Author’s Interviews

‍ ‍Literary Titan

The literary fiction novel, ‘When the World Held Its Breath’ by R. Suleman, was awarded the Literary Titan Book Award. Literary Titan interviewed the author and posted the interview on its website. The interview is posted here.

When the World Held Its Breath follows a family whose comfortable day-to-day lives are turned upside down when COVID rears its ugly head and threatens everything they hold dear. Did you begin with the idea of a pandemic novel, or with the emotional arc of a family under pressure?

I began with the emotional arc of a family under pressure, not the idea of writing a pandemic novel. The pandemic was the circumstance—the crucible—but the heart of the story has always been the family. I have always believed deeply in the strength of family bonds. In my experience, when love within a family is genuine and resilient, it becomes a shield against even the harshest crises. That strength is not accidental; it is nurtured daily, often quietly, and very often by wives and mothers who hold the emotional fabric of the household together.

When my wife and I contracted COVID-19, we experienced firsthand how fragile life can suddenly feel. Those were frightening days. Yet what stands out most in my memory is not only the illness, but the way our family rallied around us — offering encouragement, support, and unwavering presence. Their strength carried us through. That lived experience shaped the novel. I used the pandemic as the backdrop, but the true focus of When the World Held Its Breath is what happens inside a family when external forces threaten to tear it apart — and how love, when it is strong enough, can hold everything together.

What was the most challenging part of writing Laura’s ICU storyline?

The most challenging part of writing Laura’s ICU storyline was balancing medical accuracy with emotional authenticity. I spent a great deal of time researching the progression of severe COVID cases — the stages of respiratory decline, the medical interventions, the terminology — because I wanted the portrayal to feel real without becoming clinical or detached.

But research was only one part of the challenge. The greater difficulty lay in writing the scene where the doctor explains Laura’s worsening condition and prepares Harrison for the possibility of losing her. That conversation had to carry immense emotional weight. It needed to feel devastating, yet restrained. Honest, yet not melodramatic. David’s reaction in that moment was especially complex to write. I rewrote those passages many times because I did not want the medical explanation to interrupt the narrative flow or feel like an informational pause. It had to remain part of the story’s emotional current — not a break in it.

Ultimately, the challenge was ensuring that the ICU scenes did not simply describe illness but conveyed what it feels like when hope begins to slip and a family is forced to confront the unimaginable.

What conversations are you hoping to spark about misinformation and trust during trying times?

One conversation I hope to spark is about how fear alters the truth. During times of crisis, uncertainty creates a vacuum, which is often filled by speculation, misinformation, and narratives that promise simple answers to complex realities, sometimes made-up narratives.

In 2020 and 2021, when fear was widespread and information was evolving daily, many people turned to social media not just for updates but for reassurance. Unfortunately, it was and is fertile ground for doubt, rumor, and conspiracy theories. What fascinated me—and concerned me—was how quickly these narratives spread and how deeply they shaped trust: trust in institutions, in science, and even within families.

The novel touches on these tensions because misinformation does not remain abstract. It enters homes. It shapes decisions. It strains relationships. I hope readers will reflect on how we decide what to believe in moments of uncertainty—and how we can protect both truth and human connection when they are under pressure. The book is not about judging anyone; it examines how fragile trust can become when fear dominates the atmosphere.

Can we look forward to more work from you soon? What are you currently working on?

Yes, I am currently working on my next novel, and I’m deeply excited about it. While it is still taking shape, it explores a timely and thought-provoking theme that reflects the complexities of the world we live in today. Much like When the World Held Its Breath, it will focus on human relationships, emotional resilience, and the choices people make under pressure.

Without revealing too much, I can say it examines the differences that divide us—and the deeper commonalities that ultimately bind us together. I believe it will spark meaningful conversation and, I hope, resonate strongly with readers across cultures and generations.

• When the World Held Its Breath is available for sale on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, and this website.

Interview Link:

https://literarytitan.com/tag/r-suleman/

Literary Titan

Literary Titan is an organization of professional editors, writers, and professors passionate about the written word. They review fiction and non-fiction books in different genres, conduct author interviews, and recognize talented authors with their Literary Titan Book Award. “We are privileged to work with so many creative authors around the world and help them promote their work”.

USA Weekly Post

USA Weekly Post interviewed the author of ‘When the World Held Its Breath’ and posted the interview in its magazine. The interview is posted here.

 Hello everyone, and welcome to another exclusive author interview from USA Weekly Post. It's my pleasure to be joined by author R. Suleman, whose powerful novel, When the World Held Its Breath, captures the emotional journey of one family during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mr. Suleman, thank you for joining us today. It's a pleasure to have you with us.

R. Suleman:
 Thank you, Nathan. It's a pleasure to be here. I'm looking forward to our conversation.

1.    What inspired you to write When the World Held Its Breath, and why did you feel now was the right time to tell this story?

R. Suleman:
 I felt this was the right time because enough time has passed since the pandemic. People have gradually overcome much of the anxiety and hardship they experienced during those years, which allows us to reflect on what really happened. I wanted to write about what ordinary people went through during that period and preserve those experiences for future generations. 

2.     Your novel is fictional, yet it feels remarkably authentic. How did you balance imagination with real-life pandemic experiences?

R. Suleman:
 When I started writing, I spent a great deal of time deciding what kind of family I wanted to portray. I didn’t want extraordinary people or celebrities. I wanted an ordinary family, one living what many would consider the American dream.

They're financially comfortable, living in the suburbs, doing well in life, yet they are affected by the pandemic just as deeply as anyone else. I know families like that, just as I know people from much more modest backgrounds. 

3.              Why did you choose to tell the pandemic through the eyes of one ordinary family instead of focusing on hospitals or government responses?

R. Suleman:

If I had written the story from a hospital’s perspective or focused on government responses, it would have become impersonal. Hospitals certainly play an essential role, but the relationship between a hospital and a patient is professional rather than personal. The emotional connection simply isn't the same.

Within a family, however, there are deep emotional bonds. Family members truly care for one another and stand together through life's most difficult moments. 

4.              The Harrison family feels incredibly relatable. Are they inspired by people you've known, or are they entirely fictional?

R. Suleman:
 They're certainly inspired by people I've known.

I've known families who live the kind of lifestyle portrayed in the novel. Of course, I changed many details because I didn't want anyone to recognize themselves directly. I used those families as inspiration and then built the story around them through fiction.

While reading your novel, I couldn't help wondering whether you or someone close to you had personally experienced COVID-19. 

5.              The novel begins with an almost perfect family life before everything changes. Why was it important to establish that sense of normalcy first?

R. Suleman:
I wanted readers to see an ordinary family living an ordinary life before the pandemic turned everything upside down. Only by seeing what life looked like before could readers truly appreciate how dramatically everything changed afterward.

When readers first become emotionally connected with the family's everyday life, the impact of the pandemic becomes much more meaningful because they understand exactly what was lost and what the family was fighting to regain.

6.              Rather than making COVID-19 the main character, you focus on relationships and resilience. Was that always your vision for the story?

R. Suleman:
 Yes. Personally, I believe family is the most important relationship in life. Throughout the novel, I wanted to show that when Laura is struggling, it is her family who surrounds her, supports her, and helps her recover.

That family bond was always the heart of the story.

7.              Many readers may find the emotional scenes deeply personal. Which chapter was the most difficult for you to write emotionally?

R. Suleman:
 The most difficult chapter was when Laura regains consciousness after her illness but doesn't recognize David. When David goes to see her and she asks, "Who are you? Are you my doctor?" I felt that must have been absolutely devastating for him.

I rewrote that chapter three or four times before I was satisfied. Even today, when I read it again, I still wonder whether I could have written it even better. Later, she doesn't recognize members of her own family, including Sophie, and asks whether they are nurses. That was by far the hardest chapter for me to write emotionally.

8.              What do you hope readers who lived through the pandemic will feel after finishing this novel?

R. Suleman:
 I hope they realize just how important family bonds truly are. Laura is able to recover because her family stands beside her every step of the way. Without that love, support, and encouragement, her recovery would have been much more difficult. If there's one message I want readers to take away, it's that family is life's greatest strength. 

9.              For younger readers who may not fully remember those years, what do you hope they learn from this story?

R. Suleman:
 I hope they understand that this wasn’t simply a medical crisis; it affected every aspect of life. Families were separated, schools closed, businesses struggled, and even simple things like visiting loved ones became impossible. Most importantly, I want younger readers to understand how important family became during those difficult times. 

10.          The book explores fear, hope, family, sacrifice, and resilience. Which of these themes resonates with you the most personally?

R. Suleman:
 Without any doubt, family. Family is the strongest bond we have. Throughout life, there are many relationships, but when difficult times come, it is your family that stays with you. That is what I wanted readers to understand: that family is what keeps you going, no matter what challenges you face.

11.          The title, When the World Held Its Breath, is powerful. How did you come up with it, and what does it symbolize to you?

R. Suleman:
 During COVID-19, it felt as though the entire world had stopped. Nobody knew what tomorrow would bring. Streets were empty, businesses were closed, flights stopped, and people everywhere were living with uncertainty. To me, it truly felt like the whole world was holding its breath, waiting and hoping for better days. That feeling became the inspiration for the title.

12.          Without giving away spoilers, is there one scene you believe captures the true heart of the novel?

R. Suleman:
 I believe it's the relationship between the family members during Laura's illness. Everyone comes together for her. Despite all the uncertainty and fear, nobody gives up hope. They continue supporting one another, and that is really the emotional heart of the book.

13.          Did writing this book change the way you think about family, life, or what truly matters?

R. Suleman:
 Yes, it certainly reinforced my belief that family is the most valuable thing we have. Life can change overnight. The pandemic reminded all of us that success, careers, and material things become far less important when you're facing something truly difficult. What remains is your family.

14.          The pandemic affected people very differently around the world. How did you make sure your story felt universal rather than limited to one family's experience?

R. Suleman:
 I chose to write about an ordinary family because ordinary families exist everywhere.

Although the story follows one household, I included many of the experiences that people everywhere went through—businesses closing, supply chains breaking down, uncertainty about work, isolation, and everyday struggles. I wanted readers from different countries to recognize their own experiences within the story.

15.          If readers could take away just one message from this novel, what would you want that message to be?

R. Suleman:
 Family is the most important thing. Family bonds keep you going in every situation, and we should invest in those relationships because they are what support us when life becomes difficult. That is the one message I hope every reader carries with them after finishing the book. 

16.          Before writing this novel, what was your journey as an author, and how did it prepare you for telling a story like this?

R. Suleman:
 I've written several books before this one, but my journey as a writer actually began in a very unexpected way. One day I noticed my grandchildren were all completely absorbed in their phones and computers. They were constantly messaging each other instead of having conversations.

That made me curious. I began asking them about the stories they were reading and discussing those characters with them.

17.          You mention that you and your wife personally experienced COVID-19. How much did those experiences influence your writing?

R. Suleman:
 A great deal. Many of the emotions I describe in the novel came directly from what I felt during that period. The fear, the uncertainty, the isolation, and not knowing what tomorrow would bring—those emotions were real.

When I wrote the story, I drew heavily from those experiences because I wanted readers to feel what people truly went through during that difficult time.

18.          Writing about such a painful period must have been emotionally challenging. Did you ever have to step away from the manuscript because it became too personal?

R. Suleman:
 Yes, there were times when I had to stop writing. Some chapters brought back memories of what my wife and I experienced during COVID-19. Reliving those emotions wasn't easy.

Sometimes I would write for a while and then put the manuscript aside before returning to it later with a clearer mind. It was an emotional process, but I believed the story was important enough to continue.

19.          What kind of research did you conduct to ensure the medical and historical details felt accurate without overwhelming the story?

R. Suleman:
 I followed the developments very closely during the pandemic. I read extensively, stayed informed through reliable sources, and paid attention to how the situation evolved.

At the same time, I didn't want the novel to become a medical textbook. The research was there to support the story, not overshadow it. My focus always remained on the people and their experiences.

20.          How long did it take you to complete the novel, from the first idea to the finished manuscript?

R. Suleman:
 It took me approximately a year.

I spent a great deal of time planning the characters and the storyline before I began writing. Once I had that structure in place, I worked steadily until the manuscript was complete.

Planning is an important part of the writing process.

21.          What surprised you most while writing this book?

R. Suleman:
 I was surprised by how emotionally connected I became to the characters. Although they are fictional, after spending so much time with them, they began to feel like real people.

Their struggles affected me emotionally while I was writing.

22.          Looking back at the finished novel today, is there a scene or character you're especially proud of?

R. Suleman:
 I'm especially proud of Laura. She represents courage, compassion, and resilience. Even after everything she endures, she continues fighting for her family.

I think she embodies the strength that so many people demonstrated during the pandemic.

23.          What advice would you give aspiring writers who want to transform real-life events into compelling fiction?

R. Suleman:
 Write honestly.

Use real emotions, but don't be afraid to use your imagination. Real events provide the foundation, but fiction allows you to explore those experiences in a way that reaches readers emotionally.

Most importantly, be patient. Good writing takes time.

24.          Do you see yourself writing more novels centered on contemporary social issues, or are you planning something entirely different next?

R. Suleman:
 I haven't decided yet.

I like writing stories that have meaning and that connect with readers emotionally. If another important subject inspires me, I'll certainly consider writing about it. At the moment, though, I'm simply enjoying seeing this book reach readers.

25.          If your readers remember one thing about you as an author after reading this book, what would you hope it is?

R. Suleman:
 I hope they remember that I write about people. My stories are about family, relationships, and the challenges that ordinary people face.

If readers finish my books feeling more grateful for their loved ones and more hopeful about life, then I feel I've accomplished what I set out to do.

Closing Remarks:

Mr. Suleman, on behalf of everyone at USA Weekly Post, thank you once again for joining us today.

When the World Held Its Breath is more than a novel about COVID-19—it’s a heartfelt reflection on the resilience of the human spirit, the strength of family, and the hope that carried so many people through one of the most challenging periods in modern history.

We wish you continued success with the book and look forward to seeing what you write next. We hope you've enjoyed getting to know the author behind this remarkable story, and you can also buy his book from his own website! Visit Here.

San Francisco Today

In a world where a message can travel across continents in seconds and a single click can make personal information seemingly disappear into the digital ether, how much control do we really have over what we share?

For author Rao, that question became personal when he noticed how casually his grandchildren were using messaging applications and sharing information with their friends. When he warned one of his granddaughters about the risks, her response was simple: she believed the technology was completely secure and that nobody could access what she shared.

Rao knew better.

With a background in technology and years of experience dealing with technical information, he understood that absolute digital security does not exist. That realization became the foundation for Terms and Conditions Apply: Promises vs. Reality, a thought-provoking book that explores digital privacy, trust, technology, human behavior, and the consequences of careless communication. The book is available on Amazon in eBook as well as paperback format.

Rather than simply telling readers what to do, Rao uses storytelling to encourage them to think for themselves. Through the experiences of his characters, including Olivia, he explores what can happen when private messages escape their intended audience—and why the lessons of the digital world need to be taught much earlier.

In this conversation, Rao discusses the inspiration behind the book, the dangers hidden behind seemingly harmless digital interactions, why people rarely read terms and conditions, and the mindset he hopes readers will adopt before sending their next message.

1. What inspired you to write Terms and Conditions Apply: Promises vs. Reality?

R. Suleman:
I have grandchildren, and I used to see them exchanging their views and ideas with their friends. Practically, they were sharing everything through messaging applications.

Once, I talked to one of my granddaughters and told her that she should be very careful because if something leaked or somebody else obtained that information, it could be very embarrassing for her.

She said, “Grandpa, you are from an older generation. You don't know these things. These are absolutely secure, they cannot be hacked, and nobody can see them other than the people I intend the information for.”

I have a background in which I have dealt with technical things, technical information, and very advanced technology. So I know that there is no such thing as absolute security. You can have any amount of encryption, firewalls, and other protections, but somebody, somewhere, someday may be able to get through them.

There are many examples of this. During the Second World War, the Germans believed that their Enigma coding machine was foolproof and could never be broken. But the people using it made mistakes, and the British and Americans were eventually able to break through the system and access information being transmitted.

So there is no such thing as absolute security.

I wanted to explain this to my grandchildren, but they wouldn't believe me because they thought I was an old man who was simply being skeptical. So I thought, “Let me put it down in a book. Then they will take it more seriously.”

That is exactly what happened. When I finished the book and gave it to my granddaughter, she came to me and said, “Oh, Grandpa, I've written such-and-such things to my friends. What will happen now?”

I told her, “You made a mistake. Learn the lesson and be careful in the future.”

That was the motivation for me to write the book.

2. What does the title Terms and Conditions Apply mean to you personally?

R. Suleman:
When anybody writes “Terms and Conditions Apply,” it means there may be something that is not being shown openly.

Whatever I am reading may not be 100 percent of the story. There may be things that are not being mentioned or something hidden somewhere. So I must go through the entire privacy page to understand exactly what the terms and conditions are.

Only then do I feel satisfied.

More often than not, whenever I have gone through terms and conditions, I have found that whatever was written or promised was hiding something else.

3. Why did you feel this was the right time to tell this story?

R. Suleman:
I had been thinking about writing something, but I started writing only about two years ago. Before that, I was not a writer or an author. Of course, during my professional career, I wrote many papers and other materials, but I was not an author.

When I started writing, I noticed my grandchildren using messaging applications without much concern. I thought I must write this down because whenever children see something written in a book, they tend to take it more seriously and become more careful.

That is why I decided to write it at this time.

4. What is the central message you hope readers take away from the book?

R. Suleman:
The main message I want to convey is that once you put something into the digital world, it may never truly be erased.

It may continue to exist somewhere on a computer or within an application, and at the most unexpected and embarrassing moment, it can come back.

A good example is politics and elections. At election time, you may suddenly find that a candidate said something 20 or 30 years ago, and that old statement comes back into the public conversation.

Whatever you put into the digital world can be preserved.

The lesson readers should learn is that they must be very careful about what they put into the digital world, messaging applications, social media, or anywhere else where information can be recorded.

5. The subtitle contrasts “promises” with “reality.” What first interested you in exploring that gap?

R. Suleman:
One term that you have probably read a thousand times is “Terms and Conditions Apply.”

Before you give your consent to anything, you usually find those words somewhere. You will see a promising statement written in bold letters, while “Terms and Conditions Apply” may be written in a tiny font that you can hardly read.

There is a reality behind those terms that may not be immediately visible.

An application may promise that it is completely secure and nobody can hack it. But when you read the terms and conditions, you may discover that the reality is different.

That is why I chose the subtitle Promises vs. Reality.

6. Were there any particular experiences or observations that became the foundation for the book?

R. Suleman:
I personally did not go through any such embarrassing experience, thankfully. But I have seen people put something online or say something through an application, only for it to come out later.

Those people were terribly embarrassed and suffered because of it.

So I always advise everyone that whatever you write anywhere, in any application, you should be careful and deliberate.

Sensitive information or information that could come back to haunt you later should not be put into messaging applications or any digital form without serious consideration.

7. How much of the book is shaped by real-life experiences?

R. Suleman:
I think everything I wrote is based on something I have felt, observed, or experienced in life.

As I mentioned, I have a technical background and dealt with a lot of technology. I know that many things can happen in the technological world.

When it comes to messaging and communication, it can be a very shaky environment. Information can potentially be hacked, accessed, or intercepted.

That is why people have to be very deliberate and careful.

I personally do not take this lightly. Whenever I write something—even a message to my own family—I am careful about what I say.

I remember one interesting incident. Once, I received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. A gentleman had apparently sold his car and had put the entire amount of cash into a suitcase. He was traveling by bus and carrying the money with him.

He sent me a message saying that he was carrying all this cash and would feel insecure when he reached his destination. He asked me to come and pick him up from a particular bus station.

I had no idea who this person was or how the message reached me. Perhaps he entered the wrong number on WhatsApp. Maybe it was a scam or a prank, or perhaps it was genuine.

But the incident itself showed me how easily sensitive information can reach the wrong person.

That is why I say that people must be very careful in the digital world.

8. What was the most difficult part of the story or subject matter for you to write about?

R. Suleman:
The most difficult part was when Olivia learns that all her messages have been put on the internet and everything has been leaked.

Her friends, teachers, and colleagues begin questioning and embarrassing her.

I was trying to imagine a young girl, perhaps 16 or 17 years old, and what she would be feeling at that moment. What would she be going through when everyone around her was questioning and embarrassing her?

It would be a terrible situation for a young person.

That was difficult for me as well. I actually wrote that particular portion of the book three or four times before I finalized it.

9. Did writing this book change your own perspective on trust, expectations, or promises?

R. Suleman:
Yes, it did.

When I started researching the book, I discovered many things that I did not know, even though I had worked with technology for many years.

I was taken aback by some of the things that could happen.

As a result, I became much more knowledgeable and informed, and I became even more careful than I had been before.

My perspective on trust has also been affected by what I learned.

10. Why do you think people overlook the terms and conditions behind the promises they are given?

R. Suleman:
When you want to purchase something, you have already made up your mind that you are going to buy it. You fill out the form, and eventually you reach the “I Agree” button.

By that time, you think you know everything about the product.

But underneath that button, you often find the words “Terms and Conditions Apply.”

By the time people reach that point, they have already gone through everything else and think, “This is just something they have written for their own sake. It isn't important.”

So they simply click “I Agree.”

Nobody reads the terms and conditions properly because they are often extremely long and complicated.

When my granddaughter told me that messaging applications were secure, I actually went through the application's terms and conditions. I had to use a magnifying glass and enlarge the font, and I still found it difficult to read.

I spent almost the entire day reading them.

What I discovered was that the terms and conditions contradicted many of the things the application appeared to promise.

People generally do not read these agreements because they are too long and they do not want to spend the time. But when people get into trouble, those are often the very terms that matter most.

11. Are there warning signs people should pay more attention to before placing their trust in a person, organization, opportunity, or agreement?

R. Suleman:
If a person, organization, opportunity, or agreement promises too much—something that goes beyond your expectations—you should become skeptical.

If you read something and think, “I've hit the jackpot,” a question mark should immediately come into your mind:

“Why is so much being promised to me?”

There must be something behind it.

When something looks extremely lucrative, extremely easy, and extremely attractive, that should be a warning sign.

12. Was there anything you discovered while writing the book that surprised you?

R. Suleman:
Yes.

One thing I have written about in the story is that the human element can never be completely eliminated from technology.

That surprised me.

There can be a person who feels that an organization has treated him unfairly. Out of resentment, that person may try to harm the organization's product or application.

Someone could potentially alter an algorithm in a way that causes the entire system to behave differently.

These were things I had not previously considered possible in the way I discovered them through my research.

It showed me that even very secure and very large organizations can be vulnerable to human behavior.

13. Which chapter, story, or idea in the book is especially meaningful to you, and why?

R. Suleman:
We are racing ahead in technology.

Technology changes incredibly quickly. People often say that technology that is considered new today can become outdated within a few years.

But our systems and curricula are not necessarily keeping pace with that speed of advancement, particularly in communications and digital technology.

I think that is an area where we need to be much more careful.

I have written about the need for educational curricula at different levels to teach students about these issues.

This is something I believe should be taught at the school and college levels.

14. Who do you believe will connect most strongly with this book?

R. Suleman:
I think teenagers who are using messaging applications and spending time in the digital world will connect strongly with it.

Parents also have an important role because they must educate their children.

Educators and teachers also need to make it a point to teach young people to be careful about what they share.

If young people are careless with digital communication, it can become embarrassing or painful for them later in life.

15. What emotion do you hope readers experience while reading the book?

R. Suleman:
I think readers should approach the book with an open mind.

When you read something like this, the first thing you may do is think back and say, “This is what I shared with this person,” or “This is what I wrote in that message.”

Whatever has happened has happened. The important thing is to look forward.

I hope readers remain neutral and objective while reading.

The idea is to learn the right thing, understand the right message, and take the right lesson so that they can be more careful in the future.

16. If a reader has personally experienced disappointment after trusting a promise, what would you want to say to them?

R. Suleman:
Trust is a very difficult and precious commodity.

If you asked me how many people I completely trust with everything, I would say I would not go beyond my immediate family—perhaps my wife, my children, and maybe one old friend whom I have known since childhood.

Otherwise, I would not trust somebody with highly sensitive information.

The reason is simple: information is power.

If someone possesses information that other people do not know, that person may feel important because they have knowledge that others don't have.

Suppose you tell me something very sensitive and ask me not to share it. I may promise that the information will go to the grave with me.

But then I might tell my most trusted friend and say, “Don't share this with anybody. This is very sensitive.”

That friend may do exactly the same thing with another trusted friend.

Eventually, that same information may come back to you through somebody else.

That is how these things happen.

So if somebody breaks your trust, learn from it and become more careful. Remember that if someone has broken your trust once, you should be very cautious about trusting that person again.

17. What do you hope readers begin questioning or looking at differently after finishing the book?

R. Suleman:
I hope they become more careful with messaging applications and more deliberate about whatever they write.

If they write something carelessly, it may come back to haunt them later.

That is something everyone should keep in mind.

18. How did you balance telling an engaging story with communicating the deeper lessons behind it?

R. Suleman:
When you want to teach somebody—whether a child or an adult—there are two ways of doing it.

One way is to tell them directly, “This is how it is.”

For example, you can tell somebody, “Honesty is the best policy.” That is a direct lesson.

Most people do not always respond well to being lectured.

If someone my age comes to me and tells me, “This is how it is,” I may not necessarily like it.

But if that person tells me a story and the conclusion of the story teaches the same lesson, I will probably be more receptive and understand the message more willingly.

That is why I believe in telling a story and allowing people to draw the right lesson from it.

19. If you could summarize the book's message in one sentence for someone discovering it for the first time, what would you say?

R. Suleman:
No application can promise perfect privacy, but we can choose what we share and how we respond.

Whenever we share something, we should think carefully before doing so and remember that whatever we share can potentially fail us or become exposed.

And if that happens, we need to consider how we are going to respond.

20. After reading Terms and Conditions Apply: Promises vs. Reality, what is the first change in mindset or behavior you would most like readers to make?

R. Suleman:
My message is that people should be very, very careful whenever they use messaging applications.

Whatever they share can potentially be leaked. When information reaches the wrong people through the digital world or social media, it can come back to haunt them and embarrass them.

If people write anything in messaging applications, social media, or the general digital world, they should be extremely careful with their language and the information they communicate.

That information or message can leak out, and if it does, the consequences can be very embarrassing.

21. Do you have a final word for readers?

R. Suleman:
I am very grateful for the opportunity to talk about this book and express my thoughts.

I hope people read it and get the right message.

The digital world is an extraordinary part of modern life, but it also requires responsibility. We cannot always control what happens to information once we share it. What we can control is what we choose to share, how carefully we communicate, and whether we think before we click “send.”

That is the lesson I hope readers take away from Terms and Conditions Apply: Promises vs. Reality.

Closing Thoughts

Rao's book offers an important reminder for today's digital generation: think before you share, question what you are promised, and never assume that something shared online will remain private forever.

Whether you are a teenager navigating messaging applications, a parent trying to guide your children, an educator preparing students for the digital world, or simply someone who wants to understand the relationship between technology, trust, and privacy, this book invites you to look at everyday digital communication differently.

Discover Terms and Conditions Apply: Promises vs. Reality and explore the lessons behind the promises we encounter in an increasingly connected world. Read the book, reflect on its message, and start thinking twice before you click “I Agree” or “Send.” It is available on Amazon in eBook as well as paperback format.

Learn more about the author at rsuleman.com, or get the book on Amazon.

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Terms and Conditions Apply: Promises vs. Reality

by R. Suleman