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Urban Reviews: Tell us about your latest novel Regression.
Rickey Teems: To me, Regression is the culmination of every
racial conversation, every ethnicity explores at some time or
another (admit to it or not), with a little bit of drama, action,
and romance sprinkled in. The main character, Aeneas Mayes,
essentially wakes up one morning to find the hands of time turned
back on all the civil rights fought for and afforded to
African-Americans over the last several centuries. It doesn’t take
long before the mid-term in his African-American History class,
quickly gives way to a real life lesson in struggling to regain the
freedoms quickly being stripped from Blacks in America. All of this
is triggered after a so-called “conclusive” link is discovered that
shows a direct cause and effect with hip-hop and crime, and a
government ban is handed down on the urban genre of music.
Everything deteriorates, or regresses from there, and you have to
turn a few pages to see what happens next.
Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the unique concept
for this book?
Rickey Teems: Honestly, prayer. I was on a flight back to L.A. from New York and
had just started working on Narrow
Is The Path. I was questioning
what my next project would be once the second installment of the
Cross Realities Trilogy was complete. I wanted something that would
be go down in AA Fiction Hall of Fame, and no joke, after a short
prayer to the Lord asking for direction, He put the concept on my
mind that quick. I was a little worried about still writing, Narrow
Is The Path,
first because I was so anxious to get to Regression! But so far
everybody is saying, Narrow is the Path is even better than part 1!
But I would have to say, Regression is my current masterpiece
because it’s not foreign for us to have countless conversations on
the state of Black America, or contemplate how much we take for
granted considering all our forefathers sacrificed. Well that same
sentiment is echoed by other ethnicities as well. I just figured,
what if they stopped being politically correct with us, and started
really pulling the rug from underneath our Tims and Chuck Taylors.
Urban Reviews: What research did you have to do for
Regression?
Rickey Teems: Well, fortunately I only had to spend a few days researching new
information, because a lot of the info I obtained from the real Mrs.
Powell at the real Southwest College back in 2003 (Class of ’03)!
Without question she enlightened me to Historical facts that I would
bet upwards of 80% of the Black, wait, of the United States is
ignorant too. Kingdoms and Empires in Africa, navigation between
Africa and South America approximately 1,000 years before Columbus
ever even stepped foot in a boat. The kind of knowledge you
definitely don’t want impressionable young, black youths obtaining
for fear of them gaining the confidence they deserve. And you surely
don’t want Whites or others to learn because then it dispels many
ignorant stereotypes that racism needs to survive. Special shot out
to Dr. Ivan van Seritma. Make sure every generation of your family
from here on out reads They Came Before Columbus. Don’t rely on
public schools to educate your kids on everything they need to know.
Urban Reviews: You have another series of books under your
belt titled Cross Realities and Narrow Is The Path. Can you tell us
about those titles?
Rickey Teems: The Cross Realities Trilogy is a true story of faith. It takes you
into the chaotic world of Rueben and Tamar Cross, and the highs and
lows they endure in trying to leave their old, street ways behind,
in hope that the Lord has something better in store. But they
quickly learn just because they got saved, doesn’t mean the rest of
the world did! With a gang-banging brother, a scandalous and greedy
sister, and the death, drugs, sex, sin, and corruption that
saturates Watts, the road out of the projects is going to be a bumpy
one. Cross Realities is part 1, Narrow is the Path is part 2, and
part 3 will be birthed very soon.
Urban Reviews: Do you have any upcoming projects that you are
working on?
Rickey Teems: Lord willing, the final novel in the Cross Realities Trilogy will be
ready to go by late Fall/Winter of 2008, and that is going to be
explosive drama! I refuse to let my fans and readers down. Then I
have 3 separate ideas that are really going to set the bookshelves
on fire for 2009! A lot of people are suggesting making Regression
into a film, which may work, but I have another novel idea that will
be sure to be an Oscar nominated movie once completed. I hate to pop
my collar, but hold onto your wigs like you’re in the first seat of
roller coaster, because 2008 and 2009 are going to be a rush!!
Urban Reviews: Why did you decide to self-publish your
works?
Rickey Teems: When I was first inspired to start writing, I never considered the
possibility of becoming a Best-Selling author. It wasn’t until the
compliments started pouring in that I began realizing the Lord’s
plan for writing in my life. Then I pretty much figured, if God gave
me the gift, He’ll work it out. Why should I sit and wait, having to
prove myself under the guidelines and restrictions of a major, then
letting them dip way to deep in the cookie jar taking all my
chocolate chips, when I have the Most High working on my behalf? Now
I’m not dissin’ any major publishers, they are definitely a
necessity in our industry, and eventually I will work out a deal
with one, I’m sure. I just don’t think they are generally favorable
for straight-out-the-block authors such as my self. Plus with
Regression and some of my upcoming novels, they’re pretty
controversial, and I didn’t want anybody telling me what I can and
can’t put out there for the people.
Urban Reviews: Did you attempt to query any of the major
publishers at all?
Rickey Teems: I was actually contacted by a couple publishers after I completed
Narrow is the Path because they were seeing my momentum continue to
grow, but I didn’t feel they were really for me. Plus, with avenues
like you and Urban-Reviews.com, my girls over at SistahFriend.com, my
girl Dominique over at Reign Magazine, the lovely ladies at
askmspopular.com, and all the great book clubs, literary groups, and
readers that continue to support, I’m just enjoying the love and the
ride right now! Special shout out to my partner Kelvin at
kelvinchappelldesigns.com. He does all my websites, cover designs,
layouts, marketing material, etc. So for all you indie authors, look
him up.
Urban Reviews: You have college degrees in Psychology and
Marriage & Family Therapy. Where did the desire to become a writer
come from?
Rickey Teems: It’s funny, I was inspired to write Cross Realities back in 2001,
and just outright failed to follow through. Then in 2006 when I was
working on my Masters, I was looking for information on potential
Ph.D programs and just noted how selective the top schools were and
how much you have to stand out. So I wrote this awesome relationship
guide, Lovingyourlove.com, to use as a resume builder and also help
my clients while I was interning. Well people loved it! That gave me
the confidence to reach back and finally put together Cross
Realities, and it’s been on since then. You can see the progress and
evolution with every subsequent novel. I put the Ph.D plans on hold
as the Lord’s vision for writing became clear, but eventually I am
going to go back to school for the doctorate and continue working
with families and children on some of the problems that plague our
community.
Urban Reviews: What are some of your all-time favorite books?
Was there any author that stood out the most to you?
Rickey Teems: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was one of my favorite books as
a kid, so you can imagine how eked I was when the movie came out.
I love Sundiata, Pimp (Iceberg Slim was cold), Next, the Left Behind
Series, of course the Bible, Monster, and as I mentioned before They
Came Before Columbus.
When it comes to authors there are so many great ones out there it’s
tough to try and think of one or two. But I would say Langston
Hughes, Dr. Ivan van Sertima (he actually presented factual
documentation to Congress on how Africans were here in the Americas
centuries before the Spanish), I appreciate the writings of Stanley
“Tookie” Williams and how they exemplify the renewing of his soul
and apology for whatever wrongs he may have done. Then there is L.A.
Hottest Author, this guy named Rickey Teems II (just joking).
Urban Reviews: What is your overall impression of the
African-American Fiction market?
Rickey Teems: Overall I love to see us still reading and writing with the best of
them, especially as the number of readers in America seems to
dwindle in favor of movies and digital media. I wouldn’t complain if
there was a little more diversity in the writings, but I can
appreciate all the authors following their dreams and having the
courage to put their pens to the page.
Urban Reviews: Do you feel the love from other others in the
business?
Rickey Teems: Yeah, I’m feeling so much love right now I could put cupid out of
business! It’s great to have people openly express how much they
appreciate my works, how the story impacted them, playfully pissed
off at me because they don’t want to wait for the next book to find
out what happens. I’m lovin’ it (no McDonalds ad intended). Shout
out to my hometown, homegirl, Karen Williams, author of Harlem on
Lock.
Urban Reviews: Is there anything else you'd like to share
about yourself or your books?
Rickey Teems: I guess let me first say thank you to Radiah and Urban Reviews for
giving me the opportunity to share a little bit with everybody.
Ya’ll could have easily gave, Regression, like a negative one and
kept it shin’, so thank you. I’m just a regular Christian dude, so
if you see me in the street, don’t hesitate to come say what’s up,
or hit me with an email or MySpace message. While I may never know
why the Lord blessed me with the gift, I hope my writing will
forever evoke thought, soul, and complete satisfaction in everyone
that takes the time to turn the pages. Thank you all for the
encouragement and support. If you haven’t read Regression, yet, it
will be unlike any other fiction (not just AA) that you have ever
read, but remember, there is some truth to every story. You never
know.
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