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"The Interview with Fiona
Zedde"
THE
ROCK:
Who is Fiona Zedde? Tell us something about you:
Zedde:
My
name is Fiona Zedde and I am the author of Bliss, a novel that has been
nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. I have an undergraduate degree
in Gender Studies and British and American Literature and I will be
enrolling in a Master of Fine Arts program for fiction in the fall of
2006. Some of my favorite things are cream soda, traveling, basking
in the sun, and getting back rubs. Was that too much information?
THE ROCK: Where are you from, and currently
residing?
Zedde:
I
am originally from Jamaica, but now am living in Atlanta, Georgia.
THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the
family?
Zedde:
No.
As far as I know I am the only one. There is at least one songwriter,
though.
THE
ROCK: When did you start writing?
Zedde:
I
started creating stories at age twelve or so, as an escape from the
sometimes painful realities of being an outsider in my new country,
neighborhood, and school.
THE
ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Zedde:
Nothing
prepared me. It just happened, really.
THE
ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Zedde:
Life
inspired me. I felt there were stories inside me to tell and I just
started writing them.
THE
ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Zedde:
Jamaica.
Memories of living on the island, a certain amount of nostalgia, and
a sense of "what could be".
THE
ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the
premise?
Zedde:
My
newest creation is called A Taste of Sin. It is an erotic novel set
in Miami and tells the story of a young woman who has a bit of a chip
on her shoulder. Throughout the novel, she sets out to show that she
can handle whatever life throws at her, also to prove that she is worthy
of love, both romantic and familial.
THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the
working?
Zedde:
I
have already signed a contract for three more novels, the first of which
I'm working on right now.
THE
ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Zedde:
No. Self publishing seems like such incredibly hard work beyond even
the writing on the novel. Quite a few of my friends have self-published
and become successful from it. I have a lot of respect and admiration
for them.
THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers"
looking for?
Zedde:
Something
guaranteed to sell. That's the only thing I know they're looking for.
THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would
be your niche? Why?
Zedde:
Romantic
fiction. Women read a lot of those types of books, and it's a wonderful
idea to imagine women all over the world curling up on a rainy night
with one of my novels.
THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing
contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally?
Why?
Zedde:
I
know that for me it is. I think that once you've gotten with a "traditional
publisher" it's a bit easier for your work to be respected, distributed,
and reviewed. Although that doesn't necessarily guarantee an audience,
I think that a contract (and the resources of a larger publishing house)
takes an author one step closer toward success.
THE ROCK: What are some of your professional
and personal achievements?
Zedde:
My
greatest professional achievement to date is having the first book published
and out there. It's what I'm most proud of. I'm also very happy that
the novel was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. It's a great honor.
My greatest personal achievement is my continued wonderful relationship
with my mother, a woman who has been in my corner all my life and supports
whatever I chose to do.
THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Zedde:
D.
Giselle Isaac (Considering Venus), Alice Walker (In Love and Trouble),
Anaïs Nin (Delta of Venus), Jewelle Gomez (Don't Explain), Michelle
Cliff (Abeng), Pablo Neruda (Full Woman, Fleshly Apple, Hot Moon) and
Zora Neale Hurston (Their Eyes Were Watching God) are just a few of
the writers who I've enjoyed and whose works have influenced my writing.
THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Zedde:
In
five years I will be the proud author of five plus novels, with all
of them still in print. As for my personal life, my partner and I plan
to have a house, thriving plants, and a healthy travel life.
THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
Zedde:
www.fionazedde.com
and www.myspace.com/zedde
Zedde:
Thank
you for providing this opportunity to share myself with your readers.
The
Author's Page
http://www.rockpublications.com
http://www.the-rock-newsmagazine.com
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