EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: with Trice Hickman

admin July 9, 2012 1

1. Can you tell us about your new book deal with Kensington and let us know why you decided to sign with that company?

TH: I self-published my first three novels, UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTIONS, KEEPING SECRETS & TELLING LIES, and PLAYING THE HAND YOU’RE DEALT. One morning when I opened my email I found a message from an editor at Kensington, wanting to know if I’d be interested in working with them. From there it took a few months to negotiate a three-book deal for the purchase of my self-published novels. Kensington is re-releasing my books under their Dafina Books imprint, giving me broader distribution to a much larger reading audience. It’s been a wonderful experience. Seeing my books on the shelves of stores across the country like Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Walmart, Target, and even Kmart, has been thrilling!

2. When you are creating characters what are some of the lasting impressions you want to leave with your audience?

TH: The characters I create are what I call “beautifully flawed” people. They are good individuals who often make bad decisions that lead to lots of drama, but also to breakthroughs and growth. The biggest impression I want readers to come away with after they read my books is the central theme of recovery. At some point we will all make poor decisions or do things we wish we hadn’t. Things happen. But what’s important to know is that it’s not about what happens to you, but rather, how you recover from it. How do you move on in the face of adversity? That is what my character struggle through, how do recover from mistakes. I think we all do.

3. I noticed that Unexpected Interruptions and Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies are really one story, will there be a part three, if so when can we expect it?

TH: Yes, UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTIONS was my first book, and the sequel, KEEPING SECRETS & TELLING LIES, picks up six years down the road in the lives of the main characters. Although each story ends, the journeys of the characters still live on. They still have something to say, so I’m listening to them. I’ve outlined a story for the third book in what I’m calling the Love With No Limits trilogy. Hopefully, readers will continue to follow Victoria, Ted, Parker, and their children as they take the next step in their journey of life.

4. Who would you say is your prime audience and do you ever see yourself writing for anyone else?

TH: My prime audience is comprised of adult, African American females, ages 20-65. I’ve also built a growing readership of interracial couples because of the subject matter in my books. As for who I see myself writing for? My goal is to continue to write entertaining stories that challenge conventional stereotypes and inspire people to step outside their comfort zone, and I hope to do that through whatever publishing vehicle God provides.

5. Who were your favorite authors that you looked up to when you were a teen and who are your influences now?

TH: I’ve been reading since I was 3 years old. When I was a teen, l loved Judy Blume novels. After I went away to college I enrolled in an advanced English literature course that focused on African American female literary writers and poets. I was introduced to amazing talents like Alice Walker, Zora Neal Hurston, Toni Morrison, Ntozake Shange, bell hooks, and Audrey Lord. These women inspired me to become a writer. Today, I read all types of books by a diverse array of writers, much too many to name, so at the risk of leaving anyone out I’ll just say I’m influenced by a good read!

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THIS AUTHOR VISIT HER WEBSITE: http://www.tricehickman.com/