BLM: Tell us a little bit about Brian W. Smith.
I am an author and the owner of Hollygrove Publishing. I’ve written nine Contemporary Fiction novels (three of them have become best sellers). Since 2006, my publishing company has released 16 titles (five of them best sellers). I am a native of New Orleans, LA and currently reside in Dallas, TX.
BLM: When did Brian W. Smith, the business man decide to become Brian W. Smith the
bestselling author? What inspired the decision?
In 2004, I was doing the “corporate america” thing – earning a very good salary and enjoying life – when I learned (via a DNA test) that I wasn’t the biological father of my 17 year old daughter. The same month my personal life was turned upside down, I earned my M.B.A. I was so angry and hurt about the situation involving my daughter that I decided to write a book about my story. Since I had a brand new MBA in hand and years of business experience, I decided to avoid the headaches of trying to find a publishing deal and opened my own publishing company. I released my first two novels in 2006, The S.W.A.P. Game and Mama’s Lies-Daddy’s Pain…the rest is history.
BLM: You always write very thought provoking and sometimes even controversial stories; where do you get your inspiration? Have any of them been pulled from real life?
My formula for writing novels is really very simple. I write topic driven books – not character driven books. Therefore, all I need to find is an interesting moral dilemma and construct a thought provoking storyline around it. We are surrounded by moral dilemmas everyday so I never run out of potential storylines.
BLM: Of all the fabulous characters you have created, which one of them has stuck out for you the most? Why?
Obviously, the character “Jamal” from my novel, Mama’s Lies – Daddy’s Pain, is the most personal character because he’s based on my life. I do like the character, “Quincy” from my new novel, DEADBEAT, because he’s flawed. But, Quincy proves that we can move past our flaws and at least attempt to fix the problems we cause.
BLM: Your most recent book, DEADBEAT, is an excellent example of how secrets and deceit can destroy lives. What was your motivation in weaving together this 
story?
Initially, I was stuck on the title – DEADBEAT. I’d been sitting on the title for nearly three years. I decided to release a book with that title this year because I was afraid I’d walk into a book store one day and see that someone else had already beat me to it. As with all of my books, I try to tackle familiar topics from a unique perspective. One day I found myself sitting in my car at a red light watching a homeless man. That’s when I decided to use the story of a homeless man to tackle the sensitive topic of a man abandoning his wife and child, and then attempting to come back later.
BLM: There are life circumstances that cause Quincy not to take an active role in the life of his son, QJ. In your opinion, is there ever a legitimate reason for not parenting or being present for your child?
I am the father of two sons, and I take being a “daddy” seriously. I don’t think there is ever a reason for a man to not take care of his responsibility. But, I’m wise enough to know that life isn’t always as simple as we’d like it to be. There is always more than one side to a story. I try to illustrate the different sides in the book DEADBEAT.
BLM: You are the king of the surprise ending. How important is it, in your opinion, for authors to not give the fairy tale or the happy ending?
Readers are extremely savvy these days. Often times, they figure out the ending to novels by the half way point of the book. I’ve always been a big fan of mystery series (Sherlock Holmes, Poirot, and even Scooby Doo as a child…lol). When I started writing fiction novels I decided that I would make surprise endings a part of my brand. As far as giving the readers happy endings, I don’t get caught up in all that. I try to focus on giving readers “real” endings. I’m not big into being politically correct.
You are hitting the road with your Love Literature Tour in January. What inspired you to put this together? What are the stops and where can fans get tickets?
After reading a business book about Berry Gordy, Founder of Motown Records, I decided to apply some of his business principles. Motown records perfected the concept of traveling tours. They featured multiple singers on the same bill, and capitalized on the cross promotion opportunities. I decided to apply those same principles to the stale practice of doing book signings. Since 80% of all fiction novels are purchased by women, it made sense to me to create an all male literary tour. So, I reached out to six brothas whom I felt were really making a name for themselves in this saturated literary game. I wanted to find brothas that wrote in different genres so we could maximize each authors ability to be exposed to new readers. It is no secret that some authors (male and female) can be very “high maintenance”; therefore, I wanted toinvite authors whose egos weren’t bigger than their careers. After doing hours of research, I came up with six brothas to accompany me on this book tour: Moses Miller, Dwayne S. Joseph, Jihad, Rickey Teems II, Vincent Alexandria, Marc Lacy, and myself. We will be appearing in seven cities: Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Ft. Worth, Nashville, Cleveland, and Landover, MD. The events will be hosted by book clubs, and will be held at various hotels. Go to the website: www.loveliteraturetour.info for more information.
BLM: You have literally traveled all over the country promoting your books. Which city has showed you the most love?
Ooooh, you’re trying to get me banned…lol. You know there is no way to answer that question without pissing some people off. I will say this; I have been blessed to have garnered so much support in only five years. It’s easier for me to say which states have supported me the longest: Tennessee, Texas, and Florida. I would love to be able to add my hometown of New Orleans, LA to the list, but unfortunately, I get my least amount of support from my hometown…sad, but true.
BLM: I have heard from some authors that they have a bit of an issue “getting in” with the book clubs. What tips do you have for aspiring authors when approaching book clubs to feature their books?
Book clubs are the back bone of the African-American literary industry. They are extremely loyal consumers. I recommend authors do the following:
1.) Find every book club in the state they live in and send a FREE copy of your novel.
2.) Travel to the book clubs in your state and meet with them.
3.) Be professional. Brush up on your people skills and learn how to sell your book.
4.) People support authors they know. Get out to literary events.
BLM: What can we look forward to in 2011 and beyond?
The year 2011 is going to be my biggest year ever. It will kick off with The Love Literature Tour in January. In the spring of 2011, I will unveil my internet radio show called, An Hour in the Grove, that I will co-host with best selling author, Trice Hickman. I have a second tour that I’m putting together called, The Bold and Beautiful Tour. It will begin in February. I will be appearing at book signings throughout the country with several talented female authors: Trice Hickman, Electa Rome Parks, Lutishia Lovely, Monique D. Mensah, and Cydney Rax. I will be a featured author at several literary events in 2011: National Book Club Conference (NBCC); National Black Book Festival (NBBF); and the Fall into Literature Conference. Also, I have some breaking news. My agent is real close to securing a multi-book deal for me with a major publisher in 2011. God is good!!!
Readers can go to my website: www.hollygrovepublishing.com. While there, they can click the facebook icon on the “About Us” page to join me on Facebook.
