Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is J.M.Benjamin, I'm an Essence Best Selling and Black Expressions Author from Plainfield NJ. I am the author of 9 novels and contributor to 4 anthologies. I am also the C.E.O of A New Quality Publishing, which was founded in 2008. In 2005, my freshman novel Down In The Dirty, received several awards and accolades and was chosen by Wendy Williams' Book club on WBLS for book of the month in 2006, which all contributed to catapaulting my career as an author. In addition, I am a motivational speaker, mentor for at risk youth, literary coach and consultant as well as a book store owner. I've been interviewed and featured on Fox News, NJN News, The new York Times newspaper, Courier News, Wendy Williams (WBLS), Michael Baisden and just a host of other achievments  All of this has been accomplished after being released from federal prison just five years ago. For that I am humbly grateful and thankful, because at one point society had determined that I would either die in the streets or spend the rest of my life incarcerated.

Describe your book ‘Memoirs Of An Accidental Hustler’ in 30 words or less.

It's about a brother who travels back into time and account for how he, his siblings were taken out of a middle class setting and placed into "The Hood", and what can happen. A must read for both parents and children.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

This book used to be about my life, but I felt it would be a better one if I made it about so many of our young people's lives, so the hardest part for me was actually re-writing scenes and determining what to keep in and take out, that would hit home for the readers while I was entertaining them. I wanted to be sure that it had a more stronger message and would educate rather just for enjoyment.

What books have had the greatest influence on you?

My favorite, Manchild In The Promised Land by Claude Brown

Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?

I've actually mastered the Guerilla marketing strategy. I teach literary work shops all over, demonstrating effective ways to move product (your books). I have a non-fiction collabo with another successful author, titled 20 Secrets to Success in The Publishing Game, due out this fall, that discloses it all.

How do you spend your time when you are not writing?

 I'm always working, even when I think I'm not. But for the most part, I love movies, i don't watch T.V., but I'm a movie buff. I'm a father of three teens, two girls and a boy, so I get as much quality time in as I can with them. Overall, I love to travel.

What are you working on next?

Great question, I am in the process of finishing up my 3rd installmet of my Best Sellers Ride Or Die Chick 1&2, so Ride Or Die Chick 3 (A Treacherous & Love Story), will be out this year as well as my highly anticipated sequel to Heaven & Earth, Highway To Heaven.