Showing posts with label black authors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label black authors. Show all posts

Monday, October 28, 2013

Author Interview & ebook Bundle Giveaway: Secrets of a Side B****

As I write this post, Secrets of a Side Bitch is #1 on three Amazon Bestseller's lists and pretty much dominating the African American categories.



$.99 on Amazon



I grabbed it, but before reading. . .I wanted to get to know author Jessica Watkins. So I go on her website and see this book trailer that pretty much intrigues me. 

After that, I had to meet the person behind the bestselling book and jaw-dropping trailer. Check out my interview with Mrs. Watkins, but first get a look at the trailer.

Oh Don't forget to enter into the ebook bundle giveaway at the end of the interview!! The winner can win THREE of her eBOOKS where the book covers are presented in this interview. 





What is the Femistry Series? 




The Femistry series is set in the city of Chicago and follows the lives of Lyric, Tricey, and Victoria as they travel the Windy City and  encounter the road blocks that every urban woman can relate to.  

It is told in the first person narrative from the perceptive of three street smart, sassy, and ambitious women.  

I wanted these novels and its characters to embody the realistic ideal of women in today’s culture. 



Therefore, they are representatives of every woman we know, live the lives of the women that we encounter, and suffer the heartbreak, betrayal, and confusion of every woman that may read this series. 

These novels are fast paced, well-plotted, never give readers the typical “Hollywood” ending, and are an enjoyable read for those that desire realism over irrelevant fiction.






Why does that book trailer rock so much?


The trailer rocks so much because it immolates EXACTLY what the books are about! 



What is the favorite book that you've written and why?



Grand HustleI stepped outside of my comfort zone. I had to do a lot of research to successfully write that book. It had everything; swingers, criminals, escorts, the works!


What would you call the genre you write in and tell me what novels need to have in order to fit it?

I like to refer to my genre of writing as Realistic Fiction. I like to write in a fashion that readers can easily see themselves in the situations in the book and find that they can relate to the characters.





I think its more exciting when a reader can read a book and actually envision themselves in the book because the situations can actually happen to them, not some far out scenario that is just too irrational.









What are some of the authors that have been your inspiration as a writer?




As a teenager, I was inspired by Terry McMillan, E. Lynn Harris, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Sistah Souljah



What's next for Jessica Watkins?

I will release Secrets of a Side Bitch 2 and 3 and the finale of the Femistry Series, which has yet to be titled. 





About the Author

Website      Twitter      Facebook



Author of Urban Chick Lit, Erotica, and Contemporary Urban Fiction... Jessica N. Watkins was born April 1st in Chicago, Illinois. She obtained a Bachelors of Arts with Focus in Psychology from DePaul University and Masters of Applied Professional Studies with focus in Business Administration from the like institution. Working in Hospital Administration for the majority of her career, Watkins has also been an author of fiction literature since the young age of nine. Eventually she used writing as an outlet during her freshmen year of high school as a single parent: “In the third grade I entered a short story contest with a fiction tale of an apple tree that refused to grow despite the efforts of the darling main character. 

My writing evolved from apple trees to my seventh and eighth grade classmates paying me to read novels I had written about kids our age living the lives our parents wouldn’t dare let us”. At the age of twenty-eight, Watkins’ chronicles have matured into steamy, humorous, and realistic tales of women's literature. She hopes that The Epitome of Femistry series will successfully emulate ideal femininity while tackling stereotypes, familiar heartache, and relatable distress in a humorous, sophisticated, and erotic fashion.





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Friday, September 27, 2013

My Writing Space: Barbie Sex, Maps, Candles





I often wonder what an author's writing process and space looks like. 

For the next couple of weeks, we'll be presenting popular authors writing spaces and holding giveaways!! 

Woop Woop! 

Today, I'll start with my writing space and will be giving away a Lavender Basket.






Okay. Here we go.

Let's be mature about this, people!

Many don't know this, but I use Barbie Dolls to act out my sex scenes.


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NO Barbies are ever harmed during this stage of my writing.








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Sometimes I'm not sure if the anatomy restricts a particular position so I check with my dolls.


But it isn't only just Barbie Sex that helps me really figure out how to write scenes, I disrespect ART too.

Now when I say disrespect it, I'm being realistic about my drawing capability which is pretty nil. 



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Drawing the clothes that characters wear in Chameleon












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Maps for Santeria Habitat





Book #3 for Santeria Habitat Series










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Painting I did for a current Work in Progress called 
"Of Winds and Leaves"








I also Set the Mood


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Pot of Lavender

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I burn at least three candles as I write.










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I love to keep little inspirational things around me to keep me moving forward.

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For the past two months I've been wearing this hat as I write, kind of like a way of stepping through a portal into my book's world. . .Hey, Don't Judge Me!






Writing References are a must while I write. I'm always stopping and flipping a book open for help.



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This is my trusty Six book. If one book goes missing, then I search the house for it and won't even write (unless I'm under a deadline).


That's as wierd as it gets for me! For all of you writers out there, what does your writing space look like? Feel free to send some pictures so I can post them on here! 

For all you readers, what does your reading space look like? 






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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Offline Book Marketing Tips!

Robert B. Warren is not only a talented author, he's a BEAST when it comes to marketing. Check out his offline book marketing tips!


Hello Fellow Writers,



I'm Robert B. Warren, the author of Murder on Olympus and Delete.




Becoming an author has been a dream of mine ever since I could hold a pencil. It's presented me with many opportunities--my favorite being the chance to help other writers who, like me, are just starting out. Someone once told me that the real work begins after your book is published, and that's absolutely true. 

Writing a book is one thing. Getting it in the hands of readers is another. That's why every writer needs an effective marketing plan. The internet has made advertising easier than ever before. But the internet is only one tool at your disposal. Marketing offline can be just as effective. Here are a few tips that can help get the word out about your book.



1. Talk to everyone 

talking books photo: Talking about the books 100_3957.jpg



When engaged in conversation with someone--a stranger, a friend, a relative, etc.--always make sure to mention your work.  You can be in a bookstoresupermarket, or sports bar. It doesn't matter. Even if the person you're speaking with isn't particularly interested in your book, they could know someone who is. I've made several sales this way, so don't be afraid to be social.




2. Contact local news and radio stations



Robert Warren talking about his book on the local tv news.



You'd be surprised how willing people are to help promote members of their community. Going local shines a positive light on your hometown, and is a means of sharing your success with those around you. Once you've contacted a station and set up an interview, make sure to bring a copy of your book along. Presenting your potential interviewer with something tangible can leave a huge impression. 





3. Reach out to local bookstores 



 As with news and radio stations, going local first is usually the best course of action. You can ask the person in charge if they'd be interested in ordering copies of your book--so make sure you have your ISBN handy--or you can try to set up a signing. 

I suggest the signing. It's a great way to reach out to the community, and guarantees that your book will end up on the store's shelves. If you're in college, or a college grad, contact campus bookstores to set up an event. In addition to spreading the word about your book, it's also good publicity for the school. Everyone wins.








4. Take a creative writing class 
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This will help improve your writing skills through critique and the exchange of ideas. It will also allow you to meet people who may be able to assist you in your marketing efforts. Many colleges employ successful, full-time authors to teach writing courses--authors that can tell you about conventions and other special events. That's how I was able to speak on a panel of authors at Daddy's Girl's Weekend 2013.





5. Don't be shy 

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This is the most important tip. Be vocal about your book. Approach people, get them excited. You put your blood, sweat, and tears into creating something that readers will enjoy. Let it be known. People can't buy your book if they don't know about it.

I hope these tips help you on the road to success. Remember, no matter what you write, what genre you specialize in, there's always someone who will read your book and love it just as much as you do.         



Robert B Warren

Website       Twitter     Facebook

A fan of thrillers, fantasy, and science fiction, Robert B. Warren has been writing stories ever since he could hold a pencil. In 2009, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and creative writing from the University of Alabama—Roll Tide! He currently lives in the South.




Thursday, September 19, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FLOOZIE ALICIA "Netflix" Giveaway!!




Floozie Alicia's Birthday is today, so we're giving away a Netflix 12 month subscription gift card!!


(Officially her birthday was yesterday but I felt it would be more convenient for me to celebrate it on today.)

Alicia at 2. What happened? Why does she look like a Troll now? 



Many don't know this (or care), but Alicia is my sister-in-law, who I've been forced to deal with for over ten years.

Alicia, A Six months pregnant me, and my husband right after a Miami Heat game!



So today we're going to do a big Birthday Giveaway of Alicia's favorite things. First, here's a few facts about Alicia!


She's an author!







We call her Chi Chi and she's a reasonably decent aunt of my three kids!
Chi Chi with my youngest Banyan



With my son and oldest daughter.



Additionally, there's a good chance that she can whip your A$$!

She's probably imagining that the board is my face.  :-/




Now let's get into the reasoning behind the Netflix Giveaway Stuff!

You see. . .Chi Chi is a huge GEEK!

When she's not writing, she's on Netflix watching these shows:











If she isn't watching a show, then she's eating SweeTarts, SweeTarts Gummies, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Skor or Heath bars and looking at her fav movies!










So for me it made total sense to give some special Winner a Netflix subscription in honor of Alicia (aka Chi Chi)'s Birthday!

Speaking of her nieces and nephew. Happy Birthday Aunt Chi Chi!
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