Tag Archives: interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Latin Temptress, author of The Encounter

March 31, 2009 Joey Pinkney 12 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Latin Temptress, author of The Encounter
(LT Publishing)

Caught between two worlds: her husband yields great power but her lover promises true love. In losing her heart to one man and her soul to another, Bella finds herself. Will she triumph or will it be too late? Trapped in a web of betrayal and deception, Bella rises from the ashes and becomes head of one of the largest underworld empires. Will love triumph over power or will Bella lose her soul… Everything has a price, including love. Latin Temptress’ The Encounter is a journey that will capture your imagination and never let it go.

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

Ana Rodriguez: I was talking with an online friend one day. We were discussing the possibility of us meeting someday. He began to tell me about the different scenarios in his head, and I said “Hold on. These sounds like a good idea for a blog.” What started as a blog became a novel.

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

AR: It has a storyline that captivates the reader from the very beginning. I am often told from readers that The Encounter succeeded in holding their attention from start to finish. I am an avid reader, and this was my goal: satisfy my customer with a great story.

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

AR: Perseverance and promotion. I am constantly on MySpace and Yahoo360 promoting the book. I also send out bulletins, mass emails as well as contact book clubs, reviewers and street book vendors. During the warmer months, I sell my book at street fairs and festivals. My readers also help in spreading the word by forwarding all my information to the contacts on their address lists.

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

AR: I jot down everything that comes to mind. Different stories are always swirling in my head, so I write them down. When I’m on the move, I enter it into my Blackberry and store it. When I begin to piece a storyline together, I look back on my previous notes. The Encounter took me about a year to complete. I wanted to give the reader the best possible story I could. I don’t ever want to rush the process.

JP: What’s next for the Latin Temptress?

AR: Several! The Encounter will be translated into Spanish. There has been much interest from my Latin community. The sequel is also in the works. It was not planned, but every reader has asked for a continuation. I am obliged to my audience. I will also be showcasing at Book Expo America 2009 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in NYC on May 30^th at the African American Pavilion.

http://www.myspace.com/latintemptress

latintemptress05@yahoo.com
latintemptress05@gmail.com

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… CJ Domino, author of Who Does She Think She Is?

March 26, 2009 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
CJ Domino, author of Who Does She Think She Is? A Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving a Breakup Before She Has a Breakdown
(Slightly Ghetto Books)

Who Does She Think She Is? A Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving a Breakup Before She Has a Breakdown is my own personal testimony of how a woman can over come heartache and pain while rising to a higher level.Â A witty, yet inspirational tale; I promise that this isn’t your ordinary self-help book and my loyal fans will not be disappointed.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Who Does She Think She Is?

CJ Domino: Let’s just say one nasty divorce, a roller coaster relationship with a former lover and a hurricane named Gustav was all the inspiration that I needed.

JP: What sets Who Does She Think She Is? apart from other books in its genre?

CJ: Most self-help books are very technical, but lack that personal touch from the author. Yeah you’re uplifted, but you don’t understand why the author wrote a book on that particular topic. This book is different because I went deep within myself. I share my flaws when it comes to relationships. I allow the reader into my personal space, so you can see where I am coming from and most importantly why I wrote on this particular topic.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Who Does She Think She Is? getting out to the public?

CJ: A lot of hard work. Burning the midnight oil when the rest of the world was fast asleep. Not being afraid to take a chance by putting myself out there; naked to the world. And most importantly, believing in my product which means believing in myself.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Who Does She Think She Is?

CJ: I don’t have a process. When the urge hits me, I just write. Unlike other writers, I don’t need my walls to be a certain color or have candles burning in the room. When the spirit hits me, I move. Who Does She Think She Is? took me approximately 2 weeks to write. I was bored. Hurricane Gustav was about to hit South Louisiana where I live, and I just pulled out my laptop and began to peck away. This was the end result.

JP: What’s next for CJ Domino?

CJ: I am wrapping up my long awaited and highly anticipated follow up novel to Sideline Ho, my first book.Â It should be out in the spring or early summer.

http://www.cjdomino.com/
http://www.myspace.com/coloredgirl

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Brian McClellan, author of A Love Letter to Black People: Audaciously Hopeful Thoughts on Race and Success

March 24, 2009 Joey Pinkney 2 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Brian McClellan, author of A Love Letter to Black People: Audaciously Hopeful Thoughts on Race and Success
(Sherian Publishing)

A Love Letter to Black People: Audaciously Hopeful Thoughts on Race and Success is a book sure to challenge and inspire those who have this type of deep affection for the Black community but also deep concerns for its future. Inspired in part by the historic political success of President Barack Obama, Love Letter explores the unique way high-achieving African Americans view race and success and why, for the love of the Black community, all Black people must apply these lessons. Love Letter is a must read for those who love Black people and just can’t help it!

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write A Love Letter to Black People?

Brian McClellan: The first seed of “Love Letter” was planted in my mind on July 27, 2004. This was the night then-state senator Barack Obama became a national figure with his inspirational speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. After hearing Obama for the first time, I sat up in my bed and said to myself aloud, “I have just seen the first Black president of the United States.”Â Obama was definitely on to something, and I dedicated myself to capture that “something” in words so the entire Black community could benefit from the knowledge.

There was something about Barack that was different. He and other successful Black people simply view success in the context of race differently. In the process of writing this book, I came the conclusion that the common thread linking these successful Black people was love – love of self, love of the Black community, love of future generations. This is why I call this book A Love Letter to Black People.

JP: Why is a book of this nature needed right now?

BM: With the historic election of President Obama, it is critical that the Black community seize this moment. We cannot afford to waste the inspiration that should be derived from the new roadmap Obama and others have written regarding race and success.

Racism is still real, but the most successful Blacks refuse to limit their aspirations due to racism. And with Obama’s success, we now have proof positive that racism is not omnipotent. “Love Letter” is a book about how we capitalize upon this historic positive momentum to transform the Black community through the power of love.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to A Love Letter to Black People getting out to the public?

BM: Love Letter was truly a labor of love. The insight of the discussion in Love Letter is bolstered by a supporting survey about race and success completed by more than 100 young, Black business and community leaders. Their opinions regarding provocative racially charged topics such as “acting white” are inspirational, thought-provoking and sometimes more provocative than the questions themselves.

After surveying so many young, successful Blacks (or “YSBs” as I call them in the book) was inspirational for me. To honor their achievements and the countless other YSBs they represent, I felt an obligation to “get it right,” to craft this message in a way that would move our Black community to positive action.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish A Love Letter to Black People?

BM: I believe it is important for authors to write all the time. I don’t wait for divine inspiration to start writing. I get inspired by writing. Therefore, I schedule time to write every day. The first manuscript for Love Letter took about three months to complete from start to finish.

Question 5: What’s next for Brian McClellan?

I believe the message of Love Letter is so important that I will spend as much of my energy as possible to bring this message to as many people as possible. Beyond Love Letter, I will continue to write books that uplift people, books that help readers see opportunities rather than obstacles in their own lives. I have many more books in my heart. The next one will be revealed when the time is right.

http://www.bamstrong.com

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