Adrolite Press

Shades Book Signing

2010-01-18T22:57:00.000-08:00

How far should a woman go to pursue the man of her dreams? Author Chandra Adams answers that question and more in her upcoming book signing at Classic One Books in Los Angeles, CA on March 6, 2010.

Dealing With the Race Factor (from Yahoo!)

2009-12-10T21:14:00.000-08:00

What would Basilah think about this?

Dating 101: Dealing With the Race Factor

How to cope with four common obstacles in interracial dating
By dating editor Arnold Chao Exclusive to Yahoo! Personals
Updated: Jun 5, 2009

A recent study on racial preferences of online daters provides some interesting findings. Based on profile-searching criteria set by singles using Yahoo! Personals, the UCI case study reveals that gender plays an important role in interracial preferences:

Asian American men are the least preferred mate for Caucasian women, and African American women bear the brunt of discrimination from Caucasian men. UCI researchers say that "the stereotypical images of masculinity and femininity shape dating choices" and are a contributing factor.

The cross-cultural revolution is not going to be launched on the Internet dating scene, where people often follow racial stereotypes when looking for love, the researchers said.
In spite of these findings, there's always an exception to the norm, and I should know as an ABC (American-Born Chinese) who met and married another type of ABC (American Brazilian Caucasian -- yes, I just made that up). Like any couple we've had our ups and downs, but we've somehow managed to bond well for almost a decade.

For those of you involved with a date -- or mate -- of a different race, check out these obstacles of interracial dating and ways to overcome them.

Dating Obstacle #1. The Traditionalists
I've encountered several people who possess strong opinions about interracial dating: A South African told me that people should date within their own race; my Korean American friend found it inconceivable to betroth a white woman; some Asian guys I've met told me they loathe competing with white guys to woo Asian bachelorettes.
Yes, the resistance against interracial dating persists, even in the diverse San Francisco Bay Area where I live. You should consider that citizens in most U.S. states were legally banned from marrying outside of their race until 1967.

How do you cope?

Surround yourself with pals who tolerate diversity. As individuals, we have an innate desire to be understood; and as an interracial couple, the desire remains the same. You must learn to accept adversity and not let it influence your individual judgment. The acceptance you receive from a circle of friends strips away your sensitivity to snide comments that oppose your open dating preferences.

Dating Obstacle #2. The Stereotypes From Mass Media
Can you blame the TV producers and advertisers for playing it safe by catering to the majority? After all, they measure what appeals to a mass audience and go with what we're familiar with. It's no mystery that stereotyping the population is much easier than representing eclectic subgroups within our population. As an expected result of this, the general public absorbs oversimplified images of various ethnic groups -- and how they pair up -- in every media imaginable.

How do you cope?

Recognizing the biased reality of the media business in itself resolves much of the adverse impact of broadcasted stereotypes. Avoid "keeping up with the Joneses" and don't think you have to date like all the idealized couples the generic media fodder has fed you. Boil your beliefs down to what really matters to you, and you'll become stereotype-resistant.

Dating Obstacle #3. The Offensive Family Member
It happens: You'll attend a family gathering where your estranged uncle shows that he may not be as culturally enlightened as the rest of your family. The off-color jokes spew out of his mouth. He snickers. You're in shock. Your significant other is in shock. The tension builds while you attempt to cool the blood that boils within you.

How do you cope?

Realize that there may always be a family member, or friend, who has trouble thinking before uttering insensitive opinions or bluntly racist remarks. Prepare for these confrontations. Let that person know if you think his/her comments are offensive, and choose honest yet eloquent ways to respond. Practice what you'll say and when you'll say it -- so when the situation happens, you won't let your emotions get the best of you. If this person is worth dealing with, he/she will respect your straightforwardness.
Silence will only prolong the issue. Share your thoughts to show that you care about how you interact with everyone, and vice versa. This is not the time to be shy. Demand respect. You deserve it.

Dating Obstacle #4. The Gazers
I know. It gets old. Not everybody is used to seeing an interracial couple. People will stare at you. They may even display a frown or a furrowed brow.

How do you cope?

Ignore the natural response of attempting to read their minds. Who knows what they're thinking when they stare: Maybe they admire you two as a couple, or they like your threads, or they just haven't seen your "kind" before, or they're waiting for you two to show some affection so they can label you as a couple rather than friends. It's pointless to keep wondering.

Instead, imagine you're a celebrity. In fact, you are. You might well be the spectacle of the day for them. Thrive and celebrate your uniqueness. These public encounters add flavor to the otherwise bland experiences of their lives. You're simply desensitizing them to the notion of colorblind dating. Sooner or later, they won't look twice ... because they've seen it before.

Arnold Chao, a former social worker with a degree in psychology, collaborates with dozens of authors and dating coaches to provide expert relationship advice. He also writes for The Spark and moonlights as a visual artist at arnisto.com.

The Scorned Bachelorette in Paris

2009-11-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

From the archives of Adrolite Press:

The other night I was talking to a good friend of mine who had just moved to North Carolina. We talk as if we still live only half an hour away from each other, so as I’m walking in the door, she is in the middle of watching The Bachelor: Paris. Well, more like the end, where apparently one of the bachelorettes got more than just a little irritated that she wasn’t invited back for the next round. That is one show I have refused to watch, but I’ll tell you, after what my friend described, I just had to check it out.

So I sat through the show – what a catch the new bachelor is for any young lady looking for love! He’s a doctor, wears that kind of smirk that lets you know that he KNOWS he looks good, and overall, seems like a decent human being. I mean, they even got one of his patients to explain how he saved her life after a heart attack, and she worked really very hard to sound sincere. They hugged after a staged check-up in his office and everything. Would you hug your doctor? And if he or she hugged you, would you consider suing them for sexual harassment? Oh, calm down I’m just joking around.

Anyhow, Allie G. was her name, and she really showed out. After Travis made his choices, she confronted him and questioned whether he found her attractive. I thought she was going to jump up and bite his ear off at any given moment and chew it while she demanded answers. Excuse me, sweetheart, have you ever heard of losing gracefully? And how about not looking so desperate in front of millions of people? She went on to mention to a couple of the other contestants that her eggs were rotting as she moaned and groaned about the rejection. Yuck. What an image, huh? I’m sure she still can’t figure out why Travis didn’t want to see her again.

If her behavior were any indication of things to come, I’d say that this is going to be a fight to the death for the remaining contestants. A good-looking doctor husband is what every little girl dreams of for herself and Barbie, and what just about every woman wishes for at some point in her life when she is looking for that special guy. Add to the mix some rapidly spoiling eggs, and oh, what a pathetic scene we have before us. Ms. G is obviously an accomplished woman and considered by most standards attractive. Either her family is pressuring her mercilessly to get hitched, or she has some screws loose. Which leads us to the question of why anyone would want their search for a mate televised. It would be a great move if you’re looking to break into modeling, acting, or you need some serious PR for your business venture or career. I’m not necessarily judging though – hey, whatever floats your boat, you know? But if you’re so serious about it that it warrants behaving like you need to be on medication, I’d say a safe bet would be to take it off-camera.

The good thing about it is that I don’t need to tune in next week, because she won’t be there to make a scene. I have enough reality shows to watch, and since American Idol is coming back, I have to devote the free time I have to watching that. Allie G., I hope you live this one down and really just kind of calm down.

Chandra Adams
Author
Shades of Retribution
www.AdrolitePress.com
www.ChandraAdams.com

Posted on 1/26/06

Down Low

2009-11-12T23:47:00.000-08:00

When I first heard about the Down Low drama, I was watching a preview of the Oprah Winfrey Show. The author of “On The Down Low…” J.L. King, had information to share that every woman involved with a Black man should know. Like many of my friends I decided to tune in, only to hear what I had already been told by a couple of my friends, who are black and gay. J.L. King sat on Oprah’s couch and shocked many in the nation about this new wave of deception – and warned many to beware, because someone you love could be lying to you. Just because your man says he’s heterosexual, it doesn’t mean that he is.

Which raises a very important question with regard to promiscuity in general: What drives a human being to be unfaithful to the point of destroying another person’s health?

The San Francisco Chronicle recently published a trio of articles by Jason B. Johnson about the Down Low controversy and the spreading of HIV and AIDS in black communities . The first was a broad examination of the connection between AIDS, black men on the DL and the rising number of black women contracting HIV. Another article profiled the evolution of one black man from heterosexuality to homosexuality. The other, and most compelling story was one of a preacher husband who knowingly infected his wife with HIV.

Why are black communities so unwilling to tolerate open dialogue about homosexuality and AIDS? According to health and social advocates, ‘black men have had to front when it comes to the issue of homosexuality, because of the extremely strong stigma against it. In black churches, homosexuality has long been decried from the pulpit.’

If we keep going at the current rate, we won’t have any black communities to worry about. It is a real tragedy that black men and women haven’t figured out how to communicate with each other on real, life-threatening issues. So many factors come into play that I’m not really sure it’s fair to place the blame solely on the men. I do believe without a doubt that it’s wrong to be unfaithful, to lie about the status of your health when it comes to HIV and STD’s. Here’s a questions that needs to be raised – how many women lie and deceive themselves to maintain the status quo? Many of us, raised in very strict, Christian households, don’t have the advantage of knowing what’s going on with our mate who may be more worldly. For those ladies, my heart goes out to you. But then, quite similarly to their husbands and mates who like dudes, some women prefer to pretend that nothing’s going on. They may sense something’s not right, but by the time the kids have arrived, the Mercedes is parked in the garage, the four-bedroom house is in full effect and they’ve established a certain status in their churches and communities, it’s easy to just act like everything’s cool. Becoming increasingly more responsible for ourselves whether we are married, single, dating or otherwise is the order of the day. Regular HIV testing is essential for all of us these days. Before the condom comes off, find out who and what you’re dealing with.

One thing I’ve observed is that the only thing worse than lies are secrets. Secrets are like poison and hurt everyone, from the person that harbors one to the person that never had the benefit of knowing that pertinent information. I’d like to see more churches encourage people to be open and to be themselves, their whole selves, so that more individuals may be truly healed.

Chandra Adams
Author
Shades of Retribution
ChandraAdams.com

Original date: May 2005

Single Black Women Got It Goin’ On

2009-11-08T22:03:00.000-08:00

Says who? Well, a whole slew of statistics referenced by Yolanda Young in her editorial/opinion article in USA Today. Seems that single black women are enjoying better health than their married counterparts. Also according to this article, since those black couples who do marry tend to not stay together anyhow, we now ask, what’s the point? ‘If I marry Tyrone, I’ll probably average one more cold a year than I would if I was single, or Jamal could make my blood pressure go up, hmm, I think I’ll skip the wedding and go book that singles cruise I’ve been eyeing for some time now…’

Stop. I’m going to first let you in on a little secret about me, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Statistics. Was I crazy for picking such major? Maybe. But I can tell you that numbers, statistics that is, can be manipulated to support any idea, cause, or opinion. I’m not saying this necessarily to shoot holes in the article Young wrote, but let me offer another viewpoint. Certainly it’s clear that the pickin’s are slim for any educated, independent single woman in America. And more so for black women, it’s true. But is that any reason to give up on your hopes of marrying, and marrying a black man for that matter? I don’t think so. My book Shades of Retribution covers the topic. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend any of the tactics that my heroines employed (unless you’re seeking lengthy jail time). But I would encourage all women considering marriage to spend a lot more time getting to know ourselves instead of allowing statistics to dictate our life decisions. I grew up witnessing several marriages between black women and black men that not only survived but thrived. Many sacrifices were made and sometimes the going got rough, but those couples hung in there and made it happen. I have friends in very happy marriages that will likely go the distance. Marriage is not for everyone. Is it for you? Let your heart decide and your actions guide you.

Chandra Adams
Author
Shades of Retribution
www.adrolitepress.com
www.chandraadams.com
www.northbaymediareview.com

Rising Health Care Costs Part 2

2009-11-08T21:57:00.000-08:00

Originally posted January 2006

According to Eurweb.com, Angela Bofill, at the age of 51 has suffered a stroke. To make matters worse, she does not have health insurance.

Just to give a little background on Ms. Bofill for those who may not be familiar with her, she is a jazz vocalist who made her debut in the late 1970’s. Some of her bigger hits include ‘This Time I’ll Be Sweeter’ and ‘I Try’ which was remade by Will Downing.

I became a fan of hers after over a decade of wishing I didn’t have to listen to her day in and day out. One of my older sisters played her music over and over and I just really couldn’t stand hearing her voice. Then, I think it was in 1992, I attended The Long Beach Jazz Festival where she was part of the lineup. Let me tell you, hearing someone sing live can really change your mind about the quality of their voice and their music. Ever since that festival, I have loved her songs and am saddened to hear of her illness. Unfortunately she is now paralyzed on one side and her friends are donating money and a benefit concert to help her cover those astronomical bills she will undoubtedly face.

I really hate to hear that one our great artists is suffering in such a manner. I am unsure of her financial situation and why she would not have health insurance for herself, but it is not doubt a shame that anyone in this country should have to go without. That may sound idealistic to some, but the reality of the situation is that this is the richest country in the world. I am very proud to be an American and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in this world, but let’s face some facts – the quality of life here appears to be diminishing and I point to the absence of health care for many people as a determining factor of this condition.

Sure, after I turned twenty-three I could no longer be included on my parent’s health plan so I went without for a while. When I was in graduate school, I had to go forego health insurance. At some point in many of our lives, we have to sacrifice and do without it for any number of reasons. But just because someone doesn’t have it, it shouldn’t mean that they might face financial ruin should he or she become ill.

My individual health plan is currently eating me alive, but I am gratefully insured. Thankfully, Angela Bofill has a number of friends who are apparently able to stage a benefit concert to help her with her needs. What’s happening to all of those people who won’t see proceeds from a benefit concert when they fall on hard times? It gives us all something to think about with our own situations and those of our neighbors. Our health in many ways is all we have, and our society must find better and more creative ways to assist all members in protecting it and that of their loved ones.

Chandra Adams
Author
Shades of Retribution
www.AdrolitePress.com
www.ChandraAdams.com

The Pain of Rising Health Care Costs

2009-11-08T21:55:00.000-08:00

Originally posted on January 2006

My individual health plan went up another $47 per month. Every week or so, I hear on the news that health care costs are going to rise and it is affecting more and more people. Here in California, one in six people are uninsured, which is higher than the national average.

There’s also the fact that I have to dish out $25 every time I visit my doctor, plus a $250 deductible on prescriptions. And it turns out that we sometimes as patients and consumers don’t know exactly if our medications are helping or hurting. Vioxx, the painkiller, turns out to be just a killer for some, since it doubles the risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes in those who take it, as any vioxx attorney could tell you.

If all of these additional costs sounds excessive, it is because they are. I am self-employed, and my biggest expense next to marketing is health care. Luckily for me I don’t have any significant health problems, nor do I have children at the present time. I can’t imagine the cost of health care for large families, and indeed it is easy to see why so many are going without.

Children should be guaranteed access to quality health care until they reach 18 years of age. Adults should be able to pay based on their income. That sounds like a fair distribution to me. I know it is easier to believe that everyone has to fend for himself or herself, but the fact of the matter is that if one of us loses, all of us lose.

Now I can cut back on a few movies and cd’s to meet my higher health plan cost – it will probably help me focus on getting fitter and more healthy anyway. But my heart goes out to those unable to afford good care, and I hope that our decision-makers can start to make the necessary reforms to fit the reality of those people with low incomes.

Chandra Adams
Author
Shades of Retribution
www.AdrolitePress.com
www.ChandraAdams.com

Louisiana judge resigns over interracial marriage license

2009-11-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

"I do hereby resign the office of Justice of the Peace for the Eighth Ward of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, effective November 3, 2009." - Keith Bardwell

Bardwell is the judge who refused to issue a marriage license to Humphrey, a white woman, and McKay, a black man, citing some nonsense about the fate of their potential children. I’d like to state the obvious first and say that this man was obviously having Jim Crow flashbacks. How does he even know that this couple wants to or can procreate? And perhaps he didn’t notice but there are a whole bunch of mixed race people in Louisiana who are probably doing just fine without his guidance.

This subject is compelling to me and the subject of interracial relationships is one of the foundations of my novel. Growing up in Berkeley exposed me to an extremely diverse group who intermingled, meshed, and borrowed cultural identities with each other. I was never truly faced with looking at so much of the world in terms of black and white until I moved to the south, where I often found myself longing for the many, many shades of brown, red, yellow and white that had always surrounded me in my youth.

African slaves were freed from bondage in 1863 and race is still such a relevant issue. Shades of Retribution takes the perspective of a group of black women who find their group behind in marital, economic and community prosperity compared to their counterparts of other races. They perceive that men of all races, including black men, covet Eurocentric beauty and aim to correct this flawed belief within men of their own race. Perhaps this is what Bardwell, in his own warped thinking, believed would help people - staying with their own race. This is humanly, morally, spiritually impossible, but how to cope with our rapidly changing demographics remains the question for many.

Testimonials for Shades of Retribution

2009-10-19T00:14:00.000-07:00

Let's see what the fans have to say.....

For anyone who has not read it, go get your copy! I love suspense and drama, and hated to put the book down.
- Audrey

Girrrrlll, I just read the excerpt. It was good! I’m going to buy it right now! Thanks :)
- LaSandra

Thanks Chandra,
I have also been meaning to give you my thoughts on the book…I found myself intrigued from the first page and I love the format of the book…I loved it. Liked the twist of Meena marrying a non-African-American…I was glad to see Kenya get her life back on track. In other words, I came to really feel the characters and be supportive of them – Kenya, more so than Meena believe it or not. I look forward to your next book.
- Valerie

Hi Chandra, I saved this message from last May, but never responded to tell you how much I enjoyed the book. I absolutely hated to put it down. My favorite authors are James Patterson and Mary Higgins Clark, and I must say that your book kept me as entertained as their books do. Keep up the good work and let me know if there are more books to come in the near future. Happy New Year!
- Audrey

Good Afternoon Chandra!
I’ve been meaning to email you and let you know how much I enjoyed your book. I meant to save it for my plane ride to Florida, but after 2 days of it sitting on my coffee table, I couldn’t resist the urge to pick it up and read it. Let me tell you, I couldn’t put it down, and was upset that I had read the whole book in just a few days. The book was EXCELLENT! I can’t wait for you to write another. Take care and have a Happy New Year!
- Carmen

I just wanted to let you know that I’ve finished reading the book and that I truly enjoyed it right down to the last word. It was hard for me to put down from the first page. Girl, you are something else. I hope that you’re working on your second book. I don’t normally read mystery stories but you’ve got a new fan.
- Barbara

Hi I just finished my book at lunch. This book was the bomb. We would like to know if you are going to do reading group questions? Will there be a sequel or are you working on something else?
- Tyran

A Call to Action!

2009-07-06T10:31:00.000-07:00

The three main characters of the suspense novel Shades of Retribution are on a mission to increase the pool of eligible Black men. The facts from recent data statistics proves they have a difficult challenge ahead and an urgent call to action:

According to Wikipedia, the current interracial statistics between Black and White couples in the 2006 are 286,000 for White female to Black male marriages.

From the Bureau of Justice prison statistics in the last midyear of 2008, 4,777 black male inmates per 100,000 black males held in state and federal prisons and local jails, compared to 1,760 Hispanic male inmates per 100,000 Hispanic males and 727 white male inmates per 100,000 white males.

According to the 2000 census, blacks make up approximately 13% of the US population. However, in 2005, blacks accounted for 18,121 (49%) of the estimated 37,331 new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States in the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

(Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (cdc.gov) )

While Shades of Retribution is an entertaining read, it is thought provoking enough to capture the reader’s mind and forces them to look at some hard facts which Basilah, Meena and Kenya are faced with.

Their solution is risky, daring and a bit deadly.

Will their mission of Retribution succeed? Will their plan work or will they face the consequences of their actions?

Most of all, who seeks revenge?

Buy a copy of Shades of Retribution and find out!

Title: Shades of Retribution
Author: Chandra Adams
ISBN: 0-9748902-9-4
Category: Suspense, Thriller
Length: 352 pages
Retail Price: $14.95
Binding: 6”x 9” trade paperback

Purchase a copy at www.adrolitepress.com

Interracial Relationships and the American Black Man

2009-07-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

New suspense novel written in the San Francisco Bay Area which involves interracial themes.

Vallejo, CA (PRWEB) July 15, 2004 -- Black women from all walks of life are getting fed up with the lack of eligible black men. According to the Human Rights Watch World Report released in 2002, Blacks and Latinos make up 62% of the incarcerated population, and only 25% of the national population. In some states, 1 in 10 black men are behind bars. Thirty percent of black men in the U.S. will go to jail. Sixty five percent more young black women go to college than black males.

Those black men that don’t fall into any of the aforementioned categories, and several who have managed to find success educationally and financially, often choose to date and marry women who are not black. As a result, many eligible black women are finding themselves increasingly alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 311,000 black-white married couples in the United States in 1997, but two-thirds of them consisted of a black husband and a white wife. The three main characters of the new suspense novel Shades of Retribution – Meena and Kenya, two up-and-coming college graduates trying to figure life out, and edgy, thirty-something Basilah – decide that it’s time to take matters into their own hands. Written with the San Francisco Bay Area as a backdrop, the three women take us on a journey to their world where just about anything goes – as long as it goes their way.

“I want to give my readers exactly what I appreciate -- an exciting read,” says Chandra Adams, author of the new novel Shades of Retribution. “My aim is to address a sensitive and controversial subject in a manner that my readers can relate to and understand beyond the typical statistics. Suspense novels have always been among my favorite type of books, and I believe this particular genre meets up with the dilemmas black communities face to produce an explosive plot.” Fast-paced and unpredictable, this book by Adams is successful in drawing the reader into its web and fueling the imagination with its unique style.

Shades of Retribution is entertaining, thought provoking, and sexy. It has a little something for everyone – and still manages to be just downright fun. “I grew up in a college town where cultural diversity is considered the norm in most instances,” Adams says. “Taking that into account, black males are a lot more inclined to seek out partners from other races and backgrounds, much more than their black female counterparts.” In her opinion, it is crucial for African-American communities to examine the ‘soft’ issues and obstacles that prevent black communities from forming cohesive units.

About the Author: Chandra Adams is a California native, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and Clark Atlanta University, where she received an MBA. She has performed as speaker for the United States President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology at the University of California, Berkeley. As a former analyst at Turner Broadcasting System and IBM, Chandra excelled at written communication, and throughout her career, she has instructed English part-time. She eventually turned her love of the written word into a full-time concern. Chandra is working on her next novel and resides in Vallejo, California.

Book Statistics

Title: Shades of Retribution
Author: Chandra Adams
ISBN: 0-9748902-9-4
Category: Suspense, Thriller
Length: 352 pages
Retail Price: $14.95
Binding: 6”x 9” trade paperback

P.O. Box 1924
Vallejo, CA 94590
Contact: Chandra Adams
Ph. (707) 332-8961
e-mail protected from spam bots
www.AdrolitePress.com

Chandra Adams on Writing An Action-Packed Suspense Novel

2009-06-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

From CYH Magazine, Fall 2006

Writing suspense can be a challenging endeavor, but a writer armed with a solid storyline and just the right amount of detail can turn a so-so tale into a compelling and highly entertaining novel.

Tell just enough to peak your reader’s interest until every detail is revealed at the end in engrossing detail. Build on one or two predominating themes, and surprise your reader by taking the less predictable route. Create a dark, moody feel to your story, or keep a high level of excitement with non-stop action. Developing strong characters who are multi-dimensional, unpredictable - even unstable, volatile, or emotional will add tension. Think about what you like to read or watch in a movie. Consider what motivates some power, greed, love, lust. If you can keep a secret, you can write a suspense novel.

Look to everyday experiences and observations to formulate a unique storyline. I came up with the theme of my current novel by talking with some friends about various aspects of relationships and what (in fantasy) could be done about some of the problems and challenges people must overcome. I wanted to make a departure from the typical boy meets girl scenario and transform that theme into a complex character driven story.

Don’t be afraid to inject a sense of humor into your work. What a suspense writer wants to aim for is balance in their storytelling. If your story is dark and moody, lightening it up with a sense of humor can keep the faint of heart from shying away from your intense tale. If your novel is loaded with medical or legal jargon, give your reader a breath of fresh air with a few subtle and well-placed explanations of your professional terminology.

I’m not exactly a big fan of the phrase ‘think outside of the box’, but I can’t think of a better way to describe how important it is in finding one’s own voice and sharing it with the world. I published my book under my own company, Adrolite Press. I hadn’t witnessed enough variety as far as literature goes for people of color by people of color and I wanted to inject something unique into our choices. Creative control with my first outing was very important to me.

One of the most pivotal achievements in writing a great novel is to show and not tell. If you write, “Lucy picked up the gun and killed him.” You could just as easily show someone what happened by writing, “He begged for mercy as dripping sweat burned his eyes. Lucy pressed cold steel against his temple, and as her tormentor prayed and sobbed, she silenced his last desperate thought with the pull of her trigger.” You want to share your imagination with your reader, so that he can envision what you have envisioned.

Above all, write with your heart and from your gut and you will be surprised and ultimately pleased with the final product.

Chandra Adams is a California native, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and Clark Atlanta University, where she received an MBA. Throughout her career she has instructed English part-time. She eventually turned her love of the written word into a full-time concern. Chandra is working on her next novel and resides in Northern California.

The ROCK Interview with Chandra Adams

2009-06-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

From 2007:
THE ROCK: Who is Chandra Adams; tell us something about you?
Adams: I am the author of Shades of Retribution which was published in May 2004. I also host two internet talk shows/podcasts available on iTunes --Mixed Matters at: http://www.NorthBayMediaReview.com.

THE ROCK: Where are you from and currently residing?
Adams: I grew up in Berkeley, California, and I currently live in Vallejo, California.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Adams: I am the only writer in my family.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Adams: I started writing in college. Mainly for classwork. I had developed a passionate interest in African-American literature, and I wrote a lot about it. After college, I felt that I needed a
creative outlet and found that fiction writing satisfied that need.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Adams: I have been reading ever since I can remember! I started reading at a young age, and the more I read, the more I gained confidence that I could write as well.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Adams: Life is so short. One day I asked myself what would I most like to do before my time on earth is up; the idea of becoming a writer and author was the first thing that came into my mind.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Adams: I wanted to see more of a variety of themes, characters and viewpoints in African-American literature, and I wanted to contribute to that variation.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Adams: I resisted the idea of writing a sequel at first but one of my main characters, who is just bad and really kind of crazy comes back to redeem herself in several ways.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Adams: No publishing contracts in the working.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Adams: I am a self-published author. I self-published after hearing all of the depressing stories about rejection letters and meager royalties. In keeping with my independent spirit, I decided that self-publishing was the best route for me.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Adams: Traditional publishers are looking for stories that will sell themselves. Romance and urban fiction are usually sure bets. If a writer is trying a new angle, something that Black people 'just won't read', he or she should be prepared to go to bat and be extremely confident in order to win over a traditional publisher.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
Adams: I am a publisher, and in the near future I will be looking for fresh new perspectives, good solid stories, and writers who have the 'total package'. I know that it isn't enough to just write a book and expect it to sell itself. An author has to have his or her own 'unique selling point'. What else do you bring to the table? Knowing how to work with others, developing a positive public persona, combined with a little marketing savvy and a whole lot of hustle are extremely important.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
Adams: Just like having IBM listed on your resume can open a lot of doors for you, so can a traditional publisher's imprint on the side of your book; but it is no longer the defining characteristic of a successful writing career. Advanced technology is quickly closing the gap between the traditional publishers and small press, so any small publishing house holds the potential to be as profitable and as impressive as their larger counterparts.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional achievements?
Adams: I am a proud HBCU graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a finance MBA, and I also hold a BA in Statistics from the University of California, Berkeley.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Adams: Tananarive Due, J. California Cooper, Langston Hughes, Sister Souljah, Colin Channer.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in five years?
Adams: I want to be in a position to make a positive impact on literature and entertainment by people of color.

THE ROCK: Well done, Ms. Adams. Where can readers find you?
Adams: Readers can find me at:

http://www.adrolitepress.com

http://www.chandraadams.com

http://www.northbaymediareview.com

http://www.northbaywriter.blogspot.com

Adams: Thank you so very much for the interview, you've been wonderful!

Many thanks to the ROCK eNews Magazine!

Chandra Adams, author of Shades of Retribution

2009-06-22T22:56:00.000-07:00

Here is the author talking about her book, Shades of Retribution, Chandra Adams!

Shades of Retribution

Shades of Retribution Video

2009-06-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

How far should a woman go to secure the man of her dreams? In this suspense thriller by Chandra Adams, three women go to the extreme - and find out there are dangerous consequences to their actions.

Welcome!

2009-06-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the official blog of everything Adrolite Press.

Please check back often for upcoming book signings, new projects and guests on North Bay Media Review's Mixed Matters.