with Linda Dominique Grosvenor

 Linda Dominique Grosvenor has cornered success and an attentive audience with her powerful and recognizable presence, and is being applauded for her ingenuity and her ability to evolve into a multi-dimensional phenom. Bringing attention to herself initially as a self-published author who went on to acquire a multi-book deal with a major New York publisher and becoming a mega-selling author nationally, she's now known for a multitude of other ventures.

Affectionately known as the Princess of Guerrilla Promotion, Grosvenor is in the process of making her popular online book promotion course "BESTSELLING AUTHORS KNOW PROMOTION" into a non-fiction reference book for writers. In 2006, she looks forward to launching her own clothing line PRINCESS DOMINIQUE. She currently mentors several authors who have gone on to acquire book deals with major publishers, teaches her online book promotion course twice a year and offers consultation services for authors who desire to make the transition from working a 9-5 to becoming a full time author.  Check out her website at www.lindadominiquegrosvenor.com.

CONGRATULATIONS GOES OUT TO: Sharon J. of Georgia, Jacqueline C. of Illinois, and Bertha B. of New Jersey Each of them will receive a free copy of The Hamptons by Linda Dominique Grosvenor. Trivia Question: Where are The Hamptons located (City/St)?  Answer: Long Island, NY!

Urban-Reviews.com: Can you tell us a little bit about The Hamptons?
Linda Dominique Grosvenor: The Hamptons is my sixth work of fiction and I am proud of it because not only is it entertaining but it’ll teach life lessons to women everywhere irregardless of race or cultural make up. With a fashion savvy character, a scenic locale and a dash of suspense—I think readers will definitely enjoy The Hamptons whether they read it themselves or give it as a gift for the holiday season.

UR: How did the concept for The Hamptons come about? What research did you have to do?
LDG: I noticed that in the spring and summer months when the sap rises in trees, so does the nature of men and woman and I figured that if you took a man and a woman and added some water, you wouldn’t even have to stir, you would immediately have a hot spicy mix of something to talk about! The research I did was simple, since I’m from New York originally I was familiar with the Hamptons in Long Island. I also did lots of star watching; you know everyone has a getaway home in the Hamptons so I watched, listened and took notes and The Hamptons was born.

UR: What made you want to become a novelist? Who are some of your past literary influences?
LDG: Rosa Guy was one of my Mother’s favorite writers so I enjoyed her and Judy Blume when I was a teenager. Now I love Sandra Cisneros, Pablo Neruda and Sonia Sanchez. They are among my favorites.

UR: How difficult was it for you to get your first book deal? (i.e. rejection letters, delays, etc.)
LDG: I got rejection letters and decided to do what any determined soul would—I self-published and got their attention, then they came.

UR: Currently you have a full plate on your hands as far as outside interests are concerned. Can you elaborate on these other projects you have going on?
LDG: Right now I’m doing an audio version of The Princess Dominique Show (www.theprincessdominiqueshow.com) and I look forward to interviewing a host of interesting people. We’re gearing up to start filming the actual television show in early 2006. I’m still writing books and look forward to doing that as well as launching a clothing line in the Spring. I love fashion, I love books and I love television—these are just things about me that will never change.

UR: How do you personally measure a novel's success?
LDG: I think for me, a novel I’ve written is successful if someone reads it and can relate. Sales are good, and it makes good business sense to strive to achieve that, but as a writer, you want people to walk away feeling like they’ve been to the places you described and can “feel” what you are trying to convey to them through your characters. I’ve had lots of people who have never been to the Hamptons say that they felt like they had been on a vacation after reading it and I’m always thrilled to hear that. That’s how I measure my success, but good reviews and feedback from readers doesn’t hurt either.

UR: What have you learned the most about the literary world that you didn't realize five years ago?
LDG: I didn’t realize that so many people wrote books or were writers. It’s hard to keep up with everybody who has got a story and a book on the store shelves. Five years ago if you told me that black books would be getting the kind of attention that they’re getting now, I wouldn’t have believed it.

UR: Have you noticed any recent changes or trends in the literary industry? How have they impacted you or the success of your novels?
LDG: The readers I find are as dedicated as ever. Although new trends and genres are coming, I see readers eager to sample the new while remaining faithful to the old. I think it’s like that with everything across the board. You wouldn’t just abandon something you’ve come to favor in search of something new, even though the “new” thing may be just as good. I think my readers have been following me very well and have proven themselves faithful; that keeps the success of my novels steadily increasing.

UR: What are some of your favorite novels or authors to come out recently?
LDG: I am really a poet at heart and lately I am leaning heavily towards poetry. There’s a phenomenal new author Marcus Harris who penned the collection, Songs in Search of a Voice. I think that a poetry collection like that deserves to be on every single bookshelf in America. Writer Cherlyn Michaels wrote Counting Raindrops Through a Stained Glass Window and her novel is definitely a departure from the norm—that’s refreshing!

UR: Are any of the characters in your novels about real people or events?
LDG: No, I actually just like to err on the side of caution and keep it purely fictional.

UR: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
LDG: I’d say if you want to be successful, put in the work it takes. I’ve had people coming and wanting to know how I’d done it all, but there’s no quickie solution, it takes work. There’s no fast track—not if you want to last and have staying power in this industry. I say buy the books on the craft, read, do research and see what’s selling, what’s not and why, but most of all be yourself. Don’t let hype about any particular genre cajole you into writing something that is outside of your voice. Be true to yourself as a writer and the readers will come.

UR: At the end of the day, what do you want the world to know most about you?
LDG: I’d like people to know that writing novels is just “one” of the things I do but I believe in doing it very well—however, I don’t fit in a mold. I had someone tell me recently that when they read my books they don’t know what they’re going to get, a family saga, a love affair or the high life. To that I say, each book I write stands alone and I like to follow my character’s lead, and in all honesty, when I do that, there’s no telling where they’ll take me. I don’t think I fit in any particular genre, but that’s fine. I enjoy writing and that takes priority over the labels and categorization of my books any day.
 

   

Don't forget to check out our review of The Hamptons in AA Fiction.