I am Salman Aziz. People also know me by my nickname Akash and its stylized version AKA$H by my fans. I was born on December 19, 1993, in Bangladesh. That means I am a Bangladesh birthed writer and indie artist who dared to go international. I have been a model at my local fashion house since 2008. After that, I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering. I am also best known for my symbolic dark short film “Bloody Dark Dream (2014)” and realistic blogs.
My first book was “6th September: A Very Unknown Mysterious Story” which was published in 2017. I am also working on other books for release and some short films. I also try to raise public awareness regarding Human Rights and Social Injustice through social media.
What sets your book apart from all others? Is it your individual style, your subject matter, etc., how is it different? What makes your book unique? What can we expect to gain or enjoy or understand from reading your literary creations? How and/or why is your work important?
Basically, my book is totally based on a real-life event. In this book, people will get to know about the main character, a teenage boy named Aabrar Rahman who has killed himself by taking sleeping pills. But his death was so mysterious. Why he killed himself, no one knows. “6th September: A Very Unknown Mysterious Story” will reveal the circumstances around his death as well as the fact that he was going through depression. The real event occurred in front of my very eyes. So, I wanted to tell the real story with fictitious characters, so that people will gain awareness on teen suicide. After this real event, one thing I have realized is that “Life is so precious”. We only get one chance to live our life. With this story, I want to raise public awareness about the lives of teens. People will find many similarities in my story with others. But my story is a little bit different, because in this story, readers worldwide, will get to know about my cultural perspectives. I will conclude by saying this, people must read my book to know about the facts. I cordially welcome all readers.
Who is your target market, who should be reading your book or who would be interested in reading your book?
The target market is so important because through this process, a writer can earn his/her livelihood. My readers range from teenagers to adults, from the ages of 15 to 65, as they can gain insight from my story.
What authors inspired you most and how so? What do you admire about each one?
All the authors from different parts of the world inspire me a lot. When I wrote my first book, I then realized, that writing is not that easy. Making fictitious characters realistic, is tough. When reality is inter-mixed with imagination, a good story can be formed. So, I admire all artists in this arena. But most of all, I like William Shakespeare, Rabindranath Tagore, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Taslima Nasrin and Humayun Ahmed. Even Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga also inspire me. They are such amazing artists.
What advice do you have to offer in support of other authors?
I always tell new authors to keep writing because “Practice makes perfect”. Through mistakes, you will learn so many things and don’t get hopeless or despair. Someday, you can become successful on your own terms. Just chase the dream and make it happen. I want to dedicate my quotes to every new writer:
“People see what they want to see. People say what they like to say. People hear what they want to hear. People are always too quick to put you down or break you down. They won’t give you the courage to go ahead. They are always after you and try their best to end you. But never give up. Never let yourself down. You should and must keep it in your mind.” – Salman Aziz
“When you are trying to do any good work, each and every time, people will discourage you rather than encourage you. Why am I telling you this? Because I have the best experience in dealing with these kinds of situations. People always try to put me down, but never can and won’t do it. I am still in my position.” – Salman Aziz
“Don’t remain a stereotype. Be versatile.” – Salman Aziz
What is your genre of choice and why? How did you come to write in that particular genre or niche?
I don’t want to remain a stereotype when it comes to art. Art can be formed in any way or form. When it comes to writing, I want to try every kind of genre because I always dare to do something different, something new as a versatile artist. You can see in the entertainment industry, most of the successful multi-talented artists are so versatile. They can do anything, like singing, dancing, acting, writing and so many other things.
How’d you come about the discovery of your writing talent, gift or ability?
Actually, I’ve never discovered my writing skills. It was discovered by one of the best home tutors of mine, in my childhood. I had written many short stories, rhymes and other stuff for my school magazine and local newspaper. At that time, I used to write in my native language Bengali. But my home tutor informed me that I have amazing talent in expressing my writing skills in English. After that, he told me to keep it up! And day by day my writing skills developed through practice. So, you can say my writing skills are gifted from God. But I am so lucky, you know! In this short time, I received many good critics from the reviewers and was featured in online news, interviews, and blogs where I am a writer from Bangladesh and this is the very first book I’ve published in a foreign language and worldwide. But I also have the desire to publish my books in my native language.
What are your future writing endeavors? What’s next on your authorship agenda?
My future writing endeavors are to produce different and unique stories because being a writer from a different country makes it very hard for me to gain international fame. But I want to do something different. I don’t know if I will be successful, but I will keep dreaming.
Is writing for you synonymous with living and breathing, or just something you do as a hobby, and how so and why?
Now, for me, it is a hobby. I guess you can call it that, I just want to tell some untold stories to the world. However, if I become successful at it, then I would happily accept it as my occupation.
What do you feel we need to hear or read more of, that is rare today in a book?
I think all writers should write something good for their audience. This way, readers will learn good things.
What changes in the literary world would you most like to see?
I want to see writers from different parts of the world uniting together and helping each other. Also, in the literary world, I want to see a drastic change in the acceptance of foreign writers internationally.
Indie/Self-Published Author and/or Published? What do you favor more and why?
My first book is self-published through Smashwords publishing. I had to self-publish because if I wanted to publish my book through any big publishing house in a foreign country, then I would have to go through an agent and so many difficult situations. Besides, I also don’t have that much money to buy an ISBN and acquire an agent or time to apply for a book publishing deal. That is one of my biggest reasons for self-publishing. In the future, if I get an offer from a good publishing house or the opportunity to work for a publishing house, then it will be a wonderful opportunity to shine. I think publishing houses should be open to all and give everyone the chance to publish their book.
How is your writing controversial, profound or mind boggling, or how would you describe it?
In my first book I faced huge controversy. First of all, my book is in English, which is not my native language, and then I wrote about teen suicide, opposed to writing a happy story. I started with sadness. That’s one of the reasons why people said I can’t go international. People even suggested that I write an erotic story like “Fifty Shades of Grey”, but I wanted to make the story known to the reader, therefore, I dared to write my first book on a real-life teen suicide story.
What do you hope to accomplish with your literary creation? What changes or enlightenment do you want to bring about in your reader if any?
I believe that readers should accept all kinds of literature from different parts of the world. In this way, they will know about other cultures and broaden their horizons. They will get to know the stories about the lives of other people in different parts of the world, and see we are not so different universally.
What’s the greatest compliment that you ever received regarding your literary accomplishments and what did this remark do for you, how did it transform your life or your writing?
From one of my fans, I received a review. The fan said that my story is so realistic and heart touching, though it is a real story. My fan began to share my writing and post my quotes. A writer like me could not ever imagine that I’d have an international fan! This inspires me a lot. Only for my fans, I am here today.
What’s the most memorable criticism you received regarding your literary works and how did this remark transform you as a writer or influence your writing if at all?
I still can remember, people in my country especially my friends and a very close person compared me with Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a writer from Bangladesh who wanted to make himself fit into the international platform and wrote English literature. Most of the time I write my stories in English. Even my book is in English. But it is so funny for me to compare myself with a big writer like Michael Madhusudan Dutt! One thing that always stays inside my head is that this is the era of divergence, so everyone should get a chance to shine worldwide.
If you could ask a question of your favorite author of all time, what would the question be? How would you answer that question -yourself?
I would ask, “How do you get the power to write your story?” If I ask that question of myself then I would answer, “Only for the love and support of my fans!”
What have you sacrificed, if anything, to be a writer, or to write as you do? What have you gained from writing, how has it rewarded you personally?
I have sacrificed my time for my readers, -to create something new for them. And yes, I get lots of love and support from people around the world. I am so grateful to my fans. It inspires me a lot to move forward. I am always thankful to them who really support me.
“Thanks, would be a worthless word until a person speaks it from heart. When a person thanks someone with a full heart, then the word will be a big and worthy word and will have full meaning to the person, or else it will remain a small and valueless word if a person says it just to say it.” – Salman Aziz
My books are available at almost every online bookstore because my book is an eBook. Here are some links:
Trailers:
