Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve only published one novella so far, but I’m working on a poetry chapbook and a children’s book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is Hallowed Ground. It was actually inspired by the Tulsa Race Massacre that happened in Oklahoma in 1921. Even though my story isn’t related to that event, it made me wonder what other atrocities from the past have yet to be unearthed.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
It takes me a really long time to complete a story. I will jot an idea down, write the first few pages, and leave it simmering for years before finally returning to finish it. I conceived the idea for Hallowed Ground in 2013, but it took me until 2021 to feel like it was finished. The other projects that I want to publish this year have been in different stages of development for at least 2-3 years. I think this is a habit I want to break.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a huge fan or Toni Morrison, Tananarive Due, and N.K. Jemisin. I love the social commentary in Morrison’s writing, the chilling, psychological horror of Due’s work, and the intelligent, mind-bending stories of Jemison’s science fiction.
What are you working on now?
I’ve been writing poetry since I was 10, so I thought it might be a good time to put together a collection of my works. I haven’t worked out the details yet in terms of theme or design, but I’m excited about getting it out there. Also, a few years ago I wrote a children’s story for my daughter who is now 8. I didn’t write it with the intention of publishing it but over the years I kept going to back to it and developed a connection with the story. It occurred to me that there are other people who might connect with it as well, so those are both on the horizon.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
This actually IS my first rodeo (so to speak), so I don’t have a tried and true method. I’m open to exploring a lot of different options though and time will tell which works best.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persistence, persistence, persistence. Just because something doesn’t “click” immediately, doesn’t mean it was not meant to be. Keep trying until you find the story inside you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Nothing worth doing is ever easy. I find that I’m suspicious of anything that goes too well on the first try.
What are you reading now?
How Long ‘Till Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin. It’s an amazing collection of short stories.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m a professor of English and a mom, so finding time to write can some times be challenging, but I hope to be able to carve out a few hours here and there to work on my craft. I’m currently working on a new short story about vampires. Hopefully it won’t take me 10 years to write it.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, Jazz by Toni Morrison, and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Author Websites and Profiles
Maggie Hawkins Amazon Profile
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Goodreads Profile
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