Wow, sounds like you've lead an amazing life!
I plan on entering Education when I've graduated (as does a friend of mine), so do you mind if I ask why you chose to teach in Sudan? I've been thinking of doing those teach-ESL abroad things, and since I'm originally from the Dark Continent, I'd love to go back there
And what exactly did you do in the publishing industry?
I'm just full of questions, lol, so I'll sorta answer one of yours. If you enjoy Wilbur Smith's style, check out our Other Authors forum for some suggestions. Mine would be James Clavell for historical fiction. He writes in the same vein as WS, but he focuses on the Orient.