Interview with Author Jay Lo – Ramona Portelli Blog

Interview with Author Jay Lo

Author Jay Lo was born and raised in the Middle East. He moved to Europe two decades ago, and since then he has lived in different European cities and done quite a few jobs, but mostly teaching English. He had his BA in English linguistics and literature in 1999. He also had a minor in Psychology.

As an English teacher, he has come in contact with people from different ethnicities and different backgrounds, and this has enhanced his knowledge of multi-ethnic social interactions. He has always been interested in politics and its impact on social behaviours, and this drove him to study and observe EU and US policies towards integration and inclusion of immigrants into their respective societies.

He has an inclination to research political and social issues as a hobby. Throughout his life, he developed an awareness of the most critical topics in life, religion and politics. Jay Lo is self-educated in both, and he tends to study and research every aspect related to these two subjects and how they influence peoples’ lives and condition their personal interactions with others.

Tell me more about your latest book

This is my first book, titled Europe in the Face of the Storm: the Rise of an Islamic Subculture in Europe. It gives an overview of Muslim communities in Europe. It highlights the seclusion of these communities. It is a subculture within the European culture. Muslim communities in Europe play by different rules. They have their own traditions, ethics, moral codes and customs. The book investigates and presents the elements that have helped create such an alien subculture in the West. It also highlights domestic and foreign forces that manipulate the sense of segregation and exclusion most Muslim immigrants have in Europe, towards a common goal, which is the spread of Islam. The book doesn’t speculate. It presents facts backed by authentic, legitimate resources. Unfortunately, most Muslim immigrants in Europe fall victim to these efforts due to the feeling of alienation and discrimination they have within their European societies.

The book also highlights the sloppy integration policies undertaken by different European governments and suggests a few recommendations to fix that before it is too late. Integration policies in Europe have failed its citizens and created this chasm between the host culture and these immigrants. This has caused the disintegration of European societies in many European cities and some European countries. Religion plays a big part in this disintegration, and if we deny this, we are simply turning a blind eye to what is really happening. How can we fix a problem if we don’t admit it exists?

What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?

Having to live in certain places in order to conduct surveys and do research over an extended period of time has been the most challenging aspect of writing this book.

What is your normal procedure to get your books published?

This is my first book. Since the topic of this book can be deemed “controversial” traditional publishers have rejected its publication. Eventually, I had to resort to Amazon to self-publish it.

How many books have you written so far?

This is my first book, and I have started writing the second one.

What’s the best way to market your books?

I use online tools and social media. My budget is limited, unfortunately, otherwise I would use book marketing and publicity companies.

What is your writing routine? When you write, do you plan or outline ahead?

I usually go sit and write in a public place, such as a coffee house. I can’t write at home. I’d like to work during the day and have a life in the evening. But sometimes, I sit in front of the computer and keep writing until it is past midnight, especially when I have an idea that I’m afraid to lose in the morning. I do plan a segment of the book in my head and then write about it after doing some research. And yes, I do plan a preliminary outline for the entire book, but this always changes down the road.

How hard or easy is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?

I don’t know yet, I guess we’ll see. But I know now that you are either a gifted writer or a trained one, and if you are trained, it needs years and years of preparation and practice to become a good writer.

What is your advice for aspiring writers?

If you want to write, just jump into it and do it. Ideas grow with writing. You will never have the whole book outlined in detail in your head. Details will come to you as you sit and write, and you will find that your creativity will kick in with every word you put on paper.

Visit Author Jay Lothbrok book links:

https://www.amazon.com/author/jay.lo

Book link: https://a.co/d/0SXQDLV

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jay_michael3

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