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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, giveaway, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Rodney Winters, author of Go Into The House

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Rodney Winters, author of Go Into The House
(Foghorn Publishers)

Go Into The House relates Rodney Winters’ story of disappointment from a failed marriage and the divorce process to the older brother in the biblical story of the prodigal son. The book encourages the reader with the fact that there is indeed hope after life’s disappointments in the presence of our heavenly Father. Rodney writes about issues that few men talk about openly.

Go Into The House is a gripping story about the painful truths of relationships told from a man’s perspective. Whether it’s a failed marriage or some other difficulty, we all face some tough decisions at some point after life’s disappointments. We must choose to either Go Into The House and enjoy the benefits inside, or stay outside and wallow in self-pity.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Go Into the House?

Rodney Winters: The book started out as my personal journal that helped me get through a difficult period in my life. I was dealing with a failed marriage and difficult divorce process. Writing was therapeutic for me. After coming through the pain, I realized that there are other people who can benefit from my story.

I was inspired by the older brother in the biblical parable of the prodigal son. I saw myself in many ways like him. He faced disappointment even though he felt he had done the right things. I ultimately made the choice to “go into the house”, which represents the place where God is.

JP: Writing Go Into the House had to be a challenging and difficult experience for you. Why did you feel so compelled to share the contents of Go Into the House in a public setting?

RW: Yes, it was very challenging, but I have a burden for relationships and compassion for hurting people. I understand that God often allows us to go through things in order to help someone else. There is a purpose that goes beyond me.

Men don’t always talk about certain hurts that occur in relationships, but I know I am not alone in my experiences. I believe there are women and men who really need to hear this message of encouragement to help them experience healing and forgiveness.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Go Into the House getting out to the public?

RW: It was all the work of God. He allowed me to meet a published author who recommended my publisher to me. It was the first and only company I sent my manuscript to. They were very impressed and wanted to publish my book.

I believe God honored my motive for wanting to help others by being real and transparent about some tough issues that occurred in my life. It was important that I did not become bitter. I allowed my negative circumstances to bring God glory.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Go Into the House?

RW: I am also a preacher, so I regularly write sermons. I seek to pull out deeper meanings from Bible stories that are relevant to everyday life. My writing is based on the scriptures and my personal experiences.

I wrote Go Into The House over the course of four years. It was not a full-time project. It was first written as a journal during the process. Then I began filling in the gaps and incorporating the biblical references.

JP: What’s next for Rodney Winters?

RW: I am juggling ideas for my next book. I’m not fully clear on which direction to pursue for a topic. I am also completing a workbook for Go Into The House, that is designed to stimulate discussion for study groups, counseling, and book clubs.

I will begin to travel and speak about Go Into The House and my experiences at conferences, seminars, churches and in group settings. I am actively marketing my book with the goal of helping to bring healing to many people as God uses my experience to encourage others.

http://www.rodneywinters.com/
http://www.facebook.com/rodney.winters
http://www.filedby.com/author/rodney_winters/3580542/

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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, blog tour, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Shelia Lipsey, author of Beautiful Ugly

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Shelia Lipsey, author of Beautiful Ugly
(Urban Books)

Envy Wilson, Layla Hobbs and Kacie Mayweather are three 30-year-old friends who rely heavily on one another for support in troubled times.

Layla fights the battle of obesity, coupled with low self esteem, but her melodious voice can soothe the savage beast. Who can fulfill her desire for love?

Envy is pretty and has a successful career, but she has her own dark and sordid secret that she refuses to share with anyone.

Kacie, born with cerebral palsy, has always felt the need to prove that she can get a man just like any “normal” woman. She has six children and five baby daddies but has never had a husband.

Through their trials, the three of them cling to each other. The circumstances they face will hopefully teach them how to cling to God.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Beautiful Ugly?

Shelia Lipsey: Beautiful Ugly is actually my sixth book and fourth novel. I garner my inspiration to write from life itself. God places within my spirit life stories that ordinary people experience. Beautiful Ugly is one of those stories.

The idea of Beautiful Ugly comes from years of battling issues of low self-esteem and self-consciousness. It also derives from how the world distinguishes what is beautiful and what is ugly.

JP: What sets Beautiful Ugly apart from other novels in Christian fiction?

SL: What sets my book apart from other novels in the Christian fiction genre is that everything God does is unique. I am a unique individual. No one can do anything quite like me if God has directed me to do something.

There are similar stories/novels being written everyday. Most of them are probably great. The novels I write cannot be written by anyone else. I write perfect stories about imperfect people. The words I share, the stories I tell, the manner in which I tell them are divinely inspired and therefore that makes my stories one of a kind.

It does not mean that it is the only story that addresses a particular subject. But it does mean that whatever God assigns His children to do, and they are obedient to what He says to do, then they are assured that it will not return void.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Beautiful Ugly getting out to the public?

SL: I am truly blessed. God opens so many doors for me. I have encountered people online, in person, at conferences, out and about and simply everywhere, who want to help me, who have read my novels, or who have seen my work online.

Today’s technology is another blessing because it enables me to reach literally thousands and thousands of people from my home. I also try to keep a pleasant, humble attitude. I try to treat people in the manner in which I want to be treated.

I also believe that by giving to others, sharing with others and helping others, that good will come back to me, and it has and does. I am so richly blessed to be at such a great point in my literary career. My books and my name as an author are traveling around the literary circuit, and there is a fan base that is constantly growing all because of God’s Favor over my life.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Beautiful Ugly?

SL: My writing process is somewhat atypical, at least that’s what I believe. I write according to titles, and the stories are weaved around the title of my novel.

I pray before I write and ask God to give me the story that He wants me to share. My story develops, my characters come alive and I’m off and running at that point. It takes about three months for me to complete a novel.

JP: What’s next for Shelia Lipsey?

SL: My fifth novel will be released nationwide September 1, 2010. It is the sequel to the novel My Son’s Wife. The name of the novel is My Son’s Ex Wife. I also have two more manuscripts that I am presently working on.

I have a story in the anthology Bended Knees published by Hollygrove Publishing titled “Against the Grain.” I completed another short story for an anthology that will be released in the near future by His Pen Publishing.

http://www.shelialipsey.com/
http://www.myspace.com/shelialipsey
http://www.facebook.com/shelialipsey
(Fan Page: www.facebook.com/shelia e. lipsey readers
http://www.shelialipsey.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Ugly is a Black Pearls 2009 Top Shelf Award bestowed by Black Pearls Magazine (http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/) and the Sankofa Literary Society. My Son’s Wife won 2009 Shades of Romance (http://www.sormag.com/) Readers Choice Awards for Best Christian fiction, best cover, best Christian fiction author, best Christian Romance, Best Fiction.

My Son’s Wife also was one of Urban Reviews best reviewed books in 2009. Shelia E. Lipsey was named 2008 Author of the Year by Conversations Book Club. She was chosen to be the honoree at the first African American Literary Festival sponsored by Sistah Friends Book Club in October 2010 (http://www.sistahfriends.com/)

Shelia E. Lipsey is the founder of the non profit organization Living Your Dreams Now (http://www.livingyourdreamsnow.net/). She is president of the online book club for Urban Books’ Urban Christian authors (http://www.uchisglorybookclub.net/).

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html.

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Fallon Seabon, FEATHER Clothing

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Fallon Seaborn
(FEATHER Clothing)

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to be a part of the fashion industry?

Fallon Seaborn: My inspiration for wanting to be in the fashion industry honestly started at home. My grandmother was a seamstress. All the ladies in my family took dressing to another level.

My grandmother was extremely jazzy and just wore the best of the best. She hand made a lot of her own clothing from dresses and blouses to dress slacks. I always knew as a kid I would be into fashion and glamor.

JP: What sets your designs apart from other stylists? What do you provide that would make someone choose you over the others in your field of expertise?

FS: I feel I get picked for jobs over a lot of stylist because of my talent and personality. Some stylist feel they know everything, and that’s not true. I learn a lot from my clients and incorporate their personal style then add my twist to it.

I listen to my clients needs and not just what’s going to be hot. Yes, my client might look great. If they’re not comfortable, the look won’t come off as a winner.

As a stylist, you need to make sure you ease your client into HAUTENESS! Sometimes, fashion can be overwhelming to some. I’m not just a stylist. I’m a fashion therapist!

JP: Why did you decide to name your fashion line “Feather”, and what makes it unique?

FS: Believe it or not, my 10-year-old brother came up with the name for my clothing line. I was up all night thinking about a hot name that’s catchy, easy to pronounce, sexy, feminine and free. I was brainstorming out loud. Out of nowhere, my brother yells, “Feather!” I instantly fell in love with the name!

JP: Who are some of the people in the fashion industry that you look up to and emulate?

FS: I love Brea Stinson, June Ambrose, Misa, Patricia Fields and Phillip Bloch. I’m emulating June Ambrose and Patricia! I say these two because, like June, I have a fashion team that works with me. Plus, I’m writing my own book!

I emulate Patricia because I’m heading to movies for styling. I would love to wardrobe style a huge motion picture or a great sitcom. I study these women, and I learn what made them successful. Then I add my own twist, which many will see in the near future.

JP: What’s next for Fallon Seaborn?

FS: A lot is in the making for Moi’. I’m writing a motivational book for women. It will be a tool for skin care and great places to shop for less but still carry the designer labels. I’m also writing poetry that will be released inside the back of the book as well.

Currently I’m working on a independent film with Steven Bernheim. I will be styling the entire movie myself and showcasing pieces of my clothing line FEATHER for women.

I have a lot in the works. You may even see me on a Bravo show for styling soon! Keeping my fingers crossed on that one! Stay tuned because I always have something cooking and something ready to come from under my sleeves.

http://www.myspace.com/LIPSTICK83
http://www.modelmayhem.com/LIPSTICK83
http://www.twitter.com/FALLONSEABORN
http://www.facebook.com/FALLONSEABORN

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