Friday, January 27, 2012

FEATURED AUTHOR: Rose Jackson-Beavers


Rose Jackson-Beavers, Chief Executive Officer of Prioritybooks Publications grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois and received her Bachelor and Master degrees from Illinois State and Southern Illinois Universities. Rose is a motivational speaker who is frequently asked to talk to youths and young adults about life issues. She has worked with many youths throughout her community and has received many awards and recognition for her work in publishing. She has worked as a freelance writer for A-Magazine, a St. Louis Publication, The Spanish Lake Word Newspaper and as an Opinion Shaper for the North County Journal Newspaper. Married for twenty-seven years to Cedric, they have one daughter, Adeesha. She is the author of seven books. Her books can be published directly from her website at http://www.prioritybooks.com/ or from http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. She can be reached at rosbeav03@yahoo.com, or at 314-306-2972.

How did you start out your writing career?

I knew I wanted to write since I was ten years old. I used to write letters to prisoners as a pen pal and by age twelve I was reading all of my mom’s True Love magazines. As I grew older, I developed a love for writing poems and speeches. I did a lot of speaking to teens and adults about making changes in their lives. After each session I would recite a quick poem that I thought of while talking to them. Students said I should publish them, but it took another friend to push me. My friend and co-author of my book, Quilt Designs and Poetry Rhythms, Edna Patterson-Petty is a nationally known fabric artist who is often sought out to do workshops, speaking engagements, designs, etc. She asked me to write a few speeches for her, so I did. She was impressed with them and asked me had I written anything else. I showed some articles to her and she mailed them to an up-and-coming magazine. They offered me a column and that’s where it started.

What did you learn while writing this book?

I learned that there’s a thin line between sharing a viewpoint, and seeming like you’re recruiting people. Truthfully, I wanted to write a book with a Christian theme. But as I wrote I realized that I had to be true to my religion. I couldn’t write a story about worshipping on a Sunday because I hadn’t done that since I was thirteen years old. I had to be absolutely true to my religion’s doctrines without coming off preachy. People always asked me about being a Seventh Day Adventist and I tried to explain it to the reader without seeming like I was recruiting. I kept asking my editors if it sounded preachy or appear like I was trying to sell my religion. If you read most of my books, my religion is included because those are the principles that guide my life. I want my characters to have faults, but I also want them to have some religious beliefs to help them become better.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book?

To encourage the masses to pay closer attention to senior citizens. One character, Sarah, was very lonely and needed help with overcoming alcohol abuse. Children should pay attention to their parents and spend time with them to assure that they are happy and are not withering away. Also, true love usually comes when you least expect it to.

What came first with this story, the characters or the plot? Why?

The characters. When I lay down at night, I found myself dreaming of this non-existent pastor who was handsome, sensitive and everyone’s dream. He was single and very wealthy. I had read enough books with pastors having sex with their members and stealing from the church.

What has surprised you most about becoming a published author?

It amazes me how much drama sells. Readers seem to crave drama in books.

What aspect of writing do you love the best, and which do you hate the most?

I love the fact that writing is freeing. In the creative world of fiction, characters are able to go wherever they choose and can be all they desire to be with no limitations.

What I hate most is how hard it is to introduce your work to readers. Like me, readers have their favorites and it takes a lot of work to get them to read a new unknown author. That’s why I try to support so many up-and-coming authors. I know how it feels. I also realize there are so many good writers who’ve written great books and I don’t want to miss out because an author is new on the scene. Likewise, I don’t want readers to miss out on my work either.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?

First, I didn’t know that it wouldn’t get easier. As a publisher, I have twenty-four authors under our label and the majority are self-published. I wanted a company that treated all authors with respect, support and care. I encourage our authors to work, advertise and market together and to pool their resources. We meet regularly and even invite marketing representatives, web designers, book club members and readers to our meetings. Whatever we can do to motivate and inspire, Prioritybooks does. But being a publisher and an author is hard. I spend most of my time encouraging our authors and little time nurturing my writing. It can be conflicting sometimes because writing releases stress and if I cannot write, I feel overwhelmed.

Secondly, too many authors seek quick money and only the opportunity to become published. Once they sell that first two-hundred books they are happily done. They don’t market or promote because they didn’t plan to work hard, even though they said they would bust their butts, trying to sell their books.

Third, it’s hard to network. When you are so busy doing a bunch of other things, it’s hard to find the time to network.

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

Do research and learn everything about this industry from publishing to editing. If someone tells you he or she is an editor, request the names of the books they edited and the authors’ contact information.

Don’t assume that once your book is published that all you have to do is sit back and wait for the money to fall into your lap. There’s a lot of hard work in selling books and getting the acclaim that you desire.

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

It takes time to build loyal audiences, be patient. Also the majority of writers are not rich.

Tell us something few know about you?

I love doing workshops and presentations, especially to the youth. In addition to a small publishing company, I also own a federally approved 501-C (3) non-profit company.

Our mission is to enhance the lives of families through health, social and cultural experiences by providing information, training, referrals and education. I am looking into a way to combine both companies.

When you’re not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I watch movies with my husband. I also take my parents to lunch or spend time with them twice a week. I work with teens. This month I presented a Dress for Success workshop. All attendees received a free book. I also give out a scholarship every two years to a student who may only have a 2.0 grade point average. Everyone helps our children who are smart, have every advantage at their disposal, but for the student who has to work hard to just get a C average and lack family support they get looked over. With support, mentoring and help, the average student can become the excellent student. The scholarship is given from my scholarship foundation, the McKinley and Sylvester Jackson Scholarship. I created this scholarship because my brothers loved education and helped as much as they could to make sure we could be educated. McKinley died of cancer at forty years old and Sylvester at forty-three.

What do you do to interact with your readers?

I have two free workshops a year on self-publishing. I also have donated other free workshops throughout the year like Dress for Success and Understanding Depression for Teens. I interact on Facebook and on my blog “Lessons Learned.” In two years I’ve had almost 70,000 visitors who read my blog.

This month we have two themes, our first is Family Literacy. Do you do anything to promote family literacy?

I donate a lot of books to churches and schools. Last year we donated five cases of various teen books to churches and afterschool programs. We wanted the kids to have a variety of novels to choose from that were more relatable to them. I also donated fifteen books to the teens I spoke to this month.

Our second theme is Local Authors, what are you doing locally to promote your books?

I use the newspapers here and send out press releases, eblasts, friends, and other types of publicity. I also have some planned book signings.

Oprah always asks, what do you know for sure?

I love writing and would do it without pay. I love the opportunity to tell a story and share information through pages that could help someone with a problem they may be having. I also know that when I put God first and then family, the sky is the limit.

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

Rosbeav03@yahoo.com, http://www.rosejacksonbeavers.com/ http://www.prioritybooks.blogspot.com/


A SINNER'S CRY

Denise Reese’s life seems as if it is on a sure course to perfection, until a single phone call crushes her reality and leaves her heartbroken and vulnerable. As she attempts to rebuild her shattered life, Denise seeks solace in the confines of the church that she'd walked out of years ago and swore to never return. As she struggles to gain redemption, the ringing of her phone continues to haunt her and impede her progress. In the midst of her struggles she receives support from the newly appointed pastor, the handsome James Davis. While the two attempt to walk the right path, they must combat the lies and deception that those closest to them are spreading. Once Denise learns to decipher between lust and love, she realizes, even from a struggling sinner, God hears sincere cries.

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Monday, January 23, 2012

FEATURED AUTHOR: Megan Kelly


Megan Kelly writes contemporary romances, both self-published and for Harlequin American Romance. She spends a lot of time with imaginary people in her head. Fortunately, she has a very supportive husband and two kids who don't remember a time when Mom didn't write, so a wandering mind seems almost normal in her house. She lives in the Midwest, where the weather has an imagination of its own. You can reach her through her website, http://www.megankellybooks.com/ or on FaceBook.


How did you start out your writing career?

I joined my local RWA chapter and absorbed all the advice I could. At my first writers' conference, I attended a group pitch where I barely breathed, let alone spoke. Afterward, the editor wrote down our names and said she expected something from each of us! So I sat down and wrote a book with my sister's critiques guiding me, then sent it in. -- I want to apologize to that editor for having to read it. No one should see a writer's first attempt. That was my learning book where I made every mistake possible.

What did you learn while writing this book?

SANTA DEAR, which was released in Dec 2011, was my first self-published book, after selling four Harlequin American Romances. It was also a book I wrote a long time ago but couldn't sell. It received great responses (good rejections, lol), got to the senior editor's desk, was sent by one editor to another who she thought the book fit better, and so on. No offers. But I believed in this story and wanted readers to have it. The self-pub learning curve is steep, even though I used a company to format and distribute it. I'm still learning about it.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book?

I wanted to touch readers' hearts. SANTA DEAR is about the widowed heroine learning to trust another man after raising her son alone for several years. My hope is readers will laugh and cry, and finish it wanting to read more stories I've written.

What came first with this story, the characters or the plot? Why?

The characters always come first with me. I don't plot ahead. I let the characters take me through their experiences as I type. The widowed heroine showed up in my head first, distraught over her son's letter to Santa Claus. In it, he says he needs Santa to visit, to prove Santa's not a "just a story, like my dad." That hits the heroine hard. I typed that out and waited for Trish to tell me what she did next. Stories I've plotted always came out dry and lifeless when I wrote them, so I don't plot.

What has surprised you most about becoming a published author?

After five books, I'm still finding out what routine works best. The two books I wrote by putting my head down and typing--finishing each in roughly six weeks after the proposal was accepted (meaning the first three chapters were done), including revising and polishing--were the two the editor barely had any revisions on. The two books I labored over for six months or more had 8 page revision letters from the editor. I want to believe if I "get out of my way" I write better books, but that's because binge-writing is easier for me.

What aspect of writing do you love the best, and which do you hate the most?

I love reader feedback and I hate doing promotion.

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

DO keep learning. Keep reading widely. Keep attending workshops, even if it "just" validates what you do. Validation is almost as important as chocolate to a writer. DON'T quit. It took me thirteen years from starting that first book to getting THE CALL. I'd like to add a second DO that is just as important to me as learning: Give back. None of us got here alone.

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

I'd like them to understand writers don't get paid for books pirated off the internet and the effect it can have on a career. If someone posts BOOKX for free and millions of people download it and love it, the publishing company still counts that as one sale. If the author self-published BOOKX, she gets one royalty payment (between thirty cents and two bucks in most cases). Having fans doesn't insure an author will receive another contract or earn enough money so she can write full-time. Pirating books hurts the author.

Tell us something few know about you.

I have a bad habit of saying things to make people laugh coupled with a very deadpan delivery. Even close friends and family take me seriously when they shouldn't. I seldom take myself seriously. Life is too short.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Read. Isn't that the typical answer from writers? I also knit and crochet (not well), but I prefer getting lost in someone else's imagination. I love to go to the movies.

What do you do to interact with your readers?

I blog with Harlequin American Romance authors (http://harauthors.blogspot.com) and I'm on FaceBook every day. I answer emails and do in person book signings for my print books. I love readers.

This month we have two themes our first is Family Literacy. Do you do anything to promote family literacy?

My books are for adults. I'm not aware of any Family Literacy events in my area.

Our second theme is Local Authors, what are you doing locally to promote your books?

I have signings at local independent bookstores to bring in readers. I try to make sure the local newspapers are informed. I write articles for my local RWA chapter occasionally and am always available to help writers with questions if I can. Actually, I had two people approach me recently about helping beginning writers they knew. I love that. I believe helping others and making contact in a personal way does more to sell a book than anything else I can do locally.

Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?

My family is my rock.

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

I have a proposal with Harlequin American right now. It's not contracted, but hopefully it will be my next print book. In it, a reporter stuck in Features stumbles on a big story that will hurt the family of the guy she loves. What to do?

My next self-published story is a mystery with romantic and paranormal elements. You can see why it would be a hard sell to a traditional publisher. It would be difficult for a bookstore to shelve--is it mystery or romance or paranormal? (Yes.) Since the setting is a campground, I'll be putting it out this summer. I don't have excerpts up for these yet, but readers can go to my website for excerpts of my other five books.

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

My website http://www.megankellybooks.com/ has a contact page. You can email me, become my friend on FaceBook or tweet at me on Twitter.



SANTA DEAR

"Santa, My friends say you're just a story, like my dad."

Trish's heart aches when she reads the note from her five-year-old son. She needs a man, but only to play Santa for Tyler. Widowed several years earlier, she's not quite over the scars left by her dishonest husband. She isn't looking for a relationship, although having someone to rely on is tempting. So is Sam, but she's not going to fall for an unambitious man. Not again.

Sam doesn't want a relationship, either. Recently burned by his ex, who had her eye on the top of the corporate ladder, he's willing to let Trish think he's poor and out of work to keep her at arm's length. When she and her son invade his heart, there's this little misunderstanding in the way. He has to win her over, but can he help her bury the past?

When things look their gloomiest, it doesn't hurt to have Santa on your side.


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Friday, January 20, 2012

FEATURED AUTHOR: Suzanne Hartmann



EDITOR’s NOTE:  You know I love introducing you to my writer friends.  I met Suzanne when I created a writer’s group last year.  She has inspired us all to continue on our path to publication.  She showed us not to let go of the dream, to work hard, to learn and it will all pay off.  I’m super excited to see where her career will go.  Please meet my writing friend, Suzanne Hartmann.


Suzanne Hartmann is a homeschool mom of three and lives in the St. Louis area. When not homeschooling or writing, she enjoys scrapbooking, reading, and Bible study. She began writing fiction when her children were young, and four of her short stories were published in a Milliken Publishing
reading workbook. PERIL: Fast Track Thriller Bk. #1 is her debut novel.

On the editorial side, Suzanne is a contributing editor with Port Yonder Press and has written a book titled Write This Way: Take Your Writing to a New Level, which is a compilation of her popular Top 10 series of articles on her blog.

How did you start out your writing career?

In the mid-1990’s, I sold a set of short stories to be used in a Millikin Publishing reading workbook, but I didn’t feel called to write a novel until the fall of 2006.

What did you learn while writing this book?

The main thing I learned was how to write fiction. I had a good story to tell, but I needed to learn the best way to hold the readers’ attention. Unfortunately, I learned through the school of hard knocks—by making just about every mistake there is to make in writing, learning how to fix each of them, then finding and fixing them over and over in my manuscript.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book?

I want to offer a good read with quality writing that doesn’t offend Christians like so many secular novels do anymore. I also wanted to create realistic characters who pull readers into their lives—characters you care about and remember long after you finish the book.

What came first with this story, the characters or the plot? Why?

Lady Anne, my main character, came first. The story started with a question: What if someone could do…? I created a character who could do that, then put her in situation after situation which challenged her. Those scenarios eventually formed the outline for PERIL.

What has surprised you most about becoming a published author?

How much work it is to get the word out about a book. So far, everything I’ve done from a book release party to sending out press releases to doing a blog tour has taken far longer than expected.

What aspect of writing do you love the best, and which do you hate the most?

I love it when I’m in the groove with my writing. That’s when I’m getting to know my characters and plotting all kinds of fun and challenges, disasters and successes for them.

Marketing is definitely the hardest part for me. I’ve always shied away from sales; now I have no choice, so I’m learning and applying everything I can.

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

1) More about what happens after the contract
2) How time-consuming marketing a book is
3) How to manage my time better

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

DO: Be a willing learner.
DON’T: Don’t give up.
Persistence and a willingness to learn will take you to publication if you hold on and keep at it.

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

Writers really, REALLY do want to hear from their readers, especially new authors.

Tell us something few know about you?

Both of my knees have been replaced. The problems that lead to the need to replace them stem from a severe car accident 25 years ago.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Scrapbooking is my stress-reliever, and Bible study is my sanity-saver. And, of course, I LOVE to read!

What do you do to interact with your readers?

I have a Facebook page and am on Twitter (SuzInIL). I also write a blog, Write This Way (http://suzanne-hartmann2.blogspot.com/), that offers freebies for readers and resources for writers.

This month we have two themes our first is Family Literacy. Do you do anything to promote family literacy?

Reading is important in my family and all of my children are big readers. From the time they were very little, we read to them. Even though they are now teenagers, I still read to them. As a part of our homeschooling, I read them several pages from the Bible each day, and a number of novels that correspond with whatever we’re studying in history.

Our second theme is Local Authors, what are you doing locally to promote your books?

I have sent a press release to local newspapers and articles have been printed in the Troy Tribune, the Edwardsville Intellingencer’s The Edge Magazine, and the Alton Telegraph. Marketing is something that is tough for me, especially now that I have a deadline for writing the sequel to PERIL, but I have made a commitment to do at least one tiny marketing item per day. So over the course of the next couple of months, I will contact local libraries and Christian bookstores to request that they carry my book and discuss the possibilities of setting up book signings and/or writing workshops.

Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?

I know for sure that Jesus is my Savior, that He has called me to write, and that He is walking with me step-by-step through my writing journey.

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

CONSPIRACY: Fast Track Thriller #2 is due out in the summer or fall of 2012. This novel picks up where PERIL leaves off. Joanne’s boss, the head of the country’s most clandestine intelligence organization is framed for selling secrets to a foreign government. She and her friend, NASCAR champion Stuart Jackson, vow to help George set things straight, in spite of personal tragedies engulfing her life.

REVENGE: Fast Track Thriller #3 is due out in 2013. The man who framed Joanne’s boss may be behind bars, but he wants revenge. He promises to expose her deepest secrets to the entire world and isn’t afraid to threaten her loved ones to accomplish it. When he threatens Stuart’s safety during a race, will she trade her secrets to save him?

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

My e-mail address: shartmann5@yahoo.com
My Website – FastTrackThrillers (http://fasttrackthrillers.blogspot.com/)
My Blog - Write This Way (http://suzanne-hartmann2.blogspot.com/)
Facebook – Suzanne Hartmann – Author http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Suzanne-Hartmann-Author/45955180933
Twitter - @SuzInIL (http://twitter.com/#!/SuzInIL)


PERIL: Fast Track Thriller #1
Christian Suspense

A top secret agent with enhanced strength must use her extraordinary abilities during several high-profile assignments, from the White House to NASCAR tracks, while escorting the first Muslim king to convert to Christianity. When unwanted publicity threatens to expose her, she herself becomes a terrorist target, with danger surrounding her on all sides.

“Plenty of action and unexpected twists.” Foreword by Jimmy Makar, GM of Joe Gibbs Racing

PERIL BOOK TRAILER    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-G_LzhD4zE







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Thursday, January 19, 2012

BOOK WINNERS - January

Congrats to

Teresa Beasley
Charlene Sapp

You won a copy of

Real Wifey:Get Money by Meesha Mink

Sinners & Saints
By Victoria Christopher Murray & ReShonda Tate Billingsley



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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: Sinners & Saints


Sinners & Saints
By Victoria Christopher Murray & ReShonda Tate Billingsley

TEAM JASMINE or TEAM RACHEL?

Bestselling and award-winning novelists Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley bring their favorite heroines together in a novel that will delight their legions of fans.

Jasmine Larson Bush and Rachel Jackson Adams are not your typical first ladies. But they’ve overcome their scandalous and drama-filled pasts to stand firmly by their husbands’ sides.

When a coveted position opens up—president of the American Baptist Coalition— both women think their husbands are perfect for the job. And winning the position may require both women to get down and dirty and revert to their old tricks. Just when Jasmine and Rachel think they’re going to have to fight to the finish, the current first lady of the coalition steps in . . . a woman bigger, badder, and more devious than either of them.

Double the fun with a message of faith, Sinners & Saints will delight readers with two of their favorite characters from two of their favorite authors.

Would you like to win a copy of this book? CLICK HERE




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Friday, January 13, 2012

SORMAG is Nominated For An Award


PRODIGY PUBLISHING GROUP presents "SECOND ANNUAL FACE BOOK URBAN LITERARY AWARDS

SORMAG was nominated for -
INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR


We received an Honorable Mention in the following categories

BOOK REVIEWER OF THE YEAR

BEST WEB SITE DESIGN OF THE YEAR


Please take a moment to vote for us and all the other nominees.



A BIG THANK YOU for supporting SORMAG.  I know there is no SORMAG without you and I’m grateful for you stopping by every day.

LCH




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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Guilty by Association Virtual Book Tour with Pat Simmons




About the Book

The Jamieson Family Legacy series follow the lives of two Jamieson brothers in Boston, Kidd and Ace, and their cousin, Cameron, from St. Louis. The older brother, Kidd, is struggling with anger and resentment issues toward his absentee father who never married his mother. Yet, he had the audacity to demand his illegitimate sons carry his Jamieson name. Ace, on the other hand, is on his collision course to be a chip off the old block when it comes to women. Their highly MIT educated cousin, Cameron Jamieson, is all about saving family from self-destruction.

Through genealogy research, Cameron's mission is to show his cousins their worth as the eleventh generation descendants of a royal African tribe and to give them a choice: live with the stereotypical "angry black men" syndrome or to crush any obstacles that try and stop them to become strong successful black men.There are three books in the Jamieson Legacy series: Guilty by Association (Kidd's story), The Guilt Trip (Ace's story), and Free from Guilt (Cameron's story). Each of the three Jamieson men have to accept that their past and present are in God's hand, and without Him they can't advance to their future blessings. The bonus storyline in Guilty by Association is one that progresses the story of the much-loved character in the previous three book Guilty Series, Grandma BB. This time, she picks up a sidekick Mrs. Valentine.

Guilty by Association is the story of Boston bad boy Kevin "Kidd" Jamieson. His gripe is with his father who dared to insist that his two illegitimate sons carry his last name. To add insult to injury, the man never bothered to stick around to provide love and guidance as his boys matured into men. Kidd's anger overflows into every area of his life. As his animosity festers, Kidd becomes as a roaring lion, seeking whatever and whomever he can devour. He's as gritty as his cousin in St. Louis, Parke Jamieson VI, is polished. The two strong-willed men clash when Kidd relocates to St. Louis where his cousin assures him it's a land of milk and money in job opportunities. Where is lands a job is far from it.

Through a series of events that involve Grandma BB, her dog named Silent Killer and her Stacy Adams shoes, Kidd meets two women who recognize his hostile tendencies and immediately begin to administer CPR to his soul. LPN Eva Savoy eventually becomes his "Eve," a woman God created from the underlying goodness hidden in Kidd's own heart.Reluctantly, Kidd allows Parke to divulge information about their royal family heritage. While everyone's care and compassion begins to smother Kidd, he struggles to keep up the bad boy attitude as his walls start to crumble. Kidd learns it's not his association with the name that identifies him, but the man he becomes that defines him.


BOOK TRAILER


About the Author

Pat Simmons is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth. She is passionate about digging up the dirt on her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She has been a genealogy enthusiast since her great-grandmother died at the young age of ninety-seven years old. Pat has won numerous awards for her novels which include: Talk to Me, Grace and Humility and Still Guilty, which was voted the Best Inspirational Romance for 2010. Pat is best known for her Guilty series: Guilty of Love, Not Guilty of Love, and Still Guilty. She is continuing the series through the Jamieson Family Legacy trilogy: Guilty by Association, The Guilt Trip, Free From Guilt. Pat has recently been nominated for the best Christian fiction award by the African American Literary Awards for her latest release, Crowning Glory. Pat and her husband live in Missouri and have two children.

How did you start out your writing career?

I started writing as a dabbler. It was a past time. I would write a couple of pages one day and maybe come back to the project six months later. That behavior is defined as a hobby. Then I made the commitment that I wanted to become a published author and stay published. If a person isn’t ready to put in five, six or eight hours, five days a week to write, then define the goal.

What did you learn while writing this book?

My heart aches for our young men who seem to be on a path of destruction. Those misbehaving young boys grow up to become out-of-control teenagers, and then finally angry black men. My desire was to tap into Kidd Jamieson’s anger and yank it out by its roots. And then plant the seed of hope, love and salvation in his heart. I hope I didn’t miss the mark in Guilty by Association.

What did you hope to accomplish with this book?

To ease the guilt that parents, especially single parents, who might suffer from second-guessing themselves. Where did they go wrong to cause their sons to lash out for no apparent reason? We are our brothers’ keepers. If we can reach out to a young man—or woman, don’t be shy. Let’s save them from self-destruction. Sometimes, they may need a listening ear, or a hug or a job.

What came first with this story, the characters or the plot? Why?

Definitely the plot. I wanted to get away from the good-hearted, positive-thinking Jamieson men from the previous books. Readers are fascinated with the bad boy characters, so I wanted to include some in the same family and then watch their transformation.

What has surprised you most about becoming a published author?

Readers don’t pick up an author’s novel by chance. It takes money to promote, attend conferences and word of mouth to get an author’s name circulating.

What aspect of writing do you love the best, and which do you hate the most?

I loved it when I write a perfect scene where I sniff or grin while experiencing a character’s emotion. I hate re-writes—period.

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

The amount of time it takes to write. When I log off a computer at five o’clock doesn’t mean my characters aren’t still active in my head. I have turned back on my computer and jotted down notes, so that I wouldn’t forget great details of a scene. Second, the amount of money it takes to publicize a novel. A day job or a monthly inheritance would definitely foot the bill for tours, printed material, hotel stays, etc. And third, understanding the writing craft would have been a plus, but I have learned from my freelance editor.

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

Pay for an editor who has edited author’s manuscripts before submitting it anywhere. DON’T sign a contract without a literary attorney if you don’t have an agent. I consider myself pretty smart, but not in legal matters.

What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand? If you mean non-writers such as readers, my answer is authors stay published because readers support them. If you mean non-writers such as people in different fields, writing is work whether I’m at home or in an office, it is a job. To earn my pay, I need to put in eight hours.

Tell us something few know about you?

I’m more bark than bite. Ask my children.

When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy watching romantic movies with my husband or hiding out in the library’s genealogy dept.

What do you do to interact with your readers?

If possible, I like attending book club meetings and conferences.

This month we have two themes our first is Family Literacy. Do you do anything to promote family literacy?

I recently donated books for a shelter and I committed to donate books for a group of young girls in Africa.

Our second theme is Local Authors, what are you doing locally to promote your books?

I try to participate in as many local literary events as my schedule permits, which include signing at company’s vendor days and our military base.

Oprah always asks, What do you know for sure?

That Jesus saves.

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

Ace is Kidd’s younger bad boy brother from Boston. Aaron Jamieson is living a carefree life. He's good-looking, respectable when he's in the mood, but his weakness is women. When a woman tries to ambush him with a pregnancy, he takes off in the other direction. Responsibility as an option is something he learned from his absentee father. Talise Rogers has a bright future ahead of her. She's pretty and has no problem catching a man's eye, which is exactly what she does with Ace. Their chemistry is undeniable and their passion explosive. Trapping Ace is the furthest thing from Talise's mind, when she learns she is pregnant. She is determined to be a good parent. When Ace rejects her she lets him know, "I want nothing from you Ace, not even your name," and she means it. But Ace's big brother and cousins don't plan to let the child who represents the twelfth generation descendant of a royal African tribe leave the fold. Whether Ace decides to accept his responsibility or not, his family embraces Talise and baby. As for Ace, they turn him over to the LORD. How long will he be able to endure the guilt trip he's experiencing because of his choices?

How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)

Snag mail: Pat Simmons, P.O.Box 1077, Florissant, MO 63031; http://www.patsimmons.net/
 or pat@patsimmons.net.




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Sunday, January 08, 2012

BOOK SPOTLIGHT: REAL WIFEYS: GET MONEY


In the new novel from the author of Real Wifeys: On the Grind, rapper Make$’s wifey, Harriet “Luscious” Jordan, finds herself out in the cold financially after Make$ is imprisoned for his role in the brutal rape of Luscious’ friend and his business partner, Kaeyla “Goldie” Dennis, a misguided young woman who once ran a strip club out of her apartment. But Luscious is a first-rate hustler and soon becomes a successful party promoter. There is really only one thing on Luscious’ mind: destroying Goldie. Luscious has never forgiven Goldie for sleeping with Make$ behind her back before the rape, and she’ll stop at nothing to exact revenge. Yet how far can Luscious go in her blazing quest for payback without destroying herself, too?

Real Wifeys: Get Money is the second installment in a fierce and gritty new trilogy from one of the most daring voices in street lit.

Meesha Mink is the psuedonym for bestselling author Niobia Bryant. For more on this author, please visit: http://www.meeshamink.com/ or http://www.niobiabryant.com/.

Would you like to win a copy of this book? CLICK HERE


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