Cassandra Carter

Cassandra Charisse Carter was born on Tuesday, February 21, 1989 in Reading, Pennsylvania. She is the only child of Susan L. Green and R. Carter, and the product of a single parent home. She is best known for her young adult novels, Fast Life (July 2007) and 16 Isn't Always Sweet (March 2008).

From the time she was a little girl, Cassandra exhibited a passion for writing. Her talent was first noticed in the elaborate illustrated stories she wrote for her mother, but was also praised in school by both her teachers and her peers. At the age of nine, they moved to Ann Arbor, MI. where she continued to learn different ways to express herself on paper. While studying various writing styles over the years, she preserved an engaging, original voice that the generation of today can relate to.

Cassandra was fourteen when she created the concept for Fast Life. Inspired by a dream, she completed the fictional work the following summer when she was only fifteen-years-old. With the encouragement of her family and help from literary agent Manie Barron, she signed a contract with Kimani Tru, an imprint of Harlequin Inc. two years later. Honors graduate from Huron High School, Cassandra received her diploma just one month before welcoming the release of her first published title.

Ms. Carter currently resides in Ypsilanti, MI where she's been busy promoting both books. She is also currently hard at work on her third novel, a sequel to Fast Life.

Read A Full Excerpt of 16 Isn't Always Sweet:  Click Here

Author's Myspace Site:  http://www.myspace.com/ccarta
Publisher's Site:  http://www.kimanitru.com
Order Your Copy of 16 Isn't Always Sweet:  Click Here

Urban Reviews:  Tell our readers about 16 Isn't Always Sweet.
Cassandra Carter:  16 Isn't Always Sweet is about a young woman named Jordan Wright who I think like a lot of girls, believes that upon turning sixteen her life will change. Which it does, just not in the way she quite expected. She is suddenly cast into the spotlight at school – for all the wrong reasons and at the expense of her most valued friendship. Jordan quickly becomes the target of a cruel smear campaign led by her former best friend, Adrienne, as well as the object of affection for none other than Warren Taylor. While seeking love, Jordan finds herself.

Urban Reviews:  Where did the idea for this novel come from?
Cassandra Carter:  It came from a couple of my experiences all blended together, as well as things I’ve seen others go through. I kinda thought like Jordan at her age and I can’t forget going through my fair share of drama, which seems to go along with being a teenage girl. Looking back on some of my choices later, I knew that I hadn’t always made the best decisions when handling certain situations. That’s what inspired me to write this story and to share it in a positive yet entertaining way.

Urban Reviews:  What are your goals as a writer? Is there another profession on your mind for the future?
Cassandra Carter:  To be honest, I don’t see myself doing anything else. I don’t have any doubts that this is what I’m meant to do with my life. I would love nothing more than to be able to write for a living and turn this into a career. Right now, I can only hope to expand upon what I already have going for myself and grow within the industry. One day, I want to do it all. I’m constantly striving for a higher level of success.

Urban Reviews:  Can you give us a brief summary about how you landed your deal with Harlequin?
Cassandra Carter:  It all came down to timing. Around the time I secured a literary agent, Kimani Tru was in its developing stages. Harlequin eventually contacted him in their search for material and he recommended my manuscript. It was then sent through the ranks for approval and I was offered a two-book contract at age 17.

Urban Reviews:  What author has been the biggest mentor during your literary journey? (And how have they helped you?)
Cassandra Carter:  I haven't worked closely with another author to call anyone my mentor. My biggest influence thus far though, has been Sistah Souljah and her novels; particularly The Coldest Winter Ever. Reading her work in the eighth grade helped set me free as a writer. It wasn't until then that I realized I didn't have to censor my ideas.

Urban Reviews:  With the African-American teen fiction market growing so much, do you think that your work will eventually evolve into adult fiction?
Cassandra Carter:  I definitely think my work will evolve especially with me getting older. I’ve actually given a lot of thought to writing adult/urban novels, but I’ve come up with storylines in various genres so I can’t commit to just one. I want to try different things because I think in order to be original you have to take risks. You have to be unpredictable. My ultimate goal is to hook people with the way I write and not necessarily what I’m writing.

Urban Reviews:  Can you give us a sneak peak on your upcoming sequel to Fast Life?
Cassandra Carter:  Sorry! It’s on confidential status as of now. I don’t want to spoil anything or elude to any shockers I have in store for my readers! All I can tell you is to expect the unexpected!

Urban Reviews:  Do you have any other projects (not tied to the Fast Life series) that you have in mind for the future?
Cassandra Carter:  Yes, once I finish the manuscript for the sequel I plan to start working on another stand-alone title which will more than likely have more of a street edge. I would like to be able to carry on the Fast Life series, particularly my main character Kyra for several more books; however, I want to break up those releases with other novels.

Urban Reviews:  What do you like to do outside of writing?
Cassandra Carter:  For a 19-year-old, I’m such a homebody. I don’t really do the party scene. Between working full time, writing, and promoting, I don’t get much time to relax so I tend to catch up with my tight circle when I can.

Urban Reviews:  What else would you like to share with us about yourself or your debut novel?
Cassandra Carter:  I would like to thank Urban Reviews so much! A huge thank you goes out to everyone who has shown their support! I truly appreciate it!