Urban Reviews - Inside Out - Cheryl Robinson

Cheryl Robinson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Howard University for two years and graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit with a degree in business marketing. Cheryl currently resides in Dallas, Texas and is working on her next novel.

Prior to landing a book deal Cheryl self-published two novels, Memories of Yesterday (2002) and When I Get Free (2003). With the assistance of Earl Cox of Earl Cox & Associates in the fall of 2003, Cheryl came one step closer to her dream of writing full-time. After signing with a Los Angeles-based literary agent, she was quickly inked a two-book deal with The Penguin Group/New American Library for If It Ain’t One Thing (February 28, 2005) and the sequel It's Like That (January 2006.)

Excerpt of It's Like That (Click This Link)

Excerpt of If It Ain't One Thing (Click This Link)

Author's Official Site: http://www.cherylrobinson.com

Literary Website: http://www.avid-readers.com

Urban Reviews: Tell us about It's Like That
Cheryl Robinson: It's Like That is a contemporary story about life, love and living ones true purpose. Told in first person by Winona Fairchild, a single mother of two living with HIV and Porter Washington, Winona's boyfriend, ten years her junior who loves Winona and wants to marry her, but there are some things standing in the way.

Urban Reviews: Why did you decide to do a sequel?
Cheryl Robinson: It's Like That is actually the second novel of a trilogy. I decided to write three novels centering around the same characters so my readers could go on a journey with realistic characters that they can hopefully relate to, sympathize with, root for and learn from. It's Like That is a quick read that spans forty days but the story is a significant bridge to the final installment of the trilogy that hopefully will be released in 2007.

Urban Reviews: Since your first two novels were self published, what legwork did you have to do to get signed with a major publisher?
Cheryl Robinson: I had to find a literary agent who believed in my work enough to present it to a major publisher and that agent was Marc Gerald of The Agency Group. The whole meeting happened by chance and I have Earl Cox of Earl Cox &Associates to thank. From that point on Marc did all the work in finding a publishing company who wanted to publish my manuscript and that publishing company was NAL. I am very pleased with my literary agent and my publishing company. I've heard of nightmare stories some authors have had with literary agents and publishing companies but I haven't had any bad experiences to report

Urban Reviews: Are there any authors who have inspired you to become an author?
Cheryl Robinson: No, but there were many authors who inspired me not to give up on my dream of becoming an author. As a writer, I am also an avid reader and prior to being published I read many novels that motivated me to write. The author who inspired me the most to keep writing was Terry McMillan.

Urban Reviews: What were you doing on the day you signed your major publishing deal? What did that moment feel like?
Cheryl Robinson: The day I found out about my publishing deal I was at work. I knew that my agent would send me an email updating me, but I didn't want to check my personal email at work so I bought a PDA phone so I could go online and check my email while I was on break and at lunch. When I saw the email from Marc Gerald that read please call good news, I had the biggest smile on my face. My heart was pounding fast and my hands were shaking from the excitement. Then I talked to Marc and he told me that NAL was going to offer me a two-book deal. I wanted to shout, but I was at work, so I closed my eyes tightly and thanked God.

Urban Reviews: Is there anything about the book industry that you know now that you didn't before?
Cheryl Robinson: Not really. I learned a lot about the book industry as a self-published author, especially about how important marketing your book really is.

Urban Reviews: What is your next novel about?
Cheryl Robinson: As I mentioned earlier, my next novel is the final installment in the trilogy that revolves around Porter Washington, Winona Fairchild and a new character Lorna Banks, who is Winona's half sister. I am so excited about this book because it ties together my first two novels, yet it offers readers a new story and I feel confident that readers will enjoy the two year journey the book will take them on and the introduction of some new faces with interesting lives.

Urban Reviews: Who are some of your current favorite authors or books?
Cheryl Robinson: I have read so many great books by so many different authors from first time authors to veterans in the industry that every time this question is asked of me I shy away from answering. When I go into the bookstore to select a novel it could take me an hour because I read the back of many books and the first few pages until I find one with a storyline that I am interested in, and then I grab it. One book that sticks out for me right now is The Darkest Child.

Urban Reviews: At the end of the day, what do you want people to know most about you?
Cheryl Robinson: Just like there are avid readers, people who love to read books; I am an avid writer, a person who absolutely loves to write. I've found my passion and I hope readers give my books an opportunity.

Urban Reviews: Where can people purchase your novels?
Cheryl Robinson: My novels are available wherever books are sold. If they're not on the shelves, you can always place an order. In the Dallas area, they're available at Black Images and Jokae's. In the Maryland area, they're available at Karibu Books. And nationwide, they're available at Borders, Barnes and Nobles, and Amazon.com. You can learn more on my web site at www.cherylrobinson.com.