Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. My travels have led me to amazing cities — Raleigh, Atlanta, Miami, Virginia Beach, New York, Denver, Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Each city inspired a new book. As such, I have written nine novels thus far, and have collaborated on another 53 titles!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
LIVING SACRIFICES: BOOK TWO is my latest novel, and is the sequel to LIVING SACRIFICES: BOOK ONE. The series takes a peek at the teenage lives of budding celebrities. Before the Internet, word of mouth is how celebrity secrets graduated to gossip. Many celebrities, some from my own family, lived in the DC area during the sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties. The books were written to dispel the myth that every kid turned actor, politician, business leader, or religious icon lived an idyllic childhood. Some were the subject of ritual abuse with the goal of traumatizing them into celebrityhood.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I sleep from late afternoon until the wee hours of the morning. That is when my creative mind is at its peak, probably because my parents would argue when my father arrived home well after midnight. The threatening tone of their shouting would startle me awake. To keep up my grades in school, I learned to fall asleep early and set my clock to wake up before the fussing began.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Mary B. Morrison, Karen E. Quinones Miller and K.L. Brady inspired me most. They took time from their busy schedules to create a checklist for aspiring self-publishers to follow. Without their help, I would not have known where to begin. These ladies write marvelous books that fly off the shelf, so I knew I could trust them. Terry McMillan, Omar Tyree and Eric Jerome Dickey paved the way for black Americans to write books about our daily middle class lives. I truly appreciate their innovation!
What are you working on now?
Right now I am working on my multicultural novel, WHAT COLOR IS LOVE? Readers will meet Paul and Tara. He has a son. She has a daughter. She is a self-employed web designer. He holds a 9 to 5 and moonlights with a local band. Tara is black. Paul is white. Both are thirty-something. Together, with the help of friends, they will answer the question, “What color is love?” The book is a modern day romance that looks at interracial dating from eight very different viewpoints.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The best way to promote my books is by listing them at sites like awesomegang.com, where readers and writers come together.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
The advice I have for new authors is to learn about your self-publishing options. Become your own publisher, purchase your own ISBN, and maintain control of your copyright.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever heard is that writing will not make you rich. Write because you love writing, and success will follow.
What are you reading now?
I finally got up the courage to read INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL by Harriet Jacobs.
What’s next for you as a writer?
As editor in chief of Amroad Publishers, I collaborate with writers who want to remain anonymous due to their social status. An idea is pitched to me; I wade through the author’s notes, present an expanded outline, and co-write an entire novel or nonfiction book. Sort of like reverse ghostwriting.
What is your favorite book of all time?
DADDY WAS A NUMBER RUNNER by Louise Meriwether.
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