Editor's Pick
of the Month
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INTERVIEW . . .
How would you describe Moses Miller?
I’m a scientist. My books are my projects, each thought results is an experiment and my pen and pad are the tools of my trade…my chemistry set. I take writing very seriously. I care about our literature and I believe that comes across when you read my novels.
:)
When did you know you wanted to write? What was your inspiration?
I started writing when I was just a little kid. I was always a student of the craft, and my mother and father taught me to read when I was young. I remember writing my first chapter book when I was six or seven. At that time one of my teachers sent my story to NASA so the astronauts could read it. It was called A Mission to Mars. They wrote me back and sent me some pictures from out of space. That was pretty cool to receive at a young age. I guess it was inspirational as well.
Do you have a special time or space to write?
There’s no particular time or place that I write. I write amidst chaos or serenity. I get ideas all the time, so I travel with a pad and jot down stories whenever they come to me. I do signings out of state often and for the most part I drive. Driving is therapeutic for me. So, I’ll be writing a bunch of slanted sentences on a pad that I’ll have to struggle to decipher later, while I’m focusing on the road with one eye. I can’t get a ticket for that, right?
Tell your fans about The Trifling Times of Nathan Jones. What or who was your inspiration for this work? Can you identify with any of your characters--if so, how?
The Trifling Times of Nathan Jones is a story about two young men that are brought together following a horrific tragedy that impacted both of their lives. As teenagers, their parents were killed on the same night by the same man. Ironically, they both grew up together in the same orphanage. So, I walk you through all of the trials and tribulations that they experience from their teenage years to adulthood. Even though it sounds tragic, I think it’s a love story in a sense. It deals with the brotherly love they have for one another, the love they have for the females they meet and the love for those that eventually betray them. There’s so much to this novel. It’s a really fast paced and suspenseful read. I was inspired to write this story because it embodies so many things that people go through. It’s not the event that defines the individuals, but their resiliency. My books are all character oriented, so you’ll be able to relate to each and every individual, whether or not you agree with the decisions they make.
I've visited MindCandyMedia.com and noticed that you are president. Tell us about your media company?
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I’d say that I’m more so the VP now. After co-founding the company, I really had to take a step back from the day to day operations to focus more on the creative aspects which drive and motivate me at this point. The goal of Mind Candy is to be much more than a publishing company. If you noticed, there’s a lot of emphasis on literacy on the website. We’re literacy advocates. I personally mentor and teach creative writing classes. I offer opportunities for others to get exposure for their writing. I’m about reaching back and pulling others forward. The dropout rates and illiteracy rates in our communities are extraordinarily high. There is a direct connection between illiteracy and incarceration. I’m just trying to play my part to help offset that.
TriflingTimes.org was an interesting eye opener. . . What was your inspiration behind this website? What's your vision for it--if you don't mind sharing?
I started writing The Trifling Times of Nathan Jones the night that a teenager named Timothy Stansbury was murdered by the police for doing nothing more than carrying CDs back to a party. The reason people related to that novel was because there were so many real elements, including victimization and corruption. I knew that it would invoke interest, and allow my voice to have further reach. So, even before the book came out I created TriflingTimes.org. I write compelling novels, but I don’t just entertain. I wanted to make sure that when people are looking me up on Google or researching me they are pointed to information that is truly impacting our communities. Young African American and Hispanic males are being killed by overzealous police officers too often. And when there’s no accountability as we saw with the verdict for the cops in the Sean Bell case, it’s very easy to see that our lives are valueless in their eyes. So, I’ll continue to bring light to issues that would otherwise be swept under the rug. Check the Trifling Times book trailer when you get the chance at http://www.youtube.com/v/b5GL9-8rxig&hl=en
Who are your favorite authors? Are there any you'd love to work with?
This week I’ll say Michael Crichton, Ralph Ellison, Donald Goines, Richard Wright, James Patterson and John Grisham. It changes from week to week. Next week Baldwin, Hurston, Angelou or Morrison may be in the mix. As far as collaborating, I’ll work with anybody talented. Right now I’m working on a novel with an author named Carla Canty who is very brilliant. She’ll be a household name in no time.
What impact do you believe book clubs have in the world of literature? Have you ever been a member of a book club?
I’ve never been a member of a book club, but I really do encourage more males to form or become members. Every time I attend a meeting I’m encouraged just seeing so many positive individuals come together for the love of literature. I was amazed the first time I was invited to one because it truly is so much more than a book discussion. That’s why I’ll go to any book club meeting, whether it’s ten members or a hundred and ten. Book clubs have a huge impact. Before I received any awards for my first novel, or my best new author award, it was the book clubs that embraced me.
What can your readers expect from you and Mind Candy in the future?
More compelling novels and screenplays. Nan: The Game of Trife will be out next month, which is the sequel to The Trifling Times. I encourage people to visit my website MindCandyMedia.com and sign up for my newsletter for advanced copies. I make it a point to send out more than just information on my books. I’m also a journalist, so I share newsworthy articles as well. We get a lot of manuscripts, but we’re real picky in regards to what we want to publish. Our catalog will definitely be more focused on quality than quantity. When you purchase a Mind Candy novel, I want you to have high expectations and for those expectations to be fulfilled.
Where can readers purchase your books?
Just about every retail chain or mom and pop store. If they don’t see it on the shelf, just ask them to place an order. All of my books are most definitely with a distributor that they can acquire them from. Online they can get special pricing and offers directly from MindCandyMedia.com by signing up for the newsletter or ordering right on the site. Amazon, Borders.com, Barnes and Noble and the other online outlets carry them. They can even visit MySpace.com/TriflingTimes to get my books. If you can’t afford to buy them, go to your local library and tell them to order them. I just want you to read my books.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that you wouldn't normally expose when first meeting someone (we call this the sistah-confession to help break the ice between newbies and vet-sistahs--and men are not exempt :)
I was almost kidnapped when I was a kid, but my mother’s instincts saved me. I’m thankful everyday, and I know God spared me for a reason.
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