Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a native of Gary, Indiana married with 5 children and three Step-children. I hope to pull my readers into every story by their hearts, minds, spirits, and souls and vividly paint a picture, that they could easily visualize in their heads. I have written 6 books and working on the 7th.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is the third installment of the Respect my Gangsta series. My readers inspired me to write this book, I had constant emails from readers who wanted to see more of my characters from this book. They wanted to see more happiness in Sorrow’s life (THE MAIN FEMALE LEAD) she had gone through some much turmoil since birth, They needed and wanted to read about more happiness.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Mood music, I have to listen to music that is relevant to the scene I am working on. I also sit and play a scene in my head like a movie, I’m that character at the time acting out this scene, with background music, wardrobe, makeup, and location. Somewhere in my head, I’m the director, the producer, the actress, the music director, the writer of these books going to movies playing in my head.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I have been influenced by several authors I could not possibly name them all, I think to see the success that writers have influenced and inspire me to keep writing, to keep advancing and turning my passion into a lucrative business.
What are you working on now?
I am working on the fourth installment of my Respect My Gangsta series it is turning into a thriller, which I love that it leads me down the path of a thriller. I have outlines for a serial killer novel I want to finish writing, titled Cold Thing.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
In my recent journey into researching marketing and book sales increase. I have learned that you should not limit yourself to one sale platform. Over the years I have only used Amazon, that was not working so I needed to find out what I was doing wrong and that was limiting myself to Amazon. You can not limit yourself to social media, you have to interact with your readers in the flesh sometimes.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Self-knowledge, read, study and prepare yourself not only as a writer but as a business entity. This is not an overnight success, this takes hard work and perseverance. It takes thick skin and you do have to humble yourself.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
You are the one responsible for marketing, promoting and selling your self and your book. The days are long gone where you can be an anti-social writer, confined to a comfy, cozy cabin in the woods, with your typewriter and bottles of wine producing greatness in front of a roaring fire. Times before internet and social media.
What are you reading now?
I am currently glancing different books on marketing and increasing book sales. Books on how to build my brand. I am glancing at books because I try not to take away from my writing time and currently I am working on my next books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to branch off into a different genre, and advance my novels to visual art. Movies, web-series etc. also do Audio Books.
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?
I would take the bible, Othello, My Sweet Audrina by V.C. Andrews (actually any book by her would do) and a book on How to escape being stranded on a desert island.
Author Websites and Profiles
Ms Pantha Jones Amazon Profile
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