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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… Roxanne Fredd, author of Gas Card

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Roxanne C. Fredd, author of Gas Card
(AuthorHouse)

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Gas Card?

Roxanne C. Fred: Gas Card started out as a lie because of current events with the high price of gas. It inspired me to write this novel. I heard on the news report one day, “Drivers without a license will be stopped at the gas pump.” That brought fear to the faces of car owners without a driver’s license. Seeing that look inspired me to write this novel.

JP: What sets Gas Card apart from other novels with a conspiracy theme?

RF: Gas Card provides a fictional but plausible scenario for a government conspiracy. People are looking for an answer to the high price of gas.

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

RF: As a self-published author there is no down time for me. I must push and push. When I am tired, I pray then push some more.

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

RF: Gas Card is a fictional story geared toward everyone concerned with the continuous rise in the price of gasoline. Again I say fictional because it all came from my mind. It took me a little over one year of working hard day and night.

JP: What’s next for Roxanne C. Fredd?

RF: Detective Rodney McAfee is the one man who sets this book off from others. To know him is to love him. He and some of his men go on to a new case due to release in 60 days: The “Five Million Dollar Horse.” The President asked the question, “Can you do this, Detective?” Detective Rodney, answers, “I’ll do my best, Lady President?”

Also up coming soon urban ghetto work, To Kill a Snake based in part on truth. I also have a number of works going on, so you will see a lot more of author Roxanne C Fredd.

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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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