Stewart Cant - Author Life

Stewart Cant, author of AUTObiography, published his debut novel in May 2018. We wanted to catch up with his and find out how life had been treating his since the release.

Did you always dream of becoming an author?

I did dream of becoming an author from an early age and started writing a novel Zimbabwe Pony Trek when I was about 12 years old, but life got in the way of completing it. Over the years, I wrote bits and pieces (mainly articles on legal topics). In 2009, I completed a manuscript Diary of a Divorce, but was advised that it was too personal an account for publication.

What was your first job?

My first job, I was a cashier at a drive-in restaurant when I was about 16. My first real job was as a law lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe.

How did you come about writing your book? Was that your intention or did you start writing for fun?

I received a “family tree” from my mother and decided to flesh it out with details on the lives of my grandparents, parents, brother and myself. Having a beer one evening, I was thinking about the various cars I have owned over the years. It struck me that motor vehicles have been such an integral part of my life, that much of my life story could be told through them: an AUTObiography. I then used parts of Diary of a Divorce'and my family history in writing my book.

What was your life like before you became an author?

For many years now I have been very happy living in Johannesburg with my wife. From time to time visiting my sons and their families in the USA as well as my brother and his family in Australia.

Did you face any struggles before becoming an author? If so, how did you overcome them?

As emerges from the book, I had a very unhappy decade, during which I went through an unpleasant divorce and my ex-wife took my sons to live in the USA. One of the things that helped me get through that period was keeping a detailed diary, not only of events, but also of how I was feeling.

Now that you are a published author, how has your life changed, if at all?

My book has only recently been published; apart from the excitement of promoting the book, nothing has changed.

Can you please describe a typical day in your life now?

On weekdays, my wife brings me breakfast in bed, as I am semi-retired; I get up late. I work at my PC for a couple of hours, then exercise at the gym for an hour. After a light lunch, it’s back to the PC for another couple of hours. Sundowners on the patio, dinner at home or with friends at a restaurant, then I watch TV or read until late.

What is your most memorable moment of your life as an author?

Receiving the advance copies of my book, which called for a champagne celebration.

In a few words, how would you review your experience with Pegasus Publishers?

Very good. Professional, friendly and helpful at each stage of the process.

Why did you choose Pegasus Publishers?

I submitted manuscript details to a few publishers I found online and had heard of. I was impressed with the reply from Pegasus Publishers and their structured approach and chose to go that route.