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Urban Reviews: Can you tell us what your latest book The Hood
Rats is all about?
E.R. McNair:
The Hood Rats is about four friends growing up in
the hood and the trials and tribulations that surround their
friendship. What makes the story different is that it is told in
each character's perspective.
Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the plot for this novel?
E.R. McNair: I really did not come up with a plot. I actually just started writing
and a friend of mine would read each chapter as I wrote it. She
would tell me
what she liked and what she didn't, and I would make changes from
there.
Urban Reviews: What goals do you hope to eventually accomplish as an author?
E.R. McNair: I would just like to write books that people can relate to and
enjoy reading. I want to write stories that you get lost in once you
start reading. Those are the types of books I like to read. If I
can't relate, then I really lose interest in the book.
Urban Reviews: Would you consider doing work outside of street fiction?
E.R. McNair: Absolutely! I don't plan on writing street fiction forever. I really
look at this as my stepping stone. I actually write under a pseudonym.
I want to use my full name for my more serious novels. I'm a history
buff, so I would like to write historical fiction. I would also
like to do some autobiographies.
Urban Reviews: What things did you do to help prepare yourself for the book
business?
E.R. McNair: Really, I fell into this business. I never thought that I would
be published. I didn't do anything to prepare other than copywriting
my book. I am learning now... reading and talking to other published
authors. I never planned to shop my book for publishing. My aunt told
me to send it and see what happens. And the rest as they say is
history.
Urban Reviews: Can you describe the day you found out your book was being
released by Triple Crown Publications?
E.R. McNair: When I found out I had been offered a publishing deal, I had just come
in from work. I was pregnant and sick. But after I read my letter, I
could not stop jumping up and down, screaming outside in the front
yard. I think my neighbors thought I was losing my mind.
Urban Reviews: Has there been any lessons learned already about the book
industry that you weren't aware of before being signed?
E.R. McNair: I learned so many lessons the first being it is a long process. I
thought okay I'm being published the book will be out next week. It
took a full year and a half for the book to be released. I would
also say don't compromise who you are to be published.
Urban Reviews: Do you have ideas or plans for any upcoming projects?
E.R. McNair: I'm working on a sequel to
The Hood Rats
now and outlining a book on my conversion from Christianity to
Islam. I also have other ideas of things that I want to work on. I'm
full of ideas right now. I feel like the sky is the
limit.
Urban Reviews: What things are you doing to promote your novel to the world?
E.R. McNair: I'm trying to do a lot of internet promotion.
I have a Facebook page (I'm Erica McNair on there) and a Myspace page. I'm actually
having a webpage built right now, and I am working on doing some
book signings in different states. There is so much to do, and when
you have two kids, it's hard to get it all done.
Urban Reviews: Do you have any favorite authors or books that you enjoy reading?
E.R. McNair: I have a lot of favorites some of them are my Mother, Zora Neale
Hurston, Toni Morrison, Kimberla Lawson Roby and Maya Angelou just
to name a few. I'm an avid reader...I read all of the time. I use it
as my outlet to just get away from everyday issues.
Urban Reviews: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about you
or your books?
E.R. McNair: I would like to say to your readers
that I hope that they enjoy my work, and that I would appreciate all
of their feelings on my work. I
love and want constructive criticism. To me, everything that you do
in life is a learning process. I also say to live life to the
fullest, be fair, and treat people how you want to be treated. That is
how I try to live my life.
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