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 

====

DuEwa World News! blog is created by DuEwa Frazier. 

Check out DuEwa's latest children's book Alice's Musical Debut!

'Like' DuEwa's author Facebook 

Follow @duewafrazier1 on Twitter or @duewafrazier on Instagram

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.

Follow DuEwa on Twitter @duewafrazier1

SORMAG Winter 2014 Edition Features Interview with DuEwa!

 The Winter 2014 edition of SORMAG – Shades of Romance Magazine is dedicated to children’s and young adult authors and their works!  I am featured in an interview on page 8 of the issue.  

I discuss my latest book, a young adult novel, Deanne in the Middle!  Download or order a print edition of this issue here!

~ DuEwa 
Follow DuEwa on Twitter @duewafrazier1

Give the Gift of Books! Receive an Autographed Book from DuEwa this Season!

Gift the gift of books this season! Order one or more copies of the following Lit Noire Publishing books and receive each one with an original autograph from poet and author, DuEwa Frazier! The following poetry and children’s books are available for author signing and shipping to your work or home address:





- Deanne in the Middle, a young adult novel by DuEwa Frazier (2014)
– Goddess Under the Bridge: Poems by DuEwa Frazier (2013)
– Ten Marbles and a Bag to Put Them In: Poems for Children by DuEwa Frazier (2010)
– Check the Rhyme: An Anthology of Female Poets & Emcees Edited by DuEwa Frazier (2006) NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINATED ANTHOLOGY!
 



All books are on SALE! Perfect gifts for book lovers including book clubs and students! Fee includes USPS or FedEx shipping. Offer and sale ends December 31, 2014.
Contact duewa@duewaworld.com for orders and more information!