Interview with R.L. Byrd, author of Black Coffee
Title: Black Coffee
Author: R.L. Byrd
Publisher: R.L. Byrd Publishing
Pages: 304
There are ALWAYS two sides to every story. In R.L. Byrd's debut novel, Looking for Sweet Love, the Love Forum Divas told their side.
Now it's the Brothers' turn. . . .
The Love Forum is back and the relationship dilemmas continue within the infamous Dallas, Texas, urban radio station, K103.5. DK "Love" Niles, the popular Disc Jockey from the DK and Melissa Morning Show, takes over the reins of hosting the new Love Forum called The Brothers Speak, and man, are the Brothas talking. DK, in his pursuit to finding good love himself, discusses relationships from a black man's point of view and enlist the help of the husbands, boyfriends and lovers of the Love Forum Divas. Known as the Brotherhood; DK, Quentin, Miguel, Michael, Donnell, Pastor Levine, Dr. Houston and Brass aim to set the record straight and talk about dating black women, marriage, infidelity, personal struggles, what distinguishes a throw-back from a keeper, and answers the question the radio listeners really want to know: What really went down in their relationships?
The Love Forum is back and the relationship dilemmas continue within the infamous Dallas, Texas, urban radio station, K103.5. DK "Love" Niles, the popular Disc Jockey from the DK and Melissa Morning Show, takes over the reins of hosting the new Love Forum called The Brothers Speak, and man, are the Brothas talking. DK, in his pursuit to finding good love himself, discusses relationships from a black man's point of view and enlist the help of the husbands, boyfriends and lovers of the Love Forum Divas. Known as the Brotherhood; DK, Quentin, Miguel, Michael, Donnell, Pastor Levine, Dr. Houston and Brass aim to set the record straight and talk about dating black women, marriage, infidelity, personal struggles, what distinguishes a throw-back from a keeper, and answers the question the radio listeners really want to know: What really went down in their relationships?
Along the way, the Brothers break the silence on some of the most pressing social issues challenging today's black males: Disproportionate homicide rates, unintentional injuries, suicide, HIV/AIDS, and disparities in employment and graduation rates.If you thought the Love Forum Divas were dealing with issues, you may be surprised at what the brothers have to say about those relationship woes. In the end--when all is said and done--one Diva will be asking, "Am I drinking the right cup of Black Coffee?"
For More Information
Black Coffee is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life, R.L. Byrd.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?
A: First and foremost, thank you. I’m grateful
for this interview with The Writer’s Life. As far as how long I’ve been writing
(and a little insight about myself); I’ve been writing ever since I can
remember (poems and whatnot since grade school), however, my authorship journey
really didn’t start until late 2008.
The backstory
to that is that when I was working on my MBA (doing my field residency in
Vietnam), the whole overseas experience opened up a new world for me; one where
I dropped my conventional beliefs and ways of thinking, to embrace a broader, more
accepting way of thinking and belief system. Upon my return to the States, I just
so happened to hear a voice on the radio (doing psychic readings for the
station’s callers) and said, “Hey, why not.” When I scheduled my appointment
with the clairvoyant, she immediately asked me, “Have you been working on
something? Something for the last ten years. Writing?” I hesitantly answered,
and she told me, “Boy, you’re a writer and you need to write.” And that’s exactly
when (and how) my authorship journey began.
Q: Can you please tell us about your book and why
you wrote it?
A: Black Coffee
is the answer to a voice—the Black male voice—that hasn’t been represented (in
my opinion) all too well, if not, well enough. It’s the male answer to my debut
novel, Looking for Sweet Love: A
story of six women (the Love Forum Divas) who blow up the Dallas radio airwaves
with their sassy discussions about life, love, and relationships; told from
their (the female) point of view. The relationship dilemmas continue (as there
are always two sides to a story) when their husbands, lovers and boyfriends, nine
men led by DK “Love” Niles, take center stage in Black Coffee.
Quentin, Miguel,
Michael, Donnell, Pastor Levine, Dr. Houston, Brass, Magic and DK—better known
as the Brotherhood—aim to set the record straight as they talk about (and live
out) dating black women, marriage, infidelity, personal struggles, what
distinguishes a throw-back from a keeper, and answer the question the radio
listeners really want to know: What really happened in their relationships?
It’s an emotional (and
sometimes shocking) story of black men supporting and relying on each other to
get through life’s many struggles.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you
faced writing it?
A: The biggest challenge was the time and effort
it took to ensure that all the social issues within the book were accurately
documented, portrayed, justified and incorporated in an entertaining way.
Q: Do you have a press kit and what do you include
in it? Does this press kit appear online
and, if so, can you provide a link to where we can see it?
A: Yes, the press kit, containing press release
information, author head shots, Black
Coffee book excerpts and book covers, and interview information, can be downloaded
by typing in the following URL address: www.RichardLeonByrd.com/BlackCoffee_EMK.zip
Q: Have you either spoken to groups of people about
your book or appeared on radio or TV? What
are your upcoming plans for doing so?
A: I recently
did an extended interview on The Black Author Network (BAN) with Ella Curry.
I’m also currently on a blog tour, and my publicist is organizing other
traditional media interviews on my behalf. Your readers can check my Facebook
page, Author R.L. Byrd, for news about upcoming appearances and interviews.
Q: Do you have an agent and, if so, would you mind
sharing who he/she is? If not, have you ever had an agent or do you even
feel it’s necessary to have one?
A:
I don’t have an agent, but I did hire a publicity firm, based in Los
Angeles, to help promote my book.
Q: Did you, your agent or publisher prepare a media
blitz before the book came out and would you like to tell us about it?
A:
Yes. The main push is on social media—Facebook and Twitter, as well as
blogs, internet radio, and traditional media. Because my book has a social
message that I call Project H.U.S.H., the social media campaign has really
taken off. H.U.S.H is an acronym and awareness campaign for the top social
challenges faced by African American males—Homicide, Unemployment, Suicide, and
HIV/AIDS. We started a little over two months ago and have already built a
following of 1,500+ people on Facebook. That number is growing at a rate of
around 200 new followers per week.
Q: Do you plan subsequent books?
A: Yes, The Art of Scandal is a fictional story inspired by true events. The
storyline continues the dialogue about female and male relationships (as with
the first two books) however; the relationship is focused more on business, rather
than romantic relations. In a nutshell, the main characters (Marianne and
Kristoff) happen to be friends of over twenty years—they know each other’s
families, friends, wants and desires, deepest secrets, and have been supporting
each other throughout the duration of their friendship. That is until the day one
believes they’ve been betrayed by the other; and plots to get their revenge, stopping
at nothing (and destroying everyone in their path) to get it.
Q: Thank you for your interview, R.L. Byrd. Would you like to tell my readers where they
can find you on the web and how everyone can buy your book?
A: Black Coffee is available at
the major retailers (e.g., Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-A-Million and
Powell’s) and can be ordered through most of the Indie or independently owned
bookstores. Readers can find out about me, my work, and Project HUSH, via my
website: www.RichardLeonByrd.com.
And I thank you, as well, for allowing me the opportunity to interview with
you.
For
more information about R.L. Byrd, Black Coffee, and Project H.U.S.H., please
connect with him at:
Website:
http://www.richardleonbyrd.com/
Twitter:
@author_rlbyrd
He is currently working on his third novel, The Art of Scandal (a story inspired by true events), scheduled to be released soon.
For More Information
Connect with R.L. on Twitter and Facebook
Find out more about R.L. at his website
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