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It seems like only yesterday when I first joined the RIC
staff as a reviewer; it’s hard to imagine that it has been 3
years already. In that time, I have been promoted, met a lot
of my favorite authors, and you, Mr. Wayne, have published 5
books! So much has happened and I say it’s about time we sat
down for an interview
J; let’s get started shall we:
A BIT ABOUT YOU & YOUR JOURNEY
1. You first appeared on the scene in 2005 with your debut
novel CAPTURE THE SUNRISE, which was included in SLOW MOTION
along with Devon Archer. How excited were you to be on of
the first male romance authors, writing under their own
names, published with Harlequin? How is it for you being a
male author in a female dominated genre, both in terms of
the authors and fans?
My excitement started when I entered the Heart and
Soul Aspiring Authors’ contest at Slam Jam 2002 and won.
At that time, I took time off to finish my Masters and
then submitted the first three chapters of the still
incomplete manuscript to Demetria Lucas at
BET/Arabesque. In October 2003, Demetria called to tell
me she was interested in the manuscript but needed to
meet with the editorial team before making a final
decision. Two days before Christmas, she called and
offered me a two book contract. I was given until
November 2004 to finish CAPTURE THE SUNRISE for
November 2005 publication. I was delighted to be writing
for Arabesque (a dream of mine) and relieved that I
would be writing under my own name. I did not like the
idea of some female persona and thank Demetria and BET
for allowing this. BET sold its assets to Harlequin in
December 2005 and the BET authors automatically became
Harlequin authors. Fortunately, I was allowed to
continue writing under my own name.
Being a male author in a female dominated genre has
never been difficult. I’ve always had confidence in who
I am and I’ve approached each event and challenge as a
talented published author. And I’m not boasting when I
say talented. I know I’m a good writer and fortunately,
my readers have validated this time and time again. It’s
this that makes me want to be better. And yes, I still
have a long way to go as I improve as a writer and learn
more about the craft of writing.
I’ve never felt like an outsider when I interact with
already published authors; maybe because I knew many of
the authors as founder and reviewer at Romanceincolor.com.
Many of these same authors have helped me on my journey
to publication in the early days in the late 1990s and
early 2000s and I’d like to take this opportunity to
thanks them. Angela Benson, Felicia Mason, Gwynne
Forster, Brenda Jackson, Rochelle Alers, Jacqueline
Thomas, Leslie Esdaile, Gail McFarland, Kayla Perrin and
Donna Hill – each of these ladies is phenomenal and has
ALWAYS been supportive.
2. How long have you been writing? What prompted you to
write your first book and did you face any major challenges?
For ever…and the most difficult thing about writing
is time. I love to read and I do some many other things.
It’s hard to sit for more that an hour and write.
Inevitable, I’m always stressed at deadline, but I’m
working at being more disciplined. Hopefully, I’ll
succeed some day.
3. You live on the island of Barbados; do you pull any
inspiration from your beautiful surroundings?
Definitely, anyone who has read any of my books know
that Barbados is a central character in each of my
books. I want everyone to see the beauty of my island.
I’ve been reading books for years set in exotic location
and Barbados definitely falls under that heading. Along
with that, it’s the place I know best.
4. Now Wayne, many people know you as a romance author,
but many may not know you also run RomanceInColor.com. How
did you get started with the website and how long have you
been managing it?
I started RomanceInColor in the late 1990s (June 1999 to
be exact) when very few websites reviewed
African-American romance novels. I want to give
prominence to the genre and RIC became a reality. At
that time, there were only two reviewers; myself and a
young lady, Melanie Schuster, who asked me to be a
reviewer when the site launched. Ironically, both of us
went on the write for Arabesque and now Kimani Press.
Today, I rarely have time to write reviews, but La-Tessa
Montgomery does a great job of keeping things going.
Aw, thanks Wayne—I think I’ m blushingJ.
5. What are some of your favorite authors, genres, and/or
books?
This could take days. I try to read as many of the
African-American authors I can. Kimani (of course),
Dafina, Genesis and Parker lines, as well as the single
titles from the other major publishers. I also read lots
of romantic suspense – Harlequin Intrigue, Silhouette
Romantic Suspense, and select authors, Tami Hoag, Nora
Roberts/J.D. Robb, Lisa Gardner, Brenda Novak, Suzanne
Brockmann, Karen Rose. I also love reading Western
Historicals and am really enjoying the Love Inspired
Historical line which has lots of feel good Western.
Susan Wiggs, Cheryl St. John, Lorraine Heath and Linda
Ford would be my favorite authors this category. I also
read inspirational romance and fiction. Angela Benson,
Kendra Norman-Bellamy and Jacquelin Thomas are my
favorites.
6. What do you do in your down time, (assuming you have any
J)?
Besides teaching (Literature, Communication and
Theatre), writing, running RIC, hosting the Kimani and
some of the Simply Series area on the eharlequin.com
community, I read, watch television and go to the
movies. I also love to travel and am writing this while
on holiday in Trinidad.
7. Your titles have been warmly received, how have you
been enjoying your success as a published author?
It’s been awesome. I’m still amazed at the reception
I get from readers who love my book. And yes, I’m
definitely enjoying it.
ALL ABOUT ALWAYS A KNIGHT:
8. ALWAYS A KNIGHT is the final story in the Knight Trilogy,
how do you feel about this? (sad, happy, etc.) Did you face
any major challenges writing this story? If so, what were
they?
ALWAYS A KNIGHT was difficult story to write. My
editor at that time didn’t want the suspense elements in
and after writing about 10 chapters I had to go back and
make significant changes. I struggled with the new
plotline because it just didn’t feel right at first.
Fortunately, when I allowed my disciplined self to take
over and allowed the characters to speak me all went
well from that point. Ironically, several readers have
said it’s their favorite of the three.
9. ALWAYS AS KNIGHT is Russell’s story, do you have any
favorite characters or scenes that you wouldn’t mind sharing
or providing a little more insight on?
One of my favorite scenes in this story would have to
be the opening scene. It’s a Romeo and Juliet’s kind of
scene when two individuals meet each other across the
room and the attraction is instant. There is no
touching, no words, just the overwhelming sense of
awareness. Russell is one of my favorite character.
Playa, black sheep, independent, know what he wants…and
to women….oh so sexy. Wish I could be like him.
10. I know some of your fans are sad to see this trilogy
end; do you have any stories in the works featuring any of
the secondary characters we grew to know and love?
The new trilogy, I’m calling the Knight Circle will
feature characters from the Knight Family Trilogy –
Troy, George and Jared. Of course, I’m putting Sandra
and Troy together. She hates doctors and Doctor Troy is
definitely out to show her he can be what she wants. I’m
also intrigued with Tori’s brother, Matthew, in ALWAYS A
KNIGHT so maybe this project could become a quarter of
books.
ALL ABOUT THE FANS
11. What’s next for you? Do you have any upcoming
releases or projects you are working on? (particularly the
final installment of Buchanan series)
I’m currently working on Daniel Buchanan’s story,
WHISPERS AT MIDNIGHT and hope to have that and the
first book in the new trilogy/quartet I mentioned above
out in 2010. I’ve also be invited to write a story for a
Parker Publishing anthology for 2010, so I’m going to be
busy writing in the next two years.
12. I know the fact that you live on Barbados makes it
harder for you to reach some of your fans, but do you have
any reader events coming up or planned for the US (book
signing, tours, etc.)?
In the immediate future - No. I do plan to be at the
RWA conference in DC next year and Romance Slam Jam in
2010. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend Slam Jam
2009.
13. How can your readers stay in touch with you?
1. My website - www.waynejordan.com
2. eharlequin.com Community – community.eharlequin.com/kimani
3. My Yahoo Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/waynejordan/
4. Email address - authorwj@caribsurf.com
14. What advice or encouragement do you have for aspiring
authors?
Know your craft. Always write the story of your heart.
Never give up. I’m proof that these works.
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