Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author. In addition to being an author, I spend a great deal of time marketing and promoting my brand outside of the Urban Fiction genre. I have an entertainment blog. I write articles for magazines and blogs as well. I also write press releases and biographies for an elite group of urban professionals and entertainers.
Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release. My upcoming release is extremely exciting, Mirror Mirror, which is my third book and first self-help/motivational project. The conversational book will be released in June and is a motivational book for women. Mirror Mirror is to put it simply, Sweet 16 Tips To A New and Improved You! And, I pray they will be blessed by my words, examples, and real time diary entries at the end of each chapter. I put a lot of myself and past experiences out there up close and personal to help others.
How many years of professional writing experience (if any) do you have? What have you written? I wasn’t trained to be a professional writer per say. But, I do have a degree in Criminal Justice and Professional Communications Studies. So, I was trained exceptionally well for the academic setting. Outside of writing papers for college and journaling, I had to learn how to write fiction. Writing comes very very easy for me. It’s the elements of the story that I have to work hard at. After I wrote my first book, Mistress Me, I met a great editor and over the years through two edits she taught me the elements of writing a story. Also, the value of a rewrite or two or three. I credit her, Rhonda Crowder, for my progression as a writer. I read I read I read, which shows me exactly what not to do in my books because it’s forced or it just didn’t work. So, at this point I have been in the publishing industry only four years. I wrote my first novel in 2006. It was published February 2008. At present I have two novels in print, Mistress Me and Notorious, with my third book, Mirror Mirror, being released in a few months.
Do you have an occupation in addition to being a writer? If so, what is it? At present I am a full time writer. My first few years in the industry, I was a teacher. I taught school for six years and will be returning this fall.
What credentials establish you as an expert in your field or have contributed to your success as an author? I definitely don’t consider myself an expert concerning writing or the publishing industry in general. Actually I feel as though I am still on the outside trying to get in. Just because other authors know who you are means absolutely nothing to me. And, what I am trying to accomplish, which is branding, book sales, and motivational speaking engagements. I fight everyday like I just wrote my first book and I’m on my third. I never get comfortable. I work really really hard, and most importantly I continue to study my craft to show myself approved. This is not a game. If you do not love writing, and the art of telling a story, keep it moving because getting rich quick will not happen. I have never been so poor in all of my fabulous life. But, I am happy!
Overall, the success that I have experienced is due partially to my topics within my books, my branding, and marketing. And, it doesn’t hurt that the books are well written and vastly entertaining.
About the Book
What was your motivation for writing this book? My motivation for writing all my books are simply to entertain and grant my readers a VIP pass to particular areas that have been heavily guarded.
Tell us some of the factors that make your book unique. Reality mixed with fiction is always a sweet and delightful cocktail.
- What is the single most important thing that readers of your book will be able to do after reading your book that they could not do before?
- Mistress Me – They walk away with a full understanding of the drama up close and personal inside a professional athlete’s world. Also everything that glitters ain’t really gold.
Notorious – I take you up close and personal into two highly guarded industries, publishing and music. Your access has been granted!
Mirror Mirror – Arms each reader with Sweet 16 Tips To A New and Improved You! If they weren’t motivated to love themselves and follow their dreams before Mirror Mirror will certainly take them there.
Is there local or regional relevance for your book? With all of my work I seek to entertain, to grant access, and drop precious jewels about life in a non-preachy way. With a celebrity fascinated society, I simply give my readers another avenue in addition to fanciful writing, humor, and drama. I merely mirror entertainment shows, media outlets, blogs, and the news in a book format. While they take you away with a glimpse I give my readers a complete story.
What emotions does your book evoke from readers? Love, pain, hate, joy, self-esteem, confidence, dreams, action, envy, jealousy, as well as feelings of fabulosity and pearls of wisdom!
Are there any controversial elements in your book? Besides granting my readers access, no. I don’t consider drama controversial it’s life at its climax at that moment.
If your book were for sale in a major bookstore, in what section would it be found? Mistress Me and Notorious would be shelved in African-American/Urban Fiction/Street Lit section; Mirror Mirror would be found in self-help/Motivational, I would hope.
What did you learn while writing this book? Mistress Me and Notorious– I learned the elements of a story and how
to execute my thoughts more clearly. And, the need for several rewrites in addition to the grandness of what an editor really does. Mirror Mirror– I grew as a woman and as a person. When I feel down and out magically the words and wisdom in that book come to mind instantly. I guess as I motivated others I also motivated and inspired myself to continue to go harder no matter the who or what. There was no fancy dancy word play just the harsh realities of life. And, overcoming low self-esteem not being married, loving thy self, and etc. Everything I wrote I practice hard body because it works!
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand? This is not a game and should not be treated as such. Writing a book is similar to a production and there are stages. I don’t just write a book and it’s available in a month. It’s a very detailed process once I finish the writing. There is still a series of rewrites at least for me. Then editing. Then more editing. Then more editing. Then editing behind the editors several times. Then editing behind the graphic designer. Production is lengthy but well worth it in the end at least for me. Discipline is also a key ingredient for me. I live a very secluded and disciplined life. I can’t make every event and do what I do. I guard my time and space more carefully at this point.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now? Wow! You are going in with these questions and I love it! Hmmm let’s see… do you want a blacklist of names or are you asking me to be politically correct?!
Honestly, my biggest regrets were the foolishness and cattiness of certain industry clowns. But, it all worked out and smoothed out over time. I’m still standing and I FLY ABOVE! Other than poor choices on networking in the beginning my journey has taught me more than four years at any prestigious university ever could about life and business.
LESSONS+ LEARNED=PRICELESS
How and why does your book differ from books of a similar topic? No, one can write what Venesha writes no matter the genre because there is only one me. I read plenty of books and the characters are moving wrong because I have lived a certain life for over half of my life. So, I know the REAL. They can fool the readers, but not me! Everybody writing Urban Fiction/Street Lit doesn’t have a clue pass their lives. Hard to write about a successful drug dealer when you were the runner. Hard to write about being a basketball player’s wife or mistress when you have never sat in the green room or family and friends section. Hard to write about a record executive when you don’t know one. NEXT!
What would you like your readers to take away from your book? Mistress Me and Notorious – be entertained and swept away on a journey. Also, the jewels I drop about life, loving, and being happy. Mirror Mirror-I aimed to inspire and motivate my readers.
If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different? Choices on who I associated with in addition to business woes.
What advice would you give an aspiring author? Write YOUR book. Research. Beware of wolves in Sheep’s clothing.
Where can readers learn more about you and your books? Urbanbarbiedoll.com
Please identify five recent books (with title and ISBN) that compete most directly with yours. If I could list five books then there wouldn’t be a lane for me!
what about the kennedys 
This article inspired me to continue to write and stop procastinating. Congrats Venesha.
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