Book: Jon B: Are You Still Down?
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hello, everyone, my name is Dominique Carson. I am a freelance journalist, author, researcher, and massage therapist.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Jon B: Are You Still Down?’ book?
Some of the key challenges I’ve faced while writing the book is overcoming writing block due to my loss of income as a massage therapist during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. Secondly, I had to really think about the artistic direction for the book and started brainstorming on ideas for my next book since I had a book before but it was unpublished due to finalizing legal matters. I was moving to Virginia after leaving my hometown of New York of 29 years. Therefore, I needed the motivation to write the book and my fiancé, Jeffrey encouraged me to utilize my down time to write the book.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Wow, there are so many authors who influenced my writing. I would have to say my cousin, Niani, the late Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez, E. Lynn Harris, the late Eric Jerome Dickey, Gwendolyn Brooks, Ernest Gaines, Judy Blume, V.C Andrews, and Connie Briscoe.
Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
My favorite spot to visit in my own country will always be my hometown, NYC. Although I moved out of NY 1.5 year ago, it will always be home. You can take the woman out of NYC but NYC still lives within my soul. I have family and friends back in NY so it’s such an exciting feeling that you can attend home for a few days.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I wouldn’t say there is a lot to do; you have to figure out what you want to write about, genre, number of pages, and what is the overall purpose for writing the book. I am pretty sure every writer would like to receive a substantial amount of revenue for their book but money can not be your motivation.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Jon B: Are You Still Down?’ book?
Once I decided I was going to self-publish my book, it was game time. I wanted more creative control over my manuscript. I started the research process for my subject matter four months before I started writing the book. Then, I reached out to my editor and friend, Emily Timmerman about the concept for the book. We worked remotely since we didn’t live in NYC anymore but we still met the deadline. In six months, my book was edited, reviewed immensely, and designed because I really took my time to work on the book.
Q7. On what all platforms’ readers can find ‘Jon B: Are You Still Down?’ book to buy?
Readers can purchase the book on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Jon B: Are You Still Down?’
I knew an attractive cover to captivate people’s attention and my end goal worked out successfully. I reached out to my former high school classmate, Stephen Davis because he is a phenomenal illustrator. He was truly honored and emailed a contract, stating his price and what I should expect when the illustration will be completed. We worked together remotely since it was the pandemic and it turned out to be one of his best illustrations. The title of the book is a song track from Jon B’s sophomore album, Cool Relax. The title was metamorphic because it was my way of asking the readers if they are still listening to Jon B’s music after 25 years. As a result, people are still listening to his music and attending his live performances across the United States and internationally.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I strive to keep things fresh by realizing writing is more of a spiritual practice and it’s my voice. Yes, writing has been a therapeutic outlet in my life since I was a child. It is still the fire in my belly. In order to keep the writing fresh, you must believe in your work and remain passionate. After two decades, I am still eager to write, remain efficient, learn new tricks along the way, and inspire others to leave a mark in people’s lives like a pen.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Jon B was the last person to physically work in the studio with the late rap legend, Tupac Shakur and produced for the English pop quartet, Spice Girls.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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