INSIDE OUT with Candy Jackson - Author of Pink & Patent Leather

Washington, DC author, Candy Jackson is a cosmetology teacher who loves to create poetry and short stories. Her reading rose to a brand new height with the discovery of many black writers whose work exploded in the ‘80’s. An avid reader, she began to tap into her own creative side and decided to write stories of her own. Candy is the mother of three young adult children and one grandson.

Urban Reviews: Start by telling us about Pink & Patent Leather. 

Candy Jackson: Pink and Patent Leather is a book I started on years ago but never finished. My mentor says that I have a fear of success thus, I have several stories I have written but never finished. But, thank God I finished this one and was able to publish it.

Urban Reviews: What was your inspiration to pen this story?

Candy Jackson: I happen to be a church one Sunday and when my Pastor was closing out he said that women come up to him all the time and say, “God said you’re suppose to be my prayer partner or, we should be teaching Bible study together.” I thought it to be hilarious but then on my way home I thought, what if it wasn’t a woman? What if it was a girl who thought the Lord had spoken to her directing her to the Pastor, a married Pastor at that. By the time I got home, I began the tale of Sasha “Pink” Jansen.” The title was something I thought up long before the story develop. My mom dressed me in pink nearly everyday until I was like nine. I was the youngest child and the only girl.

Urban Reviews: Are you working on another book at this point? 

Candy Jackson: I am currently working on a couple of books. “Lust” is a book I’m co-writing with another author and the sequel to Pink and Patent Leather. The title is “The Way, The Truth and The Lie.”

Urban Reviews: What lead you to write your first novel? 

Candy Jackson: I’ve always loved reading and writing. I started out very young writing poems and messed around and did one at church. Well, my Pastor at the time felt like I had a little talent so by the time I was in my 20’s I made my rounds at area church's  with my spoken word. At the same time I picked up a book by Terry McMillian and realized I missed reading. It was like a soul explosion with African American authors and before I knew it, I was reading a book a day. Thus, I knew it was time to write my own book. And here I am.

Urban Reviews: As a debut author, how has your experience been in the literary industry so far?

Candy Jackson: I kind of had a little practice. I’m very good friends with Victoria Christopher Murray and when we first met, I traveled with her a lot. I had my own expectations but after my book was release, I began a new and exciting chapter in my life. It’s been all of that, epic.

Urban Reviews: What would you say is the best advice given to you by a fellow author?

Candy Jackson: Read often and hustle.

Urban Reviews: How do you balance your writing life and home life?

Candy Jackson: I’m an empty nester! God is good and put me with the right people at doing the right thing, for such a time as this. I do work, but I have a lot of free time on my hands these days. I’m a little lazy, lay back as I like to say, I really need to do better.

Urban Reviews: Where can readers find more information about you and your books?

Candy Jackson: They can find me on www.browngirlspublishing.com and Amazon. They can head over to my website www.candyjackson.net or find me on facebook@ Candy Jackson and yes, I’m on twitter @ candygirlcan. I’m in the middle of building a new website as well and I’m hoping to make it a community for women over forty, you know to discuss issues, have a little fun and read some short stories. www.therealcandyjackson.com.

Click here to order Pink and Patent Leather today!

INSIDE OUT with Yasmin Shiraz - Author of Devious

Yasmin Shiraz is a best selling and award winning author of several books, including Exclusive: An Amazon #1 Best Seller and Retaliation: A Novel which was named a Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers by the American Library Association. She is the award winning Writer/Director of Can She Be Saved? which won Best Documentary at the NC Black Film Festival and the Best First Film at the Youth International Film Festival. She also wrote and produced the award winning suicide prevention web series, SOURCES. As an empowerment speaker and youth activist, she has spoken at over 100 colleges and universities as well as organizations such as Planned Parenthood, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Girls Inc and the YMCA to name a few. She is a trained sociologist having received her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Hampton University and her Masters of Arts in Sociology from Morehead State University.

Urban Reviews: Tell us about Devious.

Yasmin Shiraz: Devious is the 3rd book in the Tisha Ariel Nikkole series. Its a sexy, fast-paced romance. At the end of Privacy, a tragic event occurs and Devious tells what happens next. 

Urban Reviews: What made you decide to write another installment of this series after so many years? 

Yasmin Shiraz: Readers continued to email me about Devious. I had promised a Devious book after Privacy, but I never wrote it. I like to be a person of my word. So, Devious is much later than it should have been, but hey, better late than never. And, I love Tisha and Shout. I want those characters to be around for a long time. 

Urban Reviews: Will we see Tisha in another book in the future?

Yasmin Shiraz :Yes, I'm already working on the 4th book, Secrets. I cannot wait to share it with the readers. 

Urban Reviews :You also have two teen novels Retaliation and Accused. Can you tell us a little more about these novels? 

Yasmin Shiraz: Retaliation is about a teen girl who gets jumped by 3 girls that she doesn't know. Everyone (her family, school, community) wants to retaliate but her. It's a real page turner and was inspired by my work with teen girls. The book was named a Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers by the American Library Association.

Accused is the sequel to Retaliation. The main characters go off to college and one of them is accused of a crime that they didn't commit. Accused exposes date rape on college campuses which is currently a hot topic. Accused was recently nominated for a book award by the In The Margins Book Committee of Librarians. 

Urban Reviews: Retaliation is the catalyst for the Talk Retaliation empowerment series. Can you tell us about this and what your goals are for the series?

Yasmin Shiraz: I've visited schools, non-profit organizations, Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the US and I have a real dialogue with youth, police, and community leaders about violence. Each session feels like a therapy session. Police officers leave crying as well as youth and community leaders. The goal is to create an open forum and to build trust within our communities. 

Urban Reviews: Are you working on any upcoming projects or books?

Yasmin Shiraz: I'm a documentary filmmaker as well as an author, so I'm currently on a film tour promoting my film on HIV/AIDS, entitled Growing Up Positive. I continue to write daily and am more committed to staying connected to the readers than ever. 

Urban Reviews : What is the most important piece of advice that anyone has given you in regards to your writing career?

Yasmin Shiraz: "When things get tough, write. When you think you can't, write. When it's quiet, write. When it's noisy, write. When you're bored, write." The best advice for writers is simply to write every day as much as you can. Get it on the page. 

Urban Reviews : Where can readers learn more information about you and your books?

Yasmin Shiraz : www.yasminshiraz.net 

Click here for your chance to win a copy of Devious!

INSIDE OUT with Charmaine R. Parker - Author of 'The Next Phase of Life'

Inside Out With Charmaine R. Parker


Author of 'The Next Phase of Life'


Charmaine R. Parker is a former journalist who worked as a reporter, copy editor and managing editor. The sister of bestselling author, Zane, Parker grew up in Washington, DC, and is married with a daughter and lives in Maryland. Visit the author at www.facebook.com/charmainerobertsparker.



Urban Reviews:  Can you tell us about The Next Phase of Life? 
Charmaine R. Parker:  Tai Wilson, owner of a successful employment agency based in Washington, D.C., has just turned forty. She believes that she has found Mr. Right but when the relationship falls flat, she discovers that her ideal mate is at her back door and an unlikely prospect. She and her two sidekicks, Candace, a fashionista; and Nevada, a journalist turned detective, enjoy their adventurous lifestyle. Tai’s longlost sister, Trista, whom she was separated from as a child, finds her on Facebook and the two reconnect when Trista moves from N.C. to D.C. to live with her older sister. The two discover they are opposites. The story spins romance, spice and suspense while promoting camaraderie among friends and sisters.

Urban Reviews:  What was your inspiration to pen this story? 
Charmaine R. Parker:  It was based on the idea that in relationships, opposites can connect and be successful. Sometimes one must look beyond what appears as an “ideal” romantic partner. It was also to show that siblings can be different but yet bond. I’ve always believed that friends are important and my novel features a close-knit trio. I have discovered that life is short and it’s important to live each day to the fullest. During the writing of the novel, I lost some close friends suddenly and this helped to fuel my theme that friendship bonding is healthy.

Urban Reviews:  Do you recall how your interest in writing originated, and what things did you do to learn the craft? 
Charmaine R. Parker:  I started writing creatively as a young child and this included poems, short stories and skits. I had a vivid imagination that may have stemmed from traveling. I can remember as far back as age seven when I wrote a poem about Disneyland. My parents enrolled me in book clubs where I received monthly selections. Being an avid reader at a young age contributed to my interest in writing. Later, I entered graduate school to study journalism. While I focused on writing news and feature stories, I was able to learn how to craft articles. The transition from fiction to nonfiction and back to fiction was natural. Instead of collecting details for a news story I was able to create fictional characters, once again using my imagination that was prevalent during childhood.

Urban Reviews:  Some readers may not know that you are Zane's sister. How instrumental was Zane in helping with this project? 
Charmaine R. Parker:  Zane liked my initial synopsis and she actually gave me the title when I became stuck on creating one. Zane believed that my main characters were all moving on to the next phase. She was the only editor on the project. She didn’t have any content suggestions; and told me not to make a single change. She had great faith in my writing and novel. I appreciated her feedback and honesty. She is a critical editor and when she lacked any comments for revision, I knew that she truly had enjoyed my project.

Urban Reviews:  What can we look forward to in the future from you? 
Charmaine R. Parker:  Some readers have suggested that I follow up with a sequel. Originally, I had not planned to write one, however, I did leave the novel open so that I could revisit the characters in the future. I’ve already thought of ideas of where they could be now. I have a totally different novel in mind for my next project with all new characters. I possibly may write the sequel as a third book.

Urban Reviews:  Who were some of your favorite writers over the years? Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? 
Charmaine R. Parker:  Of course, Zane is one of my favorites and not only because she is my sister. She gave me the manuscript to edit for Addicted before she self-published it and I was fascinated with her writing. It became extremely popular and a top bestseller for years. One of my favorite all-time novels was the classic Manchild of the Promised Land by Claude Brown. I was introduced to urban fiction long before it became as popular as it is now. As a child, I loved mysteries and the Nancy Drew series was my favorite. Since working with Strebor Books, I have various new authors whom I enjoy. I don’t read as often since I’m editing manuscripts, but I like the co-written novels by Blair Underwood, Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes. I have a large book collection and hope to read more new authors someday.

Urban Reviews:  What was the hardest part of writing your book? 
Charmaine R. Parker:  It was finding time to devote to writing. My schedule was hectic and I had work and outside projects the entire time I wrote the novel. However, I found that the late-night hours were best for me. There were distractions during the day but I realized that nighttime was quiet and I could focus better. I wrote my first chapter starting at midnight.

Urban Reviews:  What are your views on the current literary landscape for published works?
Charmaine R. Parker:  The industry is facing many challenges and with the demise of the independent bookstores and major chains, it shows that publishers and writers have to think outside of the box. Social media is a key to promotion as fewer readers are purchasing books or discovering them traditionally from stores. The expos and festivals that were once extremely popular have downsized. I do believe that the old-fashioned word of mouth can still be one of the best methods to grab readers. E-books are ideal and convenient for those who do not want a hard copy, however, some readers still prefer a book that can be autographed. At a recent signing, a bookstore employee downloaded my book, then had me autograph the back of her business card. She then placed it in the cover of her device. I thought that was a unique way to collect autographs for e-books. Many authors may be disappointed with the growing popularity of the e-books but they are translating into sales. And as with technology in all areas of life, we have to accept it.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers? 
Charmaine R. Parker:  Authors appreciate the continued support of readers as it is a challenge to craft a book. The production process, which I’m involved with, is a long journey. There is a magnitude of time and energy behind the scenes in publishing to transform from manuscript to the final product. For aspiring authors, I would suggest that it is necessary to have your manuscripts edited. It is such an important part of the process and a manuscript that is well-edited will garner more attention from an acquisitions editor. It shows that you have taken your work seriously. For authors, I suggest that you must have an open mind and be prepared to promote to your best ability. I always go back to what Zane once said as publisher: She can get an author’s book on the shelf, but it’s up to the author to get it off. You do have to be proactive to be successful.

Order your copy of The Next Phase of Life today!

INSIDE OUT WITH OASIS - Author of 'Push Comes To Shove'

Inside Out with Oasis - 


Author of "Push Comes To Shove"

Oasis is the award-winning author of Push Comes to Shove.  He is the CEO of Docuversion, a full-service editing firm, and an expert creative writing instructor.  He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a proud father.

Urban Reviews:  Tell our readers about Push Comes To Shove.

Oasis:  Push Comes To Shove is about the pitfalls and struggles that an honest family faces while dealing with the perils of financial woes.  GP, the protagonist, and his wife demonstrate the dynamics of a family who is up against it.

Urban Reviews:  Where did the inspiration for this novel come from?
Oasis:  Push Comes To Shove is a result of my desire to break the mold and stereotype that black authors won’t transcend and/or are forced into.  I just wanted to tell a different story.

Urban Reviews:  Have you always wanted to become a writer?

Oasis:  I’ve always been a writer in some form or fashion.   I even told myself that one day I’d write a book, but that was always a pipe dream because I never actually did anything about it until 12 years ago.  One day I just picked up my pen and wrote myself into publication and into unique interviews with people like you.    

Urban Reviews:  How has the climate of the book industry affected your role as an author?

Oasis:  The weather is good.   Every day is a weekend filled with sunshine.  Yes things are changing. Every industry has felt the affects of change; some are downward while others are stagnated.   With proper planning and preparedness, change can be a great learning experience. 

Urban Reviews: What are your ultimate goals as far as the literary industry?

Oasis:  My ultimate goal is to publish the works of other writers and to turn my novels into movies.  Things are coming together.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anyone who encouraged or inspired you to take a chance at writing?
Oasis:  The desire to change my life inspired me to write.  I lived a negative lifestyle, and it kept landing me in prison, it kept me at funerals of my friends, and it kept me in hospital visiting rooms with my friends who had escaped death.   I got tired of that. I got tired of hearing my mother tell me she was afraid to answer her phone.  So writing became my opportunity to do something positive with myself.  It became my solution to the streets.

Urban Reviews:  Are there any upcoming projects that we can look forward to?
Oasis:  Of course.  White Heat is up next.  White Heat represents the new direction my career has taken on.    It is co-authored with my wife, Mrs. Oasis.  There might be one or two books written by me on the solo, but the majority of my future projects will be with Mrs. Oasis.  We’re bringing something special to the table.  Be on the lookout for us. 

Urban Reviews:  What do you like to do when you aren't writing? 

Oasis:  To be honest, it’s all spending quality time with my wife and our family.  With me, at the end of the day, it’s always about family.  That’s what I like to do when a pen isn’t in my hand.

Urban Reviews:  What things do you think every author should do to promote their book?
Oasis:  Good question.  There are so many things that an author should do.  I would have to say to build relationships with as many book clubs and reviewers who are interested in your material as possible.  Having access to these individuals gives you access to the reading population through their unique forums because they will promote you through word of mouth.  This focus creates a promotional machine when you have the most important people talking about you: the readers themselves and the people who tell readers what to read.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your novel?
Oasis:  I just want to say that I’m here for the long haul.  We’re helping authors tighten manuscripts through our company Docuversion, a full service editing firm.  You can learn more about me at www.oasisnovels.com and visit me on Facebook.  In addition, I like to say thank you, Urban Reviews, for spending time with me.  And I hope you’ll have me again. 

Website:  http://www.oasisnovels.com  

Read our review of 'Push Comes To Shove' here: http://amzn.to/flvsGy

Order your copy of 'Push Comes To Shove' here:  http://amzn.to/pushcomestoshove 

  

  

INSIDE OUT with Meesha Mink - Author of Real Wifeys: On The Grind

INSIDE OUT 

With Meesha Mink (Niobia Bryant)

Author of 'Real Wifeys: On The Grind'

Meesha Mink is the national bestselling and award-winning author of 20 previous novels. She lives in New Jersey and South Carolina. 

Urban Reviews: Tell our readers about Real Wifeys: On The Grind.
Meesha Mink:  Real Wifeys: On The Grind is the first book in a short series centered three different wifeys from three different "hoods" who each struggle with a major issue or conflict in their life.  In this one, the lead character Goldie's struggle is with her love of money, her desire for power and her need for respect (more importantly self-respect).  The book is divided into those three sections as Goldie comes of age and faces first love, heartbreak, tragedy, loss and danger.

Urban Reviews:  How did the concept for this book come about?

Meesha Mink:  It’s very, VERY, loosely based on the Real Housewives franchise. I wanted to do a interconnected series about three wifeys who each have their own major issue to tackle.  The story of one wifey will connect or overlap with another wifey and so on.

Urban Reviews:  What was it that pushed you to want to become a writer in the first place?

Meesha Mink:  I became a writer simply because of a love for books and reading and wanting to create the kind of stories that will leave an impressions like some of my favorite books did for me. 

Urban Reviews:  Have you had any challenges with using a pseudonym?

Meesha Mink:  No, I Haven’t really had any challenges with it because I’m very open with the pseudonyms and promote them all together.  Like I’ll always say 4 Genres…3 Publishers…1 Writer. I’m not bragging or boasting, I’m cross branding. It seems to be working.

Urban Reviews:  What are your ultimate goals as far as the book industry?

Meesha Mink:  Longevity. Period. Point blank. My first book was published over ten years ago and ten years from now I still want to be going strong and hopefully with an even bigger following.

Urban Reviews:  How do you make time to write all of the different books that you release in the romance, urban, and teen genres?

Meesha Mink:  I am constantly writing. Almost every day of the year I am writing and creating--and thankfully--still enjoying myself. I don’t have a lot of holidays or weekends off. Every minute of every day is an opportunity for me to get lost in a story that I’m writing and I make use of every available moment. 

Urban Reviews:  What projects do you have coming up in the future?

Meesha Mink:  In 2011 I have four other releases besides Real Wifeys: On The Grind. There’s a new teen fiction, a new Strong Family romance, the follow-up to my very controversial book Message from a Mistress, and an romance anthology with to other authors. Also book two of the Real Wifeys mini-series will be dropping. What’s interesting about the book is that a  part of it will run concurrent with Real Wifeys: On the Grind but just from the viewpoint of the next wifey who is out to make Goldie pay. Book two will give one of the ladies from Real Wifeys: On The Grind her own book. I am really excited about the series but it will not go beyond three books--that I promise.

Urban Reviews:  Do you have any favorite authors or books?

Meesha Mink:  Definitely I do but it’s so hard to narrow it down because I read all genres from non-fiction to speculative fiction and I don’t limit my choice to only African-American authors. I can say that a new book by Gloria Naylor or Tina McElroy Ansa would give me palpitations! Love them both.

Urban Reviews:  What things do you like to do outside of writing?

Meesha Mink:  Anything that doesn’t involve the computer--especially sleeping and just lounging on the couch watching reality TV!

Urban Reviews:  What things in the book industry would you change if you had the power to change them?

Meesha Mink:  Honestly, there are some things that I have opinions on but opinions are like behinds and we all have one and so I don’t know if I would push my beliefs on others.  This industry is huge and has a vast history. I chose to step into it. I choose to remain a part of it and so I accept it as is--flaws and all.

Urban Reviews:  How has the explosion in the e-book business impacted you as an author?

Meesha Mink:  Predominantly my sales are via the paperback although I have seen an increases in e-book sales but I’m moving the majority of my units through the traditional method still.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your novels?

Meesha Mink:  Just that I hope the readers enjoy the books as much I enjoy writing them and that I love to chat and interact with the readers via Facebook or Twitter, so definitely hit me up!

Website:  http://www.MeeshaMink.com 

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/InfiniteInk

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/infiniteink
Myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/meeshamink   

Excerpt:  http://meeshamink.wordpress.com/real-wifeys/excerpt/

Order your copy of Real Wifeys: On the Grind today!  

  

  

INSIDE OUT with Karyn Grice - Author of 'No Strings Attached'

INSIDE OUT

with Karyn Grice

Author of 'No Strings Attached'


Karyn Grice released her debut novel, What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas in November 2009. She originally self-published through her own publishing company, Grice Publishing, which taught her the “business” side of publishing. While What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas is her first release, it is not her only novel. She has written 10 additional novels which are awaiting publication.

Early in her writing career, she entered a writing contest sponsored by J.L. King and much to her surprise, What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas placed as a finalist. This accomplishment lead to an introduction to Karen Hunter and a publishing contract with Karen Hunter Publishing. Karyn's second novel, No Strings Attached, is currently available and is published by Karen Hunter Publishing/Simon & Schuster.

With no formal writing background, Karyn was quite pleased to discover that writing came naturally. She enjoys writing relationships novels. Her “conversational style” writing attracts many non-readers and book clubs alike. What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas and No Strings Attached are realistic views of the struggles within a relationship with a universal appeal.

Karyn is an avid Lakers fan. She also enjoys football and baseball as well. Karyn resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband. She continues to grow creatively as she perfects her craft.


Urban Reviews:  Can you tell us about No Strings Attached?
Karyn Grice:  What happens when you find The One, but you’re just not ready? Jasmine Taylor doesn’t have the time or the inclination to settle down. Not since her longtime boyfriend Nicco betrayed her and married another woman. She’s a successful entrepreneur who knows how to take care of herself, and she relies on several sizzling lovers to satisfy her most arousing needs. The arrangement seems perfect, except for one irresistible detail: Sean Williams, the only man Jasmine can’t take her mind off. A handsome music producer, Sean has a private jet, fancy condos, and a different girl in every city. So why does he keep coming back to smart, beautiful Jasmine? When she confesses her love one passionate night—a surprise to them both—he realizes he’s met his match. Neither is prepared to give up the no-strings-attached lifestyle, but when Sean finds out Nicco wants Jasmine back, he loses his cool—and lets her go in the process. The only way Sean can win Jasmine’s heart is by dropping the playboy act and making a commitment . . . but will she be ready to trust him? Fun, sexy, and touching, No Strings Attached is an undeniably romantic tale that makes Mr. Right work for the woman of his dreams.

Urban Reviews:  What was your inspiration to pen this story?
Karyn Grice:  I had written my first book a year prior and thought it was a fluke and was challenged by a friend to write another book and No Strings Attached emerged. I originally named it Dogcatcher and wrote the story based on that name.

Urban Reviews:  When did you know you wanted to be a writer, and what did you do to learn the craft?
Karyn Grice:  I didn't aspire to write. It happened in a flash. I said aloud, "I'm going to write a book." I turned on my computer, the story flowed out and six days later, my first novel, Single Black Female, was complete. I had no idea how to write a book and my original draft was pages and paragraphs of text. I'd hit the return key every now and then to break up the paragraphs. I pulled a book from my bookshelf to learn how to format the dialog. I then bought a Writers Marketplace to learn more about formatting, submissions, query letters, etc. I also joined a few online writing groups to get questions answered.

Urban Reviews:  If there was one thing you would change about your literary journey, what would it be?
Karyn Grice:  Nothing. Things are moving in the right direction and I want to continue on this path.

Urban Reviews:  What can we look forward to in the future from you?
Karyn Grice:  Many more novels. I have written 12 novels to date and have many more waiting to be written. As of now, No Strings Attached and What Happens in Vegas Stays are currently available and I'm looking forward to releasing many more.

Urban Reviews:  Who were some of your favorite writers over the years?
Karyn Grice:  As a teen, I read lots of Stephen King novels, probably because he was my mother's favorite author. As I got older, and began selecting my own titles, I grew to love Eric Jerome Dickey, BeBe Moore Campbell, Lolita Files, Omar Tyree and many more. This year, I discovered Beverly Jenkins and Brenda Jackson. They are currently my favorite authors.

Urban Reviews:  What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment so far in your writing career?
Karyn Grice:  Successfully self-publishing my first novel What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas. It took time to learn how to do that and I did it for $50. Doing so also got the attention of Karen Hunter which lead to me signing a contract with Karen Hunter Publishing and Simon & Schuster.

Urban Reviews:  What are your views on the current literary landscape for published works?
Karyn Grice:  I own an electronic reader and I absolutely love it. Change is in the air and I'm embracing the new technology. My e-reader has made reading and the ability to access books as easy as using the Internet. I find what I want, buy it and can have access to it within minutes.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Karyn Grice:  Yes. I love writing and creating and I am very happy to be able to share my stories and hope that readers will enjoy my writing for years to come.

Website:  http://www.karyngrice.com
Author Page on Publisher's Website:  http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Karyn-Grice/62809376
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/karyn.grice

Order your copy of No Strings Attached today!
 

INSIDE OUT With Author Lucky Luck 2

INSIDE OUT

with Lucky Luck 2 -

Author of Pitfalls Before The Altar and Beyond-


In the summer of 1998 with a desire to change careers, Lucky Luck 2 began writing a paper on in-law relationships hoping to become a journalist at a local newspaper. This one to two-page project swiftly turned into four to five pages. He continued to add thoughts to his original idea and the page count continued to increase. Finally, Lucky could not ignore the writer’s voice that always lived in his heart. Two months later, he embarked on writing his first novel entitled Pitfalls Before The Altar And Beyond. With careers in the fast food and retail industry, Lucky completed his novel in the summer of 2002.


Urban Reviews:  Tell our readers about Pitfalls Before The Altar And Beyond.
Lucky Luck 2:  The book begins with Derrick Lewis and Angela Robinson, a young and high-spirited couple, getting ready for their wedding. Before getting married, they experience some unpleasant "situations." After they get married, they face more trouble at home and outside the home. If one is contemplating getting into a serious relationship, this novel can be a guide to avoid a countless number of painful situations. If one is married or in a serious relationship and wondering should they get the HELL out, this book can be used as a mediator to lead them to their SAVING GRACE!!!

Urban Reviews:  How did the idea for this book come about?
Lucky Luck 2:  With a desire to change careers, I was going to become a freelance writer in hopes of becoming a full-time journalist. As I wrote about the topic, Relationships With In-laws, I kept getting bombarded with more ideas and the length of the paper greatly increased. As the pages grew, it eventually developed into the storyline for the title of the book.

Urban Reviews:  What things about the book industry have taken you by surprise?
Lucky Luck 2:  When you don't receive support or encouragement from established authors, that can sometimes be disheartening. When I didn't become an overnight success by quickly getting on the Best seller list, that was a wake-up call for me.

Urban Reviews:  What has been your best experience so far as a published author?
Lucky Luck 2:  When a person says that when they picked up my book they were not able to set it down, that is by far one of the greatest compliments that a person can give me about my work.

Urban Reviews:  Who or what inspired you to want to become a writer?
Lucky Luck 2:  My parents saw at an early age that I was blessed with the gift of writing and I had a talent for public speaking.

Urban Reviews:  Do you have any ideas or plans for any upcoming projects?
Lucky Luck 2:  I am currently working on my second novel, and this one is going to be 1,000 pages of literary heat!!!

Urban Reviews:  What do you like to do besides writing?
Lucky Luck 2:  I am a daytrader, and I will be doing more public speaking in the near future.

Urban Reviews:  What things can you suggest to other writers that are thinking about self-publishing their novel?
Lucky Luck 2:  When people tell you "don't give up," you shouldn't see that as a tired cliche. This person is usually trying to tell you that you will face many obstacles before you get to the finish line.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your novel?
Lucky Luck 2:  I would like to reiterate my novel is available at my website, http://www.allthingspublishing.com/ and also Barnes And Noble.


Website: http://www.allthingspublishing.com
Excerpt: http://bit.ly/pitfalls-excerpt 
Order your copy of Pitfalls Before The Altar And Beyond today!  
  
 

INSIDE OUT with Jennifer Coissiere - Author of Crossing Over

INSIDE OUT

with Jennifer Coissiere -

Author of Crossing Over -


Jennifer Coissiere is creatively driven in everything she does. She began writing poetry many years ago as a pre-teen, in an attempt to get away from her unhappy home life.

Currently, she is a full-time student, mother of three, wife to one, sister to two, and daughter. The stories she write are not necessarily a reflection of her life, but you can find a piece of her in each character she develops.

Urban Reviews:  Tell our readers about Crossing Over.
Jennifer Coissiere:  Well, Crossing Over is about Rachelle Martin, who lost her mother when she was 15 years old. Over the years she never really gets over the lost and becomes very protective of her twin brother, Raheem, and her father, Dwight. Rachelle dislikes change. However, when her father asks her for the ultimate Christmas present, she finds herself transforming while overcoming grief.

Urban Reviews:  Where did the inspiration for this novel come from?
Jennifer Coissiere: The inspiration for Crossing Over came from a couple of things. My best friend lost her mother when she was nine; even though, she is in her 40s, she still grieves her mother daily. My other reason is because I have a severe fear of death. I know it will happen one day to everyone, but I am still fearful of it occurring. And one other inspiration is my fascination with twins. I love seeing them and even have a few sets in my family. The personalities and the way they interact with each other and assess/deal with the same situation intrigues me.

Urban Reviews:  Have you always wanted to become a writer?
Jennifer Coissiere:  I have always written for as far back as I can remember. I started out writing really dark poems when I was in junior high school. I wanted to share my poetry, but I never really thought that I would merge into writing stories.

Urban Reviews:  Having a reviewer background, did you test your book out with anyone before release?
Jennifer Coissiere:  I had four test readers. I provided a form that I wanted them to fill out to give me the feedback I needed to make sure my story was well-rounded and realistic. I chose people with different demographics, because I did not want to limit the number of people I could reach. Their feedback coupled with my editor's changes/corrections enabled me to produce something I was happy with.
 
Urban Reviews:  What are your ultimate goals as far as the literary industry?
Jennifer Coissiere:  I want to continue to reach every walk of life with the messages I believe God has placed in my heart. I want to reach out to other authors and show them we can support each other in this business. There is no need to be cutthroat or ugly to each other to get ahead. Each one, teach one, reach one; and we all are blessed.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anyone who encouraged or inspired you to take a chance at writing?
Jennifer Coissiere:  Back in junior high school, my 8th grade English teacher, Mr. Doyle, took the time to encourage me. He read my entire poetry notebook and gave me feedback. He also encourage me to enter my first poetry contest, where I was a semi-finalist winner. And my mother is one of, if not my biggest fan. She keeps on me about the stories I write. She will ask and ask until I finally give her what she wants so she can give me a break. I appreciate both my teacher and mother for seeing the gift that took me awhile to see for myself.

Urban Reviews:  Are there any upcoming projects that we can look forward to?
Jennifer Coissiere:  Yes. I'm working on the sequel to Crossing Over titled Beyond New Beginnings. I'm also working on a several other stories titled Ribbons Pinned, Hiding Under the Umbrella, and editing Feelings Redirected.

Urban Reviews:  What do you like to do when you aren't writing?
Jennifer Coissiere:  I loved being with my family. They are my heart. Aside from that, I make beaded jewelry. I relieve a lot of stress while making my jewelry. Let's not forget my love for reading and reviewing books.

Urban Reviews:  What things do you think every author should do to promote their book?
Jennifer Coissiere:  For me, I'm an introvert. In order for me to promote my book, I had to step outside my comfort zone. As authors, we have to go outside the box to make sure everyone knows about our books. We have to be willing to spend some money in order to make some money. Most importantly, we need to ask questions and do research when we do not know something.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your novel?
Jennifer Coissiere:  I have a lot of stories in my head. I hope I can produce a better story each and every time I have a new release. I am constantly learning and will never claim to know it all.



Website: http://www.wordsmosaic.com
Excerpt: http://wordsmosaic.com/excerpts/
Blog: http://wordsmosaic.com/blog/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bizarrejc
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/bizarrejc

Click here to read our review of Crossing Over by Jennifer Coissiere
 
Order your copy of Crossing Over today! 

INSIDE OUT with Dolen Perkins-Valdez

INSIDE OUT
with Dolen Perkins-Valdez


Dolen Perkins-Valdez was born and raised in Memphis, TN. She is a graduate of Harvard and George Washington University. She has published fiction in The Kenyon Review and elsewhere. Wench is her first novel.




Urban Reviews:  Tell our readers about Wench.
Dolen Perkins-Valdez:  WENCH tells the story of four women who are the enslaved mistresses of their masters. They meet at a summer resort in 1850s Ohio and begin to contemplate escape when the spirited Mawu arrives. She pushes them to think about running and leaving behind their plantations. Yet the decision is a difficult one, especially for my protagonist Lizzie who believes she loves her master and that he loves her. The novel examines the complicated dynamic between a female slave and her white male master.

Urban Reviews:  How did you come up with the idea for this book?
Dolen Perkins-Valdez:  I was reading a biography of W.E.B. Du Bois and, during a section about his time spent on the campus of Wilberforce University, I came across a stunning line about the existence of a summer resort in Ohio that was popular among slaveholders and their enslaved mistresses. I could not get this idea out of my head. I had so many questions. I began to delve into the archives, and found very little. These women left no record behind. Neither did the men, as far as I could tell. I wanted to write this book to answer my own questions of what life would have been like for these women.

Urban Reviews:  What are your ultimate goals as far as the literary industry?
Dolen Perkins-Valdez:  I'd love to keep publishing and writing stories. This is a very tough business, but I love to write and I hope my readers will hang in there with me.

Urban Reviews:  Who do you think will most enjoy Wench? Is there anyone who shouldn't read it for whatever reason?
Dolen Perkins-Valdez:  My hope is that everyone will read Wench! It has resonated most with women readers, particularly those who want to learn something new and different about this period in history.

Urban Reviews:  Do you have any upcoming projects that we can look forward to?
Dolen Perkins-Valdez:  All I can say is that I am still waiting for inspiration for the next literary project. I won't begin something until I feel extremely compelled because I know that it will take quite some time to finish!! Stay tuned.


Urban Reviews:  Do you have any favorite authors or books?
Dolen Perkins-Valdez:  I am influenced by so much more than fiction, but the great novels that changed my life include Toni Morrison's Beloved, Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, Gayl Jones' The Healing, and Edward P. Jones' All Aunt Hagar's Children.

Urban Reviews:  What's the best literary advice you've gotten from another person in the literary world so far?
Dolen Perkins-Valdez:  I recently had lunch with the legendary Marita Golden who had some very wise words of wisdom for me. She reminded me that although the writing seems to be the most important thing, I should always keep "friends, faith, and family first." She is a gem of a person, and I cherish that advice.

Urban Reviews:  Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your novel?
Dolen Perkins-Valdez:  I believe in the importance of telling the story of these slave women. That is what motivated me to keep going all these years. I hope other writers who have not yet published will keep writing! There are so many stories that need to be told. If you don't tell the story that is in your heart, who will?

Website: http://dolenperkinsvaldez.com/ 
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dolen-Perkins-Valdez/153145218813
Twitter: http://twitter.com/dolen

Order your copy of Wench: A Novel today!

INSIDE OUT WITH CHRISTOPHER HERZ - AUTHOR OF 'THE LAST BLOCK IN HARLEM'

INSIDE OUT WITH CHRISTOPHER HERZ -
Author of The Last Block In Harlem -
Available July 13, 2010 on Amazon Encore

INSIDE OUT WITH SHAY NOLON - AUTHOR OF 'EVERTHING YOU OWE ME'

INSIDE OUT WITH SHAY NOLON - Author of 'Everything You Owe Me' -

Shay Nolon is the author of Everything You Owe Me (December 2009), and Greedy (August 2010). She is also the author of self-published title Tell Me No Lies (October 2006).

Shay Nolon currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri. You can find out more info about this author at http://www.hollygrovepublishing.com/, Author's Den, or Facebook.


1. Tell our readers about Everything You Owe Me.
A. Well, Everything You Owe Me is about two cousins, Tosha and Dannay, whose lives and marriages couldn't be more different - at least that's how things appear on the surface. Tosha struggles to hold on to her crumbling marriage despite signs that her husband is cheating. Dannay's marriage is the picture of perfection, and she is the only person Tosha can turn to. Who will Dannay have to turn to when the perfect image of her marriage shatters?

2. How did the idea for this book come about?

A. The idea for this book came about by my observance of the lengths that people will go to in the name of love, especially when there is a marital committment involved. Some people are willing to let go, while other's are determined to hold on by any means necessary.

3. What was it that pushed you to want to become a writer?

A. As a child with a love of books and reading, it had always been my dream to become a writer.

4. What has been the biggest challenge for you in regards to the book business?

A. The harderst challenge for me in regards to the book business has been carving out a name for myself and reaching a larger reading market.

5. What are your ultimate goals as far as the book industry?

A. My goals as far as the book industry is to keep producing stories that resonate with readers, to continue to hone my skills as a writer, and hopefully one day have writing be my fulltime career.

6. What things did you do to help prepare yourself for your literary journey?
A. Some of the things I did to help prepare myself for my literary journey was to read a lot of the type of stories that I enjoy writing, to research and study the literary market, and I tried my hand in the self-publishing arena to gain valuable experience on what it takes to promote and sell my work.

7. Do you have any ideas or plans for an upcoming project?
A. I've been tossing around some ideas for my next book. I just haven't decided on a title yet, but it's in the works as we speak.

8. Do you have any favorite authors or books?
A. Some of my favorite authors are Eric Jerome Dickey, Gloria Mallette, Kimberla Lawson Roby, J.D. Mason, Miasha, Sapphire, Dwayne S. Joseph, Brian W. Smith, and a whole list of other authors that I admire.

9. What advice do you have for others thinking of getting into the book business?
A. The advice I would give to others thinking of getting into the book business is to come armed with a lot of faith, endurance, patience, and belief in yourself. You have to be ready to take the positive and the negative as an essential step to bettering yourself as a writer.

10. Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your novel?
A. Be on the look out for my second novel on the Hollygrove label titled Greedy, and if you want to order a copy of Everything You Owe Me, you can go to the Hollygrove publishing website, Amazon.com, Tower.com, Barnes and Noble, Borders, or wherever books are sold.

Order your copy of Everything You Owe Me today!

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