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A
SPECIAL SUMMER is your debut novel - Congrats!
Pitch the readers your story in 50 words or less.
-A
Special Summer
is a page turning, on the edge of your seat romance novel. If you
want an excellent read that will have you experiencing a range of
emotions and is tastefully sensual with strong, well-defined
African American characters, then
A Special
Summer is for
you.
What
are three words you would use to describe A SPECIAL SUMMER?
-Love,
passion, forgiveness
Many
of our readers are writers and are interested in going the
self-publishing route. Can
you talk to us about your new journey thus far - the advantages
and disadvantages you've found in self-publishing?
-Well,
thus far the self-publishing journey has been exciting. It’s a
good feeling knowing that you have accomplished your dream of
becoming an author. For me the major advantage of self-publishing
was that I was able to tell my story, the way I wanted it told.
Also, I enjoyed doing self-promotion for A Special Summer
prior to its release. I began telling folks about my book months
before it was released. I was really surprised by how interested
they were in my story and absolutely thrilled when they went on to
support me by buying my book and encouraging others to go out and
buy it. It’s such a rewarding experience when others give you
positive feedback about your work.
The
disadvantages of self-publishing is that can be very expensive,
time consuming, and a lot of rejection. Although, I love doing
self-promotion, my time is limited because of other commitments I
have. Often bookstore owners are leery when it comes to putting
newly self-published authors on their shelves. And if they do take
a chance on you they’ll do a consignment agreement for a rate
anywhere from 60/40, 55/45, or 50/50 split. All of the financial
risk is solely yours as the author.
How
long did it take you to write A SPECIAL SUMMER, and how long did
you wait until you decided to self-publish?
-It
took me about 2 ½ months to complete the first draft of A
Special Summer. About a month before I began writing my novel,
I researched the pros and cons of traditional publishing vs.
self-publishing. Once I decided that self-publishing was for me,
the decision was made to take that route before the manuscript was
completed.
What's
your favorite thing about A SPECIAL SUMMER?
-I
love that A Special Summer is not just a story of romance.
There are so many other layers to the story such as special
relationship bonds, forgiveness, and redemption.
Are
you an outliner or a jump-right-in writer?
-I’m
definitely a jump-right-in writer! I have a very overactive
imagination, so stuff just comes to me. When I’m on a writing
frenzy, the words/story flows.
What
is your writing inspiration?
-I
use writing as a stress reliever and a pleasurable means of
escapism.
They
(some collection of people in the universe - lol) believe that
good writers are also voracious readers.
What are you currently reading?
Who are some of your favorite authors?
-I’m
currently reading Satin Nights by Karen E. Quinones Miller. My
favorite authors are Brenda Jackson, Francis Ray, Leslie Esdaile,
Roy Glenn, Mary Monroe, J.D. Mason, Rochelle Alers, and J.
California Cooper.
Word
Association. What comes to mind when you see the following words:
Summer
– warmth
Relationships
– hard work
Writing
– another zone
Romance
– passion/pleasure
Young
love –
carefree/naïve
What
are you currently working on?
-My
second novel, which is a spin off from A Special Summer.
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