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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, interview, street lit, urban fiction, urban lit

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Contel Bradford, author of Thug Nation

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Contel Bradford, author of Thug Nation
(Count Krew Publications)

Around the time gangs flooded the streets like mosquitoes after a good rain, teams of misguided, military-minded thugs pledged allegiance to one another, willing to die for what they felt to be sacred. Those who no longer infected the hood were residents of the prison system.

Just a couple of hours into his first full day, Gerald noticed several affiliates in the facility. Unlike many of them, he didn’t bring the bandanna with him. Still the vivid images of pitchforks and devil-tailed hearts covered his arms, letting everyone know the status.

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

Contel Bradford: I initially started Thug Nation in 1996. It’s not exactly a true story, but it was inspired by my life. Everybody around me and I were bangin’ at the time, so I decided to write about that whole experience. It took me 10 more years to complete it and release it as Thug Nation.

JP: What sets Thug Nation apart from other urban fiction novels set in Chicago?

CB: Only a small portion is set in Chicago, which is where the main character is from. The bulk of this novel takes place in Detroit, Michigan. It’s just real…the plot, the story itself. Not too many people write about gangs, specially not this in depth. I’m proud to say that Thug Nation is very original. You’ve never read anything like it.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to your own publishing company and multiple novels?

CB: I’m just a self-published author. That’s all. I wouldn’t exactly call myself a success either. I’m still in the hood dealing with the same hood drama. Deep down, I always wanted to be a writer, so I just saved up a li’l change and got my books out here. I still gotta long way to go.

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

CB: I can write very fast. The problem is that I’m always working on more than one project at a time. I would say it took me about six months to complete Thug Nation.

JP: What’s next for Contel Bradford?

CB: I just completed an anthology with some of the game’s hottest authors from Detroit, aptly titled Bitch I’m From The D. This book is gonna be hot and features talents like Ms. Michel Moore, Dennis Reed and T.C. Littles to name a few.

I also have three books of my own that I can drop any time – well as soon as I raise the funds. Aside from that, I’m a professional freelancer. I’m looking into more lucrative fields to further myself as an all around writer.

http://www.countkrewpublications.com/
http://www.myspace.com/countkrew

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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, get in get out, interview, mitanni entertainment, myspace, salim amir, urban fiction, urban lit

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Salim Amir, author of Get In Get Out

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Salim Amir, author of Get In Get Out
(Mitanni Entertainment)

Get In Get Out chronicles the life of Marquise Jackson – son of a hustling father, his tumultuous trek into manhood and the journey of a soul that is torn between what is right and what is necessary. In choosing the same life that took his father, he soon realizes that once a person is in the game it’s never as easy as one wishes to Get In Get Out.

This is the introspective story of a young man. Marquis Jackson is forced into manhood prematurely because of a tragedy that threatens the life and welfare of his family. He finds himself trying desperately to get out of the life before he’s claimed by the same fate that claimed his father.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Get In Get Out?

Salim Amir: I got the idea and inspiration from my life experiences and the unfortunate death of my comrade Kareem Williams.

JP: What sets Get In Get Out apart from other urban fiction novels where the main character is torn between crime and love?

SA: In order to big my project up without belittling other urban authors, I’ll tell you what makes this book special. The characters have depth, and they’re real. Not every hustler pushed keys. Some people hand-to-hand their entire drug career.

My characters reflect that realistic polarity of the game. You’re in their minds as they contemplate life. When they cry, you’ll probably cry or come close to it. I also focused on making sure my narration could be distinguished from my dialogue. I think that’s an important thing for street lit authors to do.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Get In Get Out getting out to the public?

SA: Studying your market. Anything you get into you should study. It’s like the stock market. You don’t just buy a stock without first researching the company whose stock you’re about to buy into. You learn all the tricks of the trade.

As an author and CEO of my own publishing company, Mitanni Entertainment, I feel it’s imperative to learn everything Random House, St. Martin’s Press and other major publishing houses know and use to stay on top of this game. Especially considering the top is my destination.

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

SA: My writing process varies. Sometimes the thoughts and ideas come scattered like a collage and I put the pieces together like a puzzle. Other times it just flows. Get In Get Out took almost 2 years to perfect because I was new to writing. But I have a novel called Politics as Usual that took all of two months in the hole up state to write. So it all depends.

JP: What’s next for Salim Amir?

SA: Dying To Live! The sequel to Get In Get Out.

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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, apricot books international, down low sistahs, interview, myspace, street lit, urban fiction, urban lit, urban/street lit, wakiem freeman

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Wakiem Freeman, author of Down Low Sistahs

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Wakiem Freeman, author of Down Low Sistahs
(Apricot Books International)

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Down Low Sistahs?

Wakiem Freeman: The idea came from an ex-girlfriend who confessed to me that she was sleeping with her cousin who was a female. Years later, I was going through old photos. I ran across her picture and was inspired to tackle the touchy subject.

JP: What sets Down Low Sistahs apart from other urban fiction novels?

WF: Down Low Sistahs is innovative. It stands alone with a unique twist.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Down Low Sistahs getting out to the public?

WF: Discipline, distribution and word of mouth. I’m focused and screaming “they on the down low and you don’t even know, they on that lo-lo” every time I hit the streets of N.Y.C. The public has spoken. I’m on my ninth print run.

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

WF: First, I pick a topic. Then decide if I want my brain to tackle the topic. Next is research, which can take any where from 2 to 4 months. Next is designing a book cover. Then I write my outline of all chapters, which takes about two weeks. I finished Down Low Sistahs in 4 days.

JP: What’s next for Wakiem Freeman?

WF: The re-release of Down Low Sistahs, re-edited, with a NEW cover, summer 2009

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