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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… Sandra Peoples-Gates, author of Foolish

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Sandra Peoples-Gates, editor of Foolish
(BlackBerry Fields Press)

Excerpt from Foolish: Sharee` stepped back away from the Escalade, watching as the shiny black beauty rolled around the circular driveway and out to the gated entrance. She waved goodbye, hugging herself tightly as the SUV disappeared into the slowly setting evening sun.

She turned, making her way back up the perfectly manicured lawn and onto the pebble stone sidewalk which would lead her to the front door. She took her cell phone out of the leather hip case and pressed the number one, then held the phone up to her ear. One ring. Two rings.

“Hello,” The sexy masculine voice answered on the other end.

“Hey baby, it’s me,” Sharee` began, stepping inside the house and pulling the front door closed behind her. “You can come over now. He’s gone.”

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

Sandra Peoples-Gates: When I first started working on Foolish, the plan was for it to just be a more in depth retelling of a previously published work.

After I experienced some things in my marriage, I decided to incorporate those experiences into the book. I included some information for women and men that may be in an abusive relationship, no matter to what degree.

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

SPG: Foolish is fiction inspired by actual events that either I or people that I know have experienced. It is different because usually you have a man that is cheating. In this book it is the woman.

Usually, a woman does not become involved in an affair where she ends up being abused. Also, there is a section that tells what to look for in an abusive relationship and how to tell if you are with an abusive partner.

JP: Foolish deals with economic abuse. Could you explain what that is and its importance to people who may be oblivious to its existence?

SPG: Economic abuse is when a person basically is only with you for your money and what you can do for them. They don’t want you to do anything with your money without them having approved it, even when it comes to paying bills and taking care of the household.

If the abuser wants the money for some other purpose, be it for drugs, alcohol, or even some other person, the victim will either have to give up the money and risk losing everything, or risk enduring verbal, mental and even physical abuse.

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

SPG: I like to write and listen to music generally after the little ones are asleep. My MP3 is loaded with all sorts of music from T.I. to Justin Timberlake, Keyshia Cole to Deitrick Haddon. It took me about a year to finish Foolish.

JP: What’s next for Sandra Peoples-Gates?

SPG: The sequel to Foolish is in the works. I am also going to be doing more writers workshops and speaking to groups and organizations about economic abuse.

Economic abuse was something I didn’t even know existed until I endured it. Now, I want to educate as many people as I can. I have a lot of things I am working on to help writers and entrepreneurs get their voices heard.

http://www.bblit.info/
http://www.myspace.com/bblit
http://www.trulydiamonds.ning.com/

About Sandra Peoples-Gates:

I work as a business and publishing consultant. If you have any questions on starting a business or publishing your own book, email me at bblit@hotmail.com. I welcome your questions. I am also a contributing writer for brass magazine, which is a magazine for entrepreneurs.

I publish ‘Blueprint’, formerly Urban Voices Magazine, which is an online magazine with a focus on entrepreneurship on every level; from writers to barbers and beauticians, to musicians and web designers. If a person is an entrepreneur the magazine serves as a motivational vehicle for them.

Previous issues can be viewed at http://www.freewebs.com/bblit. Go to the ‘links’ section. I am also the host of the blogtalk radio show, ‘My life as an Entrepreneur’. Archived shows can be heard by going to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mrssgates. Follow me on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bblit.

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

P.S.S. Sandra Peoples has given a copy of Foolish to JoeyPinkney.com to give away to one of its readers.

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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, contest winner, free, giveaway

Congratulations Editor Carla Dean! Winner of The Blood of My Brothers Series.

How did she win? She was one of the first ten people to comment on “5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Zoe and Yusuf T. Woods, authors of the Blood of My Brothers series”. Carla’s name was randomly drawn for the book giveaway hosted by JoeyPinkney.com’s Joey Pinkney and ManUpPublications.com’s Zoe Woods.

Do you want to know be the first to know about the next book giveaway on JoeyPinkney.com? Join my newsletter:

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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… Nisaa Harper, author of Confessions of a Baby Mamma

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Nisaa Harper, editor of Confession of a Baby Mamma
(Pendium Publishing)

This book is an autobiography of a woman who has three children by two different men. This book talks about how boys and girls who were both raised without their fathers, turn in men and women who create children without attachments and with a lot of anger.

  • If you want to know why your baby mama is always angry, read this book.
  • If you want to establish consistent visitation with a father who is in and out with your child, read this book.
  • If you have a child by a man who has many baby mama’s and there is always drama, and you want peace, read this book.
  • If you still want to be with your baby daddy and he has moved on, and on, and on, then read this book.
  • This book helps men and women explore their personal issues as it relates to their baby mama or baby daddy.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Confessions of a Baby Mama?

Nisaa Harper: I know alot of baby mama’s who fit the stereotype of “selfish, greedy and gold diggin” all the time. I know more baby mamas who are working and/or in school,. They are doing what they need to do legally for their kids. Unfortunately I know alot of women who work hard during the day and come home tired and stressed and cry at night. They are doing anything they can for their kids because daddy is long gone.

My sisters need to know they are worthy. I also read Karrine Steffans Confessions of a Video Vixen. The inspiration is myself and alot of other women I know or read about. This is the book I was looking for when I heard from my last two children’s father: “That’s your problem, and you need to take care of it”. This is what I was presented even though our son was our second child together.

He told me this even though he is a community activist, and I also work within the community in the social work field. The two of us teach others in the community about life skills. The the two of us experience this drama. What about those who don’t have a guide or anyone to refer to or listen to?

I had to write this book for my sisters who cried as much as I did during both pregnancies, my sisters who don’t know if they can make it another day, those who feel unattractive while carrying another life. This book is for the mothers who cry wondering how could the father leave my baby.

JP: What has been the response from the readers who you had in mind when writing Confessions of a Baby Mama?

NH: Women alot of women, too many women, can relate. Most have just read some of my manuscript. One of my brothers read a short piece and said that a book like this was neccesary. I can’t wait to hear from alot of men who may read a chapter or two.

One brother, who heads an organization in Baltimore, read a few pages and said it made him think about how he and his boys used to dog women. He also mentioned how many women they casually had relationships with and the abortions the women experienced.

This book is about the process of my healing. I am not perfect nor pristine. This book is to help men and women to know that no matter how far to the left or right you went with your child or with your baby mama or daddy you can always come back and apologize and mend for the sake of the child or children. It is not always easy. It takes time, but it’s possible.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Confessions of a Baby Mama getting out to the public?

NH: It’s all about marketing and advertising. I’m talking to anyone and going anywhere to sell the book. I used to do pre-paid legal services. One of the benefits is that you learn how to approach anyone. You hear no a hundred times, and then you get a yes.

Barbershops, Beauty Salons, outside of concerts, after the club late at night, poetry readings, book stores….anything is an option. You never know when you might connect with someone who is going to advertise you. What is a no but a delayed yes.

Fear no one. Their opinion is just that, an opinion. My brother is the famous Chef Rock of Hell’s Kitchen, and I also listen to his advice about marketing and networking.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Confessions of a Baby Mama?

NH: It took two days for me to write this particular book. I couldn’t sleep. I wrote this book while my last two kids father was gone. I was in alot of pain. I did a lot of crying. There was a praying was going on, and I was searching for my purpose. I was seeking a mentor during my last pregnancy, and Tonya Stevenson advised me to get in touch with what God wants for me and to never stray off of that.

With her advice, I seriously began seeking. Once I started writing this particular book, I couldn’t stop writing. I didn’t even want to go to sleep. I am the type of person who writes as they feel, but I get inspired daily: watching the sunset, watching older people hold hands, listening to the women and men I know, people watching and just observing life and daily events. That is my process: whatever I feel.

JP: What’s next for Nisaa Harper?

NH: What’s next is trying to stay sane and above water. I’m still a single mom with three young children, and that takes alot of energy. I have written a few children’s books illustrated by this new artist out of Maryland, his name is Terron Whitehead. He is amazing! I am also an alumni of Elizabeth City State University, so I still have my sociology/social work degree. I love working directly with the community. The sky is the limit.

www.pendiumpublishing.com

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