Urban-Reviews.com - Inside Out with Venesha

Urban Reviews: Tell us about Mistress Me.
Venesha: Mistress Me is a behind the scenes look at male athletes and the woman who has the privilege of bedding them. Channing is rapidly on the come up as a publicist thanks to her basketball playing twin brother. Channing is also known within the industry as the bitch to see if you want the best publicist or wild sexcapades until she meets Alonzo. Alonzo is a platinum all-star baller and steps to Channing for more than publicity; however he's really seeking a personal playmate. Married for six years Alonzo initiates a five year love affair with his publicist and together they conceive three children. Alonzo's barren wife Sheila Butler follows her intuition and hires a private investigator to get the drop on her suspected cheating spouse. Sheila is disgusted to learn that her husband’s mistress is Channing L. Golden, one of the biggest undercover hoes in the industry. Mistress Me is a tale of love within the prestigious and oh so hellava heavenly circle of professional athletes.

Urban Reviews: What inspired you to write this novel and to become an author?
Venesha: The prologue of Mistress Me was actually written several years prior in a journal. I was healing from prior relationships gone bad. Journaling was so therapeutic for me. I decided to finally pen my first novel after reading street fiction or urban literature for a few years. I felt I had a different story to tell and I felt that many readers could relate to the story. Everybody plays the fool sometimes, but in Mistress Me you are able to get the revenge you always wanted right here and right now!

Urban Reviews: Is this story inspired by true events or is it total fictitious?
Venesha: Mistress Me was certainly inspired by past relationships with men of platinum celebrity and stature. It's all fun and games while you are jet-setting to and from the islands, concerts, basketball and football games...but eventually that game gets played out. Any woman who knows her worth will command to be #1 or nothing at all...eventually! It may take a while, perhaps a few decades but it does get old.

Urban Reviews: You released this novel under your own publishing company Polka Dotz and Stripez Publishing. Why did you choose to do this?
Venesha: I sent my manuscript to six different independent publishing companies and I received one rejection letter. The other five probably did not bother to open the packages. The story was unique, and I was very determined to get my story out to the readers. So self-publishing for me was plan B. The minute I sent those manuscripts off, I started putting plan B in motion. I had a feeling that since I wasn’t writing the typical 'dope boy, dope girl' story, Mistress Me wouldn’t get the chance it deserved. A year later I am finally getting a few calls but a day late and a dollar too short. The gestures are sweet but comical.

Urban Reviews: Would you like to be signed to a major publisher in the future?
Venesha: Yes, I'd like to get a major deal…only for the sake of bigger channels of distribution and if the right offer comes along I may sign a book or two, but will always keep Polka Dotz & Stripez.

Urban Reviews: Any upcoming projects?
Venesha: Yes, NOTORIOUS…The Starlett Ray Saga is set for a mystery release in 2007. NOTORIOUS is about a young woman from Milwaukee named Starlett Ray who decided to write and sell her own book. As she networks and researches, she realizes that the book industry is just as grimey and cut throat as the music or fashion industry…it’s Black Hollyhood in its ghetto-est form. She is lied too, stolen from, teased, and talked about all as a form of sabotage to stop her from releasing her tell-all book.

Urban Reviews: What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of self-publishing?
Venesha: The strength is total creative control and the income benefits. The weaknesses are setting up distribution properly; start up capital, marketing, and simply finding your way through the process. It’s been extremely difficult but a learning experience to say the least. I learned more about self-publishing in a year than I learned in four years of college and I am still learning. I was blessed in so many ways, especially when I was accepted as a client by Dawn Michelle of Dream Relations/Dream Management. She’s not only a power house literary publicist but she also serves as my manager/broker as well. Dawn Michelle has taken a lot of pressure of being in the business off my plate so I can do so many other things. We work together as a team. She is truly a living angel. Mistress Me probably wouldn’t be out this soon without her literary guidance and savvy skills. She believed in Mistress Me and my publishing company, and she works as if they are her own babies. I so appreciate her.

Urban Reviews: What is the biggest thing you've learned about the literary industry?
Venesha: TRUST NO ONE…HA HA…~real talk~

Urban Reviews: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Venesha: No matter what, keep writing. Believe in yourself when those around you are in doubt. Stay determined and find your way because it is possible!!!

Urban Reviews: Name one thing that the world does not know about Venesha-the person?
Venesha: I LOVE going to church and studying the word of God!