4.56PM, November 2020 in the heart of Yaoundé. I am racing against the clock to make it to a highly anticipated event. An extraordinary one. It is the widely acclaimed author – Hesley Fonane ‘s Book Launch. “The Case Files of Albert Acha”, his new masterpiece is about to go down in history as a defining moment in his writing career. I am a guest and a great fan. Besides, Hesley and I share a common history – Sacred Heart College Mankon. I have to be there. I desire to be there.
As I catch my breath in the filled hall, a gorgeous lady makes her way to the seat beside me. She is stunningly dressed, charismatic and moves with grace. She’s got my attention. A short conversation later, I find that she’s also brilliant, deeply passionate and highly creative – just my kind of woman.
As Fonane Hesley lives his dreams, signing hundreds of book copies that are now selling faster than popular candies in an ‘ajebu’ primary school, my new found friend and I delve into our own World, discussing one mutual passion – books. While discussing the world of books and publishing, I show her a manuscript I am working on. She is amazed. Excited, actually. Then she asks the question that gets me stammering. I have been fluent all evening as my “fine guy charm” has been in peak peformance untill now. However, this particular question takes me off guard.
“Avisa, so when are you publishing your book? I think the World needs the message you have in this manuscript”
I stare at her straight in the eyes for a few seconds, completely lost in thoughts and unsure of how to respond.
I don’t know how long it will take me to complete my book, what it takes to publish and how the audience will recieve it. I am still battling with confidence in the writing space. I have absolutely nothing figured out yet. So I open my mouth to talk again, stammer on for a bit and try to evade the topic.
She picks up on my trail, goes ahead of me and beats me to my own game. She does something that changes everything.
In that moment, she takes out her diary, that magic diary and starts writing. As I stretch to see what she is writing, my heart sinks. My heart beat rises. She is writing a commitment, my commitment to publish my book on a particular date.
She makes me say it out loud and sign it. I am now hooked. In an unexpected sequence of events, I leave Fonane Hesley’s book launch that day with a clearly defined target and a commitment to launch my book.
Despite all the motivation, my book project becomes my most procrastinated project of all time. Yes! It holds that record.
About a year later, way beyond the stipulated launch date, she sends me a reminder of my commitment, with evidence. She has both the commitment page from that magic diary and photos of it. No escape for me. She is not giving up on me. She is not letting me off the hook easily.
I react and get back to work on the book. I am being held accountable. Another year and few months later, I finally complete the manuscript. This time, I have grown enormously in value, I have poured out World Class content, my confidence is rock solid and I’m ready to take on the World. By October 2022, I am ready to publish a best seller.
As I sit down to write the acknowledgements section of my book, I know deep within me that this story will not be complete without her.
I chuckle for a bit as I write a special tribute to her. Indeed, this could be God’s way of ensuring this book comes to life.
The best seller that has become known as;
“THE MAN AND THE BRAND – The Subtle Art of Selling Yourself, Skills and Knowledge”
A story of resilience, consistency and the magic of personal Branding….
If you will like to join over 1000 readers from around the World currently enjoying this masterpiece – CLICK HERE TO ORDER A COPY.
Cheers to Success
Certified Brand/Marketing Strategist