with Brooke Green
Urban Reviews: Tell us about your latest book You, Me, and He.
Brooke Green: You, Me and He takes a look at what happens
when a woman chooses to stay in a relationship with her bisexual fiance. Donna has found her ideal man in Keith Reed. He’s smart,
handsome, kind, and most importantly, successful. But there is one
catch, he’s bisexual. Donna receives the shock of her life when she
walks in on Keith receiving oral pleasure from his married friend
and old college roommate, Jarrod. Fearful of starting a new
relationship in the age of the ‘down low’ man, Donna decides to take
Keith back, on the condition that he end his friendship with Jarrod.
She feels with Keith, there is no guessing about his sexuality; she
knows exactly who and what he is. Trust becomes a major issue in
their relationship when Donna soon discovers Keith has been keeping
in contact with Jarrod behind her back.
Keith Reed is a handsome, charming and successful business owner
who, until being caught in the act by Donna, was on the down low.
Growing up, Keith knew he was attracted to men, but he didn’t
consider himself gay or even bisexual. In his mind, he didn’t fit
the mold of the flamboyant and flashy men who lived that life. His
sexual longings were satiated when, in his sophomore year in
college, Keith was seduced by his roommate Jarrod, the campus ladies
man. Later, Keith rejects Jarrod’s continued advances and meets
Donna, the woman he plans to marry. When Donna discovers his
sexuality, Keith is sure he’s lost her forever. But, after promising
his loyalty and professing his love, Keith is able to convince Donna
to give him another chance. Relieved to have Donna back in his life,
Keith must now contend with Jarrod’s obsession, and having his
biggest fear come to life, which is having his closeted life exposed
to the world, especially his father. Keith resists the urge for a
final fling with Jarrod, as he is relentless in attaining his goal,
having Keith to himself.
Jarrod is a successful lawyer who is obsessed with either getting
Keith, or getting back at Keith. Despite being married and having a
baby on the way with his college sweetheart, Jackie, Jarrod
continues to indulge in unprotected sex with several women and men,
including the pastor of the local church and Sabrina, a friend of
Donna. Jarrod harbors a hatred of women, which is evident in his
treatment of Jackie and obvious contempt for his mother. Jarrod’s
fixation with Keith leads to his hatred of Donna, who he believes is
standing in the way of him being with Keith.
You, Me and He is full of drama and characters you will love to
hate.
Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea for this
particular storyline?
Brooke Green: I kept wondering what would happen if a
woman discovered her man was bisexual but chose to stay anyway.
I know there are women who stay and I wanted to explore the issues
that take place in those relationships. I mean, I know a few
women who have a boyfriend/husband who is a little suspect and I
wonder if she sees and/or knows it and doesn't care or if she's just
a little oblivious to what's right in front of her face. Some women
leave and some stay and I was curious about what goes on when they
choose the latter. In addition to the 'normal' relationship issues
we all have, there has to be a whole new set of problems that they
face. For one, if a man cheats with a woman it's one thing but if
it's with another man, how can we compete with that? We can't. Now
you are not only insecure about him with other women, you are scared
to see him go hang out with his boys.
Urban Reviews: What was the most difficult part of writing
your novel?
Brooke Green: I can't say any part was difficult. All in all it was a
fulfilling process. From start to finish, it took me seven weeks to
complete You, Me and He.
Urban Reviews: You published You, Me, and He under your own
company called Full Circle Publishing. What made you decide to
self-publish?
Brooke Green: I initially wanted to go the traditional route but
after numerous rejection letters from Literary Agents, I decided to
take matters into my own hands and make it happen.
Urban Reviews: What are some of the challenges that you've
faced as a new author?
Brooke Green: A lot of people go to the bookstore with
their minds already made up about what book they are going to buy
so, trying to get people to buy my book when I'm an unknown, is a
little daunting. But the great part is that after they've read You,
Me and He they love it. All of the feedback I've received has been
great and hopefully those people will tell their friends and so on
and so forth.
Urban Reviews: What have you learned about the book industry
so far?
Brooke Green: I've learned that there is a lot of competition out here...lol...just
kidding. I've learned to have a whole new respect for the business
of self-publishing, marketing and promotions. Thankfully, I've met
some really great people who have really welcomed me into the
publishing 'family'.
Urban Reviews: Any advice to aspiring authors who are
interested in self-publishing?
Brooke Green: If you are looking to self-publish,
be prepared to work. Hard. Understand that while you will see a
larger return on your sales, you will also have to put up more up
front. Treat your publishing company as a real business and manage
your finances very, very wisely. Look at other successful
self-publishers and authors to see how they market and promote and
expand on that. Be prepared to have your patience tested. Understand
that overnight sensations don't really happen overnight. Know your
audience and market accordingly. Beware of people trying to
capitalize off of your naiveté by selling you a dream. There's a
million other things to be said on this but I'm still learning.
Urban Reviews: Are you working on any upcoming projects?
Brooke Green: Right now I am working on my second novel and the third book will be
the sequel to You, Me and He. I also plan on writing a young adult
novel. I hope to also publish other authors in the future, namely my
daughter, Nadira, who is an excellent writer.
Urban Reviews: What's the best advice you've gotten from a
fellow author?
Brooke Green: Nakea Murray of The Literary Consultant Group
has been a huge help in this whole process. There have been times
when I was unsure about everything and she was there to talk me
down. She has her feet planted firmly in this industry and I am
extremely lucky to be working with her. Anna J, the author of Get
Money Chicks and My Woman, His Wife, and Anya Nicole, author of the
soon-to-be released Corporate Corner Boys, have shared their tactics
on guerrilla marketing. Let me tell you, Anya is serious
about marketing...lol...she is good. And Karen E. Quinones-Miller
has been great as well. I attended one of her self-publishing
workshops and she is a wealth of knowledge. I love that about her
because you don't too often find people in the same business as you,
no matter what business, who are will to teach you everything they
know. Last but not least Miasha. While I don't know her personally,
I love what she is doing. She is branding herself and I have a
tremendous amount of respect for her and her business acumen.
Urban Reviews: Is there anything additional you would like to
share about yourself or your book?
Brooke Green: You, Me and He is not about me...lol.
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Read our review of You, Me And He in the
AA Fiction section.
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