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Defying the Odds: An Interview with Wilson Semitti, author of A Boy Who Loved Me

Semitti 1

Wilson Semitti is a Ugandan man born with sickle cells trying to be who he is at all costs despite the prejudices and cultural beliefs surrounding him.

You can buy the book here.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.


Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

The story of my book is from the heart because it’s about me and my biggest desire to teach others, especially those in Uganda, to not be afraid to be who they are no matter what our culture dictates. It took me some time contemplating but I finally found myself in a place where I was embracing a different culture than that of my own. That gave me strength to put a shine on where I come from by writing my own story, starting from where I was at the time with no fear of backlash.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

It made me realize that dreams do come true.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I enjoy reading books but I had never read any autobiographies until 2011, when I read the autobiography of an English stand-up comedian, Jo Brand, whom I love. The way she was so carefree in writing about her life planted a seed in me and I knew that someday I was going to write books, starting with my own autobiography because it’s a compelling story that I am hoping to see one day on a screen.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Sometimes I feel like a jack of all trades, I have been a graphic designer, an accountant, a hotel floor housekeeper, an extra in movies, a hotel receptionist, a G4 security guard, a reservations agent, and other jobs too inappropriate to mention here. I have done it all.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

Satisfaction to even think that I have a book out there in the universe

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I Love My Life – Robbie Williams

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I want my readers to know that we are the creators of our own reality and we can be, do, or have anything we want no matter the contrast surrounding us. I am living proof of that because I woke up from two comas due to sickle cells but I am still standing with high hopes for the future.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

A Dance With a Phoenix, a fictional romance book based on Abraham Hicks’ teachings in a way the world has never seen the law of attraction used for entertainment.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

With Atmosphere Press, the pressure of the unknown in the publishing world was taken off because it felt like everyone I worked with at Atmosphere was meant to help me on my journey, especially my developmental editor Colleen, who made me feel so confident about my book. I know it’s early days but I have such high expectations and am hoping to team up with her again for my forthcoming book, A Dance With a Phoenix.


You can buy the book here.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.

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