J. Keith Stewart

J. Keith Stewart

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"The Interview with J. Keith Stewart"

THE ROCK: Who is J. Keith Stewart, tell us something about you?
Stewart: Who is J. Keith Stewart? A challenging question to start this
interview. I'm a work in progress...I'm called the Naughty Novelist for a reason
I suppose. Something about me...there are many layers. I delight in keeping to
myself; I'm a very private person. My hobby: I enjoy people watching. No,
I love "people" watching. I have a degree in Psychology and I
enjoy studying behaviors, which makes for great writing.

THE ROCK: Where are you from, and currently residing?
Stewart: Atlanta is where I call home! I love the place. I am currently residing
just outside of Washington, DC. DC has been my home now for six years.
I love DC too.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Stewart: In my family are educators, health care professionals...you name it,
we've got it. But not a single writer other than myself. I'm the only
writer in my family.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Stewart: I started writing at a young age and inked my first national publication in 1987. At the time, I was Editor-to-the-Sphinx Magazine; a national publication for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Stewart: I don't think one can prepare to be a writer; it's something that just
happens. I just became one. Of course I studied and I've taken my share
of writing classes. However, and in my case, I don't think I'm a great
writer...I think I'm a great story teller. There is a difference you
know!

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Stewart: Writing for me is innate. Writing is something I do every day of my
life. I don't know that I have any inspiration. It's something that I just
love to do.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Stewart: I'm inspired bylife, by events and by people. I'm inspired each day I
wake...each day is yet another opportunity to tell a story.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Stewart: Gone Through Hell and Back is a gripping and suspenseful account of
mistaken identities, multiple identities and the underworld that makes
both of these possible. With yet another entourage of memorable and
sometimes revengeful characters, the novel Gone Through Hell and Back engages
readers in a masterful medley of love, crime, revenge and the
unmentionables that can occur when you mix all three.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Stewart: I am working doggedly to secure a contract; self-publishing is a very
challenging business. I do encourage writers to visit with
self-publishing as a way to get a start. I've self-published four novels...I'm
looking for a larger publishing house...I think!

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Stewart: Four novels: Episodes, Promise Me, Killing Me Softly and Gone Through
Hell and Back. I've paid my dues.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Stewart: Novels that are not racy! Which is the challenge for me. My novels are
racy, and political, and sexual. At the end of the day, isn't that what
we're looking forward to reading? A novel that's stimulating!

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
Stewart: My niche? I'm not certain. I'm certainly open to writer's being able to
express what it is he or she would like to express. The calamity here:
publishing houses are very conservative. Writer's aren't! I know I'm
not! My niche...I believe in page turners and Six Degrees of Separation.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
Stewart: Yes and no! Self-publishing lends itself to creative freedom.
Self-publishing however, is very expensive. Having a publishing contract allows
an author to spend more time creating and less time trying to figure
out "what's next" and how do you make it happen.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
Stewart: It's been a wonderful run for me. My novels can be found and obtained
all over the world. I've been featured in Prolific Writer's, the Literary World, Amazon.com and the Black Library to name a few. Sicily, Italy, Iraq and in the Gay and Lesbian Archives in New York. I've been the
keynote speaker for several engagements and I continue to do what I love...write. That's a professional achievement that I hold close to my heart. I get to write every day of my life. Personal achievements. Both personal and professional are meshed together. I'm a writer.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Stewart: J. California Cooper, David Baldacci, Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes,
to name a few. J. California Cooper is my personal favorite. Love that
woman.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Stewart: Writing another novel! And interviewing with you about my journey. Can
we do that?

THE ROCK: Yes!

THE ROCK: Well done, Mr. Stewart. Where can readers find you?
Stewart: jkeithstewart.com, Amazon.com, The Black Library, Reprint Bookshop,
Lambda Rising, Karabau Books.

My thanks to you, for an opportunity to interview with you. Blessings
and Balance.

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