The New Writer Interview

Unheardwords.com talks to Deon Sanders about his experience of getting his work published...

editor@	Deon Sanders
Tell us about your publishing experiences. Has it taken long to get published and what's the experience of self-publishing been like?
	Well, when I first was published, I did not know the in and outs of the publishing world. What contracts should consist of or what should be in them. With all the books I’ve read or even flipped through, I did not read a book about publishing companies publishing my book. I just knew I could write. However, when I received a copy of my first published book, the experiences I endured with the publishing world seemed so menial. But, with my second horror novel being highly anticipated, I can truly say that I now know the publishing and author aspects of the literary world. I have never self-published a book before. Money constraints, being a father of six kind of takes the money from your dreams, and puts it into your family. It took me about a year to get 'Miss Mary Weather: A Southern Nightmare' published. I sent my manuscript to everyone in the literary world. The funny thing is that I had an agent a year before I was published. She was promoting Miss Mary Weather as a movie first, with great response. However, she became extremely ill and then I was all alone.
Why do you write?
	Writing relaxes me. Having six children I need something to relax me. Writing takes me to another world. A place of imagination, creativity, and visualization. I like to breathe the air of fiction horror and the summer breeze of poetry. I like to feel the scene by scene of a screenplay and the emotions of a quickly written short story.
Is your writing aimed at a particular audience or readers in general?
	My writing is geared towards young adults and adults.
What have you learned over time that has most enabled you to improve your writing?
	I’ve learned I should edit three times after I complete a novel, a short story, a screenplay, or a poem.
Some say that to write well you must read well, do you read a lot?
	I read everything from letters about Machiavelli, to books by Richard Wright. Edgar Allen Poe, to books on the religion and culture of all races of people. Martin Luther King Jr., to Greek Mythology. Plato, to Charles Dickens. Where ever there are words, you will find me reading them.
Which writers have influenced you?
	All struggling, unheard, and unread writers have influenced me.
Me too. Which piece or collection of your writing are you most proud of? And, Why (smile)?
	It’s hard to say. I’m proud of all my writing. However, if I must say, I will say my horror novel as previously referenced and a poem I wrote dedicated to my oldest son titled, 'Father Be Me'. I say “Miss Mary Weather” because it was my first published horror novel, and this poem because the words in the poem where dipped in my tears.
Where do you hope your writing takes you in the coming years?
	I believe my writing talent will take me to the best selling horror authors’ list and to the world’s most renowned poets’ list. It will make me a sought after writer of movie screenplays and a great short story writer in the upcoming years.

Thanks to Deon for taking part. You can also read Deon's article Deon's Article!