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… Booker T. Mattison, author of Unsigned Hype

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Booker Mattison, author of Unsigned Hype
(Baker Publishing Group)

I’m Tory Tyson, but you can call me Terror Tory because I bring terror to all producers and DJs. I’m from the hood side of Mount Vernon, which is right next to the Bronx. I’m fifteen, and I already met my future wife. I just have to get her to see it that way. Did I mention that my beats and turntable skills are sick?

This summer I’ll be spinning at a block party in my neighborhood on Friday nights. You should come through. It’s going to be hot (pun intended). Me and my partner Fat Mike are going to enter the Unsigned Hype demo contest on New York’s Power 97, “the nation’s number one station.”

If we win, my whole life will change. But there’s always somebody hatin’. I’m trying to stay focused, but every day it’s different drama.

Man, I just want to make it . . .

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

Booker Mattison: A publisher contacted my agent and asked her if she could find a book with a black male protagonist that wasn’t about violence, vice and hyper sexuality. My agent approached me about it because all of her other writers are female.

As a former rapper, producer and DJ, this story flowed out of my experience as an African-American male and a former wayward youth. As a result of my experiences, I have developed a heart for the hood in general, but specifically for young African-American males.

JP: What sets Unsigned Hype apart from other novels that mixes Hip Hop and Urban Literature?

BM: What sets Unsigned Hype apart from other novels that mix Hip Hop and Urban Literature is its realistic portrayal of the African-American community, complete with a diversity of voices and characters. It grapples with class differences, generational relationships to hip-hop and secular and Christian debates in the black community. All of this is set against a back drop of African American music history as seen through the lens of hip hop.

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

BM: The key to my success is knowing my purpose. This allows me to easily determine if a relationship or an option is an obstacle or an opportunity to me fulfilling my God given purpose. I firmly believe that this story was divinely inspired as an instrument of uplift for African-Americans.

Too much of our literature today is designed to shock or titillate. There is still a place for African-American stories that empower; like those written by Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and other African-American literary legends.

As for the work getting out to the public, I just so happened to know the right people at the right time. In my opinion, the market is ripe for this kind of story.

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

BM: My process is to seek God on what story he wants to channel through me. I then have to have the courage to write what I am given. I work at it daily and the end result is something for the reading public to respond to.

It took me six weeks to write Unsigned Hype, a rare feat for completing a novel. Right now I’m working on my second novel Snitch, and I’ve been working on that for a lot longer than six weeks and I’m not even close to being finished!

JP: What’s next for Booker T. Mattison?

BM: My novel Snitch will be released in the spring of 2011. It is the story of a bus driver who witnesses a crime, the inner drama he experiences in whether or not to break the common code of silence not to cooperate with the police, and what he must overcome to save himself and his family when he becomes a target of the perpetrators.

I am also a filmmaker, so I just started writing the screenplay for Snitch last week. My last film, The Gilded Six Bits (adapted from the Zora Neale Hurston story of the same name) which I wrote and directed aired on Showtime. It starred Chad Coleman (The Wire), T’keyah Keymah (That’s So Raven, Cosby, In Living Color), Wendell Pierce (Treme’, The Wire, Ray) and Novella Nelson (The Antwon Fisher Story).

Accomplishments for Booker T. Mattison and Unsigned Hype: Unsigned Hype has been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, and featured in The Source and Black Beat magazines. It won the “New African American Voice” award at the 2010 Afr’Am Festival. It was voted one of the Best Novels of 2009 by Black Pearls Magazine and one of the Top 50 Fiction Novels of 2009 by Conversations Book Club.

The book trailer was voted the Best Book Trailer of 2009 by African American Literature Book Club. Unsigned Hype has been optioned for development into a television series by the producers of Boyz N Da Hood, Hustle & Flow, Run’s House and Def Comedy Jam.

This past semester it was required reading in Dr. Nicole Hodges-Persley’s Hip Hop and Popular Culture class at the University of Kansas and Dr. C. Vernon Mason’s Theology and Urban Ministry class at New York Theological Seminary.

http://www.bookertmattison.com/
http://www.facebook.com/booker.t.mattison

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at /joey-reviews-newsletter.html.

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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… Jonathan Queen, author of Are You S.A.N.E.

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Jonathan Z. Queen, author of Are You S.A.N.E.
(Asikari Publishing)

Author and motivational speaker, Jonathan Z Queen, draws on his experiences as a convicted drug-dealer and career criminal, who was able to change his life after spending over nine years in prison. Based on his street education, spiritual revival, drug/alcohol and cognitive therapy treatment, Jonathan provides an innovative approach to changing how you think so that you can feel the way you WANT to feel and become the change you desire to see.

Are You S.A.N.E. explores intriguing topics such as: The ‘Don’t Blame Me’ Mentality, Personal Prisons, Overcoming Addiction, Chained to the Gang, Spirit Up, Mis-sed Education, The Role Model Risk, Drug Dealers Anonymous, Keeping It Reality, Taking the Diss Out of Dysfunctional Families, and much more. Mr. Queen delivers a masterful mix of memoirs and motivation!

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Are You S.A.N.E.?

Jonathan McQueen: While promoting my first book, Don’t Blame Me: The Convict Chronicles, I did a lot of speaking events. I would end up talking about my prison experiences, which Don’t Blame Me is loosely based on, and how I was able to change from a drug dealing, womanizing, selfish criminal who was sentenced to 10 years in prison at the age of 23; to the father, husband, author, business man, and servant of God they see today. I was often told that my words, my inspirational testimony needed to be written down. Are You S.A.N.E. is a result of my promise to share the things I have learned and to teach others how they too, can set a new example.

JP: Are You S.A.N.E. is a dynamic model using the classic concept “each one teach one” as its foundation. What has the response been from those who are up for the challenge after read this book?

JM: I am receiving a lot of positive praise for being so honest and thorough in the book. Many people are reading it a second time and responding to many of the S.A.N.E. Challenges I issue at the end of each chapter. I try to say this with complete humility, but I already know that this book is going to help change the world. God gives us certain experiences (trials if you will) that prepare us to offer a credible and authentic voice to those who are going through similar trials.

Are You S.A.N.E. has something for everyone. Because of my willingness to self-disclose as well as share the tools and coping strategies I have gained and used to become a model of change, there are people who will read and become teachers.
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JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Are You S.A.N.E. getting out to the public?

JM: I am very motivated to motivate others. I do a lot of speaking events, and I use those opportunities to promote my books. Whether it’s schools, prisons, churches or businesses, I try to include a signing as part of my contract. Because of my history and my sincerity, I am also one of the few authors who can do signings with your favorite street lit author as well as your favorite non-fiction and christian authors.

I am also becoming very savvy at using the virtual world to promote myself, my books and my message. That’s not bad for a man who came home from prison a little over three years ago and was so Internet-challenged my 11-year-old daughter sighed many times as she helped me navigate the web and taught me the power of Google.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Are You S.A.N.E.?

JM: Are You S.A.N.E. took me over 18 months to write. I would love to blame it on the fact that I was promoting my other book, working full time, raising children, working in the community, etc.. Truth is, I was still growing as I was writing and God was doing what He does to assure that what I wrote would bring glory to Him. The deeper my spiritual revival, the more I began to transition from simply telling my story to writing about the things I have gained that have made me better.

As far as my process is concerned, I carry a hand held recorder and write notes on anything within reach at the time a thought hits me. I sit at the computer and type and edit, type and edit. And I am blessed with a beautiful wife who will bring my dinner to the computer and tell the kids to keep it down while Daddy is writing.

JP: What’s next for Jonathan Z. Queen?

JM: The ‘Are You S.A.N.E. Tour’ will begin in the Fall and will include motivational speakers, authors, poets, musical guests and pastors. God willing, it will help uplift our youth and inspire them to become the change they want to see in this world and start that “Change Reaction”.

I will also work at growing New Mindz into a nationally recognized outreach and uplift program. I will bring the story “Next” from Don’t Blame Me, to the stage, hopefully for World AIDS Day. And look for my series of Christian children and YA books Entitled Cool Like Us to go live in December 2009. I want to thank everyone who continues to support me, my books and my ministry. I promise you I will not let you down.

http://www.asikaripublishing.com/
http://www.myspace.com/asikari_publishing.com
http://www.facebook.com/jonathanzqueen
http://www.newmindz.org/
http://twitter.com/jzqueen

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at /joey-reviews-newsletter.html.

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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… Folake Taylor, author of The Only Way Is Up

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Folake Taylor, author of The Only Way is Up: The Journey of an Immigrant
(Arrabon Ventures )

The Only Way is Up: The Journey of an Immigrant features the author’s experiences and views on pertinent life-issues as an immigrant to the United States of America. Though the objective is to empower women, African Americans and immigrants, the message of hope is of relevance to a general audience.

Some of the issues that are the focus of this book are:

  • Identity & Gender roles
  • Health & Preventive medicine
  • Finding a mate
  • Relationships & Family
  • Single parenthood
  • Teenage pregnancies
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Global exposure
  • Positivity & Loving yourself
  • Spirituality and faith
  • Life outside the United States

Though non-fiction, it is a fun and easy read that touches on both triumphs and failures as well as everyday events that we can relate to. The book communicates a “can-do” attitude and paints a picture of possibilities. Need motivation? Looking for fulfilment? Look no further….

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Only Way Is Up?

Folake Taylor: The Inspiration for The Only Way is Up partly came from watching my husband interact with our toddler. That took me back in time to my childhood and how much of who I am can be attributed to my relationship with my father. It became clearer to me just how much young people growing up without both parents are missing. Seventy percent of African-American families presently are single-parent homes. Staggering statistics such as this make me ask myself questions like, “How do we fix this?” and “What can I do to help?”

Being an MD, I frequently share these views with my patients. I just never dreamt I would be a published writer. I have always written for fun however. When I was young, I would write sixteen page letters to my friends in boarding schools. They would report back to me that they eagerly awaited my letters and read them with their peers. More recently, it was facebook notes.

The idea itself came in a very unexpected fashion, however. I was watching a Larry King Live special titled Women & Self Worth: Defining One’s Self Could Be the Key to Complete Success. That was the magical moment. “I have a message,” I thought. It was literally like “Ding, dong!” I picked up my blackberry and started to type.

Now, the title The Only Way is Up is essentially my motto! I live by it.

JP: What sets The Only Way Is Up apart from other self-help books dealing with African-Americans on a global level?

FT: I believe these are mainly two things. I have not come across any self-help book that addresses as many issues as I do in this book, which is written by an immigrant. There are a lot of amazing self-help books out there written by wonderful people. Usually, there’s a 400 page book about dating or a 300 page book about spirituality or another separate book about finance. Also, the books I have seen written by immigrants are mostly either a biography or fiction.

What I have done is like a summary book so to speak. It’s about a change in attitude and perception. For that person that does not have the time or the resources to buy ten different books on each subject matter, my book is it. Another factor is the fact that I was born in the UK, raised in both the UK and Nigeria and have lived in the United States for 10 years. It gives me a global view, a view from within and without. Now, that’s priceless wouldn’t you say?

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Only Way Is Up getting out to the public?

FT: I would say a lot of hard work and God’s favor. Every single day since I started to write this book, I have worked on it. I get home from work, I attend to my family and I get on my laptop. I was up to the task because I knew that not only am I not mainstream, I am also not American and I was writing something other than fiction! People usually view non-fiction as possibly boring. And if you’re not a celebrity or reality TV show star, people may not want to hear your message. That put an autobiography basically out of the equation.

So here’s what I did: I wrote this book like I talk to my friends. I wrote it in a very laid back manner. I made it easy and funny, even while dealing with serious issues. I made it relatable. I am a regular person like my readers. I go to work everyday just like they do. It paid off because people tell me it’s an easy read and they read it in one day. Men come up to me and tell me, “It’s not a book just for women; it’s for everybody”. I have had positive responses from all races.

Now I just market, market and market some more, till I cover all my bases. The Google search is an amazing tool and information resource for everything. Publicity is a process. Presently, I’m waiting for my reviews to come in, doing my book signings, doing interviews and using the “word-of-mouth” technique which never gets old. And let us not forget the good old social networking sites as well which are invaluable in getting the word out there.

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

FT: I got the inspiration, I started to type on my blackberry and I subsequently became “best friends” with my laptop. That first night, I wrote the chapter one and an outline of several subsequent chapters. It’s really funny because then I had to purchase Office 2007 for my laptop. I had MS works prior. Definitely not the “techie” kind. If I got an idea while driving, I would pull up on the side of the road and make a note.

The whole process of putting my thoughts into words, repeatedly editing till the book was published took five and a half months total. I have been told I must have been bursting at the seams and pregnant with ideas!

JP: What’s next for Folake Taylor?

FT: Subsequently, more writing… I do have my day job however, which I love. For now, I am just reveling in this blessing and so thankful to God for the opportunity to reach a wider audience with my message. I am loving it. It feels like learning a new trade, and I have enjoyed every step of the way.

I may even try my hands on something new such as fiction. This was not a plan; this writing business. It just basically fell into my lap. I do not have magazine articles leading up to this. I do not have short stories published to test the waters. I only had medical publications and conference presentations prior to The Only Way is Up. I am going to take my new found gift and run with it.

http://www.theonlywayisup.net/
Facebook: Folake Taylor
FT@theonlywayisup.net
http://theonlywayisupblog.blogspot.com
http://folaketaylor.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/folaketaylor
http://www.facebook.com/pages/F-Taylor/238094610556
http://www.booktour.com/author/folake_taylor

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