JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
P.G. Forte, author of Edge of Heaven
(Loose Id)

Welcome to the afterlife, where men are men and the angels are fallen. Edge is an unlikely angel. Unable to atone for the sins he committed while human, he’s resigned to spending the rest of eternity in Limbo. Until he meets a miracle named Matteo.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Edge of Heaven?

P.G. Forte: Edge of Heaven is one of those stories that’s been knocking around in my brain for awhile. I guess the original impetus was a discussion about people’s very different impressions and perceptions about angels. It got me wondering whether we were all talking about the same beings at all. When the first paragraph of the prologue popped into my head, I knew I had my story.

People have all sorts of misconceptions about angels. They think we’re perfect. They think we don’t have feelings or emotions or lust after each other’s bodies — and occasionally after yours as well. That’s nonsense. Of course we do. We’re only human, after all. Or at least some of us were. Once.

JP: What sets Edge of Heaven apart from other novels in its genre?

PGF: Does it even have a genre? Like most of the stories that intrigue me, Edge of Heaven combines several sub-genres. I think that, by itself, sets it apart. But, I think the humor is what really makes it different—at least for me.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Edge of Heaven getting out to the public?

PGF: In this case, perseverance…or possibly sheer stubbornness. Edge of Heaven was a hard sell at first. Too many people read it and wanted me to change Edge’s voice, or change the POV, or the tense in which the story was told.

I knew it would need to find just the right home and it did. I finally found an editor who loved the story as much as I did.

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

PGF: Edge of Heaven is a lot shorter than most of my other books, so it’s no surprise it was also one of the quickest in terms of writing it. The initial story only took about a month to write. The editing and re-writing probably took twice that long!

From start to finish—not counting that first page, which was a total gift from my muse—I’d say the process took approximately six months.

JP: What’s next for P.G. Forte?

PGF: I’m currently working on a short Christmas story and hoping to get back to work soon on another angel book. It’s not a sequel though!

I’d like to set the record straight on that because a very odd rumor seems to be circulating claiming there’s a sequel in the works. There’s not.

Which isn’t to say Edge and/or Mattie might not make a surprise appearance elsewhere sometime in the future, but as of this writing I have no plans for a sequel!

I’m also awaiting word from my editor on the status of a new ms I’ve recently submitted. That is a sequel, as it happens, to my vampire novel, In the Dark.

http://www.pgforte.com
http://www.oberoncalifornia.us
http://www.loose-id.com/Edge-of-Heaven.aspx

http://www.facebook.com/pgforte
http://www.twitter.com/pgforte

http://www.rhymeswithforeplay.blogspot.com
http://www.ninenaughtynovelists.blogspot.com

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Debra Owsley, owner of Simply Said Reading Accessories

Simply Said, Reading Accessories is a “Novel” approach to marking your words in a reader’s heart and mind as well as holding their place. We custom-design and create keepsake “Gift-Marks”, such as bookmarks and book thongs, note cards that we call “Love Notes” and other promotional items for authors, book stores, book clubs and book lovers.

We design our hand-crafted treasures exclusively for you. I started this in 2005 as Christmas gifts to my clients, at the salon, and has turned into a business I never dreamed of.

Joey Pinkney: Many authors and readers think postcards and bookmarks when imagining book accessories. What do you do to offer with Simply Said Reading Accessories that goes above and beyond the mundane?

Debra Owsley: Bookmarks are an industry standard, but these “Gift-marks” are not the standard. They are keepsakes for your fans and your contacts. These are not throw away items. These souvenir type promotional tools are excellent marketing items that are designed with your fan base in mind.

When creating this product, all of your promotional and information is retained, giving that personal, hands-on touch. These Gift-marks are perfect for promotional and thank you gifts, giveaways, book signings, book events, release parties, contests, party favors and additions to your press packets

JP: You do more than just reading peripherals. What other services does your company offer to the author who is looking to take his or her book to the next level?

DO: I coach authors on how to promote their books on a tight budget. I help them brainstorm there way to a marketing plan that fits there pockets and niches.

I knew I was on the right track when I started to really look at the way the industry does business. Authors are not rich even though their works are. Most struggle because the advances and world wide tours left with Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

We fans hear of huge advances and see photos of authors all over the globe doing signings and guest appearances on TV. If your name is not Rowling, Grisham or Patterson, you’re pretty much on your own. Even those lucky enough to be signed with a major house soon realize it’s all about what YOU do because they won’t do much.

In listening and hearing and watching for the last few years, dealing with authors and their promotional needs, it dawned on me that you, the authors, are so wrapped up in the writing of your books that when it comes to promoting them: A – your clueless and B – you’re broke.

No longer the days when you could sit back and live off your advance and royalty payments. You are now a marketer, a publicist, and an agent; AKA Book Pimp! This book is written for you to show how on a very tight and limited budget, how you can make things happen.

I am first and foremost a huge fan and avid reader. I am looking at things from a fans point-of-view, something that you may not be able to do. We fans look at things from totally different angles, ones you may have never thought of. So my hope in this offering is to help you see the forest, beyond the trees. I am telling you what fans want and how we see things. I am teaching you how we want to be treated, and best of all, doing it on a starving artist budget….

JP: What do you like most about that you do with Simply Said Reading Accessories? What do you find “more tedious”?

DO: What I love the most is the design process. I love creating that perfect piece for each individual. I find making them to be very therapeutic, and I love coming up with new designs. I’m work on a project now that is very challenging. The tedious part is getting it out of my head into an actual piece.

JP: What has been your most memorable experience with an author or a reader who has come into contact with your reading accessories?

DO: There have been so many. I’ve done custom work for several best selling authors such as Donna Hill, Rochelle Alers, Marcia King-Gamble, Noire, Cheryl Robinson, Dwan Abrams, L.A. Banks street team, Pat G’Orge Walker, LaConnie Taylor Jones, SORMAG, Marissa Monteilh, Pynk, Lutishia Lovely, Zuri Day, and this is just to name a few.

All have been memorable and defining moments for one reason or another. I guess the time Donna Hill called me and said “ Hi, this is Donna”, I’m like, “Who…” “Donna Hill”, she said, and I almost fainted! It blows my mind every time an author who I’ve been reading, some for years, contacts me. It’s a surreal moment.

I truly love coming up with personalized items to create the perfect feel. And I love when I get a phone call or an email from my clients saying I nailed it! I did a large order for LaConnie Taylor Jones. When she called to say she got her package, I thought she was upset because she was almost speechless. I was almost in tears. She then gathered herself and said “Girl, they are perfect! They are exactly what I wanted” I was overjoyed.

There have also been times where the author did not “get” what I wanted to do. But when the order was received, a re-order was placed the same day

JP: What’s next for Debra Owsley and Simply Said Reading Accessories?

DO: I’m always looking for ways to expand and grow. I have several projects in the works that I’m extremely excited about, which is going to taking Simply Said Reading Accessories to another level. I’ll be adding several new items as well as new services. Stay tuned be subscribing to my site.

Simply Said Reading Accessories
A “novel approach* of making your mark
odebdeb@aol.com
http://www.simply-said.net/
http://www.simplysaidreadingaccessories.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SimplySaid
http://www.twitter.com/odebsimplysaid

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P.G. Forte is the winner of the LargeFormatPosters.com 18″x24″ Poster Print.

JoeyPinkney.com, in conjunction with LargeFormatPosters.com, held a giveaway contest August 11, 2010 to August 25, 2010. One lucky author would win a poster print of their book cover. Sixty-one (61) authors of various genres entered to win the prize.

Using Random.org‘s Third-Party Drawing Service, the entrants were compiled and a winner was randomly picked. If you were one of the 61 authors who entered this contest, you can verify your entry and your status by entering your email (aka “entrant identifier”) address below.

http://www.random.org/draws/details/?draw=3020

Stay tuned for more giveaways, book reviews and author interviews here at JoeyPinkney.com!

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Chizelle’ T. Archie, author of The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond
(Author House)

Posh Manhattan investment advisor Victoria Diamond Cartiér lives a life of ultimate success: owning an affluent estate in Harlem’s Hamilton Heights district, working near the famous 5th Avenue and having the love of her devoted husband Malcolm.

When Victoria discovers that her marriage is a lie, she uncovers a deadly horror that may threaten her belief in healing, second chances at love with Marcel and God’s providence over her diamond life. Just as Victoria, have you ever asked the question, “God, where are you?”

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond?

Chizelle T. Archie: I got the idea to write a book from God. He gave me this vision, and I had no idea of what I was going to write about. Once I began to write, the words just began to flow. I one day realized I was talking about a woman named Victoria Diamond Cartiér.

Now, the content of the story is another thing. I am a nurse. I was beginning to see so many of us as African Americans living life so carelessly, not thinking about our actions It’s got to the point where safe sex was not even an option anymore. Because of that, this is where the story begin.

JP: What sets The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond apart from other novels in its genre?

CA: The book isn’t your everyday love story. It causes you to think. It leaves you rethinking some things, as well as it leaves you with a sense of accountability. I didn’t want my characters to be your typical around the way, gold diggers and fast money hustlers; I wanted them to be successful in their own right.

I wanted the readers to know that “Hey, that’s someone I want to pattern myself after.” Although there are some trials and tribulations, I still needed my characters to be strong minded. Furthermore, this book is a book that tackles a heavy topic, HIV/AIDS. It is something that we all need to know about, not just what we’ve heard. We need to learn for ourselves, especially in the one place where it is so many people hurting, the church!

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond getting out to the public?

CA: Laughing, I always said that if He gave it to me, He would make a way for me. At first, I began to worry about finances because I self published. I would always tell myself, God will never give a vision without provision. I prayed that he would put people in my life that would bless me, not financially, but people that would guide me the right way.

One person has been my publicist, Dee Stewart. I make the joke that I stalked her. She has been a blessing in disguise for me. She has helped market the book to where prayerfully it becomes a well known seller.

Also, I’ve said it time and again; the person who put it all together is Nathaniel Dyer of Natbo The EDGE, Inc. He did everything for me that the publisher would have and could have done except place the copyright page, and honestly he could have done that as well.

Last but not least, there is one person who saw in me from the very beginning, who decided to take a chance on my novel with only two chapters. That is Jessica Cole of AID Atlanta. I was very fortunate to get an endorsement from her early on in the book. She believed in me, really before I believed I could do it. For that, I love her. I am grateful.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond?

CA: My writing process was long, five years long, but there was a break in there as well. I must admit, the first couple of years was off and on. I wasn’t too confident I could pull this thing off. The most important thing was that it included so much research. I began to feel as if I was in nursing school again, so I would put it down, pick it up, and began the process over again.

In 2008, six weeks after giving birth to my now two year old daughter, I realized it was not about me. It’s about the people that I needed to help save, it was for her, and others that would come after her. I knew I had a legacy to leave, and the rest is history!

JP: What’s next for Chizelle’ T. Archie?

CA: The completion of the sequel, His Grace, His Blood, His Mercy! I also have other book signings lined up, September 18th, I will be signing at Nubian Book Store in Southlake Mall, in Morrow, GA, from 3p-4p. I will be sharing with my first Book Club on September 25th in Montgomery, AL, with the Page Turners.

http://www.chizellearchie.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ChizelleArchie
http://www.twitter.com/ChizelleArchie
http://chizellearchie.blogspot.com/

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Marc Lacy, author of LyriCode 256
(AVO Publishing)

LyriCode 256 lathers the ears with a uniquely creative vibe that simply shocks the listener into a lyrical submission. This production is Marc Lacy’s most mature work yet. Lyricode 256 is heavily comprised of precise, hard hitting verbal images painted over a superior and grooved-out canvas furnished by the one and only Maestro/Producer Canita Rogers (Quiet Girl Music Productions) herself.

Fourteen vibrant tracks, aimed for mature ears, speak directly to the effect of a myriad of issues that plague local communities as well as those abroad.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write and produce LyriCode 256?

Marc Lacy: I was mainly inspired to record this CD in an effort to capture my sentiments on several issues impacting this country and the world. My goal was not to stray away from the hardline with this one.

JP: What sets LyriCode 256 apart from your other spoken word projects?

ML: LyriCode 256 actually strategically targets certain specific issues and strays away from what’s considered broad. This CD is also my most mature work yet.

JP: How would you explain the essence of spoken word to someone who is ignorant of its virtues?

ML: I would have them imagine a person telling a short story with emotion, feeling, rhythm, and cadence.

JP: Where do you see the art of spoken word poetry going in the future? Are there any trends on the horizon that we don’t see?

ML: I see more spoken word artists becoming public speakers, actors, comedians, and radio spot producers. Many fiction authors have begun utilizing spoken word at book discussions and presentations. Also I’ve seen prominent spoken word artists being featured in TV ads here as of late.

JP: What’s next for Marc Lacy?

ML: My plan is to continue my segue into the fiction world with Wretched Saints – Spiritual Short Stories, co-authored by Assuanta Fay Howard. However, spoken word CD production will continue (God willing) for the near term.

http://www.marclacy.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mlacy
Facebook: Marc Lacy
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/marclacy

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Mashawn Mickels, author of A Piece of Me: Mashawn in the Making
(Asta Publications)

Step into the world of Mashawn. Feel the love, the hate, the anger, the passion and the lust as you read the various poems that describe different parts of her life. You’ll see poetry that speaks to you directly from the heart on issues that we deal with each and everyday.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write A Piece Of Me?

Mashawn Mickels: It actually came from a few friends. I couldn’t decide on what to put in my first book. Brainstorming, we throught it would be good to put a mixture of topics into the book which is simply only a piece of me.

JP: Why did you choose poetry as a means to communicate your life’s journey?

MM: It’s easy to get most points accross. Many people seem to connect with a number of the poems I write either because they’ve been there before or going through it now. It’s just real pure feelings.

JP: Who are the poets that shaped your style? What were you able to take from them that made your poetry stronger?

MM: Maya Angelou has to be the number one influnce. I was able to see her live at the local college my senior year in high school. That got me thinking: “Can I write poetry too?” As I entered college a friend of mine who is my writing partner, Robert E. Jackson, Jr., actually pushed me to try and try again.

One of the main things I got from both of them is to always be true to self. Don’t let others dictate what you write and how you feel. Express yourself fully, so your readers can feel that same feeling as they read it.

JP: What advice would you give to poet who want to publish their works?

MM: The same advice they gave me. Be true to self and keep pushing yourself to do better than you did before. I think the biggest thing that holds many back is others telling them they can’t do it or there’s no market for it.

Don’t EVER let someone tell you can’t do it or shouldn’t do it. If your heart says do it, then by all means do. One of the biggest things I’ve learned from other authors such as Kerry E. Wagner and Shani Greene-Dowdell is to always surround yourself with like minded postive people.

JP: What’s next for Mashawn Mickels?

MM: Well, I’m working on my second book of poetry which I’m hoping to have ready around April or May of 2010. I will be announced the title of it at Wagfest Atlanta on Oct. 2, 2009. I will also be doing a book with my ‘Literary Husband’, Robert E. Jackson, Jr in the near future.

mashawnmickels@yahoo.com

http://www.myspace.com/mashawnthepoet
http://www.facebook.com/mashawnthepoet
twitter: “Mayoungsta”
http://www.astapublications.com/

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Nicole Lyons, owner of Cole Muscle Cars

Nicole Lyons is fueled by the same horsepower that moves the cars she races. Although Lyons is only 5’6”, her exotic beauty, spirited personality and kinetic intensity make her seem larger than life.

However, it can still prove difficulty to describe this multi-faceted athlete while she carves a niche for herself as one of the world’s rarest African American female professional drag racers. Realizing her dream and becoming the first African American female to race professionally in the NHRA Pro Stock series.

Joey Pinkney: You are a central figure connecting the past to the future. As an African-American female that is proficient in the National Hot Rod Association, where does your love for racing come from? And what are you doing to pass your legacy on to future African-American racers, both male and female?

Nicole Lyons: My love of racing comes from my father famed Los Angeles street racer and high performance engine builder/muscle car restorer Jack Davis. Being a only child, I was daddy’s little girl!

Not only am I bringing awareness to the sport of NHRA drag racing, I am also the first African American woman to race comp, top sportsman, and pro stock in the NHRA.

I am making history and passing my legacy on. Team NLR also supports the urban youth by bringing them directly into my world at the track.

JP: What is your ritual or method to get in your racing zone? What do you do to gain the laser focus needed to keep the straight line with such a powerful machine in such a short amount of time?

NL: I live, eat and breath racing on a day-to-day basis which always keeps me in the zone. I am always practicing and gaining seat time that is needed. The combination of will, strength both physically and mentally, fast reactions and determination to win keep me in tune to go down the track in the speeds that we go.

JP: Most “grease monkeys” and “gear heads” have a rough edge and an equally rough exterior. How do you maintain your beauty amidst racing on the track and also building cars for your own Cole Muscle Cars?

NL: I am extremely tough inside, just was blessed to have the looks on the outside. I work out on a strict regime five days a week. My husband played eight years pro-football, so I am always doing some intense drills as well.

Many don’t know I am a black belt. While I was competing, I was ranked #1 in Southern, CA. Staying fit and hydrated is a must to looking good.

JP Many casual drivers look at drag racing as a breeze in terms of physical stamina. What kind of training do you go through to complete a season of drag racing?

I go through five days a week cardio, weight training, kickboxing and football tactic drills to stay fit in order to handle the amount of horsepower I have. Many don’t know drag racing takes a huge hit on your heart, and if a accident occurs, on your total body.

JP What’s next for Nicole Lyons in terms of upcoming drag racing seasons, Cole Muscle Cars and community outreach to make racing more viable to inner-city youths?

NL: We currently are in our season for NHRA drag racing and have another seven events to race. We are also merging out into nascar and have some serious meetings lined up in September.

Cole Muscle Cars lead shop is based out of CA but we are opening a new CMC shop in Atlanta in late September of this year. We work with several inner city programs here in Los Angeles and will in Atlanta as well.

I have built award winning engines and I am the first AA to race NHRA comp, top sportsman, pro stock. I will be going to pro-mod this year and will also be dabbling in nascar.

http://www.colemusclecars.com/NLR
Facebook: nicolelyonsracing
Twitter: team nlr
google: nicole lyons racing/ nicole lyons nhra

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Shana Burton, author of Flaws and All
(Urban Christian/Kensington Publishing)

Faith, family and friendship have always been the cornerstone of the lives of lifelong friends Lawson, Sullivan, Kina and Angel. All three are put to the test during one turbulent year that forces them to challenge the bonds of their friendship, their willingness to forgive and their faith in God.

Lawson Kerry, a single mother since age 16, has finally gotten her life together until the return of her son’s father threatens everything she’s built, including her new job, her pending marriage and custody of her only child.

Sullivan Webb is the pampered First Lady of Mount Zion Ministries. Her wandering eye and lustful spirit could cost her more than she’s willing to pay.

Wife and mother Kina Battle has suffered in silence at the hands of her abusive husband. Will she reach her breaking point before the situation turns deadly?

Angel King has always been the perfect nurse, but she can maintain her professionalism when her newest patient is the woman who stole her husband?

For these ladies, all bets are off, nothing is sacred, and their lives will never be the same.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Flaw and All?

Shana Burton: It’s actually five different books that I started on and didn’t finish, but the idea for the different storylines came from a variety places. Some were based on real life experiences, such as the abuse storyline that stemmed from the time I worked with the local chapter of Violence Intervention and Prevention through my church.

Lawson’s storyline with reuniting with an old flame was also partially true. We didn’t have a one-night that resulted in a pregnancy like in the story, but we did date for a minute in high school and met up again 15 years later when we ended up working at the same high school. The rest is just from my over-active imagination.

JP: What sets Flaws and All apart from other novels in its genre?

SB: What sets it apart is the content of the book. I’m not the first person to write about domestic violence, sex scandals in the church, mistresses versus the scorned wives or child custody issues. I think this is the first time I’ve seen it all done in one book.

The heart of the story, though, is not the drama that these women go through as much as it is finding strength in God and in the bonds of friendship. It’s Christian fiction as much as it is “chick lit” and contemporary romance.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Flaws and All getting out to the public?

SB: One, I have a great publicist, Dee Stewart, who never stops promoting for me. Outside of Dee, though, I have to hustle non-stop. All day, I’m sending out email blasts, mailing postcards, attending conferences, talking up my book to strangers–anything to get the word out.

Above all that, though, the Lord has given me so much favor and opened doors of opportunity that had nothing to do with Dee or my efforts.

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

SB: This book was around five years in the making, but not on purpose! I had a deadline looming and was nowhere near a completed novel. The Lord just dropped it in my spirit to pull up the books I had saved on my computer and flesh them out to be one story.

Once I decided to combine the stories and make all the characters friends, it probably took about six months to finish. But again, most of it was already done; I just had to add some chapters to make the ladies interact with each other and rearrange a few things structurally.

JP: What’s next for Shana Burton?

SB: I’m finishing Catt Chasin’, which is supposed to come out May 2011, and I’m outlining Still Flawed, the sequel for Flaws and All.

http://www.shanaburton.com/
http://www.shanajburton.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/shanajburton
http://www.facebook.com/shanajohnsonburton
http://www.twitter.com/shanajburton

Shana Burton was the 2009 Georgia Author of the Year Nominee (Best Fiction) for her novel First Comes Love.

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Tylon L. Rodgers, author of Don Silk: The MACKnificient Playa
(Xlibris Corporation )

This book is about going through life and accepting the ups and downs in the path of life that you’ve chosen. Whether you like it, love it or hate it, life will deal you a certain deck of cards that will take you through certain types of events and situations.

It’s about going through the pain in life and actually knowing how great the gain is at the end of the road. It’s about coming to realize your purpose of living after the pain of death, or a near-death situation, or the pain of suffering and managing through your life, period, especially for black females.

Some of them having to raise little boys and girls by themselves using government aid and dealing with the streets and the niggas in the streets and their street stress attitudes. Therefore, they remain strong and aggressive in life and lifetime situations.

If it’s about going to get it, they go get it in an aggressive manner because they refuse to suffer anymore than they have to. That is what strong Black women do.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Don Silk?

Tylon L. Rodgers: The inspiration for Don Silk actually came from a situation in my life that led me to the hospital in a near-death situation that came from dealings in the street life. I was released from the hospital after eight days and went down south to Georgia to heal. That’s where the spark hit.

JP: What sets Don Silk apart from other autobiographies?

TR: For one, what sets it apart from other autobiographies is just the simple fact that it’s about me. God has a plan and path for each of us, and he gives us our own story to tell. So that in itself sets it apart and makes it unique in it’s own way. Same goes for any other writer or creative individual.

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

TR: I have to keep pressing and pushing to make it happen. I have to network with the right group of people and learn more about the industry. As well, I have to continue to pray and write.

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

TR: With Don Silk, being that I had started it soon after I was released from the hospital from a situation that resulted in head trauma, I was really in and out of the book. I had other things going on and situations to deal with.

When I started to write it, it was an idea. I wanted to find my niche and live a legal life and still get the same money as if I was still in the street. So came the book. I got the idea on 2004, and it got published in 2007 while I was on probation.

Believe me, there’s another story behind that question. I was going through some things at that time in my life. So there were many delays in the project as you can tell by the three year time span.

JP: What’s next for Tylon L. Rodgers?

TR: Prayerfully a book deal, agent, movie deal. Seriously though, a lot of praying and trying to stay focused on what I have to do in order to be successful in this industry as well as other ventures and ideas that have. Right now I’m working on my next book titled The Black Plague. It’s something that will touch America.

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JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Jonathan Miller, author of La Bajada Lawyer
(Cool Titles)

Santa Fe attorney Dan Shepard has made it to the top. Unfortunately his girlfriend, Ophelia Paz, may have killed the governor’s wife and dumped her in a ditch. After Ophelia reveals the governor’s dark secret, Dan would like to ditch Ophelia.

Dan wants to help, but he needs seductive attorney Luna Cruz to guide him. In the process, he falls in love with Luna, putting the case at risk. Dan wonders how deep he must descend into political muck to save Ophelia and will he take Luna down with him?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write La Bajada Lawyer?

Jonathan Miller: New Mexico is a swing state, and I wanted to take it to the next level where politics is a death sport. My mom ran for state senate a few years back, and someone took her signs down. Just suppose someone put up signs that led a murder?

And well, I have also dated a few women who have been suspected of crimes. Names will not be revealed to protect the innocent.

JP: What sets La Bajada Lawyer apart from other novels in its genre?

JM: Duality is a running theme to the book. The hero, Dan Shepard, has to choose between two cities — Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Albuquerque is the blue collar town; Santa Fe the effete artsy-fartsy capital. There are two women. Luna, who is symbolic of Santa Fe, and Ophelia, who represents Albuquerque.

In addition, Dan is caught in a war between the Republicans and the Democrats. He finds that people on both sides just might be capable of murder. Also, the book is funny as hell.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to La Bajada Lawyer getting out to the public?

JM: I tour all around America. People feel that New Mexico itself is a character in the book. Anyone who has ever been to New Mexico, or who has ever wanted to go to New Mexico, wants to share the experience.

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

JM: I only write in darkness, usually from 5-7 in the morning. I start books on the day after Thanksgiving and finish the first draft by New Years, and then I edit for years. This book was written during the 2004 election season, and then I played with it for the next three years.

JP: What’s next for Jonathan Miller?

My next book, Conflict Contract, is already finished and at the publishers. I’m currently working on a biography of a lawyer who won a multi-billion dollar verdict. Hollywood is calling yet again, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

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