Interview with Susanne Rheault

Author of My Wild and Precious Life: A Memoir of Africa

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born in Allied occupied Germany as a child of military parents. As a “Army brat” we traveled on average every year and 1/2. So I am really not from anywhere per se. Since college I have settled in the Boston area where I now live.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

I have been working in Africa for the past 13 years and throughout that time I have kept a journal about my learning, challenges and adventures. Many friends and readers encouraged me to write a book and this recently published book is the outcome.

How would you describe your book to first-time readers?

This is the story of a psychologist who worked throughout Africa on AIDS prevention culminating in the co-founding and growth of an NGO set up to care for and educate vulnerable children. Project started with nine children and now educates 350. The author writes with candor and humility about the adventures she experiences.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

My experience thus far is that my book particularly speaks to older women, people with an interest in Africa and those who are interested in humanitarian efforts.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing this book?

Crucial to my success in writing this book with the alliance I had with my developmental editor. Without her wise counsel I would have been at sea and thrashing about to try and figure out the basics of how to organize the manuscript.

If you could what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this project?

You really are a good writer. Stop agonizing about that and simply stick to the story.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

As an indie publisher I hope to reach as many as is humanly possible. I’m not sure how to put a number on it as I am new to the field but I would like the reach to be significant.

What have been the biggest challenge and frustrations during the process of writing your book?

I am not a full-time writer. I still have many other work commitments. The biggest challenge was carving out two and three hour blocks of time so that I could work uninterrupted.

What is your biggest strength when it comes to book a) writing B) publishing C) marketing?

Writing is my biggest strength.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to your book a) writing B) publishing and see) marketing?

My biggest weakness is marketing as I am not someone who enjoys maintaining a social media presence. I find much of what post to be disingenuous and would rather read contemporary fiction then cruise Facebook and Twitter.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

I am self published.

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SUSIE RHEAULT is a psychologist with a specialization in organizational development and leadership effectiveness. For the past 30 years she has worked with senior executives across the private and public sector globally. Since 2007, Susie has been a Special Advisor for the Clinton Foundation Health Access Initiative supporting field offices in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Lesotho and Swaziland. In each of these countries, she has trained local staff to accelerate HIV testing and treatment uptake using a grassroots team-based approach. She also coached senior leaders to enhance their effectiveness and achieve their goals. In 2011, she and her husband Gil Williams joined forces with Tanzanian schoolteachers, William and Sarah Modest, to launch Precious Project. Susie is deeply committed to improving the lives of the most vulnerable children, women and community members in Nshupu, Tanzania, where she and Gil live for half the year.

Learn more about My Wild and Precious Life at www.preciousproject.org and connect with Susie on LinkedIn.

My Wild and Precious Life is available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold.