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Author Spotlight


KG: What is your favorite genre? Why?
E. G: My favorite genre…. well, I don’t have a favorite genre. I love to read books from all genres, rather it being from urban fiction to science fiction, crime fiction, thrillers, and non-fiction. Now one of my favorite authors is James Patterson.

KG: When did you decide to write professionally?
E.G: I decided to write professionally when I met Carl Weber and he signed me to my first publishing deal back in 2002. I always loved to write and tell stories. But I never thought about doing it professionally until I befriended Carl. He used to own a bookstore in Queens, and I used to go in there all the time to purchase books. We struck up a friendship and I soon found out that he’d published his first book via Kensington Publishing. I became intrigued. It was then that I saw that I could become a professional author and do it full time, and makes some money doing it. Since then, I have never looked back.

KG: What is one word to best describe your writing style?
E.G: I can describe my writing style as gritty and raw—I don’t sugarcoat a damn thing. My first book, “Booty Call,” it opens with a strong sexual act. I like to detail certain scenes in my book, from sex to murders, even if it’s rape. I want my readers to feel the full effect of what’s happening. I want them to see and maybe feel the emotion that the character is going through. When I put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, I want to give my readers that shock effect—something that causes a sudden and violent disturbance in the emotions.

KG: Describe your writing life.
E.G: My writing life now, it’s cool. It’s quiet and peaceful. I like to write either in the early mornings or late nights. I might make me a cup of coffee or tea, get some snacks, sit at my desk, and focus on that particular story. I try to find inspiration from everywhere…. from home, TV, family, or within myself. I read a lot. But lately, I’ve been reading self-help books and inspirational material. I’ve been doing this for a long time, but I’m still learning. You’ll never too old to learn new things. And being a writer, I feel my style has changed over time—and I’ve changed over time.  

KG: What is your greatest literary accomplishment?
E.G: My greatest literary accomplishment I felt was getting my first book published 17 years ago, and then doing it again, and again, and again. I took that leap, stepped inside the room of publishing and I stayed inside the room. I never left. I like it here and I plan on staying for a very long time. It’s not about the accolades or recognition, it’s about telling a story, a good story—and telling different stories that your readers are going to enjoy, maybe find inspiration in, humor in, and maybe learn from. My greatest literary accomplishment is longevity and diversity.  

KG: What advice would you give an aspiring author?
E.G: My advice to aspiring authors is this, give yourself the Slight Edge. Meaning, don’t give up. Create strong and positive habits and routines that will benefit not only you but your career too. And do it every single day. Give yourself the slight edge by writing every day, reading every day, exercising, and keeping healthy—and keeping your energy positive and strong. Don’t let anyone distract you from your goals and dreams. Don’t give up. Just keep showing up every day. No matter what! There are times where you’re going to get frustrated and discouraged but keep giving yourself that slight edge by doing something you love and are passionate about every single day. Focus on the process rather than the outcome. Success is the small efforts repeated day in and day out. Remember that! There’s no quantum leap to success.

KG: What has been the greatest lesson you’ve learned since becoming a published author?
E.G: My greatest lesson learned since becoming a published author, is what I said in the last question, to never give up no matter what. To focus on the process rather than the outcome. But I’ve learned that everything takes time. No matter what it is that you’re doing. I’ve learned that sometimes it make take years of hard work, struggle, and determination to get that one year that will change your life. Completely!  

KG: Who is the target audience for readers of your work?
E.G: My target audience is anywhere from young adults, to everyone. Each book, each story is different. A book like Booty Call *69 and Nasty Girls might attract young adults, whereas a few of my upcoming titles like “Gun” and “Solomon Dark” my attract readers of my age, or older, and of different ethnicity. I don’t want to pigeonhole myself to just one class of readers.

FOLLOW ERICK ON INSTAGRAM @EGRAY28

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