Interview with James W. Lewis

THE ROCK: Who is James, tell us something about you?
James: I'm a 33-year-old aspiring author in love with the written word.

THE ROCK: Where are you from, and currently residing?
James: Born in Germany, raised in Virginia, living in Californ-i-a.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
James: My younger brother writes fantasy/science fiction; my older brother writes music and raps.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
James: About age eleven. I got deep in writing after my mother put me on seven-day restriction and made me write short stories as part of my punishment. That sparked a passion in writing I didn't know existed.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
James: The city library. As a pre-teen, I would spend hours in the library reading all kinds of books. I loved how authors molded words together and created stories. I wanted to do the same thing.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
James: The library and my mother. When I was younger, I had low self-esteem and always thought I was weird because I loved to read. Mom made me realize that it was okay to love books. With her seven-day written assignments disguised as punishment, I also understood that writing from the heart wasn't such a bad thing, either.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
James: My Work-in-Progress is a story called "Sellout" written from three point-of-views: a black man, a black woman, and white woman. It's about three people who decide to "hop the fence" and date interracially. The story explores not only prejudice thrown at them, but their own bias.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
James: I'm hoping to negotiate a contract with a men's magazine scheduled to launch nationally sometime in April or May. They will showcase an excerpt from one of my stories.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
James: Thought about going the Print-On-Demand route, but decided on the traditional route with an agent. I will definitely promote my work WHEN I get a book deal, but with my schedule, I don't believe I have the time to wear so many other "hats." Self-publishers must invest a lot of time and effort to break even.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
James: From what I've read and from an industry insider I trust, street/hip-hop fiction seems to be the big thing, now. With the success of Tyler Perry, I imagine fiction with gospel overtones will become hot soon.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
James: If I were a publisher, I would probably focus on AA men's issues, fiction and non-fiction. Why? Because we have a lot to say and I think we've been trampled in the media lately, especially with the down-low craziness and hip-hop beefs. Also, because black men supposedly don't read enough. I'd like to change that.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
James: It's important because it's the culmination of hard work, dedication, and perserverance--despite years of rejection, frustration, and self-doubt. I also know, however, a publishing contract is just a new phase of all I'd mentioned above.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
James: Professional: Finishing my first manuscript; acquiring an agent; winning first place in a writing contest. Personal: Buying my 1st house in super-expensive California before age 30; staying married for nearly eight years; installing a backyard sprinkler system as a beginner (hard work!!!)

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
James: Eric Jerome Dickey, Carl Weber, Brandon Massey. I like to support black male authors.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
James: Retired (from the military) with at least six-figures in my bank account. I'd like to have at least three books and three anthologies under my belt and a successful career as an at-home author and freelance writer. And a Mercedes 500SL in the garage of my new 6,500 sq. ft house.

THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
James: My website at www.jameswlewis.com or my blog at jameswlewis.blogspot.com.

THE ROCK: Thank you, James.