Blakely’s Friday Interviews with Ifedayo Akintomide

Please give a warm welcome to Ifedayo Akintomide, author of Without a Voice.

Church thangs (1)

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you’re currently working on or promoting.
My name is Akintomide Ifedayo Adigwe. I am a Nigerian and thirty three years old. Been writing for over ten years now and I guess this comes as a result of the urge to scribble. I love telling stories and I have been telling them long before I even picked up a pen to write. I am working on my first science fiction novel entitled Amnesiacs and I am currently promoting my book Without a Voice which is based on the human trafficking scourge ravaging the world today. It is told from the perspectives of two sixteen year old girls.

What genre is your book? Do you write in other genres as well?
I think crime thriller would about cover it. Though there is a hint of drama in there too. I have written books of fantasy too. A trilogy called Konga which is loosely based on the myths and legends of western Africa which is where I am from.

Who or what inspires you? Has a dream every inspired any of your stories?
I think God and the holy spirit are my biggest inspirations. Truth be told I can’t think of anything else that could be giving me the inspiration. Some of my ideas are … let’s just say extra creative. lol
A vision has inspired one of my books. The name of the book is The Divide. A crime political thriller based on the events happening in my country Nigeria.

Do you have an agent and/or publisher or are you self-published? If self-published, do you use a professional editor? If traditionally published, who is your publisher?
I am self-published but I do use editing services.

Do you use test readers? If so, how many?
I most definitely use test readers. Three or four on average.

What advice do you have for writer’s just starting out?
Keep doing what you are doing. It’s a hard business but with diligence and patience you will make your mark. Never let anyone ever tell you it’s impossible. A wise man once said the impossible is simply the untried.

Do you set writing goals and if so, what are they?
No I don’t. Don’t like to put too much pressure on myself. Churning a book out is pressure enough.

Do you outline your stories or just go with the flow?
I used to go with the flow. But now with the last three books I have written the whole idea from start to finish which simply drops into my head. Not sure how that works exactly but that’s the way it is for me now.

What does your writing space look like?
Cluttered! Filled with odds and ends.

Do you have any writing rituals or interesting writing quirks?
Besides loud music in my ears I don’t think I have any quirks or rituals.

What are your three favorite books including the authors?
Harry Potter series – JK Rowlings – Superbly written
The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown – well crafted and a very intelligent read
Mr Murder – Dean Koontz – his scare factor is off the chain

Who is your favorite author and why?
Don’t really have a favorite author. I enjoy a whole bunch of books by different authors.

What project are you currently working on?
My first science fiction novel entitled Amnesiacs.

Is being an author your dream job? If so, how long have you been chasing the dream? If not, what would be your dream job?
Being an author has always been my dream job. And I have been chasing my passion for over ten years now.

What book are you currently reading?
Making the Most of Opportunity by Bishop David Abioye

Please be sure to like Ifedayo’s page on Facebook, and check out all the books he has for sale on Smashwords and Lulu!

Click below to buy Without a Voice.

Cover for 'Without a Voice'