Literary Stardom is a spotlight for
'New Authors' that has 5 or less books under their belt. This new feature is
targeted to highlight new authors because many new authors are often overlooked
and readers don’t want to take a chance on purchasing a book by someone ‘new.’
However, many readers are missing out because these new authors have a lot of
fire spitting from their pen! Some of you seem to forget that your favorite
author was once new & you took a chance with them. So, my message is to
stop overlooking these talented authors and give them a chance! Our next
Literary Star is Tabitha Sharpe.
Born and raised in Nashville
Tennessee, Tabitha Sharpe always had bigger dreams than what the country music
capital of the USA said she should have. Her writing journey began as a young
child desperate to find solace after losing her father. That peace finding
journey turned into a hobby. That hobby lead her to writing for her high school
and college newspapers. She fell in love with journalism and it jump started her
into a career. On August 24, 2015, Tabitha released her first fictional novel, ‘Behind
Our Husbands' Lies.’ In 2016, she busted out of the literary gate with her
second full length novel, ‘Unhinged.’ Though she is a new face to the literary
world, she is a force to be reckoned with her two back to back page turning
novels.
Chatting with Tabitha
I had the honor of sitting down &
chatting with Tabitha about her literary career. Tune in to hear what she had
to say.
Can you please
tell us a little about yourself?
Yes. I'm a
newlywed, mother and writing fool. Outside of writing, I love to read, of
course and crotchet. I'm in love with the hit TV series ‘The Vampire Diaries’
and ‘The Originals,’ so you can always catch me in front of the screen on
Fridays.
Your publisher
is Diamond M'Press Publications. Why did you decide to sign with them?
Well, I love
Dominique. I love the way she moves and how ambitious she is. Our goals line up
together and we get along great. She gives me the extra push and creative
structure I need to complete my projects.
Who is your targeted audience and
what message are you trying to relay in your writing?
I would say my
targeted audience is always women, mothers, wives and grandmothers. Overall,
while entertaining, I'm always trying to remind women of something. It might be
that we aren't all perfect, sometimes the message is logic over love. But the
audience is usually pretty much the same.
With thousands of books being
released each day and new authors steady emerging, how are you going to stand
out? Why should readers give your book(s) a try versus others in the same
genre?
Readers should
try me because I brand myself. I actually take the time to interact, to fall in
love with my readers and give them a chance to fall in love with me. Also, I'm
bringing back the truth to literature. It's our job to entertain, but our
biggest job is to network and market. How can you do that if you're being a
false character?
If you could have been the original
author of any book, what would it have been and why?
The Poisonwood
Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. I read that book in high school and I knew I was
in love with writing. Since then, I've always thought damn, if I could have
written this book I know I would be a legend. I don't want to be rich. I want
to be an icon, a legend.
I'm sure you're a reader as well,
who are some of your favorite authors and what's on your ‘To Be Read’ List?
Oh yes, I love
me some reading. I am a big science fiction freak, so Stephen King, James
Patterson, P.C. Cast, Ally Thomas. Right now, I don't have a TBR list. I'm
working on finding some hot material to read.
Are you a full-time or part-time
writer and how long has it been since you published your first book?
I am a full
time writer. It has almost been a year. In August, my first book will be a year
old.
What inspired you to become a
writer?
Everything
inspired me to become a writer. My main reason for writing was my cousin. She
gave me a diary a few years after my father died because I was rebelling, and
was just becoming evil. I had nothing left inside of me and she wanted me to
find some kind of solace in writing down my pain, my memories, my happiness and
all of that. Little did she know that hobby, would turn into my career.
So tell us, what books have you
written?
So far, I have
Behind Our Husbands Lies and Unhinged.
What genre is
Unhinged and why did you choose to write in that genre?
Unhinged is a
mystery novel. I've always loved solving mysteries, and riddles. I thought it
would be fun to try one out.
Give us an insight into your main character(s).
What does he/she do that is so special?
Well, Lilly is
the main character. This book is literally centered around her. She is the
lifeline of this book. She is special because she's an African American, multiple
disorder having, secretary for a high school, murdering woman who still
believes she deserves redemption.
Which
actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from Unhinged?
Kimberly Elise.
She is not as good looking as I'd like, but I know she could play the crazy
parts well.
How do you connect and interact with
readers?
I'm always
talking with people. I like to find fun things for me to do with my readers or
that my readers can participate in. Also, I just keep it honest. I don't mind
showing them my life and I try to make them feel like they are a part of it.
What was the hardest thing about
writing your latest book?
The hardest
thing is momentum and confidence. Just trying to outdo yourself sometimes is
hard. I always read too much into everything. I'm always worried something will
be too slow, or not enough.
Do you think that giving away books
for free works? Why or why not?
I guess it
depends on what you're trying to achieve by sending out the free books. Readers
hardly ever do reviews...so if you give out free books do it for exposure.
Nothing else. (lol)
Why do you feel that you will be
reader’s next ‘favorite author’?
Because I'm not
trying to impress anyone. I write for me and I still have the passion for it. I
don't care about the money. I haven't seen a penny yet, and I'm still writing.
So I would hope my honesty and integrity would motivate them to want to pick up
one of my books.
Where do you see yourself in your
career as a writer in 5 years?
I honestly see
myself on a book tour with my science fiction novels.
Based off what you’ve learned in
your writing career, what advice would you give to a new and emerging author
about the publishing industry?
Everything that
glitters isn’t gold. If you're a leader, don't be afraid to lead yourself into
greatness. All you need is a little support and sometimes, that support can
come from you.
How do you think the publishing
industry will be in the future?
I think the Facebook
authors will die out.
What can readers expect from you
next?
My next novel
I'm releasing is titled, ‘Homicide at Studio 1.’ It will be an amazing murder
mystery.
Thank you very much for taking the
time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
Unhinged
Lilly is a woman constantly on the
run. Battling inner demons while hiding from the deadly consequences of her
past mistakes, she has vowed to give up her obsession with wanting to be loved.
All that changes when she meets Malachi. He is perfect in every way, and Lilly
thinks she can finally have her happily ever after. But some secrets refuse to
stay buried, and all that Lilly has been running from is about to catch up with
her.
Their love is put to the ultimate test as destruction, lust, and even murder
threaten to rip them apart. Can love really conquer the brutal secrets that
Lilly has desperately tried to conceal? Or will her time finally run out?
Genre African American Women’s
Fiction, African American Urban Fiction, Mystery & Suspense
Publisher G Street Chronicles
Release Date January 21, 2016
Print Length 159 pages
Purchase Price $1, Free with Kindle
Unlimited (Kindle eBook); $16 (Paperback)
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Thanks for stopping by! Be
sure to check out Tabitha Sharpe new release! Leave a comment below to let Tabitha
know what you think, if you have any questions & if you will be purchasing
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Until next time ....stay Blessed
& Read!
