Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Dywane D. Birch - Author of 'Shattered Souls' and 'From My Soul To Yours'

Dywane D. Birch

Dywane D. Birch, a graduate of Norfolk State University and Hunter College, is the author of Shattered Souls (2007) and From My Soul To Yours (Nov 2007). He is also a contributing author to the intriguing compilation, Breaking the Cycle (2005), edited by Zane-a collection of short stories on domestic violence and the 2006 NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Fiction, and Fantasy (Fall 2007). He is also the author of the self-published novel, When Loving You Is Wrong (2006).

Dywane has a master's degree in Psychology and is a clinically certified forensic counselor. He lives in New Jersey where he continues to work with adolescents and adult offenders while continuing his literary endeavors.

Read An Excerpt from Shattered Souls: Click Here

Author's Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/dywaneb
Order Your Copy Today: Click Here

Urban Reviews: Tell us about Shattered Souls?
Dywane D. Birch: Shattered Souls is basically about four college friends who are bonded by unconditional love and repressed childhood memories that creep back into their lives to haunt them, control them and, unfortunately, remind them of the hurt and pain they were forced to endure at the hands of the people they trusted. Educated and successful, they appear to have all the makings of wonderful lives; however, beneath the surface, they have haunting secrets that prevent that keep them tied to the past, unwilling or unable to commit to loving relationships. It is a story that reveals the potentially devastating consequences of childhood abuse and mistreatment in adulthood.

Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea for this novel?
Dywane D. Birch: This might sound crazy, but the idea for Shattered Souls came to me in a series of dreams. I had been working as a treatment coordinator, then as the director, of an adolescent crisis shelter and would often wonder what would become of the adolescents I worked with when they became adults. Eight years into my career, I started having dreams, seeing faces, and hearing their voices, then a few nights later, I saw the name "Shattered Souls" written amongst shards of glass. It was then (at 3am) that I got out of bed and started typing. Nine months later, Shattered Souls was completed.

Urban Reviews: Shattered Souls and From My Soul To Yours were both previously self-published. How did you go about getting your book deal with Strebor?
Dywane D. Birch: Honestly, I believe it was timing. And the fact that I was finally ready to go to the next level. I had met Zane in 2001 in Memphis at a book event and interestingly she had read the self-published version of my book on her flight. She shared her thoughts about my work, then referred me to her agent Sara Camilli who read the book and offered to represent me. However, during that time I wanted to remain self-published, and wasn't ready for mainstream publishing. Then in 2004, Sara asked me if I was interested in being a contributing author to Zane's anthology, Breaking the Cycle, I said yes. It won the 2005 NAACP award for outstanding Literary Fiction, then in March I was offered a contract with Strebor, and the rest is history.

Urban Reviews: Are you working on any upcoming projects?
Dywane D. Birch: Yes I am. I recently finished a manuscript titled, Beneath the Bruises and I'm currently working on Brown Suga: The Diary of a Ho. In addition, I'm working on a collection of poetry tentatively titled Reflections. Then there are three other book projects I'm toying with.

Urban Reviews: What challenges have you faced being a new author?
Dywane D. Birch: Truthfully, I don't really see myself as a new author. In the mainstream sense, I suppose I am. However, for the last seven years I have been an underground author who has slowly developed an audience and learned about this literary game through trial and error. But, if I had to choose one challenge being a self-published author, I'd say it's not being looked upon as a second class writer by bookstores, particularly those that are African-American owned. Sad to say, but true.

Urban Reviews: Have you gotten any sound advice from fellow authors?
Dywane D. Birch: Yes, there have been a several authors who have really been helpful, supportive and encouraging throughout my literary journey.

Urban Reviews: Who are some of your favorite authors or books?
Dywane D. Birch: My favorite authors, ummm, I think I'll plead the fifth on this one (smiling). Being an avid reader, I have read many excellent books. But my all time favorites would be: Push by Sapphire; Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison; The Seasons of Beento Blackbird by Akosua Busia; Child of God by Lolita Files; Relative Secrets by Collen Dixon, Addicted & Nervous by Zane, Raising Fences by Michael Datcher, Double-Dippin' and Dangerously in Love by Allison Hobbs; The Aftermath by Anna J; Cane River by Lalita Tademy; and The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah.

Urban Reviews: What do you want the world to know most about you?
Dywane D. Birch: Wow, being such a private person, this is a hard one. Hmm. I would say what I'd want the world to know most about me is that I am a man who is not without fault; a man who embraces life and love and continues to grow and to seek knowledge and understanding; that I aspire to be the best that I can be no matter what.