"The Interview with Sharon Rae North"

THE ROCK: Who is Sharon Rae North, tell us something about you?
North: I am a multifaceted woman who is full of creative energy. In my ‘real job’ I’m a Communications Relations Manager at the National Center for Primary Care at the Morehouse School of Medicine. And, you already know I’m an author. My children’s book, My Brand New Leg, has been out 18 months and is doing really well. I’m extremely proud of it. What you didn’t know about me is that I’m also a jazz singer. I perform at venues throughout the Atlanta area. But, I’m starting to branch out and will be singing at Speak Easy Jazz Winston-Salem, NC and in Memphis (at Isaac Hayes Restaurant and Nightclub) next month. Singing is my truest passion. Years ago my mom told me, "No matter what you do on the outside, you’re a singer on the inside."

THE ROCK: Where are you from, and currently residing?
North: I was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. I got my bachelor’s degree at Youngstown State University and my master’s at the University of Akron. Once I became a television reporter/anchor I began to move around a lot. I’ve lived in Jacksonville, Florida; Newport News, Virginia; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Brooklyn, New York and now I live in Lithonia, Georgia, which is right outside of Atlanta.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
North: I’m not aware of any other writers or authors, but we do have quite a few really talented and creative folks in the family.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
North: I’ve always been a writer. When I was a kid I kept a diary. I still keep a journal, though I’m often too busy to do daily entries. Back in the day, I was the girl who other girls asked to write the little love letters to their boyfriends. In college I loved writing research papers (go figure).

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
North: I think more than anything, life prepared me. You write what you know (or what you create).

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
North: I think my love for writing came as a result of my love for reading. However, I think writers and authors, for the most part, are mutually exclusive. My dad’s death inspired me to be an author. As far as being a writer, that came many years ago as a result of my being a journalist and an avid reader. Before I took the position at Morehouse School of Medicine I spent more than four years writing news at CNN. I’ve also written for print publications and am the chief editor of the web site for Community Voices, which is the department I work in at Morehouse.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
North: You see, my children’s book was written after my dad died of diabetes complications. During the last year of his life he had to get both of his legs amputated. My Brand New Leg is loosely based upon a conversation he had with a curious little girl who asked him what happened. I think the book also helped with my healing process. It was very cathartic.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
North: In typical Sharon Rae North fashion, I’m multi-tasking. I actually have a couple of "creations". I’m working on my 2nd CD now. I’m hoping to have it ready by the summer. It’ll have lots of really good original songs on it. My second "creation" is another book. This one is not a children’s book, though. It’s called "And His Grandmother Wasn’t Even Dead". Basically, it’s a book about women’s worst dating and relationship experiences. It doesn’t deal with violence and abuse, just crazy, funny stories that women would sit around talking and laughing about. I’m not sure when it’ll be completed.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
North: Not at this time. I haven’t sent out any letters to anyone in quite some time. Perhaps when my next book is almost ready. But, then again, I may self-publish that one too.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
North: "My Brand New Leg" is published by my company, Northstar Entertainment Group, LLC. When I wrote it I allowed myself 20 rejection letters from publishers. Actually, all of the feedback I got was positive, some companies even referred me to other publishers. But, since I made 20 the cut-off, I stuck with it and decided to self-publish. When I found out how expensive the printing would be, I sent out rough drafts of the book to about 4 prosthetics manufacturers. One of them, Ohio Willow Wood, loved the book and agreed to pay the publishing costs. They also bought the first 100 copies and donated them to various places, like Children’s Healthcare Hospitals. I also got the Amputee Coalition of America to endorse the book. So, they also buy in bulk from me and distribute the book with their resource materials. The book is available on line through various web sites, such as Amazon.com, etc. I even saw it on web sites based overseas. On one of them, the only words I was able to read were the title, my name and my illustrator’s name. I’ve sold copies in Japan, Holland, England, Canada. So, self-publishing has been very good for me. Obviously, with a major publisher everything would have happened somewhat faster and on an even larger scale. But, this has been such a learning experience for me and has allowed me to be completely hands on with my book and to have the final say in all decision making.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
North: I think they’re looking for good books that are marketable. It’s such a huge market and the competition is so stiff that they want to back projects that they can move. After all, it is a business for profit.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
North: I’m so into children’s books that I’d probably go that route. There’s just something so inherently sweet about children’s books. I still have all of my Dr. Seuss books that my mom bought me when I was little.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
North: Well, I think it can go either way. If you have a really successful book then it’s important. If you don’t, then perhaps it wasn’t. There are a lot of authors with "traditional publishers" who have not had the success they had hoped for. I’ve met several who have been discouraged and disgruntled with the process. They had to do a tremendous amount of their own promotion. They didn’t make the money they had hoped. Their distribution wasn’t as broad as they would have liked. Then, I’ve met others who have had a lot of success. I know authors who’ve gone from traditional to self-publishing… and vice versa. So, I guess each author has to do a tremendous amount of research, talk with other authors and ultimately weigh the pros and cons and decide what’s best for their particular situation.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
North: I’m an award winning journalist, even though at this time I’m not actually a working journalist. I think my greatest achievements to date are my college degrees, My Brand New Leg and my music. Even as I’m answering these questions, I’m lining up singing gigs.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
North: Dr. Seuss is one of my all time favorites. I enjoy reading the Bible. And, this may sound crazy, but I’m a huge fan of the Merriam-Webster’s dictionaries. No kidding… sometimes I’ll just sit and read the dictionary. It’s amazing how many words there are, and their meanings. It’s such a learning experience. I also like to read self-help and inspirational books. I really support African-American authors and have an entire bookshelf in my house that is dedicated to our work. Atlanta has a tremendous amount of African-American authors and I’ve gotten to know some of them very well. I’m in really good company.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
North: I would like to be doing the same things I’m doing now, just on a much broader scale. I’d certainly like to be doing more singing. If you happen to know of any good jazz clubs in your area, let me know. I love taking the show on the road.

THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
North: They can visit my web site, www.northstarent.net. I travel quite a bit with the book, and my web site gives the locations. I’ve decided this year to do more local signings, though I do plan to attend the Harlem Book Festival again this year. I spent so much time on the road last year promoting the book that I decided to do more music and singing this year. It can be really difficult to juggle both, and a full-time job. But, I’m not putting the book aside completely. I’ll still be out there… me and "My Brand New Leg".

THE ROCK: Thank you very much, Ms. North.

Bio I am a professional journalist. I have a bachelor’s degree in speech/telecommunication. I also have a master’s degree in mass media communication/news emphasis. My first jobs in the industry were writing stories for two small local newspapers in Youngstown, Ohio, my hometown. One was for a newspaper targeting the African-American community. The other was an entertainment newspaper. From there I moved into radio. I “pushed carts” and did “rip and read” news for a Christian music station in my hometown. For the next couple of years I reported and anchored news at various stations in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Then, television came calling. I was offered a job as a reporter in my hometown. I worked there four years before taking a morning anchor and reporter spot in Jacksonville, Florida. I’ve also worked in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Right now I’m a freelance writer at CNN in Atlanta. And, now I am an author! In my spare time, of which I have very little, I love working in my yard. I also enjoy painting (walls), hanging wallpaper and decorating. And, just for good measure, I’m a professional singer. I recently formed Northstar Entertainment Group, LLC with my sister, Jennifer (Ginger) Elmore and my brother-in-law, Luther Elmore to help me with sales and promotion of My Brand New Leg and to let people know about my singing career. Thanks for logging on!

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