Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with CaSandra Mathis - Author of Drayton Clarke, Tools Of The Trade

Urban Reviews: Tell the readers about Drayton Clarke, Tools of the Trade.
CaSandra Mathis: Drayton Clarke, Tools of the Trade is a hard hitting, gutter reality of a young boy’s struggle to survive one of the roughest cities in urban America—Halstion Park, GA, aptly coined, Hell Town, The Forgotten Hood. A child prodigy with intellect and wisdom beyond his years, seven year old Drayton awakens to the nightmarish battle of his young life when a pedophile creeps into his bedroom. Born to a mother who finds greater solace in running the streets than raising her only child, he’s often left to fend for himself. Surviving the worse earns him major street credit that catapults him into a series of adult experiences no child should have to undergo. As time passes, his years long bout of life altering tragedies culminate, tearing a permanent hole in his young soul when he witnesses the brutal murder of his mother and father. Shortly after, he’s placed in foster care miles from all that he’s come to know and love. Hated for his very existence, it isn’t long before a racism driven beating leaves now twelve year old Drayton clinging to life as he’s left for dead in the freezing, January snow. His battered, unconscious body is found by the daughter of a distinguished gentleman and untouchable man of means. Under the tutelage of this self-appointed, surrogate father the young mastermind enters the nation’s top academy of accelerated learning where he undergoes vast tactical and martial arts training. Displaying an unprecedented gift for combat and maturity beyond his years, at fifteen Drayton becomes the only minor to be honored with an induction into the army of Architects; covert agents who kill to exact proper design. His awarded specialty is one that holds personal interest and a desire to succeed at all costs—eradicating pedophiles. Drayton embarks upon a mission that spans the globe; a journey that brings him full circle at the tender age of sixteen when he returns to Hell Town to rebuild the hood from which he came and effect positive change in the expanded crew of delinquents from which his street savvy was born.

Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea for the novel?
CaSandra Mathis: The idea stems from a culmination of things both seen and experienced growing up in then developing Milwaukee, WI. A lot of gangs and hell raisers that cropped up over the past few decades were either just getting started, or fine tuning their craft to wreak havoc down the road. We weren’t as big as New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, nor as crime riddled population wise, but we had our share of gangs, violence, robberies, shootings, racial hate crimes, and beat downs. I learned a lot about street life from reading Donald Goines, Iceberg Slim, and other greats of my era as early as eight and nine years old. However, I began to actually see and experience the realities of hood life around eleven. Back then, pimps and prostitutes were the most prevalent force. In fact, my first babysitting job was for a notorious prostitute who lived next door; a beautiful woman and force to be reckoned with. Her sister was just as bad. Both were ridiculously beautiful, enterprising, cunning, and in control. I saw a lot, heard a lot, and experienced a lot being in such close quarters, yet I was never compromised. Back in the day, the streets had codes. Even the pimps who combed our neighborhoods made sure the shorties were safe. Ironic, but true.

Urban Reviews: Give us a sneak peek at your next book.
CaSandra Mathis: Actually, my second novel Intake, The Measure of Air has been recently published. Here’s the sneak peek… Chalayne Elise Macklyn should be living her life to the fullest. Instead, she’s dedicated that life to two, grown, hell-raising sons who’ve yet to cut the apron string. So, when every attempt to keep their prison bound feet on free and solid ground fails, she starts Big Boot Productions; a record label/production company in hopes of tapping into their creative side. The financial pull kicks the hell out of her pockets and the boys take to the streets, putting in major work. Reverting to the ways of old lands her youngest in prison—twice, and has the oldest facing forty years on a high grade, powder charge. It’s do, or die. Big money is needed in the worst way, so the die-hard mother dives in head first, refusing to look up until all is made right. In a cruel twist of fate, she meets two of the finest, hard-bodied, entrepreneurial brothas any woman could hope to have; neither of which she’d even consider until the legacy she’s building for her sons is complete. One is content to play the hurry up and wait game, but the other is hell bent on breaking the woman of his dreams off real proper like. He’s just as adamant on having her as she is on not being had. And, so the struggle begins—her dedication to her sons vs. fulfilling a womanly passion that’s been dormant longer than she’d care to remember. BBP gets off and running. But, at the height of all she’s worked to bring together Chalayne is faced, once again, with the ultimate decision… the man of her dreams, or her sons. The answer comes without hesitation and, seconds later, the very life she’s pledged hangs in the balance as she’s blasted by the .45 caliber bullet of a scorned ex. Life vs. Love vs. The desire to have it all, that’s “Intake, The Measure of Air.”

There will be a follow-up novel to Drayton Clarke, Tools of the Trade called Ghetto Barbie. It’s a gritty, urban street tale and flip side to Drayton Clarke as it depicts a story of how bad things can happen to good girls and the effects thereof. It will tie into Drayton Clarke in a way that I’m certain my reading audience will appreciate, as it brings about a third and final novel to the trio. Sorry, I’m keeping that title to myself.

Urban Reviews: What made you decide to start your own publishing company?
CaSandra Mathis: CME Publishings is an up and coming entity which serves as publisher of my current novels, as well as a number of ‘soon to be discovered’ literary talents whose works will be made available in 2008. The idea to take this route was born out of my determination to keep moving forward. I’ve never been one to let others decide my fate, so I wasn’t willing to sit around and play today’s notable publishing house’s hurry up and wait game. Though I’ve had very little help, I have a sincere desire to assist aspiring authors in reaching their literary goals. Not everyone who’s been blessed to write has the time, desire, resources, or knowledge to also publish, market, promote, etc... That’s where CME Publishings comes in.

Urban Reviews: What would you say are the strengths and weaknesses of self publishing?
CaSandra Mathis: The greatest strength is ultimate control. Be it cover design, layout, or story and character development, yours is the only voice that matters. Now if you know or are willing to learn the ins and outs of this business called writing (most specifically ‘how to write’), AND you can build a solid team of dedicated souls who’ll give you honest, no holds barred, feedback, AND you’re open to constructive criticism, AND you’re willing to write and re-write until your book is actually worthy of the hard earned money you’re asking your readers to spend, AND you have the time, resources, drive, and enough understanding of the industry to market, promote and distribute your book, THEN self publishing is definitely for you.

The second plus is income. On a book priced around $15, it can mean the difference between $1.25-$1.50 per book sold going the mainstream route, (the publishing house sees the greatest profit after expenses), while self-publishing is usually about $7 - $10 that can hit the author’s pockets after expenses are factored in. Big difference, right? But, not without a hefty price. You’ll work your proverbial behind off to get the book selling ball going. But, once it’s going, it’s going and so is your paydays.

I feel the two biggest downfalls to self publishing is, 1) the possibility of giving your readers sub-standard work which can stagnate, if not end your writing career before it can get off the ground. Just as your book is trashed in the public eye, so is your reputation as an author. With a reputable publishing house, your projects will undergo greater scrutiny and additional processing that better ensures a worthy novel. And, 2) lack of mass distribution. Distribution is critical. Readers can’t buy what they don’t know exists. But, unless you have the dollars to purchase your book in large quantities, your ability to fill the needs of bookstores and, possibly your reading audience (as it grows) is extremely limited. However, if you’re willing to start small using local bookstores, online sales, and book signing tours to get your books to the public and build as you go, you can eliminate that obstacle. Also, if you generate enough interest, (i.e., sales), publishers who may have rejected your work before will come looking for you. Work hard and the rewards will be great. This is the path I’ve chosen. Notoriety is cool. But, financial independence is cooler. I don’t care to be the next financially-stressed, best-selling author.

Urban Reviews: What are your goals as a writer?
CaSandra Mathis: I strive to win the hearts and souls of readers world wide by presenting captivating, life-changing, well written novels that will be raved about for decades to come. I have a sincere passion as well as ability to write and look forward to getting better and better. I don’t write to receive a title, or to ‘out-do’ anyone. Every author will have their audience. I write only to satisfy the literary taste buds of mine. If they’re happy, so am I.

Urban Reviews: What have you learned about the African American book industry thus far? Is it what you expected?
CaSandra Mathis: This is a business like any other and should be respected as such. Black folk gotta eat too, so you best believe the competition is fierce. But, that’s a good thing. Black readers deserve to get as good as any other culture, or group of readers gets. I say, “bring your best, or stay at home.” Don’t sell the black community short. A writer is only as great as their last novel. If you want to be a great writer, keeping grinding away and giving the world what they’re paying you for. What I’ve seen is pretty much what I expected. As with all pre-established entities, there’s going to be cliques of folks who are content to keep their numbers as is. While that may be challenging for new authors, it shouldn’t be a deterrent. Remain steadfast. There’s always room for good books. And, there’s always leeway to join a group if that’s your thing, or start a new one if it isn’t.

Urban Reviews: What advice would you give to self-published authors?
CaSandra Mathis: 1) Be sure you understand the “business” you’re getting into. 2) Don’t publish any project until you’re 100% certain you’ve done your absolute best. You’ll be looked upon by your works and no excuse is sufficient “after” someone’s spent their hard earned money. 3) Get a ‘tough skin,’ or get out of this business. Everyone’s who’s ever succeeded also failed. Those who are basking in the afterglow of ultimate success, failed even more, only, they kept at it. 4) Don’t make money your only motivation. The financial rewards can be quite fulfilling, but more often than not, they come long after everything else, including hard work, failure, and rejection. And, sometimes, not at all. Make your primary goal to produce good, sellable works and the rest will come.

Urban Reviews: What do you want the world to know most about you?
CaSandra Mathis: I’m a caring and compassionate soul with genuine love and concern for the futures of urban America’s youth whom I affectionately coin my “hood babies.” In order for them to make conscious decisions in their regard, which ultimately effects us all, they need to know the truth, all truths no matter how unfavorable they may seem. From this basis comes my wide range of storylines which entails fiction from my Christian base, woman’s lit from my feminine side, and gritty, street tales in respect and regard to that culmination of life experiences that’s made me who I am today. I’ve seen a lot, been through a lot, heard a lot, experienced a lot. But, most importantly, I’ve learned a lot. The result? I have a lot to tell and I’m compelled to do so in whatever voice is most necessary to be heard.

Read our review of Drayton Clarke, Tools of the Trade in the AA Fiction section.

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