Read For Success: January 2015

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Young alias Bernard Foong is, first and foremost, a sensitivist. He finds nuance in everything. To experience the world he inhabits is an adventure which is mystical, childlike and refreshing. He has a rare ability to create beauty in a unique fashion. His palettes have been material, paint, words and human experiences. By Christine Maynard (screenwriter and novelist).

I was born into a privileged Malaysian Chinese family. Following my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknownst to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.

What do you do when you are not writing?

My hobbies is Zumba, swimming, reading and doing creative projects. Although I’m a semi-retired fashion designer, I still keep in touch with the international fashion scene; especially Asian designers.

Do you have a day job as well?

My day job is writing and promoting/marketing my memoirs/books.

When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

I first started writing in 2010. I had a nagging calling within to document my unique adolescent life and education.

I believe my geographical location (being in spiritual and beautiful Maui, Hawaii) inspired me to pen my seven book series.

Now that I’m semi-retired from my once very active fashion lifestyle, it is time for me to reflect upon my unique early experiences and to inform the world what my positive experiences in the Middle Eastern harems were like.

I believe my early experiences shaped my adult life to who I am today.

I finished A Harem Boy’s Saga – book I – Initiation; a memoir by Young a year later – in 2011.

How did you choose the genre you write in?

I did not choose the genre. It chose me.

Where do you get your ideas?

Remembrance of things past. Luckily I’ve an abundance of photographs, diaries, journals to spur me to remember what transpired during those early years of my Middle Eastern harem experiences.

Although, I’ve taken creative liberties when it comes to the individual dialogues spoken by the various characters in my autobiography. I remember the gist of what transpired.

I’ve also changed the names and places to protect the identities of those involve in the secret society and the unique school and Arab Households I was in service at.

Do you ever experience writer’s block?

I seldom get writer’s block because I let my thoughts flow naturally out of me as I remember the events. Although I cannot remember the actual dialogues spoken – I remember the gist of what was being said.

I also have an abundance of old photographs taken during those early years, documenting my life then. I use these to trigger my memories to document the events in the books.

I do need complete silence when I write – which is 8 – 10 hours daily.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?

I just write. I’m very discipline when it comes to setting time for my daily writing schedule.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by Anne Rice was one of the influences because I have a presage that Ms. Rice went through a similar harem experiences like I did.

Anderson Cooper 360 documentary on the devastating treatment of effeminate boys also influence me to tell my story.

The abundance of school bullying and shooting prompted me to tell of my unique education.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

　

The first two books in A Harem Boy’s Saga series were self-published. The easy part is the writing but when it comes to marketing books, it’s an entirely different ball game.

I’m lucky to my literary agent, Emerantia Antonia Parnall-Gilbert (Gilbert Literary Agency) after almost 6 months of non-stop searching for a publisher and agent. I wrote to close to 160 publishers/agents before I had a positive response from Gilbert Literary Agency.

I’m lucky to have Solstice Publishing interested in my autobiography to publish the entire 7 book series. It was Emerantia who hooked me with Solstice Publishing.

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

I would have found myself a publisher and literary agent and not self-publish.

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

Through the usual channels: Tweeter, Facebook, Authors/Books promotional organizations. Enter book award competitions and joining international book fairs. Connecting with book clubs, etc.

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

No! The books/series I’m currently writing is what I love doing and it’s an inner calling form a higher power to tell my story to the world.

Can you tell us about your upcoming book?

I’ve 2 upcoming books:

No Distance Between Us is a coming-of-age gay true love story (base on my sexual experience). It is a provocative story is about a young man (me) who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.

It is also a love story between the young man (me) and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and mentor during the boy’s Harem service.

A Harem Boy’s Saga – IV – Turpitude; a memoir by Young is the continual saga of A Harem Boy’s Saga – I – Initiation, II – Unbridled and III – Debauchery.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

My memoirs are based on my own experiences. Although, I’ve taken creative liberties when it comes to the individual dialogues spoken by the various characters in my autobiography. I remember the gist of what transpired.

I’ve also changed the names and places to protect the identities of those involve in the secret society and the unique school and Arab Households I was in service at.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

The erotic scenes because I remember the situations very clearly and am able to express my emotions and feelings I felt at the time with all my sexual partners and lovers.

How did you come up with the title?

It comes to me through a higher source. I just having this knowing what the title for each book is going to be either before, during or after the book is completed. It’s my guardian angel whispering in my ear on what to write and the names for each chapter and books. I listen to my inner voice and heed its messages.

What project are you working on now?

　

I’m currently working A Harem Boy’s Saga – IV – Turpitude; a memoir by Young.

My Yuletide short story book No Distance Between Us (a true to life coming-of-age gay love story) is schedule for release on Nov. 21^st 2014.

I’m also working with Solstice Publishing on having A Harem Boy’s Saga series made into audio books.

I’m also working on book II – Unbridled screen treatment and overview for Emerantia, my agent to submit to producers to consider A harem Boy’s Saga series being made into films/TV mini-series and Stage Musical productions.

Will you have a new book coming out soon?

Already answered this question See above answers.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

I’m continuously doing that with A Harem Boy’s Saga series.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

I don’t dwell on negatively only positivity. Therefore the best compliment would be:

5.0 out of 5 stars　OMG, OMG, OMG - I can't believe this is a real story!,　September 22, 2014

Wendy Acosta　-　See all my reviews

This review is from:　Initiation (A Harem Boy's Saga Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

Never have I read a story that has me exclaiming "OMG, OMG, OMG" every few chapters. This autobiographical story shares the intensely personal journey of a young boy as he comes of age in the midst of a male harem in the Middle East. He experiences all the things that forbidden and taboo...you know those "unmentionable elephants in the room" that we are warned about from an early age. I had to read this real life adventure to find out how messed up and damaged he must be. Imagine my surprise to meet an emotionally healthy young man who successfully grabs all life has to offer and does it with an innocence that is simply beautiful.

Don't read this book if you aren't ready for your ingrained beliefs and values to be challenged. Don't read this book if you are not ready to delve into a side of our global society that is well hidden from most. Don't read this book unless you too are ready to step into a new adventure. Initiation will change how you view the world.

Well done Bernard.

Wendy had summed up my series excellently and this is exactly what I like to say to my readers.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Stay focus. My modus operandi: the 3Ps: Perseverance, Persistence & Patience.

Be diligent about setting a time frame/goal to finish your manuscript.

Not to worry about what you are planning to write. Once you begin with the 1^st word, you’ll know what the next word is going to be. When I write, it’s like channeling a separate spirit/entity within my person. Thoughts flows automatically through me and I write what comes naturally out of my hand.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Historical accuracy is an important factor to consider when I’m writing memoirs/autobiographies and biographies. I like spending time doing research and learning/discovering new techniques in photo-shop/enhancements.

Traveling broadens my mind. My life partner and I are planning an up-coming road trip to the S. of France.

These are some of the goals I hope to achieve through

A Harem Boy Saga:

Provide Tolerance to Sissy Boys by understanding parents/peers and the community.

Anderson Cooper 360 documentary on the devastating treatment of effeminate boys influence me to tell my story.

Bullying can be avoided through Big Brother/Big Sister volunteer programs in school or outside school system. Older students acting as mentors to younger students.

Gay Adolescent Tolerance – parents/child/siblings relationship issues.

Support/mentorship program to all parties involved to foster understanding and acceptance of Gay kids.

Provide an Alternative Educational System;

Understanding Big Brother/adolescent mentorship programs in schools, BB as protector to keep younger kids from being bullied.

Human Relationship Building Program;

Between parents/teachers and young students on sexual topics/issues, especially when adolescent are just discovering their sexuality. They can be guided on a healthy and honest sexual journey instead of "don’t ask, don’t tell" hide it behind the closet policy.

Synopsis: No Distance Between Us

An Excerpt from A Harem Boy’s Saga - I – Initiation; a memoir by Young.

This provocative story is about a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.

It is also a love story between the young man and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and mentor during the boy’s Harem service.

Author’s note:

I had a privileged and unique upbringing in Malaysia. Following in my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknownst to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.

My story has been kept under wraps for close to 45 years. The correct moment has arrived for me to make known my unique education.

There are 7 books to this series.

young@aharemboysaga.com

www.aharemboysaga.com

Synopsis: A Harem Boy Saga; A Memoir. Book 1 - INITIATION.

It is also a love story between the young man and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperone and mentor during the boy’s Harem service.

Author’s note:

I had a privileged and unique upbringing in Malaysia, where I was known as a "sissy boy." Following in my brothers' footsteps, I was sent to an exclusive boarding school in England. It is there that I was inducted into a clandestine organization, E.R.O.S. The Enlightened Royal Oracle Society. For four years, unbeknownst to my family, I was willingly and happily part of a Harem.

My story has been kept under wraps for close to 45 years. The correct moment has arrived for me to make known my unique education.

young@aharemboysaga.com

www.aharemboysaga.com

Unbridled is the sequel to Initiation - A provocative story about a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society. He was spirited to the Middle East, from his UK boarding school. He attended the Bahriji School (Oasis,) in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for serving in Harems for the wealthy and elite.

It is also a love story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother’ and his ‘Valet’ who served as his chaperones and mentors during the boy’s Harem services.

This book follows the teenagers’ erotic and exotic adventures and experiences at their 2nd Arab Household Harem, the Sekham. They were apprentices and models, for the household patriarch’s controversial photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places”.

The author's experiences present facts that are truthful. Through these truths, which are often demonized by contemporary societies that deem such behaviors inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnations and negativity which relate to his experiences.

There are 5 - 7 volumes in A Harem Boy’s Saga series.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Lao Tzu

Debauchery is the triquel to A Harem Boy’s Saga, a provocative story about a young man who was initiated into a clandestine sexual society through his UK boarding school. From there, he was spirited to the Middle East to attend the Bahriji (Oasis) School in The United Arab Emirates in preparation for Harem services for the wealthy elite.

It is also a love story between the young man, his ‘Big Brother,’ and his ‘Valet,’ who served as his chaperones and mentors.

This book follows the teenagers’ erotic and exotic adventures and experiences at their third Arabian Household Harem, the Quwah. There, they became confidants to a prince, assistants in an international dance club venture, “Carousel,” and apprentices and models in a controversial photography project, “Sacred Sex in Sacred Places.”

This story is an account of the author’s experiences. Through these truths, often demonized by contemporary societies that deem such behaviors inappropriate, the author hopes to dispel condemnation and negativity related to sexuality, love, and personal freedom.

A Harem Boy’s Saga is a series of seven volumes.

For further information please visit or contact:

Bernard Foong (a.k.a. Young)

www.aharemboysaga.com

young@aharemboysaga.com

Emerantia Antonia Parnall-Gilbert: Gilbert Literary Agency)

hawkspurrproductions@gmail.com

A Harem Boy’s Saga amazon sales site (E-books and Print booka for Initiation, Unbridled and Debauchery) links shorten: