Chatting with Deatri King-Bey
Author Deatri King-Bey is a force of nature. In 2006 she burst onto the literary scene as an author --she was already an editor at Third World Press, Inc.-- and has been lighting it up ever since, writing in different genres and chairing the Romance Slam Jam convention. King-Bey spoke with me about her latest works and this year's Romance Slam Jam, which will be held in Little Rock from April 11-15.
When were you first published?
My first title, Caught Up, was published February 2006 by Genesis Press.
Tell the readers about the Write Brothers series (since we are all looking for Mr. Right/Write).
Women often complain that it’s hard to find a good Black man. Well, Gloria Write is the mother of four great Black men and not one of them is interested in marrying. Mother knows best, so Gloria gives her sons little loving nudges here and there to push them into their happily ever after. Currently books I and II, Tell Her How You Feel and Santa’s Helper, are available in print, Kindle and Nook formats and book III is coming soon.
As the chairman of Romance Slam Jam, what is the most difficult thing about organizing such a huge and wonderful event?
The hardest part is keeping the price low. The Romance Slam Jam is around $200 less than comparable conferences and we also do not charge authors for signing space or to distribute their promo items like many conferences do. We also do not have any type of dues to collect during the years. So we have an extremely tight budget, but we want as many people who want to attend be able to afford to attend.
What can readers expect at this year’s Romance Slam Jam?
Gwyneth Bolton is our keynote speaker. Gwen is more than a great author, she’s a fantastic person and also mentors up and coming authors. She’s also funny and don’t let there be a karaoke machine around, she’ll have you up on the stage with her killing Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper's Delight. Talking about karaoke, we will be doing karaoke again at this year’s conference. We all just love it. There will be workshops on the craft and publishing industry and reader sessions for attendees to get to know the authors in a more personal setting. A MEGA book signing (don’t forget to bring books you’ve purchased over the years to have them signed), Emma Awards Banquet and so much more. We are going to have a GREAT time, thanks to the hosts Sistahs of Color Reading Group and Laura Parker Castoro. They’ve done a great job.Visit http://www.romanceslamjam.org for full details about the conference.
What’s your next book and when can readers get their hands on it?
My next new release will be the third story in the Write Brothers Series: Third Time’s A Charm and will be out this spring. I’m also re-releasing my historical romance Journey’s End and a women’s fiction title called Jodie’s Choice this spring.
How can readers reach you?
Visit my website at http://deatrikingbey.com and it has links to my announcements (for book releases), social media sites, webpages, books, everything Dee and they can email me at deatri@deewrites.com. I love hearing from readers. I even let them choose the order I'd do the Write Brothers Series in.
When were you first published?
Tell the readers about the Write Brothers series (since we are all looking for Mr. Right/Write).
As the chairman of Romance Slam Jam, what is the most difficult thing about organizing such a huge and wonderful event?
The hardest part is keeping the price low. The Romance Slam Jam is around $200 less than comparable conferences and we also do not charge authors for signing space or to distribute their promo items like many conferences do. We also do not have any type of dues to collect during the years. So we have an extremely tight budget, but we want as many people who want to attend be able to afford to attend.
What can readers expect at this year’s Romance Slam Jam?
Gwyneth Bolton is our keynote speaker. Gwen is more than a great author, she’s a fantastic person and also mentors up and coming authors. She’s also funny and don’t let there be a karaoke machine around, she’ll have you up on the stage with her killing Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper's Delight. Talking about karaoke, we will be doing karaoke again at this year’s conference. We all just love it. There will be workshops on the craft and publishing industry and reader sessions for attendees to get to know the authors in a more personal setting. A MEGA book signing (don’t forget to bring books you’ve purchased over the years to have them signed), Emma Awards Banquet and so much more. We are going to have a GREAT time, thanks to the hosts Sistahs of Color Reading Group and Laura Parker Castoro. They’ve done a great job.Visit http://www.romanceslamjam.org for full details about the conference.
What’s your next book and when can readers get their hands on it?
My next new release will be the third story in the Write Brothers Series: Third Time’s A Charm and will be out this spring. I’m also re-releasing my historical romance Journey’s End and a women’s fiction title called Jodie’s Choice this spring.
How can readers reach you?
Visit my website at http://deatrikingbey.com and it has links to my announcements (for book releases), social media sites, webpages, books, everything Dee and they can email me at deatri@deewrites.com. I love hearing from readers. I even let them choose the order I'd do the Write Brothers Series in.
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