HAPPYAGONY – A collection of poems by MEM FERDA received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Mem Ferda.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
HAPPYAGONY – A collection of poems by MEM FERDA
Official publication date was 28th November 2024.
What’s the book’s first line?
Remember the bygone years, set so long now in the past.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
HAPPYAGONY is a collection of poems based on my personal experiences, forming an autobiographical anthology. It features fifty poems, each beautifully matched with a corresponding illustration. The poems are split into five sections: Youth, the illusion of luxury, society’s expectations, the depths of love, and the sorrow of loss. Each poem is a snapshot of a specific event, capturing moments from my childhood to the present day.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Writing poetry has always been a source of comfort and joy for me ever since I was a child. It has allowed me to express myself creatively and let go of my emotions. The creation of this collection involved carefully reviewing the poems I had written since childhood and selecting fifty pieces that encapsulate important moments in my life. This collection serves as an autobiographical account of my journey in the realm of poetry.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I strive to create a sense of shared humanity in my poetry by offering personal anecdotes that resonate with readers and evoke their own memories and experiences. My goal is to emphasize the significance of savouring small delights, like the warmth of the sun on your skin or the laughter of loved ones, and discovering serenity in the embrace of nature, the closeness of family, and the connections within our communities. I hope my readers will glimpse my inner self and realize there’s more to me than just my career in the film industry.
When did you first decide to become an author?
Becoming an author isn’t something I meticulously planned in advance. The act of writing has always been a source of immense joy for me, a way to express my creativity and imagination. Whether its crafting film scripts, plays, short stories, or poetry, this unexpected opportunity to become an author presented itself, I couldn’t resist the allure, so I seized the chance to embark on a new chapter in my literary journey.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes, this is my debut book that I have had published. However, I have also written my memoirs, but I believe they require a few additional chapters to be truly complete. I hope to have it available for a late 2025 release, and then follow it up with HAPPYAGONY 2.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I am a classically trained Actor and have achieved recognition for my work in acting as well as in Film Production. I’m the CEO of my production company Filmcore UK and this is my primary profession, the one that I do for a living.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
This really varies on my mood and my surroundings. Generally, I require complete silence when I write, which is always in my study during the early hours of the morning or very late at night. I try to write a couple of hours each day, but this isn’t always possible.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow authors?
In order to write convincingly, it is important for your heart to be fully invested and for you to have a genuine love for writing. While it is crucial to make room for life’s inevitable distractions, it is equally important to remain focused and avoid falling into the trap of procrastination.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?).
Naturally, I am very self-motivated. I set challenges for myself and test my resilience in achieving them, which is what motivates me the most. Fame and fortune are not my driving force.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
William Shakespeare.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
The Sonnets: Poems of Love by William Shakespeare.