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"Interview with Keith
Lee Johnson"
THE ROCK:
Who is Keith Lee Johnson, tell us something about you?
Johnson: I was born and reared in a Toledo,
Ohio ghetto. When I think back on it, school was only fun, in terms
of learning, in first grade. I was the teacher's pet. She made me feel
special and I actually tried to learn a thing or two. However, from
second grade forward, school was a necessary evil. No one took interest
in me. I'm not sure anyone cared if I learned or not. So neither did
I. Fortunately, my mind was sharp and I managed to pass tests and get
promoted every year without spending a lot of precious time studying.
There were girls to pursue, ya know? By my junior year, I decided to
try writing a serious composition paper. I'll go into detail about that
later as I see question 4 would be the more appropriate place to discuss
what happened. Anyway, girls became more important than school, friends,
and any career I should have been preparing for. This preoccupation
with the opposite sex nearly ruined my life in terms of ever having
any real direction. Like a man said, "I was blind, but now I see."
THE ROCK:
Where are you from, and currently residing?
Johnson: I still live in Toledo, Ohio,
but on the other side of town. LOL!
THE ROCK:
Are there any other writers in the family?
Johnson: No, sir.
THE ROCK:
When did you start writing?
Johnson: I started writing about 8 years
ago in college. But my real introduction was as a junior at Robert S.
Rogers High School in 1977, where I was thoroughly ripped to shreds
for being brazen enough to turn in a composition that was far from stellar.
The teacher cut into me with words so sharp they might as well have
been glass. Everyone laughed themselves silly, including the teacher,
who was doubled over, but continued to launch his fiery artillery in
the form of words. I left the room and never returned. My defeat, as
it were, was complete and nearly unredeemable. But there were always
girls, right?
THE ROCK:
What prepared you to become an author?
Johnson: Life itself prepared me for authorship.
All my experiences, here in the Western Hemisphere and abroad. Everything
I see, everyone one I meet, every conversation I overhear, every news
article or news event continues to prepare me. Wisdom and foolishness,
ups and downs, triumphant and defeat; all of these shape the worlds
I create.
THE ROCK:
What inspired you to become a writer?
Johnson: A teacher named Leonard Kress.
As irony would have it, both men were white. What one man broke, another
man mended. There is a God, is there not?
THE ROCK:
What inspired you to write your book?
Johnson: My books are inspired by the human
condition, the messes we make of our lives, the decisions we make on
a daily basis, and what we allow others to get away with. Being the
author of Suspense/Thrillers such as Pretenses and Sugar & Spice
and dramas like Fate's Redemption and Little Black Girl Lost, all deal
with themes that push the envelop. And in so doing, deliver inspirational
messages, albeit subtle, along with the entertainment one expects when
purchasing novels.
THE ROCK:
Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Johnson:
My newest novel, Fate's Redemption, deals with the lives of three brothers;
Jericho, the drug and munitions dealer with CIA connections; Sterling,
the attorney and philanderer, and William, the psychologist. It is about
the decisions they make and the consequences of those decisions. It
is soul stirring, introspective, and philosophically penetrating. It
is revealing in that it forces one to question ideology long held as
the supreme truth, shatters this truth, thereby making room for a new
truth and new ideology that could be superior to those truths once held
dear. Fate's Redemption is by far my most controversial book, which
boldly delves into race, drugs, the CIA, and many other themes.
THE ROCK:
Any publishing contracts in the working?
Johnson: I'm fortunate in that I have contracts
with both Strebor Books International, owned by best selling author,
Zane. And Urban Books, owned by best selling author Carl Weber.
THE ROCK:
Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Johnson: No, I never self-published because
I never had to.
THE ROCK:
What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Johnson: Traditional publishers are looking
for manuscripts that are not only well written, but have a high commercial
appeal. In other words, they are looking for novels that have high earning
potential. And it's cool with me because we're all trying to make a
living. Everything is about money, eventually, if you look hard enough.
THE ROCK:
If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
Johnson: If I were a publisher, I wouldn't
have a niche, per se. Again, it's about the money. Let me explain as
I know people may be trippin' on this truth. It costs to produce books,
okay? Therefore, it only makes sense to publish novels that bring money
to stockholders, as this is why they invested in my company. While that
may sound like unabashed greed, it isn't. It's business period. And
to be perfectly frank, if my novels don't start selling soon, guess
what? Publishers will no longer be interested in publishing my work.
I have no problem with this because it's business. Either produce or
ya gotta go. LOL!
THE ROCK:
For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional
publisher" important professionally? Why?
Johnson: Having a contract with a traditional
publisher makes the author legit out the gate. However, a street savvy
self-published hustler will probably sell more books faster than the
authors who have traditional publishers doing everything for
them and thus get their attention.
THE ROCK:
What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
Johnson: One of my professional achievements
was becoming a highly valued member of the United States Air Force and
serving this great nation. As for personal achievements, well, I think
writing 4 books are a real landmark for me, considering my junior year
of high school.
THE ROCK:
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Johnson: Two of my favorite authors are
Eric Jerome Dickey and Jackie Collins. Both keep it real and both authors
are hilarious. Nevertheless, I prefer non fiction, particularly Mafia
non fiction about real gangsters like Al Capone, Sam Giancana, et cetera.
THE ROCK:
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Johnson: In 5 years, I want to be on the
New York Times Best Sellers List!
THE ROCK:
Where can readers find you?
Johnson: Readers can find my books in just
about any store in the country and online venders like Amazon, Barnes
and Nobles, Books-a-Million, Borders, Waldens, and Walmart. Readers
can also visit my website at www.keithleejohnson.com.
They can also checkout my articles at http://www.undressingthecrowd.blogspot.com.
THE ROCK:
Thank you, Mr. Johnson.
Johnson: Thanks for having me
ROCK. Peace!
Keith Lee Johnson
Author of Little Black Girl Lost, Sugar & Spice, and PRETENSES
http://www.keithleejohnson.com/
Keith Lee Johnson
Author of Little Black Girl Lost, Sugar & Spice, and PRETENSES
www.keithleejohnson.com
http://www.rockpublications.com
http://www.the-rock-newsmagazine.com
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