1.) Moravian Book Shop – Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 

Moravian Book Shop in Pennsylvania is the oldest bookstore in the United States, and one of the oldest continually operating bookstores in the world! First opened in 1745, the bookstore is part of Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Initially operated independently, the store is now operated by Barnes & Noble as part of the college. 

Fun fact: Dorrance has also operated in Pennsylvania all through its 103 year history!

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2.) Warwick’s – La Jolla, California

Warwick’s is the oldest family-owned and operated bookstore in the United States. The bookstore, founded in 1896, boasts a long and rich history. According to their website, Warwick’s is also a center for author events and a great place to buy gifts in La Jolla, California. 

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3.) Andover Bookstore – Andover, Massachusetts

Founded in 1809, Andover Bookstore is the oldest independently owned and operated bookstore in the United States. With a rich literary history in Massachusetts, Andover Bookstore’s hometown feel and dedication has been a community staple for over 200 years. 

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4.) Brattle Book Shop – Boston, Massachusetts

Brattle Book Shop in downtown Boston specializes in antique books and out-of-print selections. According to their website, they work with the numerous universities in the Boston area, establishing the shop as a true hub for literary studies. In operation since 1825, the shop is owned and operated by the Gloss family. 

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5.) Hakim’s Book Store – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hakim’s Book Store is the first and oldest Black-owned bookstore in Philadelphia. The shop specializes in African-American literature, with a mission to educate Black Philadelphians about their history. Open since 1959, Hakim’s is still on this mission today. 

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6.) The Mysterious Bookshop – New York, New York

Located in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, The Mysterious Bookshop is the oldest bookstore focused exclusively on the mystery genre. According to their website, The Mysterious Bookshop stocks mystery hardcovers, paperbacks and periodicals, and “a superb collection of signed Modern First Editions, Rare/Collectible hardcovers and Sherlockiana.” Whether or not you should check this unique bookstore out isn’t a hard mystery to solve!

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7.) Janke Book Store – Wausau, Wisconsin

Janke Book Store, first opened in 1874, has been a community pillar for generations. The shop sells books, but also prides itself on supplies and other gifts. The independently owned and operated store has survived and served the local community through wars, economic trends, and more. 

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8.) Klindt’s Booksellers & Stationers – The Dalles, Oregon

This store in operation since 1870 is the oldest bookseller in Oregon, as well as a renowned place for stationery! According to their website, Klindt’s is a staple in the community, boasting a book club and offerings for casual readers and bookworms alike. 

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9.) Horton’s Books and Gifts – Carrollton, Georgia

Horton’s has been a staple in the Carrollton, Georgia community for over 130 years. A family affair, Horton’s offered a wide variety of products for sale until gradually focusing on books and gifts only. The store founded in 1891 aims to be a break from the modern world, according to their website. They even have three cats that help take care of business, as pictured above!

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10.) Vroman’s Bookstore – Pasadena, California 

Vroman’s is Southern California’s largest independent bookstore. Founded in 1894, the store has two locations in Pasadena as well as miniature locations in LAX airport. The company has a legacy of philanthropy in the region as well as being a community center. 

Fun fact: Dorrance author Bunny Russell recently held a book event at Vroman’s!

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So, if you ever get the chance, be sure to check out these bookstore mainstays!

Ready to put your book into the world? Contact us!

The post Here are some of the oldest bookstores in the United States! appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Name: Mary Franklin

Hometown: Muskogee

Describe your book in ten words or less: The evil was taking souls deep into darkness for eternity.

What made you want to write the book?

My friend Steven who also is a writer encouraged me to write and not stop or give up.        

How long did it take you to write the book?

5 years of going through data. The case packet is 18 inches thick.

How did you become interested in paranormal investigating?

My parents always spoke about ghosts. I decided at a young age to prove them wrong. I  now know they were not far from wrong. I had questions about the afterlife nobody could answer. So I have been searching for years for some sort of answer to my questions. 

How did you decide what paranormal occurrences or anecdotes to include in the book?

It wasn’t easy. I chose parts that showed demonic infestation are dangerous and can effect our daily lives. Tearing at the very heart of our soul.

What was your favorite chapter or part to write and why?

It had to be bishop Kelly. He gave me words of wisdom. He encouraged me to be safe and stand on my faith. He gave his life trying to cleanse the evil from the house.

Besides paranormal investigating, what are your other interests?

 I am a member of ASPCA. I rescue and place animals in safe forever homes. I teach our young native children about their heritage and preserving our traditions.

How did you celebrate publishing your book?

Besides jumping up and down and smiling feeling proud. My husband and I went out and had a very lovely meal.

Any advice for those looking to get into the paranormal investigation?

Always be respectful of those you can’t see or hear. And not everything is paranormal. Look for the rational before the irrational. But most of all have fun and document everything. 

What do you hope readers will take away from The Murder Suicide House?

To be careful in what you do in the paranormal, evil is all around us just waiting to be released. Be careful in what you do in the paranormal and be respectful. If all seems to be terrifying just leave. Don’t play where evil lives.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Everyone was so helpful and helped me every step of my journey. I have learned so much from everyone. I highly recommend Dorrance Publishing to any new writer.

You can purchase The Murder Suicide House at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Do you want to publish your paranormal or true crime book? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Mary Franklin, “The Murder Suicide House” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

We talked to Ms. Parks about her inspiration for writing the book and more!

Name: Malissa Parks

Hometown: Grew up in Carson, CA and now reside in Long Beach, CA.

Book Title: “I Like Being Brown, This Family & Hero 44”

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

A keepsake for families that teaches young learners to read.

What made you want to write your book?

I wrote this book because of the relevance of the most historical moment in African American History.

How long did it take you to write your book?

It took a year to write this book.

What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

Due to the history that is apparent behind writing this book, I never experienced writer’s block because I definitely was inspired by God. He gave me the wisdom so I knew exactly what I wanted to write about and it came to me naturally!  I knew what I wanted to say and how I wanted to present it. As an educator, I am very passionate about writing, especially writing about a topic that teaches.   

What was your favorite part to write and why?

My favorite part in Small Trilogy is in the story “I Like Being Brown” when Richard, the character, realizes he could be whatever he wanted to be, just being himself!

If your book includes illustrations, what was it like working with your illustrator? 

It was great working with all three of my illustrators. With my son and my nephew as two of them, it was really a surreal moment!! I really pride all three young men on making each picture come alive in the minds of children.

If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why:

-One friend or family member:

My son because he’s always been my little protector.

-One fictional character:

Character in the book, Richard because of his big imagination!

–One famous person (living or dead):

Maya Angelou because I love her thought process when creating some of her most famous and cultural poems and quotes.

What are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy skating, swimming, singing and socializing.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

The main characters would be Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad, Denzel Washington, Tyler James Williams, Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Marsai Martin, Jennifer Lewis with a splash of Sherri Shepard.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Receiving my Author’s copy of my finished project!

Five favorite books of all time?

“Becoming,” “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters,” “Beloved,” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to write a children’s book?

To write a good children’s book, you must be a creative writer with a big imagination that kids can relate to!

You can purchase I Like Being Brown now at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Have an educational children’s book you’d like to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Malissa Parks, “I Like Being Brown, This Family & Hero 44” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

With our Book Promotion Website Package, you’ll receive a professionally designed, 3-page website that features your book, a profile of you as the author, and information on your motivation for writing your book. We’ll create your site, register a domain in your name, and pay your hosting fees for one year. When your site is complete, we’ll show you how to easily update the content on the site whenever you’d like. 

If Dorrance’s Book Promotion Website Package is not right for you, there are many other options. GoDaddy.com, Squarespace.com, Wix.com, and WordPress.com are examples of services where you can build a website. Wix and WordPress both have free options. Free blog services like Google’s Blogger are also an option. There are a lot of companies out there that can help you, so feel free to find the one that best suits your needs. 

The budget you have for a website will determine what you end up with. Purchasing a custom domain name will always cost a small fee (ex. yourname.com) but there are a range of services where you can build a website or blog. The cost can range from free to very expensive. 

What content should you include on your website?

Some information to include on your website:

• Publisher information.
• Contact information for yourself. (to the degree you are comfortable with.)
• Media Information: press release, cover image, etc.
• Where-to-Buy links: Make sure you link to your book on our website, not just to the home page.
• Social media accounts
• ISBN: This is the 13-digit number on the back of your book. It should start with 978. ISBN is an important number for booksellers and librarians.
• Book Title, and Author Name: This is important to have in the text of your web page because the text is what search engines are looking for.

What else should you include on your website?

Whether you are using a free, simple blog service or have started a more in-depth custom website, here are some ideas for content to include in an author website: 

• News about you: Whenever you are in the news, post a link to the video, article, radio interview, etc. And don’t forget to share that information with us as well!
• Key points about your work: Regularly post tidbits about your book, including major points of interest or plot points.  Post reader responses that might make others more inclined to read it as well. Think of unique things to say about your work.
• Photos and Videos: Make sure you post your photos of book events, signings, award ceremonies you attend, and conferences and workshops at which you are the speaker. A good picture is worth a thousand words!
• News related to your topic: Link to legitimate news articles related to your book subject or genre. 
• A guest blogger or review another author’s book.
• Share a video of you reading a sample of your book.
• Share what you are doing on a professional level. Are you working on another book? Did you just meet your favorite author? Look for reasons to keep people tuned in to what you are saying.
• Do a Q&A or poll.  If one person has asked a question, then there are probably five people thinking the same question.
• Consider posting your playlist. Several well-known authors do this and have attracted fans who may be listening to the same type of music as them!

Contact us about building your website!

Need your book published? Let us know!

The post How to Build the Perfect Website For Authors appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

One such book is Appalachia Campfire Cooking: Good Campfire Meals Make a Happy Camper by Johnnie Lacy. This book features advice for cooking when you’re camping, and other tips for campers. We spoke to the author Johnnie Lacy about the book.

Describe your book in a sentence.

This book will be a great source of guidance for all camp lovers  out there, from helping you pick out the perfect camping spot to  providing a plethora of delicious and easy recipes.

What made you want to write the book?

Taking a break from the humdrum of everyday life is something that all of us deserve. 

How did you decide which recipes to include?

Recipes I use the most when camping.

What was your favorite part of the book to write and why?

My camping Experience, because it gives the reader a look at how I did it.

How long has camping been a part of your life?

Over 50 years.

Outside of camping (and writing this book), what are your other interests?

Auto racing and horse back riding.

What are some of your favorite books?

DW by Darrell Waltrip

More Mountain Spirits by Joseph Earl Dabney

How to Shit in the Woods by Kathleen Meyer

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

Book signing at the Acworth, GA Bookstore.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Dorrance is a Professional Book Publisher.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to write their own book?

Just go ahead and do it now.

Thank you, Jonnie!

Appalachia Campfire Cooking: Good Campfire Meals Make a Happy Camper and other books about the GREAT OUTDOORS are available at the Dorrance Bookstore for 25% off with the code HAPPYTRAILS at checkout!

Have a recipe or GREAT OUTDOORS book you would like to publish? Contact us!

The post Learn how to cook on camping trips with Johnnie Lacy! appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Name: Joy Winkie Viola

Hometown: Wayland, Massachusetts

Book Title: From Schnitzel to Nockerln And Everything That Happened In Between

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

Travel adventures, often humorous, about nature on all seven continents.

What made you want to write your book?

Before my husband died of COVID, I had been reading my old travel diaries to him. I realized there were many good stories within them that I thought others would enjoy.

What do you do when you have writer’s block?

Edit! I can always edit existing copy when the muse isn’t with me!

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

Face to Face with a Polar Bear –  because it was such an unusual experience living in the tundra buggies, dealing with difficult weather conditions and being with the great bears. I really wanted to share that multi-faceted adventure.

If you were stuck on an island had to choose who to be with of the following, who would you choose?

-One friend or family member: Shane Dore, my great nephew. He’s an Eagle Scout!

-One fictional character: Shadow, he Golden retriever in the movie Homeward Bound

-One famous person: Betty White

Besides Writing, what are your other interests? Travel, birding, gardening, Golden Retriever Rescue, reading mysteries and spy novels.

Do you keep a journal?

Always when traveling – those journals were the basis for my book.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

I had a great book launch at our local country club with hors d’oeuvres and a string trio from our local symphony playing classical music. 90 people attended.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the characters?

That’s a tough question because the book spans so many decades of our lives.  Maybe Jessica Chastain could play me and Channing Tatum my husband. They are both in their 40’s so that’s midstream – not that this would ever happen!

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing? The editing process as I had so many unusual terms, names of bird species etc. for which we had to develop style that wasn’t in the Chicago Manual.

What are your 5 favorite books?

1) The Unlikely Spy (because it was Daniel Silva’s first book – and he’s now one of my favorites

2) All Creatures Great and Small (Because I love animals)

3) Cry of the Kalahari ( Because it was a wonderful story about African wildlife)

4) The Last Train to London (because it parallel’s my husband’s childhood experience in World War 11)

5) The Little Engine That Could (childhood book, but inspiring theme)

One sentence of advice for other writers:

Be consistent. Once you decide to write a book, stay with it daily.

Thank you, Joy!

Do you have a memoir you are itching to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Joy Winkie Viola appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

What is your name and where are you from?

Bill Humbert – I grew up in Hyattsville, MD. For the past 12.5 years, we have lived in Park City, UT.

Describe your book in 10 words or less:

Step by Step Guide to Find A New Career

What made you want to write Expect Success! The Science of the Over 50 Career Search?

From March 15, 2020 to December 31, 2020, during the height of Covid-19, I coached 32 Professionals in their searches for a new position. Only 4 of those Professionals were less than 50 years old. At the beginning of our coaching, they all were concerned that no company would hire them because of their age. I coached them all to new positions – eleven of them received increases in compensation and 4 of those received 30% or more increases. One gentleman was 66 years old. I coached him into another CFO position.

What was your favorite part of the book to write and why?

Salary negotiation is painful for most people. I am RecruiterGuy.com with over 40 years of recruiting experience. I know what candidates should say – and what they Should Not say! My book is written in Steps to find a new Career – The Step called “Strong Salary Negotiation” was my favorite step because it is so painful for most people – and I make it easier.

What is one thing you have learned in your career that might surprise people?

Over 40 years of Professional Recruiting experience, I have read over 400,000 resumes. Most people are shocked when they learn that in my first pass I only average 6 seconds reading their resume – and I was timed in 1993 by Andrea, my assistant. Hopefully, my time has improved since then!

Outside of your career (and writing this book), what are your other interests?

I enjoy spending time with Linda, my wife of 48 years and our daughters and their families. I love hiking in the mountains and sharing my favorite spots with families, friends, and Deer Valley Resort guests. When I get moments alone, I enjoy reading books.

What are some of your favorite books?

Professional – “Topgrading: How Leading Companies Win By Hiring, Coaching, and Keeping The Best People by Bradford D. Smart, Ph.D.

“The Four Commitments Of A Winning Team” by Mark Eaton

“What To Do When It’s Your Turn (and it’s always your turn)” by Seth Godin

Personal – I devoured the Robert B. Parker Series in the 1990s. I enjoy the mystery series by David Baldacci, the Tom Clancy series, and books that describe historical events.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

When I received notice that I would receive my Author copy last Monday, I contacted Park City TV to set my 127th television interview as the Reveal for my book last Wednesday – My 127th #TVInterview is the Reveal for “Expect Success! The Science Of The Over 50 Career Search” – YouTube

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

Working with professionals, like you, in Promotions!

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to write their own book?

This is my 3rd published book. Follow these three steps –

1. Find a Topic that you are passionate about
2. Outline your message and then begin to write
3. Listen to your brain when it gives you a great addition to your book – for me, that is generally 2 or 3 AM. The code between my wife and me is, “The Words just have to get out!”

Then either find a publisher like Dorrance Publishing, or find a great Editor, Cover Designer, and Page Designer.

Finally, promote your book, Promote Your Book, PROMOTE YOUR BOOK!

Thank you, Bill!

You can purchase Expect Success! The Science of the Over 50 Career Search at the Dorrance Publishing bookstore.

Are you a seasoned professional and want to write a book about your experiences? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Bill Humbert appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

1. Establish professional profiles

If you do not have professional profiles on the major social media sites, now is the time to make them! Creating professional profiles can be intimidating, especially if you are newer to social media or you are used to the personal social media account you’ve had for years. In any event, establishing professional social media accounts as an author will help you better connect with your readers, community, and the broader world of books. This is especially true if you write under a pen name.

Create a page for yourself on Facebook that can be “liked” by anyone. Similarly, create a Twitter and Instagram account under your author name. Make sure the branding is consistent between the accounts. For example, use the same profile photo and bio across the different platforms. If you can, use the same username on Twitter and Instagram, and a similar page URL on Facebook.

Keep in mind that while these accounts are professional, they can still showcase your personality. You should highlight your passion for your book and speak in a way that is natural to you. Authenticity is a huge selling point in itself!

2. Facebook groups

In addition to having a professional page, joining Facebook groups will help you use the platform to its greatest potential. Becoming a member of Facebook groups is a great way to narrow down possible readers, instead of posting to the entire world and hoping for the best.

For example, if your book is a historical fiction novel, join a Facebook group for people who are passionate about the specific era of history your novel takes place in. If your book is a memoir about a family, join a Facebook group for genealogists – people who do research on family trees, family history, etc.

Once you become part of a community on Facebook, you can invite people in the group to like your professional author page. You can also invite them to attend any events you might have to promote your book. People are more likely to see these invitations and respond to them if you have previously made a connection and earned trust with the group.

3. Find your Twitter niche

Twitter is also a terrific way to find an audience for your book. Start by following accounts that are of interest to your book topic. From there, you will be recommended other users that you might find interesting. You can use the search bar to search for tweets containing words and hashtags related to your book topic.

Not only that, but you can use Twitter to build relationships with other writers and individuals in your specific community. What sets Twitter apart from other platforms is how interactive it is. Striking up conversations with other users is normal and integral to one’s presence there. By interacting with others in your community, you can build a following, earn trust, and ultimately increase your visibility on the platform.

Additionally, Twitter thrives off the news of the day, or real time information. While Facebook and Instagram postings can be more delayed, people on Twitter talk about what is happening in the moment across the world. This can be seen by observing the “Trending” tab. Take advantage of trends when appropriate for you and your book – if you can make a connection between a trending topic and your work, make it!

4. Use Instagram for visuals

While Twitter and Facebook are great for posts containing both text and images, Instagram is without a doubt the most visual app out of the big social media platforms. On your professional author Instagram account, you can post photo and video content that will attract people to your book. Post photos of your book, pictures that relate to your book’s setting if it is a novel, or interesting photos relating to your book’s topic. If your book is poetry, post short excerpts with accompanying graphics.

Like Twitter, on Instagram you should search for and follow accounts that relate to your book topic, or other authors and industry professionals. Search through hashtags to find content related to your book topic, and make sure to attach relevant hashtags to your posts.

Be sure to utilize the Instagram Stories, Reels, and Live features. Increasingly, these can get more engagement than a post on one’s main profile. Use Stories to post everyday updates – talk directly to your followers about your day, what you are up to in promoting your book, or what your life is like. Be open and authentic, but also be wary of oversharing.

Reels is used to post longer videos, such as a video of you unboxing copies of your book. Instagram Live allows you to interact with your audience in real time. Set a time and theme for an Instagram Live session and advertise it across your other social media channels. Events such as a Q&A session about yourself or your book are great for Instagram Live. Make sure to pay attention from comments from users while you are in the live session.

5. Get involved with Goodreads

Finally, Goodreads is the largest community for readers on the internet. Think of it as a social media site but for people who are very invested in reading, communicating with other readers, and having access to authors. As a published author, you can claim your author profile on Goodreads and use it to promote your book. Goodreads offers the unique opportunity for users to make longer posts than Twitter and Instagram. In turn, readers can leave honest reviews of your book. Goodreads is a great slower-paced addition to your social media promotion toolkit.

We hope these tips are helpful in your journey.

Be sure to follow Dorrance Publishing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok!

Look out for our posts about your book, and make sure to repost them onto your pages!

The post 5 Tips for Promoting Your Book On Social Media appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Hometown: Marshall, Texas 

Book: Of Life and Love

Genre: Poetry and Verse

Dorrance Publishing (DP): Describe your book in 10 words or less.

Lee Hendon (LH): Poems and verse from personal experiences and ah-ha moments.

DP: What made you want to write your book? 

LH: Perhaps there are those out there with similar experiences?

DP: How long did it take you to write your book?

LH: Off and on a collection of several years.

DP: How do you choose the names of your characters?

LH: Self-expressions based on me, myself, and I.

DP: What do you do when you have writer’s block?

LH: I wait for creative inspiration to move me.

DP: What were your favorite passages to write?

LH: “Is It You Whisperwine” and “I Once Loved a Girl”

DP: If you were stuck on an island and had to have one character from your book, one fictional character, and one famous person, who would they be and why?

LH: The fictional character from my book would be Whisperwind, my perfect lover.  The fictional character would be Elise from Somewhere In Time, and in terms of one famous person, let it be Jesus. I would love to experience his love, compassion, and peace.

DP: Besides writing, what are your other interests? 

LH: I am a triathlete and avid motorcyclist.

DP: Do you keep a journal? 

LH: No, just my poetry as it comes to me.

DP: How did you celebrate the publishing of your book? 

LH: Quietly with no fanfare.

DP: What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

LH: Dorrance has been very helpful in walking me through the steps.

DP: Three favorite books of all time?

LH: The Bible, The Bridge Across Forever, and Lightning

DP: One sentence of advice for other writers?

LH: Creative energy will choose you, you cannot lead or direct it.

Are you ready to publish your book? Contact us today!

The post Author Spotlight: R. Lee Hendon appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Hometown: Metairie, LA

Book: Simone.

Genre: Fiction

DP: Describe your book in 10 words or less. 

SP: Juicy and a great read.

DP: What made you want to write your book? 

SP: Well, I always wanted to write a book, I just needed to take the time to do it. I didn’t know where the words were going to come from, but I knew I wanted to make my mark on life somehow. I was also going through a divorce and needed something to take my mind off what was going on at the time.

DP: How long did it take you to write your book? 

SP: It took about six months to write my book.

DP: How do you choose the names of your characters? 

SP: Most of the time it just comes to me! I think to myself, “How would this name fit this particular character?” and then the selection just pops up in my head. Sometimes I would search online to look up a name if I can’t make a proper decision.

DP: What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

SP: When I have writer’s block, I get away from my workspace–no matter the time–and I walk around my neighborhood. I find that walking opens my mind and allows me to get my gears going again.

DP: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 

SP: My favorite part to write was the telling of how Simone’s parents met back in the 70s. It was my favorite part to write our of the book because I am sort of fascinated by the culture of the 70s.

DP: If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why? 

SP: One character from your book:  My main character, Simone. We have a lot in common, so time would fly by just with us blabbing away about our lives, making jokes while surviving on the island. 

One fictional character: Nola Darling from Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It. It is a series on Netflix that tells the life of this independent artist. She reminds me of myself in my younger years and I believe we’d mesh well, with discussions of life, men and art.

One famous person: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I would love to pick his brain on what he thinks of society as a whole and if he thinks we have truly progressed when it comes to equality and tolerance.

DP: Besides writing, what are your other interests?  

SP: My other interests are shopping, dining out, walking, listening to music and I am an amateur at playing guitar.

DP: Do you keep a journal? 

SP: No. I do not keep a journal because every time I started one in the past, I never kept up with it.

DP: How did you celebrate the publishing of your book? 

SP: I smoked a cigar.

DP: If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?   

SP: If I had the pleasure of my book being made into a movie, I would have model Mame Adjei as Simone, Ryan Gosling as Michael and Wilson Cruz as Adon.

DP: What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing? 

SP: I enjoyed how they kept in touch with me over the tiniest detail and were considerate and professional at the same time.

DP: Five favorite books of all time?

SP: Little Black Girl Lost Books 1-5 by Keith Lee Johnson

DP: One sentence of advice for other writers? 

SP: Never stop writing no matter how long it takes to finish your book–I guarantee someone will love it!

Are you ready to publish your book? Contact us today!

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