Category Archives: african american book

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

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Saniya Solis, author of Karma

June 12, 2009 Joey Pinkney 2 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Saniya Solis, author of Karma
(Urban Fire Publishing)

What Goes Around Comes Around…

And Charise Perez makes sure of that. She is a smart, pretty and successful club-promoter-turned-owner. In a business surrounded by men, she has to make sure she stays on top of her game and maintain the respect she’s worked hard for. Meccah is her right hand man that starts to want more. Deshaun owns a successful record label and shows interest in Charise. Marcus is the long lost love that broke Charise’s heart many years ago.

Charise suddenly finds her world filled with drama when, at the height of her career, she is charged with first degree murder. Readers will be taken to Charise’s past as she has to figure out who’s on her side and who’s out to get her. When she does figure it out, she is sure to make you pay. Karma is definitely a page turner that keeps you guessing and wondering what’s going to happen next!

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

Saniya Solis: My idea and inspiration to write my first novel, Karma, is actually a little about experiences I’ve had with men. I just enhanced it with my imagination.

JP: What sets Karma apart from other novels in its genre?

SS: What sets Karma apart from other novels is that everyone will be able to relate to it in some shape or form. I paid very close attention in expressing the emotional battles that my characters goes through in order for the reader to really enjoy and be in sync with my characters. My goal with each of my novels is to have my readers relate so much to the book and the characters that they shake their head yes and say they would’ve done the same thing…

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

SS: As an author, the keys to my success that lead to Karma getting out to the public is a lot of networking and associating myself with people who are in the know about this literary game. This is my first novel, and I’m new to the literary industry. I still have a lot to learn. It’s real hard at times. but I believe in myself as well as my work. That’s what keeps me going. Bottom line: it’s all about networking!

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

SS: As an author, my writing process is basically me having to be in the right mood. My imagination and my emotions have to be in tune with one another. When I write, I ask myself what do I expect and/or want from a book I’m reading? I also keep a pen and pad on my table so whenever an idea comes to my mind I write it down. My mind moves so fast, I could be writing in chapter 1 and an idea for chapter 5 will pop in my head!

I started writing Karma in June of last year. I didn’t take it too seriously and stopped writing for two months until my mom told me people were asking me have I finished my book yet. I was surprised, and that motivated me to finish my book. Karma was completed in December of last year. So if you add the two months I was on hiatus, it took me about six months to finish my book.

JP: What’s next for Saniya Solis?

SS: What’s next for me is to continue writing and learn as much as I can about this industry. I’m currently working on my new book titled Turn 2 and have three more books lined up. I’m hoping to be in this “game” as long as my readers will let me…

http://www.myspace.com/prsoulwriter
http://www.facebook.com/SaniyaSolis
http://www.blackplanet.com/buttapecan5
http://www.urbanfirepublishing.net/

prsoulwriter@yahoo.com

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

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Kanika Reese, author of Disillusion

June 11, 2009 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Kanika Reese, author of Disillusion
(Nu Cherte Publishing)

Nestled amongst the drama that unfolds in their lives, Haelo and company find themselves shifting away from their goals and dreams. Will Tarion ever be able to forgive himself for the destructive path he paved? Can Haelo bear the true meaning of her name? The Universe provides pertinent information -if only they choose to listen.

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

Kanika Reese: Life gave me the idea and inspiration for writing Disillusion.

JP: What sets Disillusion apart from other novels in its genre?

KR: The characters in Disillusion tell their own story the way they want to tell their story, the way that it really is and the way they see it through their own eyes. Nothing in Disillusion is sugar coated. Lots of issues that we as humans don’t want to face are well pronounced in this novel. Haelo Barring, Tarion Anderson and Ms. Anderson pull you into their world and make you pay attention not only to them but to your inner-self. This sets Disillusion apart from other urban fiction novels.

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

KR: As an author, it took determination, persistence, a thick skin, networking, hours and hours of researching and totally believing in me as well as my manuscript. For some reason, when I decided that writing Disillusion was what I was supposed to be doing, everything fell into place. At the time, I may have thought that the entire world was landing on my shoulders. I had to hold it up by myself, but now looking back, everything happened for a reason.

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

KR: It took me nine months to complete the manuscript for Disillusion. I committed to the entire project and prepared for it mentally and physically while promising the Universe if this is what I was supposed to be doing then I’d make it happen. No matter what I was going through or what I ended up having to do to get things done, dedication worked.

I normally begin my writing process in the evening and dedicate 2-3 hours Monday through Friday and 2-3 hours in 2-3 increments on Saturday and Sunday. Once the story begins the words come easily. It’s just a matter of typing them out. I constantly keep a spreadsheet of my progress including but not limited to, date, starting word count, ending word count, words typed, page number, chapter titles etc…so that I can actually see my progress. That also keeps me going.

JP: What’s next for Kanika Reese?

KR: Right now, Kanika A. Reese is enjoying the accomplishment, promoting Disillusion and three fourths finished with the final sequel Disillusion Too? I am also in the process of finalizing dates for book signings, locations and writing workshops.

http://www.birminghamwordofmouth.com/
http://www.urbanhottnessbooks.net/
http://www.myspace.com/kreativekanika
http://www.nuchertepublishing.com/

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

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Steven Jackson, author of Instant Message (IM)

June 11, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Steven Jackson, author of Instant Message (IM)
(AuthorHouse Publishing)

Based On True Events, Instant Message (IM), is filled with sex, lies and hatred! It will text you through the lives of an interracial couple who meets online and falls in love. This interracial couple is faced with public prejudice and family persecution in a small southern hick-town called Cullman, Alabama.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Instant Message?

Steven Jackson: First let me introduce myself. My name is Steven Jackson, and I am a published writer with AuthorHouse Publishing Co. I was born in Harlem Hospital. I’m a Leo, and I was raised in New York City. I first started writing screenplays while practicing as a Licensed Real Estate Broker.

Prior to becoming a published author, I ventured into background acting landing work with Universal City Studio’s production of “Friday Night Lights” directed by Peter Berg. I was also fortunate to work on director Roland Emerich’s production of “Day After Tomorrow”. As a writer, I worked for a local newspaper called, “Visions Metro Weekly” hired as a columnist to write in the “Arts and Entertainment” section.

My desire to write came from a good friend who mentioned to me that he manages people who write stories for a living. Believing I had a story to tell, I decided to challenge myself and take on the task of writing about my experience with online dating.

During that time people were meeting other people in Yahoo and AOL chat-rooms. Then there was a website called Match.com. This website required you to fill out a profile of yourself and the website would match you up with a potential partner with a similar profile. But most of my text time was spent in the chat-rooms instant messaging with other texters. That’s where I came up with the title, Instant Message (IM).

JP: What sets Instant Message apart from other novels that detail the perils of online dating?

SJ: Instant Message (IM) will take a reader into an uncut and step-by-step view into the lives of my main two characters. You will see how they encounter one another in the chat-room, finally meet face-to-face and bravely endure challenges of abandonment and racism from family members and friends.

Sadly, you will see how they experience public hostility because of their racial differences and struggle to keep their love for one another alive. Remember, this story is based on true events and some of the language is pretty graphic.

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

SJ: First of all, I try my best to be a good story teller based on the facts and my creativity. I devote alot of time and energy to my writing. I’m very selective in the way that I try to effectively market my work, and I feel blessed to have come in contact with you. Authors speak very highly of you. Plus, I see your reviews and promotions out there! That’s why I reached out to you. Of course perseverance and prayer helps alot too!

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

SJ: Since this particular story is based on events of the past, I had to back-track mentally, view my saved emails and do the necessary research for certain events that had taken place. Now with the drafts, final drafts and editing from start to finish it took me six to seven months to complete this project.

JP: What’s next for Steven Jackson?

SJ: Well as I make my rounds across this country attending book fairs, book expos and book signings, I anticipate a best seller. In the same breath I’m working on a long over due writing project titled, Numbers…A Gangsta’s Child. This story is about a young girl who runs away from her parents’ home in the South to seek success in the business world of New York.

In time, she ends up in the eerie domain of organized crime and becomes one of the most influential female mob figures in New York City. Because of the nature of this project, I’ve been working on this story for ten (10) years. This story is also based on true events. I have to be careful with this one. When completed, you will enjoy it!

In closing, I want to thank you for this interview, your time and patience!

http://www.myspace.com/stevenjacksoncelebrity

newyorklegend@yahoo.com

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