Interview with SHELIA M. GOSS

THE ROCK: Who is Shelia M. Goss?
Goss: I am the Essence Magazine Best-Selling author of My Invisible Husband. I'm also the author of the Dallas Morning News Best-Selling novel, Roses are Thorns, Violets are True. Besides writing fiction, I'm a freelance writer and an aspiring screenwriter.

THE ROCK: Where are you from and currently residing?
Goss: I'm from Louisiana and I'm currently living in my hometown of' Shreveport.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Goss: As far as I know, I'm the only one.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Goss: I started writing when I was 9 years old, but I didn't decide to write professionally until 1999.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Goss: Nothing can prepare you for this. However, when I decided that I wanted to be an author, I began taking workshops, networking with other authors, etc.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Goss: What really inspired me is when Maya Angelou spoke to my high school freshman class during a lock-in. I wanted to capture the same passion she portrayed with her words.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Goss: My invisible Husband isn't based on anyone I know. I took an issue that single men and women deal with daily and added a comical spin to it. Since writing the book, I've heard from several people who have done some outlandish stuff. Roses are Thorns, Violets are True by first novel is about twin sisters. Rose is a movie star and loves the spotlight, but her twin sister Violet is the opposite. Sibling rivalry amongst twins is the unique premise for this novel.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Goss: My Invisible Husband is the tale of one woman's desperate attempt to stop the age-old question posed to all women at some point in their lives: So when are you getting married? To appease her family and friends, 34 year old Nicolette Montana fakes a Las Vegas wedding. How she handles her web of deceit makes for a dramatic and sometimes comical story.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Goss: Let's hope. But seriously, I have an agent; so hopefully it won't be long.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Goss: Yes. I'm a self-published author. I received rejection letters going the traditional route, and because I had an audience for my short stories and e-book already, I refused to take no for an answer. After speaking with several successful self-published authors, I decided to try my hand with self-publishing… and the rest is history.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Goss: Good question. Hopefully, they are looking for novels with a twist (my current motto).

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche and why?
Goss: Funny you ask. I get queries through my small publishing company; however, due to a lack of funds, I'm unable to publish them. If I did have an unlimited budget, I would publish contemporary fiction, chick-lit, romance, mysteries, etc.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important
professionally?
Goss: Normally with a traditional publisher, you don't have to worry about distribution. Your book stands a better chance of being made available to readers. Meaning, the books are in ALL of the major chain book stores, which could include stores like Wal-Mart and Target.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
Goss: Both books have been on the Dallas Morning News Best Sellers list as well as other lists across the country. I received several Readers’ Choice Awards from Shades of Romance Magazine for Roses are Thorns, Violets are True and was named the 2004 One Swan Productions Female Author of the Year. My most recent professional achievement and blessing however was seeing My Invisible Husband listed on the ESSENCE MAGAZINE June 2005 Best Sellers List.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Goss: Terry McMillan, Linda Dominique Grosvenor, J California Cooper, Carl Weber, Deidre Savoy, Vincent Alexandria, Magdalene Breaux and the list goes on and on.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in five years?
Goss: When readers think of Danielle Steele or Jackie Collins, I want them to also think of Shelia M Goss. I also want to see several movies that I've written on the silver screen.

THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
Goss: My books can be purchased directly from my website at www.sheliagoss.com or other online retailers such as www.amazon.com, www.blackimages.com, www.theblacklibrary.com, etc or from other book stores such as Barnes and Noble, Jokae's in Dallas, Borders, etc. If it's not on the shelf, ask the clerk to order it.

THE ROCK: Thank you, Ms. Goss.

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