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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… Stephanie Renee’, Beyond Reach, LLC

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Stephanie Renee’
(Beyond Reach, LLC)

Stephanie Renee’ also known as Srcook21, is more than just another pretty face. This Hamilton, Ohio, native currently living in Dallas, TX, has had a passion for the music, dance, & the fashion industry since she was a teenager. In late 2009, Stephanie Renee’ was brought on to the Exclusive Fashion & Furs team.

Coming soon in 2010, she will work along the side Exclusive Fashion and Fur’s Ms. Prina Jackson and Fallon Seaborn on Sirius Radio. She is also preparing for the launch of her own company Beyond Reach, LLC. Never being one that is fully satisfied, Stephanie Renee’ will always go by her own personal motto “Aim high and always keep reaching”.

Joey Pinkney: What made you decide to enter the field of promotions?

Stephanie Renee’: I have always had a passion for music, dance and fashion. I knew early in life that I wanted to be involved in it. I didn’t nececcassarily want to be the person in the spot light. Also, I love to help people. That is truely my passion in life. When I get the chance to help someone in achieving their goals or pushing them to the next level, it does something for me. It motivates me because I am pushing myself as well.

JP: What has been your most interesting promotional campaign to date in terms of creativity?

SR: Actually, it is the project that I am working on now for Polo aka The Fur King of Exclusive Fashion & Furs. He has given me control over one of his new projects, and I am like a kid in a candy store. My creative juices are flowing… Plus, I am doing more than just promoting it. I will be involved in every aspect of the entire project. I don’t know how much I can say yet, just know that it will be big. Actally, that’s the only way Polo knows how to do things.

JP: Who are some of your clients, and how do you go about choosing which projects you take on?

SR: I am very picky about the people I work with and the projects I support. I was told that when you first get in the business you want to grab all the work you can get. I just can’t do it. See, I am deeper than just a promoter. I don’t just pass out flyers or host parties at the club. I research, consult, write bios, find media outlets, etc… I go above and beyond the so called “call of duty”.

I want to release some of the stress off the artist so that they can focus on thier craft. I don’t half step. I actually took promotions from my company name because I do so much more. I must support whom ever I am working with 110%. I really don’t consider them clients because we all work with each other on different projects.

Some of the people I work with are, The Furking, Maggbeatz, Prina Jackson and all of Exclusive Fashion & Furs team, Blake Baraka of The Catholic School Boys, Loyalty Promotion, EB Investments, Travis Farr of Shades by T Farr, Gina Nash (Nustyle clothing) and actor/model Michael Taylor. Those are a few of the people that I do promotional and other work with.

JP: What is a common misconception for promoter?

SR: I once heard that a promoter is someone who doesn’t have much talent, so promotion is the next best thing to being the star. I can’t speak for everyone, but that is the farthest thing from the truth for me. I have had many offers to be in videos or sing a hook. It’s flattering but not my thing. I want my success, but I’m not looking for the fame of being “the star”.

Another misconception is that promoters are vicious people with no hearts: they will step on anyone to get a head. I have been in situations and found that this is true with some people. However this is not the case for me. I am good because of my work and what I can and will do for my clients and my team. I will never make myself look better by putting other people down. Now, I am not a pushover, but I do me. That is what it is.

JP: What’s next for Stephanie Renee’?

SR: I just started my own company Beyond Reach, LLC. The core will be promotions, but my work goes beyond that. I am working on a project with The Fur King. I will also be doing Sirius radio with my Exclusive Fashion & Furs family. I am working with Blake Baraka on the release of the Cathothlic School Boys Men & Women’s clothing line.

Those are just a few things. I am always reaching for the next level. Anyone who wants to work with me must have the same mind frame. I am a motivator but not a babysitter. Stay on my level, or I will take off and leave you. I am always reaching, and I aim high.

http://www.myspace.com/Srcook21
http://www.facebook.com/srcook21
http://www.twitter.com/Srcook21
Beyondreach2010@gmail.com

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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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