"The Interview with Phillip Thomas Duck"

THE ROCK: Who is Phillip Thomas Duck, tell us something about you?
Duck: I'm a child of God, bent on doing His will no matter how difficult the task. And it is difficult. I'm a husband, father, son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend. And, I'm blessed to have the opportunity to follow one of my dreams of being a published author. Three books down and, I hope, thirty to go.

THE ROCK: Where are you from, and currently residing?
Duck: I'm a Southern gentleman. I like to think so at least. I was born in Virginia. Much love to Suffolk. But I moved to New Jersey after a few years. So, I like to say I am the best of both worlds. I've got that naked passion and drive of a Northerner mixed with that calm and cool of a Southerner.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Duck: God was merciful enough to spare my family of any more nuts. You know fiction writers just sit around and make things up. Sometimes we talk to ourselves, and our computer. No, one in the family is more than enough.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Duck: Seriously, back in 98' after discovering Eric Jerome Dickey's work. It was hip, urban, and contemporary. I just HAD to do the same thing he was doing, or at least attempt to. But prior to that, I'd always been told I had a way with words. All through school. So I think all of that praise was the platform for something great to come.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Duck: Life. I see something, hear something, or experience something every single day of every single year that I can inject into my fiction.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Duck: Terry McMillan's Disappearing Acts initially planted the seed. But it was Eric Jerome Dickey's Milk in My Coffee that definitely watered the seed. After reading that book I was obsessed with writing my own and getting it published.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Duck: For Playing With Destiny, my daughter, definitely. That book has a thread through, a theme of fatherhood, and my daughter was about 5 months old when I started writing it. Her prescence was literally on my shoulder every day I sat down to write.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Duck: Grown and Sexy is about a born again ex-con, on the run from three murderous brothers, who inexplicably becomes a minister. You'd think the three brothers on his tail would be his greatest challenge, but no, it's dealing with his newfound faith and the temptation of two beautiful, challenging, and interesting women he encounters in the church. One, who just happens to be married. The other, who has a secret life that is shocking and unexpected.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Duck: I've agreed in principle with Kimani Press/Sepia (the former BET Books) to do two more novels.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Duck: I kinda sorta did for the first thing I ever did in the business, a very short and raw novel that didn't generate any interest from agents/editors. I say kinda sorta because it was a failed venture before I started. I didn't know the biz and hadn't honed my craft nearly enough. I pulled it quickly and got to work on making myself worthy of a contract from a traditional publisher.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Duck: In short, a marketable story and writer that can make them money. It's a BUSINESS, which too many writers fail to realize. If a publisher felt Jim's grocery list could sell a profitable amount of copies, we as readers would be reading about eggs, bacon, half a gallon of
OJ, Cocoa puffs...

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
Duck: Contemporary African-American fiction without a doubt, because our genre is one of the few in publishing that isn't stagnant, that is actually growing. Only thing, I'd introduce writers through the mass market format--those little books you can fit in a pocket--because times are tough and everyone doesn't have the $15-$25 dollars a trade paperback or hardcover book costs.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
Duck: Absolutely. It validates you. People look at you in different light when they understand that someone paid YOU money to write a book, and that they paid several OTHERS money to bring that book to publication, ie. Cover designers, editors, sales staff.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
Duck: Graduating college, getting published, getting married, becoming a father, accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. There are so many. I'm proud of what I've accomplished in thirty-two years.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Duck: There are so many. Eric Jerome Dickey. Margaret Johnson-Hodge. Timmothy McCann. Keith Lee Johnson. RM Johnson. Monica McKayhan. Eric Pete. Philana Marie Boles. I can keep going. Stop me at any time. Marcus Major. Walter Mosley...)

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Duck: I want to be better at all of those things I said I was in the first question. Life is about progress. I can't say how much I need or want to progress. I just want to move forward and not backward.

THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
Duck: Through my website at www.phillwrite.com or through email
at phillwrite@aol.com

THE ROCK: Thank you very much, Mr. Duck.

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