The 411 with Author/Publisher Tamika Newhouse

First tell us a bit about Tamika. What attracted you to become a writer?

I didn’t become a writer. I am a writer. I have been a writer since I could form a sentence and it just flourished from there. There are those who become writers and then there are others who are born writers. This was meant for me. This is who I am.

Tell us about your latest book. How did you come up with the concept of this story?

Kisses Don’t Lie is my latest book and it is a dramatic romance novel. I give what I am known for when it comes to my stories. A young couple that decides to split after high school finds them back in each other’s presence after a decade. But a kiss that shouldn’t have happened almost ten years ago is revealed and the strength of their love from the past and present is tested.

Tell us about African-Americans on the Move Book Club (AAMBC) and some of the services you provide for the literary community.

I created AAMBC unknowingly back in 2008. It wasn’t my intention on creating this company I simply started a MySpace page that grew into something more. I had always wanted to be a teacher and not a businesswoman. But with this company I expose and market other authors such as myself. I provide a forum for them that they wouldn’t necessarily have had. I love what I do because I expose others who are like me.

You started Delphine Publications at twenty-one years old. Wow! Did you always want to be a publisher and how did you get the ball rolling for this to happen?

Well I had a book called The Ultimate NO-NO in which I wrote at 19. After starting a MySpace page I discovered a lot of writers who were self-published. Meaning they published their own books. By the time I found this out I immediately took it upon myself to publish my book, launched my company, named it after my mother Delphine, and the rest is history.

What advice do you have for others interested in starting their own company?

If you are not business oriented or obsessed about this business do not start your own company. What I do is 80% business. Yes I am a writer but after the book is written come the hard part. Writing the book is fun and easy but then here comes publishing, marketing, distribution, staff, designers, buyers, book stores, reviewers, critics, and it goes on and on. You have to have tough skin to do this job.

What makes Delphine Publications stand out from other publishing companies in your opinion?

It was started by a girl with a dream. I didn’t even add onto the company in a big way for five years. I work with my authors. I do not dictate them at all and we market each other as a family. We stand a part because we are different. We can’t be duplicated.

Do you find it difficult to juggle the duties of being a publisher and author?

Yes. I find it hard because I rarely have time to write because I have a CEO chair. I am conducting business 10 hours a day every day as well as traveling and making appearances and hosting events. Juggling isn’t easy but I do it very well.

With the success you’ve achieved, have you experienced jealousy from others in the industry?  How did you handle the negativity?

Jealousy and hate comes with this job. I have and still am receiving hate from my peers. But one thing I do is stay consistent while many of them pay too much attention to what I am doing. See I have a mentality of I don’t care. I don’t care or seek out what it is that my colleagues are doing. I wish them well, I will cheer them on and I will even show up and support but I do not take time out of my day to follow them and see what they are doing. I stay much to focus on my companies to do that and many can tell that. The fact I am hated and talked about means one thing, I am doing a damn good job.

Do you feel that most authors are supportive of one another or do you feel too many authors think in terms of competition?

They definitely think this is a competition. This is why you see so many small publishing companies that are publishing low-budget books. Everyone wants to have their own. Everyone wants to be a CEO. Everyone wants to be a boss. But what they fell to realize that everyone wasn’t meant to lead. Everyone can’t handle the role of a boss. So unfortunately in this industry you see so many trying to start their own to be up there with the Jones when they need to humble themselves and join a thriving team that is already boss status.

What do you like and dislike the most about the writing industry?

I just do not care for the division. The clicks and nay-say. I hate the negativity and lack of support. No one has to compete with each other. I know for me, there is no competition because I simply stay focused on what I am doing.

Have you enjoyed your journey in the industry so far? Do you have any regrets about the choices you’ve made?

I have enjoyed each part. The mistakes have made me wiser and the great choices have enriched me. There are some things like events I would not have done or wouldn’t have spent my money on but that all comes with learning this business.

Is there anything concerning writing that you haven’t done but plan to one day?

I have a great project I will debut in 2013 that no one is doing yet. I am psyched about that!

How do you feel about e-books and the new digital age? Do you find it a blessing or hindrance?

It is a blessing of course. It’s like how the music industry is. Everything has gone to downloads. I am able to live the life of someone much older and wiser at my young age of 26 just because of this digital age. I love it. I love those monthly deposits lol.

From a publisher’s standpoint, do you think print will last? Why or why not?

No I do not. I do think it will be here but far in between. We will definitely have to be more creative when it comes to events and book signings. But everything is digital now. Not just books. It is destined to happen.

What advice do you have for authors in terms of promotion? Do you use out-of-the box methods to get people interested in your work?

I definitely use out of the box situations. I cannot do the typical or the common. That also means to spend money to do that. I do not cut corners. There is nothing I feel I won’t do to help better my career. That is what I feel others do lack, they try to cut corners and pinch dollars.

 What advice do you have for a writer who might be interested in subbing to Delphine? What is it that you look for when considering a submission?

The advice I would give is do not submit to Delphine if you aren’t proactive and aren’t prepared to perform a lot of self-promotions. I look for hungry and obsessed writers. Your book may be great but if you aren’t marketable I will look the other way.  I won’t be interested if you can’t devote time to promote yourself.

 What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about the publishing industry that you wish you’d known when you started out?

Who to deal with and where to go to promote your books. I hate to waste my time and resources so I am glad now that I am wiser.

What can your fans expect from you next? Do you have any new releases coming up?

 Yes I am working on Kisses Don’t Lie 2 and Cookie Too. Both will be out this year.

 Choose one of your books that you’d love to see as a movie. Who would you want to play the lead character and why?

Hmmmmm The Ultimate NO-NO needs to be a movie and I would like to see Keke Palmer play Nitrah.

 What words of wisdom do you have for those looking to follow in your footsteps?

Be obsessed and stay consistent.

Thanks for stopping by, Tamika!

Website: http://www.TamikaNewhouse.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/tamikanewhouse

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamikanewhouse

Buy books at http://www.amazon.com, http://www.bn.com, http://www.delphinepublications.com

BIO:

Tamika Newhouse is a self-published bestselling author who founded Delphine Publications, at the age of 21; Tamika appeared on various bestseller lists and won Self Published Author of the Year at the 2009 African-American Literary Awards only 9 months after her debut novel. In 2010 she was inducted into Who’s who in Black San Antonio and she landed a major publishing deal without an agent and still continues to write independent projects. In 2011 her company Delphine Publications won an African-American Literary Award for Best Anthology as well as Tamika won for the second time Self Published Author of the Year. She was also nominated by the National Women in Business Association for the 2011 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
Along with Delphine Publications, Tamika is the founder and President of African-Americans on the Move Book Club (AAMBC) – an online book club and radio show catering to avid readers across the nation. She is also CEO of Obsessive Soul Media. With future projects in the works from short films, stage plays and much more, Tamika is a young woman on a mission. She founded the Baltimore Urban Book Festival in 2011 and runs and operates the event today.

Tamika presently tours the country speaking about overcoming her teen pregnancy to fulfill her dream, as well as teaching aspiring writers the publishing ropes. A former radio host, she hosted her own internet radio show (AAMBC) for over three years and continues to expand her brand. She is currently living in San Antonio with her son and daughter and is currently working on her fifth novel He’s My Favorite Mistake.

For Bookings: Nikki@NikkiWalkerPR.net

Kisses Don’t Lie Synopsis:

There’s Dean her first love and then there’s Keith Mr. Right Now. Kyla struggles with her desires and her past when she makes a rare trip back home to Fort Worth. After leaving ten years ago Kyla comes to terms with the one who got away; Dean and their short-lived romance comes into full swing. That is until it goes terribly wrong and she is left with wondering if she should work it out with Keith instead. A simple kiss led to many secrets being revealed; and it makes Kyla wish she could take it all back. Michael is ready to commit to Brittany and for once he feels he has the right woman by his side. That is until a passionate night turns into an unwanted child. Fighting to keep her heart from being broken; Brittany vows to never be just another notch in a mans belt. Although Michael promises to be there and seals it with a kiss, Brittany still struggles with if she should carry their child. When love isn’t enough will each one of them make the right decision? Can they finally trust the one they want the most? After all its better to be slapped by the truth then kissed with a lie. They say kisses don’t lie, right?

The 411 with Author Shelia M. Goss

Well it’s a huge pleasure to have Shelia M. Goss here today! I’m a big fan of her work so it’s an honor to be able to pick her brain about her career!

First tell us a bit about Shelia. What attracted you to become a writer?

I’ve been in love with the written word since I was a little baby. Let my great-aunt tell it, I’ve been reading since I was 4 years old. I started writing around age 9 and the love for writing has been there ever since.

I used to be shy (and sometimes still is) so writing was an outlet for me to express myself.

I love creating new worlds with new characters and entertaining people with my words.

What does the M stand for in your name?

M stands for Marie.

Tell us about your latest novel, Sade’s Secret. Why did you decide to use a pen name?

I wrote under a pen name because I write in multiple genres. I wanted to keep my books for adults and young adults separate. Although the Lip Gloss Chronicles was published under Shelia M Goss, my new YA book, Sade Secret and others in the YA series will be published under Sparkle.

Fifteen-year-old Sade Washington has been harboring a secret from her two best friends, Crystal and Dena. Her secret is threatened to be revealed when she discovers she’s pregnant. Once Sade’s secret is out, it causes a wedge between her and her mother Joyce. Distraught at her mother’s reactions, Sade toils with a love/hate relationship with her.

Joyce struggles with keeping peace in her household. The relationship between her daughter and live-in boyfriend, Calvin has her in an emotional turmoil. Joyce is determined to make their home a happy one by any means necessary.

Sade attempts to have a normal teen life, but as she turns sixteen, reality hits her head on. She must make choices that will not only affect her future, but that of her unborn child. Sade’s Secret takes the reader on an emotional ride as it deals with a strong subject matter and the dynamics of mother-daughter relationships.

You began your career as a self-published author. What challenges did you face because of this?

I won’t say there were any challenges because the milestones I made when I was self published led to me getting a publishing deal.

Your novel Ruthless is the second book in your Christian Fiction series. What got you interested in the genre?

The bible is one of my favorite books to read. I write in several genres but I wanted to be able to use my God given gift to reach people on another level. My goal with my Christian fiction books is to take biblical stories and adapt them into modern day tales.  I want readers, after reading my Christian fiction books to be sparked with an interest to read the real stories.  No one is perfect and we all fall short, but even with our imperfections, God gives us grace and shows us mercy.

I wrote DELILAH because I kept hearing people trying to blame others for their transgressions instead of taking responsibilities for their own actions. I decided to take a tragic love story from the Bible, Samson and Delilah, and I gave it a modern day twist.

I also adapted the story of David and Bathsheba in my latest Christian fiction book, RUTHLESS. Although readers may know the biblical story, my adaption is cleverly done and its filled with twists that readers won’t see coming.  I’m currently working on a third book in the “notorious women” of the bible series.

What different genres have you written?

Romance, Women’s fiction, Christian Fiction, Suspense and Young Adult. In addition to the genres under my name, I’ve written under pen names: Chick lit, Urban/Street Lit and YA Fantasy.

You’ve been in the writing game a long time. Are you content with the way your career has been so far?

Yes and no. If I had known then what I know now, there are several things I would have done differently.

You’ve interviewed celebrities, you edit and format books and you write screenplays. Is there anything in the writing business you haven’t conquered but plan to get into?

I don’t think I’ve conquered the screenplay aspect yet. I won’t be satisfied in that area until one of my screenplays has been produced and on film for others to enjoy. Right now, that’s what I want to conquer.

What do you like and dislike the most about the writing industry?

This is a good time to be in publishing if you’re an author.  There are so many opportunities available that weren’t there when I first started in this business. I like the fact that writers have “options.”

What I dislike is, unfortunately, like with any business, you may run into people with unscrupulous business practices.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned concerning the industry?

Be careful who you trust.

You’ve released many commercial titles and you self-publish ebooks on the side. What made you try your hand at self-publishing again? Do you find it different this time around?

Several reasons. I decided to self publish my ebooks so that I could get a better sense of how my book sales were doing and to also have a steady income from doing what I love to do and that’s write.

It’s different this time around because of ebooks. Back when I first started, ebooks was new and there weren’t any affordable ebook devices such as the Kindle, Nook and Sony Reader. It was also very expensive to print trade paperback books.

What advice do you have for someone looking to self-publish?

If the person is going to self-publish, they must look at it as a business, not a hobby. It’s not for the faint at heart. You will wear multiple hats: author, CEO, bill collector, etc.

What’s more important to you, the storytelling or the writing? Or is it both?

Both. If you’re doing written word, you can’t have one without the other.  I’m from Louisiana and we have great storytellers here but not all of them were writers. They were stories told verbally and passed down from generation to generation. Along the way, stories got mixed up or even forgotten. With the written word, you don’t have to worry about that, because it’s right there in black and white or in cyberspace (ebooks…smile).

What’s your favorite genre to read and why?

I actually write the same type of books I like to read.  I enjoy reading in the Romance, Christian fiction, Suspense, young adult and Urban genres.  Why? Because I like reading a variety of stories. One day I might be in the mood for a good romance story. The next, I might want to put on my detective hat and read a good suspense and see if I can figure out who did what before it’s revealed.  Reading never gets boring to me because I mix it up.

You appear at a lot of events. Is this something you just enjoy to do or do you do it solely to reach your audience?

I enjoy doing it. I enjoy meeting the readers. If I could afford to, I would do it more often. Unfortunately, going to events is expensive so I’m very limited on the places I can go.

Do you find that online promotion is better than more old-fashioned methods in reaching readers these days?

The best form of promotion is word of mouth. I learned that when my book DELILAH took off. Yes, I did a lot of online promotions but when readers caught wind of DELILAH, word of mouth about the book had the book flying off the shelves.

Do you use out-of-the box methods to get people interested in your work?

At one point, I used to do a lot of contests, but I’ve found that although they work, it’s not a guarantee that it will increase your sales. Now, I basically just try to keep people informed that the book is available. I try to give interesting tidbits about the book, hoping that it will entice the audience to want to read more.

Do you use a different method of promotion with your ebooks that you do when promoting your commercial work?

I primarily promote my ebooks in groups where I know readers have Kindles and Nooks. I also promote on my own website, Facebook page and twitter.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned when it comes to promotion?

Just because you pay for promotions/advertisement, it does not mean your sales will increase.  Those things however will bring awareness about your book.  Keep in mind that although a person might not buy today, they may buy the next time they have money to use for purchasing books. Some sales are not immediate, so writers shouldn’t get discouraged when they don’t see immediate results after a promotions.

As a black writer, do you feel it’s difficult to reach audiences of other races? Do you strive to crossover with your work?

Yes, only because my book covers may cause them to overlook my story.

I do strive to crossover because my stories are universal.  When people of all races read my books, like Her Invisible Husband or The Commitment Plan, readers don’t mention the race of the characters, they mention the story.

What can your fans expect from you next?

I plan on releasing a few more romance stories as ebooks.  I have several new stories in the works and I’m very excited about them. I can’t reveal more right now because they aren’t under contract but as soon as I can, I will make announcements on my blog (http://www.sheliagoss.com/blog). Expect more young adult books from Sparkle.

Do you think the digital age is a hindrance or blessing for authors?

I think it’s a blessing.  I’ve been fortunate to benefit from being a part of the digital age.

If Sade’s Secret was made into a movie, who would you want to play the main character and why?

If Sade’s Secret was being made into a movie,  three actresses come to mind for the role of the mother Joyce: Queen Latifah, Sanaa Lathan or Nia Long. I’m still thinking about who I envision to play Sade. I think KeKe Palmer could do the role of Sade justice.

Your books seem to have a big impact on readers. Are you surprised that you’ve received such support?

Yes, I am, but I’m very grateful that they have made an impact on readers.

Have you had to deal with a lot of jealous in the industry? If so, how did you handle it?

If there were anybody jealous, I wouldn’t know it because I’ve been too busy trying to build my career. Right now I’m trying to take my career to a different level.

What words of wisdom do you have for newbies starting in the industry today?

Learn the craft, research (Google is a writer’s best friend) and last but not least,  write.

Thanks for stopping by, Shelia!

Thanks Stacy for having me be a part of your exciting new blog.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelia.goss