Author Spotlight: Nathaniel Terrell

 

Poet Nathaniel Terrell 

Is There Not a Cause? by Nathaniel Terrell 

Available at Atmosphere Press, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

About the Poet

Nathaniel Terrell is an author, poet, writer and artist. He is currently promoting a collection of poems titled,  Is there not a cause, published by Atmosphere Press.  Other of his work has been in publications and online platforms including New Plains Review, Maudlin House, Nine Cloud Journal, Havik, Finding The Birds, Connecting Perspectives, Lifewriting.com, The Inside Interviews, Open Mic Night Poetry Podcast and more. He resides in Western, NY.

Poet Nathaniel Terrell is the author of Is There Not a Cause? Check out my interview with this poet!

Congratulations on your new book! Tell me about your latest work? What inspired it? 

NT: Thank you. Is there not a cause is a collection of poems that speak from time and experience, pain, loss, hope, calls for change, reflection and a creative voice within. This powerful manuscript was written over a span of six years. I incorporated much of what I was going through during that period. My imagination along with the social and political climates in this country and around the world were big inspirations as well

How did you get started as an author/ poet? 

NT: Putting lyrics together and writing songs and stories are things I could do as far back as my teens. But I didn't get serious and commit to becoming an author and poet until the end 2008.

Who are your favorite authors? Poets?

NT: Gil Scott Heron, Tupac Shakur, Edgar Allen Poe, King David, Erica LaShei

What has your writing life been like during the pandemic? Do you have a writing schedule? If yes, please explain. 

NT: It seems like during the pandemic I've noticed more opportunities for writers to be published. I really don't have a schedule, most of my time lately has been promoting, entering and competing for various book awards. And I am putting together drafts for my next collection.

What themes are most present in your work and why?

NT: Growth, dealing with pain, regret, faith, love, injustice and scenes of life.

These themes are most present in my work because at some point in many of our lives these are the things we endure. Many times the weight of these occurrences can make life difficult. My goal as a writer is to encourage anyone who reads my book to not give up and that oftentimes life can be unpleasant but you are not alone.

How do you connect with readers and your overall audience/ fan base? 

NT: I think it's a combination of passion, creativity and that I bare my soul through words, songs and stories. Also I feel like people connect because I ask questions and try to present my words in a way that causes the reader/listener to think and feel.

What are a few tips you have for new poets or authors?

NT: Sign up or use Submittable. This platform has connected me with the majority of the presses/publications/journals and online platforms that have published my work. Don't allow the rejections to break your spirit or discourage you. Understand rejection is part of the process!

Believe in yourself and your abilities. Maintain the commitment to perfect your craft

Where else has your writing been featured?

NT: Maudlin House, New Plain Review, Finding The Birds, Connecting Perspectives, Havik, Nine Cloud Journal, Open Mic Night Poetry Podcast, Lifewriting.com, UHyped Radio and more.

What’s next for you?

NT: I plan to continue to promote and sell my book. Also create more content for my social media pages. I have more interviews lined up and several book reviews that will be published soon.

Where can we find your work? Where can we follow or “fan” you?

NT: Follow me on Instagram @life.mid. Also follow me on Facebook, YouTube, and Reverbnation. You can find my book at Atmosphere Press, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble.

Children's Author Spotlight: Chance to Dance by Keisha Bussey

Keisha Bussey 

Chance to Dance by Keisha Bussey Illustrated by Tyrus Goshay

Author Bio

Keisha Bussey is the author of Chance to Dance. She is also a dance educator. Keisha has a passion for dance and life with her students and colleagues.  She has been a dance educator for 19 years.  She believes in implementing dance books into dance curriculum.  As a little girl, she always had a love for books.  Her mother taught her to enhance her imagination while reading.  Keisha credits her early reading with her mother for an increase in her reading fluency as she became a more effective reader throughout school.  She also credits her third-grade teacher, Ms. Curry with inspiring her love for reading and books.  

Author Interview

DF: Tell us about your journey as a writer.  When did you start?  

KB: My journey as a writer was a long process because I started with a chapter book then decided I to change it to a children’s book. I started writing years ago, brainstorming on ideas I could write  in my journal to creating my manuscript. There were a few life changing things that came up so the process was longer than I expected.  I’m happy for the  learning experience in becoming an author. I’m a visual person so I wanted lots of illustrations for my children’s book. 

DF: Who are some of your favorite writers? 

KB: Maya Angelou and Alice Walker 

DF: Tell us about your current children's book. 

KB: Chance to Dance tells the story of Keisha, a fierce, sassy, dancer who full of energy and excited to learn how to dance. This book allows children to “Dream Big,” follow their hearts desires, believe in themselves, have a vision, and pursue it!

DF: What inspired you to write this book? 

KB: I have always wanted to write a children’s book because I have a passion for dance. My inspiration came from  my third grade  reading teacher.

DF: What has been the reaction to your book?

KB: The best reaction from my book has been my adult friends have said, “I love this book, it  makes me inspired to do what I want in life. You have giving me hope to “DREAM BIG” too. 

DF: In what ways do you keep a connection to your readers and audience?

KB: I’m getting ready to do a Chance to Dance book tour . I have social media to keep us connected, and I also have a book club I will start to do. 

DF: What advice do you have for aspiring children's authors?  

KB: My advice is to do what you love to do. Learn lots of things  while you are young. Continue to read books and  challenge yourself to new adventures. 

DF: What’s next for you (projects, events, etc.)? 

KB: Book Signing and book launch coming up soon. Chance to Dance book tour, and book club coming up next. 

DF: How can we connect with you on social media? 

KB: Facebook Dancing Keisha and Chance to Dance 

Instagram @dancingkeishachancetodance
www.fierce6elitedance.com 

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DuEwa World News! blog is created by DuEwa Frazier. 

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Author Interview: Keke Chanel

Author Interview:  Keke Chanel 

Author, Keke Chanel

Silence by Keke Chanel

Keke Chanel is a delightful author who I meet online a few years ago.  She promotes via her blog and websites and is the author of several books to date. Read my interview with Keke to find out more about this powerhouse author! 

~ DuEwa

About the Author 

KeKe Chanel grew up in the small town of Greensburg, Louisiana in a home filled to the brim with siblings and personalities, so it’s a wonder how she found a quiet space for anything. “I hid under my bed.” That’s the answer she is likely to give if ever asked how she managed it. Sharing a house with three other children was very trying at times. Yet, KeKe always found solace in a book. In third grade, KeKe began writing poetry. Over time, her collection of notebooks expanded as did her love for the art of writing.

In 2006, she started work on her first book “Wicked Love” which will be released sometime in the near future. Starting a blog in 2010 opened up a great platform to showcase her work. Receiving positive feedback from her audience, KeKe decided to put her short-stories into book form and published her debut novel Deadly In Stilettos in 2012. KeKe Chanel won her first Literary Award in 2014 “The Artie Award for Literature,” and has been featured in VTWILLI Magazine. She is also a recipient of the BWABC Literacy Rocks Author of The Year Award. KeKe has been showcased on blog talk radio shows such as My Cultural Conversations with Verona Mitchell and Let’s Talk with Ms. Shanell.

KeKe attends events within her community and throughout the state, as well as meet and greets with local Book Clubs who feature her work. In January of 2014, KeKe along with her best friend and Manager Latarra started The Purple Hugs Foundation. A non-profit organization geared to help teenagers, grades 7-12 prepare for life after high school. Their goal is to inspire and motivate youth with a positive mindset and environment. For more information about The Purple Hugs Foundation, please visit www.thepurplehugsfoundation.org.“Giving back to the people who support me is very important.”

KeKe is a wife and mother. She enjoys reading, making up her own songs, watching football and movies, shopping, spending time with loved ones, and playing games on her IPad. She resides in Louisiana with her family. For more information about Keke Chanel visit her website: www.thekekechanel.com.

Tell us about your journey as a writer.  When did you start? 
My Journey as  a writer began in the third grade. It started due to my love for poetry after being introduced to it by my teacher. Years later, I would make up short stories about my family and friends, and as they say, the rest is history. I didn’t write my first novel until 2005, but it was lost when Hurrican Katrina hit. My computer hard drive was destroyed and I hadn’t saved it anywhere else. I took that as a sign to pursue a different path and stopped writing for a while, but I wasn’t able to escape it long. I found myself writing something daily at my job. So, in 2006 I started what would become my debut novel Deadly In Stilettos. Since then, I have released ten books. 

Who are some of your favorite writers? 
That list can become quite long. Lol. There are so many writers a love and admire. My top five would have to be: Eric Jerome Dickey, Brenda Jackson, Stephen King, Kimberla Lawson Roby, and Octavia Butler. Since becoming a full-time author, I’ve met many amazingly talented authors that are now on my list of favorites. I am an avid reader when I’m not writing. Books ROCK!! 

Tell us about your current book (s). 
My current book is called Silence. It is my first paranormal suspense. I’m super excited about it because paranormal suspense is my favorite genre. It is set in the fictitious small town of Milledgeville, where an eight-year-old girl was taken and never found. She is trapped in limbo and blames the town for her current state, so she seeks revenge on anyone deemed fit. Savannah Rose, the main character is out for justice and won’t stop until it’s had.   

What inspired you to write this book? 
I was inspired to write this book from a dream. The concept just kinda happened and I was hooked. The questions plaguing me were: “What would happen if people saw but wasn’t really paying attention to their surroundings? Through all the Noise, can we truly hear the Silence?” Silence is the deadliest scream! I want readers to place themselves inside the story. As I developed the plot, it played out in my mind like a movie. I wanted the story to evoke every emotion to the reader as they take the journey through the eyes of Savannah Rose and what happened to her. 

Who is your audience? 
My audience is very broad, from age 13 and up, male or female. It doesn’t matter the cultural background. Silence has a cast of characters that will challenge readers. Some you can figure out, others, you cannot. I don’t like to totally give away the ethnicity of my characters. I want readers to see themselves within the story. 

What do you hope your audience will get from your work? 
In any KeKe Chanel work, readers will definitely be entertained and inspired. I want my audience to feel they can handle any obstacle thrown their way and come out a better person. My stories and characters are all faced with challenges, but they always persevere. My goal is to uplift, as well as provide an escape to a world of wonder, intrigue, and unpredictability.         

What has been the reaction to your book(s)? 
I’ve received great feedback about Silence. Just the other day I received an inbox via Facebook from a reader saying how much they enjoyed the story. Silence has been out a few weeks, and I’m very pleased with what readers are saying. If I can get them to post a review, that would be even better. I don’t know why, but lots of readers don’t post reviews. My other books are receiving amazing reactions as well. I don’t like reading the same plots and storylines, so I do my best to stay away from that. You can bet your last dollar that a KeKe Chanel book won’t be like any other. There will always be something different, special, and genuine within each and every one of them. I pour more and more of myself with each new work. I’ve had readers to tell me that. It makes me a better writer. 

In what ways do you keep a connection to your readers and audience? 
I keep a connection to my readers by inviting them to join my Facebook group KeKe Chanel Books. I also engage with them via various social media platforms. I have a blog: www.kickinitwithkeke.blogspot.com where I encourage them to comment and connect. I have a page on my website www.thekekechanel.com. where they can leave comments and send emails to me, which I manage myself. I do several events where I personally interact with the people. I take photos, sign books, etc. to stay connected with my readers. It’s essential in maintaining relevance and longevity in this industry. People tend to support someone they can relate to or feel comfortable with. Saying “hello” or offering a warm smile has never hurt anyone. 

What advice do you have for aspiring authors? 
My advice to aspiring authors is to study your craft, practice makes perfects, and never allow a negative comment about your work to deter you from pursuing your passion. Surround yourself with people who support you and return the favor. Write daily whether it’s a sentence or a paragraph to keep your creative flow. And lastly, humble yourself accordingly. People don’t have to support you, appreciate the ones who do. 

What’s next for you (projects, events, etc.)? 
I am working on my next book project as we speak. It will release in 2017. It’s called Deliver Me From Darkness. This upcoming year will be wonderful for KeKe Chanel. I have a few things brewing. I will also be attending several events throughout the year as always. Go to my website and subscribe to stay in the know.

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