Interview with Denise Campbell

THE ROCK: Who is Denise Campbell, and tell us something about you?
Denise: I am an author, a mother and an entrepreneur. I love to write, listen to music, sing out loud, dance, and dream.

THE ROCK: Where are you from and currently residing?
Denise: I am originally from Jamaica West Indies, and I am currently residing in New York. However, I am relocating to Fort Lauderdale, Florida this fall.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Denise: Yes, I have seen poetry written by my dad and his twin brother. But, I guess it wasn’t manly for them to express emotions in their time. I also heard that a great uncle wrote a book. I cannot verify it. I do know that between my dad and my mom, there are three daughters; I am the eldest and all three of us girls not only write, but are artistic as well.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Denise: I began writing at about the age of ten, I believe. I only have work dating back to then as facts.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Denise: One Christmas I was at a church visiting, and the subject was about why things happen to us. The pastor spoke about how we always wondered why things or bad things happen to us and how we labor and struggle sometimes against life. Well, at one time that was me. Wondering why so many bad things happen to me, trying to figure out if I am just a glutton for punishment or just accident prone. Well, the pastor taught that day that sometimes when bad things happen to us, it’s not necessarily because we are bad people, but that sometimes God is preparing us to help someone else who might be in that situation. I think those are the moments that prepared me to be an author. The moments of wondering why me?... In addition to practicing my skills (writing, reading, learning). I also have a B.A in English which helped me to fine tune and honed my craft. Life is a preparation for whatever we choose to do in life.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Denise: I was always a writer. I just never thought of doing much with it. I was given the advice to find my passion, learn to make money at it, and I will never work a day in my life. But it was after I had my daughter when my life fell apart, and I hit rock bottom and had nowhere else to turn, did I turn to my talent. It saved my life, and now I hope I can use it to teach and maybe save someone else.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Denise: My life, my daughter, and my pains.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Denise: My newest creation is called Man Killer. It’s about women who have been victims of abuse through incest, rape and/or pedophelia. The book takes you through their pain and shows the cycle of abuse that when someone is abused, they become abusers. It’s a very traumatic book, and the story sounds unbelievable. But after surviving victimization myself, I can assure you that this book is much milder than some of the real life situations I have learned about. The book is about teaching, not feeling alone in your pain, and eventually breaking the silence that leads to healing.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Denise: I have been offered contracts, but that’s never been my objective. For most authors getting a publishing contract might be the be all and end all, but not for me. As long as I can handle the business of publishing, I will keep self-publishing. This is not to say that it might eventually get to be too much for me. I currently have five books. Soon, I may have to consider a publishing contract, just for the help with managing the titles.

THE ROCK: Why did you first choose to self-publish?
Denise: I first self-published to save my life, my self-esteem, and my dreams when I was in a place where I thought I had hit rock bottom. I love self publishing. The freedom is exhilarating, although the work is very hard.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Denise: That varies, but in all cases they are looking for a good story that is very well-written.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
Denise: I wouldn’t have a niche. Why place limitations on great talent, stories or writers?

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
Denise: No, not for me; but as I mentioned before, I might eventually need one just to help in the management of my titles. After awhile, it gets overwhelming to keep up.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Denise: Toni Morrison, Frederick Douglass, Laraine Cary, Donald Goines and a plethora of self-published authors.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in five years?
Denise: Writing and publishing more books, having financial freedom, and traveling the world.

THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
Denise: On the web at www.denisecampbell.com, www.universalwrite.com, www.barnsandnobles.com, www.amazon.com, www.blackbooksplus.com or
wherever books are sold.

THE ROCK: Thank you Denise, and best wishes in all of your future endeavors.

Denise Campbell (CEO of Universal Write Publications LLC) Author: Spanish Eyes, Love Thy Sister Watch Thy Back, Ebony Passions, By Faith and Man Killer

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