Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get started writing?

I used to write for fun as a kid but never shared my writing with too many others out of fear that they would criticize it. So writing was a very personal hobby for me for many years. Then, in 2003, a friend of mine dared me to go onstage at a poetry slam and perform one of my pieces. I did (nervously) and got a standing ovation. As I exited the stage a lady said to me, “You write so WELL. You should write a book.” I went home that night and started what became my first novel “Black”. The rest is history.

Do you have a special routine when you write?

I tend to write most – and best – late at night when everyone is asleep, the NYC streets are quiet and the Quiet Storm is playing on the radio. My best work is created in those moments.

Tell us more about your last book, and what are you working on now?

Aftermath is the sequel to Snapped, and it picks up with these four women that readers have loved and loved to hate. We find out what happens to Misa after she committed murder, how Camille picks up the pieces of a failed marriage, how Dominique copes with a broken heart and a pregnant daughter and how Toya confronts the past she has tried so hard to bury. I had a great time writing it! Now, I’m working on a sequel to my most acclaimed (and my favorite novel) White Lines.

Who are a few street fiction authors or titles that you have enjoyed reading?

K’wan, Crystal Lacey-Winslow, Amaleka McCall, Tushonda Whitaker, Treasure E. Blue. They are my favorite urban fiction writers.

Outside of street fiction, who are few authors that you enjoy?

Diane Whetstone-McKinney, asha bandele, Bernice McFadden…there are so many!

Who’s your favorite character from your books?

Good question! Hmmm…probably Sunny from White Lines. She was a real multi-dimensional and layered character. I think readers will get to peel back even more of her layers in the sequel I’m writing now.

What do you say to critics of street fiction? And why should librarians purchase street fiction for their collections?

Most critics of urban fiction paint us all with the same brush. They label us all negatively. I have some issues with the genre also. I feel that SOME of it belittles black women and demeans black men. I think that editing is often overlooked and that the content leaves a lot to be desired SOMETIMES. But that’s not every writer. If I picked up an Oprah’s book club selection like “A Million Little Pieces” only to find out that the author was lying, would it be fair to label ALL of Oprah’s book club books as fraudulent? I think not. You can’t hold an entire genre accountable for the sins of a few. If you look closer among urban or street fiction, you will find some true gems. Similar to rap music, if you get past the language you deem offensive and some of the raw imagery, there is a true art form there and some really powerful stories. Libraries should continue to stock our books because we have gotten an entire new generation READING. Should people ONLY read urban fiction?? No. But they shouldn’t ONLY read sci-fi or romance novels either. But chances are, once you get a person addicted to reading street fiction, the door will be open for them to read other things as well. There’s a lot to be learned about the human condition from street fiction authors, though. If you look closer than the surface, you’ll see some powerful things.

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Get Aftermath: A Snapped Novel and more urban fiction by Tracy Brown.

Read The Series

Book 1: Snapped
Book 2: Aftermath

Camille’s sister Misa is newly divorced and clueless about men. She smothers men with phone calls, emails and pops up unannounced at their homes. She hacks into their voicemail and email and causes drama. So when she sets her sights on Baron, he has no idea what hit him. Will her quest to win his heart cost her everything?

Dominique Storms appears to have it all – a great career, a beautiful NYC condo and a gifted teenaged daughter. Her only problem is that the man she loves is incarcerated. While trying to juggle the demands of motherhood, work, and friendships, she manages to make her man Jamel a priority in her life. But is he doing the same? And is she too distracted to notice what is going on with her daughter?

Latoya Blake seems to be the one who has life all figured out, that is, until some skeletons are discovered in her closet. When her well-put-together façade crumbles, will she crumble as well?

Get SNAPPED by and more urban fiction by Tracy Brown.

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But when Rah-Lo is incarcerated for his part in a brutal crime, his right hand man, Ishmael Wright is left to hold down the fort. This causes Ishmael to come face to face with feelings he’s secretly harbored for Celeste for far too long. While Rah-Lo’s away, will Celeste and Ishmael give into their passion for each other, or will their loyalty to Rah-Lo stand in their way?

Meanwhile, Dime Piece is the setting for tons of drama between hairstylists Charley, Nina and Robin. the ladies vie for one man’s attention and the fireworks begin. Dime Piece is packed with drama, love triangles, and passionate encounters. the question is, which of the ladies will ultimately be the one and only Dime Piece?

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Meanwhile, Asia is hell-bent on revenge. Vowing not to let Celeste get away with her man that easily, she, too, heads to Atlanta. But just on her heels is Ismael Wright, ready to save the day and warn his best friend, rah-Lo, about his vengeful wife – though Ismael also has something up else his sleeve.

Secret betrayals are exposed, bitter rivalries explode, love is lost and found. Life will never be the same on the streets of “Hotlanta” is Tracy Brown’s epic new urban drama.

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Then Lamin falls hard for a beautiful girl named Lucky, who makes him realize that there is more to life than the hustle. When Lamin goes legit with a career in the entertainment industry, Zion tries to keep their business going both in the streets and boardroom. It’s not long before Zion become the target of a corruption scandal involving murder, extortion, and money laundering. Once the dirt is exposed, will Lamin and Zion be able to remain one step ahead, or will their paper-chasing days bring them to an unfortunate end?

Find more street lit by Tracy Brown, including her latest book, Twisted.

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Find more street lit by Tracy Brown.

Already read this book? Was it good or bad? Share your thoughts and do a review for Street Fiction. Tell us what you think of this book or author in the Comments section. Thanks.

Kaia didn’t choose the streets. The streets chose her. Tossed from a broken home, this young inner-city girl is forced to learn the hard way just how grimy street life can be.

Shedding her innocence, Kaia goes from being an often overlooked, stepped upon and crushed little girl, to a woman.

She endures all the drama that life throws at her, sometimes catching it and other times being knock flat on her ass.

Don’t street fairy tales have a Prince?
Aaron: handsome, suave, debonair and PAID! What is good to you, just might not be good for you…

With enemies in disguise, Kaia fights for survival and freedom. Like a captured black butterfly, Kaia struggles to emerge and triumph, but victory ain’t always sweet, as a matter of fact, sometimes it’s bitter to the end.

More street fiction from Triple Crown Publications

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