I am a prolific and passionate writer and all my books have a lesson to learn.

K.A. Mulenga – 1 May 2021

The Back Flap

Donk the donkey lives on Donkey Farm with his family. He may be the youngest of all his brothers and sisters, but boy, he is definitely the most curious of them all! Because his older siblings chase him away when he tries to play with them, Donk spends a lot of time alone. Being the deep thinker that he is, this little donkey questions everything and fills his days trying to work out why certain things are the way they are.

One day, Donk decides to try and find out the answer to a particular question that’s been on his mind for a while. He cannot understand why the farmer is always shouting at him and the other donkeys on Donkey Farm, and why the farmer asks them why they are all so stubborn. Donk approaches everyone in his family, one by one, asking them to help him with his burning question. But his search is all in vain and poor Donk ends up none the wiser. Everybody seems too busy to explain properly and they all give him exactly the same answer. Apparently, that’s “just the way it is”.

Feeling frustrated and dissatisfied with everybody’s identical (and quite frankly, very unhelpful!) answers, Donk takes a walk by himself by the stream. He is deep in thought when suddenly, he gets the surprise of his life! Jack the purple fairy donkey, the very same one whom his mother has told him about, the wisest donkey in the whole land, is standing right there in front of him!

What will happen next? Will Jack be able to help Donk? Could he be the one to finally give him the answer to the question that nobody else can help him with?

This charming story explains to children in a relatable way how negative labels are sometimes attached to those who don’t deserve them. Children are encouraged to question what they hear and to make their own decisions, rather than just blindly following the crowd and adopting certain beliefs because “that’s what everybody says”, or “that’s just the way it is”.

The value of this story lies in the important lessons it teaches young children – to keep an open mind and to keep searching for answers to their questions. It validates their need to be listened to and encourages them to speak up about things that are bothering them. It also encourages children not to give up when adults seem too preoccupied to help them, but to keep trying until they find someone who is willing to listen to them and to help them out with their problems.

This story holds great appeal for children all over the world because Donk is a relatable character who, like them, has many questions that he urgently needs answers to! This delightful donkey experiences the same feelings of confusion, loneliness and frustration that we do all at times, but the happy ending at the end of the story serves as a beacon of hope for any child who has ever wondered, “But why?”

About the book

What is the book about?

Donk is a curious donkey who wants to find out why the farmer constantly calls all the donkeys stubborn. He meets a fairy donkey called Jack who will hopefully give him the answer he is looking for.

When did you start writing the book?

I first wrote this book when I was 10 or eleven years old but I only published it last year

How long did it take you to write it?

A day

Where did you get the idea from?

It just came to me because of all the labelling out there

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Not at all

What came easily?

The names of the 2 main characters

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

 Most are fictitious, only one is based on what happened to me when I was a kid

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Roald Dahl and Dr Seuss. Their vivid imagination still amazes me to this day

Do you have a target reader?

Yes, children ages 2-8

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Yes I do. I get my idea and put it down on paper. Then I just start writing in MS word

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

No

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I wait until I’ve finished

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No, I need silence

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes I have but no positive response as yet

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

After doing my research I realized that it takes a long time for an agent or traditional publishing house to get back to you so that’s why I decided to self-publish

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Professionally done

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Just winging it

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

It’s hard work but it’s doable and enjoyable

About You

Where did you grow up?

In Zambia

Where do you live now?

South Africa

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am a prolific and passionate writer and all my books have a lesson to learn.

What are you working on now?

I currently have 8 published books and 9 manuscripts so I am just busy marketing and trying to get the other 9 published after which I will write some more.

End of Interview:

For more from K.A. Mulenga visit his website, follow him on Twitter, and be sure to like his Facebook page.

Get your copy of Donk and the Stubborn Donkeys from Amazon US or Amazon UK.