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ReShonda Tate Billingsley always did have an active imagination. From making up stories to crafting award-winning poems, the national bestselling author has always maintained a love for telling stories. After numerous rejections from publishers, ReShonda stepped out on faith, established her own publishing company, and released her debut novel, My Brother’s Keeper. It’s a move that paid off as megahouse publisher, Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books, picked up the book and, to date, has published all of ReShonda’s books.
A former television and radio news reporter, ReShonda is an editor for the Houston Defender Newspaper, as well as a professional editor, ghostwriter and literary consultant. She has worked as a reporter for The National Enquirer and as an anchor and reporter for NBC, ABC and FOX television stations in Beaumont, TX, Oklahoma City, OK and Houston, TX. She left her job at FOX 26 News in Houston in 2007 to write full-time. And write she does… ReShonda is the national bestselling author of 38 books. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, has been made into a movie, directed by actress Regina King, produced by Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Productions, and executive-produced by Bishop T.D. Jakes. The movie received rave reviews after its August 29, 2015 BET premiere. ReShonda, who served as a consultant, also makes an appearance in the movie.
Her entire Amen series, as well as the novel, I Know I’ve Been Changed, has been optioned by BET. TV One will be bringing The Devil Is a Lie and The Secret She Kept to the screen in 2016. A much sought-after public speaker, in 2012, ReShonda won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature for her book Say Amen, Again and was nominated again in 2013 for her book The Secret She Kept. She has won numerous awards for her journalism, fiction and poetry writing skills.
She is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Spirit in the Words competition. Considered one of the top Inspirational Fiction authors in the country, her books remain a staple on the Bestseller’s list and have been featured in USA Today and Ebony Magazine as Summer Sizzlers.
In 2010, ReShonda was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
ReShonda, along with National Best Selling author, Victoria Christopher Murray, is the co-founder of Brown Girls Books, a boutique publishing company aimed at producing quality books from fresh voices and fan favorites.
A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Jack & Jill of America, ReShonda is a former professor of Broadcast Journalism at Langston University. She is married to Dr. Miron Billingsley, a Vice Chancellor at North Carolina Central University. The Billingsleys have three children ages 15, 13 and 8 years old.Please enjoy the interview and leave a shout in the comments :
Tell us, what city and state did you grow up in?
Houston, I am originally from Arkansas
What was it like growing up in Houston?
Loved it.
Tell me something about yourself?
Mother, Wife, Previously I was anchorwoman , I am an Author, Movie Producer, Motivational speaker
How many books have you written?
39.
Do you have a website where your books can be purchased?
What was the title of your first book? and what was it about?
My Brother's Keeper, 3 kids growing up in a dysfunctional family.
What inspired you to become an author?
I have always been a reader.
So your fans can follow you what social media sites are you?
If you could speak directly to youth today what would you say?
Read.
What advice would you give to the young men who are suffering from police brutality?
Read
The book I wrote called Mama's Boy. It's about a mother who is forced to choose between her son
who murders a police officer or the racist society in which they live
in.
Tell me about your latest book?
The Perfect Mistress, is about a woman who is taught how to be the perfect mistress by her father.
Where do your ideas come from?
Where do your ideas come from?
Reality
Give me a list of your books to read?
Mama Boy, My Brothers Keeper, Blessing in Curse, The Perfect Mistress
Do you have any books, speaking engagements, events coming up?
3 books will be released in early 2016. Look for: The Perfect Mistress, Secrets She Kept, and Devil is a Lie.
What keeps you motivated?
Motivated by the desire to pursue my passion.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Doing what I love, and my publishing company doing well.
Do you have any political thoughts or dreams?
Not at this time
Are there any challenges you have faced that you have overcame?
My mother didn't support me at first, because she was old school. I had to believe in my dream.
When you did a cameo in your movie called
"Amen" where Queen Latifah was the Producer and Regina King was the
Director did you experience stage fright.
No, I didn't. I speak a lot. I have a background as a motivational speaker.
Married? Children?
Yes and I have 3 children 15, 13, 8. My 13 year old daughter is an author shehas 2 books.
** Side note from Ey: check out Brown Girls Publishing
Zodiac sign?
Virgo
What is your favorite food?
Lobster
I would like to thank you for this powerful and informative
interview. I look forward to future interviews with you. Much success
on all your endeavors.
Hear and read more interviews with LaSuria and her guests, here
Interviewer LaSuria Kandi Allman
Kandi Kane Ent.
Kandi Kane Ent.
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