Introducing The Author of The Rozalyn Series: Myss Shan!

First things first, who is Shan? 
Shan is a very vibrant but quiet, smart, beautiful, mother, friend and author. Someone whom you would love to have in your corner. 

When did you begin your love affair with the written word?
I actually started writing in elementary school. I would write plays because it was much easier and it was also like therapy. I could always involve myself in the life of my characters just to escape mine. 

You have gained quite the following, tell me how does it feel to have gained so many followers to your work? 
Wow it feels great to have so many people looking for something that I wrote. It's a huge blessing and I could only pray that my fam base gets bigger and bigger.

What inspired you to begin a literary career?I actually was sitting in church listening to the pastor speak about having a gift and not using it and how it can be taken away if you don't do something with it. After hearing that I decided to look into publishing my first book. I used to only write for me, allow a couple of my friends to read it but I never once considered publishing until that day in church. 

You have not one, not two, but three highly acclaimed novels, how has all of this success changed you? 
Well I'm still just the same old Shan. I am just glad to be able to do so well in such a harsh game. It's very hard to get your foot in the door being a newbie and I'm thankful that many have taken a chance on me. I will always remain humble and just look forward to what my future holds.


You have put out three five star bangers in a short time, you are also a parent, dang girl do you have time to breathe? Yes, I am a single mother of three, I work, and I write in my spare time. I get about 3-4 hours of sleep a night so that's the only time I get to breathe. It's all worth it because I want the best for my children. Nothing less. 

In your book, Rozalyn, the title character has her head in the clouds, as most teenagers do, but unlike many teenagers Rozalyn is forced to grow up fast. I know that some times when a girl doesn't have the love from her father, she tends to jump into relationships with the wrong type of men because she is seeking the love that her father never gave her. Why do you think many girls fall into this type of habit? 
You hit that right on the nail. Girls long for the love of their fathers and when they don't get it, they look for the next best thing. The other sex. From experience I know how easy it is to get caught up with the bad guys and grow up faster than you may have wanted to. A lot of it is watching your peers and doing the same things they are doing in fear of being left out. Sometimes it may be watching your mother and copying what she's doing. If you watch her being abused, you may think that it's okay for you to accept the same from the guy you meet. Back in the day the whole community got involved in raising kids. It was hard to get away with anything cause you always had a neighbor somewhere watching and waiting for you to do something wrong so they can tell on you. (Lol) In today's world kids are practically raising themselves and just making it the best way they know how. 

Your books have received lots of very good reviews, but they have also received a few not so good reviews. As a professional author how do you handle the not so favorable reviews? I read over all my reviews, the good and the bad. Even the ones that are bad I still look at them and just take it in. Is there something that can be learned from it? Do they have a valid opinion? I also have to remember that everyone is entitled to their opinion and that everyone will not like your work. No matter how many five star reviews I may receive there always be a few that just hated it and I can respect that. 

Years ago I remember sending out query letters to several literary agents and publishing houses only to feel the sting of rejection. After being rejected so many times, I put my pen down for several years until I ran across an article about self-publishing and that began my journey to put out my first novel, Skeletons. Why did you decided to self-publish your novels and how has self-publishing changed the literary world? Well the first one was through a publishing company but the others are self published. I decided to do that because I felt I needed to have control over my work. Creative control, ability to be able control the price, really everything. This whole self publishing world has opened up the doors for so many authors whom you've probably would've never heard of before KDP, Pubit, etc. It has given voices to so many, but at the same time I believe that Urban Fiction still has a long way to go. 

Last question, what is next for Shan? Well I have Rozalyn 3 coming very soon. I also signed a deal with SBR Publications(Team Bankroll squad) and my first book of a series with them is titled Hated by Many, Loved by None set to be released in November. After that I'm going to look into some other things that should be very beneficial to my career. I'm just working non-stop over here.

You can find Myss Shan's books at Amazon and Barnes & Noble 

You can connect with Myss Shan via 

Twitter: myss_shan

Fbook: http://www.facebook.com/author.shan

Thank you for your reading!

SON OF A PREACHER MAN

Hello all an am giddy as a naughty school girl underneath the bleachers at a field hockey game because....wait for it....wait for it....SON OF A PREACHER MAN WILL BE RELEASED ON NOVEMBER 27th!!

I am more than excited not only because I am releasing my second novel but also because my ultra cool beta readers are loving SPM and they can't wait until it drops!

I have so much work to do in the meantime but the one thing that I'm most excited about is my book release party! Not only am I having a book release party at my favorite art studio Jacoby Art Studio in my hometown of Alton Illinois but I am also hosting another release party for my lovely co-workers at Magellan HealthCare!

My street rearm is getting geared up to jot the malls to promote and sell both Skeletons and Son Of A Preacher Man and my very own human blow horn husband Kerri is ready to tell everyone that he sees about my book.

This is such an exciting month for me but it is also a very busy month too. With that being said I will not tend to my blog happy about relationship issues but what I will be doing is supporting fellow authors by posting interviews that I have conducted with them so stay tuned!

TTFN

The Myth Of The 50/50 Relationship

The Myth of The 50/50 Relationship

 

 

Let's talk math.

1 +1=2

10 /2=5

50% of 100= 50

 

I hate math party because I never really got it. My creative brain doesn't like the finality of math. I like to Play around with words make this mean that then turn all around and make that mean this. In my mind two plus two equals six because mom plus dad equal six kids. The thing that I love about math is the same thing that I hate about it...in math there are no grey areas. No matter how my little brain wants to bend, stretch and twist it 2 +2 will always equal four.

The only grey area in any math equation is when you come to relationships. I hear plenty of women and men saying that they want a relationship that is 50/50. In other words we desire complete equality in our relationship and I say that the 50/50 relationship is a myth. I would have a better chance of Brad Pitt reciting me meaningless poetry than I do with finding a relationship that is truly 50/50. I'd run the risk of running into a quadracorn before I found a relationship where both parties contributed EXACTLY fifty percent.

The truth of the matter is that no relationship is 50/50 because one person will always contribute more to the run of the relationship that the other. For example, in the 21st century many woman have full-time careers outside of the home and because of the way the economy is many men have lost their jobs becoming stay at home dads. There is nothing wrong with that, but here is where the math come in.

The woman is already contributing 50% by just going to work but let's factor in when she gets home she still has to deal with the kids (10%), housework that only she can handle (5%) and spousal time (10%) now she is up to 75% and he is at 65%. This equation also works when the man works and the woman stays at home.
In cases where both parties work outside of the home they start out at an equal 50% each but someone has to cook dinner (10%), walk Spot (10%), help with homework (20%), clean (10%) and the list goes on and on leaving the scale slightly unbalanced.
Don't freak out yet! There is nothing wrong with your relationship is slightly unbalanced (note that I put emphasis on the word slightly) that does not mean that your relationship is doomed. It is possible to have balance in an unbalanced relationship. I know that sounds strange but hear me out. I am a believer of each person in the relationship using his or her strengths to help make the relationship stronger and to help the family run smoother. For example if she is a wiz at getting the kids in and out the shower in less than 30 minutes while he is a master in the kitchen then utilize those strengths to the best of your ability. If he keeps the house tidy while she is better at handspring the household finances then so be it.
What I'm saying is find the balance that works for you and if the scale tips slightly then so what. If it works it works!
The only time that this equation does not work is when the scales have been tipped too far on one side. That is when you find your equation more 80/20 or 90/10 and one party is taking on allot the entirety of the relationship and of the household. When you find yourself in this predicament you need to speak with your partner to find a suitable solution to the problem.
I'm all for equality in a relationship but do not strive too hard for things to be 50/50 because not all of the time does the math have to add up.
TTYL

The Glamorous Life of An Author

I am excited that no longer am I a writer who is on a journey to become an author because now I AM an author.
I am THE author of Skeletons and now I am pleased to announce that I am the author of my second book, Son Of A Preacher Man which will be released this fall.
I like to think of myself as a humble person, when people give me kudos about writing Skeletons I look at them like, "oh you are talking about me?" because a writer is who I am or as Lady Gaga says, I was born this way. So when people say, "OMG you wrote a book!" or "OMG Skeletons was soooo good!" I don't think of it as a big deal because I didn't do anything special to write it, I just sat down and wrote. That's it.
But now I have to admit it, I am no longer just Shimeka, nope, I am the Author Shimeka McFadden.

Funny thing is when I think of an author I think of Carrie Bradshaw sitting in her apartment in Manhattan dressed in a pair of Christian Dior cut offs, Alexander McQueen t-shirt tied in a knot at her waist while typing on the latest Mac book Air while drinking a Mimosa. I thought that being an author was glitz and glamor instead it is the exact opposite.
In reality authors are D-list celebrities at best unless you are Stephen King, James Patterson or one of J.K. Rowling and even then when you see them they are a far cry from glamorous. When I sit down to write, I'm either sitting on my bed with a cup of Kool-Aid and a kid by my side with my husband screaming at whatever sport that is in season. Dressed in my last pair of clean yoga pants and a stretched out tank top and my glasses I pound away at the keyboard creating fictional worlds in which my characters are more glamorous than I.

Alton isn't Manhattan, but I am an author.

The only designer in my closet are a pair of Michael Kors jeans that I can no longer fit, yet I am an author.

My husband isn't Big, but I am an author.

My afternoons aren't spent sitting on the patio of a fancy restaurant talking to my friends, yet I am still an author.



So the next time someone makes a big deal about my books, I am going to make a big deal out of it too because I have always been a writer, but it took guts to become an author and that is something to be proud of.

Now without further adieu, I bring you Son of A Preacher Man coming Fall of 2012



Author of The Bliss, Playground and Poison Series K.D. Harris

First, who is K.D. Harris?

K.D Harris is a mother of two lovely girls, an avid reader, radio host and writer; from little old Delaware.

　

My love affair with books began at an early age, can you remember the first book that you read that sparked your interest in the written word?

I remember reading those little Golden books as early as yeas four years old; I was twelve when the thought of writing came about. I was in the seventh grade and V.C Andrews’s books were floating from class to class. I was reading Judy Blume, ad R.L Stein at that time. One day my best friend gave me, ‘If There Be Thorns” the first book in the Flowers in the Attic series-I was hooked. It was then when I decided if I would ever become a write I would want to be the black V.C Andrews.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

V.C Andrews, T. Styles/Reign, Anne Rice and a few others.

　

Many authors that I have interviewed have told me some of the things that inspired them to begin writing, what are you inspired by?

My children.

　

The literary world can be just as much of a cut-throat industry as music and film. What are some of the most surprising things about that literary world?

The amount of authors that lack the knowledge of basic creative writing and marketing/branding surprised me. They are the key elements to become a successful author.

　

K.D. you have been in the literary game a little bit longer than I have, what are some things that you would have liked for an veteran author to have told you when you first started out?

I was blessed, Toy (T.Styles) pretty much groomed me as an author. I knew the importance of branding, touring, and honing your craft. Michele A. Fletcher, my current publisher, she has taught me the publishing business in a whole marketing, sale, and distribution, everything that I lacked-she developed.

Self-publishing is blowing up the literary world, with successes stories such as Treasure Blue, K'Wan, Shan and T Styles. How has self-publishing changed the book game?

I think it’s beautiful if you have the right knowledge and capital to do it correctly.

Tell my readers about your Bliss Series?

Bliss is my baby; this is the first novel I ever penned. Poison was my fist published novel. My readers have deemed Bliss, as a psycho-sexual thriller. I totally went to the left with this series. I call writing factual fiction-so real you’ll think I’m writing about you. Bliss deals with REAL situations that people like to hide under the rug. I love-love-love this series!

　

After releaseing Skeletons, many of my readers wanted me to release a part two to the book. While I am not planning to release Skeletons part 2, I do see many authors, such as yourself, who do release subsequent titles to their books. What determines rather or not you write a series?

I pretty much let my readers decide. If I get an overwhelming response and people want more; if I can add more and keep as exciting as the first-I will.

　

Tell the readers a little bit about Playground.

Playground is a book that I did with Model Bubbles. She is a video vixen and has been featured in a few men and Hip Hop magazines. This book is based on two females who come from two separate walks of life but end up in the same place, the strip club.

　

Anthologies are becoming pretty popular amongst authors and readers alike, have you ever written or would you ever consider writing an anthology with other authors?

Working with another author was interesting…would I do it again-uh I doubt it. I never say never, just not right now.

　

Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter have helped create buzz about many authors, but as I'm sure that you are aware of these same sites can cause an authors downfall. What is your take on social media and the literary world?

I think you should use it as a marketing tool-don’t let it be your sole source of marketing.

　

Lastly, what is next for K.D. Harris?

At the time I am adding the finishing touches to my novel, The Other Side. I have Dyck Dizzy, Playground and a surprise novel coming early 2013.

Also, I currently have a Blog talk radio show called Factual Fiction with K.D Harris, I am also working with my daughter on her first book under my company Posh Literary Group.

I would like to say thank you to K.D. Harris for her interview. You can find her books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and on her website.

You can connect with K.D. Harris on the following sites:
www.iamkdharris.com
www.lffpublishing.com
Twitter: @kdharris
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KDXTREME
Blog Talk Radio Factual Fiction: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/factual-fiction-/


TTYL

Author of The Write Way To Love, Kisha Green

 

First thing first, who is Kisha Green?

Kisha is a mother,sister,aunt,friend, publisher,writer,promoter, book reviewer, online radio hostess and reality tv junkie lol

When did you begin your love affair with the written word?

 

I've always kept a journal since I was 11 and my entries always read like stories.

I can remember the first time I tried my hand at writing, I wrote a short story about a woman who lost her son in a botched robbery, I think that I was about 14 at the time. Can you remember the first time your pen hit the paper and you began to write?

 

At age 11 and the story was about what my life would be if I was rich and famous with long hair like Rapunzel.

Eric Jerome Dickey, Mary Monroe and even Judith Michaels inspired me to write more and to write better. Who are some of your favorite authors who inspired you?

 

Mary Higgins Clark and Jackie Collins. They both have a unique gift of storytelling that inspired me to take my writing seriously.

You have children, and with children it is oftentimes hard to get a free moment to breathe let a lone to pen an entire book. How do you juggle being a parent and an author?

 

I'm a mother of four and time management is very hard but my family comes first. I used to have it backwards thinking I had to be this best selling author and everyone has to know my name and my family could wait but now my attitude is the work can wait because without the love and support of my family I am nothing.

You are self-published, how do you think that self-publishing has changed the literary world?

 

It has allowed a lot of people to take their literary fate into their own hands. Self publishing is a real commitment that takes real hard work and dedication,so it has to be respected as such.

I know that I cringe every time I see a poorly designed book cover or an author responding in a less than professional manner to a book review. What are some of the things in the literary world that grinds your gears?

 

Bad covers and bad editing. Your book like your child is a DIRECT representation of you. So in publishing you must put your best literary foot forward.

A Write Way to Love is a short story that is about a woman who is trying to follow her dreams to become an author, but she does not have the support from her less than faithful husband. How important is it that your life partner support you in your dreams?

 

Very important because if you do not have your partners support you won't be able to produce the best product because you won't be able to solely focus knowing the project isn't supported by the person you love.

Tell me about your title, Fefe’s Freaky Tale?

 

It is my Erotic Flash Fiction short story about Feona "FeFe" Walker a woman who has only one thing on her mind - pleasure. Before her love can come down, she must select a man to quench her body's insatiable appetite. NOTHING is off limits in her quest for pure sexual ecstasy. It is a very sexually charged short story.

Tell us about your 2009 book, And Even If I Did?

 

And Even If I Did tells a story of friendship and betrayal amongst three friends all on the road to self discovery but ultimately the girls learn the lifetime lesson that everyone wants to be a friend but many aren't truly capable of actually being one.

This book has a happy ending which is something that we aren’t use to in a lot of Urban literature. Do you feel that urban authors have embraced the tragic endings?

 

I think a lot of authors stick to the formula of drama sells so they tend to give readers drama but for me I enjoy happy endings so I try to implement something positive in my endings. There's a lot of negativity already here on the earth so why not write something different.

You are very vocal on your Facebook and Twitter feed; how do you think that social media has helped you as an author?

 

It is indeed a blessing. I'm able to reach so many and daily I grow my readership and clientele. I'm truly blessed to be able to incorporate social media into my daily life that makes it financially beneficial for me and my family.

Last question, what is next for Kisha Green?

 

The sky is truly the limit. I will continue to expand my brand while creating a legacy for my children.

Thank you for your responses…where can readers find your books?

 

My books can be purchased from my website (www.divabooksinconline.com), Amazon and BN.com

　

You can connect with Kisha Green on one of the following soical media outlets:

Facebook- www.facebook.com/1KishaGreen

Twitter- @KishaGreen @LiteraryJewels2

Blog- www.literary-jewels.com

Website- www.divabooksinconline.com

Catch Me If I Fall, But Don't Hold Me While I Lean : The Power of A Support System

Hello! Today is Skeletons' first birthday! I can't believe that it has been an entire year since I published my first book and I'm still excited about it! I want to thank each and everyone who took the time out of your busy day and took the chance on my first novel! Rather you loved it or hated it, it feels good being able to say that my book has been read by thousands of people all over America and even in Europe and Canada!
So take a moment and say a silent happy birthday to my very first baby today!

My husband and I spent our weekend shopping for my 18 year-old daughter, Ta'Keyha's last and my 15 year old son Asa's first Homecoming dance. The four little ones keep us so busy that we hardly get to spend any time with the first two alone so we took them shopping by themselves and I am proud to say that we actually had a great time. My teenagers are so funny and interesting that we really enjoy connecting with them without the interruptions that oftentimes come with children under the age of 13. It is hard giving each kid their own individual time since we have so many of them, but we do try to make things work the best that we can then at 9:00 it is my husband and my time to do our own thing then watch television together and reconnect as husband and wife.

Since today is the 1st birthday of Skeletons I think back to when I was writing it and publishing and I wouldn't have been able to get any of that done without my support system. That is what today's blog topic will focus on.

Catch Me If I Fall, But Don't Hold Me While I Lean 

In anything that we do in life we all need some type of support system. Rather it is writing a book, going back to school to get your degree, raising a family or simply getting through life. Without a trusted support system some of us wouldn't even be able to get out of bed in the morning. I pride myself on not having a ton of close friends in my life. Not because I am an anti-social person, but because I am confident that the few people that I put in my inner circle are not only there for a reason, but also because I value them and trust them with the most private details of my life. 

A support system can be anyone from your parents to your best friend to your spouse or even your neighbor who watches the kids while you stay up late typing that ten page paper that you've been putting off for one day too long. A support system can be any where from one person to twenty people that you trust because the main job of a support system is that you can count on them. 

I remember when I started writing Skeletons, my husband would get off of work and take the kids to the park so that I could have an hour or two to myself to be able to write without interruptions. Since Januari was still a baby when I was writing my book my mother and father and law would step in and take the baby for me while I worked. My little sister would allow Javier and Boston to come to her house to play with her son, Kamron. My friends Janita, Jillian, Chevon, Rachel and Artura supported me by being there to listen to me go on and on about the process of writing and publishing a book and sometimes they would give me good advice. 

I love my support system! 

While I cherish my support system with all of my heart, I have to remember that they are there to support me, but they are not there to be a crutch for me. Sometimes when a person knows that they have a great support system they begin to take advantage of that support and instead of catching them if and when they fall they begin to use the support system to hold them up while they lean. 

And lean. 

And lean. 

And lean

Pretty soon the support system is no longer there for support, but they are there to coddle and pacify the leaner instead of pushing the leaner back up they allow them to just lean. See a support system exists to help you grow, but if they are only holding you up while you stay stagnant then what is the point? 

Lean on me when you're not strong

I'll be your friend I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long

That I'm going to need somebody to lean on

The Bill Withers song about friendship isn't about carrying your friend, but it is about helping your friend to carry on. He said lean on me when you're not strong not lean on me when you are able. He said I'll help you carry on not I'll help you make excuses for not carrying on. 

 Lets face it we need a support system just to make it through the regular stuff of the day let alone to be able to follow our dreams. 

There are wives out there who do not have the support of their husbands while they follow their dreams. There are children out there who do not have the support of their parents while they try out for the basketball team. There are men who do not have the support of their women while they go to work then come home to take online courses to earn their degree.

Remember, if you have a support system consider yourself lucky, but don't use your support as a crutch to be able to just lean because soon your support might just walk away you then you may fall. 

TTYL 

Author of Touch, Jaded and The Newly Released Title High Rollers...Ms. Envy Red!

Hello all, I hope that you enjoyed your lazy Labor Day weekend, I know that I did. I am so excited to have had the opportunity to interview the very talented and very busy author and savvy business woman, Envy Red that I want to skip any commentary by me and bring you the interview.

Introducing Envy Red

 

 

 

 First, who is Envy Red?

Wow! Who isn’t Envy Red is the question that runs through my mind. I wear so many hats yet I’m firmly grounded in who I am. I am a mother, friend, daughter, writer, entrepreneur and the laundry list goes on. However, in all that I am, I pray that being a blessing to others tops the list.

 Envy you are a phenomenal woman, you are not only a up and coming author, a mother a philanthropist, and a board member of Homebound Citizens, but you are also a cancer survivor. How do you manage it all?

I’m still trying to figure it out. I just put my goals in front of me with each project and push everyday. I’m learning to manage my time a lot wiser but the hours still float away. Time waits for no one. I really take head to that.

I think that before an authors puts her pen to a pad she has to read, who are some of your favorite authors?

Oh wow this puts me on the spot lady because if I forget someone it may start a mini war. Can I give a disclaimer first? Ok here it goes. If I forget to mention some of my favorites charge it to my head and not my heart. Lets get some of the biggies out of the way first. Stephen King, Zora Neale Hurston, JD Mason, and Eric Jerome Dickey. I have recently discovered a new breed of fire starters in Fabiola Joseph, Treasure Blue, Joe Awsum and I can’t forget my triplets in lit Rahiem Brooks and Kristofer Clarke.

In my opinion great authors are not made, but they are born with the gift to construct whole new worlds that inhabit people and to create situations for those people to get into and try get out of. With that being said what inspired you to begin writing?

I have always had a strong love for literature. I was known to carry a book around with me everywhere as a child. My teachers encouraged me to write from as far back as I could remember. However, I took what I was told was the “safe” route and went to business school and when on to graduate school. It was not until after my mother had a stroke and I watched her sit at the computer every day writing her book, that I got the courage to pen my own story. I was diagnosed with cancer during that journey and it further pushed me to complete my first project.

Like myself, you are a self-published author, how do you feel that self-publishing has changed the literary world and what made you choose to self publish?

Self publishing has made it easier for aspiring authors to realize their dreams without the increased pressure of rejection by the majors. Personally, I never shopped myself to a mainstream publisher because I wanted to learn the business for myself first rather than have it fed to me. That was just my personal need.

You are fairly new to the game, what are some of the most surprising things about the literary world that you have experienced?

LOL do you really want to know? Well my most shocking revelation was how much time and energy is really needed to market a book regardless of how good it is. It also shocked me to see how many crooks were in the literary world. You know the ones who get your books and don’t pay. We all know a few of those but you learn quick. This is the only business I know that operates backwards in that way outside of a true consignment shop. With those you can usually walk in and just take ownership back of your property. In this game you lose a lot of money if you are not smart and conscious about who you trust.

I am a mother of six children, oftentimes people ask me how I actually wrote and published a book with kids. Do you think that motherhood made it a little harder to finish your books or was the fact that you have a children looking up to you made your motivation stronger?

Personally, my kids made me stronger. Knowing I am that role model to them gave me that added fuel to press on.

I have heard nothing but great things about your books Touch and Jaded, can you tell my readers something about those books?

Touch was my first-born. I was able to play with sexuality and literature in a way that a diverse group of people could read and enjoy. It’s considered erotica but the characters go through so much that the pages reveal more than just mind blowing sex. With Jaded I was able to reel you in and really touch on heavy subject matter. I took a totally different approach with this book and I have to admit I wasn’t the least bit worried about changing genres. It’s a psychological thriller and let’s you tap into my love for the mental psyche. It peaks my interest like no other. I consider myself an envelope pusher and I think I do that with both titles.

Touch, touched on the secret society of swinging, what prompted you to involve your characters in that society?

It was different. It’s one of those subjects that I’m sure a lot of people secretly wonder about and this was my chance to give it to them in story form. It was a fantasy ride

My mother lives with a mental illness which I touched on in a previous blog; in your second book, Jaded, your main character has a mental illness and as you know in the African American community we tend to shy away from that topic. What prompted you to write about such a touchy and often hush-hush topic?

The fact that in the black community so many of our people go undiagnosed because of old traditions and our failure to accept mental illness as an affliction that we too suffer from. The story came to me. I swear it was God because i had zero difficulty when writing that book. It just flowed. I had to step away from it quite a bit because it was an emotional ride but one that needed to be exposed.

Tell me about your latest book, High Rollers?

High Rollers allows me to merge my love for roller skating with my love for writing. It’s about a Vietnam Vet who comes home only to inherit two businesses. One happens to be a rink which his friend convinces him to use for a far more sinister operation. That operation is human trafficking from America to Brazil. I absolutely feel as one with this new set of characters. Each has qualities that most of us can relate to in one form or another.

I noticed that you have a passion for roller skating; how long have you been skating?

I have been skating for a few years. I fell into it accidentally after finding myself at a national skate party. I fell in love instantly. I have been hooked ever since

What is next for Envy Red?

The sky has no limits and all I can say is Drama Baby! I am pouring my all into this store. I recently signed my lease and I’m getting the inside prepared for opening next month. I am shooting for 9/22. It is a children’s bookstore, select adult fiction, and kiddie accessory boutique. It will also have two spacious private rooms for baby showers and events. I’m embarking on a journey called “Open Book” as well. I am the co-host of this hot new show as well as working on a networking site called Author’s Info which has been rolled out already. I will also be starting my next title early next month
God willing.

Thank you for your candid interview you are truly an amazing woman who is ain inspiration to many.

You can find Envy Red's books on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

If you want to give a shout out to Ms. Red you can reach her on the following social networking sites:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/EnvyRed
Twitter: @EnvyRed
 

This Weeks Featured Reader: Carla Towns

Good morning, afternoon or evening depending upon when you are tuning into my blog! Today was the first day that my kids went back to school and this year is extra exciting because it is my eldest daughter, Takeyha's senior year of high school, my son Asa's freshman year of high school and also Boston's first year of school period! This morning was a flurry of people fighting for their alloted fifteen minutes of bathroom time, complainging about who had whose who-knows-what and why, wondering who was getting a ride verses who was walking or riding the bus to school and why they had to eat this or that for lunch! As crazy as my house may seem to some of you, the one thing that it is not is disorganized.
When you have a large family space is limited, time for each is limited, but the one thing that we cherish more than those two every important aspects of life is our ability to be properly prepaired and organized. The lunches were packed, the school clothes were ironed and sat out, the book bags were packed and arranged, five pair of socks were tucked away in five pair of shoes and sat by the door and showers were taken THE NIGHT BEFORE. That proper preparation ensured that admist our cahos we were organized. I shed a tear watching the teenagers walk to their bus stop, watching the pre-teen jump out of the car and walk into her school and leaving Javier and Boston after meeting their teachers. The ride home was quiet, as my husband and I breathed a sigh of relief and exhaustion, but our hearts were big with the love that we have for our kids and the amazement that we once again pulled it off without a hitch.

Introducing Avid Reader Carla Towns

As you may have noticed, I have been interviewing different authors on my blog and while it is always exciting to know what some of my fellow authors are up to I also wanted to give my readers a chance to get to know some of the people who read what we write. So today's blog is dedicated to avid reader, Carla Towns.

Let’s start with the boring but necessary questions first, who is Carla Towns? Is she an author or is she just an average everyday woman who enjoys reading as much as I do?

I'm certainly just an average, everyday , 25 year old woman, who just so happens to be an avid reader. lol. Reading has always been a passion of mine since childhood. I couldn't imagine not being able to curl up with a good book. I definitely think writing is in my future but it has to be right. Timing is everything and if I'm going to do it, it has to be done the right way. No half stepping.

I can remember the first book that I read and understood which was Amelia Bedelia in the third grade and from then on I was hooked to the written word. Can you recall one of the first books that you read and what made you fall in love with the written word?

I was a huge R.L Stein fan growing up. The Goosebumps and Fear Street series were my absolute favorites. Back then you couldn’t tell me nothing lol. Even though it meant I was scared to death when it came time to go to bed.

You are a very active participant in your Facebook book club, Black Faithful Sisters & Brothers Bookclub. What made you be a part of an online book club and are you a member of a traditional book club?

Zaneta Powell is the creator of Black Faithful Sisters and Brothers Bookclub. She started the group in June of 2011. Back then it was just myself, Zaneta, Sandy Barrett Sims, Gabrielle Dotson, and Shaniyah (or the Fab 5 as we refer to ourselves lol) along with authors Mimi Renee and Cha’ Bella Don, in the group but we kept it fun and interesting. Flash forward to today and we are still going strong. It’s definitely more than a bookclub, it’s a family. We encourage one another, we interact daily, authors come through and interact and we just try to be as informative and up-to-date as possible. Teamwork definitely makes the dream work and we love each and every one of the members. I’m not currently in a traditional book club.

Why are book clubs so popular?

 Book clubs not only give readers a chance to interact with other readers who share a similar passion for reading, they also give you a chance to discuss books, find some great, new reads and discover new authors.

What type of books do you enjoy the most?

 I love reading period. Urban fiction, horror, fantasy/ adventure are some of my favorite.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Wow, Shimeka are you sure we have the time lol. I’ll just name a few. T. Styles, Ashley and JaQuavis, Takerra Allen, Traci Bee, Clever Black, Shan Richardson, Mimi Renee, Queen Brown, Nene Capri…this list could go on for a while lol.


What is the one thing that you find authors doing that annoys you the most?

Some of the older authors are really slacking.Not all of them but some. I mean with these brand new authors on the scene like Joe Awsum, Sa'id Salaam ,Jackie Chanel, Fabiola Joseph...the more established authors should be coming with the hotness. Instead, I'm finding that some of them are starting to release books just for the sake of releasing a book.At the end of the day, you're only as hot as your last book. These newer authors are definitely giving them a run for their money, if I do say so myself


There are three things that draw me to purchase a book from an author that I’d never read before: the book cover, the synopsis and the reviews. What factors do you consider when purchasing a book?

There are three things that draw me to purchase a book from an author that I’d never read before: the book cover, the synopsis and the reviews. What factors do you consider when purchasing a book? Most definitely the synopsis first then the book cover. I don’t usually pay attention to reviews beforehand because what one person may hate, I may love and vice versa. However, if I see a book has 27 one star reviews and nothing else then I skip right on over that lol.


You are an avid reader who often posts reviews on Amazon what makes you give a book a one star review?

 I rarely give a book a one star review. I know authors put a lot of time and effort into their books and I have to put myself into their shoes. However, a couple of books I've read did warrant a one star. Editing is major for me. A few mistakes here and there don't bother me but when I am struggling to understand what is written or the story constantly goes from 3rd person POV to 1st person, that's when I have a problem. Other than that: lack of storyline, taking too long to get to the point, unbelievable or under developed characters, and confusing story lines are some of the factors that affect my review.

 From risqué book covers to graphic sexual content, do you think that authors are using sex to sell their books?

I don't want to say all authors are using sex to sell because that's not the case but it does happen. Whether it's a scantily clad model on the front cover of the book or a chapter full of hot, sweaty lovemaking, sex is definitely there.I just don't think that's the main focus in all cases . Now erotica sure lol.

Last question, many authors choose to self-publish their books, such as myself, do you think that is a good thing or a bad thing and why? How has self-published authors changed the literary world?

I think the option to self publish is great. I've heard soooo many horror stories about people being lied to and deceived when it comes to their book being published and sold. Self publishing has allowed authors to be in total control of their book. From the cover to the release date to the price...authors have taken back control. They get to be there for the complete journey. From the writing process to the bookshelf.

 Thank you Carla for your candid interview!



Twenty-Somethings vs. Thirty-Somethings

Hello all! First of all I would like to thank you all for taking the time out of your busy day to read my blog, you guys are amazing. With my blog being a little over one year old I can actually sit back with a smile of admiration on my face and say, wow I did it and every day people read. I am truly blessed.
In case you haven't noticed, I have changed things up a little bit. Normally I blog about every day things and relationships, but lately I have been conducting interviews with some of my fellow authors. First up was the young, but talented author, mother and businesswoman Pinky Dior. Then veteran author Deatri King-Bey dropped by my page to tell us what she has been up to. And last week I had the pleasure to interview Aaron Bebo which was gnarley. So many people dropped by to view their interviews so I've decided to keep it going by bringing you not only veteran authors, but also authors who are new to the game and I will also interview the people who read what we write by interviewing readers! So stay tuned for more...I'm so excited.

Now on to the topic of this week's blog:

Twenty-Somethings vs Thirty-Somethings

I was casually scrolling through my Facebook news feed when I noticed that my beautiful first born child, Ta'Keyha (Chee for short) posted a picture of me that was taken over ten years ago. After I screamed bloody murder I then looked at the picture and I laughed. I thought, gosh I was so young, gosh I was so naive and gosh I was so SKINNY! I almost couldn't believe that it was me in the picture, but I remembered taking the picture one night at a local night club with an ex-boyfriend. My daughter took the liberity of blacking out the ex-boyfriend (Thanks Chee).

Then I sat back and remembered my twenties. My twenties were a time of going to night clubs with my girls, coming home at wee hours in the morning, drinking whatever it was that I could afford or sweet talk my way into, dating different guys and most importantly being able to fit into a size seven pant.

Ahh my twenties those were times to remember.

Did I have fun? HELL YEAH!

Would I change anything? HELL NO!

Would I like to do it all over again......HELL NO!

See I look at my twenties as a time of discovery, in my teens I had no clue who I was, but I didn't have the freedom to find out because I had a cerfew, but in my twenties I set out to find myself, but mostly I was out to find the next kickin' it spot. But I digress. In our twenties we only THINK that we are adults, but we are still learning what it really means to be an adult. We learn that when you have an apartment that apartment comes with bills and those bills aren't the responsibility of mommy and daddy they actually come in YOUR name. We learn that we like having lights and water, but in order to have lights and water we must pay bills and in order to pay those bills we have to get a job. It is in our twenties that we learn that in order to keep that job we cannot spend every night in a night club partying. Well we can because unlike in our thirties we have the stamina to stay up all night shaking our groove thang.

In our twenties we find love or so we think. We think that hunk in the grey wife beater that we met at the laundry mat is our soul mate. We don't care that he has three kids by four different baby momas or that he lives in his grandmother's basement those things pale in compairson to his hazel bedroom eyes and the little dimple on the right side of his nose when he smiles. Who cares that every time he uses your car (that you paid for with your money) he always brings it back damn near on empty because the amount of electricity that we feel when he touches us only makes us swoon.

The twenties are a time when our favorite jeans fit our slender hips like a glove no matter how much Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia we eat. Forget sweating it out at a gym, in your twenties you work the weight off on the dance floor to some Lil Wayne!

Now when I'm at the mall school shopping for my half-dozen and I run into a giggly bunch of twenty-somethings do I look at them in envy? NOPE.

Not because I have a few more hooks on my bra than them and not because I don't have a care in the world. Instead I smile because I remembered how bliss ignorance can be. Now that I am in the thirty-something club I have one thing that these twenty something don't. I have a sense of self.

See in your twenties you are still busy discovering yourself and how you fit into the world around you, but when you get into your thirties suddenly a lightbulb turns on in your head and you know exactly who you are and how you plan to fit into the world around you.

Being in my thirties dosen't make me bitter, so I can't go braless on any given day or that my ass has seemed to drop a few inches below the equator. Who give a shit that don't I know how to do the catdaddy. I am actually proud of the fact that I finally have to use my vision insurance that I pay $13.45 for each paycheck and I know how much I've paid into my deductible this year and that I actually compairison shop to get the best value on dish washing liquid! I relish in the fact that I make sure that I am in bed by 9:30pm so that I can wake up fresh for the work day. I love it that instead of marathon sex my husband and I now run a marathon to see who can get into the shower first so they won't have to be in the cold zone. I love the fact that my friends and I have other things to talk about besides men, clothes and night clubs we now talk about our kids, the difference between an IRA and a Roth IRA and how to get the best vacation deal to Mexico, not to party and meet men, but to relax.

One piece of advice that I'd give my twenty-something self is: Nothing. I wouldn't change one thing about my twenties. Sure I stayed up late, partied hard, wasted time on the wrong guy, but it was through my twenties that I learned to be the amazingly confident thirty-something that I am today.

I love being thirty because I love knowing exactly who I am and what I want. So to all of you twenty-somethings good luck because I wouldn't trade places with you for the tinest Joe's Jeans in the world.

TTYL!



Change For A Dollar author Aaron Verblekent Bebo

I do not think that I am alone when I say that there is nothing more sexy than a well read man, besides a man that also writes. I once heard that black men don't read and for the longest I thought that stereotype was true because I never met a man that enjoyed the written word as much as I do. That is until I broadened my circle and met men that not only read, but also men who write.
In today's blog I bring you the man with a pen, author of urban fiction hit, Change For A Dollar, Aaron Bebo!

First things first where are you from?
I am from New York, I lived in the Capitol until around age fifteen then moved to The Bronx.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
I have a lot. I am a fan of Sidney Sheldon, Jackie Collins, Iceburg Slim, Alice Walker, Rayven Skyy, Donald Goines, Fabiola Joseph, Nikki Turner, Treasure Blue, Al Saadiq Banks, Walter Mosely, K’wan Foye, Julia Press Simmons. I like a lot of authors I am a love of reading before I am an author.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing all my life. I started writing poems and short stories at a young age, I had a huge imagination. I eventually started writing song lyrics; and need a larger forum for my over-all expression led me to writing novels, along with the spark that was brought back in to urban fiction while I was going through this transitional faze, the books were so closely related to the lifestyle I was writing about for music it was almost a smooth transition.

What prompted you to begin a literary career?
Well once I begin writing and completed my first novel I reached out to someone in the industry, and was met with warm reception, once that happened I started getting more serious about learning craft so I could improve on my writing.

What is one of the most suprising things about the literary world?

This is solely my opinion. I think that the comprehensive component is lacking from both the readers and authors. I grew up reading all types of writing, I think that a large portion of the literary community were swept in on a wave of trend for the genre, I’m not saying these people weren’t readers before the urban fiction craze picked back up in the late nineties, but I am saying they weren’t reading as much and certainly not the content that they are reading now. In that it is my opinion that it makes them subjective as readers, because they are only searching for a certain type of content when they read, as oppose to reading for the purpose of pleasure, they moreso pleasure reading, looking for hot spots in books that contain the content they’re most intrigued with. It takes away pieces of substance to the academics of reading. Concerning the authors I am not sure at times if authors don’t know or just don’t care about craft. Because a genre allows you to bend the rules of writing to a small degree of expression it is not to be taking out of context, some books in the genre are just written in a manner as if there is a conversation going on curbside in front the corner store! I am by no means perfect, but I am learned and show great signs for growth. To me books and writing is about education if you are going to offer the people something in that arena at least first be educated on what it is you are presenting. I think that writers should stretch those laws but not so far as to the point that they can’t be put back in place when presented to another audience. I apologize for being long winded here, but really the things I described above really surprise me especially in an industry whose root is based around education.

 Why did you choose to self-publish?
Well once I learned about self publishing I figured it would be a better route to get to the major companies by having a finished product to show them. My debut ‘Change For A Dollar was only supposed to be printed to shop around, but I used createspace and they automatically upload for sale once you approve your proofs. It started selling and I just ran with it, also publishing had began changing and ebooks were becoming more popular, opening up the market for the independent to reach the same masses as the majors through web channels. So it became a question of do I really need the majors to achieve enough success to constantly build. I’ll always self publish even if I was to sign a major deal, I would never allow them to take away my right to self publish.

What is one thing that you would change about the literary world and why?
I’d just want to see more unity and structure, because without it there will be chaos. I will say before the ebooks there were many more guidelines in place. Structure.

So I've heard some rave reviews about your book Change For A Dollar can you tell us a little about it?
CFAD is a story about transition and the way it effects a group of individuals living in the street life. It is a real serious tale that is told in true fashion of the streets in vivid detail without all the over the edge props it’s just a real story. I would suggest all that love the genre go out and get it so they can really see what I’m talking about.

 What is next for Arron Verbalkent Bebo?
My next immediate release is Author Wives is a fictional look at urban fiction and really just the AA role in publishing on a whole, the FB interaction, the blog talk shows, the different personalities. It was just something I came up with after seeing all the hype for the reality shows and viewing the structure in our industry, there is something in there for anyone that is a part of this community authors and readers alike. Although the title is Author Wives it is not concentrating on any one relationship as much as the characters and the industry they are in.

Where can readers find your books?
My titles are Change For A Dollar, Boo Thang (collaboration with LaTonya West), Areas of Grey, On The Green, Accidental Nut, Mischievous. They are all available @ amazon.com

Thank you Aaron! If you would like to connect with Aaron via Facebook
click the following link: http://www.facebook.com/AaronVERBALKENTBebo
 

Guest Blogger Deatri King-Bey!

Hello everyone, from what I hear many of you enjoyed my interview of Author Pinky Dior last week so I'm going to keep the cross promotion going while I busy myself with my soon to be released title, Son of A Preacher Man.

Today I welcome guest blogger Detri King-Bey who has been in the game for quite some time and has several titles under her belt such as Third Time's A Charm, Sons 4 Sale, Santa's Helpers, Love's Desire, Picture Perfect, Beauty and the Beast, The Other Realm, Operation White Rose and Jodie's Choice....WHEW! Detri has recently released yet another title, Tease to follow along with the fan favorite Write Brothers series of books. Read on to learn more about what this Phoenix, Arizonan has going on:

Dee, this isn’t the type of book you usually write, but I still liked it. What happened?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard something on those lines this past year as the four titles of my romance series, the Write Brothers, were released.
What had happened was… Seriously, as an author, I’m always looking for new challenges. I write romance with a big dose of reality and women’s fiction, but not traditional romance and not series romance.



So what better challenge than writing a traditional romance series?
When I started on this journey, I worried writing a series wouldn’t keep my interest so I took steps to help in that department. I enlisted the readers to help me decide the order of the series. And we had a BALL. Thank you all for your assistance. You kept me laughing the entire time.

Soooo, here we are. The final title of the Write Brothers series was released and I’m proud of the result. If you’ve enjoyed the first three titles, you won’t be disappointed Tease. For those of you who haven’t tried the series, I’ve also released an eBox set of the entire series.

TEASE: After Eva caught her fiancé in bed with her cousin, she swore she'd never be played for the fool again. Now the ultimate bed-hopper—Tyler Write, has set his sights on her and she’s having difficulty resisting him.

Tyler can have any woman except the one he truly wants—Eva Simpson. Smooth lines and sweet talk won't work with her. To have a chance at Eva’s heart, he’ll have to show her who he really is.
Purchase this eBook from Amazon, Barnes & Noble. The print version will be released in a few weeks.


SONS 4 SALE (Write Brothers Series eBox Set): If Gloria Write hears “There are no good Black men…” one more time, she’ll scream. She has four sons who fit the bill and not one is married. Desperate times call for desperate action. During the course of four novels, Gloria sets out to ensure her sons marry. The eBox set includes all four Write Brother novels.
Purchase the eBox set for $7.99 or each novel for $2.99 from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Shimeka, thank you for letting me to visit your slice of the cyberworld. I appreciate it and you.

Deatri King-Bey http://DeatriKingBey.com, http://www.LLReaper.net

No, thank you Deatri! You can connect with Detatri on the following social networks: