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| Attention Authors: If you would like to submit your novel for review, please send a copy of your novel and a press kit to: P.O. Box 822466 South Florida, Fl, 33082-2466 Attn: Joy Farrington Contact Us: Please send all questions and comment to nubiansistasbookclub @yahoo.com |
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| March 2004 Author Spotlight |
| Cheryl Robinson |
| Cheryl Robinson the author of When I Get Free and Memories of Yesterday two very memorable novels. Recently, Cheryl struck a publishing deal with Penguin/New American Library and is currently working on the sequel to Memories of Yesterday. Read on and learn more about this fabulous author. |
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NSBC: What has been your biggest challenge as a writer?
CR: My biggest challenge as a writer has been distribution. I self-published two novels using all of my savings, and I say that with no regret whatsoever. After I had my books, my next step became, now what? I couldn't obtain a distributor to get the books in bookstores. I was working 8-5 and writing after 5. My schedule left little time for me to actively market independent booksellers so I concentrated on the bookstores in my area, and selling my novels online. Still, the experience was great, and the support I garnered from online organizations and book clubs was amazing. NSBC: I loved how realistic the male characters appeared in your novels. How are you able to write from the male perspective so well? CR: I think because I listen to men and what their take is on many issues, including relationships. I also spent a lot of time around male comedians when I used to produce a weekly comedy show in Detroit. NSBC: The title, Memories of Yesterday, seemed to wrap up the essence of the novel perfectly. How did you come up with it? CR:That's funny that you say that because I'm searching for a new title for the re-release. The publishing company would like to change the title and of course the cover. I actually was going to name it, Better Days but the editor I was working with told me she was working on another book with that same title and suggested I come up with another one. When I couldn't, she recommended, Memories of Yesterday. NSBC: You deal with some strong and controversial topics in Memories... like AIDS and Homosexuality. What has been your overall response from your audience? CR: I've had a good response and I am anxious to see the response when it is in most of the major markets and I actually go out touring to promote the new Memories of Yesterday in early 2005. I think the issue of AIDS and homosexuality is one that the black community needs to continue to address as many ways as we can because it is attacking us. The statistics are staggering. I'd like to share a couple with you. Of new infections among men in the United States, CDC estimates that approximately 60 percent of men were infected through homosexual sex, 25 percent through injection drug use, and 15 percent through heterosexual sex. Of newly infected men, approximately 50 percent are black, 30 percent are white, 20 percent are Hispanic, and a small percentage are members of other racial/ethnic groups. Of new infections among women in the United States, CDC estimates that approximately 75 percent of women were infected through heterosexual sex and 25 percent through injection drug use. Of newly infected women, approximately 64 percent are black, 18 percent are white, 18 percent are Hispanic, and a small percentage are members of other racial/ethnic groups. I am glad that those issues came out in my book, particularly the issue of AIDS, because we must, as a race, talk about what is happening, how it is spreading so rapidly, and what measures we can take to prevent it. Continue |
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