Category Archives: african american books

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… Dutch, author of Dynasty

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Dutch, author of Dynasty
(DC Bookdiva Publications)

National Bestselling Author Dutch debut Dynasty is the first urban soap opera! The Bells and the Simmons are family. The Bells, a crime family in New York, have the cocaine market on lock. The Simmons, hailing from the South, reign supreme in heroin.

Talks of joining forces are suddenly stalled when family patriarch Guy Simmons is gunned down. Suspicions fly. Jealousy breeds. The body count rises.

Guy Simmons has created a legacy he wants to pass on to his two sons, Kevin and Tyquan. However, his womanizing ways have spilled over and jeopardizes all he’s worked for. The mothers of his sons hate each other.

Like mother, like son. Guy’ s shooting has ignited a new brotherly beef; a beef that could have deadly repercussions, especially when you have a family where the enemy may lie within.

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

Dutch: My inspiration for Dynasty came from an idea that sparked me: I wanted to create a gangsta soap opera. I wanted it to be something that is a little different from what has already been put out in the Urban Lit genre.

JP: The response to your series has been great, but how anxious have you been to give your readers another installment?

Dutch: I can’t wait until Part 2 drops. I have received so much mail from readers asking me about Dynasty 2 and the ? (Q) book . It is so exciting when readers reach out and give feedback about your work. I really appreciate my readers.

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

Dutch: When I completed Dynasty, I actually shopped it to several publishers. As a seasoned author, I had my choice of who I wanted to work with. I chose DC Bookdiva for several reasons: I admired the company’s professionalism, drive, and commitment. I also admired the willingness of my publisher to allow me and Dutch’s Angels to have creative input. We work well as a team.

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

Dutch: When I write, I live the story. I’m telling it to myself at the same time. I become each character, and I focus on thinking like them. It took me 33 days to complete Dynasty.

JP: What’s next for Kwame Teague aka Dutch?

Dutch: My freedom. I am fighting for it each and everyday. I pray everyday that justice will be served, and I ask all who are interested in assisting me to please join my Free Kwame Teague fan page on Facebook.

Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Kwame Teague is the award-winning, critically-acclaimed and Essence #1 bestselling author of the street classic Dutch trilogy. His other novels include The Adventures of Ghetto Sam, The Glory of My Demise under the name Kwame Teague and also Thug Politics under the pseudonym Dutch. With a passion for writing, Kwame is hard at work on his next novel.

http://www.dcbookdiva.com/
http://www.myspace.com/kwamefreedom
http://www.facebook.com/authordutch

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P.S.S. The publisher of this book provided six copies to JoeyPinkney.com. One for the owner, five to give away to the winners of the book giveaway. The publisher also paid to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com.

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

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Sherlyn Powell, author of Something Desirable

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Sherlyn Powell, author of Something Desirable
(iUniverse)

Adrienne Baxter is a brilliant, young, beautiful and successful African American architect on the fast track to the top of her field. When she reunites with her college sweetheart, she’s ready to begin a new chapter in her life. Brian Stevens is steady, dependable and successful and seems to be everything Adrienne wants and needs. She convinces herself she and Brian are meant to be together. Then Dexter Hughes walks into her life. Dexter was not supposed to happen!

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

Sherlyn Powell: I decided to look at the story I started several years ago and see if I could develop it. I made major changes and with the two characters named Adrienne and Brian. Today there are many strong women in our society, yet there are some women that don’t feel they can be independent. Or they don’t want to be alone.

I wanted women to read my novel and identify with Adrienne and her success. The message to all women is you are beautiful and you can do anything you set your mind to do.

JP: What sets Something Desirable apart from other novels that features a torrid love triangle?

SP: Although there is some sexual tension between Adrienne and Brian and Adrienne and Dexter, the real challenge she faces is trying to be the strong independent woman she was raised to be and to understand the difference between love and desire.

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

SP: Word of mouth has been helpful. Something Desirable has been read by women of all ages, and they have shared their enthusiasm with others. I also network online and at various events, such as the National Black Book Festival in Houston, Texas.

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

SP: I don’t actually use a formal outline.  I just write, and I couldn’t wait to get a pen and paper. It took me approximately a year and a half to finish Something Desirable. I get ideas anytime, when I’m driving among other places. Recently the two main characters in my new novel had a tense conversation in my head which got me really excited.

JP: What’s next for Sherlyn Powell?

SP: I am writing a romance novel that has a mysterious beginning about an older, wealthy, sophisticated woman and the difficulty she faces even within her own family as they throw obstacles in her path to love.

http://www.sherlynpowell.com/
sp@sherlynpowell.com
540.207.3965

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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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