Author’s
Interview Questions
1. What is the title of you first
published book? What was the release date?
Just
Tryin’ To Be Loved is the title of my first book. The book was originally published in 2006,
and after learning a lot about the industry, I re-published it in 2012. I chose to write this book to release a lot
of the pain and disappointment I experienced in my own life as it relates to
acceptance, love and relationships.
There is a lot of similarity between me and the main character, Mark
Harris. Mark’s views on love, and life
in general, mirror my own. Despite
everything that’s happened in my life, I am still a hopeless romantic. I hope this book makes people believe in
themselves and believe in love.
2. What inspired you to become a Writer?
Why?
I
think I’ve always been a writer. I just
didn’t know it. I remember winning my
first “award” for writing in high school.
As many of us were preparing for our first job, our assignment was to
create a fictitious resume for a chance at a fictitious job. Based on the merits of the resume, our
teacher would choose someone for the job.
Well, I got the job! I think that’s when I knew I had a
talent. At the time, I just didn’t know
what to do with it.
3. In the Writing Industry, is there
anyone that you idolize? Why?
There
is no one I idolize per se, but there are many in the industry that I admire
and respect. For example, I admire and
respect well known authors such as Zane who has built nothing short of a
literary empire. Her empire hinges on
her passion for writing. I also admire
and respect newcomers like Deidra DS Green.
I have never personally experienced a writer who writes with such
tenacity and commitment. Mark my words –
If she continues at this pace, she will be a household name.
4. Since you became a writer, what have
you experienced as far as the negative side of it all? Positive Side?
I
actually stopped writing for several years due to my disenchantment with the
industry. I later realized I was only
hurting myself by not channeling my creativity.
So I put myself back in the game.
I now own my own publishing and editing firm called Sweet Georgia Press
(www.sweetgeorgiapress.com).
The
most negative thing I’ve experienced is the treatment of independent authors by
bookstores. Literally I’ve been robbed
and disrespected by many of these retailers.
There seems to be this “code of silence” in the literary community when
it comes to this. That’s not how I
operate. If you screw me, people will
know. Whether they take heed or not is
up to them.
On
the flip side, I’ve come in contact with some really wonderful people
(personally and virtually) who keep it
real – people like Deatri King-Bey, Shelia M. Goss, Michelle Cuttino, Cyrus
Webb, Treasure Blue and Kisha Green.
These industry leaders have been a wealth of knowledge and likely saved
me a great deal of headache.
5. Is writing something you plan to do
for a lifetime? .... Is it your passion?
Yes,
I plan to write for a lifetime. It is
one of my passions. I think it’s my job
to “tell our stories.” I hope my writing
teaches tolerance. You don’t have to
like what I do, nor do I have to like what you do. At a minimum, we should be able to respect
each others differences.
As I
endeavor to make my name in this industry, I’ve found that one of my greatest
passions is helping other writers discover and solidify their gifts. I am able to best satisfy this passion
through editing. For a while I did this
underground, but realized I had a lot to offer; hence, the formation of Sweet
Georgia Press. I also offer no-cost
review services for those who want an unbiased, professional review of their
work.
6. If you don’t see writing as a life
-long project, what else sparks your interest?
Answered in #5
7. Have you traveled to different states
to promote your work?
Yes,
I have traveled to other states to promote my work. For a while, I was traveling monthly to book
signings, etc. You have to look at the
financial ramifications of events. For
me, it was not fiscally smart. As such,
I had to cut back on travel.
8. What are your marketing techniques?
Why do these things work best for you?
I
have a number of marketing techniques:
1) Utilize social
media to its fullest capacity, but recognize its limitations. Facebook, Twitter and the like shouldn’t be
your only means of marketing.
2) Make sure you have
a professional website. Whenever
possible, drive readers to your site for purchases.
3) Seek out reviews
from people whom you admire and respect in the industry. Sometimes those opinions are the ones that
carry the most weight.
4) When doing
interviews, look at the interviewer’s following. Sometimes interviews can be counterproductive
if the interviewer does not have a good following.
5) Market your book to
your target audience. Recognize that
sometimes it’s not about your work, but rather about the audience you are
marketing to.
9. Do you have a lot of family/friend
support? How does that motivate you?
Actually
I do not have a lot of family/friend support.
The bright side of this is that the support I do have is quality
support. I’m a big proponent of quality vs.
quantity.
10. What advice would you give to other
Authors BESIDES doing research?
I
have a few pieces of advice.
1) Only do consignment
if you are being paid up front.
2) If you are
considering events, weigh the financial ramifications. Many authors get caught up in the “fame” of
being an author and don’t approach signings, events, etc. with a sound
financial mind. If it’s not making
dollars, it likely doesn’t make sense.
There are exceptions of course, but make sure the benefits outweigh the
risks.
3) Get your work
professionally edited! If you can’t
afford to edit, do not release
your work until you can afford it.
IF
THERE IS ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE, PLEASE DO SO. For
example where your books can be purchased and social media connections. You can
also share more background information if you would like, this is your interview,
make it count=)=)
J'son M. Lee, though born in Brooklyn, NY, is essentially a North
Carolinian. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
earning a degree in Speech Communication with a concentration in Performance
Studies. Lee is 43 years old and resides in Baltimore, MD. He is the President and Owner of Sweet
Georgia Press, a small publishing and editing firm. Lee is the author of Just
Tryin' To Be Loved, Best Friends (short story), More Than Friends (short
story), love One (short story) and co-authored the multiple award-winning book,
How could my husband be GAY?, with Ondrea L. Davis.
In addition to books, Lee wrote, produced and starred in his own
one-man show entitled One Family's AIDS. This one-man show, told from four different
perspectives, is the story of Gene Alexander McCoy - a young, educated
African-American man who finds himself in a race for time to make peace with
his family and with God upon being diagnosed with HIV. The play chronicles
Gene's life as he confronts such issues as HIV/AIDS, family, abandonment and
homophobia. With the help of his over-bearing mother, a nurturing grandmother,
and an uncle who doesn't really feel comfortable talking about Gene's sexuality
or disease, we learn the complexities of love and relationships, the damaging
results of fear and shame, and how the relentless quest for the truth
ultimately leads us back to each other.
For more information or to make a purchase, please visit the
author’s website at: www.jmccoylee.com.
