"This was a very difficult story for me to write, and for a lot of reasons. Many of the stories in the novel are based on things that happened in the village where I grew up, and were hard to revisit and come to terms with. It took me close to two years to write the book, not because I didn't know the details of the story, but because I wasn't sure I wanted to tell it. In particular, I struggled with writing about things I felt might dishonor the memories of people I grew up with, many of whom have since passed away. I love Jamaica. It is the only place I will ever call home. But there are things that happened there that should make none of us proud. I hope I have been able to tell some of the good and bad of that past with authenticity. I am very surprised and deeply grateful for all the kind reviews and comments the novel has received so far. I am astonished that it was selected as a Regional Winner of the Commonwealth Book Prize and that it is the first self-published novel to win a regional award. Hopefully this will encourage me to get off my lazy butt and complete the next novel." Ezekel Alan is a Jamaican consultant working in Asia. He lives with his wife and kids, and has a good reliable dog. "Disposable People" is his debut novel which was a Regional Winner for the 2013 Commonwealth Book Prize. Ezekel blogs at www.ezekelalan.com.