Tag Archives: iuniverse

5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Sherlyn Powell, author of Something Desirable

February 5, 2010 Joey Pinkney 12 Comments

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, sheâ€™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 donâ€™t feel they can be independent. Or they donâ€™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 donâ€™t actually use a formal outline.Â I just write, and I couldnâ€™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 Iâ€™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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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… Stun Easley, author of The Shake

June 10, 2009 Joey Pinkney 1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Stun Easley, author of The Shake
(iUniverse)

The Shake is a riveting novel that gives you an in depth look into a college world that consists of star athletes, interracial relationships, fraternities, politics and heated sexual relationships. Just when you think you will be able to predict what is going to happen next, you will be surprised on the ride that this novel takes you on.

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

Stun Easley: When I was in college, there was an incident that happened on campus. Two black baseball players got into a fight at a traditional white fraternity house. In response to the fight, some black students had a sit-in at the administration building. I remembered that when this was going on. I was thinking to myself that this would make a good story. The Shake is loosely based on this event.

JP: What did you learn from getting No Guarantees published that you were able to apply to The Shake?

SE: I knew that it was going to be hard to get a big time publishing company to publish me. When I was trying to get No Guarantees published, I had sent letters to over 50 publishing companies and 25 literary agencies. I had no luck. I did the same for The Shake. I still had no luck, so I published through iUniverse.com again.

JP: The common denominator between your two novels is the college settings. Was that by design?

SE: I actually started writing No Guarantees when I was in grad school and living on campus. At one point I was living in the fraternity house, and I would walk around with a notebook writing the book. No Guarantees is actually very loosely based on something that happen to me in college.

Once I finished No Guarantees, I already knew what my second book would be about. It was going to be about something that happened while I was still in college. I felt like I needed to tell that story, so that is why my second book was about college as well.

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

SE: I try to write a little bit a day. I am a very patient writer. By that I mean it may take me a while to finish a novel, but I will keep writing a little at a time until the story is told.

JP: What’s next for Stun Easley?

SE: I have completed two children’s chapter books. They are about 130 pages each. They are not published yet. I just finished the second one, so I am in the process of editing both books. Then will try to get the books publish by a mainstream publishing company.

As for as in the future, I have about 6 stories in my head. Half of them are children books and half are grown folk books. I am not decided yet on which direction I want to go with.

http://www.seasley.net/

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Mercedes Terzol, author of 999 Ways 2 Say No 2 a “No-Good Man”

March 9, 2009 Joey Pinkney

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Mercedes Terzol, author of 999 Ways 2 Say No 2 A “No-Good Man”
(iUniverse)

In an analytical, inspirational and creative manner, 999 Ways 2 Say No 2 A “No-Good Man” takes an uncensored look into the ways of the no-good man and exposes him for who he truly is. 999 Ways encourages women to transform their pain into power by looking inward. Women will learn that independence and a new beginning are not just limited to July 4 and January 1.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write 999 Ways 2 Say No 2 a “No-Good Man”?

Mercedes Terzol: After a very difficult experience with someone I thought was my soul mate, I was inspired to reteach important and basic concepts of arithmetic: subtraction and addition. My message to women is simple. Subtract the negative so that you can add the positive.

JP: What sets 999 Ways 2 Say No 2 a “No-Good Man” apart from other novels in its genre?

MT: It’s raw. It’s emotionally provocative. Everything that takes place in real life is expressed in 999 Ways. I’ve also managed to analyze and shed light to ongoing of self-esteem and relationship issues that women go through.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to 999 Ways 2 Say No 2 a “No-Good Man” getting out to the public?

MT: Dedication and faith. For the past 3 years I have been advertising and spearheading my own campaign. I have no help or professional guidance. My book is self-help, and I rely on and have faith in my own ability to get ahead.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish 999 Ways 2 Say No 2 a “No-Good Man”?

MT: My writing process is very unique because it’s not traditional. I start from the back and move forward. With this book, I finished the last chapter before I began the first. I also concentrate on the details before I come up with the general or overall concept.

JP: What’s next for Mercedes Terzol?

MT: Possibly law school or more writing. My future is definitely an open book!

www.mercedestheauthor.com
www.mercedestheauthor.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/msauthor7

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