Interview with Sherrie Walker, author of Mistress of the Game

young Sherrie Walker is one of the newest additions to the Triple Crown Publication family and debuting her novel, Mistress of the Game which is sparking the interest of readers who love the urban fiction genre. When it comes to publishing her works, Sherrie is not new to the game as she has also written plays that have toured the city of Ohio. In 1998, Sherrie and her partner Kecia Green were recipients of The Best New Playwrights award from Karamu House Performing Arts Theatre which is the oldest African American theatre in the country, located in Cleveland, Ohio.

Her partner, Kecia is someone that she continues to praise because she is not only her co-writer but she is also her very best and dearest friend. The two are recognized throughout the Ohio area for writing, producing and performing plays. Unfortunately, Kecia is currently serving time in the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio, but when they get together, they are a match. We had the chance to chat with Sherrie about her book and how she feels now as a Triple Crown author.

Congratulations on your debut novel, what is like to be a Triple Crown author?
All praises go to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It’s a wonderful feeling to be a part of this giant urban literature family. Actually, it’s an honor. I feel as if God worked through Vickie Stringer to bring me to where I am today. I thank Vickie and I am ever so grateful that she brought me into the Triple Crown Publications family.

What did you think when you completed your book?
Relieved. Happy. Exhilarated. But most of all I felt as if I had begun a very important part of my life journey because even though this novel is completed, it is, hopefully, the beginning of a succession of writings.

You have been known for your plays, what made you choose to write a book?
I can’t talk about Mistress of the Game without talking about Kecia. She is my very best friend. Until she’s released, we’ve put our plays on hold and began to showcase another form of our writing skills which has resulted in Mistress of the Game. It was a very unique occurrence in which Kecia (and I) was introduced to Triple Crown Publications. Long story short, Kecia was introduced to actress/comedian Mo’Nique when she performed her HBO and DVD special, “I Could Be Your Cell Mate” at the institution in May of 2006. Kecia had the pleasure of engaging in extensive conversation with Monique.
While interviewing Kecia, Mo’Nique learned that Kecia (and I) enjoyed writing and had completed Mistress of the Game and was in the process of preparing the manuscript for submission to different publishing companies. Sherry McGee McCovey, who helped Mo’Nique pen “Skinny Women are Evil” as well as “Skinny Cooks Can’t Be Trusted,” was also present and took an interest in Mistress of the Game which she later submitted to Vickie Stringer. Some time later, Triple Crown’s editor and chief, Mia McPherson, communicated with us and let us know they were interested in publishing the manuscript. From that point on we moved forward.

How did your writing career begin?
There was a convention being held in Cleveland and the chairperson asked me and Kecia, if we would write and perform a play for the convention. In doing so, it turned out to be a huge success. From that performance on, we continued writing, performing, and touring with our plays throughout Ohio. Kecia and I have known each other since the early 80’s and began writing together in the early 90’s. The subject matter of our plays always dealt with the realities and consequences of inner city life and always provided God based solutions to the challenges of life.

How long have you been writing?
Professionally, about thirteen years.

How did you know that you have this talent?

When I realized that people enjoyed the work that Kecia and I was producing. We also acknowledge that God has provided this special way for us to communicate. We all have gifts and talents and, again, we are thankful for this opportunity to share ours with others.

Tell us about your novel Mistress to the Game.
The story is of three young ladies who have been best friends since their pre-teen years at an orphanage where, under the harshest circumstances, they forge a bond that is to last a lifetime. Upon their escape, the hard lessons and rules for survival learned at the orphanage set the stage for their entry and rapid success in a do-or-die game in the Cleveland streets. The girls try to forget the painful events that orphaned them as they rise to the top, but fate forces them to face the Ghosts of their haunted past. With Elise as the beautiful mastermind and brains behind the organization, the three women plunge into a ruthless battle against their faceless, relentless enemy in a winner-take-all war to the finish.

How would you categorize your book, Mistress to the Game?
It’s a work of fiction which entertains as it educates. It’s powerful. It’s intriguing. It’s a page turning drama, full of suspense and romance.

What is the message that you wanted your readers to embrace?
Life is based on choices made and the consequences of those choices. If the reader can just embrace or walk away with that one concept, we will feel that Mistress of the Game is a success.

How important is writing to you?
Writing is a passion for me. As an artist, my job is to observe life and then find a way to interpret and share those observations with others. I do that through my writing.

Do you think writing is a spiritual art?
Yes, I often feel that I am being spiritually guided.

You said that you have experienced friendships that are like the characters in the book, care to explain?
I think that any literature, fiction or non-fiction, has to be based on observations of the real feelings, actions, experiences, etcetera, of real people. If not, the work would not reach the reader and the reader has to be able to identify with the lives of the characters. Otherwise, the work would have no meaning.

What was the reason for writing this book? Did you see a need for this book?
Yes. There will continue to be a need for literature giving the female perspective on life’s lessons; literature that examines women in roles exhibiting strength, honor, loyalty, independence, determination and success.

What is something readers would be surprised to know about you?
I’m actually shy. I’m more of a one-on-one speaker as opposed to speaking to a group or audience. Unlike my co-author, Kecia, I’m more of an introvert, whereas she is definitely an extrovert.

How do you define success?
Success is discovering what your own special talents and gifts are and building on them with confidence so that you can have an impact on your world, however small or big.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Don’t be afraid of hard work. Never give up on pursuing your dreams. Remember no mission is impossible. Stay focused and stay strapped in prayer

What marketing tips can you provide to new authors?
Captivate and hold your readers attention from beginning to end. Make sure your first chapter features holding power. Provide a clean manuscript. Have it edited. Be prepared to receive rejection letters, but also claim and know that someone long the way is going to be interested in your quality piece. Don’t let a first, second, or third “no” discourage you from pursuing your dreams. Submit and re-submit your manuscript if necessary. Dreams do come true!

Now that you have published your book, what other projects are you working on?
I am presently outlining Book Two. I look forward to the comments that people have for Mistress of the Game.

Heather Elitou-Interviewer

Interview with Deja King- The B**ch is Back!!!

Deja King is a Bitch, better than that she lives by the acronym: Babe In Total Control of Herself. This young lady has made a name for herslef in the urban fiction genre with her two most controversial books, Bitch and Bitch Reloaded. She is now in the process of dropping the third Bitch book with Triple Crown Publications.

In Bitch, Precious Cummings is that chick! She comes from nothing and uses all of her asssets to get what she wants. When she finally achieves her goals she is then faced with having to deceive her closest aquaintances and answering to the one man that she owes her life to and he is ready to end it.

When she lives to see another day, she then realizes that she has lost someone that she is very close to and she is out for revenge and anyone that stands in her way is going to bow down. Will she use all nine of her lives? When this sexy kitten is ready to do some harm, she let's nothing stop her.

We had the opportunity to chat with Deja and find out about how she feels about the success of her book and what is in store for 2008.

Congratulations on your third book, how does it feel to release another Bitch book?
I’m so excited!! Bitch is going to be a five part series.

When you first released the Bitch book, what were people’s responses?
I instantly got positive feedback, especially from young teenage girls. The story struck a chord for them and they’ve been riding for Precious ever since.

Do you think people identify with these characters?
I think people identify with Precious because a part of them would like to be like her. She’s such a strong independent person who doesn’t take BS from anybody. I think all of us wish we could be like that more often.

How would you categorize your book?
I consider it to be an action packed street novel.

What is the message that you wanted your readers to embrace?
I always want readers to connect to my characters and understand their struggles and actions whether they agree with them or not.

Are you done with the Bitch books?
After The Bitch Is Back, I have two more in the series, which are Queen Bitch and Last Bitch Standing.

How did you feel when the book was published?
When I first saw Bitch in print I was ecstatic. I always loved the concept of the book and the characters. To hold it in my hand was truly an amazing feeling.

Tell us about the Bitch is Back.
In The Bitch Is Back you see Precious at the very top of her game. She is no longer hood rich; I mean her husband is a freaking mogul. She was rich in Bitch Reloaded but she was too busy mourning for Supreme and trying to find his killer that she wasn’t able to relish in being chipped up. Now you see her having it all but of course when you take a person to the top you have to bring them all the way down to having nothing.

How do you stand apart from other artist?
I’m my own person for one. I do what my gut says. For example, a lot of people told me I shouldn’t write a book called Bitch because it would offend so many people. I was like PLEASE because I meant the term as an empowerment for women. When I see a woman who has it all together and I say, “That’s a bad bitch right there,” I mean it as a compliment…period. So with everything I write I separate myself from others because it’s who I am and I bring a freshness that can’t be duplicated.

Tell us a little about you.
I’m a mother first and my family is the most important thing to me. I used to work in the entertainment industry and for a very long time was a party girl, but now I’m a homebody who enjoys writing and spending time with close friends and family.

What is it like to be a published author?
It’s a great feeling because the love and adoration I receive from readers sometimes brings tears to my eyes. I can be having a bad day but when I open an email with a reader praising my work it just lifts my spirits and puts a smile on my face. When I’m at a book signing and someone says thank you for a wonderful book, I tell them "no, thank you" because if it wasn’t for their support I wouldn’t have a career doing what I love.

Do you surprise yourself with what comes out in your writing?
Not really because I’m a complete nut, so it never stops. I’ve been making up stories since I was five years old playing with Barbie’s. I’ve always had an overactive imagination and plus I’ve seen and done so much in my life so it comes naturally for me.

What advice do you have for people who are writing a book?
Be true to your vision, meaning when you’re writing a book knows the picture you want to paint and make it come alive. Also, know your market and give them a book that they will truly enjoy.

What has been your greatest accomplishment?
I haven’t reached it yet. But I am excited about having three books come out in less than a year and being on all three covers. The majors not letting you do that, but Vickie Stringer did it for me and I’ll always love her for that.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Honey, I take it day by day. If me and my family are alive, well and healthy than I’m blessed.

What is your goal for 2008?
For the readers to love the last 3 parts of the Bitch Series and be thirsty for whatever I drop in 2009.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
After you write your book and get it published, grind hard. It’s damn near impossible to break a new author now. The market is so saturated that readers are checking for books written by names they’re familiar with. It can be done but you have to work that much harder to promote you and your material.

Which authors do you admire and why?
I’m a huge fan of Walter Mosley because his talent as a writer is timeless. But as far as admiring authors, that’s not really my thing. But in the street genre I admire Vickie Stringer and Teri Woods because both women got the game on lock. They both understand the importance of branding and hustled their asses off to do just that.

What are the last few words that you would like to leave with those that read this interview?
No one can stop you from accomplishing your dreams but you so don’t fall prey to the negativity. When you’re trying to uplift yourself there will always be somebody trying to bring you down so let the haters be your motivators. Hugs and kisses to all the people who support me and my work!! Much love.

What did you think of the books Bitch and Bitch Reloaded? Do you think Precious is the one that holds it down? Send us your comments and you may win a copy of The Bitch is Back!

Heather Elitou- Interviewer

Book Review- Sistah For Sale

Author: Miasha

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Touchstone

Pub. Date: March 4, 2008
ISBN-10: 1416553371

Miasha is back with yet another gripping and controversial tale with her trademark twist of money, power, and respect.

Sienna at a very young age is traumatized when she witnesses the murder of her father, and her mother is taken away and sent to the Dominican Republic. With no parents, she is raised by her father’s business friend, Chatman who not only gives her the best in life but he also prepares her to manage her own well being in the sex slave trade making her a Sistah for Sale.

Sienna is not alone in the business of sex because her best and closest friend Ryan is on the come up as well, possibly, the man to inherit Chatman’s herd.

Sienna and Ryan became very close...too close. Sienna and Ryan begin to fall in love and being in love with Chatman’s men could mean destruction to Sienna.

When a secret is revealed that turns her admiration for Chatman into disdain, all hell breaks loose and Sienna is looking at having to start at square one.

Will she lose Ryan forever? Will she ever break free of Chatman’s hold? One will never know until they read the book.

What is interesting about Sistah for Sale is that the author has stepped out of the ghetto and into a world that most people are not familiar with. The sex hade is a very big business inside the U.S. and is growing rapidly. There are many women who will do anything to become U.S. citizens including selling themselves for sex. Although Miasha did a great job on making people aware of the world of slave trade, more research on the culture of the people she wrote about would have made the story extraordinary. Nevertheless Miasha continues to be a breath of fresh air and steps up the game in the literary world.

All About the Writing Diva

Miasha has definitely changed the game in publishing. In just two short years, Miasha has had success in all four books that she has released and she is ready to drop the sequel to her Platinum selling debut, Secret Society titled Never Enough. Her marketing campaign has reached new heights for authors. She has not only tagged to streets with her images, she has created a virtual website that includes a reality show, "A Day in the Life of a Boss."
For a first time author, Miasha had proven that she has what it takes to grab the attention of not just her dedicated readers but also major magazines, making their top list and iMAG’s Go Getter of the year.
What makes her books part of the literary buzz is that although she has very interesting twists to her stories, she feels it’s her duty to make people aware of what takes place in a society which is rarely discussed.
As a mentor, she has created the Ask Miasha Foundation which was inspired by the addage, "closed mouths don’t get fed." It is an opportunity for people to ask her questions on life, love, publishing, education, and much much more. One of Miasha’s protégés is the 13 year old author Tweety Elitou who was in inspired by Miasha’s never give up and always shoots for the stars attitude.

We sat down with Miasha and talked to her about her latest endeavors and being considered The Literary Diva.

Miasha, it is always good to see you.

You as well.

Your name is everywhere and you are doing everything. Tell us about what you have been up to since Diary of a Mistress.

Well, Diary of a Mistress has made the Essence Best Sellers List.

Congrats.

Thank you. Mommy's Angels, went very well and of course the anthology Diamond Playgirls was recently released and now Sistah for Sale is on the shelves. I am gearing up for the release of Secret Society Two: Never Enough which is the follow up to Secret Society and I am also getting ready for the play, Secret Society. I have also played host to several events.

How does it feel to be on the Essence Best Sellers List?

It is great! I wanted that to be one of my achievements but I was not sure how that was going to happen. I knew that it was a lot of people's claim to fame, but I was not sure how to do it. I made the list at my own merit which made it feel even better.

How did you get in the anthology Diamond Playgirls.

Well, my mentor Karen E. Quinones Miller, the person who inspired me from the beginning came up with the idea. She had me in mind as one of the characters. I was glad to do it.

What has been the response so far?

The response has been very good. We were not able to do as much promotion as we wanted to because we were wrapped up in other promotions but we sold 19,000 copies in one month!

Tell us about Sistah for Sale.

The book is about an orphan who witnessed her father's murder, her mother's deportation, and she is being marketed in the sex trade. She thinks that the only way that she can get out of it is to buy her freedom. She becomes one of the highest paid girls because she learns many languages and cultures, but her owner is not ready to give her up.

How much of your books are related to politics?

Most of my books become political because of what is going on in our society. There is a lot going on that people are not even aware of and since I am an entertainer I see it as my duty to make readers aware of what is going on through my books.

Each of your books are written about different topics. Does it make it hard to market your book? Does it make it hard to keep the same readers or do you gain new ones each time?
I don't think that it makes it hard to keep my fans but it makes it possible to get new readers. The people that read my first book and absolutely loved it then go out and get the second one, etc. People have so far expressed that they love my work because I have proven that I can write and not about the same thing time and again. They can expect to be surprised.

People have said that you have changed the game in the publishing industry with your marketing and promoting. How do you feel about that?

I am glad that it is being noticed (lol). My husband (Rich) jokes and says that I am like the Jay-Z of the book industry, but this is really who I am. Rich and I both like flashy things and we have been blessed because we were not born with silver spoons in our mouths. We like to show our blessings and we wanted to bring it into the industry.

What do you feel about those that are following in your footsteps or "biters"?

I tend not to look at it that way. I think that it is good because it means that they liked it, I made a statement and I have created a trend. I see nothing wrong with being a trendsetter. I hope that what I put out works for others and they too share their blessings.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see retirement-- that doesn't mean that I won't write anymore because that is what I love to do, but I won't have to do it. I see production work in film, theatre or television. I want to take the book industry to different heights.

Tell us about the play Secret Society.

The play will actually be the release for Secret Society Two: Never Enough. The play will only be in Philly (so far). That gives people the opportunity to see the play live and then they will be able to take the book home and read what happens in part two.

Tell us about AskMiasha.com.

AskMiasha.com is my foundation that was created in order to get close to the youth that are in need of mentoring. I had previously set it up with my first website where people would email me their questions, and it has grown from that. We had our first event, "Get Fresh, Get Knowledge" in September, 2007 so that young people that were going to school could get a free haircut and school supplies. I am putting together an anthology for young women.

What is something that you would like to leave with people that are interested in publishing?

Well, so many people come to me and say that they want to write a book and I say, you have to write the book. Once it is written, then send it to as many people that you can get to read it, and be sure to build a buzz around that project. Know your angle with your book and be sure to promote the best way that you can and go the extra mile. You can't wait for the royalties to roll in, you have to sell the book. Be unique so that people will remember you.

Be sure to visit Miasha's website for all information on the Literary Diva...

Heather Elitou- Interviewer and Reviewer

Book Review- Sexcapades

Author: Honey B.

Hardcover: 288 pages

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Pub. Date: March 12, 2008

ISBN-13: 978-0446582285

Price: $20.00

Steamy from the first page, Sexcapades waste no time heating things up. The story is about an on again off again couple who are mixing business with pleasure and everything in between. They are educated in the corporate world but reckless in life. Nick and Natalie are two very highly motivated sexually driven, power hungry, stubborn people who declare all out war on each other in competition for a promotion as a CEO at their corporate job.

They and their swinging buddies are on the edge of things that they think they know and what is truly going on. Flint, their boss, who suffers from haunted memories of sexual abuse by his father-in-law and wife, is engaged in playing with Nick and Natalies’ minds in hopes that just maybe he can get into their sensual circle of contradictions. Can he possibly keep up with this wild couple? Or will he destroy them? Could he possibly face jail time for his sexcapades?

Sexcapades delivers just that (sex) because on each page it is drenched in sex and schemes. Honey B sure gets into the anatomy of the human body and takes you on a journey of high and low temperatures. There are times when it can become a little too "schooling" but overall it is a great read. If you have lost your mojo I think you can find it in this book just in time for the summer. It is going to be a hot spring and even hotter summer when you read this book! Guaranteed you will feel a twitch her or there as you read the sex drenched pages of Sexcapades.

Have you ever experienced a wild sexcapade? Tell us about it and get a free copy of this book!!!

Aalim Elitou- Reviewer

Book Review- H.O.T.E.L.

Title: H.O.T.E.L.
Author: Brian M.W.
Publisher: Lulu.com
Price: $27.00 Hardcover
ISBN: Not located in book

Some movies have you on the edge of you seat wanting more… you just can’t stop looking… you want to know what happens next and you won’t be satisfied until you see it to the end. Well, there are books that have you turning from page to page. You just can't get enough. One of those books is H.O.T.E.L by Brian M.W.

H.O.T.E.L stands for Hunt, Observe, Track, Eliminate, and Learn. These are rules that every hunter must follow if they are to come out of the hunt victorious. These are the same rules that Jason Hastor who is a billionaire follows, but Jason is also insane and money plus insanity equals a whole lot of trouble.

Jason is haunted by the fact that his father picked the hunt over his family and he decides to follow in the footsteps of his father to see what is so special about the hunt. What could possibly have a man forget those that mean the most...his family? Unfortunately, he thinks that in order to get that answer he has to hunt the most dangerous prey of all, MAN! So he builds a hotel that will help him on this insane journey of murder and mayhem to get answers.

Derrick and Jacky Johnson decide to go on a much-needed vacation. Derrick is trying to get his creative juices flowing for a book he’s writing and Jacky wants to go to see if she can resist the temptation of sleeping with the smooth and mysterious Mr.Hastor. They think that they have picked the vaction spot not realizing that Jason has picked them and a few others to see if they are worthy of the hunt. Are they worthy of dying by his hands?

I know the setting and mood sounds familiar, but I think that this author really put his mark on it. His word play is very clever and he patiently started to build the story from beginning to middle and finally to a very interesting end. At first my impression from the beginning was that it was a little boring but after completing it, he was getting somewhere with all of his explainations.

The author claims to be the first black author to reach the status of Steven King, Dean Koontz and many others that are famous for their horrifying lessons in life... I will wait to see if that is true. Thus far he is definitely on his way.

Agasa Elitou- Reviewer