Author Zetta Brown

AUTHOR ZETTA BROWN

Zetta Brown is a Texas girl now living in Scotland with her husband. In 1998 she was the regional first-place winner for The National Society of Arts & Letters (NSAL) Award for Short Fiction. Her work has been published in literary journals produced by Tarrant County College, Mary Hardin-Baylor University and Southern Methodist University. In 1999 and 2000, her stories were adapted for performance for Letters Live! at the Craft of Writing conference in Denton, Texas.

Zetta is currently Editor-in-Chief for LL-Publications, which she runs together with her husband, author and publisher, Jim Brown.

MESSALINA
Devourer of Men

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

I am married to the most romantic Scotsman in the world, Jim Brown, and together we own/operate LL-Publications and the imprint Logical-Lust Publications. I’m Editor-in-Chief for LL-Publications where I’m always looking for good genre fiction whereas Logical-Lust Publications focuses on romance and erotica.

Learn more about our publishing company here:
LL-Publications – http://www.ll-publications.com
Logical-Lust Publications – http://www.logical-lust.com

Then, there are my blogs:

“Zetta Brown – She’s a colourful woman.” This is my “author” blog where I update with things I’m doing and anything else I feel like posting.
http://zettabrown.blogspot.com or http://www.myspace.com/zettabrown

“The Full-Bodied Book Blog” – where the discussion focuses on books with “characters of substance.” http://fullbodiedbooks.blogspot.com

“Sistah in Scotland” – is my new blog where I chronicle my thoughts of being a black woman living in Scotland http://sistahinscotland.blogspot.com

Feel free to subscribe/follow any of them!

What is your earliest writing memory?

I started writing my first novel when I was 10. A friend and I thought it would be fun to write our own version of books we had been reading. I started working on a trilogy based on The Island of Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell, with touches of information I had learned about the Titanic as well as books I was reading by Anne McCaffrey (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger, Dragondrums). I was the female protagonist and John Lennon was my love interest, which made things weird after he got assassinated. In the end, I wrote the first volume during that summer and started on the second, which I finished early the next year. I started writing on the third and final installment but only got half way through because, believe it or not, I was bored with the story!

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

I feel accomplished that I have finally been able to express in words what had been on my mind . . . then the editing begins . . . I’m also eager to start on the next project!

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

I started to write Messalina – Devourer of Men because, at the time, there were no erotic or erotic romance novels featuring larger women, let alone a woman of color, and definitely not an interracial romance. This is no longer the case, but at the time, interracial romances were still considered exotic, if not taboo (sigh!) and having a large woman in the lead just was not done. She could be the comic relief, but not a love interest. I created Eva Cavell to disprove all of that and developed Jared Delaney as a man who was not only artistic, but could appreciate a woman with curves could be sexually, physically, and aesthetically attractive.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

My next novel, Malice, is more of an erotic mystery/suspense. My aim is for it to be released in May/June 2009. The premise for Malice is: what would you do if you were not only implicated in a murder, but found out that murderous intent runs in your family?

I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say I’ve never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

Messalina – Devourer of Men is about a woman in her mid-thirties, Eva Cavell, who has struggled with her body image all her life and it has tethered her emotionally and sexually. While she’s the obedient daughter and model employee, she knows a sex goddess lurks inside her, determined to escape. As a result, she has anonymous sex (or rather, foreplay) in order relieve some of her sexual tension, but even this is no longer enough. Then Jared Delaney enters her life. He’s a smooth-talking Texan and an artist with penetrating violet eyes. His attraction to Eva is immediate and intense and he starts to flirt with Eva’s inner sex goddess—with explosive results.

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do when you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

1) I would assume they haven’t gotten laid lately, and if they had, it wasn’t good.
2) I would file their review under “Whatever” because I know I can write.
3) I’d go hook up with my other author friends and readers I’ve met online, hang with my family and non-author friends—anyone who can help me take my mind off of it so it doesn’t throw me off my stride.
4) Possibly create a character like the reviewer in my next story and cast him/her as a villain ;-)

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I am very fortunate to have as a mentor Laura Parker Castoro. She has a successful romance writing career spanning from 1980 and has been a fountain of information and encouragement. The same goes for romance author Judi McCoy who helped critique my initial submission of Messalina – Devourer of Men when I was looking for a NY publisher. I am very lucky to be able to call them both friends and if I can get a fraction of their recognition and audience share, I’ll be happy!

What books would you recommend on writing?

Any thing in the Write Great Fiction series by Writer’s Digest Books
• Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint – Nancy Kress
• Plot and Structure - James Scott Bell
• Dialogue – Gloria Kempton
How to Write a Mystery – Larry Beinhart
Elements of Style – Strunk & White
The Gregg Reference Manual (latest edition)

To name a few . . .

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

I wouldn’t take over 10 years writing the first draft of my debut novel, that’s for sure! I would have tried harder to make time for my writing.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Take time to learn the craft of writing. Fiction writing is more than just telling a good story. Learn about the “elements of fiction:” plot, characterization, dialogue, pacing, word choice, setting—the list goes on. You need to learn about grammar and punctuation—all those things you may have glossed over or ignored in school because no editor will have the time or patience to teach you. You also need to read. Why write stories and books if you can’t be bothered reading the works of others?

Learn to take criticism and learn to tell the difference between criticism meant to help and criticism meant to hurt. The former comes from people whom you know speak sense and/or know what they’re talking about; people you can trust and won’t just give you lip service. The latter always comes from someone who is bitter about something and that’s their problem—not yours.

All of this doesn’t have to be a chore. It can actually be quite fun and you will meet and make new friends. And you don’t have to learn everything overnight! But you should never think that you know it all.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Visit my website, http://www.zettabrown.com, and my blogs:
The Full-Bodied Book Blog http://fullbodiedbooks.blogspot.com
Sistah in Scotland http://sistahinscotland.com

Author David Karanga

AUTHOR DAVID KARANJA

David Karanja was born in 1971 in Nairobi, Kenya. He studied anthropology at the University of Nairobi where he graduated in 1995. His first novel, The Girl was Mine, was published in 1996. A Dreamer's Paradise is his second novel.

A Dreamer's Paradise

Let’s start getting your shine on. Tell us who you are beyond an author.

I am 37 years old. I am married and I have a two month old son. Besides writing books, I am a journalist. I have written for various publications worldwide in the past 13 years. For the last four years, I have been working for Nation Media Group as a Sub-Editor for The East African, a weekly business newspaper which is sold in Kenya , Uganda , Tanzania and Burundi .

Show us when you realized you had a passion for writing?

My passion for writing developed in1985 when I was in primary school. My English teacher, Joseph Mburu, started a library for us. He would get books from a library in Nairobi and tell us that we too could become writers. He encouraged us to write short stories, which he would read and give suggestions on necessary improvements. I got interested in writing and the teacher would often read my stories to the rest of the students, describing meas “a good writer.” When I joined secondary school in 1996, I wrote my first manuscript, which was however rejected by publishers. It was only after I joined the University of Nairobi in 1990 that I wrote a book that was published. It is called The Girl Was Mine and it was published in 1996 by East African Educational Publishers.

We understand that uniqueness counts in the literary world, but we equally understand there must be relatability. Tell us an author with whom you share similar writing styles.

I think my writing style is similar to that of Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe.

Show us how your styles are similar.

Chinua Achebe writes simple prose about the lives of ordinary people while explaining the culture of his community.In my second novel, A Dreamer's Paradise , I have done the same. Through Mathina, the main character, I tried to show the challenges of life in modern Africa , which has encountered Western influence.

Tell us your preferred writing genre and the genre you prefer to read.

My preferred writing genre is literary fiction. My stories explore themes that are relevant to modern society and my concern is to help push for cultural development. I like reading literary fiction and romance novels.

Show us what your audience looks like.

My books target a general audience,though they are particularly popular with secondary school students. They are taught as literature texts in many of Kenya 's secondary schools.

Tell us an important lesson, on the business side of publishing, that you've learned on your journey.

The most important lesson is that creativity and business are strange bedfellows, especially in Africa .There are very few publishing houses on the continent and these prefer to publish school text books as they have a ready market through government funded schemes. Novels are only published if the publishers have “some free money” in their annual budgets. My first novel, for instance, was published five years after it was formally accepted for publishing.

Going back to the beginning, show us the day you received your publication offer or the first time you saw your bound book.

I was given a publication offer for The Girl Was Mine on 20th July, 1991. The book was however published in May 1996. I was excited when I was given six copies of the book by my publisher. I was confident that I had finally become an author.

Tell us your expectations of an aspiring author approaching you for information about writing/publishing?

An aspiring author should first have a passion for writing. I will be willing to guide the author, including reading for free their manuscript to give an independent review of its quality.

Readyto shine? Tell us the name of your book.

My first book is called The Girl Was Mine. The second one is called A Dreamer's Paradise .

From one of your character's point of view, show us why we should buy it.

The book talks about the tribulations of Africa in the global geopolitical order. It emphasizes the need for Western countries to stop patronizing Africa but instead open their markets for the continent's export products.

Tell us where we can find you on the internet.

The books can be found at http://www.readwidemedia.com

Author Gwynne Forster

AUTHOR GWYNNE FORSTER

Gwynne Forster was born in North Carolina, grew up in Washington, D. C., and has lived, studied and worked in New York City ever since she came of voting age. She considers herself a humanitarian, a perspective that she inherited from her mother, a high school principal, and which she also attributes to her work and education in the social sciences, more specifically, demography. Her fiction writing reflects her training in the sociology of the family and her understanding of inter-personal relations. It should not be surprising then, that quite a few of Gwynne’s novels and novellas are set within the context of the family.



Fiction writing is Gwynne Forster’s second career. She holds bachelors and masters degrees in sociology, a master’s degree in economics/demography and has additional graduate credits in journalism. As a demographer, she is widely published. She is formerly chief of (non-medical) research in fertility and family planning in the Population Division of the United Nations in New York and served for four years as chairperson of the International Programme Committee of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (London, England). These positions took her on official business to sixty-three developed and developing countries. Gwynne sings on her church choir, loves to entertain, and is a museum hopper, gourmet cook and avid gardener. She enjoys classical music, opera, jazz and blues with her husband with whom she lives in New York City.

This is just an excerpt of Gwynne's bio; to read the rest head over to her website.

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

I'm a demographer, and as such, I worked for seventeen years a Chief of Fertility and Planning Research in the Population Division, United Nations, New York. Following that, I served as chairwoman of the International Programme Committe, International Planned Parenthood Federation, London with leadership of its family planning programmes in 126 different countries. These positions have taken me to 63 developing countries that I can count from memory, and I have visited or worked in the vast majority of European countries. I have three university degrees, I love music, especially jazz, blues and all classical forms. I'm married, have raised a stepson, and I live with my husband, who is also a demographer.

What is your earliest writing memory?

I think about age five, because I could read and write at that age, but I don't recall specific things that I wrote.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

Enormous relief. By the time I finish a manuscript, my next one is already fighting for room in my head.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

A Different Kind of Blues is one of two books due out in October. It is mainstream women's fiction. Having to fulfill a contract, I asked myself what kind of heroine would offer a challenge to me after having written almost forty books and novellas. I was watching television and saw a commercial about a woman who'd just been told she had two months in which to live. I didn't want to make it quite that melodramatic, but I wanted a heroine strong enough to cope with a terrible shock without having to write a morbid story about her. I came up with Petra Fields, who set out to do all the things she'd always wanted to do, credit card bills be hanged.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

My current project, Finding Mr. Right, is about a woman hell bent on exercising her right to chose her man herself, without any one's help. Even when the ideal guy is presented to her, she insists on doing her own choosing and nearly ruins everything.

I'm a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let's say I've never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

My latest release has received outstanding reviews, and if you like enough suspense to keep you turning the pages and even dreading possible outcomes, enough mind-blowing sex to make you jealous of the heroine and an Alpha Male you'll dream about forever, Drive Me Wild is for you.

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do if you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

I'd shrug it off. A review is just one person's opinion.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I can't think of any author who has influenced my aspirations insofar as fiction writing is concerned. That is because I became a novel writer by chance after having enjoyed a highly successful career as a demographer, one for which I am trained. All I receive from fiction writing is, as far as I am concerned, pure gravy.

What books would you recommend on writing?

John Gardner, The Art Of Fiction

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

I wouldn't have written a romance as my first book. I write mainstream fiction, and some of my books have won awards, but they are always judged as romances, because reviewers associate me with romance. And when they complain about something, it's usually what distinguished mainstream women's fiction from a romance.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Don't be disappointed by rejections. When you get one, clean up the manuscript and send it to the next editor on your list. The appraisal of fiction is, in some important aspects, highly subjective.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Probably that I have great respect for the English language, don't feel comfortable using blue language and love nature and people, not to mention tall, good-looking, educated and successful men.

You can find out more about Gwynne Forster and her books on her website: www.gwynneforster.com

Author Stormy Glenn

AUTHOR STORMY GLENN

Let’s start getting your shine on. Tell us who you are beyond an author.

Oh boy, me beyond being an author… that’s a big one. First and foremost, I’m a Mom of six wonderful teenagers, three boys and three girls. I am also married to the man of my dreams, my high school sweetheart (yes, there’s great romance story there), and he is the model I use for all of my heroes. I read like crazy and I love to cook. I also have neon green toenails, I am addicted to iced vanilla mochas with whip cream, and have a secret obsession for B-Rated monster/disaster movies.

Show us when you realized you had a passion for writing?

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love to write, whether it was for school or for pleasure. I’ve just always done it. I used to get extra credit in school by writing essays. I started writing stories about ten years ago, mostly for my own pleasure and because I had this burning need to get the “characters” out of my head. Once a story idea takes place, I become obsessed with getting it out. I go through withdrawals if I can’t get to my computer to write. It’s not a pretty sight. About six months ago, my husband bought me a laptop. After that, I kind of lost my ever-loving mind. I’ve been writing non-stop ever since.

We understand that uniqueness counts in the literary world, but we equally understand there must be relatability. Tell us an author with whom you share similar writing styles.

Oh, I’m not sure my “style” matches any one author specifically. I have authors I wish I shared a writing style with… J.L. Langley, Carol Lynne, maybe Jade Buchanan. These are some of the authors that I read and wish my style was similar with. If I was to say who my style was most similar to, though, it would be mostly like Carol Lynne.

Show us how your styles are similar.

I think my style is closest to Carol’s because of the way I feel when I read her work. I cry, I laugh, I get angry, I fall in love with her characters. That’s how I feel about my characters. They live in my head (and it’s a mess up there). They live, and laugh, and love through every word I write. That’s what I get from Carol’s books. We both believe in happy endings, that everyone deserves true love, and that to find and keep true love, you have to work at it. But, it’s worth it in the end.

Tell us your preferred writing genre and the genre you prefer to read.

Hmmm… that’s a hard one since I don’t have favorite books, I have favorite bookshelves. But, if I had to nail it down, I would say that I love to read erotic, paranormal, gay, sci-fi, werewolf romances. I also would have a hard time picking a genre for my writing. I write whatever comes into my head. Currently, though, I have been writing erotic paranormal, werewolf, futuristic, contemporary, gay, ménage a trois romances.

Show us what your audience looks like.

My audience would feel a tingle in the middle of their palm when they read a really good erotic romance/romance novel. They would cry at the sad things and the conflicts, maybe even laugh at the humor. They might come across a passage that they just had to read to someone else. It would be all they could do not to go to the end of the book and read it just to make sure that the characters had a happy ending. My audience would believe in true love and happily ever after endings.

Tell us an important lesson, on the business side of publishing, that you've learned on your journey.

The most important lesson I learned was that the work doesn’t stop when you sign the contract. That was the most astonishing thing to me. I just assumed I would send them my manuscript, sign a contract, do a couple of promo things and that was it. Boy, was I wrong! I spend one day doing promos, answering emails, updating my blog, myspace, and website, popping in at my yahoo groups, etc… the other day is spent writing. Luckily, I write fast or I’d never get another book done. And my books haven’t even been released yet. I can’t imagine what it will be like when they are.

Going back to the beginning, show us the day you received your publication offer or the first time you saw your bound book.

My first three publication offers came very quickly, all within the same ten days. Talk about being overwhelmed. But, my first one came on a Sunday. We had been out of town all day and I was checking my email. I was so stunned, I had to read the offer three times before it sank in. I just turned to my husband and said, “I’ve been publish”. It was pretty much the same thing the next week when the next offer came, and four days later when the third offer came. I’m still stunned. I keep reading the offer emails over and over again.

Tell us your expectations of an aspiring author approaching you for information about writing/publishing?

The first thing I would tell them is to never give up. You’re going to receive a zillion rejection letters… expect it. But try to look at it as a learning experience. At least your name is getting out there.

The second thing I would tell you is not to be afraid to ask questions. Most of the authors I have met have been very friendly and helpful. They want to see us all succeed and they know more than you do. And remember that no matter how many books we have published or how long we’ve been in the business, there is always room for improvement.

The last thing I would tell you is to be passionate about what you do… love it, live it, breath it.

Ready to shine? Tell us the name of your book.

Secret Desires, Siren Publishing, October 20, 2008

The Katzman’s Mate, Siren Publishing, release early 2009

A Promise Kept, Torquere Press, release early 2009

And I just received an offer from Siren Publishing for four more books, My Lupine Lover, Sweet Treats, Full Moon Mating, and Forbidden Desires (sequel to Secret Desires). These don’t have a release dates yet.

From one of your character's point of view, show us why we should buy it.

If I were Leyland from Secret Desires I would tell you to buy the book because I’m just that damn cute. How could you possibly pass on a face like this sexy? Just don’t tell my cowboy I said that. He hates it when I flirt. When he gets upset, the fur will fly and I’m not cleaning it up afterwards.

Tell us where we can find you on the internet.

Stormy’s website: www.stormyglenn.com

Stormy’s Rantings http://stormyglenn.blogspot.com/

Stormy’s Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/stormyglenn

Stormy at Siren Publishing: http://www.sirenpublishing.com/stormyglenn/

Stormy at Manic Readers: http://manicreaders.com/StormyGlenn/

Stormy’s Email: stormyglenn@hotmail.com

Author Jean Holloway

AUTHOR JEAN HOLLOWAY

Ace of Hearts

(click on picture to purchase)

Jean Holloway says: "I was born October 10, 19… in good ole Queens, New York. I had a difficult childhood, though it’s not your usual abuse story. I developed severe eczema and most of my schoolmates shunned me until high school. Books became my friend.

Early in life, I found myself fascinated by the macabre. I would actually set my alarm if one of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock, Rod Serling or One Step Beyond was coming on late at night. These kept me up ‘til the wee hours of the morning.

Being raised in Amityville was the icing on the cake. My biological mother died when I was thirteen, the age where puberty reared its ugly head. Needless to say, I was a wife and mother by the time I was seventeen, divorced at twenty. Then I met Fred, my second, current and final husband. We’ve been married over 36 years. He helped me become an adult although I went kicking and fighting the whole way. Together, we raised six children.

Reading was my education. I can’t list my degrees or college affiliations. I learned from the masters; Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Jean Auel, even Sidney Sheldon. I love you all."

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

I came from a rather large blended family with 3 sisters and 3 brothers, one deceased.

I'm a wife of 36 years, mother of 6 (5 sons, 1 daughter), Gramma of 9. God & family are the most important things in my life. I can honestly say I'm still in love with my husband, Fred, so I know I'm truly blessed. I love to read and own a small collection of porcelain dolls.

My other claim to fame is I did stand-up comedy for over two years and have been on stage at the Comedy Store. Oprah did a show way back in '85 on "Housewife Comediennes", I think, and they showed a clip of one of my auditions, but while running the credits! Still, it was amazing how many phone calls I got!!

What is your earliest writing memory?

I was more of a reader than a writer, but the first thing I wrote was a poem for my infant son. He's 40 now!! ;o) I actually wrote "Ace" on a dare. My youngest sister, Lori, said "You read so much, I bet you could write a book and I said, "I bet I could" and began thinking of what I'd like to write. My favorite books and movies were always the ones that would grab me in the beginning and then smack me when I didn't see it coming. So that's what I hope "Ace" does to my readers.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

What a feeling of accomplishment. The only thing better was having children! In fact, it's a lot like giving birth without the physical contractions, but you do have a few emotional ones. You should I finished the manuscript in 1982, but after several rejections, I shelved it for the next 22 years while working and raising our family.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

I was brought up in the era of blaxploitation TV and films. When I started "Ace of Hearts", I wanted to portray a strong, intelligent Black heroine, sort of that "Get Christy Love" vibe. You couldn't find that in the books I was reading in the early 80's, so I decided to do it for myself.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

I'm working on the sequel to "Ace of Hearts", continuing to share Shevaughn's life with my readers. She will be immersed in another murder case and there just may be a new love interest in her life (or was he there all along?)

I'm a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let's say I've never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

"Ace of Hearts" is a hot, romantic thriller that catapults you into the eighties. It will take you down memory lane, but with a lot of twists and turns. To me the best books and movies are ones that hit me when I don't see it coming. My favorite review said it was a roller coaster ride. Another said it was a guilty pleasure because I take you out of your comfort zone, but you can't put it down! I love that.

Enjoy the ride!

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do when you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but that sounds like a challenge! I'm a Gramma, I can take it. Not to brag, but my lowest rating has been 4/5 stars, so I'll deal with it and move on. Okay, here's where the menopausal comes back into play. I'll cry first and then get over it.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

Ooh, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Jean Auel, I believe in aiming high, but they've all taken me to places I can only imagine. When you're raising 6 kids, it's like a cheap mini-vacation!

What books would you recommend on writing?

Stephen King's On Writing. It helped me through a very difficult editing period and I don't know how I would have overcome it without his book.

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

I wouldn't have waited so long to test the waters again, so to speak, to see if anyone was interested in publishing "Ace." Three months after I went to NBCC (National Book Club Conference) and passed out copies of my manuscript to anyone who wouldn't throw it back at me, I had a contract!

And I would have learned more about promotion and marketing. I thought I was finished working on "Ace" when I first held it in my hands, okay, I cried a little, menopausal and proud of it, but now I'm on a crash web marketing campaign with my own website and I have pages on MySpace, NiaPromotions, GoodReads, BlackPlanet, BookTour, Published, LinkedIn, Tagged, Classmates, AxisAvenue and several smaller sites. Not really into the blogging, though I do have one on Amazon.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

If you feel you have a story to tell, stop procrastinating. Dedicate at least one hour a day (with NO distractions) and write. And once you're happy with your manuscript, look at small independent publishers or even self-publishing. The big boys (and girls) won't be interested until you're a known money-maker. I promise it will all be worth it, maybe not in sales, but in self-satisfaction. Don't get discouraged. It took me 27 years to go from pen to published, so my motto is: Never give up your dream.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

You can go to my website www.deckofcardz.com. While you're there, please join my mailing list.

"Ace of Hearts" has been nominated in the Mystery category for the 2008 African American Literary Awards Show! My name's right under Walter Mosley!! So stop by and vote for me. I have a link to the ballot on my website.

You can also find me at Amazon.com or any of the sites I previously mentioned.

AAMBC (African Americans on the Move Book Club) who concentrate on the independent and self-published authors) has nominated me, Jean Holloway, Best New Author (for 'Ace of Hearts') and Dana Pittman (my publicist) Publicist of the Year. We're definitely the underdogs, so could you please take a moment & vote? You'll actually be able to immediately see the results!

http://aambcvoting.blogspot.com

Author Dywane D. Birch

AUTHOR DYWANE D. BIRCH

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you one of my (Dj Frazier) personal favorite authors, Dywane D. Birch. He is the author of When Loving You is Wrong, Shattered Souls, From My Soul to Yours, and was a part of the anthology Another Time, Another Place: Five Novellas. Today he's getting his shine on and introducing us to his upcoming release Beneath the Bruises.

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

Okay, this is always the part of interviews I like the least. But, I’ll say this: socially speaking, besides being an author, I love traveling to Europe and Egypt. Professionally speaking, I have a master’s degree in psychology and I am a clinically certified forensic counselor, which is just a fancy title for someone who is credentialed to work with offenders in prison-or community-based settings. I’m also a former director of an adolescent crisis shelter, and currently work with adult offenders of domestic violence, as well with adolescents remanded to a youth detention center.

What is your earliest writing memory?

My earliest writing memory is writing in a journal when I was eleven years old. However, writing was never something I aspired to do.

Why do you write?

Honestly, I write to enlighten, entertain, and encourage others. I understand the power of words, so knowing that I am able to touch someone else in some way (no matter how big or small) with my words is what keeps me inspired to write.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

I typically experience a feeling of relief once I am satisfied with a completed manuscript. It’s like WHEW, I’m finally done!

You have the great ability to write, true to form, in a female voice. Besides studying your craft, who else played a part in shaping this skill?

To keep it real with you, I don’t study the craft of writing, never have. However, I guess I should give credit to my mother, aunts, sisters, female companions, and those women who have been a part of my life in some form or fashion for allowing me to listen to them and really hear them. Other than that, I really believe my ability to write in female voice is a gift.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

My most recent project releases November 4^th. It’s titled Beneath the Bruises, and it’s an inspiring and touching story about a thirty-something year old mother of five who is trapped in an abusive marriage, but with counseling she is able to find her voice and begin to heal through the power of self-love, self-acceptance and self-discovery. I’m actually really excited about it.

I'm a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let's say I've never read any of your books before, how would you pitch your latest release to me if we were standing in a checkout line?

Yes, I agree. Word of mouth is the greatest seller. Speaking of which, I need to thank YOU for being a big supporter of my literary work, and always spreading the word. I truly appreciate the love! Okay, so back to the question. If you were in a checkout line I would pitch my latest book by saying, “hello, my name is . . . if you are looking for a fast-paced, in-your-face book that is filled with drama and steamy sex, then I have just the book for you. It will make you laugh, cry, scream out loud, and wanna slap somebody all in one sitting, and still have you hanging onto the edge of your seat for more. And after you have finished reading it, if you honestly don’t like what you’ve read, I will personally send you your money back.” Then I would flash you my mega-watt smile. lol

How important are book reviews to you?

Good, bad, or indifferent, I believe book reviews are very important. It helps stir interest in your books, and it also gives me the opportunity to honestly consider what is being said/written about my works. I want to know what others think/feel about my writing. I am not able to grow as a writer without honest, constructive feedback.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I cannot say that my writing dreams, goals or aspirations are (or have been) influenced by any other authors. I don’t know if I should feel some kind of way about that, but it’s my truth—and my reality.

What books would you recommend on writing?

I probably should be embarrassed to say this, but I can’t make one recommendation for a book on writing. I’ve never used one. I probably should pick one up, but I haven’t felt the need to. Nor have I ever taken any writing classes.

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

I wouldn’t change one thing. My road to publication has been a very interesting and fulfilling one. That’s not to say that there haven’t been some disappointments and frustrations along the way. But, for the most part, everything I have done thus far has been on my own terms. And, overall, it has been a beautiful journey. One I am still travelling and learning from.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

I would tell any aspiring author to be patient, set realistic goals, be tenacious, be open to criticism, and write for all the right reasons, whatever they may be.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Well, there’s not much about me readers will learn, but they can definitely learn more about my books by going onto www.myspace.com/dywaneb, www.blackplanet.com/Adulfictionwriter2 or www.freewebs.com/dywanebirch

Off Topic

The last book I read was: the galley for Allison Hobbs’s “Big Juicy Lips: Double Dippin’ 2”

The last CD I purchased was: Wow, it’s been a minute. I think it was Meshell Ndégeocello’s “The World Made Me the Man I Am”

My biggest distraction is: Hmm. Nothing comes to mind. I’m typically a focused being.

My guilty pleasure is: *hangs head* Expensive, designer shoes.

The one thing I want people to know about me is: that I am a private man (with flaws) who strives to be the best that I can be; that I love (and live) life to the fullest with no regrets, and no excuses. Okay, okay, I know, that was more than one thing.

Thanks for extending this interview. And, again, I thank you for your continued support of my literary endeavors, and for spreading the word to whoever will listen. I am sincerely grateful.

Until the next time . . . peace, love & happy reading!

Thank you, Dywane! The pleasure was all ours.

Author Brooklyn Darkchild

AUTHOR BROOKLYN DARKCHILD

Brooklyn Darkchild is a 46 years old mother of nine with a life long passion for writing. A New York transplant born and raised in (you guessed it) the borough of Brooklyn, Ms. Darkchild has called Cincinnati her home for the past ten years. Her debut novel, This Ain't No Hearts and Flowers Love Story won the 2008 Reader Views Book of the Year Award in the Great Lakes/Regional category as well as placing third in the Spiritual/Religion category. Currently a day care teacher, Ms. Darkchild is working on the follow up to her award winning novel in her spare time.

This Ain’t No Hearts and Flowers Love Story

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

My life has always revolved around children. I’m the neighborhood candy lady whom everybody calls "Grandma." I’ll take as many kids as I can cram into my van to church on Sundays. I’m a mother of nine and grandmother of fifteen with another one on the way. I started babysitting when I was ten, went on to become a part time teacher’s aide, a lead teacher, then a day care administrator.

What is your earliest writing memory?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t reading and/or writing. I learned to read when I was three and learned to write soon after.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

There’s a feeling of elation that I cannot describe, it’s just supremely satisfying. There’s also a let down, because that project is over and done with; and the fear that people might not like it.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

Obie and Princess were characters I’d fooled around with since high school. I wanted to write a love story from the perspective of both the man and the woman and to show how differently two people can view the exact same event. I figured the more opposite the two were the better the drama. Obie was already this hardened street dude so I decided to make Princess this snooty rich girl from Park Ave. I needed a deep bond to hold these two total opposites together, and since Princess was motherless like me, I decided to make Obie motherless too.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

This Ain’t No Hearts and Flowers Love Story is a raw and gritty tale of the love between two people scarred by the absence of their respective mothers. Obie and Princess love each other dearly but their baggage keeps getting in the way. Besides the motherless issue I tackle racial identity and skin color conflict, drug abuse, prostitution, homosexuality, rape, stalking and mental illness. Those are heavy subjects, and parts of this story are very uncomfortable, but the story is told in a way that’s not only poignant but Laugh Out Loud funny as well. This Ain’t No is part of a trilogy: the second book, We Still Ain’t Got This Right is coming out early in 2009 with the third book out sometime in 2010.

I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say I’ve never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

Start with the question: Is it worse to love your mother only to lose her or never to have a mother at all? Streetwise Obie and rich girl Princess never debated this; being equally motherless has bound these two opposites their entire lives. Obie has always been there for Princess, so when she decides at eighteen to become an R&B diva, Obie: who was discovered dancing on a street corner at age eleven, knows just how to make that dream come true. Along the path to stardom these two inevitably fall in love, but light skinned Obie and dark skinned Princess experience not only social class differences but skin color drama galore. Added to the mix are Obie’s flock of groupies and Princess’s stalking ex boyfriend, but when Obie’s fear of abandonment clashes with Princess’s need for emotional attachment the fireworks really begin. Then the question becomes: can a motherless child ever truly open his or her heart enough to love someone else?

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do if you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

After I wipe away my tears??? All kidding aside, this is a very strange book: people either are crazy about it or they absolutely hate it, there’s no middle ground; although I thank God for Jesus that the vast majority are crazy about it. Because the premise and the format are so different I realize I can’t please everybody. I try hard to be open minded and weigh each criticism on its own merits but I have to admit it hurts. It’s like someone called my kid ugly, even though I know she’s no stunning super model. It keeps me humble though. God knows my ego needs to be checked every once in a while.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

I’ve never patterned myself after anyone else, I just wanna be Darkchild. I’d love to be in the game until I’m old and decrepit, but if I only write one or two books that are impactful, that’s enough for me.

What books would you recommend on writing?

This Ain’t No Hearts and Flowers Love Story broke the mold on a lot of things the books say you shouldn’t do so I may not be the best person to ask that question, but it’s different for a reason. I will say that anyone who even thinks they want to be a writer should sign up for a writing fundamentals class and a creative writing class. At the least. You have to know what the rules are before you decide to break them.

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

At the very beginning I jumped at the first "agent" that accepted me and ended up stuck in a contract with someone who charged a fee for everything except blowing her nose. That wasted six months of not only my life but my book’s life as well. If I had to do it all over again I’d do way more research before signing with anyone.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Beware of leeches and do your homework. There are people out there who don’t give a kitty about your project, they’re only interested in taking your money. That includes the wealth of vanity presses that exist. And don’t let anyone steal your dream. A good friend of mine had the same experience with a less than reputable agent and she gave up on the idea of having her book published. She posted the whole book online instead.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Readers can find out more about me and read chapter excerpts on my website:

www.brooklyndarkchild.com Or my MySpace: www.myspace.com/bklyndarkchild

Thank you, Brooklyn Darkchild, for taking the time to share with the Wednesdays & Fridays blog family. We wish you continued success in your future endeavors.