For would-be writers everywhere, bestselling author Shelia Goss is an incredible role model. She has managed to do what so many writers have dreamed about doing but never had the courage or confidence or whatever it is required to get it done in this tough industry. Her story is so inspiring, and I was honored for the opportunity to interview her about her writing and her life.
But before we get to that interview, let’s go back to time before her nine bestselling Women’s Lit and Young Adult novels were written, long before the awards and accolades. Let’s go back to the early 2000’s when Shelia was working for a Fortune 500 company, back when Shelia, who’d earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, was as far removed from the creative writing world as anyone could possibly be.
Like many would-be writers, Shelia always had a passion for writing but was on an ambitious career path in the corporate world and had put aside this passion to focus on her career. Little did she know that her company had different plans, plans to downsize, plans for the future which didn’t include her. Shelia, like so many Americans in today’s economy, was laid-off and forced to face the difficult prospect of unemployment.
For many, this free time is a dangerous force, one that could easily give fear and anxiety the foothold they need to upgrade worry into desperateness and despair. But not for Shelia. For Shelia, this was an opportunity, a chance to pursue her true passion and create the kind of career everyone dreams about.
Shelia finished her first novel. She attended writing conferences and workshops and the response was great. She made connections and broke her way into the publishing industry and was on her way to a new successful career.
But it wasn’t easy and success didn’t come overnight. In fact, Shelia was writing to an audience that was largely ignored by the publishing world and the mainstream media: young Black Americans. In this 2005 article from the New York Times, we learn how Shelia and a handful of other African-American writers, without the support of the publishing industry, were penning popular books for an audience that could no longer be ignored.
Since then, Shelia has written nine award-winning, bestselling books for both young adults (The Lipstick Chronicles) and adults alike (Women in Hollywood). Her latest book from her Women’s fiction series is Hollywood Deception, a fun and sexy romance/mystery about a former model and Emmy-winning talk show host whose challenging love life becomes even more challenging thanks to a psychotic stalker.
Hollywood Deception by Shelia Goss is available on Amazon and on Shelia’s website where you can learn more about her life and her work.
I had the great opportunity to interview Shelia Goss. Please take a few more minutes and read the revealing interview below.
Q. You used to work for a Fortune 500 company. How did you end up becoming a bestselling author?
A. I got downsized from the company I was working for. Since I had some free time on my hands, I decided to use that time to finish writing my first novel. I attended conferences and workshops and learned as much as I could about the publishing business. God intervened and opened some doors, and I was blessed to have my books well received.
Q. You’ve had success writing books for young adults (The Lip Gloss Chronicles) and for adults (Women in Hollywood Series). Do you prefer one genre over the other or will we continue to see books from you in both areas?
A. I love writing period. I don't have a preference. I will continue to write in multiple genres.
Q. In an article from the NY Times, you and a handful of writers and publishers completely bucked the system by finding success without the support of the publishing industry. This is a true testament to, not only your determination to succeed in a tough industry, but to the value your work provides to your audience. What was it like facing and overcoming this challenge?
A. Once I decided this was the path I wanted to go on, I prayed about it and didn't look back. The obstacles only motivated me to succeed. I put in a lot of long hours and the rewards have been worth some of the sacrifices I made to get to this point in my career.
Q. In Hollywood Deception you take on some important issues like stalking and Bipolar Disorder. What would you like readers to learn from your novels?
A. My main purpose for writing Hollywood Deception and other books in the Women in Hollywood Series: Double Platinum and Roses are Thorns was to show that celebrities are ONLY people. They deal with some of the same issues we all do; except for on a grander scale because they are under a microscope. They have feelings and problems just like most people. When people can see them as real people and not put them on a pedestal, they may not be as judgmental when they do make mistakes or will respect their privacy, when things happen to them, like in Sandra Bullock's situation.
Q. Black writer, African-American writer, and Chick Lit or Woman writer are some of the labels that are associated with your work. Do these labels bother you?
A. No, because at the end of the day, I'm me: an American...who writes...who happens to be Black and a Woman.
Q. I heard you also have a Christian novel in the works. Can you discuss this book a little and what it means to you?
A. The book is called Delilah (Urban Christian: January 2011; ISBN: 1-60162-885-4). It's my tenth novel, but my first Christian fiction book. It's a fictional account of the tragic love story of Samson and Delilah. Delilah is a drama magnet. She wreaks havoc on the lives of every man she comes in contact with. She feels her luck has changed when Samson comes into the picture. Samson comes with his own set of issues and readers will be taken on a rollercoaster ride as Samson vows to protect his ministry by any means necessary. Delilah is the first book of my "Bad Women of the Bible" series. I came up with the idea for the series several years ago, so I'm real excited to finally see the books being released.
Q. Hollywood Deception is your ninth novel. Can you discuss your writing process with our readers and how it is you get so much done?
A. I have to know my characters like the back of my hand before I start writing the first chapter. When working on a book, I usually start writing in the morning and write for at least six hours a day until I finish the first draft. After I write the first draft, I put the book aside and work on something else and then I go back to do self-edits before submitting to an editor.
Q. How much of your life appears in your work? Are your characters at all based on family or friends or are they completely made up?
A. I don't write about my real life. All of my books are fiction; any resemblance to anyone real is purely a coincidence. There have been several incidents after my story has been released that people have actually done some of the things I wrote about. For instance, in my book My Invisible Husband, the main character, Nicolette Montana gets tired of her family asking her when she's getting married, so she fakes a Las Vegas wedding. I met a woman, who after reading the book, confessed that her best friend faked her wedding and that people actually thought her and her live-in boyfriend were married. I also met a twin who claimed her relationship with her sister was just like the dysfunctional relationship of the twins from my book Roses are thorns (Violets are true).
Q. What books are you reading right now?
A. I am reading The Secrets of Newberry by Victor McGlothin and Holy Rollers by ReShonda Tate Billingsley.
Q. Are there any writers you think deserve more attention than they currently receive?
A. Yes, there are many. Vincent Alexandria, Bernice McFadden, Michelle McGriff, Kendra Norman-Bellamy, and John A Wooden are just a few.
Q. What’s next for Sheila Goss?
A. Besides my book Delilah being released in 2011, my suspense novel, Savannah's Curse is scheduled for a 2011 release. I am currently working on the fourth book in my young adult series The Lip Gloss Chronicles. People can learn more about all of my books and keep up to date with my releases by visiting my website at www.sheliagoss.com.
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