Name: Kim Shaw

Date of Birth: (month/date) 11/06

Occupation: teacher, writer, entrepreneur

City of Residence: Roselle, NJ

1. How did you gain a BET/Arabesque contract? How did it feel?

Acclaimed author Donna Hill convinced me to start shopping my work and put me in touch with BET. We submitted the manuscript to Demetria Lucas and she was as excited about it as I was. It was an indescribable feeling when I got the call from her. No matter how much you dream about a moment beforehand, nothing compares to reality.

2. Tell us a little bit about PACK LIGHT.

PACK LIGHT is a story about letting go and letting love. Sometimes people are so burdened by past hurts and haunts that they block all the good that life has in store for them. Maya Wilkins is successful, beautiful and ambitious yet she's so trapped by her grief that she almost lets a good thing (and a fine one at that) slip away. When she finally does open her heart to love, several other obstacles stand in their way -- including a corporate thief who threatens her life.

3. What inspired you to write a romance novel?

I actually started out just writing a novel about a smart, talented woman and the romance kinda snuck its way in there. Once I introduced Vic into the story, it was like magic and the romance took center stage.

4. Did you find any challenges with writing this book? If so what were
they?

The biggest challenged I faced in writing this book was not overwriting. When you have characters who are well-rounded people, who are so full of life like Vic and Maya, their story just doesn't want to end. I fell in love with these two and kept finding new avenues to take them down. At some point you have to just retire the pen and say, "The End."

5. Are you a full-time writer?

I'm actually a mom, a wife, a high school English teacher and a part-owner in my family's restaurant. I wear many hats and am loving each and every one of them!

6. Who are some of your favorite books/authors?

There's so many, it's hard to say. Toni Morrison, who makes me strive to be the best that I can be. Terri McMillan and Sister Souljah, who tell stories that remind me of where I come from and the women who raised me. From a man's perspective, I love Eric Jerome Dickey and Colin Channer. The list goes on and on. I basically love writer's who tell stories from an African-American perspective and do it well.

7. Besides writing what do you like to do in your spare time?

Watch my kids grow -- I love watching them sleep, eat, play. They keep me young and make me smile even on my cloudiest days.

8. What's next for Kim Shaw?

I have another romance coming out next summer. It's called FREE VERSE and it promises to be even hotter than Maya and Vic's story. I'm currently writing another romance and looking to publish some of my mainstream, women's fiction as well. Basically, I just plan to keep writing.

9. Any messages for aspiring authors?

The first person you need to convince is yourself. Once you've done that, the rest is easy.

10. Do you like communicating with your readers? How can they stay in touch with you?