D. Thornton

Delores Thornton

< >

"The Interview with Delores Thornton"

THE ROCK: Who is Delores Thornton, tell us something about you?
Delores Thornton: Voted "Queen of Promotion" by C&B Books, Thornton, a lifelong Indianapolis resident, belongs to several writing organizations including her own: Marguerite Press (founded in 1996) and Marguerite Press Promo (founded in 2003) and Marguerite Press PR (launched 2006). Thornton who has been inducted into the Self Publishing Hall of Fame (www.bookmarket.com/selfpublish.html), is the "Literary
Expert" at Blackrefer.com., and is a columnist for the Indiana Herald Newspaper.

Thornton also hosts Around2It, an Internet talk show. Selected Around2It interviews are also archived at the African-American Literature Book Club. Voted "Queen of Promotion" by C&B Books, Thornton, a lifelong Indianapolis resident, belongs to several writing organizations including her own: Marguerite Press (founded in 1996) and Marguerite Press Promo (founded in 2003) and Marguerite Press PR (launched 2006). The tiny book and marguerite flower is our Registered Service Mark.

Thornton who has been inducted into the Self Publishing Hall of Fame (www.bookmarket.com/selfpublish.html), is the "Literary Expert" at Blackrefer.com., and is a columnist for the Indiana Herald Newspaper. Thornton also hosts Around2It, an Internet talk show. Selected Around2It interviews are also archived at the African-American Literature Book Club. A judge in the Judge Paul Buchanan Literary Awards for 2004, and 2005, and yearly judge in the Woman of Color Online Pageant, Thornton is a regular contributor to Word Life News, Chaotic Dreams, and Booking Matters and AMPS Magazines.

THE ROCK: Where are you from, and currently residing?
Delores Thornton: I am an Indiana native and lifelong resident.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Delores Thornton: I have a sister who self-published a book a few years ago, and most of
my sisters write poetry though it hasn't been published.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Delores Thornton: I started writing poetry in 1982 when I lost my Dad. It wasn't until
1995 that I started writing fiction.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Delores Thornton: I wasn't prepared when Ida Mae (debut novel) appeared and whispered her
story to me. When I decided it was something I really wanted to continue I enrolled in writing classes.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Delores Thornton: My writing started as therapy as I dealt with loss. When people close
to me transitioned I found I couldn't cry, all I could do was write, and so I did.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Delores Thornton: I was divinely inspired to write my first book and after that I was
hooked for life!

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Delores Thornton: I'm currently working on, "Airing Dirty Linen" for I feel
there is a need for more Christian fiction. Here is an excerpt:
To the casual observer it might have appeared that the Dobson
family had healed with suddenness. In actuality that couldn't have
been further from the truth. The four cousins had seen their share
of misery, and had been the subject of all types of investigations.
When their parents died they inherited loads of money and invested
it wisely; in a lavish bed and breakfast on picturesque Allisonville
Place, yet the problems didn't end. But, they were a private group, and
private things rarely got out.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Delores Thornton: AMBER BOOKS will re-release my how to self-publish book in May 2007.
I'm also debating on whether I'll submit my upcoming, "Airing Dirty Linen" to a mainstream house, or self-publish.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Delores Thornton: I self-published all five of my works, the latest of which (How To Self-Publish That Great Novel Without Going Nuts!) was recently acquired by AMBER BOOKS.

I self-published because I didn't want to submit my work hundreds of times before it was accepted. I formed my company, Marguerite Press in 1996 to publish my debut, Ida Mae.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Delores Thornton: Traditional publishers are looking for quality work. Aside from that they would like authors with name recognition for this means increased sales (in most instances). Authors with a proven track record are an
asset to mainstream publishers.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
Delores Thornton: My niche would be Christian fiction for I feel this are is under-represented. There are quality works of Christian fiction but they need a broader platform.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
Delores Thornton: Now, that really depends on the author. The stigma has been erased from self-publishing and self-pubbers are enjoying a new level of success!

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
Delores Thornton: One of the highlights of my literary career was having my book, "How to Self-Publish
That Great Novel Without Going Nuts!" picked up by Amber Books!

I'm most proud of the fact that I'm an usher at Greater St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church. I'm a member of the Missionary Society and also give classes in the continuing Studies divisions.

My most recent project has been working with SITEAW, Inc., Shifting Ideas through Education for African Women. This foundation helps Ugandan women who are currently subjected to domestic abuse, circumcision, and other atrocities. www.siteaw.org.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Delores Thornton: Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, J. California Cooper, Maxine Thompson, Vincent Alexandria, and Tim Smith.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Delores Thornton: I'd like my company, Marguerite Press to represent fifty authors with their promotional needs.

THE ROCK: Well done, Ms. Thorton. Where can readers find you?
Delores Thornton: Readers can find me at any of my sites:
www.margueritepress.com
www.margueritepresspromo.com
www.margueritepresspr.com
www.deloresthornton.com
www.myspace.com/deloresthornton

I thank The Rock for this golden opportunity to be showcased and I wish all good things to the Sampson family!

THE ROCK: Thank you very much, Ms. Thornton.