JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Michael Mcgrew, author of My Kinda Girl
(Good Game Ent.)
(One of the first ten people to comment will win a copy of Michael McGrew’s My Kinda Girl).
Congratulations to SiStar Tea for winning a FREE copy of My Kinda Girl!
Bobbi Williams dreamed his way to the top not taking “No†for an answer. From street hustler to a successful conman, he finds himself lost and confused when his best friend/sister is murdered in cold blood.
Now doing a six year bid for a string of robberies he is friends with his late-sister’s boyfriend James. They plan their way back to the top together. When Bobbi is released from Atlanta State Penitentiary with a lot to prove and a legal hustling game plan, his life begins to take a successful turn for the worst.
Starting with James’ fiancé, Jennifer, recognizing that she is his kind of girl. Bobbi has it all: the money, fame, a fantasy and a family until his past and a little karma catches up to him. My Kinda Girl is a tale that travels deep in the mind of a man with secrets that manifest into problems, too hard to live with, and death is the only way out!
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write My Kinda Girl?
Michael McGrew: I got the idea for my novel one day when I was accompanied by a close friend of mine. He happened to invite me to the beach with some lady friends of his. After a couple of drinks and a lot of socializing, I became interested in one of the women whom seemed to be my buddy’s girl. It was something about her that captured me. With my standards, feelings like that were rare.
I am a man of principle. With that being said, I battled with myself temporarily because I was tempted to come on to her anyway. Fortunately, I chose to abide by my principles and decided to honor my friendship but always wondered how far could I have went with her before I got caught!
JP: What sets My Kinda Girl apart from other novels in its genre?
MM: Well, a lot of male authors try to write from a woman’s perspective, and I think that’s great. On the other hand, women are captivated by a man’s point of view and need to understand that we are logical thinkers and not emotional. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel but only elaborate extensively and creatively with my gripping and unique style of writing.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to My Kinda Girl getting out to the public?
MM: The keys to my success is the passion that I have for my lifestyle. I wouldn’t call what I do a hobby or craft but just what it is, and that’s a lifestyle. I understand that hard work is involved in every success story. I plan to continue my social networking and bookmarking. I have been running my website and selling my novel with the intentions to discover an agent to represent me with hopes to sign with a major. I am a hard worker and look forward to the opportunity to prove myself
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish My Kinda Girl?
MM: It took me four months to write my first novel and three months to write my second. I also wrote a movie script in two months and I’m getting better as I come along. I would say that my estimated time to complete a novel would be two to three months.
JP: What’s next for Michael McGrew?
MM: Next I plan to complete my third novel by the end of the year at least, if not earlier. I also start school in July for film production. Networking with the right people will ultimately land me where I need to be. My only motivation is being a role model for my son. I have tremendous plans, and all I need is the opportunity.
http://www.myspace.com/jaylazy1
http://twitter.com/michaelmcgrew
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Great interview, I am interested if he got the woman’s perspective in this novel, I do like how it came about…sounds like it could be a movie, Best wishes with this book Mr.McGrew and Kudos to you Joey!
Yours truly,
Shayla
This book sounds really interesting. The amount of time it takes Mr. McGrew to write his novels is impressive. Wonderful interview.
What draws me most to the book is the cover. Looks like it’s a wonderful read.
@Shayla – Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your presence.
@Jennifer – I was thinking the same thing about his turn around time. He’s pretty quick. That’s what happens when you are focused. I’ve seen some people reaction to the book here and there. And it sounds like this is a winner.
@Chastity – I like the book cover too. No “T ‘n A” but it still draws you in, right?
very interesting 🙂 I would take the time to read it and later talk about it on my youtube channel. promotion !! lol
Hey Joey great interview as always. Sounds like a very interesting story as we see a man stand by his principles. The cover reminds me of Shyt List by Reign
I’d love a book..thanks
@Johee – Hey any promotion is good promotion, right? What’s the link to your youtube channel?
@SiStar Tea – Thank you, and I remember seeing this style of book cover before when I first looked at it. I just couldn’t remember the author. I can tell you go through a lot of books… lolv
@Linda – Thanks for stopping by. Your presence is always welcome. You are now in the running to win this book. Good luck!
Here is the list of people who are in the running for the free copy of My Kinda Girl.
1) Shayla V. McClellon
2) Jennifer C
3) Chasity
4) Johee
5) SiStar Tea
6) Linda Chavis
7) ???
8) ???
9) ???
10) ???
Joey Yes I do. I havent read Shyt List another member of the book club read it. I just remember there cover being similar. Wonder how they feel about that. Seems like they had the same person do their covers. That doesnt seem good for business you ask me
That thought briefly crossed my mind about how ethical or appropriate for two books to have such similar covers. I guess that would be a huge issue if the same person did both because that graphic designer knowingly made two book covers very similar.
On the other hand, it kind of reminds me of reggae where your lyrics is really want makes a song different when two DJs are chanting on the same riddim. Better promotion will win every time.
A similar issue was discussed a few interviews ago on joeypinkney.com by Randy Thompson. His book came out around the same time another author released a book titled “Ski Mask Way”. Part of promoting his book was differentiating his book from the other one of the same title.
Things that make you go, “Hmmmmm…”
Ill have to check that one out. I am privy to both those books. I have not read either one. I remember meeting Randy at HBF and seeing some other interview where he stated his book came out 1st.
That brings out a whole other can of worms. I have seen that happen many times. Book especially in the same genre souldnt have the same name. or the same target word to attract readers. Be original dare to be different. If I wanna check out a book I should have to skim thru 3,4 books with the same name before I find the one I am looking for
Joey, book sounds real interesting would love to read it and I know that this happens to authors a lot and I wonder sometimes it authors use the same graphic person and I do not think authors should have a book with same name and I get real concern sometimes when you purchase a book with a certain cover then you might purchase the book by author again and find out you have read it before… so this to me is even worse when 2 authors would do this seems like should not be done…
Yeah, the cover thing can make promoting a book more of a challenge than what the process normally is. Also, a situation like this also opens up the possibility of mistaken identity. What if the other book that looks similar to yours gets a lot of negative publicity or back word-of-mouth reviews? Then visually oriented people may skip your book because of what they heard about the other book and mistakenly associate with your book because they vaguely remember how the other book looked. On the flip side, they might buy it thinking that it’s the other book, lol.
Wow…
I know i might be late on this one but I would love to read this book. I’m not ashamed to say that I’m addicted to reading.I loved what the brother said about what sets him apart from other writers in the genre.
Here is the list of people who are in the running for the free copy of My Kinda Girl.
1) Shayla V. McClellon
2) Jennifer C
3) Chasity
4) Johee
5) SiStar Tea
6) Linda Chavis
7) Joyce Dickerson
8) Karl Anthony
9) ???
10) ???
I like the reason behind the book, (his experience) It it nice to see a book about feelings from a man!
I enjoyed the interview and am impressed with how motivated and determined Mr. McGrew is. It is also a change to hear a story told from a mans point of view. The cover draws the eye and makes you want to pick it up and see what it is about. I have not heard of Mr. McGrew or his book before I saw this interview, but am now interested in reading it and whatever else he puts forth. I am always interested in reading a good book. GOD Bless.
Here is the list of people who are in the running for the free copy of My Kinda Girl.
1) Shayla V. McClellon
2) Jennifer C
3) Chasity
4) Johee
5) SiStar Tea
6) Linda Chavis
7) Joyce Dickerson
8) Karl Anthony
9) Brenda
10)Tanisha Barrett
I’m going to do a random drawing to find out who is the winner.
And the winner is…
SiStar Tea!
I’ll email you for the mailing info.
Thank you everybody for participating. Thank you Michael McGrew for providing the prize.
To Everybody: Join my newsletter to stay up to date on the next book giveaway.
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Thanks Joey And Micheal
hey everyone and sorry for the late response. i’ve been viewing the comments while on the road and couldnt wait to write back. thanks for the support and like most of you mentioned, reign and i do have the same designer which is davida baldwin with oddball designs.i hope all is well and congrats to Sistar Tea for winning the free copy! hopefully everyone who is still intrigued will visit my website http://www.goodgameent.com to purchase their own autographed copy. once again thanks and hope to hear from you soon.
That’s very interesting that Davida made the covers so similar. I’m sure people has mistaken the two novels. Such is life…
David, did you know how similar the two covers looked before you paid for your book cover design?
Thanks for everything. I know SiStar Tea will thoroughly enjoy your book.
Thanks Micheal for coming back to answer. I am interested in knowing the answer to Joey question if you knew of the 2 covers being similar before you paid for it.
Thanks Joey and Micheal for holding this contest! I will leave fed back when I receive and also after I read thanks again
Just wanted to come back and let everyone know I received my book thanks again