All Up In Author's Business!

After reading Gwyneth Bolton’s answers to I think this blog should have a title. All up in the authors business. LOL. What do you, the readers think? As you guessed, we’re about to be all up in Gwyneth Bolton’s business.

Dyanne: Gwyneth, thanks for playing along with this interview. There is a method to my madness other than just being plain insane. I’m hoping the readers will play along and enjoy this. I’m also hoping to show them writers have a fun and approachable side. Ready for the first question? Here it is: If you were granted the power to end either world hunger or have world peace, which would it be? And no, you can’t try to answer so that you can do both.

Gwyneth: That’s a hard one. But I’m going to go with end world hunger. Because honestly, if things were equitable and fair and folks around the world had the basic necessities like food, clothes and shelter, we’d get peace as a by-product. If not, then at least those currently disproportionately affected by poverty and hunger would be able to live and fight on the side of right until we get peace. The cynic in me believes that wicked people are always going to find reasons to war. So, we need more folks who are strong, ready, willing and able to fight for righteous causes. So feed them; end world hunger.

Dyanne: I like your answer and knew you’d find a way to have your choice affect both (smile). Now you’ve been given a chance to rewrite one scene in your personal life. What scene would that be?

Gwyneth: Dang, Dyanne, you all up in my personal business. Sorry, I can’t share the one I would really change ‘cause I don’t know you like that. LOL. But there are a few boyfriends in the past that—knowing what I know now—I would have walked on by. So, that summer night before my senior year of high school when I was walking around with my best friend Lily and we thought we were too hot to trot and that boy I’d seen and secretly liked finally said hello and asked for my phone number… Instead of telling him yes and spending that night on the phone until I couldn’t keep my eyes open and the next six years of my life in that mess of a relationship… I would have said I don’t have a phone and kept it moving. LOL. What I didn’t know then is that there was a much better guy for me waiting a few years down the road, and I had plenty of things to keep me busy until our destinies linked up.

Dyanne: That was a really great answer. I love it especially the end. To bad we can’t see into the future. Now, for the serious stuff. Tell us what you’ve been up to and what books you have coming out this year and any future works that you’re at liberty to talk about.

Gwyneth: This year is a busy year for me. It’s the release year for the first three books in my new series, Hightower Honors: four brothers on a mission to protect, serve and love. Hightower Honors chronicles the lives and loves of four very hot and sexy brothers from a strong upper-middle class Paterson, New Jersey family with a rich legacy of public service. The Hightower men are all tall, dark and handsome alpha males. Their upbringing dictates that when push comes to shove, they should always do the right thing. The only catch is that sometimes the right thing in their minds has to be done the right way, their way. Raised by two loving parents, James and Celia Hightower, the brothers know what real love looks like and they want it for themselves. Eventually. On their own terms.

The first book in the series, PROTECT AND SERVE was released in July 2008. The next books in the series are MAKE IT HOT, THE LAW OF DESIRE and SIZZLING SEDUCTION. In MAKE IT HOT, September 2008, Joel Hightower is a fireman injured on the job and forced to think about a career outside of his dream job. Too bad he can’t think around the spunky physical therapist helping him recover. In THE LAW OF DESIRE, December 2008, the woman Lawrence Hightower finds himself falling in love with could very well be a criminal. He needs to figure out who she really is before the criminals looking for her find her. In SIZZLING SEDUCTION, October 2009, Patrick Hightower is used to putting out fires, but a sweet and sexy kindergarten teacher breaks through his protective shield and gets him thinking it might be more fun starting one.

Dyanne: Thanks Gwyneth. Where can readers reach you?

Gwyneth: Readers can e-mail me gwynethbolton@prodigy.net. They can visit me and contact me via my website http://www.gwynethbolton.com or they can look me up on MySpace http://www.myspace.com/gwynethbolton or look for me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/Gwyneth_Bolton/1039714933. Readers can also reach me via snail mail by writing me at PO Box 9388 Carousel Ctr. Syracuse, New York 13290-9381.

Say Hello to Gwynne Forster

Dyanne: Gwynne, thanks for taking the time from your deadlines to participate in the RSJ blog. These questions are not the usual, so don’t think I’ve gone loopy. My first question for you: Share a secret with RSJ that you would never want to see in print.

Gwynne: I may have some, but if I share them, I’ll surely see them in print. Right?

Dyanne: LOL. I was hoping I’d sneak that one past you. I should have known better. Okay, here’s another one. If you were ruler of the world, what would your first order be?

Gwynne: I would eliminate all the differences among people except gender and language. We need the language barriers, because eliminating them would give us something to strive for. And Lord knows we need the gender differences. At least I do.

Dyanne: LOL. I also need the gender differences. I never thought about the language barriers, but I’m in agreement with you. What a great answer. We all have vices, so tell me the one vice you have that you’ll never give up.

Gwynne: Probably chewing gum, which I always do when I’m working at the computer. My father thought it worse than a vice.

Dyanne: Now that the crazy part of this interview is over, tell us a little about your next project and where readers can reach you. Thanks again for playing along. I know how busy you are right now. Where can readers reach you?

Gwynne: I have two books—a mainstream and a romance—coming out in October. The mainstream is entitled A DIFFERENT KIND OF BLUES, and it’s the story of a woman who gets a shock and, consequently, sets put to turn her life around. The romance, WHAT MATTERS MOST, is about a doctor who, after an earth shaking epiphany, departs from all he has known and all he’s ever been to become a different, kinder, gentler and more admirable man, the obstacles he encounters and the woman who stands with him through it all. This book is a part of a project aimed to introduce St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and its services to African American women who don’t know that the service is free for their sick children if they have no insurance. The book is not about St. Jude; it is a romance in which some characters are involved with St. Jude.

Gwynne Forster
www.gwynneforster.com

A Hello To Lisa G. Riley

Dyanne: Hi Lisa G. Congratulations on your book Simply Wicked and your anthology piece in Zane’s Honey Flava. I hear they’re doing really well. I bet you’re nervous, wondering what crazy questions I’m going to ask you, so here goes: As a PR person you have been given the go ahead to take ONE writer to the top (and it can’t be you unless you can figure out a way to get rid of your client) So how are you going to take that client to the top? Or are you going to get rid of them? LOL


Lisa: Actually, that’s a difficult question. It would depend on what the client’s book is about. For instance, say a client sets a book in London. One idea would be to fly that client to London and have her do signings at the various places she may have mentioned in the book. Of course, a contest would be in order as well. That could be anything: answers to questions about the client or her book, or sending in proof of purchase—your receipt—of the client’s book, etc. After a random drawing, the winner could receive an all expense paid trip to London for two. The contest would be announced during commercials of shows with heavy female viewership (Good Morning America, The Today Show, etc.), or better yet, get that author on one of those shows, and get her interviewed by newspapers. There would also be a contest in London, with the winner being given a special meeting with that author and maybe a shopping spree in London, I don’t know…but it would be something fabulous! And of course, I like the idea of the proof of purchase contest idea the best!

Dyanne: I hope everyone’s taking note on the good ideas you’ve given. Since you didn’t kill off your client, I’ll give you a chance to do something fun. What one totally selfish thing would you like to do for Lisa?


Lisa: I don’t know if this could be called selfish since I only have myself to worry about at this point in my life, but I’d like to take myself off to Paris and London for a year or so. You know, a couple of my books (Simply Wicked and Caught Up in the Rapture), are at least partially set in those cities—one in each of them. I just love them!

Dyanne: You’re right; that’s not VERY selfish. I hope you get to live your dream. On the writing front, what are your future plans?


Lisa: I have a completed manuscript that I’m hoping will be picked up soon by a publisher. It’s called Do Me Right, and is about an engaged couple who already lives together and have planned their wedding. The only problem is that one of them doesn’t show up for the wedding. The book follows the two as they try to navigate the problems of their relationship. It sounds serious, I know, but there’s a lot of humor in it. I’m also working on All or Nothing at All, a romantic suspense about a woman in search of a valuable instrument from her father’s estate. She’s not the only one chasing it: the FBI, assorted criminals and the DEA are after it as well. And while she’s chasing clues across the globe, her man is chasing her, trying to pin her down for a commitment.


Dyanne: Thanks Lisa. Where can readers reach you?

Lisa: Thank you, Dyanne, and you’re welcome. My website is http://www.lisagriley.com/ and my e-mail address is lisa@lisagriley.com

Romance Slam Jam 2008

To view the entire 320 image slide show, click the following link:Romance Slam Jam 2008

Interview with Barbara Keaton

Dyanne: Over the next few months and probably forever we’re going to give you a little info about some of the writers of African American romances. While it might seem that I’m playing favorites and beginning with friends, consider this: I was given a deadline to make the next edition and of the Romance Slam Jam newsletter and, of course, since I procrastinate I had to call on people that I actually call and talk to and beg them, come on, please. LOL. So authors, get ready to get an email from me. We’re going to try to feature every single author. Also if you have books that will be coming out, please let us know. We try to keep up but someone’s new release can get missed. We’re still looking for all debut authors of AA romance to present to the readers. So without further ado, I give you Barbara Keaton.

Barbara Keaton, a native of Chicago, who thinks it's the best in the world, also enjoys writing. Her first diary is dated December 1975! And since then, Barbara has written articles for Today's Black Woman Magazine, Chicago Reader, Chicago Crusader and True Confessions. In addition, Barbara is an accomplished romance author. Barbara credits her late grandfather, Thomas Hill, and the Oblate Sisters of Providence for instilling in her a love and passion for the written word.

Barb will have a new romance coming out with Parker Publishing in Oct of this year, One in A Million.

Dyanne: Barb, can you tell us a little about, One in a Million?

Barb: You know, Dyanne that story for me began more than seven years ago. It started off being a story that was in Homeland Hero. You know how it happens, the characters laid dormant for years. We as authors create many characters in our head who may sit on the shelves until It’s their time to come out. This was the time for the characters. I really enjoyed writing the story and hope the readers will enjoy it also.

Dyanne: I know that you partied with the queen of the vampire huntress series, Ms. L.A. Banks who just happens to be the keynote speaker of RSJ 09. I’m so sorry that I missed her and the rest of the team this year. For the second year you’ve been a member of the guardian team. Any thoughts on that?

Barb: It’s so heartwarming to watch a sister step out and create stories about people with flaws, yet they all have faith. Then you sit there and you go, ‘Wow’ I’m sitting here with the person who’s creating history.

Dyanne: I’m so in agreement with you Barb. It also doesn’t hurt that we both got a mention in her new book. YEAH! Okay last question. I happen to know that you’ve been working several years with women who’ve been in abusive relationships. Seeing as how the majority of the readership of this newsletter are women and many of us have known women in such relationships I think it would be nice to know what you’re doing with the organization next.
Barb: This Oct. 18th a core group of Chicago authors will come together to raise money to provide support services to women in abusive relationships. I believe spousal abuse still remains a part of America’s dirty little secret and doesn’t get the attention it deserves. We’re hoping to double the amount we raised last year. This year we’re honored to have Rochelle Allers as out guest speaker. Anyone in the Chicago area who’d like to be a part of this give me a holler at BNewell572@aol.com Readers can visit my site at www.Barbara Keaton.com


Dyanne: Thanks Barb.

www.dyannedavis.com

Interview with Kelley Nyrae

Dyanne: It’s my pleasure to introduce to the RSJ family one of the host authors of Romance Slam Jam 09 that you may not have had the chance to meet yet. I dare say this has been an exciting year for Kelly Nyrae.

Dyanne: Kelley, tell us a little about yourself. I know you have a beautiful new baby so don't leave her out.

Kelley: Thanks for interviewing me, Dyanne. I'm a happily married mother of two little girls, one four years old and the other is seven months old. I've loved writing since I was a child and always dreamed of being a writer one day. I'm an avid reader, like to scrap book, watch movies and hang out with my family.

Dyanne: Congratulations on your first book, Getting Lucky with Luciano? It's been getting rave reviews and since I read it I agree with all the good press. How does it feel to have your dream come to fruition?

Kelley: Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed Luciano. This whole experience is amazing to me. I still have trouble believing its true, lol. To me being a published author was always one of those dreams that you had but you didn't really expect to come true. I'm still riding the high of knowing that I did it! I'm so lucky to have the chance to do what I love.

Dyanne: Kelley, tell me since your baby is less than a year old and so is your book which birth was easier?

Kelly: Well I struggled more writing my book then making the baby, LOL. Both births were exciting, scary and so very worth it!

Dyanne: LOL. I’m VERY pleased to know making the baby wasn’t a struggle. Now that I’ve stopped laughing, what are your future plans?

Kelley: My plans are just to enjoy this ride that I feel privileged to be on. I have one novel, three novellas, and one short story all coming out in 2009. I just want to keep telling the stories in my head, to keep giving my characters their happily ever after. I can only hope readers enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them. Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me! I had a blast. If anyone would like to read more about me or my books my website is www.kelleynyrae.com. I have two blogs one at www.kelleynyrae.blogspot.com and a group author blog at www.threewickedwriters.blogspot.com

Dyanne, Before I let you go Kelley, as chair person on your committee is there anything you want to say concerning your plans for RSJ 2009?


Kelley: First let me say I'm so loving working on Slam Jam 2009. It's been such a blast for me so far! We have a few fun little activities up our sleeves for next year. We have games set up where readers and writers can act out the EMMA nominated books, a beach theme party, wonderful author workshops and intimate session with authors such as LA Banks and some sight seeing time thrown it too!

Kelley

Dyanne: Kelley it’s been fun getting to know you. Again, congrats on both births. I’m looking forward to all the wonderful things that you and Jackie and Miriam and all the other members of your committee have planned for us next year. This is one conference that the readers of this newsletter will not want to miss. It’s going to be, DA BOMB!!

Dyanne Davis
www.dyannedavis.com

Interview with Deatri King-Bey

Dyanne: I’ll betcha you all thought you knew everything there was to know about Deatri didn’t you? Well I can assure you that you don’t and neither do I. But I do know that Deatri and her family steal babies and have done this for many years. They actually are proud of that fact. So Deatri, would you tell us how and why your family steals babies?

Deatri: LOL. Oh yeah, my family has been stealing babies for generations. Actually, I think quite a few in our culture “steal” babies and don’t even realize it. For me, it started with members of my family. I just didn’t like the way their parents were raising them, so we took them in to give their parents a “break” and just kept them. That’s how it usually happens. Next thing you know, you have six children and you only birthed two.

Dyanne: I’ll bet that question caught everyone’s attention. LOL. Deatri, I want you to think this over for a second (or two) and tell me if you were handed a million dollars what would you do other than buy a tank of gas?

Deatri: Awww heck, ,the million dollar question—literally SMILE. Actually, that’s pretty easy. I have a learning disability; I’m dyslexic. Learning to read and write in the small town I came from was not the easiest. I’ve always had a soft spot for children. Children and literacy are very important to me. I’d start a literacy organization for our youth. Yep, I know there are a million and one out there, but they aren’t done the way I’d do it. Mine would be another choice for them.

Dyanne: And I have no doubt that yours would be the best and the children would receive love as well as a love of reading. How about another question? You’ve just been granted three wishes. What will you wish for?

Deatri: Okay, I won’t cheat and make the first wish be unlimited wishes.

Wish One: People would chose to stop living in ignorance and actually take a serious interest in what is going on in the world and act accordingly.

Wow my life must be good, because I can’t think of two more wishes. Hmmm, y’all are lucky you don’t have to actually wait for the answer. Sheesh. Let me go write a book. I’ll be back LOL.

Wish Two: That people stop being petty. Life is too short.

Wish Three: That the future homes I live in are only one floor and have PLENTY of built in bookshelves. Life is hard for a read-a-holic.

Ha ha ha. Thought you had me stumped, didn’t ya!

Dyanne: To be honest Dee, I thought you were going to wish for unlimited wishes. I would have. LOL. I saved asking anything about RSJ for last because I wanted some fun facts that no one knew about you. Everyone knows by now that Romance Slam Jam is becoming incorporated. Can you tell us a little about how it’s coming and why that’s important?


Deatri: Our official name is now Romance Slam Jam Incorporated. The slogan is: Where love of literacy and Black romance meet. In another year, hopefully the Federal Government will see the benefit in officially making us a non-profit organization.

Check out our logo:



Every year a new batch of hosts literally had to start from scratch to organize the conference, and these new organizers didn’t know the how’s or who or even what. And I mean every aspect had to be recreated, contacts found and established, sponsors sought… Heck, we didn’t even have a consistent location for the website. We had to literally “find” each other every year.

Needless to say, it could become overwhelming, was a nightmare and didn’t make sense to me. I went to Miss Emma and Francis Ray and explained about turning RSJ into an organization and why, and they were in agreement. Thus the organization was created.

Presently, the RSJ Organization is the knowledge base that selects and works with the hosts to maintain consistency between conferences, gives guidance on the how to’s, has connections with potential sponsors and the publishing industry…I could go on and on, but I have to get back to writing my other two wishes SMILE. Now the hosts have a partner to help ensure their success.

But that’s not all! The RSJ is ever evolving and will become what we all make of it. Just like the conference, the organization will serve readers and authors. Eventually we’d like to have activities for readers and authors throughout the year.

Dyanne: You noticed I didn’t ask you about any of your new work. Your new work which I’m pleased to say that I’ve read and loved will be a total surprise when it hit the shelves. But until it’s ready for publication I didn’t think you’d want to talk about that. But your readers might still just want to hear that you’ve got some exciting things in store for them


Deatri: Yeah, I have a TOP SECRET baby in the works that won’t be ready to submit until around September. I’m working with another author on that project and I REAAAALLLLY wish I could tell you all about that novel. We have a penname and aren’t even releasing that. Man I can hardly WAIT. It’s not a romance, it’s a thriller—of sorts. Y’all know I have to mix genre’s LOL.

My last book came out in May 07, and though I had other manuscripts I could have submitted, I was planning the Slam Jam and moving across the country, so didn’t even think about submitting until after Slam Jam 08. Well, I FINALLY sent out three manuscripts a month ago, so it will be a while before I have more novels hit the shelves.

I’m in the process of writing a historical romance—which I’ll be ready to submit this winter, an erotic romance, which I’ll finish late winter, two contemporaries I’ll finish in the spring, and I just came up with a fantastic idea for a young adult novel that I’ll start writing on in a month or two. For those of you who don’t know, I have a short attention span and work on several books at once.

Dyanne: You know I want to do like the little kids and stick my tongue out and go, nana nana nana, I read the book and the rest of you haven’t. LOL. But I won’t. I will say I can’t wait for it to hit the shelf. Good luck with all the other projects you have out and the ones you’re working on. And for the folks that don’t know. Congratulations on winning the Emmy for Steamiest Romance at the 08 RSJ. Thanks Deatri for giving the RSJ family some new info. Now just give your contact info.


Deatri: Sure thing. But first I’d like to thank you, Dyanne, for the fantastic questions and opportunity to speak about the RSJ Organization. Oh man, I need to go back and answer my other two wishes. LOL.

deatri@deewrites.com or deatri@romanceslamjam.org
Or you can always view my website at: http://www.deewrites.com