FEATURED AUTHOR: Sasha Campbell

CONFESSIONS

For almost ten years, radio talk show host Nikki Truth has shared life’s ups and downs with her husband Donovan while doling out in-your-face relationship advice to her listeners. But lately it seems the good times in her own relationship—including the sex—are few and far between. Then she meets widower Kenyon Monroe, whose too tempting to resist. But not everyone is under Kenyon’s spell…

Nikki’s best friend, Trinette Montgomery, can’t deny Kenyon is hot, but she never trusts a man who seems too good to be true. And she should know. Married to a successful CFO who travels a lot, Trinette likes to indulge in all of life’s pleasures—including the fine men of St. Louis. But when her game goes too far, Trinette and Nikki stand to lose everything…

SASHA CAMPBELL will shake up the literary scene as an author who’s keeping it real. Get ready because things are about to get crazy! She’s a free spirit who isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind or even better, write about it. There’s nothing desperate about this vivacious housewife with her wild imagination and flare for capturing her audience’s attention with every page-turning detail. Visit Sasha online at www.sasha-campbell.com.

What is something readers would be surprised you do?

Although I have a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, my back ground is in adult entertainment. I’m a business woman first but I know how to get down to business when needed. In other words, I manage the staff but I have no problem slipping on a pair of stilettos and swinging around a pole if duty calls.

How did you start out your writing career?

I’ve always kept a journal…under lock and key. Lol. Once I started eavesdropping on dressing room confessions that were way more appealing than fiction, I decided it was my destiny to tell our stories. Before long I had the first full-length story ready to be published.

What do you hope to accomplish with this book?

I’m am entertainer by trade who believes in giving her customers their money’s worth. Lol. Seriously, writing this book was like choreographing a pole dance routine—arousing. I want my customers to feel satisfied. I believe Confessions will do just that.

What did you learn while writing this book?

Writing isn’t as easy as one may think. I felt like I needed to go back to college and take a few more English classes. Ha-ha! I had no idea how much editing was involved in the process. I have a lot of respect for my editor.

What is the toughest test you’ve faced as an author?

I’m facing it now. Although I’m keeping my identity a secret, I’m making it no secret about the type of woman I am. The test is how accepting my readers are of a stripper turned housewife who believes in keeping it real.

If you had the opportunity to talk with three writers, who would you choose and why?

Mary B. Morrison because she reminds me a lot of myself. Terry McMillan because she is an amazing story teller and I would feel honored to be in her presence and Valerie Wilson Wesley. I would love to talk to her and see just how her brain operates. She’s fabulous.

What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?

I wish I had known writing was so therapeutic. I’m able to unleash all my thoughts and inhibitions.

I am a natural born freak and with writing I can be as freaky as I want to be. Lol. Secondly, I wish I had known that getting a book published was just the beginning. Marketing? What’ in the world is that? I have to laugh because I handled all the marketing and promotion at the club yet I guess I never thought I would have to do the same with my own books. I thought the publisher did everything. That was a rude awakening. Third, it took years before I realized so many women live vicariously through me. Because of that I am glad I decided to become an author. I plan to introduce women to my world. So many people think adult entertainment is just about sex but there is so much more to learn.

Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be writer?

Do you! Write what you know instead of writing what you thinking readers want to read.

It’s got to be true to you otherwise it is going to come across fake. For instance, I can’t write Christian fiction because I am too much of a freak and my mouth is way too raw but for others that’s their talent. Also, if an agent or editor rejects your work don’t get discourage and give up your dream. Everything worth having takes time.

I borrowed this question from author Carleene Brice, what is your author fantasy?

Is amazing you used the word fantasy since that’s what my career’s all about—fulfilling fantasies. Lol. My author fantasy is writing a collaboration with one of my favorites or someday holding a book signing with an endless line of readers dying to meet the vivacious woman behind the mystery.

What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

The brain works when it wants to work. People think authors can schedule there writing for 9-5 and shut it off at dinner time but it doesn’t work like that. My husband doesn’t get it so I try to put his needs first and as soon as I’m sure he’s satisfied I’m back to my office working until the wee hours of the morning. A writer’s mind is always working. I have notepads by the side of the bed and even under the seat in my car. When an idea pops in my head, I’ve got to be able to rush and write it down before I forget.

What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry? The worst?

The best advice was, writing the book is the hard part after that the rest will come easy. She was right. Writing a book was the challenge. Once I had something worth representing, I was lucky because the rest came easier for me.

The worst advice I got was that everybody wants to be a writer and that publishers were no longer buying what I write. How wrong they were.

If you could visit any place in the world where would you travel to?

Africa. We as African-Americans have so many misconceptions that I would love to see the rich beauty of that country myself.

Our theme for this month is agent hunting? What advice would you give someone searching for the right agent?

I think I got twenty reject letters before I found the right agent. You can’t take it personal. The worst thing you can have is an agent that doesn’t believe in your work. I have an over-the-top personality which requires an agent whose personality works wonderfully with mine. It’s a relationship…a marriage. Unfortunately, we don’t always get it right on the first try.

Oprah always asks, what do you know for sure?

I know that I am truly blessed to have a family who loves me and has never judged me for living the life that I have chosen to live. I am a woman who has no regrets and I’m confident in everything I do.

Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?

Absolutely. Suspicions is the story of four employees of Situations the hottest beauty salon in Chicago and also where drama’s their motto. When Noelle finds an abandoned baby on her doorstep she has to take a suspicious look at everyone including her husband. Candace is tired of the games and ready for love but her baby’s daddy ain’t having it. Tiffany is trying to save her virginity but temptation is becoming almost too great. Chauncey is trying to start a new life, unfortunately, the past always has a way of catching up with us.

How can readers get in contact with you?

Readers can visit me at http://www.sasha-campbell.com/ where they’ll find links to my delicious blog, twitter and facebook page or they can simply drop me a line at sasha@sasha-campbell.com.

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