An Interview with Miglena Tsakova – the Author of “Learn to Keep Moving Forward” – the Books That Inspire the World The story behind the Bulgarian series nominated for Amazon’s prestigious contest: Storyteller UK 2025
Interview with Miglena Tsakova – Author of “Learn to Keep Moving Forward” (Book One & Two), Nominated for the UK Kindle Storyteller Award 2025
Interviewer: Hello Miglena, congratulations on the selection of your series Learn to Keep Moving Forward for the Kindle Storyteller Award. What does it mean to you to have your books included in the UK Kindle Storyteller 2025 – one of Amazon’s most prestigious literary competitions?
Miglena Tsakova: Thank you so much! For me and the entire team, this is a tremendous honor. Participating in such a major international competition is not only a personal success, but also a chance for a Bulgarian voice to be heard on a global stage. It’s truly a privilege to represent Bulgaria in such a significant literary forum.
Interviewer: How did the idea for the Learn to Keep Moving Forward series come about? What inspired you to write it first in Bulgarian and later present it to the world in English?
Miglena Tsakova: The texts came together over the years, shaped by personal life events and experiences. Many of them first appeared online and, after thousands of shares, comments, and emotional reactions, readers began asking when they would be collected in a book. That’s how the first volume was born in November 2023 – followed by overwhelming interest that led to the release of Book Two just six months later. I realized these messages resonate deeply with people who have stood on the edge of giving up but chose to move forward anyway; people who have knelt before the weight of grief or despair and still found the strength to rise – for life, for love, for hope. Pain, faith, love, and resilience are universal. That’s why I knew that sharing these words in English would help them reach even more hearts around the world. On May 28, 2025, we held the global launch of the English editions Learn to Keep Moving Forward – Book One & Two at the Sofia City Library, where the Bulgarian books were also presented. The next day, the books became available worldwide through Amazon, and shortly after, on Goodreads as well.
Interviewer: Your books have had a remarkable impact on readers – how do you explain that? Over 20 million video views across social media, thousands of shares and reviews, all in under a year and a half, and all completely organically?
Miglena Tsakova: Perhaps it’s because I don’t offer formulas for happiness – I share real emotions. Things people truly feel, from sorrow to beauty. These are texts meant not to impress but to embrace, comfort, and encourage. Every day, I receive messages from people who say they feel understood, seen, and empowered to keep going. Some say their mornings begin with quotes from the books, and that they see themselves in the words. They smile through tears. For me, that is the greatest reward – to plant something kind in someone’s heart. I believe that is the true meaning of it all: to touch what is most human in others.
Interviewer: Can we say that your participation in this contest is also a symbolic step forward for Bulgarian literature – a gesture that it can be heard around the world?
Miglena Tsakova: Absolutely. This is a clear example that when faith and effort go hand in hand, there are no borders. Authors from around the world are participating in this competition, and we are showing that Bulgaria has something meaningful to say. That its messages can stay in readers’ hearts, no matter where they are on the globe.
Interviewer: What are the challenges in taking a self-published book – or in your case, a two-book series – to a global platform like Amazon?
Miglena Tsakova: There are many challenges, of course. But when something is done with belief, purpose, love, and commitment, every effort is worth it. Every step matters – from the first drafts to preparing the manuscripts, arranging the texts into files, going through meticulous language adaptation, and handling every detail of pre-print preparation – first for the Bulgarian editions, then for the English ones. There’s also the technical side: formatting both eBooks and paperback editions for the Amazon platform. But this is the beauty of the journey – knowing that behind every success there is hard work, sleepless nights, and a dedicated team moving toward a shared goal. And when someone leaves a review saying, “I needed this book,” you know you’ve planted something real.
Interviewer: What are your hopes for the competition? Do you think there is a realistic chance for Bulgarian books to be among the finalists?
Miglena Tsakova: The competition is fierce, no doubt. But I believe books don’t compete against each other – each finds its own readers. If the jury or readers feel that these books offer something lasting, something valuable – then yes, the chance is real. For me and the Poznanie-BG team, even having both books nominated is already a tremendous honor.
Interviewer: What comes next? Are there new projects or a continuation of the series on the horizon?
Miglena Tsakova: Yes, I’m currently working on Book Three. Some of the new texts have already been released in advance on our digital platforms. We’re also organizing a national literary tour titled “Learn to Keep Moving Forward – and Pass It On!” – a series of meetings with readers across Bulgaria. We are also planning a second stage: reader-meetings and literary events outside Bulgaria as well.
Interviewer: What would you like to say to the international audience and to those who are about to discover your books?
Miglena Tsakova: I would say something simple: “If you’re going through something difficult right now – you are not alone. If you’re on the edge – don’t give up. ‘Learn to Keep Moving Forward’ is not just a book title – it’s a message. A message to anyone who needs faith and a voice to whisper: „Keep going. You are worth it. You deserve the best.“
Learn to Keep Moving Forward – Book One & Two by Miglena Tsakova are now available worldwide via Amazon and are nominated for the UK Kindle Storyteller Award 2025. You can support the books by leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
