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5 Mintues, 5 Questions With… Kendra Norman-Bellamy, author of The Lyons Den

June 1, 2009 Joey Pinkney 7 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Kendra Norman-Bellamy, author of The Lyons Den
(Urban Books)

Lieutenant Stuart Lyons has a growing son, a fulfilling career and after years of singleness and a promising relationship. He’s a veteran law enforcement officer and head of security at New Hope Church. Life is good.

Sudden pandemonium strikes when Stuart begins receiving threats from someone who only identifies himself as Dr. A.H. Satan. The stalker knows where Stuart lives, works and worships. The blocks of the near-perfect life that he has built begin falling…piece by piece.

Will Stuart’s faith help put an end to his distress, or will the infamous Legend of Shelton Heights swallow him whole?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Lyons Den?

Kendra Norman-Bellamy: All of my story inspirations are drawn from life – those things that I observe around me. Many of them are birthed from something I see or hear in church.

A couple of years ago, one of the men who serves in the security ministry at my church was assigned to provide security at my 40th birthday celebration which was held in the youth facility of the church I attend. At the time, I didn’t know him personally.

After the party ended and the cleanup had begun, he and I stood outside the facility and chatted awhile. I learned that he has not only provided security for the pastor and church, but he was also an active police officer. It made me wonder how many other men and women of God were also public servants, putting their lives in danger to secure our streets on a daily basis.

I wanted to write a book that might embody some of the heightened fears, challenges and perils that a person who serves within a security ministry at a church might face when he or she is on the clock in the capacity of a police officer. Then I wanted to show how that officer would handle these life-threatening situations when he has a personal connection to Christ.

JP: What sets The Lyons Den apart from other novels in its genre?

KNB: As I indicated previously, The Lyons Den is a romantic suspense. I don’t readily know of any other Christian fiction novels that fall into that category. That alone probably sets it apart to a degree. At least that mixes it in with a very small pile of others that might also carry that theme.

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

KNB: As clichÃ© as it may sound, it’s the truth. I accredit God for any success that I have garnered over the years. In addition to His favor, I am not a sedentary author. I’m always on the go, promoting my work and meeting my readers at conventions, conferences, book club gatherings, and other literary and church-related functions.

As with all of my novels, I started promoting The Lyons Den long before it released. When it hit bookshelves on April 1st, readers had heard about it for months prior and were ready to purchase. I’m the first to admit that all of the promotion and travel that I do is very time-consuming and tiring, but I love every minute of it. In the end, it’s all worth it.

JP: Which character in The Shelton Heights series has a personality most like your own?

KNB: None of the characters in this series bear much of a resemblance to me aside from their loyalty to God and their families. However, with each of the female leads in this series, there are small similarities to me. For instance, Jade, the leading lady in In Greene Pastures (first book in the series) is a preacher’s kid. Her dad is a pastor, and her mother is a minister as well. That’s my real life testimony as well.

Janet, the female lead in Battle of Jericho (book #2 in the series) has a cousin who is also her best friend and the person she has confided in more than any other. Although mine is nothing like Janet’s, I do have a cousin who I categorize as my closest friend and confidant.

And in The Lyons Den, Candice is like me in that she comes from a small southern town and is the first of her parents’ children to graduate from college. All of these ladies are described as being relatively short in statue, which is also a trait that is a mirror image of me.

JP: What’s next for Kendra Norman-Bellamy?

KNB: That’s a loaded question because I have so much on my plate right now. I’m currently working toward co-authoring a nonfiction book with Ralph David Abernathy III (son of the late Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, who was a civil rights legend and best friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.).

In the meantime, my next immediate project is Cruisin’ For Christ, the star-studded annual gospel cruise that I host each summer. This year it launches September 5-12, so I’m working toward finalizing everything for that right now.

My next book will release on January 1, 2010. The title is The Morning After (Urban Christian), and it is the sequel to a previous novel, Three Fifty-Seven A.M. In addition to The Morning After, I have two other titles on the horizon: Fifteen Years (Moody Publishers/February 2010) and Song of Solomon (Urban Christian/June 2010).

http://www.knb-publications.com/
http://www.myspace.com/KendraNormanBellamy
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kendra-Norman-Bellamy/558740225
http://www.shoutlife.com/KendraNormanBellamy
http://www.cruisinforchrist.org/ Cruisin’ For Christ – annual gospel cruise
http://www.writershut.com/ The Writer’s Hut – an online community I founded for published authors of African American fiction
http://www.writerscocoon.com/ The Writers Cocoon Focus Group – a support group that I founded specifically as a means to assist all aspiring and new writers
http://www.blessed2write.blogspot.com/

Awards/Recognition

8-time national bestselling author (eight of my 13 titles have made Essence best selling books list)
Walmart bestselling author
Black Expressions bestselling author
Winner of Best Christian Fiction of 2008 (African American Literary Awards Show)
Winner of Best Anthology of 2008 (African American Literary Awards Show)
KNB Publications nominated as Best Independent Publisher of 2008 (African American Literary Awards Show)

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… David L., author of Chalk Outline Confessions

June 1, 2009 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
David L, author of Chalk Outline Confessions
(Total Package Publications)

Enter The Mind Of A Woman Scorned. Francine Styles receives a visit from two detectives one fateful night announcing her husband’s death. She later finds out that his killer is another man that he has been having an extramarital affair with. Now she is on a mission to end the lives of men that lead a similar double life — a life of deception that their partners are unaware of.

Witness each murder firsthand as Francine’s wit and cunning continue to develop with each death. Even Fran’s trusted psychiatrist is nothing more than a helpless pawn in her quest for notoriety. Unable to pinpoint her whereabouts or deduce who is next on her sadistical list of names, she is labeled “The Revlon Killer” by law enforcement and media — a name given to her based on what she does to her victims after she kills them. Like the black widow spider, she seduces her victims before killing them in cold blood!

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Chalk Outline Confessions?

David L: I got the idea to write Chalk Outline Confessions from my love for well-written mystery and suspense movies. Historically, movies (as well as books) that involve anything related to serial killers have been overlooked and unmentioned. My premise for this book was premeditated: very little exposure has been given to serial killers.

Most (if not all) serial killers are typically White middle-class males. I wanted to reverse that trend and succeeded. My antagonist is a Black, female character. Like most women I’ve encountered throughtout my life, she is very calculating and methodical in her approach to each and every one of her victims!

JP: What sets Chalk Outline Confessions apart from other novels in its genre?

DL: Chalk Outline Confessions is different from any book from its genre for more than just what has been explained in the first question. First and foremost, the main character has completely rationalized why her actions are logical. Even more importantly, she has a required rite of passage.

In many novels written by some of the “top” authors, the book’s theme is surrounded by its character’s quest for right vs. wrong. My character takes that quest and combines it with the need for vindication. Secondly, Chalk Outline Confessions is written using an assortment of writing styles that accomplishes its mission in a way that does not confuse the reader: first person vs. third person and past tense vs. present tense.

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

DL: The first thing that comes to mind is ensuring a fanbase of satisfied readers and holding myself and my writing accountable BEFORE my novels become available to the public. Chalk Outline Confessions already had validity as being a worthwhile novel to read due to the success of my first novel, Over Your Dead Body.

Also, I follow the same format before releasing a novel: write the book, edit the book, add needed detail and fix any “holes” in the storyline, then send the book to my editor (who is very judgmental and has no problems not sparing my feelings!). Finally, I send several drafts and galleys to reviewers in order to gauge the probability of releasing another well-written book worthy of being on the market.

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

DL: My writing process is relatively simple: I write when the mood evokes me. In other words, I do not “force” what is written, thus avoiding a situation in which I am not mentally ready to give my readers my best product. One of the best things about running your own publishing company is the avoidance of writing based on a deadline.

Because I pride myself on developing characters that are universally identifiable with the reader, I often write based on the emotion that I am in. In other words, if a portion of the story calls for a graphically violent or angered individual, I often wait until I am in a mood which is somewhat close to what the character is feeling. Conversely, if the plot or particular part of the story calls for something that evokes happy thoughts or actions, then I too should feel somewhat similar to how the storyline is playing out. In other words – I prefer to become one with the character. So far, its worked to perfection!

I know of many authors that claim to have written their novels in several weeks…if not days. For the reasons stated above, my novel took somewhat longer. Exactly twelve months.

JP: What’s next for David L.?

DL: Up next for David L. is my upcoming novel, My Life Is A Movie. Readers can view a sample excerpt on my website blog at: totalpackagepublications.com/blogspot. Every month, I award one loyal reader to a gift card (of different value and store) just for being supportive of all of my literary endeavors and signing the guestbook that can be found on my website: www.totalpackagepublications.com.

Also coming up is the movie option that has just been approved for my first novel, Over Your Dead Body. The movie will probably begin filming sometime around early 2010. For now, look for me at your local book festival or local bookstore signing copies of any of my aforementioned novels. I’ll continue to say it over and over again…people lie. Reviews don’t! If you doubt any of what I’ve said: google me!

Thanks to you all and…TELL THE WORLD MY NAME!!

http://www.totalpackagepublications.com/
http://www.myspace.com/totalpackagepub
http://www.totalpackagepublications.com/blogspot
contacttpp@totalpackagepublications.com

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Marlon McCaulsky and Jarold Imes, authors of the Love & Life anthology

May 28, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Marlon McCaulsky and Jarold Imes, authors of Love & Life
(Abednego’s Free)

Popular Street Lit Author Marlon McCaulsky teams up with OurTeenVoices.com Editor Jarold Imes to bring two novellas that focus on two of the most things most teens are concerned with… love and life.

“Real Love” by Marlon McCaulsky

When Raina’s family is uprooted from Cleveland to St. Petersburg, FL, she immediately becomes the new “it girl” at Lakewood High School aka “Hollywood High” that every guy wants. She becomes the envy of the snobbish and popular Lissa while catching the eye of her boyfriend Dan.

With friends like Sheena (the self confessed shopaholic), Marcus (the smart-ass jock) and Cory (the wannabe playa), Raina firmly establishes her place at Hollywood High. Can Raina compete with Lissa who is willing to use sex, lies and manipulation to get what she wants. Is real love enough to keep the boy she loves?

“Love No Limit” by Jarold Imes

Dre Lawson has to be everything to everyone: the apple in his father’s eye, whom happens to be the leader of one of the notorious gangs in North Carolina; father to his trifling sister’s son; and leader of his own gang set. Never mind the fact that he still has to do chores and make good grades while running the streets.

When the woman of his dreams finally stakes her claim, what lengths will Dre go to find that love has no limit?

Joey Pinkney: Both of you are well known for your previous releases. How did you go about teaming up with each other for Love & Life?

Marlon McCaulsky: Well, it was Jarold that reached out to me about doing a project together. I was between books, and he came to me with the idea of doing an anthology type book together based on romance. I immediately jumped on it.

Jarold Imes: We met via the Triple Crown Publication forums. I approached Marlon to help me grow and expand the company Abednego’s Free. I had originally approached Marlon about doing a different anthology. When he sent “Real Love”, I told him it wouldn’t fit the concept. However, I felt the story was strong enough to complement another story I had written some years ago. I felt we could do this as a two author anthology instead.

JP: What are the things that differentiate Love & Life from others in its genre?

JI: As far as I know, Love & Life is the first, modern two author anthology for teens. I don’t think there has ever been a two author anthology like ours, especially a street lit anthology that is age appropriate for teens. My teen books have always been strong enough for adults and made for teens and I think we have a project that all can enjoy.

MM: This is my first venture into the teen book market. I didn’t originally write this story with the mind set this is a “teen book”. I just had a story in my head to get out, and it happens to be teenagers in high school that made it work. What differentiate “Real Love” from others in its genre is that I set this story in 1994 to 1995, so it’s kind of a throw back-story. This was the time period I was in high school. I see this story as being a “Teenage Love Affair” written for adults LOL…

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish “Real Love” and “Love No Limit” for Love & Life?

MM: I wrote “Real Love” back in 2003 as a screenplay for a movie I wanted to do. The movie thing never happened, but I loved the story. I kept writing on it over the years, and it became a novella. When Jarold came to me about this project, it was really already done. I just needed to clean it up a bit.

“Real Love” was based on some real life events. Some names have been changed to protect the people involved, and some names weren’t! It was funny to write because of the truth in some of the scenes, although the story itself is fiction.

JI: I write whatever I feel, be it a short story, an article/commentary, participating in different message boards where I try to spread knowledge or just working on my own novels. I always try to write something so I can keep my voice new and fresh.

“Love No Limit” is based on a short story I wrote twelve years ago about a gang member. I wrote it while I was writing what would become Never Too Much – The Remix and U Can’t Break Me. It only took me six weeks to add to the story for what would become Love & Life.

JP: Are you both Mary J. Blige fans? Is it a coincidence that both of the titles are also the title of Mary J. Blige songs?

JI: I’ve liked Mary since she first came out in 1990 when she sang the hook “I’ll Do 4 U” for Father MC. Also, What’s the 411? is the soundtrack to my life in Denver, Colorado.

Marlon’s story was already called “Real Love” when he sent it to me. Mary’s first album was what I thought of when I read his story. I named my story “Love No Limit”, so it could tie into the Love & Life theme we felt both of our stories had.

MM: I am definitely a Mary J fan. I wanted the reader to know that real love was what was really happening between Raina and Dan’s character. Plus, my story is set in that 90s era. It made sense to call my story that. Jarold decided to run with the idea of using Mary’s song titles as a theme of the book.

JP: What’s next for Abednego’s Free?

MM: All I can say is big things are on the way. Jarold is the mastermind behind Abednego’s Free, so he knows more than I do. As for myself, I just hope to continue to give my fans more good books to read. Thank you, Joey!

JI: I will finally get to live my dream and publish a few anthologies. Lord knows I’ve been trying to create one since 1999 when I first came on the scene. Now it’s coming true. Broken But I’m Healed, my inspirational anthology that I’m still collecting submissions for, will come out in October. Love & Life drops on Black Friday.

The Boy is Mine is an anthology featuring my first author, Victoria Vanee Anderson, and a few other friends of mine. That comes out the end of January. Victoria’s first book, Just Me & You, comes out in March. My next teen book, Case of the Fake People, will come out in April. I’m still working on my book now and another anthology project that I can’t talk about just yet.

I hope to begin work on my next Street Christian Lit title next month so I can drop it in 2010 too. Plus, I’m still taking submission for young adult books as well.

http://www.abednegosfree.com/
http://www.ourteenvoices.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jaroldimes
http://www.myspace.com/marlon29

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