story is about a real story of Bangladeshi teen suicide. This is the part of its sequel and prequel. Because from this book people only can get to know how the lead character Aabrar Rahman killed himself and what happened after his death. The traumatic effect of his death upon his family was so heartbreaking. But still the reason of his suicide remains unknown where he was suffering from depression and pains inside his mind. Some people took advantages of his death on his family. The lead character used to write dairy. He wrote everything in his dairy which he didn’t share to everyone including his family. But the dairy goes missing by the careless police.
When did you start writing the book?
I had started this book on mid-February in 2017. Because after completing my graduation I didn’t get anything to do. So, I began to write this story in that free time. And I had published it in 2017 on July.
How long did it take you to write it?
The book took almost 5 months to complete. Because I had to do little research to modify my book writing. And this book is my first book. Although I had written the writing stuffs from my childhood, but in 2017 with this book I debut as writer/author. And one thing I must include that I haven’t ever written any fictional story. Even in my blogs people can get the realistic or nonfictional things. So, it was very challenging for me to do such kind of things to come true. And in certain point, I must say that I did it. Because I got lots of complementary feedback from the book critics.
Where did you get the idea from?
As I’ve mentioned earlier that the book is based on real story, but the characters has been shown in fictional way. The main idea got from the real event just happened in front of my eyes. So, I wrote those in fictional way.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Yes, in one part I struggled so badly to make it more natural and realistic to the people. And the part was death scene/suicide scene of the lead character. I wanted to put all emotions as much as possible to touch the heart of the readers.
What came easily?
The character names of this book came so easily in my head. Because I didn’t need to think about the names. Although the names of the characters are not real, but I put the meaningful names in this book of the characters.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Yes, all the characters are from real world people. But the names of the characters have been changed due to maintain their privacy. And yes, I have taken full permission to write this real story from them. The people are so close to me. In one word I know them from my childhood. So, I realized that their story need to know by the people and I wrote this book for the people to know their story. And I also want to raise the public awareness on teen suicide. Because we can see that around us there are so many teenagers who are suffering from depression. For this thing a person kills him/her self only for this depression which we don’t want to realize or offer them help. Through this story I wanted to reflect it.
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?
From my childhood I’ve read so many books from various writers/authors. So, in this point I don’t want to mention their name. Because all good writers/authors are influencing me. I respect all the authors, cause now I can say writing is not so easy stuffs. You need to realize the story from your heart and arrange them with emotions and make it visualization to the readers which is so important when a person becomes an author. I know it is very important for the writers to read and get some experience through it. So, when I get free time, I always try to read some books from various authors/writers.
Do you have a target reader?
Basically, my target readers for this book are the teenagers, young adult and adult people. Because, as a writer it is important to define my readers. If I don’t then it will be very hard to get good feedback. If a writer doesn’t mention what kind of book it is, then the book might be read by the wrong readers. For example, a book is about erotic love, if it is read by the children then what kind of mess will be happened people can understand that. Although the story is about teenage boy, so only teenagers and adult people can understand the story well. So, choosing readers also very important for the writers.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Yes, I have a writing process. I write when I am totally alone and away from every kind of works. Because it is so important to give full concentration when I’m writing anything. First, I write anything and then I take little break to rethink about modification of my write. If I get better ideas, then I include those. Then I read the write again loudly and try to feel it. If I get the feelings as a reader, then I do the same things rest of my stuffs. I know it is little bit lengthy. Because before author, I was and still I am a blogger. So, when I tried to write something about 2/3 pages, it took almost more than a week to complete and publish.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
Yes, in the whole writing process, from writing to modifying to editing to publishing I do everything in my write. In my first book I’ve done everything before submitting to publish. And my publisher reviewed that and very quick they published it worldwide.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I do both. Because when I am writing something after finishing little portion, I read it then try to modify by editing. Then when it is totally finished, I again read it for the final time twice or thrice, if necessary then I edit it again. And before publishing it I read it for the last time. Because I try to make my stuffs all perfect to the readers. Don’t know how much I made that!
Did you hire a professional editor? (May skip if being published by a small press rather than self-publishing)
No! I’ve never hired any professional editor. I did everything by myself.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Sometimes, I listen to music to get the emotion. For example, if I need to be little bit aggressive and angry then I listen to Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood. If I need to feel like lover, then I listen to Lady Gaga’s The Cure. And if I need to be sad then I listen to some sad emotional music like Asleep. But not all the time I listen to the music. Sometimes I get the emotions from my heart where silence is needed to feel it.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I didn’t submit my work to any agents. Because I didn’t have much knowledge about the agents and their working process. But I’ve heard that I need to pay for my works to submit to them which is really disappointing for me as an artist/writer/author.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
Before being an indie author, I didn’t have any knowledge about the things. I wanted to publish my book worldwide where the publisher won’t give me too much pressure which they give to the as usual authors. So before publishing I read some articles about publishers who won’t give pains to the authors. And I chose one of them to publish my book for free. I mean some publisher charges money from the writers to publish their books. Finally, I got to known about my publisher that they are top indie publisher. And in some point, I am happy. Cause I didn’t pay any money for the ISBN and the reviewing and publishing process. After publishing my book, I got to know about so many things about the publishers and the authors works. And I also got to know that the regular authors have their own genre to follow. But for the indie author they can change their genre. That’s all I can say.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I didn’t take any professional help. I did my book cover designed by myself. From the very beginning, I am very passionate about mobile photography. So, I have at least some knowledge about photos and editing. Then I took the risk. And I got the good result, cause people like my book cover which is totally different and unique than all.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Honestly, from the beginning I didn’t have any plan for the marketing. Cause I am new bee in this profession. I even thought that nobody in this world will read my book. But when I got some reviewer websites to get review, I submitted my book for the review and they give their honest reviews. Even I thought that nobody will buy my book, although the book price is very affordable to the readers. But I was wrong, people have bought my books and they have also given their ratings and reviews which are means a lot for me. But I need to introduce myself to this world, so now I am planning for marketing my books through social media advertising system.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Of course! For the Indie newbies authors, I must say that don’t lose your passion and courage to write something. Just keep writing. Don’t let yourself down for the mistakes that you have made. Everybody does mistakes in writing. But overcoming it will be the biggest challenge. I want to dedicate my own real-life quotes for the indie authors.
“People see what they want to see. People say what they like to say. People hear what they always try to listen. People always in busy to put you down or break you down. They won’t give you the courage to go ahead. They always after you and try their best to end you. But never give up. Never let yourself down. You should and must keep it in your mind.” – Salman Aziz a.k.a. AKA$H.
“Don’t remain stereotype. Be versatile.” – Salman Aziz a.k.a. AKA$H.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Pabna city, Bangladesh. But most of the time I grew up in Kushtia and Dhaka city.
Where do you live now?
I am currently living in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. It is also the capital city of Bangladesh.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am Salman Aziz also known as AKA$H which is stylized version of my nick name Akash. I am an artist, writer, filmmaker, model and entertainer. In 2008, I started my modelling career in my local fashion house named R.M. fashion in Dhaka city where I’ve modeled for two seasons only. From 2010 to 2017, I continued my study on a Bachelor’s of Science in a well-known university and obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering. I am known for my symbolic short film Bloody Dark Dream (2014) and realistic blogs. In 2017, I debut as an author. My first book is 6th September: A Very Unknown Mysterious Story. With this book I started my book writing journey. I always try to do good things and helps the people. I always inspire and motivate the people through my words.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on my untitled short films and the next part of my first book. With that I am also planning to do something different in writing. Cause I am planning to change some trends in this industry. And I have also plenty of artistic works in my pocket which might be released in this year or in the next year.
End of Interview:
For more from Salman visit his blog, like him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter.
Get your copy of 6th September: A Very Unknown Mysterious Story from Amazon US or Amazon UK.
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