Featured Author - Archives

November 2002

A Chat With Author Alicia Singleton

When she entered the room I immediately noticed the distinct carriage of steely resolve and a sense of purpose, much different from the nonchalance and easy belonging of the other veteran authors present. I saw within that lithe, well-proportioned frame a person about a mission. Business-like and sans any hint of a smile, but with eyes that continuosly surveying the room, I watched with intensity knowing that I was witnessing a special moment.

Was it such that I was about to be bestowed a sweetheart of a book that would someday warrant my attention? Who is this author seemingly so confident in her initial approach among reknown literati? Alas, the very mannerisms that I witnessed gave credence to, and verified my thoughts...for when it was time for her to read from her book, she dismissed the banter and inane chatter and proceeded to disply cool aplomb, convincing the audience and myself that Dark Side Of Valor was the book to read. Of course, I had to get to know this author. Several weeks later she e-mailed me asking what would it take for me to review her book. I spent time talking to her, thus I hereby present to you.....Alicia Singleton.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, the Howard University graduate embraced the written word at an early age and allowed it to proliferate into a labor of love. Alicia Singleton is the recipient of the National Association of Women Writers Award Of Excellence (Maryland Chapter). Her writing credits include, book reviewing for Black Issues Book Review, past Editor-In-Chief of The Trumpeter, Co-founder of The Heart and Sword Critique Panel, and she is a member of The Black Writer's Alliance, and the Maryland Black Writers Guild. A past lecturer and Sales Consultant for Kinetic Concepts International, she is currently in the process of completing her next novel, Returned To Bondage due out Summer or Fall 2003. Enjoy the interview and be enlightened!

AR: What would you like to share about you Alicia, that the reading public may not know about you?

AS: While growing up, I loved to watch Diane Carrol's television show, Julia. After watching for so long, being a nurse, in my mind, was the coolest thing next to four inch velvet platforms.

Thoughts of becoming a nurse stuck with me until it came time to choose a career. Although my passions were reading, writing, drawing and painting, I was going to be a nurse, dag gone it! I didn't even know what a bedpan was back then.

Well, a BSN and well over a decade of being a Registered Nurse later, my dreams of writing still wouldn't leave me alone.

AR: Were there any sacrifices you made, or are currently making in your successful bid in becoming a best selling author?

AS: Yes. Few years ago I left the nursing profession to pursue my writing. To say my husband and I made major adjustments would be mild. But, we believe when there's a calling on your life you have to follow. You have to have faith that God knows what He's doing and where He's leading you.

AR: You allude to the lotion-eating episode in your life as being the catalyst in helping you learn to read, is there anything else to expound on to help illustrate other ways that got you started reading?writing?

AS: I had trouble reading early in elementary school. My mother sacrificed and hired a tutor. She showed me how I could lose myself in other worlds and learn about fascinating people all by opening a book. I've been hooked ever since.

AR: Who are the authors that you admire most, and why?

AR: What would you like to accomplish as a writer, and what would you tell an aspiring writing following in your footsteps?

AS: To aspiring writers, the best advice I can give is to learn the craft of writing before your book gets published. There's a difference between writing a novel and crafting a novel. Please don't be a writer who never picks up a writing reference, attends a class or seminar or never educates themselves in the process. I liken it to any career. Would you want someone who you thought was a surgeon standing over you with a scalpel saying, "Hmmm, I want to be a surgeon. I think I'll give it a whirl." without them being educated in the process?

AR: What are your thoughts on Book Reviewers, Book Clubs, and Publicists as it pertain to them being important to the success of your book?

AS: They have an invaluable role in pushing book sales. Ultimately, however, true success depends on the individual them through a rough time in their life or when someone asks how they can get involved with helping homeless children like the ones characterized in the book. That's what I write for. That's success.