JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Vogue, author of The Ace of Diamonds
(Crown Jewelz Publishing)
Since his release from prison, Brookstone’s most notorious drug lord, Jay Santiago, has been hard at work rebuilding his life and empire. With two businesses under his belt and one in the making, Jay is readily known as one of New York’s elite men.
While the root of his financial status lies in the newly rebuilt Santiago Cartel, Jay is determined to expand his wealth. After reconnecting with an old comrade, he believes that he has found the one thing that could increase his fortune and allow him to leave behind the dangers of his criminal enterprise for good.
However, as Jay’s new business venture begins to come to fruition, he quickly learns that the one material object that he loves the most could lead to his biggest downfall yet.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “The Ace of Diamonds“?
Vogue: “The Ace of Diamonds” is part three of a series. Most of the storyline is a continuation of subplots that have occurred in the previous books – “Diamonds in the Rough” and “Diamonds Are Forever”.
With my third novel, I felt the need to focus more on one of the major characters, Jay Santiago. He is a readers’ favorite, and I had received several requests to delve more into his background and that of his parents. I also wanted to show his transition from a notorious drug lord into a legit businessman. In “The Ace of Diamonds”, readers can see how this change not only affected him, but also those around him.
JP: What sets “The Ace of Diamonds” apart from other books in the same genre?
MF: Naturally, when you are writing a book with drug dealers, murderers and your characters are multi-ethnic, your book is automatically labeled as “urban fiction”. In writing “The Ace of Diamonds”, I realized that the label doesn’t always quite fit.
“The Ace of Diamonds” is a blend of several genres and focuses not only on crime but also on family dynamics (divorce, remarriage), adolescent issues (abstinence, higher education), and at times, can be somewhat faith-based. I believe that all readers will be able to find someone or something that they identify with in this book.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to “The Ace of Diamonds” getting out to the public?
MF: I have learned that it is very important to keep your work on people’s radar. Whether it is posting a book trailer, hosting a giveaway, submitting your book for review or being featured on blogs, it all adds up to your book success. A lot of this is just a numbers game. The more work you put in, the greater the outcome.
Although, I have two books under my belt, I’m still learning what works and what doesn’t. In the end, I am comfortable just knowing that I did my best.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish “The Ace of Diamonds“?
MF: With “The Ace of Diamonds”, I took a different writing process than I did with my previous novels. Instead of sitting at the computer, letting the words flow and letting the plot play out for itself, I actually brainstormed a storyline and created different situations that would lead to a specific outcome. Through trial and error, it took me approximately two years to finalize the version that people are reading today.
JP: What’s next for Vogue?
MF: Currently, my focus is on promoting “The Ace of Diamonds”. I plan on attending more book events than I have with my previous novels as well as more virtual book tours so that the book can reach more readers beyond the social media networks that I already use. In addition, I plan on releasing the fourth book in the series, “Black Diamonds”, in late December or early January of 2014.
http://facebook.com/SimplyVogue
http://twitter.com/SimplyVogue_B
“The Ace of Diamonds” is currently available as an eBook on Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s Nook.
[include file=current-advertisers.html]