with Eric Pete

 Eric Pete is one of contemporary fiction's rising stars. Having an intense love of reading from an early age, Eric was unknowingly building the foundation for what was to come. Eric had considered writing a novel for several years, but it wasn't until recently that he gave in to the stories in his head and decided to share them with the world.

Eric's first novel, Real for Me, has been the featured selection of many book clubs across America and reached #1 Bestseller status at various bookstores. His second released novel is the Dallas Morning News bestseller Someone's In the Kitchen, which further established Eric in the literary arena. His third novel, Gets No Love, was featured in King Magazine and made the bestseller list of several stores including Karibu Books. His newest release Don't Get It Twisted has already garnered critical acclaim. Eric also has short stories featured in the anthologies After Hours from Plume Books and Twilight Moods from Flowers In Bloom Publishing.

Eric was born in Seattle, WA. Having lived there as well as Louisiana and briefly in Los Angeles, he now resides in Texas where he is working on his next book. He is a graduate of McNeese State University and a member of Delta Sigma Pi Professional Business Fraternity. Check out his website at www.ericpete.com.

Urban-Reviews.com: Can you tell us about Don't Get It Twisted?
Eric Pete: Don't Get It Twisted is my fourth novel. It's the story of two best friends who become involved in relationships early on. Each is dealing with pressures in terms of what society expects of them. The overall theme is about appearances not always equaling reality.

UR: How hard was it to get your first book deal?
EP: Hard. But I think it prepared me for when the opportunity came around. I started off self-published like so many authors after receiving the dreaded rejection letters from mainstream publishers. I put out my first novels, Real for Me and Someone's In the Kitchen myself and toured in support of them. During that time, I found an audience and built my base of readers to where eventually those same publishers took notice. My agent secured a deal with Penguin's New American Library imprint and the rest is history. I am now in my second 2-book deal with them.

UR: What made you want to become a novelist?
EP: The people and characters bursting to get out of my head (with some coaxing from my wife).

UR: Don't Get It Twisted is written from a female perspective, was this difficult to do?
EP: In my first novel, Real for Me, I alternated between the male and female perspective. That was easier as I got a break every other chapter to fall back into the male psyche. Don't Get It Twisted took a little more out of me in that I had to sustain that vibe/perspective all the way through. When I finished, I wondered if I did it justice. My readers will let me know. I'd like to think my years of being a "good listener" (and very observant) paid off.

UR: In Don't Get It Twisted the characters all have unique names (Isrie, Deja, Ivan), how did you come up with names for the characters?
EP: I get that question often, *laughing* Most of them come from my head. Sometimes, I'll hear a unique name and and decide to use it. Isrie came out of nowhere. I used Deja because I remember this musical group/duo from the late 80s by the same name. I loved the name at the time, but never thought I'd be writing. let alone use it.

UR: Are there any upcoming projects that you are working on now?
EP: I'm working on the book for 06, Lady Sings the Cruels. I also have another novel completed that I hope makes it's way onto bookstore shelves soon.

UR: Who are some of your favorite authors or books?
EP: I read a variety of genres, but I'll name a few. Karen E. Quinones Miller, Dwayne S. Joseph, Clive Cussler, Phillip Thomas Duck, Brenda L. Thomas, Robert Doherty, Jennifer Anglade Dahlberg, Tom Clancy.

UR: Have you noticed any changes or trends in the literary industry?
EP: Besides there being more competition for the reader's dollar, there are always genres being touted as "the next big thing". The important thing as artists/authors is to tell your story as best you can and not to worry about being categorized. Those that tell stories that interest the public will be there when the dust settles. Some mainstream authors have found themselves going back to self-publishing as an effective means of controlling their product.

UR: Would you ever do a sequel for any of your novels?
EP: Funny you should ask that. I've started a few sequels, but wasn't feeling them at the time. Who knows what the future holds. Lady Sings the Cruels isn't a sequel, but I like to refer to it as the "little cousin to Someone's In the Kitchen".

UR: Has anything changed since you became a novelist?
EP: I've been exposed to a wonderful variety of readers and fellow writers, some of whom are as colorful as my characters.

UR: Is there anything else you want to add?
EP: Can't stop. Won't stop. Believe that.

Don't forget to check out our review of Don't Get It Twisted in AA Fiction.