Urban Reviews: Can you tell
us about your debut novel Unexpected Interruptions?
Trice Hickman:
Yes, and first let me say
thank you so much for this opportunity to connect with readers
through Urban-Reviews.com!
Unexpected Interruptions is a
thought-provoking story about a young sister who finds herself
falling for two men—one black, one white, both determined in
their pursuit for her affections. As her relationship heats up
with both men, she resurrects a painful secret she thought
she’d buried long ago, and finds herself doing things she
never thought she’d do. The novel addresses social issues such
as race, class and skin-color bias.
Urban Reviews: Your book
talks a lot about race and relationships. What kind of
research did you do in preparation for this book?
Trice Hickman:
Actually, the story I ended
up with isn’t the story I had set out to write. Initially, I
wanted to pen a novel with a storyline that focused on the
best friend/platonic relationship between a young black woman
and a young black man, but as the characters developed they
took on a life of their own and the interracial storyline
became the overarching theme. That said, once I saw the
direction the story was going, I started doing research
through US Census reports, on-line groups, and social think
tank organizations. I coupled that data with my own personal
experiences and observations on race and relationships.
Urban Reviews: What was it
like when you first held a finished copy of your book?
Trice Hickman:
Oh, it was so unreal! For months and
months I had poured over the manuscript, getting the cover art
just right, getting the interior design laid out, and all the
other technical details that go into the publishing and
manufacturing of a book. But to actually hold the finished
product in my hand…it was like having an early Christmas!
Urban Reviews: What made
you want to start your own publishing company and release
Unexpected Interruptions on your own?
Trice Hickman:
When I started the journey of
getting my book published, I had wanted to go the traditional
route because I’d heard so many stories about the difficulties
of self-publishing. With that in mind, I submitted my
manuscript to dozens of agents and publishers. However, every
single agent and every single publisher turned me down. I was
determined that I wasn’t going to let them decide the fate of
my work. I wanted the readers to decide. After careful
planning and research I formed my own publishing company,
Platinum Books, and released Unexpected Interruptions
myself. Self-publishing was the best decision I could’ve made
for the life of my book. I’m so glad that God directed me to
take that leap of faith!
Urban Reviews: Do you find
that marketing and promoting your book to be an uphill battle?
Trice Hickman:
Yes. It’s always a challenge finding
ways to reach a larger audience. As a self-published author,
you have to really hustle to find creative and cost efficient
ways to promote your book. Distribution is also another uphill
battle. Getting your book in retail stores so that it’s widely
available to readers is also a struggle.
Urban Reviews: What
upcoming projects can we look forward to in the future?
Trice Hickman:
Right now I’m finishing up my
second novel, which will be released in February 2009, and my
third book is half-way finished. I’ve also have storylines for
two additional books.
Urban Reviews: Are there any
authors or books that have been influential in you becoming an
author?
Trice Hickman:
Yes, there have been many. When I
was in college I took an Advanced Women’s Literature class
that introduced me to great writers like Ntozake Shange, Nikki
Giovanni, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison and Alice Walker,
among others. I’d always been an avid reader since I was a
little girl, but until that time I’d only read the Judy Blume/Nancy
Drew type of books. But after taking that class, those
powerful black women opened up a new world for me and showed
me that I too could become a published author one day, writing
stories about the experiences of our people.
Urban Reviews: What
advice have you received from other authors in the book
industry?
Trice Hickman: I’ve
been blessed that very early in my career I’ve had the
privilege of connecting with some phenomenal women in the book
industry who have guided me and given me a helping hand. The
best advice they’ve given me is to keep doing what I’m doing
and to always believe in myself. I think that is the key to
success with anything. You have to have a deep belief in
yourself and what you are doing.
Urban Reviews: What do you
have to say to others thinking about becoming a published
author?
Trice Hickman:
The two most important pieces
of advice I'd give to anyone who wants to become a published
author is to NEVER give up, and to learn all they can about
their craft and the book publishing industry. You've gotta
have thick skin in this business. Writing, especially fiction
writing, is very subjective. Not everyone is going to like
your work, but don't give up and don't let anyone discourage
you from the dream in your heart or the story you want to
tell. Fine-tune your craft, establish your own unique style,
and listen the characters you create. Allow them to take your
story to heights that will engage the reader. The creative
side of a writer is what allows us the develop a stories that
readers will love, but there is a business side to our craft
that we must learn in order to take our work to where we want
it to go! I learn new things every day about how the
publishing world works. Do your research, align yourself with
a mentor and network your tail off to promote your book!
Urban Reviews: Any final
thoughts about yourself or your debut novel that you want to
leave with readers?
Trice Hickman:
I want readers to know how
very appreciative and thankful I am for their support. I
started this journey with the belief that I’d written a good
story, and that if I could just get it published, people would
buy it. Well, not only have people bought Unexpected
Interruptions, they have spread the word and helped the
book to receive a 5 Star rating on Amazon. God is truly good!
I love hearing from readers, so please contact me through my
website at
www.tricehickman.com and also check me out on MySpace
at
www.myspace.com/tricehickman.
I’m good at responding to emails, so I’ll hit ya back! |
