Interview with Fallen Author Quiana

Interview with Fallen Author Quiana

UM: Can you Introduce yourself to readers?

I’m Quiana, a new author from Philadelphia! Writing is a passion of mine that I am eager to share. It’s been a long time goal of mine since age 17 to become a published author by the age of 25, so I am very proud to have met that goal and to deliver a great story to my audience.

UM: How did you get involved in publishing?

Well, I consulted with several authors that I know to decide if self publishing was the best option. I was proud of my completion but had no Idea how to go through the publishing process. I did a lot of research! I decided to go with self publishing due to the amount of freedom it allows, it’s just a lot of work.

UM: What prompted you to write Fallen? Anything based of true events?

The story is not based upon true events, however people can relate, I think that is why my readers love it so much. The plot just came to me one day in my living room after I already started another novel. I felt strongly in my heart that Fallen should be my first novel, and so far it has proven to be a good choice. There aren’t many stories, if any, about this new wave of cougars in the dating world. Fallen explores that type of a relationship with the upsides and downfalls. Throw sex, lies, and adultry in it and you have a very captivating story!

UM: Who is the audience for the book? What do you hope they take away after reading?

I have had young, old, white and black readers so far who all loved the story! I am very proud to say my audience range with this story is wide. Fallen was intended to be a story for mothers. Mothers who like myself, gave up youth in exchange for stability or to raise a family. Ramae, the main character, spends a lot of time reflecting back and wondering if things could have been different. I think for men and women, we have a hard time fighting selfish temptation, and thinking that we missed out on something. I want my readers to take the lesson of thinking before acting from this story. Is lust and youth worth risking for stability? Should we be accepting of the life that we have chosen or is it never to late to live our dreams? These are questions people deal with on the daily bases.

UM: Who was your favorite character? Why?

Well of course I have to say Ramae! As the main character she expereinces several transformations, which always makes a plot great. You see her at her strongest and weakest, you root for her while secretly wishing for her downfall. You will find yourself identifying with her internal conflicts, while wondering what is she thinking! But I also love her friend Porscha because she reminds me of myself! The fun friend who will always tell it how it is! I love her character because she doesn’t sugar coat things with Ramae, she focuses more on being a true friend not a good one.

UM: DId you have any challenges while writing the book?

With Fallen being my first book the greatest challenge was sticking to it! I had to remind myself that this was something that I’ve wanted for a long time and if anytime was the right time it would be 2011! I had prayed for time off from work to write my first novel, and when God blessed me with it I knew it was time to focus! Being a single parent also created challenge. I would feel guilty for giving up hours to writing somedays.

UM: Whats Next?

My next novel will be Uptown’s Princess! I am working on it now and I hope to release it in the spring. There will also be a sequel to Fallen in the future, and I would love to turn it into a stage play! Hopefully 2012 will be a big year there are lots of plots in my head that I am ready to put on paper.

UM: Tell readers how to contact you or attend some of your events.

You can always follow me on twitter @authorquiana, facebook Author Quiana, or my website www.Quianawrites.com which has my email listed! Readers should also checkout my video blog on my about me page to get a better sense of me as a person! My website also has info on my upcoming book party in Philadelphia and will have postings for radio interviews, book signings, and other events.

Interview with Alani’s Bigger Hustle Author Kai Storm

UM: Introduce Yourself to Readers.

KS: My name is Kai Storm, I am the author of Alani’s Bigger Hustle. It’s my first novel, written in 2008 and published in July 2011.

UM: Tell us about your book Alani’s Bigger Hustle.

KS: Alani’s Bigger Hustle is about a young panamanian girl who grew up in the drug game, came to America and met a pedofile/drug dealer and used him to get/overtake the game in her special way.

UM: How would you describe your writing style?

KS: The best way to describe my writing style is turning a nickle into a dollar. In other words I take a small, insignificant real fact and turn it into a whole fantasy. That’s what makes my stories so real.

UM: What are some of your favorite books?

KS: Coldest Winter Ever and Their Eyes were watching God

UM: What type of reader would enjoy your book most? What do you want readers to take away after reading your book?

KS: Any type, there are numerous life lessons written into the fantasy/fictional story of Alani’s Bigger Hustle and the moral of the story is to always follow your dreams because they can come true, that’s what my book represents to me.

UM: Who is your favorite character? Why?

KS: The main characters, Alani and Baker because their love/trust for each other is so real and genuine.

UM: What challenges occurred while writing the book?

KS: No challenges, the story lived within my since I was 12. The real challenge was getting published because I was first signed to a company that did nothing with my novel then I found a reputable company who published me within six months.

UM: What’s next?

KS: The sequel. Everyone that has read ALANI’S BIGGER HUSTLE has asked me for the sequel and I am about 60-80% into it. I also have two book signings in Philadelphia on 12/10/11.

UM: How can readers connect with you for signings etc.?

KS: On Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Youtube, Linkedin, just google me and you will find me, lol!

HERE’S THE LINK TO AMAZON AND KINDLE, & KINDLEGRAPH:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alanis-bigger-hustle-kai-storm/1103960669

http://www.amazon.com/Alanis-Bigger-Hustle-ebook/dp/B004XN00C8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1317831229&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0069U4XOY

Put on Your Crown – Queen Latifah Book Giveaway

Which www.UrbaniaMag.com visitor will win a copy of the new Queen Latifah Book? How about a Vivitar Camcorder and camera?

Free registration here.

Thanks to a partnership with the Hatchette Book Group, 25 lucky visitors will win a copy of Queen Latifah’s new book, Put on Your Crown. In addition, one other person will win a Vivitar camcorder and camera accessory package.

Free registration here.

The promotion ends May 30, 2010. The winners will be announced. Registration is free and only takes a few seconds to complete.

Read the first chapter of the book here.

Don’t forget the free registration.

Have fun.

Street Legends Vol. 2 – Seth Ferranti

Seth Ferranti

Seth Ferranti is the acclaimed author of a number of books, perhaps most notably “Prison Stories”, which he self-published through his company Gorilla Convict Publications. Ferranti currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for dealing drugs. He has currently served 17 years. As he was sentenced under the guidelines of an LSD kingpin, Ferranti’s case was widely publicized and covered in high profile sources like Rolling Stone magazine and The Washington Post.

Not only did he form his company while in prison, he has helped to publish other incarcerated writers. Ferranti is an accomplished journalist and has written pieces for a wide variety of magazines including FHM, Vice and Don Diva. More information about Gorilla Convict Publications and Seth Ferranti’s work can be found at http://www.gorillaconvict.com

Urbania: Can you tell me a little bit about your publishing house Gorilla Convict? How did you find the other writers that you are currently publishing?

Seth: Gorilla Convict Publications is the voice of the convict. It is founded and formed by prisoners and for prisoners. We are trying to bring readers the voices that might not otherwise be heard. We are trying to shed light on the stories that have been manipulated by the mainstream media and government. We give the prisoners side. We give voice to the legends of the street. They have been glorified and name dropped in hip hop, now with Gorilla Convict Publications you can read their real stories, in their words and the words of their homies, co-defendants and relatives.

We try to promote any other prisoners who are writing and putting out books from the penitentiary. We know it’s a struggle because we did it ourselves. So anyone with like minds we hook up with and help them to do their thing. Like my man Lamont “Fridge” Needum whose book STRAIGHT SAVAGE is like that and my dudes from the MIA Plex and Mike Harper who wrote BooBaby and STREET RAISED respectively. Their books are like that. At Gorilla Convict we promote and network to find the talented writers that exist within this system. There are a lot of dudes in here with a lot of stories to tell.

Urbania: Do you ever think of writing a straight up biography about your own life?

Seth: I’d like to write a biography one day or a movie script about my story. I’m not a gangster or anything like that. I’m just a kid from the suburbs who got caught up in this bullshit war on drugs and now I am paying the price with this 25-year federal sentence of which I’ve served almost 17 years of so far. So eventually, yes, I will write a straight up biography of my life and case and the circumstances that led me to be incarcerated. As of now, magazines like Rolling Stone and Don Diva have touched it upon, but I look forward to writing the complete and unabridged story one day. But for now I have a lot more stories to write and to share with the world in my Street Legends series.

Urbania: I know you didn’t start writing books until you were in prison, did you ever have any indicators earlier in life that you wanted to write?

Seth: I always played in bands when I was young. I still sing and play guitar. I know its kind of weird being that I write about gangsters and urban stuff, but really I am way into punk and metal, music wise. Though I do love a lot of the early hip hop stuff like Run DMC, Beastie Boys, NWA, DAS EFX, UTFO and stuff like that. I have always written songs and poetry and lyrics and the like, and it just evolved into what it is now. So I guess I did have indicators early in life that I wanted to write. It’s about more than that though, it’s about being able to create and to have a vision and follow through on it. That’s what I think I have always been about even when I was out on the street selling LSD and marijuana at all the east coast colleges. That was my vision back then, Gorilla Convict is my vision now. When I finally hit the streets my vision will take on a new form.

Urbania: What are currently your main motivations as a writer?

Seth: My main motivation as a writer now is to get stuff done. I want to put out a book a year for the rest of my bid, 6 years. So that when I get out I will have a resume, my books, my works that will speak as to what I am capable of. I want to be heard. I want these stories to be heard. I think it’s great that hip hop and urban fiction has opened up these doors. Especially for me and other people in prison. It gives us something to aim for and it gives us hope of a future life when we get out.

I want to use my time wisely and crank out as much quality material as I can. I’m happy that people are interested in my work, but for real I would do this regardless. This is my passion. Like I said, I’m a visionary and I won’t compromise my vision for anybody or anything. My wife and I started this from prison. When I get out I want to take it as far as it can go. That is my motivation.

Urbania: Street Legends 2 comes out next month. Can you talk a bit about how this new book compares with the first Street Legends?

Seth: Street Legends Vol 2 drops in DEC 09 and it carries on where Street Legends Vol 1 left off. In Vol 1 I wrote about the death before dishonor sic- Supreme, Wayne Perry, Anthony Jones, Aaron Jones from the JBM, Boy George and Pistol Pete. Six of the most recognizable gangsters of the hip hop era. These dudes were the black and Latino John Gotti’s and Pablo Escobar’s.

Now in Vol 2, I am profiling the original gangsters. Dudes you might have heard about but never really knew about. Frank Matthews, Peanut King, Michael Fray, The Boobie Boys, Short North Posse and New World. A lot of the street legends we hear about from the rappers are from New York, so I widened my scope on this one and tried to write about legends from different areas including Baltimore, DC, Miami, Columbus, Ohio and New Jersey. I wanted to talk about the older legends you might not have known that much about and some of the newer, not so hyped up ones. So basically Vol 2 is the same format. We are just talking about different legends.

Urbania: Do you think you have inspired other people in prison to become writers? Can you give some examples?

Seth: I think I have inspired other people in prison to be writers. Me and my man Joe Black started off together, he wrote Street Team and Squeeze. I’ve also been around Robert Booker who wrote PUSH and Eyone Williams who wrote Fast Lane and Hell Razor Honeys I and II. My man Fridge who wrote STRAIGHT SAVAGE and Plex who wrote BOOBABY and Mike Harper who wrote STREET RAISED.

I’m sure I have inspired them and they have inspired me and vice versa. Wahida Clark has been corresponding with me since she first started writing. Also Kwame Teague, who wrote the DUTCH series for Teri Woods, is someone I correspond with. I know a lot of writers who are still in prison. We have all inspired and tried to help each other. I’ve done whatever I could to get interviews and articles about all the people I have named here in magazines and on Internet sites. I appreciate Urbania doing the same for me. I’m sure there are more writers too. That’s just off the top of my head.

Urbania: On one of your blogs you mention you are interested in filmmaking when you get out. Are you going to get into Directing films? Also are you thinking of making your books into films or would you do something new?

Seth: I am going to get into film making when I get out. I want to write and
direct. I want to be like Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez. Like
I said before, I have a vision. Some of the stories I written about would
make great films.

But I want to do more than gangster films. I want to do action/adventures with a gangster edge, of course. Anything I do has to have that edge to it. But dudes like Supreme and Boy George have tailor-made stories for film. When I am in the right position, I will push to get those films made. I will write them and then I will do all I can to get someone to bankroll them. I have written a couple of scripts and am still perfecting my screenwriting craft.

Street Legends: Vol: 2 can be purchased the Booksellers below.

Amazon

Interview with Author Seven – The Urban Therapist

Seven is a published author, poet and activist. Her passionate writing has not only transformed her own life, but also transformed the lives of others.

Growing up in the projects of Richmond, Virginia, Seven experienced many difficulties in her childhood including numerous deaths in her family. Through her writing and her outreach, she has drawn on her experiences to help others.

Seven writes on her website, “For some reason, I’ve always been intrigued by the power of words. It may have something to do with the fact that as a child growing up, my Mother used to tell me all the time that I didn’t have to fight (physically). She would always tell me that I could whip a person’s butt with my mouth (my words). She often reminded me that violence wasn’t necessary, unless absolutely necessary!”

Seven has her BA degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice and is currently working towards her Masters in Public Administration. Her books include “Gorilla Black,” a contributor in “Street Chronicles: Tales from Da Hood” and a compilation of poetry and prose called “Broken Flowers.”

During our interview with Seven, we discussed her goals, her writing, and activism.

Urbania: You are now published with Random House, which is fantastic. Was it a difficult path to get to this point? Can you tell us a bit about how this unfolded?

Seven: I had a short story published in Nikki Turner’s first installment of the Street Chronicles Series. My short story, “Big Daddy”, was the lead story in Street Chronicles/Tales from da Hood. After the anthology was published in Jan 2006, I was then asked to submit a story for Nikki’s line of full-length novels. My novel “Gorilla Black” was then also chosen to lead the Nikki Turner Presents line of hard-hitting street fiction.

To have been selected to lead the series of short stories and then later chosen as the lead author in the book line was such a double pleasure. Ironically, I never set out to write urban fiction. I was living and working in the D.C Metro area when an old friend (author LaKesa Cox) heard I was writing poetry. She introduced me to Nikki Turner. Nikki and I spoke over the INTERNET through email. I submitted a short story before the week was out and the rest is history.

Urbania: What advice would you give young writers who are struggling to get started?

Seven: I would encourage young writers to stay true to themselves and to write what’s in their heart. The pen doesn’t have an eraser. There is no right or wrong way to express yourself. Be yourself and do not try to imitate anyone else.

Urbania: Can you tell us more about your activism?

Seven: I am a volunteer member with R.A.I.N.N (Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network). I am a member of RAINN’S Speaker’s Bureau. As members, we speak out, disseminate information and interview when needed. We attend events like Congressional Hearings, rallies or any affair that speaks or advocates for victims of sexual abuse and assault. I am 100% committed to my activism with the organization and often share my own personal experiences as a survivor. I encourage other survivors both known and silent, to take advantage of our toll free hot line, which is 1-800-656-HOPE.

Urbania: Do you see your writing and your activism being one and the same? Tell us about how they are related.

Seven: Writing is therapeutic for me. It helps me to deal with some of the horror I’ve seen (growing up in the hood, etc) and have also endured. In fact, some of my writing is reflective of my own personal experiences. My poetry/prose compilation entitled Broken Flowers is centered on many of my own personal experiences (sexual abuse, physical abuse, betrayal, etc.) Warning: The language is strong in this poetic bramble as the pain is very real. Broken Flowers can be purchased from paypal through my website at sevenspeaks.com

Urbania: You also go by the name of “Seven, The Urban Therapist.” What exactly does that tag mean?

Seven: I’ve been coined the Urban Mercenary or Urban Therapist by others in my genre because of my therapeutic style of writing. If you noticed on the back side of my novel Gorilla Black, Chunichi, author of the Gangster’s Girl series, is quoted as saying, “Seven is the new urban mercenary stealing hearts. You gotta love her!”

When I read Chunichi’s blurb, I was ecstatic, as I had heard that she was reviewing of the book but had no idea what her thoughts were until the book’s release. Ironically, the tag Urban Therapist had already followed me- so there you have it. Great minds think alike. To have such a tag placed on me by those writing in the same genre is an awesome feeling. Much love and respect to Chunichi (always) for such an appropriate and on point blurb! Chunichi, I’ll take that! (smiling)

Urbania: This question ties into the last one a bit… Have you gotten a lot of direct feedback over the years from people who have felt your work helped them?

Seven: By no means am I claiming to be a licensed therapist. In fact, my undergraduate degree is in Sociology/Criminal Justice. I am currently working towards my MPA (Masters in Public Administration). However, I have worked in the field of counseling as a crisis counselor, in addition to working with at-risk youth. I completed my undergraduate internship at the Richmond City Jail as a Jail Counselor, as well as worked as a volunteer at the Daily Planet Homeless Shelter.

While I have an extensive background both professionally and personally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t add that my personal experiences, and not my BA degree, make me a subject matter expert. I am an advocate of counseling because it is my belief that so many people are hurting. Men and women, boys and girls from all walks of life have confided deep dark secrets to me. Some after reading my work and or from just having open and honest communication with me.

Make no mistake about it, people are living in shame and fear about things that have happened to them, things that many of them have had absolutely no control over. And, while God is good all the time, it is my opinion that there are times where we need to be strong in our faith. But with faith, many of us still need counseling to go along with prayer. It is through my work that I attempt to reach hearts and save souls, one message at a time.

Based on the amount of feedback that I have received over the years from friends, family, co-workers, acquaintances and readers; the answer to your question is without question, yes. Helping others is part of my make up. I’m often criticized for wanting to help others but quite honestly, this is who I am and I know of no other way to be. However, again, I am not a therapist by profession. I encourage those who need help to seek it and to not depend on family, friends or books that you read to heal you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with going to sit on the “couch.”

Urbania: We read that you are working on something new. Can you tell us more about it?

Seven: Yes, I am writing another novel. I typically do not give out many details, as I like to surprise my readers. What I will say is that it is another meaningful work; one that I hope will steal the hearts of my readers, one chapter at a time!

For more information on Seven, please visit www.sevenspeaks.com or follow her on Facebook under Seven Speaks!

Trapped in the Closet by Jordan Belcher

TRAPPED IN THE CLOSET
BY
Jordan Belcher

Her kidnappers told her not to move, but how else was she supposed to keep the blood circulating through her legs?

Sometimes she’d be sitting with her knees bent close to her chest, and when that starts to feel uncomfortable, she’d stretch her legs flat out, ankles touching. It wasn’t like she could spread her legs into the splits… the closet she was held captive in was too small for that.

The fact that her hands were cuffed behind her back was uncomfortable, too. And they were furry cuffs, like somebody’s sex toy or something. But this wasn’t some sex game taking place. Her kidnappers were serious business. They proved it after she insanely kicked on the door screaming for them to let her out, and a gut in a ski mask yanked it open and told her to shut the fuck up after he punched her in the face. Blood was still dried up under her nose.

So she hadn’t kicked or screamed again. She thought about it, but then the pain in her nose made her think otherwise. The last time she had her nose made her think otherwise. The last time she had her nose busted was when her then best friend Janet Finley caught her in the act with long-tongue Brandon, Janet’s dusty boyfriend at the time. That was two years ago, prom night, Hickman Mills High School.

Maybe this was karma. Not for fucking Janet’s man—she already got her karma for that—but a new karma for fucking her current best friend Tracee’s husband, a money-getting drug dealer named Blue Rock. Yeah, this could definitely be considered some kind of bad divine intervention. Because she had been abducted at Blue Rock and Tracee’s home. Right after she got done riding Blue Rock’s hard dick, right when she was getting dressed and had only to put on her socks, a team of three masked thugs barged in the room pointing guns at them. The big kind of guns, too.

They took her. She didn’t know what they did with Blue Rock, but they took her and threw her in the trunk of a red box-style Chevy. Kansas license plates, she remembered, with the first three letters XTY. Then after a bumpy road trip, the next thing she knew she was being pulled out of the trunk into a messy garage, furry cuffs were slapped on her wrists and she was led through a door into somebody’s humble kitchen. It wasn’t until she was ushered into the empty living room and up the rickety stairs into an empty bedroom that she realized she was in a vacant house. They stuffed her in this closet, where she’s been for at least forty-five minutes.

It was pitch black in here, not even a ray of light shining under the door. Of course, the room beyond this closet was dark as well, and she had seen a little moonlight coming through those curtainless windows before they shut the door on her. She lived in darkness now. Just her and the cobwebs. Cobwebs came with creepy spiders, so it was just her, the cobwebs and probably some hungry brown recluses.

She wasn’t supposed to be in here. This was a case of mistaken identity, she surmised. The kidnappers had apparently thought she was Blur Rock’s wifey, Tracee, and took her for ransom. But she was prettier than Tracee, taller and thinner and didn’t have to wear a girdle like Tracee; she was Kiera Franklin, queen of opulence.

Kidnappers were dumb, though. Too inattentive. But when they found out she wasn’t the wife, that she was just Blue Rock’s secret side piece, they would surely let her go.

So the question was: How long would it take them to find out?
Tracee was probably at her grandmother’s nursing home right now, where she routinely visited every Saturday around 9:30 p.m. Sometimes the girl spent the night there. And that posed a problem. If Tracee didn’t go home tonight, then she wouldn’t discover kidnappers kicking her husband’s ass and she wouldn’t be rightfully captured; thus, they wouldn’t come let Kiera go with an apology. If Tracee didn’t go home tonight, Blue Rock’s scandalous butt would let the kidnappers believe that Kiera was in fact Tracee, and he would refuse to give up his drug money. That would leave Tracee safe at the nursing home; leave Blue Rock with his money—and leave Kiera dead.

It wasn’t going down like that. Kiera had to tell kidnappers who she was.

Swinging her legs up, she beat on the door with her bare feet. The raggedy wood rumbled loudly. “Hey, you dummies!” she yelled, kicking fast like she was in a grape-smashing contest. “Come get me outta here! I’m not Tracee!”

It took a moment, but then the door was snatched open. A kidnapper in a black ski mask and gloves hunched in grabbed her by the chest of her T-shirt and—

“Don’t hit me!” she said immediately.

Lowered his fist first, but still had a hold of her shirt with his other hand. “I told you to quit fuckin’ makin’ noise,” he growled. “Now I’ma hit you one more good time, but if you kick this door another—“

“I won’t kick it again, just don’t hit me and listen to me. I’m not who you think I am.”

“Oh really?”

“I’m not. I’m serious. My name is Kiera Franklin. Yall lookin’ for Tracee Cooke; that’s Blue Rock’s wife. She’s at the nursing home off Holmes Road. I’m not her .”

The kidnapper cocked his head as if considering her story. Then he stood up straight, placed a hand on the edge of the door and stared down at her through the mask. She couldn’t see his eyes—it was too dark, even with the moonlight behind him—but she could tell he was staring, likely trying to assess her facial features.

And then he did something odd: he started to chuckle.

Just as oddly, Kiera chuckled back. “Grabbed the wrong girl,” she said understandingly. “It happens. Once, I thought I picked up my niece from day care and it turned out to be—“

He slammed the door. She could hear footsteps leaving.

The bastard didn’t believe her, she thought. But she could prove that she was Kiera Franklin. One phone call to her mom would verify her name, her address, and even her social security number if they wanted it.

She kicked on the door again. “Come back! I was tellin’ the truth! All yall gotta do is—she battered harder—“ call my damn momma!”

The wood shook with increasing looseness, and she got the idea that if she kept kicking, the old door might come unhinged. She felt a prickle in the sole of her left foot and knew it was a splinter, but that didn’t stop her from trying to get free.

“My name is Kiera! Let me go!”

The door swung out fast. And not because she broke it off the hinges. There was a different kidnapper holding it open, a shorter one who looked down at her without a ski mask.

“Last warning, bitch. And I’m not playin’. I’ll tell them to come up here and shoot you dead right now and get it over with. Because I don’t care about the money, or you.”

Kiera was horrified. “Tracee?”

“Don’t act surprised. You made yo bed, now it’s time to lie in it. And I hope you had fun suckin’ and fuckin’ my husband. Because now it’s time for you to pay.” Tracee slammed the door.

Kiera was plunged back into total darkness.

Jordan Belcher is the author of Tre Pound. For more information visit Jordan’s page or follow on Twitter.

Amazon

Blackface by Q.B. Wells

Blackface: A Novel by Q.B. Wells
ISBN: 0976806185
Art Official Media LLC
c. 2010
$14.95 US / $17.95 CA

To protect his mother, sixteen year-old Clinton Ray a.k.a Black must run away from home. Forced to mingle with the worst elements and circumstances in urban life, Black bumps into Face, Penny and Zero, who together chase the American Dream.

Inevitably, their experiences provoke Black to reassess his friendships, his lifestyle and his own aspirations. In his journey of self-discovery, Black must learn to survive on the streets of Chicago, reevaluate his life decisions, or perish in the chaos of life.

Some Great Advice and Insights From The Man Behind RELENTLESS CONTENT

Some Great Advice and Insights From The Man Behind RELENTLESS CONTENT

In my initial correspondence with Aaron from Relentless Content, I was struck with one of the quotes that he placed at the bottom of his email. The quote was from Oliver Wendell Holmes and it read, “A man’s mind once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” I thought it was a fantastic quote, and it definitely made me want to learn more about Aaron, his insights, what prompted him to create Relentless Content.

Aaron began his writing career while still in prison, and says that he maintained the mindset of an author throughout his ordeal in prison. Once out of prison, he registered his company with the state of New York and began his company by having fifty copies of his own book PUSH printed. He sold PUSH for $15 dollars on the streets. However, now as a result of Aaron’s vision and perseverance we can now find his book on the shelves of Starbucks! I was motivated to learn more about how Aaron was able to get his work on the shelves of such an iconic international chain such as Starbucks.

Aaron’s story with Starbucks is an interesting one. His journey began in Harlem. It was in the Harlem Starbucks location that Aaron was first able to get his books on the shelves. During the four years that his books were on the shelves in the Harlem Starbucks, people from all over world were buying his books, regardless of race.

This success in the Harlem Starbucks afforded Aaron the opportunity to expand into several Starbucks outlets in Atlanta when he relocated. It was in Atlanta that one of Starbucks’ branch managers recognized the quality of Aaron’s writing, and encouraged him to set up a table inside the store for the day. Soon Aaron found himself in dealing directly with the Regional Manager of Starbucks, which opened the door for Aaron to make appearances at even more Starbuck branches. This exposure has allowed Aaron to meet a wide array of individuals including numerous professors of literature and history. He also met professionals in law, real estate and government who admired his work.

So what advice does Aaron have for young or new writers trying to market themselves and their work? He begins with some fantastic advice, stating, “My way is MY WAY. You cannot do it my way. You need to find unique ways, unique markets and emerging markets. I hold exclusive partnerships with some of the biggest, wealthiest business owners thanks to this strategy.”
This rather sage wisdom would likely help any new writer looking for guidance. Aaron’s point is a great one- it is important to carve one’s own niche in order to find his or her audience and reach true success.

Aaron also had some great observations on the difference between writing for a major publishing company and writing for a independent one. He feels that a major publishing company can quickly get a writers work out to the world, but that it is still up to the writers to get out there and promote the work themselves. On the other side of the coin, if you are going the independent publisher route, then you are going to have to tackle it head on, one book at a time. Aaron feels that hunger, discipline and talent must all be present for success to occur.

So what’s next for Aaron? 2009 looks to be a very interesting year as Aaron has scripts, films and reality television shows all in the works. You can follow Aaron on Twitter at www.twitter.com/relentlessaaron His website is www.relentlessaaron.com

Book Editor and Designer Candace K. Cottrell Offers Tips for Writers and Editors

Book Editor and Designer Candace K. Cottrell Offers Tips for Writers and Editors

Candace has been a book editor and designer for the past 4 years, and a web developer for 10 years. She is the CEO of CanDann Productions, a company that offers design, web development, editing, and other great services. Candace has a successful career in book editing, and as we found out, she has some helpful tips and suggestions for writers/editors just starting out. More information about her work can be found at the CanDann Productions website www.candann.com

How long have you been editing and book designing?

Candace: I’ve been doing book covers for 8 years, editing for 4 years, and typesetting for 4 years.

How did you get your start as an editor?

Candace: I was working full-time in the web development field back in 2005 and doing freelance websites, book covers, etc. I was also a RAWSISTAZ Reviewer at the time.

One of my web clients, Mark Anthony, asked me to come on board at Q-Boro Books, what was then a small, up-an-coming independent press. I jumped at the opportunity and sincerely loved my job. It was a great place to work and I’m thankful to Mark for opening that door to me.

What was it that drew you to editing?

Candace: I’ve been a bibliophile since I was a kid, so the editing thing was getting paid for pursuing one of my passions. What more can you ask for?

Of all the differing factors involved what do you think is the single most difficult part of being an editor?

Candace: The hardest part was accepting the fact that no editor is perfect and very few books are 100% error-free. I was very hard on myself, even if just a comma was out of place. I learned that with each phase in the editorial process you have to do your best, go through it twice, and let it go. I also learned that more than one editor should look at EVERY book.

What are some of the key skills that you think someone needs to be a good editor?

Candace: You definitely have to pay attention to the details. I mean everything. You had better write down or remember every character’s name, car, hair color, etc. Otherwise, Brian might inadvertently become Brice on page 120.

I think it’s also important to have instinct. Much of editing is learned, but the part that makes you a great editor is inherent, especially when we’re talking about content or substantive editing.

Is there something that new or young writers need to know about working with an editor? Or to phrase it another way, what mistakes do writers sometimes make when dealing with an editor?

Candace: Taking things personally. Brandon Massey once said that if a writer tells you he isn’t sensitive about his work, he’s lying. However, authors should realize that most good editors have only their best interest at heart. Also, they are all just suggestions. An author can choose to agree or disagree, change or not change. But I encourage them to ponder each suggestion. After all, aren’t you paying an editor for his or her expertise?

On the flip side of the coin what can a writer do that really makes you happy? What should young and new writers try to do to impress their editors and make them happy?

Candace: The things that make me happy are simple:
1) Read through the book a couple of times. You’ll be amazed at the time you’ll save an editor if you just read your own book before you hand it in.
2) If you want to be an author, that means you need to be a writer first. Real writers want to improve their craft. The best way you can do this is to simply practice.

What were some of your influences in terms of literature, film and music?
Oh, wow. I have so many in each category.

Candace: In literature, I love Charles Bukowski, Bernice McFadden, Stephen King, Nora Roberts, Kenji Jasper, Jewell Parker Rhodes, and the list goes on and on.

In film, I am a big fan of Vincent D’Onforio, Sophie Okonedo, Angela Bassett, Thandie Newton, Steven Buscemi, Sean Connery, and I could go on for hours.

In music, which is my first love, I am inspired by Bessie Smith, Son House, Muddy Waters, Dinah Washington, Aretha Franklin, Amel Larrieux, Alicia Keys, Leela James, Adriana Evans, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and hundreds more.

What do you feel was the best book you have ever read?

Candace: There are three books that really stole my heart: The Warmest December by Bernice McFadden, Beloved by Toni Morrison, and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. My favorite all-time, however, is Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. I will never forget his expert synthesis of characters, plot, and narrative.

How many hours does the typical book take to edit? Any tips for writers as to what they can do to cut down the number of hours you need to spend editing their work?

Candace: It depends on which phase of the editing process we’re talking about. Content editing can take around 20 solid hours, because not only are you reading the book, you’re thinking of ways it can be improved and then formulating an action plan for the author.

Copy editing is probably the most detail-oriented and mundane phase. It can take 30+ hours if the editor goes through it twice and enters changes into the computer.

Finally, proofreading is the quickest. It can be done in 10-15 hours. At this point, the book should be tight with few errors and (hopefully) no structural problems.

I’ll reiterate that the best thing an author can do to save an editor time is to READ THEIR BOOK BEFORE HANDING IT IN.

Any tips for someone looking to break into editing?

Candace: I would suggest reading Sol Stein’s books on writing (all of them) and anything else you can get your hands on. In essence, an editor is a skilled reader. Hence, he should be well read. As far as getting the actual work, you may have to prove yourself. But we all have to start somewhere, so offer a free edit in exchange for using the title on your books edited list.

Finally, any good tips for writers looking for that big break? What do you think the biggest “dos” and “don’ts” are in today’s publishing world?

Candace: Great writers don’t write to become rich and famous. They write because it’s what they love to do. I think it’s easy to tell the difference. Acquisitions editors will also be able to tell the difference, but you also have to understand that great books are passed on every day due to literary fads and budget restrictions. Get an agent who truly believes in your work, who can sell it because she believes in it. Otherwise, try self-publishing and get your name out there. Finally, just write. Keep writing. Some stories will be heard and others won’t, but you’ll be better for having gotten them on paper.