About Author: Wilson Semitti, a British Citizen born in Uganda and currently residing in London, brings a rich tapestry of experiences to their debut book, “A Boy Who Loved Me.” With a background in Financial Accounting, Wilson’s diverse professional journey, spanning graphic design, roles in prestigious hotels, and the Bangkok stock exchange, sets the stage for a compelling narrative.
- If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
There are so many words that I can use to describe myself but if I must choose three words, I will say that I am an exuberant and resilient deliberate creator.
- Can you share with us what inspired you to write “A Boy Who Loved Me” and delve into such personal aspects of your life?
After going through so many contrasting things in my life, I realized that there are so many people going through similar contrasting things. As I grew up travelling, it was clear that almost everyone I meet is battling something I know nothing about. A time came when I no longer asked people what they are going through because I realized how strong we all are as human beings and that inspired to me to delve into some personal aspects of my life by writing A boy who loved me. Writing it, I wanted to heal and help others heal from whatever they are going through. And another inspiration was to show others that no matter how tough life gets sometimes, with love, there is always joy and happiness along the way.
- Moving from financial accounting to roles like graphic design, acting, and teaching English is quite a transition. What inspired these shifts, and how have they contributed to your personal and professional growth, especially in the context of becoming a published author?
Becoming a jack of all trades was not a choice, I was just going with flow. After graduating in Finance and accounting in South Africa, I moved to the UK. I soon realized that getting an accounting job with South African qualifications in London was not possible unless I went back and studied the computer programs used in the UK. I had studied using ACCPAC in South Africa and they used a different program in the UK. I had no money or time to go back and study, so I took the first job I could find. It was a hotel receptionist. Then I encountered so many immigration problems which meant that I had to move from one country to the next. In each country I went to, I did whatever job I could find. By performing so many different roles to earn a living, I learnt so many diverse skills and I became a versatile person. At the beginning, I did not understand the benefit of doing so many things, but I appreciated it more when it came to publishing a book because I knew I could do it. I had earned a living as a travel blogger in Thailand which helped my confidence for future writing opportunities. Now I am in a place where I am getting confident as a writer and publisher.
- Overcoming societal expectations and dealing with personal setbacks, including health challenges, must have been incredibly difficult. Can you share some pivotal moments that defined your resilience during these tough times?
The loss of my stepfather and my mother within a year of each other, who were my support system, was a pivotal moment in my life. From that moment, I knew that Uganda will never be a place I call home again. I had discovered who I am and completely understood the implications of being gay in Uganda which was hell for anyone different from societal expectations. It was a contrasting time in my life because I knew that going back to Uganda, I will have no help with sickle-cell crises, and I will suffer in silence because no one talked about homosexuality at the time. And I will never be free to live a complete life, especially without my parents. Back then Uganda was worse than it is for any members of the LGBTQI+. My desire to live without fear simply because I am who I am, made me resilient in search for freedom and to never give up on my dreams.
- The heartwarming love story in the book is a powerful element. How did your personal relationship contribute to your overall journey of self-discovery and resilience?
The love story in my book contributed a lot to my overall journey of self-discovery and resilience. Love teaches us many things and for me, it taught me empathy, compassion, generosity, and the willingness to just keep going and not waste any moment feeling sorry for myself. I felt blessed because whether it was a sickle- cell crisis or a contrasting circumstance, I had a shoulder to cry on.
- Were there any particular challenges you faced while writing such a personal and emotionally charged memoir, and how did you overcome them?
Once I made up my mind that I was going to write an honest memoir, I prepared myself mentally and emotionally to relive some of the worst contrasting times of my life. It went smoothly but the only struggle I had was with the title of the book. When a boy who loved me came to me, I struggled a bit with it because I did not want people to judge the book because of the title before they have read it. I played around with different titles, but they all did not sum up the story I was writing. I decided to get in alignment with the title and hoped for the best.
- In what ways has writing this memoir impacted your own understanding of your life and experiences?
Writing this memoir has impacted me in so many ways. It has given me a chance to step back and analyze my life and the decisions I have made a long the way to decide where I want to go next. When writing it, I realized that what I thought of as the worst contrasting circumstances of my life, were all life lessons to learn from. I feel that it is the beginning of my own evolution as a human being because this memoir has connected me to so many people who are going through similar experiences. We are providing each other with comfort, inspiration, and encouragement to live our lives with honesty and integrity.
- You’ve mentioned your upcoming book, “The Dance of a Phoenix.” What can readers anticipate from this new work, and does it follow a similar autobiographical style as your first book?
My upcoming book is different from my first book. It is a fictional book based on Abraham Hicks teachings of the law of attraction inspired by real life experiences.
- Do you have other writers in the family and friends?
Yes, there is one more writer in my family. My younger sister Immaculate Nakibumgwe who lives in Kampala Uganda. She published her first book “Don’t Rush” before mine.
- Looking back on your journey as detailed in the book, what advice would you give to others facing similar struggles or seeking their own path to self-discovery?
The best advice I can give others facing similar struggles is to trust their own instincts but most importantly, to own their truth and live their life the way want. Lastly, careless about how others think you should live your life as long as you live with honesty and integrity, you will discover the path that is meant for you.
Dive into the mesmerizing memoir, ‘A Boy Who Loved Me’ by Wilson Semitti, a poignant journey of love and self-discovery spanning two decades. Follow the gripping tale of a Ugandan man and an English boy, their love navigating cultural challenges and personal growth. Embrace the power of resilience and love—order your copy now on Amazon for a heartwarming and unforgettable read.
