Interview with A Cold Piece Author Ni’cola Mitchell

UM: Introduce yourself to the audience.

Hello, my name is Ni’cola Mitchell, and I am an author and I run an independent publishing house NCM Publishing. Originally from Jamaica, I am a proud mother of two beautiful and talented girls Destani Imani 18 and Diamond Lynn 13. Currently we reside in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

UM: Tell us how your career started as a writer.

My story is actually different from other writers. Unlike most writers, that knew that this was going to be their profession, my dreams were totally opposite. I wanted to be a CEO of a hospital, not my own publishing company. My book career started from a dare. I graduated from college in 2008 and my friends and family dared me to turn my journal entries into a book. That is when I wrote my debut novel, Over and Over Again and then shortly after, The Appetizer, When You’re Not His Main Course. Two months after the release of the Appetizer, my eldest sister (whom raised me) passed away. She was my main cheer leader in my journey as an author. I went through a deep depression and penned out Twisted. Almost three years later from the release of my first novel, my fourth title A Cold Piece will be released March 31, 2012.

UM: Tell us about your upcoming release A Cold Piece.

Well I am really excited about this novel. This one is not like my usual drama filled novel. A Cold Piece is a Suspense Thriller revolving around three main characters: Lisa, Anthony, and Gabrielle. Lisa Oliver was comfortable in her lifestyle. She had everything that one can ask for, anything that money could buy and a husband that treasured her. Everything changed once Anthony found about some horrible secrets that Lisa was hiding and divorced her. Two years go by, and Anthony remarries Gabrielle, they are happy and settled in their life, until everyone around the happy couple either becomes missing, hurt or dead.

UM: How do you balance your writing / publishing with your personal and social life?

It wasn’t until recently that I realized the importance of balance. The only way that I can continue being successful in my career, is if I separate my family life from my career. I have incorporated my team more and began scheduling time for my family. This includes turning my phones off, and not checking my emails.

UM: When you attend an event(book signing/festival), what last impression or message do you want to leave visitors with?

I want the readers to see that I am a real person. Even though I am professional and grind out everyday, that I am also funny and down to earth. I hope that a person can see me pursuing my dreams, and that will in turn motivate them to pursue their own.

UM: Can you give us your contact information:

My websites are as follows: www.nicolacmitchell.com, www.ncmpublishing.com, www.nicolaandtamika.com. You can also find me on facebook and twitter: www.facebook.com/msnicola and www.twitter.com/msnicola

Interview with Over and Over Again Author Nicola Mitchell

1. UM: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. What inspired Over and Over Again?

When I started writing the book it was supposed to be a tribute to my children. I had a daughter that passed away named Dionni. She lived to be 40 days old. The combination of all of my daughters is who I created this character to be. I combined the features of my other daughter’s Destani 15 and Diamond 10, and came up with this character. I believe the characteristics, and the description that I created in this story is how my real Dionni would have been.

Then like other artist who has written about relationships, I was hurt. The pain that I was feeling allowed me to take the story line and my characters to another level. It allowed me to express how my self and the way other women in the world may feel after trying to make things work over and over again.

2. UM: The writing process is different for every writer. Describe your ups and downs when writing Over and Over Again.

Like I stated before, in the beginning it was a story created as a tribute to my children, but once I got into it, I went into another direction. At times I had writers block, but I would just stop and go to another section. I work a full time job and I am getting my MBA. So when things would come to me at work or at school, I would just jot them down, and work on it in the wee hours of the night. Once I established the pain in the story line, it was a lot easier for me to complete. A natural flow was then established, and while listening to music I was able to complete the manuscript.

3. UM: Is there a moral to the story or a message you want to communicate to readers?

I want my readers to be entertained but at the same time display that even through the trials and tribulations that life may bring, us as women can still be independent and successful.

4. UM: What is next for you? Any future events or information you want our audience to know about?

I have already started my next book “The Appetizer,” and right now I am just promoting and preparing for my book release in July. I was just at the Las Vegas Black Book Festival as one of the 20 a featured author, and I have a host of other events such as:

Apr 4 Maryland Writer’s Conference

May 28 – 31 Book Expo of America – New York City, NY

Jun 18 – 20 Black Writer’s Conference – Las Vegas, NV

June 13-14 AAMBC National Meeting – San Antonio, TX

July 18 Harlem Book Fair – Harlem, NY

July 31- Aug 2 National Book Club Conference – Atlanta, GA

5. UM: How can our readers contact you and support your endeavors?

The readers can check out my website: www.nicolacmitchell.com or join my fan club site nicola.ning.com. My email is nicola@nicolacmitchell.com

Thank you