A native of Long Island, Grace Octavia is a graduate of New York University, who is completing her PhD in English at Georgia State University. A proud sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, she is also a member of the Sigma Tau Delta National English Honor Society. She is a former editor of Rolling Out Urbanstyle Weekly.

Grace Octavia teaches writing at Clark Atlanta University and currently lives in midtown Atlanta.

Urban Reviews:  Tell us about Take Her Man.

Grace Octavia:  Take Her Man is the tale of a strong minded, sophisticated sister, who, like many other sisters, refuses to allow current circumstances to prevent her from actively pursuing her dream of receiving the love she's always desired. The only problem is that Troy is using this drive to chase something that may not be all that she's set out for. Yes, the cool, suave and undeniably handsome Dr. Julian James is the man of her dreams--and apparently a few other women's dreams, as well--but what happens when the dream is confronted with reality? Troy's ego steps in and the savvy New York City sister decides that even though Prince Charming has set off into the sunset with another woman, she will Take Her Man. The novel follows the witty and cosmopolitan Troy as she and her best gal pals arrive at that reality in a devilishly entertaining trip that'll have readers laughing and rooting for Troy to get what she wants--by any means necessary. The novel includes the actual 'Take Her Man Plan' along with drink recipes and a guide to developing your own It Girl Sisterhood.

Urban Reviews:  What inspired you to write this story?

Grace Octavia:  My girlfriends. A few years ago, I moved to Georgia from New York in order to pursue my MA in English, Creative Writing at the University of Georgia. I missed the city and my family a lot, but I really missed my NYC girlfriends--our rituals, unique style and strengths. From our break up parties, to our fish frys and numerous road trips, they made the city my true playground. I've seldom been down and stayed down and it's because these women simply refuse to allow any sister to stay there. This novel is a tribute to them.

Urban Reviews:  How did you get into the literary industry?

Grace Octavia:  I have been in the industry since I was a senior at New York University. I was an editorial intern for Tracy Sherrod at Henry Holt & Company. She also gave me my first job when I graduated; I became her assistant in 1998 at Simon & Schuster Pocketbooks. After I proved myself as a writer, she became my agent in 2002. It's been quite a ride. Tracy is one of my closest friends and a great mentor. I owe much of my work ethic to her.

Urban Reviews:  Are you working on any projects for the future?

Grace Octavia:  I am always working on something. I have another novel coming out with Kensington in 2008 and I am putting forth other work. I've also been working on a few film projects with my former roommate from NYU, Daheli Hall. She was a finalist in the HBO short film contest and her films, The Memo and Mandingo in A Box, are on HBO and Cinemax.

Urban Reviews:  Was there anyone that inspired you to want to become a writer?

Grace Octavia:  My grandmother. I was raised by the "old school," where the elders saw your talent and FORCED you to share it--Christmas, Easter…any family get together. I was the family poet and if anything ever needed to be written or read, I was given the task--eulogies, birth announcements, invitations, I was the person. My grandmother always said, "You're good at this. I want people to know it." I complained about the tasks and hated the attention, but in the end, it paid off. She's my rock and benefactor. She financed Take Her Man before the publisher stepped in--put her money where her mouth was. I have always said that more parents should be like that--nurturing the talents of their children early on.

Urban Reviews:  What have friends and students said about your book?

Grace Octavia:  Everyone is so very supportive. My friends email me everyday for information about the novel and my students have set up shop on my Myspace page. It's wonderful, but I must say that the best thing is the support I've received from people I don't even know. Women from around the world have emailed me and sent kind messages asking when the book will be coming out. This little nudge means so much and I am so grateful. It proves that sisterhood is universal.

Urban Reviews:  Have you gotten any sound advice from fellow authors?

Grace Octavia:  The best advice I've ever received was from one of my teachers at the University of Georgia, Reginald McKnight. After reading a piece I was in love with, he said, "Change it." My heart was broken and I trudged through the editing, but the result was phenomenal. I hear his voice often when I am writing. I follow my instinct on the first write and then I look for where it is weak. We can always grow. I am still growing and I know that change is a good thing. Only weak writers are afraid of change.

Urban Reviews:  What are some of your favorite books and why?

Grace Octavia:  My favorite book of all time is Beloved by THE Toni Morrison. I have read it a million times and I feel like the worst writer in the world when I read it. There's a part in the novel where Sethe is giving birth by the side of the Ohio River. It makes me tingle each time I read it. I wonder if I will ever be that good. Morrison ropes you in from the first page and never lets you go. You can feel her images. It's magic. I also like Zora Neale Hurston, Sapphire, Alice Walker, and I follow poets Gary Snyder and the amazing Saul Williams.

Urban Reviews:  What do you want people to know most about you?

Grace Octavia:  That while I am often loud and silly, I am a shy person who had to be forced to go outside to play when I was a little girl--I always preferred my books and Barbie dolls to people and play. Sometimes this publishing thing seems like a bit much for the little shy girl inside of me, but she's getting better and stronger and OK with the attention.