V i c k i e S t r i n g e r
"Author Vickie Stringer Inspires a Nation of Urban Book Writers Nationwide!"
Based on my accurate research of Ms. Vickie Stringer, she is an educated woman who had the whole world ahead of her and a promising life, but by the final years of her college education, she chose to take a dramatic walk down a path of crime with her mate. I don’t know how the man looked, but of course, he must have been dapper-don.
She was in love, and it was her decision to sideline with her newfound boyfriend during her college years to help him illegally deal drugs. Her entire world changed from that day like many Black young, and beautiful women who stick by their mate. You’ve heard the song lyrics, "You’re all I need to survive!" sung by Mary J. Blige with rapper Method Man. However, Vickie Stringer’s life is not am urban "Fairytale!"
Like most young women lead astray by fast money, cars, and jewels, the authoress we know today as "The Queen of Street Literature," had a different mission in mind, and that was to become a successful entrepreneur at all costs which she paid a heavy fine for and due time in jail.
It is a rude awakening for many young girls to hear about as the international best selling author, humanitarian and founder of the Valen Foundation which supports youth shares her story with her hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide as she tours from city-to-city, country to country and sometimes non-stop for days, months and an entire year.
Even with a baby in her womb in early 2006, she traveled to tell her story because it is a sad and tragic story that will bring tears to your eyes. She has this tough, unveiling exterior, and a quick witted no-holds-barred approach to speaking her mind that for some is like boot camp.
She’s even sharing her experiences as a publisher, how she got ripped off by the hundreds of thousands, the hard-knocks she endured to get to the top, and the experiences she’s still going through. Somehow she adds infectious humor that has people’s stomachs turning with joy, and this Li’l Vickie alter-ego that speaks to you as if she’s a child so she can better relate to the novice author. People are loving her persona grata. Furthermore, she’s got style, lots of it, from brand name apparel from head-to-toe and the trendsetting hairstyles people are dubbing as, "Vickie’s Style."
However, all people who are blessed to meet Vickie Stringer up-close and personal will find, she’s still that same "Queen-B on the streets to be feared and compensated," but disregard this notion. It is clear and evident that Vickie has reformed her life and thank goodness she is on the rise as a publisher and author because it wasn’t like she would have stopped unless she was arrested.
Noone is glorifying her past or giving her kudos for doing what she did, neither Vickie herself, but everyone deserves a chance to redeem from their past mistakes and start all over. Right? For Vickie, she decided by the last 4 weeks of her incarceration in jail to write the story of all stories from a woman who had lived the life of a drug dealer. What won people over is the authenticity behind the pen.
The world tuned in at a rate of over a quarter million readers for her first novel, LET THAT BE THE REASON. There was furor over her past lifestyle, continued debate over the massive media attention given to a drug dealer, but something happened in this evolution of Vickie’s rise to meteoric fame, other drug dealers and criminals who discovered her books, came off the street and started writing their stories.
America may be angry that urban books are flooding the market, but this period of Urban reformation thanks to authors like Vickie, K’wan, Kashamba Williams and La Jill are creating more undiscovered street scholars with true stories to tell and searching for a chance to make it.
Vickie is a publisher and as much as she promotes her work, she’ll sell her author’s books at events and give you her books for free for a good ‘ole 2 for 1 when she can. She’s generous as hell, is recouping from some bad deals and people are saying this steadily approaching 7 figure making author has the potential to trickle overboard into the billions for her latest book, Dirty Red, being bidded on for adaptation onto the big screen.
Vicki Stringer’s writing style has grown stronger, and is appealing to diverse readers who don’t normally read Street Lit Novels. There is something about Dirty Red that is slowly becoming a phenomenon as book sales escalate. The owner of Triple Crown Publications has unleashed the character of all characters by the name of Raven "Red" Gomez who becomes a victim of her stepfather’s sexual abuse.
Raven is an unscrupulous "Master Bitch" everyone would love to hate. If you’ve got a brother, she’s the girl next door who cons her boyfriend Q into thinking she’s pregnant, cons men out of their money and is as dirty as she is RED as on fire to scam anyone who comes within her past. Why? It’s all for the luxurious life.
She doesn’t mind using sex as a weapon and the hard-core gritty language and sexual escapades will lift brows, but regardless, you can’t put her Dirty Red book down. It’s got that winning touch and it’s HOT, EXPLOSIVE, RAW and UNFORGIVING!
Vickie is going straight to the top, and if Dirty Red is anything like her character of yesterday, understand, that was the past because today’s Vickie Stringer is a business woman who is at the top of the publishing industry and to be commended for helping others to get to the top with her.
Overall, this book has exceeded the potential of her first two books, Let That Be the Reason and Imagine This which I truly feel that a few weeks of revision to expand her prior works with more of that Vickie writing style of today will serve her entire collection well as a resource for the best Street-Lit of this era. Everyone has been buzzing that her pen has become more powerful and stronger. There is no stopping this Literary Diva. She’s on course, focused and one of the most disciplined writers of her craft.
I have no doubt that Dirty Red will be the template for more great works to come from the author. Dirty Red is one of the more finer street lit novels in my opinion. The ho-checking scenes reveal what is going on today among black men in the urban inner cities and I just hope women read this book to get educated about what is going on before it is too late.
These new breed of men as exposed in Vickie’s books are very dangerous. Overall, Dirty Red is one of the most TRUTH-TELLING BOOKS ON THE MARKET! If you haven’t read it, you just don’t know what true Urban Lit is! Vickie owns the genre and folks haven’t seen anything yet! The buzz is out. Vickie has gone mainstream international.
Disilgold: What can you tell the Disilgold community about yourself that will explain why Disilgold has sought you for a perSOULnalized interview?
Vickie Stringer: I like to think that it is because my readers are able to relate to my stories. My stories are true to the heart, and that is something that everyone can relate to and no one can fake.
Disilgold: What is your latest book about?
Vickie Stringer: This book showcases my growth as a writer. It’s my third fiction novel about a half black-half Puerto Rican young woman. Dirty Red, as she is called by many, gets hers by "any" means necessary.
Disilgold: How long did it take you to complete your book?
Vickie Stringer: About a year.
Disilgold: What were the happiest moments you have experienced while writing your latest book?
Vickie Stringer: Seeing how people have enjoyed my books. It really means a lot to me when my fans write back and tell me why they enjoyed my novel and how it has affected them, or how they were able to relate to some of the characters in the story.
Disilgold: Describe your writing style?
Vickie Stringer: It’s very urban, but at the same time there is some humor involved. I like to tell stories and entertain people, so my writing is just another way for me do just that.
Disilgold: How did you develop your writing style?
Vickie Stringer: By practice. When I wrote my first book, Let that be the Reason, I knew what I wanted to say, it just became a matter of how I wanted to say it.
Disilgold: Do you have a favorite author of all time or someone who inspired you to achieve your goals as a writer?
Vickie Stringer: Donald Goines. He was the one who really started the urban literature movement, and I hope that I am able to touch my readers the same way that he touched me.
Disilgold: Where do you see yourself as a writer ten years from now?
Vickie Stringer: I see myself growing and developmentally in all areas. I will be telling stories with more depth, on the level of The Godfather.
Disilgold: What marketing tips can you provide to new authors?
Vickie Stringer: Just remember to have that "sticktoitiveness." Not everything you do will have an immediate impact. Just make sure that you get your work out there and that you keep working at it. Things will start to fall in place.
Disilgold: What other projects are you working on Ms. Stringer?
Vickie Stringer: Triple Crown Publications is beginning a How to Succeed in the Publishing Game Workshop, beginning in February of 2007. You can visit our Web site at www.triplecrownpublications.com for more information.
Disilgold: What are your top ten favorite books right now?
The Bible
In Cahootz
G-Spot
Rich Dad Poor Dad
The Autobiography of Estee Lauder
The Confident Woman
Black & Ugly
7 Spiritual Steps to Financial Freedom
Grindin’ For Keeps
Dr. Spock’s Raising Baby
Disilgold: When do you write and for how long?
Vickie Stringer: I take vacations to write. They last for about 10 days and I can complete at least 15 chapters during that time.
Disilgold: Do you have a favorite location for writing?
Vickie Stringer: Anywhere that is quiet.
Disilgold: What method did you use to write or organize your book?
Vickie Stringer: I’ve learned to use an outline. It allows you to skip different sections and to be able to write as the flow comes.
Disilgold: What three words best describe your writing style?
Vickie Stringer: Real. Authentic. Street-smart.
Disilgold: What other hobbies do you pursue when you aren't writing?
Vickie Stringer: Decorating, landscaping and cooking Latin foods.
Disilgold: Are there any hidden jewels or talents that you possess that many of your readers may not know?
Vickie Stringer: I’m an excellent cook. There’s a chef in me waiting to get out. I can also sing.
Disilgold: Where can folks buy your latest book?
Vickie Stringer: On Triple Crown’s Web site, www.triplecrownpublications.com.
Disilgold: Where can folks meet you?
Vickie Stringer: By participating in our 2007 How to Succeed in the Publishing Game Tour.
Disilgold: What have been some of your toughest obstacles as a writer?
Vickie Stringer: The toughest obstacle was trying to get Let that be the Reason published. All of the publishers thought that it might be too big of a risk. But thanks to all of our reader, Triple Crown is now the leader in urban fiction.
Disilgold: This section of our interview requires brief responses. Are you ready to" Get PerSOULnal"?
The "Get PerSOULnal" Interview
Disilgold: What time do you awake normally every morning?
Vickie Stringer: Early, very early.
Disilgold: What is your writing fuel in the morning?
Vickie Stringer: Music
Disilgold: What early morning rituals have followed for many years?
Vickie Stringer: Prayer first, then I make sure the house is organized before my family rises. I grab coffee and check e-mails, the typical. Disilgold: What are your favorite foods to snack on while writing?
Vickie Stringer: Graham crackers and milk.
Disilgold: Do you watch television or listen to the radio when you're writing, and if so, what do you watch or listen too mostly?
Vickie Stringer: I love to listen to music. I do this all day, everyday. I prefer a combination of R&B mix CD’s.
Disilgold: What is your favorite book of all time?
Vickie Stringer: The Bible
Disilgold: What is your favorite magazine of all time?
Vickie Stringer: People.
Disilgold: Do you have an exercise regimen to suggest for busy writers?
Vickie Stringer: Walking.
Disilgold: What is your everyday outfit?
Vickie Stringer: For my home office, jeans, t-shirts and flip flops. For my headquarters, jeans or slacks, blazer, blouse or T-shirt and 2 inch pumps or
boots.
Disilgold: What is your pet peeve?
Vickie Stringer:"I don’t know."
Disilgold: If you could inspire a child, what would you say?
Vickie Stringer: Remember to stay down for your crown.
Disilgold: What is your favorite motto?
Vickie Stringer: Stay down for your crown.
Disilgold: What is your favorite time to put your writing pen down and rest?
Vickie Stringer: When the inspiration leaves.
Disilgold: Have you traveled anywhere besides your hometown and if so, where?
Vickie Stringer: Everywhere it seems: Japan, Southeast Asia, The Islands (Caribbean), and other various cities. I’ve been blessed to have traveled numerous places.
Disilgold: Where is your dream vacation?
Vickie Stringer: A private beach-front home in Cozumel Mexico, I prefer island vacations.
Disilgold: If you could leave one word of advice to people in general, what would it be?
Vickie Stringer: Keep the faith.
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