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Interview with Yanatha Desouvre, author of Revelations: Roads to Redemption (A Grayson Goodman Novel)

Author’s Bio: Professor Desouvre is an educator and public speaker born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and raised in Brooklyn and Philadelphia. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Management Information Systems and Marketing from Drexel University. He received an MBA, with a focus on Marketing, Mass Communication, and Media Management from Lynn University.

His literary works include Walk Through this Journey Volume One (2006), Volume Two (2008), A Family Affair (2010), Savor the Moments (2014), Proud to Be (2016)and his best-selling children’s book Big Sister, Little Sister (2013) available in French, Spanish and Haitian Creole. He is also the author of An Essential Guide to Windows 10 (2015). He’s a Marketing and Information Technology coach and consultant who has taught at Miami Dade College and Chestnut Hill CollegeAudiobooks for Walk Through this Journey (Volume One) and Savor the Moments are available on iTunes and other platforms. 

DL: What’s the inspiration for writing your book?
YD: My action adventure thriller novel, Revelations: Roads to Redemption (A Grayson Goodman Novel) was inspired by many things, from love for my Haitian culture, where each chapter gives honor to Haitian proverbs, (which are translated into English as well). Dee, the action adventure/thriller genre is one of my favorite genres to read, so I wrote a book that I would enjoy reading. Finally, my latest novel pays homage to one of favorite Hip Hop groups, the Fugees. Each chapter is a title song from a Wyclef, Lauryn Hill and Pras song, (my way of bringing the band back together.) If Wyclef is reading this interview I’d love to get in contact with him because I have a vision that I’d love to share with him and it has to do with the Goodman Chronicles.

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
YD: Dee, yes, the Ian Fleming James Bond books, put me in a world of adventure and espionage and danger which I committed putting in my latest novel. Growing up and still today I read comic books. Stan Lee created Spiderman but what still sticks with me today is the character of Peter Parker, whom despite having these great powers still struggles yet he overcomes a lot of his challenges with his heart and mind not his superpowers.

DL: How long did it take to write your book?
YD: It took me about six months to a year to write this book. I use my birthday as a catalyst for my writing or any project I hope to accomplish. Recently, I celebrated my 40th birthday (an age I never thought I would see) by skydiving with my Brooks Brother bow tie in tow and my book cover taped to my chest here is the link  https://youtu.be/46w9kM-Q3Uk. Talk about taking things to new heights, 10,000 feet to be exact.

DL: Do you write with an outline, or just let it flow organically?
YD: I tried to write an outline, however that didn’t work for me. With all my writings from poetry to writing a novel or short story, I start with the end in mind and go backwards. So, it goes organically but backwards. I know the ending is the creative and most fun part of the writing for me is to conjure how did we (the characters, readers) get there. Revelations: Roads to Redemption is the second part of the Goodman Chronicles (no, you don’t have to buy the first book to understand and appreciate the second novel.) I have at least a trilogy in mind and a young adult version of the Goodman Chronicles in the queue in my mind set in the 1990’s right before the age of the internet.

DL: Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, is there a theme song for this book?
YD: Dee, I sometimes do, Miles Davis, John Coltrane even Kenny G or Maxwell. A great friend of mind thinks that Maxwell’s “The Urban Theme” should be Grayson Goodman’s (one of the main characters in Revelations: Roads to Redemption) theme song. Maxwell, if you are reading this let’s have a conversation.

DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?
YD: For me, the keys to success in marketing my books are establishing genuine relationships with individuals in my local media, bloggers, news anchors, etc. I create press releases, book trailers etc. I also use the promo codes the iBooks offers as well as the KDP Kindle Promotions for free giveaways etc. I write articles on LinkedIn. I also have press releases for each event that I have coming up. I join various Facebook and LinkedIn groups where I post those press releases, giveaways, book trailers as well. I even encourage a childhood friend of mine to manufacture and assemble action figures for my characters. I was in awe when I saw them.  Below is the link to one of the book trailers for Revelations: Roads to Redemption https://youtu.be/A3cyKGCTRFo

DL: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
YD: The advice I give aspiring writers is to not give up. Everyone has a story to tell. Only you can tell your story be it a fictional or non-fictional one. Hire an editor, the best investment you can make for your writing. I am beyond grateful for my editor Desiree McKim whose marvelous meticulousness was priceless in Savor the Moments: Inspired by True Stories and my college textbook An Essential Guide to Windows 10. I’m also grateful for Michèle-Jessica (M.J.) Fièvre - her guidance, coaching, and editing really help me grow as a writer.

DL: How about sharing an excerpt from Revelations: Roads to Redemption?

Excerpt from Revelations: Roads to Redemption chapter 13 / Fast Cars "Malè pa gen klaksonn." [Misfortune has no horn.]

Dominique cautioned them. “Based on the current speeds of both vehicles, you and the gray car are about to crash into one another. This would completely disable yours.” 

As Zoklo placed the palm of his hand on his head in disbelief, Amara’s voice took on a combative tone. “That is not going to happen!”

Dominique said, “He can’t catch up to us, guys, or we are toast! Do you see the two red buttons on the steering wheel? Those buttons release NOS, which temporarily increases your acceleration.”

Grayson looked at the buttons that read N2O, nitrous oxide. In a daring tone, he said, “Q70L, show me what you can do.”

Dominique said, “Floor it.”

Grayson turned his neck in a counterclockwise motion – crack – as he prepared to push the car to its limits. With a devilish grin, he pressed his right foot on the gas pedal until there wasn’t any space between the sole of his shoes and the floor of the car.

At the same time, Grayson pushed the two NOS buttons. Zoklo held his breath and gripped the car’s “oh, crap” handle to hold on for dear life. As Zoklo looked outside the window at streams of colors, everything was blurry because of how fast they were moving. Then – SWOOSH – the car appeared to be reaching new heights, leaving the city below it.

DL: What’s next for you?
YD: For two years now, I’ve been working on a posthumous project to bring to life the lost, not found recordings of my late godfather/uncle Daniel Coulanges who died at the young age of 28 years. My godfather/uncle was introduced as one of the World’s Finest guitarist. This project is near and dear to me. I am short $1,267 to raise the funds to manufacture, master, produce and pay for the licensing fees to make this “World’s Finest” posthumous album, not only to bring his music to life but to also raise awareness about everyone knowing their HIV status. My godfather/uncle Daniel Coulanges died of HIV/AIDS in 1989 when it was a death sentence. It was only two years later Magic Johnson made his HIV announcement. With this project I want to encourage everyone to live their lives to the fullest and make the most of everyday because you never know.

Here is the Indiegogo link https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/world-s-finest-daniel-coulanges-live-in-ny-xii#/ Reserve your World’s Finest album and much more today.

I’ll continue to raise funds for this project and until we reach our goal Dee. I’ll continue because writing is less expensive than therapy for me and I love it. I’ve been writing since I was seven.

DL: Where can readers find out more about you and your book(s)?

·         Website: www.yanatha.com

·         Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/yanatha

·         Facebook: @aspire2inspirenow

·         Twitter: @yanatha

·         Book Buy Links: Exclusive 1978 Signature Edition with Free Shipping available via http://www.yanatha.com

·         Paperback via Amazon http://a.co/fTPw9wY

·         Amazon Kindle here: http://a.co/7slNC2p

·         iBooks here: Revelations by Yanatha Desouvre on iBooks

·         Instagram @goodmanchronicles


It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

            Dee, it was a pleasure and thank you for the opportunity. As I always say, “Success comes with support. We only fail in this life when we fail to uplift one another.” 

#CHM #CAHM.  



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