Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Ebony Farashuu

Ebony Farashuu

Ebony Farashuu, a native of Tulsa, OK, began reading at an early age. Her love of the written word soon progressed to writing stories and poems.

In 2002, she self-published Butterfly Kisses: Poetry For the Many Faces of Love. This book won Honorable mention in the SCBC Self Published Author Awards for Poetry Book of the Year. Coincidentally, as she was writing her book of poetry, Ebony was simultaneously working on a novel called SLOW BURN. The emotions that she felt while writing the novel inspired many of the poems featured in her poetry book.

In 2006, Ebony teamed up with Jeremy Braggs of the Braggs Literary Group. He saw something in her writing and decided to make her the first author to be represented by his newly-formed agency. Within two weeks of signing with Braggs, Ebony had a publishing deal with Kobalt Books.

Ebony is a long-standing member of Sisters Sippin' Tea Literary Group, Tulsa Chapter and is also a Contributing/Staff Writer for TheGRITS.com Reading and Book Promotion Community.

She is currently writing her next book.

Read An Excerpt from Slow Burn: Chapter 1 Chapter 2

Author's Official Website: http://www.EbonyFarashuu.com
Author's Myspace Page: http://www.myspace.com/ebonyfarashuu
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Urban Reviews: Tell us about SLOW BURN.
Ebony Farashuu: What can I say about SLOW BURN? This novel allows you to peek into the hearts and minds of ordinary people living with extraordinary circumstances. You will laugh, cry, and rejoice with Serafina, Khalil, Ayzha, and Jeremy as they take your mind on a tantalizing journey filled with all the pleasure you can stand, enough pain and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, and amazing poetic imagery that will place you between the pages as you watch the scenes unfold within your mind. SLOW BURN is a story of love, of loss, of lust, and of longing. It taps into every conceivable emotion in the human psyche. Serafina was fed up with men and with the notion of true love until true love literally walked up to her and said ‘hello’. She actually meets the perfect man, but how did Khalil become so perfect? He wasn’t born that way, but he learned from his mistakes and became a better person. Ayzha is wresting with her raging emotions as she lives with a much older husband who ignores her, while she is being courted by a man who tells her everything she wants and needs to hear. This other man makes her feel desired and that is a dangerous weapon to use against a married woman who feels a though she has nothing and no one to go home to. Jeremy Sanders is a true ladies man, just like his pops. This book places you inside of Jeremy’s mind as he struggles with the man he has become and the reason he’s grown up to be such a womanizer. These people make mistakes, but at the end if the day, we truly understand that everything happens for a reason

Urban Reviews: What inspired you to create this novel?
Ebony Farashuu: I was inspired by life. Not only my life, but also the lives of people everywhere. I think that anyone reading this novel will be able to relate to at least one character. Love also played a major role because, ultimately, love is the root of all passion, joy, and pain.

Urban Reviews: Can you tell our readers how you got your start in the literary industry?
Ebony Farashuu: I started out as a self-published poet and anyone can tell you that self-publishing is not for the weak or timid. Poetry especially, is systematically ignored by the traditional publishing industry because no one believes that it can sell. I had this wonderful product but didn’t know how to market it. When I finished SLOW BURN, I was determined to find a publisher that would be willing to publish my book and assist me in the marketing. Finding my agent was a dream come true and I have had an extremely positive experience with my publisher, Kobalt Books. The publisher actually takes the time to educate me about the publishing industry and listens to my marketing ideas. It’s truly a Win/Win situation for me!

Urban Reviews: Can we get a sneak peak at your next novel and when we can expect it to be released?
Ebony Farashuu: I am currently working on the sequel to SLOW BURN and there is actually a sneak peek featured at the end of SLOW BURN. I am hoping that it will be ready for release next winter.

Urban Reviews: Have you faced any challenges being a new author?
Ebony Farashuu: The biggest challenge I face is being a “new author.” When you have a book that you believe in, just placing it in the right hands can often be a struggle. Many television and radio shows don’t want to deal with an author unless they have a proven track record and a name that will guarantee viewers and listeners so it is definitely up to me to prove to them that I have a book worth talking about.

Urban Reviews: What is the biggest lesson that you have learned about the book industry so far?
Ebony Farashuu: I have learned that marketing is extremely valuable. You have to entice a person to pick up your book. You can have the greatest book in the world but if the cover or description doesn’t catch a buyer’s eye, they probably won’t pick it up. You have to use creative marketing to draw in readers.

Urban Reviews: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Ebony Farashuu: I love Beverly Jenkins, Tananarive Due, Orson Scott Card, James Patterson, and if I happen upon one of my daughters Beverly Cleary books, I’ll definitely revisit my childhood and read about that sassy little Ramona Quimby!

Urban Reviews: How do you balance your writing career with your every day life? (i.e. day job, family)
Ebony Farashuu: It’s not always easy balancing work, family, writing, and book promotion. My family always comes first so there are times when I am unable to promote the way I would like. I sometimes go days or even weeks without writing. I am learning to set aside time specifically for writing because I don’t see it as work. I see it as ME time and everyone needs a little ME time!

Urban Reviews: What do you want the world to know most about you?
Ebony Farashuu: I want the world to know that beyond a doubt, I LOVE THE WRITTEN WORD. I am a very emotional person and being a Sagittarius, my sensitivity levels are off the charts! I truly believe that my sensitivity and my love of the craft are definitely reflected in my novel. I believe that writing is an art and a blank page is just a canvas waiting to be filled with beautiful colors!