Hello World,

I’m always happy to help promote my fellow authors especially those of us who are beginning our author journey…Please check out my interview with Nigeria Lockley, whose novel Seasoned With Grace (Urban Books) will be released on July 28! Below is a synopsis of “Seasoned With Grace” followed by the interview…

Sentenced to probation, 30-year-old, supermodel Grace King must put her plans of transitioning into acting to extend the longevity of her career on hold. Desperate to keep a close eye on Grace and his job, Grace’s ambitious lawyer, Ethan Summerville has her complete community service in the last place Grace wants to be. His church.
 
Instead of God, Grace finds a “chocolate drop” of a man–Brother Horace Brown. However, Horace isn’t looking for a supermodel. He wants his woman saved and sanctified, but Grace has never met a man who has been able to resist her. Will Horace compromise his faith for a taste of fortune, fame, and Grace?While Grace focuses on the pursuit of passion Ethan finds one director willing to take a risk and cast Grace in his debut film, but this role fits Grace all too well. Will this film revive Grace’s relationship with God and her career or bring her closer to destruction?

1. What inspired you to write “Seasoned With Grace?”

I cannot say there was any one thing that inspired me to write this story. I just saw Grace King in my head on probation and cutting up. I simply wrote the story as it came to me.

2. Why did you choose a supermodel as the main character of your story?

I didn’t make that choice. I don’t impose my will on my characters. It may be about skill or just being organic, but I take them as they are and let them run wild.

3. How did you research the supermodeling industry?

On the low, I’m a fashion insider. I read Vogue, InStyle, visit various fashion blogs, and of course you know I’ve seen one too many episodes of “America’s Next Top Model.” Therefore, I didn’t have to do much research and bless the Lord for Google.

4. What do you hope readers will learn or understand by reading this story?

I hope that readers will learn that despite the hardships in life God has not forgotten them and you cannot go so far over the edge that you cannot be redeemed. Those are just two big lessons in the book, but one subtle lesson that I learned as I was writing “Seasoned with Grace” is to be thankful for your friends.

5. I read that you wrote most of “Seasoned With Grace” on your cell phone. Is that true? Why? How long did it take? Please explain.

I did write the majority of “Seasoned with Grace” on my cell phone. I started that way because the first time I saw the story in my head I was in the subway and the only thing I had on me was my cell phone. It was slightly more convenient than pulling out my laptop during rush hour, and once I realized I spend an hour a day on the train commuting to work I decided to capitalize on that. It only took me a few months to finish “Seasoned with Grace.”

6. I understand that you have started your own publishing company Inheritance Books. Why did you decide to start your own publishing company? When will the first book from your new company debut,and what is the title? (if you have that information)

Starting Inheritance Books was one of those move when the Spirit says move decisions. Last year, I started working on a novella that I planned to release independent of my publisher at the time, Urban Christian. I only had a two- book deal and my plan was to test the indie waters before attempting to renew my contract. Now fast forward to the last week of February 2015—I get selected for jury duty and while everyone is griping about having to be there I’ve got the name for the company, the tagline, and plans for developing authors floating through my head. For a moment I thought I was having delusions of grandeur, but something inside of me was telling me to form this publishing company. I applied for the LLC, got my logo done, and started taking coaching classes on publishing. When I showed my logo to my sister to get her opinion, she said, “It’s nice, but what is this for?” I replied, “For my publishing company. There’s a hole and I want to fill it.”

The very next day I found out that the Urban Christian line of Urban Books had been dissolved. So, it wasn’t a decision; it was more like an unction. The first release will be my novella, “Tempted to Touch.” I’d like to follow that up with an inspirational anthology, and by the grace of God start accepting manuscripts by the winter of 2015.

7. You refer to yourself as the “Neophyte Author.” How many books will have you have to write before you consider yourself a “seasoned” rather than “neophyte” author? What is the most important thing you have learned on your “neophyte author” journey so far?

There will always be something for me to learn and I will always be a new author to some reader regardless of how prolific I am, so I’m not sure when I’ll attain that seasoned status. The most important thing I’ve learned as a neophyte author is that you have to tell your story and live your story. You cannot allow other people’s idea of what works stifle your productivity and creativity. As you travel along the road to your goal, you’ll receive lots of advice, but you have to live your life and work in a fashion that works best for you and not anyone else.

I’ve always loved the game “20 Questions” so below are Nigeria’s answers to 20 of my random questions in no particular order 🙂

Nigeria Lockley possesses two master’s degrees, one in English Secondary Education, which she utilizes as an educator with the New York City Department of Education. Her second master’s degree is in Creative Writing. “Born at Dawn” is Nigeria’s first published novel. Nigeria serves as the vice president of Bridges Family Services, a not-for-profit organization that assists student parents interested in pursuing a degree in higher education. She is also the deaconess and clerk for her spiritual home King of Kings and Lord of Lords Church of God. Nigeria is a New York native who resides in Harlem with her husband and two daughters. Visit her online at www.NigeriaLockley.com

Any thoughts?