The Writer's Block: Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Stephen Black

Today on The Writer's Block, we head to Singapore to catch up on the latest with Stephen Black! He is quite an accomplished and interesting fellow. Be sure to read his first interview on The Writer's Block to get Stephen's take on marketing and branding: 

"The idea is simply that my "brand" is whatever I do: art, writing, photography, video, music and breeding thoroughbred Chihuahuas. (Just kidding about the Chihuahuas.)"

1) Welcome back to The Writer's Block, Stephen! Please tell our new readers a bit about who you are and where you live and work.

I am an American artist/videomaker and writer. I live in Singapore and Bali.Ten years ago I wrote my first book.

2) What were you working on when we spoke last? (Interview link:http://raychelle-writes.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-writers-block-interviews-stephen.html )

Well, that interview was a refreshing reminder of what my life was like then! The book which was then called being called Tiong Bahru is now called i ate tiong bahru...and it has become a national bestseller in Singapore.

3) Catch us up on what you have done since then.

Since that interview, I have done very little marketing and a lot of writing. I completed the following books: Furikake, Contact With Shadow, Bali Wave Ghost and Flame Magnet, which is a "secret project " that could lead to a new way authors and readers connect. All of these books are on Amazon, but only one, i ate tiong bahru, has been printed.

4) What is next for you?

I am working on the follow up to i ate tiong bahru, which will be called tiong bahru mouth. tiong bahru mouth could be two books: one consisting of photographs I have been taking of Tiong Bahru, the other a collection of short stories. I should mention that I am also very interested in virtual reality. I have two projects related to this, one at www.gallery.sg, the other at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Hiverlab.BeachRd&hl=en I hope to be able to work on other projects like these.

5) How did The Writer's Block help you promote yourself? 

(The) Writer's Block will always be one of my strongest memories related to ebooks and epublishing. My experience with Raychelle was friendly and very professional, in that her blog was one of the first places where my work as a writer was shared. And, Raychelle also kindly wrote a review on Amazon, which I think was the first.These were both very encouraging!

6) What advice would you offer to aspiring author/illustrators?

If you are considering becoming a full-time writer, ask yourself if you are prepared to go through very difficult times. There will be the difficulty of creating great work and then there will be the difficulty of paying the bills, not to mention getting the work in front of readers.To paraphrase Tolstoy and to repeat what I wrote for Writer's Block  many years ago, ink is blood.

Thank you, Stephen! Wishing you the best in your future endeavors!

An American who has lived most of his life in Asia, Stephen Black is an artist/videomaker, photographer and writer. His works have been shown in galleries and festivals around the world and his fifth book, i ate tiong bahru, is a national bestseller in Singapore. 

You can keep up with Stephen by checking out his website www.blacksteps.tv and by connecting with him on Facebook as Stephen Black, and following him on Twitter @bookmerah.

Keep your pen to the paper! Inspiration is everywhere...

**Ready to give your writing career a jumpstart? Promote your project on The Writer's Block!

The Writer's Block: Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Kathryn White

Today on The Writer's Block, we travel overseas to chat with award-winning children's author Kathryn White! In addition to publishing over 30 books, She is an educator, library advocate, and literacy consultant.

1) Glad to have you back, Kathryn! Please tell everyone a bit about who you are and where you live and work.

Hello, I live in the South West of England and work from home.

2) What were you working on when we spoke last? (Interview link: http://raychelle-writes.blogspot.com/2012/05/writers-block-interviews-kathryn-white.html)

I was just launching Ruby’s Sleepover at our last interview. That book came out and another follow-up Ruby’s Baby Brother commenced. That too is out now. It’s been a great series to work on.

3) Catch us up on what you have done since then.

Since our last interview I’ve written Sea Wolf, an educational text for Bloomsbury, which came out this year, also a picture book, due out next Summer with Andersen Press. But the most interesting project I’ve embarked on to date is BALANCE; it’s a Y/A novel based around the drugs scene for teens. Publishers didn’t take it on so it has gone through my Agent, Bath Literary Agency and is out now on White Glove. It’s hard work getting it out there, but worth every minute if it gets kids talking and supporting each other in dealing with what is cultural fact of life. It’s published under the pseudonym, Kit White.

4) What is next for you?

Promotion, promotion, promotion of BALANCE. I’m used to having marketing departments in publishing houses getting my work out there. Now it’s down to me and there’s no budget enough to match the big corporates. I have a dedicated website for the book – www.kitwhite.co.uk

5) How did The Writer's Block help you promote yourself? What advice would you offer to aspiring author/illustrators?

Having just revisited my first interview with you, I see a reader left feedback on my work and I was sorry I missed that; it was wonderful to read. The interview was a valuable experience in focusing my attention on where I was and where I wanted to be.

Thank you, Kathryn! Best of luck to you!

Kathryn White has over 30 books published for children of all ages. When They Fight, her first picture book, was selected as a notable book for social studies by the US Libraries Association and Here Comes the Crocodile, was shortlisted for both the Nottingham and Sheffield Children's Book Awards. Most recently, her picture book Ruby’s School Walk was shortlisted for the Boston Globe’s Best Read Aloud Book Award in the USA.

She is a regular performer at the Edinburgh, Bath and other major literature festivals and frequently holds school events on creative writing. In addition Kathryn has been a creative writing tutor for adults at HMP Shepton Mallet and a consultant on raising literacy standards in early years’ education. She is also a qualified TESOL teacher and has run a number of courses for foreign language students.

Kathryn has been heavily involved in the campaign to keep libraries open in Somerset.

You can keep up with Kathryn via her websites:
 www.kathrynwhite.net and www.kitwhite.co.uk.

Keep your pen to the paper! Inspiration is everywhere...

**Ready to give your writing career a jumpstart? Promote your project on The Writer's Block!

The Writer's Block: Where Are They Now? Catching Up with Braxton A. Cosby!

Today on The Writer's Block, we welcome back the multi-talented Braxton A. Cosby! He is a shining example of what it means to be an enterprising entrepreneur. Prepare to be inspired!

1) Glad to have you back with us! Please reintroduce yourself, tell us a bit about who you are, and where you live and work.

Well, my name is Braxton A. Cosby and I live in Atlanta, GA with my lovely wife. I've been a resident Georgian for about 12 years now and I practice as a licensed Physical Therapist by day, and pursue my writings of fiction by night. When I'm not writing or working, I also dabble in acting and modeling, making appearances on a few shows and commercials.

2) Share with us what you were you working on when we spoke last? (Interview link: http://raychelle-writes.blogspot.com/2012/02/writers-block-interviews-braxton-cosby.html)

When we last spoke, Raychelle, I was working on my science fiction series, The Star-Crossed Saga. At the time, book one, Protostar was released and I was in the middle of a book tour inn the S.E. as well as making a few stops with my uncle, Bill Cosby. Ironically enough, as I am completing this interview, I am currently ramping up for my release of Solstice, which is the last book of the three part series. It is truly both exhilarating and sad to complete a series but it is something I've longed to do for a while.

SOLSTICE BOOK TRAILER from Braxton A Cosby on Vimeo.

3) Congratulations on finishing the series! Catch us up on what you have done since then. 

As you can see I've been incredibly busy. I've started my own production company called Cosby Media Productions, a three fold division company that focuses on publishing books, and then taking them to the next level of entertainment via TV or film. Currently, we have Protostar slated for production, as well as some other properties we have ownership of via our novel publishing branch. Currently we have over 20 books in our stable, with three more releases slated for the winter of 2016. 

Our strategic partnerships allow us to make advances in the entertainment industry that we are grateful for and our prayer is that God moves us further so that we can offer entertainment that both speaks to the mind and souls. I also released a health book, Fat Free for Life: 13 Principles of Guaranteed Weight Loss and Ultimate Health through Siloam Publishing. So far, I've written and published over 10 novels myself since 2012.

  

4) That's quite impressive, Braxton. Glad to say I knew you "when!" What is next for you? 

With 2017 looming in the distance, I really want to continue to hone my writing and acting skills. Both have become huge passions of mine and I dream to be successful in both. Also, business with physical therapy is still very profitable and as long as I can continue to help others with my hands, I feel it's the gifting that was God-given and I always welcome the opportunity to do that as well. (*Check Braxton out on TV One's "Fatal Attraction!")

5) How did The Writer's Block help you promote yourself? What advice would you offer to aspiring author/illustrators? 

The Writer's Block helped to facilitate networking with other authors, such as yourself, Raychelle, and that was encouraging. We, as content creators, need to reach out to one another and offer advice to further one another's careers. If I had to give young authors any advice, it would be to keep reading; especially in the areas and genres in which you write. There is no substitute for creativity and many times I get inspired from those who have gone before me and have done great things.  

Thank you, Braxton! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!

You can keep up with Braxton via his websites The Online World of Braxton A. Cosby and Cosby Media Productions and follow him on Facebook and Twitter.

Keep your pen to the paper! Inspiration is everywhere...

**Ready to give your writing career a jumpstart? Promote your project on The Writer's Block!

The Writer's Block "Where are they now?" series launches tomorrow!

Greetings, All!

Over the next few weeks, we will be catching up with authors and other creative types who are esteemed alums of The Writer's Block! 

I am so excited to share with you their accomplishments since we last spoke, as well as what's on the horizon for them. Each will offer some great advice and inspiration to keep us all motivated to create. You don't want to miss this!

Here is the schedule for the next two weeks. Click on each of their names to read their initial interviews:

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 - Braxton A. Cosby

Thursday, November 17, 2016 - Kathryn White

Friday, November 18, 2016 - Stephen Black

Monday, November 21, 2016 - Joey Pinkney

Tuesday, November 22,2016 - Sherrill Cannon

Wednesday, November 23, 2016 - Sheri Fink

Feel free to tell a friend!

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

**Are you ready to jump-start your writing career? Let The Writer's Block help promote your next project!