F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
· How long did it take you to write this book?
I wrote the first draft of the self-published novel in the spring of 1998 in about four months. I was in grad school at the time in Chicago and I spent most of my time writing it at night or when I was bored in class. It took so long because I was in a play and going to school full time as well.
· Where did you get the idea to write Ever After? What inspired you?
I was bored one day in class and I started the first chapter out as a freewrite on a perfect relationship. I was a little frustrated with the type of woman I was meeting in Chicago so I started fantasizing about the perfect relationship. I set up a beautiful caring woman, a handsome, caring man, and the perfect setting. And as any writer will tell you, conflict is needed to drive the story. So I imagined this man getting rejected on the most vulnerable, important question a man can ask a woman. It just took off from there.
· Are you Nick?
No, contrary to popular belief. This is a work of FICTION.
· How did you get your book deal? As a writer, how can I get a book deal?
There is no one way, or right way, to get a book deal. A lot of authors have previous careers and turn to writing once they have accumulated enough security to take a stab at it. I have been fortunate that writing is my first career, the only thing, along with acting, that I have ever wanted to do.
A popular route to becoming a published author among African-Americans these days is via the self-published route. Ever After was originally published in late December 1999. I spent the next ten months promoting it via a self-financed promotional tour, networking, and attending conventions like the industry-leading Book Expo America. That is where I made some of the contacts and associations with great people in the publishing and writing world that I still value today. After relentless promotion and selling of the book, I was able to attract the attention of a few publishing houses, which in turn attracted representation for me, who went in and helped hammer out a deal with Random House.
My advice to writers who would like to publish is to try the self-publishing route if you have not been able to attract the attention of agents and editors directly. Once that self-published book comes off the subsidy press, you need to market yourself aggressively. Borrow, cheat, and steal all good promotional ideas from those who have done it before you and achieved any degree of sales success. It does take talent and an ability to entertain a reading audience, but also it takes promotion. You could have the best writing in the world but what good does it do if nobody knows about it? Promotion is pro-motion. Keep working hard and keep writing!
· Who's your Jasmine?
I'll know when I meet her. ;-)