Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Katlego Moncho lasted two years as a financial planner before she left the corporate world to pursue a full-time writing career.
Although the twenty-six-year-old put pen to paper when she was much younger, it was only in 2012 that she began to take writing seriously. I’m certain her readers are glad she did!
Her book, Mateo Santiago, was first published by Inkitt on Amazon and is now currently available as an immersive story on GALATEA. I’m so pleased to feature Katlego today on Inkitt’s Author Spotlight.
Welcome, Katlego! What made you decide to truly focus on your writing?
I started writing because I have stories to tell. From when I was younger, I’ve always been told that I have a vivid imagination, so writing allows me to put that to use.
In late 2012, I was introduced to Wattpad, which I officially joined in November of that year. I read a couple of books on the platform, specifically werewolf books, and I wondered if I’d be able to write a werewolf book of my own. I wrote Pallid Wisteria, which quickly became popular on the app before I wrote Mateo Santiago.
I actually have a Bachelor of Commerce qualification in Financial Management. I was working at a financial services provider as a financial planner, but writing is just something I know I’m meant to do with my life.
How did you find the Inkitt platform, and what about Inkitt made you publish your stories here?
I got an email about a new writing platform called Inkitt. I read up more on how the platform works, and I was interested in their algorithm. I was interested in especially finding out if I could have the same success on this platform that I’d had on other writing platforms.
When I checked it out, I found that they were running a writing competition. I published Mateo Santiago on Inkitt and watched the ratings rise. In August 2017, I got the email that Inkitt was interested in my story, and in September, I got the offer for publishing.
There are many young writers using the Inkitt platform. Can you share with them the best and worst writing advice you’ve ever received?
The best writing advice I’ve ever received is to keep writing, even if it’s a little bit every day. As someone who writes multiple stories at a time, this is especially useful advice to me because it keeps the creative juices flowing.
I can’t say that I’ve received any bad writing advice, simply because I don’t think anyone sets out to give you bad advice. I think anyone who gives you advice is coming from a place of experience, which means that what they’re advising might not necessarily work for you. That doesn’t make it bad advice, though.
You mentioned that you’re able to write multiple stories at the same time. How many are you currently working on?
Right now, I’m working on completing the books that I have out on my different platforms, as well as introducing some new works. In total, that’s about twenty books.
Wow! I’m sure your fans will be excited to hear this! You’ll keep them reading for good long time. When you aren’t busy working on twenty different projects, what else are you interested in? Tell us a few non-writing-related things about yourself.
I am a huge K-Drama fan, which is something my family and friends can’t quite make sense of. My favourite genre of music is electronic dance music, another thing that baffles those around me. The thing I’m probably most afraid of is a spider.
For me, it’s snakes! Thank you so much, Katlego, and best of luck with your upcoming projects.
Here’s a sneak peek at Katlego Moncho’s fan-favorite story, Mateo Santiago, now available on GALATEA.
He rules the most powerful pack in the world. She has been outcast by her family and forced to go rogue. When their paths cross, it could be the beginning of something wonderful – or the end of them both.
Something in me was stirring, and not in a good way. It’s that kind of feeling you get when the teacher is handing back tests. It’s nerve-wracking, and it’s like a swirl of bad emotions balled up into one, settling in your throat, chest, and stomach, gradually suffocating you and weighing you down at the same time.
I’d been walking for a while until my grandmother’s house came into view. Fear shot through me like a bullet, and I was suddenly numb as I clutched onto the package I didn’t realize I was still holding.
I scented the air, and I could smell different scents, making me tremble as I got closer to the house. I opened the door, and the scents got stronger, together with the stench of blood. I flipped the light switch, and my life froze.
My beloved grandmother lay dead, her blood pooling around her, but that’s not what made me freeze. No, it was the man and woman seated on the couch next to her body – the man and woman I’d once called mommy and daddy.
“So, this is where you’ve been this whole time, you little runt! You were supposed to be dead a long time ago,” my mother spoke icily. I was too shocked to move or say anything.
“Listen here, little girl, I told you five years ago that I don’t like being disrespected, and your grandmother followed in her husband’s footsteps by protecting you this whole time, but now you have no one. So, here’s what’s going to happen. You’re either going to choose to stay here in a prison cell for the rest of your life, or you’re going to choose to be a rogue, and we’re going to chase you off of our land. It’s up to you,” my father said emotionlessly.
The thunderstorms outside were loud and certainly closer. I could only stare at them in utter disbelief. They couldn’t have cared less that I am their own flesh and blood. But then again, what did I expect? They killed my grandfather and now my grandmother without so much so as a flinch.
My mind dawned on what my father had just told me. I could choose to stay here and be an outsider for the rest of my life in a prison cell, or I could become a rogue. Although the answer may seem obvious, it isn’t since I have to consider things like the dangers of being a rogue, especially me being a rogue. I haven’t shifted yet, so I would be killed almost instantly in any case. On the other hand, I will die if I stay here anyway. My mind was made up and Starlet seemed to agree.
“I choose to be a rogue,” I said lowly. This seemed to satisfy them both as malicious grins took over their faces.
“Run,” they whispered concurrently.
Check out Katlego Moncho’s Inkitt Profile, and follow her for updates and new material.
Download the GALATEA APP to access Katlego’s story and more!
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