BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW – EDEN ROYCE

Posted by John F. Allen Author on February 14, 2020

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer and what does it mean to you to be a black writer in this society?

I wanted to be a writer since I was about five years old, but I didn’t pursue it seriously until I was in my mid-thirties. For me, being a Black writer means being myself on the page. Regardless of what genre I’m writing in – Southern Gothic, fantasy, horror, or science fiction –who I am as a person – a Black Southern woman – always makes it into the story in some way.

Do you write full time, or do you have another full-time job? What is your educational background?

I write full time now, after leaving my day job a little over five years ago. I have a B.S. in Business Administration and worked in finance most of my career.
As far as writing education, I’ve never taken writing classes, but I read voraciously and have since I was a child.

How do you best meet the challenge of juggling your day job (if applicable) and/or your family, against your writing career?

When I had a day job, I did most of my writing after work. I was never without a notebook though, so I could jot down ideas whenever they popped up. You never know when something will inspire you, so I like to be prepared. I still keep one on my nightstand.

How many books have you written?
I’ve published two collections of short stories (Spook Lights and Spook Lights II), but only one novel, a middle-grade Southern Gothic historical that will be published in early 2021. I’m hard at work on two more, though.

Who are some of the major writing influences who most inspired you?

Zora Neale Hurston, J. California Cooper, Edgar Allan Poe

Do you listen to music when you’re creating? If so, what type?

Never. I listen to sounds like crackling fireplaces, thunderstorms, or rain on a tin roof when I write.

How long does it usually take you to complete work on a book?

I’ve only completed one so far, and that started out as a collection of short stories.

Is there any particular book that you’ve written that you’re most passionate about?

Not a book, but a short story. It’s “For Southern Girls When The Zodiac Ain’t Near Enough” and it’s my love letter to Black Southerners, no matter where they may be in the world now. I’ve been lucky enough to have some readers mention that it resonates with them, and they return to read it periodically. And that means so much to me.

What legacy do you want your work to represent and resonate in the black community and the world?

I want my legacy to be one of mixing African-American and Gullah-Geechee folklore and mythology into stories that show we as Black people have a rich cultural past and a tradition of storytelling despite our traumatic history. And to let that rich cultural past inspire us to do even more now and in the future.

What are some of the upcoming projects you’re working on?

I’m working on two novels: a middle-grade Southern Gothic contemporary fantasy and a young adult horror/dark fantasy.

How can the readers learn more about your work and follow your career?

Website: http://edenroyce.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdenRoyce
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edenroycebooks/

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW – JOE ROBINSON CURRIE

Posted by John F. Allen Author on February 12, 2020

At what point in your life did you discover that you were destined to be a comic book writer?

Hmmm destined, I’ll say this. There was a Comic-Con I had just attended in Chicago. It was my first one and it was like going to Disney World. I had never seen anything like it. The very next week I was having lunch with a friend and he suggested we start a company and create our own comics. I think I started writing comics that day.

How long have you been writing comic books professionally and do you work for an outside comic book company/studio, freelance or own your own company/studio?

About 25 years now. My company is called Strictly Underground Comics, It serves as an imprint under the umbrella of StreetTeam Studios.

What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of being a comic book writer, and even more specifically a black comic book writer?

Being an independent publisher I have complete freedom to tell any story I want. As a black comic book writer It’s telling stories that otherwise will not be told.

Do you create full time, or do you have another full-time job? What is your educational background?

I have a day job. I went to Columbia College in Chicago. I skipped my 4^th year and took the money that would have been my tuition and started Strictly Underground Comics.

What tools of the trade do you most like to create with?

Just a basic pen and a legal pad, once I have the story the way I want I move to the laptop and put it all down. Make what ever edits and changes I need to and so on.

Who are some of your biggest comic book writer influences?

Oh wow Stan Lee, Warren Ellis, Dwayne Mcduffie, Grant Morrison just to name a few.

What style(s) does your comic book writing take and how much has black culture and history influenced your style?

I think you can definitely see and feel that in the work that I do both my parents made sure that I had knowledge of self and my history. So yeah it’s a pretty big influence.

What inspires you to create and how do you strive to reach your readers within the black community by reflecting themselves in your work?

Inspiration comes from all over the place. It could be a book I’m reading. Sometimes it’s music or sometime simply walking down the street. As far as how I reach black readers. I think it’s important to see yourself reflected in a medium that really didn’t have you in there. I’m a black man and I have a certain perspective and vision and it’s important to have those visuals and stories.

Do you have a particular project or projects which stand out as your favorite(s)?

I like them all. Because being Indie you know the sheer sacrifice and energy it takes to get it out. So when It’s done I can reflect back on it. So nah I don’t have a particular favorite.

As a black comic book writer, do you feel a personal responsibility to the black community to create content which not only entertains, but also uplifts and educates?

I think I have to be conscious of what I’m saying. So yeah that’s definitely in my mindset when I go in.

What does your creative schedule look like and how many hours a day do you create?

There is no particular time where I sit down and just go. It’s all day.

How do you best meet the challenge of juggling your day job (if applicable) and/or your family, against your writing career?

That’s difficult at times. You just do the best you can. Doing this creative stuff. Is challenging and can absorb a lot of your time. So I do my best.

Do you listen to music when you’re creating? If so, what type?

Not all the time but I do at times just to have background noise. It varies. One day Rock, One day Hip Hop. Trip Hop some R&B it depends on what I’m writing. Like now I’m listening to Mr. Lif lol.

What is the most difficult part of your writer process?

Trying my best not to edit myself or tone it down. If I’m hitting a topic then I need to really hit it and not try to sugar coat it. Ya know.

What do you do to recharge your creative batteries?

Just relax, step away from all of it do something different for a while then you get that urge to get back to it.

What have you found to be the most challenging thing about breaking into the comic book industry, especially as a black creator?

If you mean like the big two or a major publisher. Then I really think those days are just done. I think the independent route is the way. Breaking in is simply creating an ip and putting it out. If you don’t have the funds to publish. You can run a crowdfunding campaign for it and if your property draws an audience your off and running.

How does your work resonate with the black community and what do you want your legacy within the black community to achieve?

I think it hits at least I hope so lol. Legacy wise. I just hope I leave a positive mark on the industry when it’s all said and done.

How and why is it important that black people are represented in this medium and how important is it that black creators work together to encourage, empower and educate the black community through their work?

I think it’s very important as black creators to be just as visible as our IP’s. As far as black creators working together. I think that’s important as well. There are a lot of obstacles and hurdles you have to go through and over. I have my own company but I’m also under the StreetTeam Studios umbrella which is the home of six more creators. I think people see that unity and it does resonate.

How long does it usually take you to complete work on a comic book piece/project?

It can be anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years.

How many comics have you written?

About 18.

What are the names of some of the titles you’ve written?

“Something” “Prodigy” “PUNXofRAGE” “The Almighty StreetTeam”

What does artistic success in the comic book world look like to you?

I think you would like the work you do to be received well from your audience.

What upcoming project(s) are you working on, which you can share with the readers?

Almighty StreetTeam #2 is the next immediate project on deck. There are other things in the works. but that’s next.

Where can the readers continue to follow your career? Do you have a website or blog?

PUNXofRAGE.COM Instagram, PUNXofRAGE

Thank You John F. Allen for the interview. Shout out to StreetTeam Studios Crew!The PUNXofRAGE Radio Crew Strictly Underground and all the people that have supported me on this journey. Thank You