Interview with Pretty Tony

Pretty Tony offers an urban perspective to the age-old quest of men trying to understand women by first examining themselves with honesty. His first two novels, “Playaology” and “Playa Step Your Game Up” sent ripples throughout the community as his ‘keep it real’ street logic laid it bare. With “Who is she & What is she to you?,” Pretty Tony emerges as a seasoned street master decoding ultimate truths, bring hip hop flavor to the never ending questions men really have about women. He lends great insight from the mindset of a self professed “womanizer” with a perspective that is still relevant to everyday relationships.

Interview with Shakara Cannon

Shakara Cannon will be appearing at the Leimert Park Village Book Fair on Saturday, June 25.

Shakara Cannon developed her love for writing during her childhood years, writing stories to read to her family at bed time. As she honed her skills, Shakara steadily gained notoriety in high school writing stories that surprised her teachers. She further developed her passion for writing at California State University, Northridge, double majoring in English and Business with a minor in Psychology. Later, writing fiction grew from hobby to therapy after the loss of her daughter’s father.

Shakara’s talent for creating colorful, sexy, and humorous characters, coupled with relative, relatable, and controversial topics brings her novels to life. Each page has you thirsting to know what happens next!

More information can be found at www.shakaracannon.com.

Interview with Dr. Lottie Perkins

Dr. Lottie Perkins will be appearing at the Leimert Park Village Book Fair on Saturday, June 25.

Dr. Lottie Perkins is a registered nurse, Certified Natural Wellness consultant, author, and a motivational speaker with over 40 years being a prominent voice in the field of health. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing, a master’s degree in Health Administration, and a Doctorate Degree in Alternative Healing.

A successful entrepreneur of 30 years, Dr. Lottie is the CEO/President of Perkins Enterprises, Health Consultation and training which provides: healthy lifestyle consultation and coaching, continuing education for health professionals, and consultation to health care agencies.

Interview with G. M. Cummings

G. M. Cummings is a divorced mother of four beautiful, children. A nurse for over 25 years, she is an anointed singer , songwriter, and worship leader. She enjoys anything artistic such as cooking, interior decorating, and fashion design. Currently she is busy promoting her book and CD “Stay”. She resides in Inglewood, CA.

A work that was 10 years in the making, A Promise of Fidelity is G. M. Cummngs‘ first novel.

1. Tell us about A Promise of Fidelity and the inspirations behind it.
   

   A Promise Of Fidelity is about the power of God to deliver from the grips of witchcraft. It was inspired by a dream that I had one night about a millionaire playboy who suddenly awakens in a New Orleans hospital following a freak accident. He soon discovers someone is out to get him. He is aided by 5 beautiful nurses who become his friends. He vows to change his scandalous ways but finds out his only hope of survival is in God, who he really does not care to know.

    

2. From those inspirations, how do you go about creating and developing your characters and your plot? Was it difficult?
   The characters and plot were based on my dream. I simply expanded it. Some of the situations were inspired by real life as well. The characters came to life after I lived with them for 4 months. That’s how long it took to finish the book.
    
3. Is writing easy for you? Have you published other items before?
   This book was very easy to write and so much fun! My friends inspired me by reading along as I wrote. This is my first novel.
   
    
4. What was the process like in preparing the book to be published?
   

   I wrote this book 10 years ago. Six months ago, a friend found the script and started reading it to me. It came alive again inside me. I knew in my spirit, God was saying “Publish it now! No more excuses!” He led me to people who took interest and helped me out. Dr. Rosie Milligan, a black publisher, told me to self-publish and she would guide me along. Then, God miraculously provided the funds for me to do so. I had to do a lot of proofreading and corrections. Then the book was evaluated by Dr. Milligan. Once she okay’ed all the changes then it was edited. The cover design was suggested by a friend who thought that picture of me would give it “shelf appeal.” Then, it was off to the formatting and printing. This all took about 5 months.

    

5. What has the feedback been like?
   Most people say they can’t put the book down! At least ten have told me that they read it in 2 days. Some are suggesting that there should be a sequel. The book is very sexy, intriguing and exciting (if I say so myself.) (smile)
   
    
6. What are you doing to market and promote your books?
   I am doing a commercial for radio as well as web-commercials. I am hitting the warm market assisted by friends — book clubs, book signings, passing out postcards, Facebook. I am also doing a website which is still under construction.
   
    
7. Any plans for a next project?
   I am on chapter eight of my next book, Destiny Delayed. This is the story of a middle-aged woman who is asking herself the question, have I missed my chance to make it big because of so many mistakes and wrong choices? She feels God is saying it’s not too late, and then watches in awe as God performs the impossible in her life.

   There will be a sequel to A Promise of Fidelity — I’m naming it St. Vincents Place. All of the main characters will appear in this book. It will be just as sultry and sexy. Katrina Collins will be dealing with the issue of temptation in the work place when the doctor she works with falls madly in love with her.
   
    

8. What are your favorite reads? What books are your shelves?
   Favorite reads? Inspirational books like “A Purpose Driven Life.” Honestly, I do not consider myself an avid reader. I am a hopeless romantic so when I choose a novel it usually because of the romance aspect. I am a very spiritual person, gifted you might say. I have dreams that come true and on occasion I see visions so spiritual books are particularly interesting.

   I consider the book A Promise of Fidelity to be inspiring because it deals with real issues about sex infidelity and Gods power to deliver from witchcraft.

Interview with Hall-Crews

Hall-Crews, a native of Tampa, Florida, began writing short stories as a hobby in 1975. Ms. Crews was recently inspired to write GFB Grown Fokes Bidniss in her mother’s memory, thus commemorating her mom’s knack for making lemonade from life’s lemons. This is Hall-Crews’ first published work. Her future plans include publishing her second novel, Tea With Aunt Lizzie.

The author has earned several degrees at University of Florida and University of South Florida. Although she enjoyed a long and rewarding career as a public school educator and administrator, Hall-Crews now devotes her time to the writing profession. She is happily married to Douglas Crews.

1. You have been writing short stories for some time. What led you to write a novel?
   After hearing little bits and pieces of some ancient family GFB (grown folks business), a story began to churn inside my belly–at times, it was downright distracting! The longer I toyed with the idea of actually putting together the plots and developing the characters, the more I yearned to put my thoughts down on paper. It was clear from the beginning that a short story would never do justice to the kind of tale I wanted to write.
    
2. How was the process of writing a novel? What were the most rewarding and difficult elements?
   Metaphorically speaking, writing a novel is like taking the l-o-n-g scenic route to a destination. The author gets to take his or her own sweet time to build the main plot as well as develop the supporting plots that make up the story.

   Somewhat difficult, yet tremendously rewarding was the process of folding into the story a number of obvious and subtle historical elements. While writing GFB, many long gone historical treasures were discovered as I excavated pertinent information from the internet, interviews, old newspaper articles, and books. The main reasons for including these facts in GFB were manifold: To add a measure of authenticity; to capture nuances of African-American life in the south at that time; to write a story with a message relevant for today, though contained within the developmental constraints of the 1950’s time period; and to portray lifestyles and backdrops specific to the Tampa Bay area.

   I found the most difficult part of the writing process to be remembering to keep consistent the little elements of the story . . . like peculiar traits and sayings of some of the characters, names of places where things happened, and small, but important, details disclosed in previous chapters. For example, over the eighteen months of writing GFB, every time the action of the storyline took me to the church house, I inadvertently switched the name from Mount Zion Church to New Zion Church or First Community Church. It was almost as if that particular house of worship was going through an identity crisis of sorts. Likewise, Betty Jo Lawrence, one of the supporting characters, was sometimes Betty Lee Johnson, and the local newspaper, the Tampa Courier, was occasionally dubbed the Tampa Bulletin. Of course, these name variations were corrected through the editing process, but remaining consistent with names and small details is one of the trickier aspects of the lengthy novel writing process.
    

3. As a former educator, did you call upon any experiences?  How much do your personal experiences reflect in your books?
   As an administrator of an elementary performing arts school, I authored many musical dramas for various student performances. Without a doubt, this ongoing experience helped me to become very proficient at writing believable characters and interesting storylines.

   In regards to personal experiences, the prologue of GFB is nothin’ but truth. The plots are indeed grown from crumbs of hot gossip I picked up while eavesdropping during my childhood. So, throughout this novel, much liberty was taken with a few dollops of hearsay. I admittedly blurred so many lines and embellished the truth to such an extent, it’s hard to say where facts end and fiction begins.
    

4. Is writing easy for you?  Or, do you have to enforce a discipline to write, to review, to re-write?
   Writing a novel takes a lot more discipline than writing a short story or one act play. For years, I thought about writing a book, I talked about it, but I didn’t actually start writing until my brother gave me a wonderful piece of advice. He said, “Write a little bit everyday…even if it’s only one word.” Now that was certainly doable. So, with that wise counsel, I set out writing a little bit of GFB each day. Sometimes two or three chapters were written, sometimes two or three words. But, without fail, for eighteen months, every single day, something was put in black and white.
    
5. How do you go about creating your characters and your plots?  What inspires you — Do you start with characters or with a plot?
   

   Once I have a sketchy plan for the A storyline, the characters are next. To make the tale convincing and appealing, I believe characters should have distinct personalities with somewhat predictable behaviors. When I write, oftentimes my characters are modeled after interesting people I grew up with or folks I have met here and there. One of my majors in college was psychology, so I’ve spent years observing people’s quirks—you know, the uncle who chews his tongue when he’s worried or the aunt who giggles even when she’s thirty-eight hot. Some people have signature dialect or phraseology. In GFB Grown Fokes Bidniss, Gramma Mae frequently emphasizes her opinion by adding, “B’lieb dat!”

   Surprisingly enough, many people fall into very apparent personality types—sassy, timid, boisterous, bossy, edgy, fun-loving, obsessive, spontaneous, easygoing, etc. I like to take personality traits such as these, and then add a few oddities and habits, to create a very colorful cast of characters. Consequently, most people reading my stories or plays will “know somebody just like” this or that character in my writings.

   I’m inspired by dreams, slivers of gossip, interesting incidences, or make believe scenarios in my head. Once I’m primed with one of these, my imagination takes off by pulling together a primary plot. The little side plots take much more mental energy.
    

6. Do you have a favorite character?  Will we be seeing more of that character in your books?
   Hands down, my favorite character in GFB Grown Fokes Bidniss is Gramma Mae. She is a classic—everybody’s big mouth, opinionated, Ebonics talkin’, “Big Mamma” . . . the one who says what’s on her mind and yours, too! Of course, Gramma Mae, aka Mae Mason, will have an opinion or two to be heard in my upcoming novel, Tea with Aunt Lizzie.
    
7. What are your plans for your next project?
   My next project, Tea with Aunt Lizzie, is about the evolution of an unlikely companionship which begins when a cantankerous old aunt extends an invitation for tea to a niece with a troublesome angst of the elderly. To the niece’s surprise, the episodic tea parties with her aunt are more than occasions to sip flavored teas and eat crustless sandwiches. Indeed, it is during these times that Aunt Lizzie meticulously spins a most revealing tale of her life and her frowned upon relationship with a man more than ten years her junior.
    
8. What are you doing to market and promote your books?
   
   Promoting my book has been a venture in and of itself. GFB Grown Fokes Bidniss, my first novel, was launched in late June 2009 with my publishing company sending almost 300 personalized emails to announce my new book and to direct potential buyers to my website. A couple of months later, I hosted a book signing party in an old cigar factory here in Tampa’s historic Ybor City. This was an effective catalyst for interviews, photos, and articles in the largest Black newspaper in the Tampa Bay area, the Florida Sentinel Bulletin. A local bookstore hookup has also been an upshot from the party.

   The internet has been a great source for stirring up interest in my book, too. My niece and my brother, who are both tech and business savvy, have helped me set up a Twitter account, another website (Hallcrews.com), You Tube recordings, and a blog (which was used mostly to chronicle my book signing event). I have also written a couple of e-articles to promote interest in GFB Grown Fokes Bidniss.

   My publisher, Eloquent Books, will be promoting my book in upcoming book fairs. There’s one soon in London and another in New York in the springtime.

   Then, there’s good old fashioned word of mouth! It’s amazing how word travels when it comes to a good book with relatable characters and an engaging plot.
    

9. How much input do you get from your fans and critics? Do they influence your writing?
   My fans have helped out tremendously. As a matter of fact, a couple of trusted and brutally frank friends, who are also avid fiction fans, agreed to read GFB as I pumped it out, chapter by chapter. This was helpful on many levels. First, it gave me immediate feedback along the way. Second, if after reading a couple of chapters, my friends were left scratching their heads in confusion, an immediate assessment was done before moving forward. Lastly, having these readers gave me a chance to participate in book chats which sometimes impacted a few aspects of the action in the story.

   GFB’s primary storyline is a love triangle between Ben Cash (eligible bachelor and local entrepreneur), who cunningly uses his charm to pursue Gerry Withers (a gullible, young, married woman) while her husband, Sergeant John Withers, is away fighting in the Korean War. After reading the novel, GFB fans have voiced opinions that are strong, but very diverse. These views confirm that I have successfully written characters who “feel” like real people and a storyline that seems authentic to the readers. Also, the most frequent comment made by GFB fans is, “I can’t wait for the sequel!
    

10. Tell us about some of your favorite experiences from your signings and interviews.  (We’re hoping this one will rank up there, too!)
    The book signing party in the old cigar factory gave me a chance to introduce GFB to the Tampa Bay Area, get together with fans and friends, and to bring in a nice harvest of sales. The ambiance cast by the venue, the 50’s style entertainment, GFB themed decor, and the scrumptious spread of soul food, made it a night to remember.

    Likewise, I’m extremely appreciative and excited to have this chance to interview with a quality website like Books of Soul. The questions set forth by the interviewer are certainly provocative enough to make me lay a finger against my brow and go, “Hmmm . . .,” with deep reflection about my writing. This definitely hits the top spot as my favorite interview experience.
     

11. What are your favorite reads or authors?  What books are on your shelves?
    Amazingly enough,although I write fiction, my general reading preferences have been professional, non-fiction, and motivational books. A blast from the past on my bookshelf is Richard Wright’s, Black Boy. Most recently, writings of President Barack Obama, like The Audacity of Hope, have been a great inspiration.

    I’m also a big fan of old classics like Theodore Dreiser’s human drama, An American Tragedy. The plot of this work, with its twists, turns, suspense, and surprises is masterful.

    As a book collector, I like to scour used book stores and antique shops for first edition and author signed books. This practice has brought to my shelves a wide range of authors and books of every kind—from brightly illustrated pop-up books to 19th century poetry books.

Interview with Rhonda McKnight

Rhonda McKnight is the author of the novel, Secrets and Lies, to be released in Nov. 2009.

Rhonda is the owner of Legacy Editing, a free-lance editing service for fiction writers and Urban Christian Fiction Today (www.urbanchristianfictiontoday.com), a popular Internet site that highlights African-American Christian fiction. She is the vice-president of Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta. When she is not editing projects, teaching writing workshops or penning her next novel, she spends time with her family.

Originally from a small, coastal town in New Jersey, she has called Atlanta, Georgia home for twelve years. More information about the author can be found at www.rhondamcknight.net.

1. What led to your interest in Christian Fiction?

   Christian Fiction is one of those genres that finds you. For a while, I struggled with whether or not I would write Christian Fiction or mainstream, because it just seemed easier to get published in mainstream, but then I realized I had to write who I was and that made my work fall in line with what would be classified as Christian fiction.

2. What are your impressions on that genre?  Do you think that the market for Christian fiction, especially Urban Christian Fiction, is growing?

   Wow, is there a market? It’s huge. Christian fiction has been growing for years and African-American Christian fiction is really growing. Even in this sluggish economy, publishers are still looking for African-American Christian fiction, so I think the future is bright. People are finding that the books aren’t preachy. It’s not a sermon turned into a novel. (LOL!) I believe Bishop TD Jakes’ movies Woman Thou Art Loosed and Not Easily Broken (both Christian fiction novel adaptations) have educated the public about what Christian fiction really is.

3. What were your experiences like in writing Secrets and Lies? Did you got through many re-writes?

   It took me four years to write Secrets and Lies. I probably spent a total of twelve months on the actual keyboard. I was procrastinating big time and, yes, I probably had six or seven rounds of edits, but I think that’s fairly normal for a new writer. It was a pretty bad first draft, so it needed a lot of work. I learned quite a bit about writing over the years and was able to incorporate my learning into the changes.

4. What led you to write this story? Was it the characters, the problems with relationships?

   I’m going to be transparent here, otherwise I’d be keeping secrets and telling lies myself. I was deep in marital woes when I started writing this novel. I woke up one morning and these characters were talking in my head and I just went to the keyboard and let them have their say. Although it’s not my story, I think the emotions are so real, because I bought my personal pain to the project.

5. Did you get much support, like from writer’s workshops, from your peers, or from friends, in preparing your book?

   I am in the most awesome writers group on the planet. Although we’ve changed name and shape over the last six years, it started as a core group of ten women who all aspired to write a Christian fiction novel, now six years later, Sherri Lewis and Tia McCollors are multi-published Essence Bestselling authors, and Ashea Goldson is published also. I also have the best mentor in the world! Victoria Christopher Murray, a national bestselling author in her own right, is on speed dial. She has taught me everything I need to know about this business.

6. How does it feel to be a published author?

   Incredible. I’ve been trying to write a book since I was six. I became really serious about publication in 1998, and I sold my novel to my publisher two years ago. It’s been a long journey, but I can not describe how I feel every time I hold that book in my hand or stop by a bookstore and see it on a shelf. It’s amazing.

7. What are you doing to promote Secrets and Lies?  What has that experience been like?

   I’m doing everything. Internet advertising, interviews, reaching out to book clubs and individual readers. I use social media quite a bit and I find it really works. You build great relationships there. I want to reach out and hug my Facebook friends. They’ve been unbelievable. Then there’s local promotion like booksignings in Atlanta and eastern South Carolina where my parents live. It’s pretty exhausting. I’m more busy than I imagined, but it’s a good busy and I know it won’t be this intense all the time, or at least I hope it won’t. (LOL!) It’s worth it. This is my dream.

8. Have you been pleased with the feedback about your book?

   I have. My reviews are great. All of them. This honestly, humbles me. I mean, it’s my first book and you know you want it to be received well, but you never know. My reader emails make me cry. They really do. I’m very pleased.

9. Would you have done anything differently in writing your book, getting it published, or promoting it?

   The only thing I would have done differently was begin my career sooner. Now the market for Christian fiction is more competitive and of course I’m beginning in the worse economy since the Great Depression. Money is tight for consumers. Book sales are down, but I’m still optimistic. It is what it is, and I have to work from where I am.

10. Do you have plans for your next book?

    My second novel, An Inconvenient Friend, will be released on August 1, 2010 and I’m really excited about it also. My bad girl in book one spins off and gets her own book. She’s still not very nice and that made for some interesting writing.

Interview with Sharon M. Draper

Sharon M. Draper is a professional educator as well as an accomplished writer. She has been honored as the National Teacher of the Year, is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Literary Award, and is a New York Times bestselling author. She was selected as Ohio’s Outstanding High School Language Arts Educator, Ohio Teacher of the Year, and was chosen as a NCNW Excellence in Teaching Award winner. She is a Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award winner, and was the Duncanson Artist-in-Residence for the Taft Museum. She is a YWCA Career Woman of Achievement, and is the recipient of the Dean’s Award from Howard University School of Education, the Pepperdine University Distinguished Alumnus Award, the Marva Collins Education Excellence Award, and the Governor’s Educational Leadership Award.

Actively involved in encouraging and motivating all teachers and their students as well, she has worked all over the United States, as well as in Russia, Ghana, Togo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Bermuda, and Guam, spreading the word about the power of accomplished teaching and excellence in education.

Her literary recognition began when, as a challenge from one of her students, she entered and won first prize in a literary contest, for which she was awarded $5000 and the publication of her short story, “One Small Torch.” She has published numerous poems, articles, and short stories in a variety of literary journals. She is the published author of numerous articles, stories, and poems.

Tears of a Tiger has received numerous awards, including the American Library Association/Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for an outstanding new book, and was also honored as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. It was also named as Best of the Best by VOYA and the American Library Association as one of the top 100 books for young adults. Forged by Fire, the sequel to Tears of a Tiger, is the 1997 Coretta Scott King Award winner, as well as the winner of the ALA BEST Book Award and the Parent’s Choice Award and the Indiana Young Hoosier Award.

Darkness Before Dawn, the third book in the trilogy, is an ALA Top Ten Quick Pick, and has received the Children’s Choice Award from the International Reading Association and received the Buckeye Book Award for 2005, and was named an IRA Young Adult Choice for 2003.

Romiette and Julio is also listed as an ALA Best Book and has been selected by the International Reading Association as a 2000 Notable Book for a Global Society, and by the New York Public Library in their Books for the Teen Age.

The Battle of Jericho is the 2004 Coretta Scott King Honor Book, one of the New York Public Library’s Book for the Teen Age, and is one of the 2005 Young Adult Choice Books named by the International Reading Association.

Copper Sun received the 2007 Coretta Scott King Literature award, was named as one of the Top Ten Historical Fiction Books for Youth by Booklist was nominated for the 2007 NAACP Image Award for Literature, and received the Ohioana Award for Young Adult Literature.

November Blues received the 2008 Coretta Scott King Honor Book Literary Award and is honored on the 2008 New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age.

Ms. Draper travels extensively and has been a guest on television and radio programs throughout the country, discussing issues of literature, reading, and education. She is an accomplished public speaker who addresses educational and literary groups of all ages, both nationally and internationally, with entertaining readings of her poetry and novels, as well as enlightening instructional presentations. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and a golden retriever named Honey.

Web site: www.sharondraper.com

1. You have been recognized a number of times for your achievements as an educator.  Has teaching or your school experience influenced your writing?

   I think that being a teacher made me a better writer. But the two are inseparable. I’ve retired, but I’m in schools quite often, so I may as well be teaching. I think I understand kids’ mindset. Kids change, and slang changes, and the way young people look at the world changes a little bit, but basically, if you’re fifteen, you’re too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny, your hair’s too curly or too straight — you’re never quite right. If you understand that all fifteen-year-old girls feel like that whether they let you know it or not, then you can start to build a character. The girls will say to me, “That’s just the way I feel!” You know fifteen-year-old boys are worried about whether fifteen-year-old girls will like them. They might know a lot more than we knew at their age, but there’s still that innocence of a child. I think because I was a teacher I can capture that, and kids trust me. They write me letters like, “Dear Sharon, Girl, you is the bomb!” They write to me like they know me because I write like I know them, and they seem to feel it. They ask me questions; they ask me for advice. It’s amazing the things that they write to me. I really appreciate their trust.

2. It must be a wonderful feeling to go into a classroom now as an author and to see your books in school libraries.  What is the reaction of your educational colleagues?

   I’m still blown away when I visit a school library and I see rows and rows of my books. Well-worn, well-used, taped together. I was an avid reader as a kid, and to be that author that kids clamor for now is truly humbling. My colleagues who are teachers and librarians are so very supportive. They make great use of the study materials I provide on my website (sharondraper.com), and they await new titles so they can share them with their students. I can’t ask for anything more. Their support and their sharing of the books with their students means everything to me.

3. How do your readers react?  Any favorite stories?

   I get hundreds of emails and letters from students during the year. They are frank, sometimes funny, and always honest. “I have to do a report on you. Tell me everything you know about yourself. My report is due tomorrow, so please reply quickly.”

   Lots of them get very involved in the lives of the characters in the books–they want to know more about them–almost like they are friends by the time they finish them. That’s one reason why I write trilogies. What was just one book, becomes two, and then becomes three–mostly because of letters and inquiries from student readers. One girl asked me for the home phone number of one of the characters in Tears of a Tiger. She wrote me, “That girl has some serious issues, but I think I can help her!”

   Many students tell me, “I never liked to read” or “I’ve never read a whole book before” but “I read your book in one night and I couldn’t wait to read the others.” They like the reality and the honesty of the stories and locations and characters. Some of the letters are very touching. Sometimes they tell me that reading one of the books changed their lives. I had a student tell me she called the child abuse hotline in the back of Forged by Fire. She wrote me to thank me for saving her life. Another student wrote that he was depressed and was thinking of taking his life, but after reading Tears of a Tiger, he decided to live. I counseled him to talk to someone he trusted, and he wrote me back that he had. Anther student said she was reading Tears of a Tiger in class and that weekend some of her friends were drinking at a party. She thought about BJ in the book (who doesn’t drink), so she called her mother to come and pick her up. Her friends were killed that night in an automobile accident. It’s an awesome responsibility to have so much response to what I’ve written. That’s why I try so hard to make every single book ring true and honest and why I try to be available to them. I try to answer every single email and every single letter that I receive.

   One ninth-grade student who was interviewing for the school paper asked me what I thought about the powerful effect my books have on kids all over the country. I told her, “The proper answer is ‘It’s very gratifying,’ but the real answer is ‘way cool!”

4. Are most of your readers girls?

   No, from the emails I receive, I’d say the audience is divided pretty equally between boys and girls, and represent all races.

5. Any thoughts on what your readers are reading? Any impressions on what African American boys and girls are reading and the choices that they have for entertainment?

   I have found that young African Americans are reading lots more than the news media and the general public gives them credit for. We just need to provide them with quality books that speak to them. I would hope that young Black readers would demand such quality. We so often stoop to the lowest common denominator, like purchasing music which denigrates our women in the name of culture. So I’d hope that these young readers would demand books that reflect who they really are. As I travel around the country and talk to high school students, I’m overwhelmed by their strength and resilience, by their dreams for their future. Books should reflect their struggles and mirror their aspirations, not denigrate them into caricatures of reality. We’ve come too far to settle for less than the best.

   I tell them to read all the time. Read for pleasure and read for knowledge. Read to escape from problems and read to learn how to solve them. Read because you can. Our ancestors were beaten and even killed for daring to learn to read. Don’t let their sacrifice be for nothing. Honor them by reading all the time.

6. Considering your success as an writer, it seems amazing that you started writing almost on a dare.  And that your first story was turned down by 24 publishers. Did you take this “writing thing” as a challenge?

   The first short story was written as a challenge, but everything else came from some place deep within me. Writing for me is a very fluid process–I sit down a wait for the words to come. They usually do—in buckets and waves. It’s amazing. I look upon it as a blessing because the words come so easily. Sometimes I can’t even type fast enough to get the words out. When I write, I try to make strong characters that change and develop and learn from their mistakes. I think the layering comes in the story development. The plot is born from the idea, then is crafted by the characters and how they respond to what happens to them. I get up early in the morning and write all day—maybe ten or twelve hours a day. It is truly an act of immersion. It’s a thrilling, exciting process. I think I’ve just finished my twenty-ninth book!

7. You also have a couple of “Sassy” books ready to hit the shelves. Sassy represents a change of pace for you: your first series geared toward middle-grade girls. What can you tell us about “Sassy”?

   My daughter owns a dance studio, and I’m often there talking to the middle-grade girls who take dance classes. They are avid readers, enthusiastic conversationalists, and lively participants in their world. They have strong opinions about fashions and fads, about family and friends. I wanted to capture their joy of life, so I decided to create a character and write a book that they could embrace with passion. I think readers will love Sassy’s “spark and sparkle.” She’s delightful, yet realistic, with a strong sense of self and a yearning to find her place in the world. She could be anyone’s “little sister.”

   I hope that girls as well as boys enjoy reading about Sassy and her adventures. I wanted to show a strong family setting, with busy parents who care for their children, and an extended family of grandparents who complete the circle. The stories are easy enough to be read by children in second or third grade, but have ideas advanced enough for discussion for children in upper elementary grades as well.

   But the Sassy books are not my first books for this age group. I have written six books called The Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs series. These books, in which the main characters are African American boys, are geared to grades 3, 4, and 5 as well. I do lots of presentations at elementary schools and I love talking to, and listening to the children. They ask wonderful questions and are deeply excited about books and reading. When I write, I try to capture their voices and their honesty. Their age doesn’t matter.

8. What can you tell us about Just Another Hero, and the preceding novels, The Battle for Jericho and November Blues?
   

   Just Another Hero is Book 3 in the Jericho Trilogy. In Book One, The Battle of Jericho, we meet the characters and discover that making the right decisions is one of the hardest choices faces teens today. They feel so pressured to fit in that they are often willing to even risk their own lives to feel part of the accepted crowd. So Jericho and his friends make terrible decisions, and young readers can talk about those choices.
   Book Two, November Blues, continues the story by focusing on the girlfriend of one of the young men in the first book. She is left to face her own choices alone, and she struggles through much of the book as a consequence.
   When I started Book Three, Just Another Hero, I wanted to tackle the issue of school violence, but I couldn’t write about killing children. I wanted to bring up the issue so young adults can talk about it, without gratuitous bloodshed. I also wanted to discuss the idea of heroism. What is a hero? What makes a hero? We have a tendency to think of heroes as movie stars; I wanted young people to talk about the real heroes in their lives.

9. Any plans to do a “grown-up” novel?

   I have no plans to write an adult novel. I love writing for teen readers.

10. Any favorite books or authors? What’s on your nightstand?

    Currently, I still am a reader. That stack of books by everyone’s bed — I have that same stack: books I’ve read, books I’m going to read, books I need to read, books that people have told me are good books to read. My favorite author right now is Diane McKinney-Whetstone. She’s an African-American author, and if I could write grown-up books, I’d write like her. She just writes beautifully, with quality and with depth. I sent her an e-mail recently and said, “I don’t want to sound like one of the fifteen-year-olds who write to me, but gee, I like your writing!” I really did sound like a kid when I wrote it. I also admire Olympia Vernon, who is a powerful, powerful African-American voice.

11. If you were asked to coalesce your work into one sentence, what might that be?

    I try to write powerful, meaningful stories for young people and show them I understand the difficulties of growing up, and to let them know I care.

Interview with Diane Martin

Diane Martin was born in Chicago, Illinois. And she currently lives in the Chicago area. She earned her Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree from Chicago State University. She is the author of three novels: Never What it Seems, Autumn Leaves, & Fallen Angel.

Diane describes herself as “a nerd by nature – spending most of my time writing, marketing, editing, responding to emails, and taking care of my family…not always in that order.”

I’ve studied under some incredible people, but have chosen not to “drop” names because I want people to buy my books and support me because they believe in me and my work.

I have written three novels in one year and edited/published another. I’ve been blessed that everyone enjoys my novels. We are on the second print of Never What it Seems after only one year in circulation. Autumn Leaves, my second novel, went international last year – during the first seven months of its release. Currently, I am proud to say that they are all still doing well even in this economy.

My novels have been “checked-out” more often than any fiction novel currently in circulation and more copies of my novels have been stolen from the local libraries as often as Sista Soulja‘s, The Coldest Winter Ever. One library director told me that, “You know you’ve made it when people start stealing your books.” One library had to purchase several copies of my novels just to meet the demand and during the first year of their release there was always a waiting list to take them out of the library.

Humble by nature, I don’t usually share things like this, but I’m telling you.

I don’t know if any of this is interesting, but it’s as interesting as it gets.

• What got you started with writing? And, what led you to self-publishing your own books?
  I’ve always loved literature, but never saw myself as a writer. I was writing something one day and my husband stumbled upon it. After reading it, he said, “I didn’t know that you could write.” I thought that he said that because he loved me, but he kept encouraging me to finish. Of course, as a mother and a wife, I wasn’t thinking about finishing a book – I didn’t have time to read one, let alone, write one. After obtaining a Master’s in English, he approached me again about finishing the book, but as always, life dictated something else. Finally, a year ago he asked me again about writing and told me that if I would write, he would take care of everything else. Three novels later, here I am. I decided to self-publish because I wanted to have complete control over my art.
  
   
• How do you go about creating your characters and your plots? What inspires you — Do you start with characters or with a plot?
  My novels are my dreams. When I write, the goal is to get the story out of my head and onto paper.

  Fallen Angel is the story of a man. He’s someone who walks among us every-day. On the outside, he’s the picture of perfection, but on the inside there’s a war going on. His name is Izrael, biblically, the Angel of Death. He just wants to be left alone as he struggles to deal with the demons of his past – his fears, his guilt, and his regrets. Everyone wants him – to be a part of his world whether willingly or by force. He fights daily to destroy the frightening thoughts that wreak havoc on his ability to find balance and peace of mind. He realizes that in order to survive – a part of him must die. His survival – his redemption depends on it. Join me as we take a journey with Izrael as he delivers his message with contempt and conviction.

  I wrote this novel to bring awareness to mental illness and how it affects those who are forced to live with it and the family who has to take the journey with them. It is a debilitating disease and so many of our soldiers who has returned home from the war are dealing with it. My novel depicts the dark side of it. Izrael doesn’t represent every individual dealing with the disease. He is a physical manifestation of their dreams, their nightmares, and often their reality from my perspective.
  
   

• Do you have a favorite character? Will we be seeing more of that character in your books?
  I don’t have a favorite character. I love them all.
  
   
• Is writing easy for you? Or, do you have to enforce a discipline to write, to review, to re-write?
  Writing is really easy for me. I write at least 15 hours a day. I really love it.
  
   
• Another slant on the previous question: Is writing getting easier for you, now that you are a published author? How much input do you get from your fans and critics?

  I receive a lot of reviews from my readers. I really appreciate the feedback. I have published many of them on my website and in my books. It is my way of saying ‘thank you’ for supporting me.
  
   

• What are you doing to market and promote your books?
  I’ve done a lot of book-signings, television interviews, radio interviews, online-chats, emails, and I promote them via word of mouth. Book signings are most effective and I enjoy them because it gives me the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people.
  
   
• Any plans for a next project?
  We just finished my husband’s book and I am currently working on the sequel of my first novel, entitled, Never What it Seems.
  
   
• What are your favorite reads? What books are your shelves?
  I enjoy all forms of literature. I love to read anything written by Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Frederick Douglass, Ernest J. Gaines, and Langston Hughes. I am a collector of African-American literature.

Interview with Cheryl Robinson

Author Cheryl Robinson has penned her latest novel about a forty-three year old woman falling in love with a twenty-five year old man.  In Love with A Younger Man (NAL Trade, January 2009)is more than a new twist on the hot topic and growing trend of relationships between older women and younger men. It is about the sacrifice that some women make in their personal life in exchange for a lucrative career. Often forgoing family, friendships, and the work life balance needed. Moreover it is about redefining self and rediscovering love. 
 
A bestselling author and native Detroiter, Cheryl Robinson has been known for writing novels with a twist, portraying women who face the odds and succeed. Cheryl began her literary journey in 2002 as a self-published author of two novels; Memories of Yesterday and When I Get Free. Memories of Yesterday, the story of Winona Fairchild, a single mother of two concealing her HIV status, and Porter Washington, the man who falls in love with Winona before learning of her status. Memories of Yesterday appeared on the Essence Bestseller list in July 2004, which was a major accomplishment for an independent author. It was later re-released in January 2005 by NAL Trade a division of The Penguin Group under the title, If It Ain’t One Thing in a two book deal that included the sequel, It’s Like That. If It Ain’t One Thing, now in its third printing, also appeared on the Essence Bestseller list in September 2006 and numerous other best seller lists including The Dallas Morning News.
 
In addition, Cheryl signed two more book deals with NAL Trade; Sweet Georgia Brown (January 2008) is the story of Georgia Brown, a humble housewife determined to become a household name and her obnoxious husband Marvelous Marvin, a popular syndicated morning radio host who readers love to hate, and In Love With A Younger Man (January 2009), the story of a very successful female corporate professional who falls in love with a man eighteen years her junior while on a one-year paid sabbatical, and although fictional, the story does at times mirror Cheryl’s current relationship. She also contributed to the anthology These Are My Confessions with her novella entitled Strapped. It was the first African-American erotica collection released by AVON Red, a division of HarperCollins Publishing.
 
Currently, Cheryl resides in central Florida and spends most weekends in Atlanta, Georgia, which is quickly becoming her home away from home. She is writing her next novel, which is the second book in a series that revolves around Olena Day.

• With your current book, a lot has been made about your reality inspiring your fiction. Tell us about your writing experiences with this book as opposed to your earlier books.

  Every book I have written have revolved around a woman who was broken in some way, but who finds the courage to move on from her past and live again. With In Love With A Younger Man, I put a little bit of my college experiences from Howard University into this book, but very little. For instance, there is a scene where Olena is reflecting about being a part of the fashion show at Howard and what she experienced at the after-party that was held in one of the row houses. None of that was fiction. I was one of the models in the fashion show my second year at Howard and yes, I did have a big crush on the fashion show director who happened to be gay, but I at the time I didn’t know.

  Aside from that, Olena is the first character I have written about who was single with no children and from that standpoint I can really relate to her.
  

• 
  How do you go about creating your characters and your plots? What inspires you?

  Often I’m inspired by the people I meet and the conversations that I overhear. I don’t consider myself to be nosey, but I must say I’m a great listener even when I’m not the one being spoken to.

• Is writing easy for you? Or, do you have to enforce a discipline to write, to review, to re-write?

  Writing is a process that is becoming easier for me. I used to never enjoy the revision process, but now it is one of my favorite parts in the process. My favorite part is the beginning. I love beginnings.

• Another slant on the previous question: Is writing getting easier for you, now that you are a published author? How much input do you get from your fans and critics?

  For me, being a published author does not make the process any easier. As far as input from fans and critics I get a fair share, but because I love hearing from those who have read my books I don’t think I could ever get enough.

• How much effort does it take for you to get a book published now as opposed to when you were getting started?

  I believe that getting my next book published depends on the success of my previous book combined with the belief my editor and publisher have in me as a writer. Publishing is not an easy business by any means. Now that I am published I have to pitch my ideas first to my agent and from that point my agent pitches the idea to my editor. However, my perception prior to getting picked up by a major publisher was that once I got picked up the process would be easy. Even distribution isn’t easier. Just because an author is published doesn’t mean you will see their book everywhere books are sold. However, you can order the book from any place books are sold because so many major distributors will carry the book.

• What are you doing to market and promote In Love with a Younger Man?

  I am connecting with book clubs across the country, marketing on various web sites that attract readers, doing blogtalk radio interviews. I have a web site, which is www.cherylrobinson.com and www.myspace.com/cherylrobinson

• Any plans for a next project? Will we see the same characters again?

  My next project will be released in April 2010. It is the story of Alicia Day and her two half sisters. Alicia Day was one of the supporting characters from In Love with a Younger Man. She is Olena Day’s niece. Aside from Alicia all of the characters are new. And the story has nothing to do with Olena’s story. But Olena may make a cameo.

Interview with Paulette Harper

Paulette Harper is an emerging Christian Author making her debut with her first inspirational book “That Was Then, This Is Now, This Broken Vessel Restored”, a compelling story of deception, heart-ache and ultimate victory. In 10 chapters she masterfully uncovers the hidden obstacles she faced as the “first lady” and how she eventually broke through those barriers.

A native of Pittsburg, Ca, Paulette travels as an Inspirational speaker and licensed minister teaching people how to overcome life’s unexpected experiences by delivering a strong message of hope. Beyond her writing ability she has a passion to lead people to a clear and precise understanding of how life challenges can become one’s ultimate source of victory by sharing solid, biblical principles that will enable people to find a way out of every trial so they can reach their God given potential.

Paulette has been a contributing writer for Inspired Women, WOW Magazine, Divine Inspiration, Average Girl, Mentoring Moments, Internet Café, and Live Magazine. She has also been featured in Grace and Mercy Magazine and EKG Literary Magazine. She has been appeared on numerous TV and radio stations in the Northern California area.

To schedule Paulette Harper for a book club meeting, interview, book signing, speaking engagement, workshop, seminar, or other appearance, please contact her at paulet_harper@yahoo.com. For more information about Paulette and her new release “That Was Then, This Is Now,” visit: Broken Vessel Ministry

• What has been your writing experience like with your first book? Was it more or less difficult to write? What was your writing process like?

  While writing That Was Then, I was filled with excitement knowing that God had called me to do something out of the norm. Writing has never been something I had ever imagined doing so to see the journey I’ve been traveling has been exciting. That Was Then This Is Now is a non-fiction inspirational genre and it is about me so sharing it to the world was quite easy to do. My process of writing That Was Then is such that I named the chapter titles first and I built my story around each title. For example chapter 1 is entitled “Built to stand”. I chronicled several situations that I was faced with that required me to stand and face the opposition and I provided the scriptures as a reference guide to use in prayer.
  

• What has been the reader reaction to your book? Have they provided encouragement?

  The response from the readers has been very positive. I’ve gotten many comments on how That Was Then, This Is Now has brought encouragement, hope and healing in so many lives. I get e-mails, phone calls and even people just approaching me to tell me how the book has blessed them.

• How have you set out to promote it? Any book signings or book tours?

  I have a publicist assisting me in marketing That Was Then, This Is Now however I have continued to put the book before readers by using many on line magazine companies; I have joined many network sites; I have several websites and a blog page. I constantly look on line for promotional offers. I’ve written several articles that have made it possible for me to share about That Was Then, This Is Now. I’m am also a columnist for Step up Sista which is an on line magazine which allows me the exposure I need to get word out about That Was Then, This Is Now.

  My calendar continues to be full of book signing and speaking engagements. I’m planning on traveling to Alabama, Georgia and Florida later in summer months.

• What are you reading now?

  Currently reading Dr. Linda Beed novel “Business Unusual.”

  I’ve read “Illusions” by Wanda Campbell. A Christian fiction but with real life issues. One of the reasons why I loved this book is because I could identify with the characters. It’s a story about a Pastor, his family and his church. In the story I began to reflect on my own life and some of the same issues that the first lady struggled with were my own. Even though it was fiction the situations and circumstances are things in which we face today. This book was one on hope, restoration and healing.

  I’ve read “The good stuff” by Michelle Stimpson. Another Christian fiction. A great read for those having problems in their marriages. What I loved about this book was the fact that the writer showed the importance of standing in a marriage and believing God to bring restoration. I was inspired because Michelle revealed that marriages takes work and both people need to have a open heart in order for God to come in and make things better.

  Since becoming a writer, my library has enlarged to include Christian Fiction. I usually read inspirational books. TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Joel Olsteen, Miles Monroe to name a few.
  

• Tell us about That was Then, This is Now: How did you come up with the title of the book?

  That Was Then, This Is Now is a nonfiction inspirational book. I uncover the obstacles, barriers and hindrances I faced as the “first lady” while going through a divorce. It is a must read for anyone facing bumps in the road, those who are dealing with life’s challenges, disappointments and let downs. It is definitely a book that will inspire, motivate and encourage anyone to face every trial and test in life knowing that God will bring victory to them. The title was derived from a desire of wanting the readers to see the condition my life was in and the progression I was making as I traveled in unfamiliar territory.

• Is there a message that you wanted your readers to grasp? Who were you writing to?

  The message is clear I want people to experience freedom and That Was Then, gives one a genuine message of hope. That Was Then, is written for those who are still scared by divorce, trauma and the issues of life. I survive what I called one of the greatest trials and I want people to realize that God will and can pull you out of your situation and bring good to you.

• I assume that most of the book is shaped by your experiences but, are there other experiences that gave you additional inspiration to write this book?

  I realized that all during the ordeal God was carrying me through the rages of life. Even when He seemed so distant He was there. I continued believing that God was not allowing me to experience the things I was experiencing in vain.

• Are you planning to write a follow-up?

  Actually I’ve started writing another book entitled: Completely Whole which will be released next year. It’s not a follow up to That Was Then, but I will share how God uses life tough times to bring us to a place of wholeness in Him, spirit, soul and body.

• How does writing fit into your plans? What are your current projects?

  I’ve had to rearrange my whole life and put things in proper order. Writing has now become one of my major projects. I understand that I have something in me that is worth sharing and I’ve seen positive results from writing my first book. I will also launch writer’s workshops to assist other inspiriting authors and poets move from procrastination to become published authors.

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