Norwood Holland is a freelance writer, lawyer. He received his law degree from Howard University School of Law and earned a BA in English at Fisk University where he studied under the renowned Harlem Renaissance author Arna Bontemps. A Washingtonian he favors D.C.'s local color in his fiction and currently writes the blog editorialindependence.com devoted to diversity issues and labor law. To contact the author visit his website norwoodholland.com.
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I
am a freelance writer and lawyer lobbying on behalf of police and security
officers. I received my law degree from Howard University School of
Law and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English at
Describe your book ‘Sleepless Nights’ in 30 words or less.
Sleepless Nights is suspenseful with
larger than life characters based on a true crime story changing the lives of
three young men and those around them--an engrossing legal thriller.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
For me the most difficult part of writing Sleepless
Nights was developing the plot line, and trying to come up with
creative ways to raise the stakes for Drew Smith. A fundament rule
for legal thrillers is to make your protagonist suffer and with that in mind
the challenge was to make Drew Smith suffer while seemingly enjoying the high
life. Drew Smith an urban bon vivant in his favor why should he be
troubled? So I had the difficult task of causing him
trouble. Once I had a central plot down then subplots and characters
began to unfold naturally in the development.
What books have had the greatest influence on you?
I
love biographies and particularly writer's biographies. I'm a
student of African American Literature so my taste may be a little
esoteric. Two great books which I considered my favorite
autobiographies are James Weldon Johnson's Along This Way and
Langston Hughes I Wonder As I Wander. As for popular
fiction I'm a big fan of Harold Robbins and James Michener, I like epic
adventures. I can say unequivocally the works of Langston Hughes
have had the greatest influence on me.
Briefly share with us what you do to market your
book?
Marketing is a challenge and a whole new experience
for me. I'm targeting book clubs and reading groups to develop a
core readership or fan base. I'm also targeting the Library
market. I have found the local and national independent publishing
associations to be valuable resources. They have also been
instrumental in introducing me to book fairs and trade shows as possible venues
for selling books. My promotional strategy is combination of both on
line and off line. I plan to implement an intense internet
promotional plan primarily made up of a bog blog tours to promote the ebooks
and book signings at independent book stores and reading groups.
How do you spend your time when you are not
writing?
Lately I've
taken up golf as a hobby. When I'm not working I'm usually involved
in some type of self improvement project like trying to teach myself new skills
like building web sites and learning a second language. I also like
to travel something I hope to do more of as I attempt to promote my book at
book stores across the country. I enjoy reading, visiting art
museums, and music. According to Auntie Mame, "life is a
banquet and most poor suckers are starving." I try to end each
day sated.
What are you working on next?
Minus One, the prequel to the Drew Smith Series is in its final editing stages. I expect to see it in print by Spring 2012. Drew Smith finishes law school and takes a job as a hotel concierge while awaiting his bar exam results. He makes new friends with two Bell Men and after a night out on the town suddenly finds themselves the center of a murder mystery.
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