JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… (The Soul of a Man Edition)
Elissa Gabrielle, editor of The Soul of a Man Anthology
(Peace In The Storm Publishing)
Men the world over have always been much maligned and strident in how life portrays and prefaces their successes and failures. This collection of enlightening stories personifies the sentiment, faith, resilience and love embodied in the creation God made in His own image. The Soul of a Man is a Divine truth and an affirmation of the passion running through the minds of men where hearts and souls are bared.
In continuation of the Triumph series, the second book, The Soul of a Man: A Triumph of My Soul Anthology, features these brilliant men; Joe Thomas, Jihad, William Fredrick Cooper, Alvin C. Romer, Marc Lacy, Maurice M. Gray, Jr., Brian Ganges, Jarold Imes, K.L. Belvin, Joey Pinkney, Thomas Ashburn, Jr., Clarence “Baba Simba” Mollock, Tyrell Floyd and Eddrick Dejuan.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to put together and publish The Soul of a Man Anthology?
Elissa Gabrielle: Due to the multitude of negative portrayal of black men in the media, I thought there was a need to showcase a more realistic and positive image of the strengths and resilience of black men. What better way to do that than presenting their feelings in their own words?
The three most important men in my life are black men; my Dad, my husband and my son. I wanted something that my son could look to as a source of inspiration. I wanted to reflect the goodness and hard-working nature of my husband. I also wanted to show that black men are responsible in all aspects of life, just like my Dad.
JP: What has been your personal experience with seeing The Soul of a Man Anthology out in the public?
EG: From the very first review of the Anthology, I was overwhelmed and excited by the out pouring of emotion from both men and women of how inspiring and enlightening the stories were and how the book gives a deeper appreciation and insight into the mind of a black male.
JP: How did you go about picking the men who contributed in The Soul of a Man Anthology?
EG: The stories that are included in the Anthology were chosen on the strength of the story and the message contained within. I knew that I wanted stories of substance, but I was also interested in tackling as many topics confronting men as possible.
Although it was hard to choose from the many wonderful submissions I received, these author’s stories were the ones I felt gave the most detailed views of the mind of a black man.
JP: What did you learn from publishing the first book in the A Triumph of My Soul Anthology Series that made The Soul of a Man Anthology a better book?
EG: I learned that inspiration can be found in all places. You can pick up a book by ordinary people, published by an ordinary person and learn and find something extraordinary. Oftentimes, we get too caught up in titles and labels and judgments that we miss what God is trying to tell us or teach us. We get caught up in the rapture of the messenger, that we lose the message.
The Triumph series was created to reach those who may not necessarily seek hope and inspiration in the most perfect of places. I don’t know if the second book is better, but I do know that many people have been inspired to positive change, and encouragement based on both books and that is enlightening.
JP: What is next for Elissa Gabrielle?
EG: Currently I am continuing on my quest to publish books that stir the soul. Peace in the Storm Publishing has several new releases for 2010 and a White Affair scheduled for July in which readers will have an opportunity to meet several of the PITS authors all in one place.
I am also working on my next novel, Eye of the Beholder which will be released at the top of the year.
http://thesoulofaman.net/
http://elissagabrielle.com/
http://peaceinthestormpublishing.com/
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