Black Refer- All Things Literary

     What is the title of your latest offering?
          A Conspiracy to Ponder is my first published novel.

     Give us a little background on your writing career.
          I have a host of published poems and an award-winning short non-fiction story to my credit.

     Tell our Blackrefer.com readers where you receive motivation? Do you have any mentors?
          My mentor is a professor by the name of Mel Livatino, who is retiring from Truman College in Chicago in July of 2004. He literally changed my life in 1995 when I took his Creative Writing Class. As a matter of fact, my book, A Conspiracy to Ponder, is dedicated to him. He ignited this passion in me to write and recite, and I have been writing and reciting ever since. If I had my way, I would do nothing else. I'm also inspired by anybody who dares to try things or dare to realize their dreams, such as American Idols, first-time screenwriters, you name it. Because if we don't at least try, we don't stand a chance of realizing our goals.

     What type of support network do you have?
          I have the support of a lot of website owners, editors, book reviewers, writing groups, newspapers, television hosts and radio personalities who have been truly wonderful to me, such as Frankie Halfacre, a radio celebrity in 3 cities in Ohio, and Ode Aduma, a TV Talk Show Host on CBS in Ohio, GETV in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

     Are you in any writers' groups?
          I'm not presently in any writing groups other than the National Writers Union, because I'm always so busy writing. I have so many demands for new writings, that I'm afraid it's become a full-time job.

     How do you promote your work?
          I have done two TV talk shows this year, have had oodles of free radio publicity, have been in countless newspapers, have had book signings at bookstores, cafes, churches, you name it. Sometimes when confined to Chicago, I do a lot of national mass marketing of postcards, pass out promotional bookmarks, promote on websites with poetry submissions and articles, or just take advantage of any opportunities that present themselves: local signings, signings arranged by friends, etc. And I have had a great many word-of-mouth sales because people seem to have really enjoyed my book.

     Has it been difficult to get exposure?
          It's not difficult to get exposure if you have the time and energy to invest.

     What are your future plans?
          Right now I'm not only studying screenwriting but am actually working on my first screenplay entitled Lost Love. It should be completed in May, then I plan to finish a couple of books I'm working on and write a screenplay for A Conspiracy to Ponder. I don't have any booksignings or literary events scheduled right now, but that's subject to change.

     What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
           I'm going to quote Les Brown and say, "If you decide to develop what you do well and become a master of yourself, if you set goals and go after them with all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you." Dare to write, to get your work edited, and submit it to publishers. If it can happen to me, it can happen to you. I am truly amazed where I've been in the past year, where I'm headed in 2004 if its God's will. And I consider myself very blessed. Always take time to be thankful for your accomplishments, for your blessings.


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