- N’Tyse

www.ntyse.com

What are the titles of the urban fiction books you have had published?

My Secrets Your Lies
Stud Princess Notorious Vendettas
Twisted Seduction

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

I started writing at a very young age. Back then I was mainly into poetry and music. I wrote my own lyrics as well as lyrics for others. While I loved writing music, I lost my interest in performing. I became bored and less enthused with that part of it. I then found found myself going into banking. I loved my job but there was still something missing. I eventually found my way back to the pen, and the rest is history.

Do you have a special routine when you write?

I have to have a nice hot fresh cup of coffee and a quiet atmosphere.

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

Stud Princess is my most urban steet-lit project. It’s the follow-up to My Secrets Your Lies. It picks up right where My Secrets left off and it spins a tale of a lesbian stud and femme couple, fighting for their love. My most recent release is Twisted Seduction. It’s a story of two best-friends who will stop at nothing to have the man of their dreams. Even when the cost of betrayal has a price tag neither of them can afford. It’s a story of love, sacrifice, deceit, infidelity, lust, scandal, drama, and all that falls in between. I am currently writing the next installment of this series as we speak.

Who’s your favorite character from your books? Why?

I would have to say my most favorite is Chyna in my novel Stud Princess because she’s a female pimp and I think I might have been her in my past life. LOL!!!

Tell Us Your Top Ten Favorite Books that You’ve Read

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Soulja
Addicted by Zane
Afterburn by Zane
The Other Woman by EJD
Love Frustration by RM Johnson
The Million Dollar Divorce Series by RM Johnson
Invisible Life by E Lynn Harris
Swingers by Torrian Ferguson
Secret Society by Miasha
Torn By Keisha Ervin

What do you say to critics of street fiction?

It’s not for you to understand, agree with, or relate to. You’ll never understand because the stories aren’t about you. But if you open your mind you’ll realize there’s a whole different world outside the one you live in, and the authors of this genre are only vehicles taking you on a ride through someone’s journey or someone’s life. It’s not going to always be peaches because it’s just as real as the things you see on the news.

Why should librarians purchase street fiction for their collections?

To have a broader collection of stories told and or published by African American authors, and to accommodate avid readers who are lovers of this genre.

What advice do you have for new authors who hope to publish their urban fiction books?

Just Do It! Don’t let the naysayers put a damper on your dream. Do your research regardless of which genre you choose to write in, and always be willing to invest in yourself even if no one else will.

Any final words for fans of your books?

Thank you for always sticking by me and supporting my dream. I love you for it! You can find more updates on my website www.ntyse.com And please don’t forget to like my fan page – www.facebook.com/ntysefans.

Not available

Books

Belly of the Beast
Deadly Reigns III – The Next Generation
Eastside (Strebor on the Streetz)
Two Thin Dimes

www.undergroundpublishing.net

What are the titles of the urban fiction books you have had published?

Freedom is Not Free
Bayou City Blues
Tangled Webs
The Collection
Urban World

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

I got started writing while I served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. I kept a journal about my day to day events while overseas. I saw a lot during the war and I wanted to write everything down. I soon decided to write fictional stories. I decided to write about the city I grew up in, which was Montgomery, Al. I wanted to talk about the city I grew up in and the streets I used to run in.

Do you have a special routine when you write?

I put on some good rap music when I want to write. I usually listen to Big Krit, some Young Jeezy, or whatever can get me going. Usually I’m up writing late at night. I guess my ideas start flowing around that time.

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

The last book I wrote was Bayou City Blues. It’s the second Rashard “Stone” Williams mystery. The story takes place in Houston, Texas and it deals with the streets. I’ve got all kinds of streets gangs and a ruthless Mexican drug cartel in this story. I kept it pretty realistic with what is actually going on in H-town right now. I think the fans of Freedom is Not Free will really enjoy this book.

Who’s your favorite character from your books? Why?

My favorite character is Rashard “Stone” Williams because I put a lot of myself in this character. I used a lot from my own life to create this character.

Tell Us Your Top Ten Favorite Books that You’ve Read

Never Die Alone by Donald Goines
Eldorado Red by Donald Goines
Monster: The Autobiography of a L.A. Gang Member by Sanyika Shakur
Freedom is Not Free by King James

What do you say to critics of street fiction?

Street fiction has been around for a long time, even before it got the title “Street Fiction”. I think life gives a lot of people different experiences. A lot of young people deal with the streets at some point in their lives. I think these type of books give them a chance to express themselves. I think these books are just as relevant as the classics because they deal with real life.

Why should librarians purchase street fiction for their collections?

I think they should be purchased because these books deal with real life. I think these books could get people who do not usually read a chance to start reading. I think once they start reading it will expand their minds to all types of books.
What advice do you have for new authors who hope to publish their urban fiction books?
My advice to new authors is to put it out there and believe in yourself. I think if you took the time and dedication to write a book you should follow through with it.

Any final words for fans of your books?

I plan on putting out some more books with Rashard “Stone” Williams. I also plan on creating some more legendary characters. So sit back and enjoy more from King James.

Melissa Love

melissascandaloussecrets.blogspot.com

What are the titles of the urban fiction books you have had published?

Secret Affair

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

I’m an author from Detroit, Michigan. Her first urban fiction novel “Sinful Traits” was published in 2010. She completed her second Novel “Secret Affair” in 2012. Her writing style is about Secrets! Her novels feature memorable characters, with some twist and turn along the way. She was feature on an urban radio show in Florida call Hype Media Global, Motown Literary Network blog radio and Black Female Author website.

I started writing because I love to read and I was just as creative as most of the books that I was reading. Then all of the sudden it became fun and I knew this is what I wanted to do.

Do you have a special routine when you write?

I have a full time job, so I write an hour before and after work. I put at least three hour aside on my off day to write as well.

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

Secret Affair is a book which is told from one man’s view point of how he suspects his wife of having an affair. Carter Perry love his wife and two children, he thinks his marriage is perfect. Until one day while talking to his brother and his friends about signs of cheating. Carter can’t help but think about their conversation…- is Keisha, his wife, seeing someone and if she is, who is it?

Now I’m working on two novels, one is called Holy Suspicion and Love on Death Row. Both have scandalous secrets.

Who’s your favorite character from your books? Why?

I would have to say Carter from Secret Affair because he did show his wife how much he loved her. He was a faithful man and a loving brotha. Once he found out about his wife’s secret he did check her and let her know that he wasn’t into games.

Tell Us Your Top Ten Favorite Books that You’ve Read

Wifey: From Mistress to Wifey by Erica Hilton
A-Town Veteran by Cole Hart
If It Don’t Hurt It Ain’t Love by Junnita Jackson
Dying To Be Loved by Erica Coleman
Extra Baggage by Shardy Jones
Black Widow by Nikki Turner
Bi-Curious by Natalie Weber
In Between Lies by Shawna Hill
Love Is Blind by T.J Chester
Millionaire Wives Club by Tu-Shonda L. Whitaker

What do you say to critics of street fiction?

I think most critics think have a negative view about street lit books or hood books. They thinks most of these books are all about drugs and gangand not all of they are like that. They are no different than other grapic novel. It’s all about being creative and telling a story from the writer’s point of view.

Why should librarians purchase street fiction for their collections?
I say a vast majority of readers love to read street novels because of rawness and the realness the author put into each story.

What advice do you have for new authors who hope to publish their urban fiction books?

Find your writing style and genre that you are most comfortable with. Join writers groups on line or in person. make sure you have work edit and even have someone review it for you tell you how the novel flow. Also make sure you have a marketing goal in place because this is where the hard work comes in.

Any final words for fans of your books?

I am so glad that I have gotten positive reviews and it makes me happy to see that all my work was published for nothing. I thank them for very much for their support.

The G!

I recently published my first title, Mustafa’s Game.

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

I would have to say it was an English assignment when I was in high school. We were to write a story about being a famous celebrity or athlete that we wanted to be, I became Tony Dorsett-who was playing for the Dallas Cowboys at the time. I was also the type that would write poems for my girlfriends. I didn’t know then that it was what I wanted to do, however, that was the event that I would have to say started me on my journey with the written word.

My next writing bug was songs, I wrote around 300 songs, but since I am the myth-buster, because contrary to popular belief, all of us can’t sing, so my song writing didn’t go far, I’ve also written 180 episodes of what I perceived to be a “black” soap opera where the cast actually act black.

I became serious about writing after a stint in the prison system, I have always been an avid reader and it got to the point where I always knew what the next word or sentence would be, then I began to change sentences in my mind as I read them, and finally one day I just told myself that I could write a book. It took me several years and many attempts before I was finally able to complete a novel. At this point it is nearly impossible for me to “not write.” I see life in scenes-now.

Do you have a special routine when you write?

I love to write at night, because of the quiet, but when I’m on it I tend to just go, and go, and go. I routinely write out a rough draft-long hand-in about 20-30 days. I always say that my biggest problem is that I can not write as fast as I think…if I could, I’d be able to write a book every week. Part of my creative process is that I’ll come up with a theme and toss it around in my head until it begins to bother me and at that point I absolutely have to write the story.

Like I said, I tend to write very quickly, because while I’m in the creative process I live with the story all day long, so often by the time I’m towards the end of actually writing it, mentally I have already started conjuring up the next story. Usually, when people ask how do I just keep going, I tell them that it’s a lot like reading, when you have a good book, you think about it even when you’re not reading it and that is what makes it so you can’t wait to get back to it. For me the writing is as if I am reading a good book and I just can’t wait to get to the end of it and see how every thing turns out.

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

Mustafa’s Game is street, it’s centered in Stamford, CT. He is one of those brother’s that has values and rules, he’s incredibly in love with his woman, Dani. I definitely make a conscious effort to promote strong relationships in my books. it doesn’t always have to be the whole Male vs Female thing, and you can also love a woman and still be as gangsta as you wanna be, “Loyalty, is the most important thing that two people can share together, more important than love and trust, because without loyalty, we can’t have neither one of the others.” This is what Mustafa had to break-down for Dani-on page 6.

He also has a personal vendetta against drug dealer’s (you’ll have to read the book to find out why.) His hustle has been going out of town and sticking the out of town dealers, however, when an out-of-towner comes to his town, then he becomes fair-game too!

So, Mustafa puts together a team-much to his own dislike- and the pull of the caper without a hitch, but naturally that is when everything that could go wrong-does go wrong.
In no time, the mob, the twins, the FEDS, and an enemy from the past are all trying to find Mustafa and do him dirty.

My next book will be called Ruthless, and it is probably the most vicious and violent story I have written. It is a fast ride from the gate.

Who’s your favorite character from your books? Why?

My favorite character is the main character, Mustafa, probably because that is the character that I lend so much of myself in creating him, how can I not love him. Mustafa is sharp, the type that see’s the bigger picture and drops so many jewels about the game that you just have to admire him. His reputation proceeds him and although he is not the flashy, flamboyant type, he just oozes with style and charisma.
He also has that unspoken aura of being extremely dangerous, and he is just that dangerous!

Tell Us Your Top Ten Favorite Books that You’ve Read

The entire donald goines collection.
The entire Iceberg Slim collection.
Let That Be the Reason by Vickie Stringer.
B-More Careful by Shannon Holmes.
Milk in My Coffee by Eric Jerome Dickey.
James Patterson-enough said?
Walter Mosely-the Easy Rawlin’s series.
Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillian
The Last Street Novel by Omar Tyree.
Ridin’ Dirty on I-95 by Nikki Turner.

What do you say to critics of street fiction?

I smile at them and tell them…”I bet you thought Rap-Music wasn’t gonna last either.” Hey, we are here and the majority of the people are loving “our” stories! I have wanted to write in this voice, my natural voice every since I read Donald (Goines) work. The nerve of him to put it out there raw, uncut and real! I love it!! When you can have people that you didn’t intend to read your books reading them, that’s when you know you are a movement. When the new breed of street-lit writer’s started “doin’ it,” the bigger publishing houses were running away from us…now, they chasin’ us down a-hundred-miles-an-hour! So, is there any need to defend or explain something that simply IS?

Why should librarians purchase street fiction for their collections?
Because there is no such thing as “real” black history, it’s all been mangled and deranged for other peoples purposes…street lit provides a piece of authentic black history, and if librarians have it on the shelves, then maybe…just maybe, they can all get an opportunity to understand what they fear due to a lack of understanding.

What advice do you have for new authors who hope to publish their urban fiction books?

The main thing is to keep writing and reading the books that tell the stories you want to write. Study, formats and layouts of books, understand that if you have been down some of the same mean streets as me, and “Mustafa” then you already have 2-strikes and a foul and it’s always the bottom of the 9th. Professionalism counts, so always put your all into it, because in the end…that’s exactly what you are going to get out of it. Do not ever, ever, never, give up on your dream, and truthfully, the opportunity to find a way to publish nowadays is out there, you just have to stay after it. Make it happen, do not sit back and let it happen because then it will happen all over you.

Any final words for fans of your books?

I wrote many of my books “behind the wall” on the back of request forms, paper towels and anything else I could find to write on, I can’t tell you how it felt to literally have a brother stuck on his bed all day reading my stories and I have to say that the amount of love that brother’s in there showed me, definitely encouraged me to see this project through to fruition. Now, I’m ready for the world and looking to create the same loyal and devoted readers that I was able to have on the “inside.”

To this day, the one thing I will never forget is the young brother that told me he never read a book in his life until he read mines. Yeah, that makes it all worth it.

Big up to my brother’s in the “Bing.” I did it, and believe me the beat don’t stop. I got a story to tell, okay…a whole bunch of ‘em!

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to talk to you.

Shawn Powell

www.Shawnmpowell.com

What are the titles of the urban fiction books you have had published?

Jewelz
Criminal error

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

I began writing after reading a novel by Donald Goines entitled Black Girl Lost I was inspired to write a novel after reading Author Sydney Sheldons’ novel Rage of Angels. My writing style reflects both styles between the two authors, giving my novels a genuine brand.

Do you have a special routine when you write?

Before I write I need coffee and most of the time I write in the early morning hours.

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

My latest novel is an urban fiction story about a jeweler who uses his job to plan and execute jewelry store robberies. The jeweler eventually robs the wrong jewelers creating a series of events that will keep readers involved with the story and turning pages.

Who’s your favorite character from your books? Why?

My favorite character from the novel would have to be Chi-town, because although his part in the novel is minimal he still remains memorable and exciting.

Tell Us Your Top Ten Favorite Books that You’ve Read

Black girl lost by Donald Goines
Rage of angels by Sydney Sheldon
The jester by James Patterson
American Star by Jackie Collins
Testament by David Morrell
Makes me wanna holler by Nathan McCall
Whoreson by Donald Goines
Coldest winter ever by Sistah Souljah
Master of the game by Sydney Sheldon
Black Gangster by Donald Goines

What do you say to critics of street fiction?

Street fiction is a respectable form of art and literature, and it should be respected. For the reader to be able to experience a world that they may otherwise not have the opportunity to experience whether it be because of fear, or location is always a plus when it comes to storytelling. Street fiction has its place in the writing world, and should be honored.

Why should librarians purchase street fiction for their collections?

Street fiction is history, it’s education, and it’s real. Street fiction is no different than any other writing genre, there is no collection without the presence of street fiction.

What advice do you have for new authors who hope to publish their urban fiction books?

My advice would be to focus on telling a good story more so than writing the most “street” novel. It’s not easy to publish so learn all aspects of the publishing field, and do it for the love of writing.

Any final words for fans of your books?

If your looking for good stories that are easy to read and that will keep you entertained, then a Shawn Powell novel is what your looking for. Ive created my own brand, and I guarantee readers will enjoy the experience.

Laquanda Everett

www.wix.com/laquandaeveret0/forbiddenlove

What are the titles of the urban fiction books you have had published?

Forbidden Love: A Spiritual Woman’s Battle To Love A Worldly Man

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

Author Laquanda Everett is a devoted mother of four children. She was born and raised in Bradenton, Florida. Laquanda attended Southeast High School, and went on to pursue a career in nursing. Inspired by the elderly through grandmother and great grandmother. However Laquanda Everett devoted ten years in home health care for the elderly. Laquanda is currently attending the University of Phoenix to earn her bachelors degree in medical administration. Laquanda heard the voice of God calling her to serve again in 2001. This is where she was appointed to serve as a board member and team member of Faith,Action For Strength Together(FAST) organization. The group Fast is a justice ministry that is non denominational organization. The organization comes together to identify and to give a solution to community issues. Laquanda decided to move forward to pursue writing career. This was to be her ministry to inspire and light a fire in God people. Her mission is to write novels that ordinary people could relate to. Therefore with hope of the arrival of repentence, healing, transformation, and closer walk with God should come.

Do you have a special routine when you write?

I usually get me a flow going with some music and my ear phones. Make sure I have a revive vitamin water that is a must !!

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

I am currently working on my second novel along with my daughter children story.

Who’s your favorite character from your books? Why?

The character I love the most is Madia and Lala. Madia is a grandmother that most can relate to that gives straight no chaser advice. She does not cut any corners. I love Lala because her character is going through a journey that most african american black women face.

Tell Us Your Top Ten Favorite Books that You’ve Read

Who is Jonathan Cruise by Myesha Tyler
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyers
Act like a lady think like a Man by Steve Harvey
Last Bitch Standing by Deja King
Heartbreak of A Hustlers Wife by Nikki Turner
Ghetto Resume by Freddie Simmons
Savage Instinct by Leila Jefferson
Laugh now by Raheim Brooks
Irreconcible Differences by Ronnie Dawson
Me and My Boyfriend by Keisha Ervin

What do you say to critics of street fiction?

Critics have to realize that Street Fiction aint nothing but clear thinking made visible. Urban writers are bringing everyday issues that people are dealing with but society choose to sweep under the rug. Some write for messages to be relayed, however others write just for pure entertainment. Either way everybody book touches somebody.

Why should librarians purchase street fiction for their collections?
Librarians have to realize that they have to cater to all audiences, because all readers don’t have the same interest in titles. Although I am a spiritual urban writer, believe me I just do not read Urban books. Its like going into a clothing store with all shirts and no bottoms. Librarians should invest into variety of collections because most readers want feel like they are a kid in a candy store.

What advice do you have for new authors who hope to publish their urban fiction books?

Have marketing plan. Many enter the industry writing a book but what next. No one goal is for them to give a birth to a book and its dies by next month. Research and dont be afraid to invest in your project. Your book should be treated like a business.

Any final words for fans of your books?

All my readers have truly blessed me with their support on book. I thank you and Love each of you for real. There is no me without you. Blessings

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