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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 http://joeypinkney.com/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, poems, poet, poetry

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Beverly Collins, author of Quiet Observations

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Beverly Collins, author of Quiet Observations
(Xlibris)

Here goes… I am a simple soul who loves all things Art. I was born and raised on the East Coast (Central New Jersey) and currently live in Southern California. My dream is to write full-time and work for an organization that is focused on healing the damage to our oceans… I wrote a poem in Quiet Observations called “Losing our Lease” which speaks of our need to respect Mother Earth.

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

Beverly Collins: The idea came to put this book together because there seemed to be a theme coming through me, and the book was writing itself. Many of the poems would come to me when I was trying to sleep, and I had to get up and write. I have one poem in my book that I called “Awake” because it would not let me sleep.

JP: What sets Quiet Observations apart from other collections of poetry?

BC: I wanted this book to uplift, inspire and remind us of the simple truths we all Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Beverly Collins, author of Quiet Observations →

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… K.D. Harris, author of Eccentric Bliss: Beyond Measure

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
K.D. Harris, author of Eccentric Bliss: Beyond Measure
(K.D. Harris Presents)

Eccentric Bliss is a suspenseful tale of a young woman who allows her insecurities and loneliness lead her to destruction. Meet Sasha Jones, a hard working mental health therapist who devotes all her time and energy to her unappreciative boss, the prestigious Dr. Gregory Hayward.

For years she has went far and beyond her duties to please him, yet he acted as if she didn’t t exist. That is until she receives an unexpected phone call from Dr. Hayward himself saying that he needs to see her right away. When Sasha arrives she is introduced to the handsome Lorenz Hayward not realizing what lies ahead.

She allows herself to be allured into a taboo situation. Sasha becomes blinded by blissful copulation and doesn’t realize that she has become a pawn in deadly game of revenge. Beyond Measure is the first installment of the Eccentric Bliss series. This novel is filled with unforgettable erotic encounters, plot twists, treachery and romance.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Eccentric Bliss: Beyond Measure?

K.D. Harris: Eccentris Bliss actually started off as a short story. A few people read it and asked me add more to it. I continued to work on it daily. A month later I had a full length novel.

JP: If you could create a genre for Eccentric Bliss: Beyond Measure what would it be named?

KDH: I would say erotic drama. Continue reading 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… K.D. Harris, author of Eccentric Bliss: Beyond Measure →