Chatting it up with Dyphia Blount aka Gemini Phoenix

We would like to thank Dyphia Blount aka Gemini Phoenix for stopping by for her 10/10 Interview. Don't forget to download her new book and leave a review.

1. Can you please tell us who is Gemini Phoenix? 

Gemini Phoenix is a wife, mother, friend, child of God, and entrepreneur!  I chose Gemini Phoenix as a pen name because my zodiac sign is Gemini; which I'm true to, and I feel like the day I started writing (5 years ago), I rose from ashes like a phoenix!

2. What was your inspiration behind "Let's Wait Awhile?"

My inspiration behind Let's Wait Awhile was the fact that I have a teenage daughter who I want to wait to have sex and felt that all teenage girls her age need some type of inspiration to do so.

3. Most of your readers are used to you being an erotica author, why the sudden switch in genre?  How has it been received?

The sudden switch came about from God. He told me that I needed to share what's really going on in the world and help these young girls understand that it's ok not to follow the crowd. It was received well I guess.  My true fans loved it and I've also gained a few fans that has never read any of my erotica books.

4. How much did your own sexuality or life come into play while writing this book?

A great deal of my own sexuality came into play when I wrote this story because I was molested, saw friends go through date rape, suicide, and abusive household environments.

5. Do you have a philosophy by which you live?

The philosophy that I live by is to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I think it's pretty self explanatory. lol

6. What type of legacy would you like to leave for your readers... young and old?

The legacy I would like to leave is that I put my personal experiences into my books so they will know it's real and feel the emotions.

7. How important was a "platform" in selling your young adult books?

A platform is really important when selling or writing any type of book.  I wish I'd done more to get this book out there, but I'm still working in the shadows.

8. Do you have book signings coming up where teen readers can meet you?

 am currently working on an event for May 13th in Newport News as well as securing a spot at Barnes & Nobles for the summer.

9. Can you tell us about your upcoming project(s)?

I have several upcoming projects, but I'm currently working on Let's Wait Awhile 2 and a spin off from my best selling series, Suck Me Dry called That's My Bestfriend!

10. What advice do you have to an aspiring author?

The advice I would give any new author or writer is to pull your stories from within, don't trust everyone who says they want to help, and stay true to God first and He will be true to you always!

Synopsis:

Four families; Different choices and consequences! Breaking the silence of abuse, molestation, rape, and sexuality! On Payne's thirteenth birthday she finally meets her father, but the consequences of his actions may take him away from her forever! Her best friends, Marquis and Tia both go through life changes that will follow them like a dark shadow, while (Payne's mother) Janice relives the most horrific secret from her past! Four families have their own problems, yet connect in some way to build a bridge, and get over it!

Facebook ~ Blog ~ Amazon

I believe God has a plan for all of us and we need to have Faith and believe that everything happens for a reason. I left my job of seven years to write and publish my first book Dicmatized: The Doctor Is In in 2012. It even made #5 top rated, best erotica and held the spot for over 2 months! I am also an advocate and founder of Breaking the Silence of Abuse (www.breakingthesilenceofabuse.com) spreading the word, “I am not a victim, I am a survivor!” I'm a wife, mother, and friend.  I am so proud and overjoyed that you all took the time to read one or all of my books and I want you to know...without you, there is no me! My tagline is ~ Why try to fit in, when you're meant to stand out?

BLOG TOUR: The Way Love Is by Vy Antenette

 



Can you tell us about yourself.

I am a mother, wife, and author who works full time as a government employee serving the elderly and vulnerable populations. I consider myself to be fun, outgoing, out spoken, down to earth, honest and real. I say what's on my mind and how I feel but I do it in a tactful manner. I enjoy reading, socializing and spending time with my family and friends

 

What inspired you to write your first book?

More like "who" inspired me to write, was a friend of the family who heard me speaking at my uncle's funeral. At the end, she came up to me and said 'you should write." She told me that my voice and choice of words were captivating and that I could reach many through a book, so I tried. My very first book was supposed to be an autobiography about how I came to be despite the hardships I faced as a child. However, I wasn't fully ready to share certain aspects of my life, so I created Chaianne, who is loosely based on me and gave her a story of her own.

What do you wish more people knew about the publishing side of things?

Well, my experience with going with a publisher was exactly what I wanted/needed and that was to help me get my manuscript into print. But I would have to say with the right connections and proper research and depending on one's needs, it may be something that they can pursue themselves.

 

How did you come up with your titles?

Honestly, I don't remember how I came up with the title for The Way Love Is (lol) but I do remember having this title chosen ahead of time. I think because it didn't bother me, I kept it. But for my second book, Awaiting A Love Like This, that took forever to finalize and deep inside, I'm still not sure if that's the one I will go with. Be on the look out to see if I ditched it or kept it! (smile)

What author(s) has influenced your writing style?

I can't say that one author in particular influenced my writing style per se. I write like I talk (to an extent) and write what I like to read. I like to say that if Wahida Clark and E.L. James birthed a book, it would be my stories, especially the second one. I am not fond of street lit and I prefer my characters to be a little more "urban" than James' so I created them in my image; educated, driven, street smart and down to earth!

 

For your first book, how hard was it to find a publisher?  What was your journey like in signing with Gemini Phoenix Publications?

It wasn't hard at all! In fact a coworker of mine had read a book by Dyphia Blunt aka Gemini Phoenix and through being friends on FB found out that she was looking to create a publishing company. I connected with Dyphia, we spoke and here we are. My experience so far has been great. She's knowledgeable, fair, and helpful and I couldn't ask for anything more than that!

 

How important was a "platform" in selling your books?

Honestly, I didn't expect for people outside of my friends and family to read my book(s). But when people heard that I had written one or was in the process of publishing one, others outside that were interested in reading as well. So I guess, the platform itself was created once word of mouth spread and I began receiving FB messages from people I never talked too who heard about my book and wanted to know where or how to get a copy.

What are your hobbies?

As mentioned before, I enjoy reading, writing poetry, hanging with my family and friends, and doing new things. I can't even say writing is a hobby, it's more like a blessing and I am really excited to see how many people I can reach through this literary gift.

Can you tell us about your upcoming project(s)?

Yes, right now I am in the process of finalizing my manuscript for my second book, Awaiting A Love Like This (working title) and will soon be fine tuning my third completed manuscript, Love Don't Live Here Anymore; book three of the Love Collection.

What advice do you have to an aspiring author?

My advise to an aspiring author would be to just do it! If that's your passion, gift, blessing, desire or whatever, then go for it. Learn as much as you can about the arena, hire a professional and experienced editor and follow your hearts desire. Write because you have a story to tell and want to share it with others, NOT because you trying to secure a hustle. Other than that, best wishes and much success. XOXO, Vy Antenette

More about the author

Vy Antenette was born, raised and still resides in Albany, NY and is a graduate from the College of St. Rose and South University. She is married to the love of her life and the mother of three beautiful children. Vy is the oldest of eleven and comes from a very close knit and supportive family, with her (maternal) grandparents being extremely influential in her life.

It was never her lifelong dream to become a writer let alone an author but she has always had a way with words. After speaking at a funeral someone came up to her and said “you should write!” so she did. At first, the process was difficult as she had a hard time making the story flow, so she stopped. Five years later in May 2012 she decided to write again and by the end of that year she had penned four complete manuscripts. Her first novel, The Way Love Is hit the market in June of 2013. Her second novel is due to be released late Fall or early Winter of this year.

With red being her favorite color, hearts her favorite shape and Valentine’s Day her favorite occasion, she found it almost destined that all her novels would reflect love in some way. Labeling herself as the “Queen of Hearts,” she hopes that all who read novels from the Love Collection will become lifelong admirers. Although Vy is not sure how far her talents will take her she is pleased with the direction in which her literary talents are heading and is eager to continue writing. “Like a bottle of fine wine…writing gets better with time.”

Social Media Links
 

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7109471.Vy_Antenette
 

Website:  http://www.geminiphoenixpublications.com/vy-antenette.php

Synopsis:

Chaianne Lewis is determined to make a better life for her and her daughter despite the bleak childhood she had to endure. Right out of college she starts her own Private Investigation firm which proves to be more than she bargained for, in more ways than one. Chaianne soon discovers that her niche for spying may actually do more harm than good. Now instead of tailing others, it’s her own back she needs to be watching. When death happens upon her doorstep she’s burdened with the realization that it’s the one person she thought she could love forever. Will her heart forgive that easy or will the reality of the situation prevent her from loving... again?

Chaianne is left to believe that sometimes that’s just the way love is, or is it?

Purchase Links

Ebook~ http://www.amazon.com/Way-Love-~-Collection-ebook/dp/B00D6VGESC/

Paperback~ http://www.amazon.com/The-Way-Love-Collection-Volume/dp/0989140334/

 

BLOG TOUR: Dicmatized by Dyphia Blount

Hosted by Diva's Literary World. www.divasliteraryworld.com

 

1.  Can you please tell us a little about yourself.

 

I still consider myself a new writer/author although I have 5 books out presently because I didn't start writing until 2011.  I published my first book in the summer of 2012 and started my own publishing company in March of 2013.  I have three authors under my publishing company and am currently repositioning to add at least another 7 people. My background is in corporate accounting and collections.  I've also worked for several doctors after I completed my certification in Medical office specialty back in 2006. Currently I am also self employed as a credit consultant and I love working for myself

2. What inspired you to write your first book?

 

I have always loved writing poetry, especially erotic poetry.  My cousin read some of it and told me I should write a book.  I pulled out my blackberry phone and began to write Dicmatized.  Daily I would transfer the info from my phone to my computer at work and also forward what I'd written to friends and family.  After a few months, I had a whole book and then became scared to publish it.

3. What do you wish more people knew about the publishing side of things?

 

What I wish more people knew about the publishing side of things is that programs like Amazon KDP, createspace, etc. makes it extremely easy to self publish and they should really do their research before signing with another company who may charge them more than needed.

4. How did you come up with your titles?

 

My titles derive from personal experience in most cases.  I also search Amazon and Google to make sure that my book titles stands out and hasn't been overused.

 

5. What author(s) has influenced your writing style?

Honestly there aren't any authors who have inspired my writing style.  I write like I see movie scenes or scenes from television shows. I hope to one day be able to write for a television series.

6. For your first book, how long did it take you to find an agent?

 

I don't have an agent.  I have looked for one in the past, but have never submitted any of my work or queries.  I want someone who is genuinely interested in me and my work for what it is or who I am.  I want an agent to find me.

 

7. How important was a "platform" in selling your books?

 

A platform is very important because everything is not for everybody.  I have had people say they like erotica, but some think of it as just porn.  You have to find the right platform to be able to get your words across effectively and reach the fan base you desire.

8. Do you have book signings coming up where readers can meet you?

 

 Yes.  I will be attending a book fair at Mulberry Inn in Newport News, VA this Saturday.  I will also be attending a book club meeting at the Chesapeake library on Feb. 16th of this year.  So far that is all I have planned.  I will be attending the Harlem book fair this year along with the National Black Author expo in Houston, TX.

9. Can you tell us about your upcoming project(s)?

 

Currently I'm working on building a publishing company that strictly caters to people of abuse.  I have designed a platform called, "Breaking the Silence of Abuse ~ All Forms" and want our survivors to be able to tell their stories.  I am also working on Dicmatized 3 which is the final book of the Dicmatized trilogy.  I'm working on 50 Shades of Dicmatized ~ Diaries of a Sex Therapist, Your Husband, My Man (which is my first romance novel), Sucka 4 Luv series (which is my first urban romance story), and I have an erotic Flash Fiction series out now called, "Suck Me Dry" which has 2 more installments left before it will be completed.  I'm also trying my hand at Christian Fiction with a novel called, "In God We Trust" as well as my life story which is titled, "Death of My Innocence ~ A Woman Shattered!"

10. What advice do you have to an aspiring author?

 

I always tell people to write what you know. It comes off as more realistic and minimum research is needed.  Not to mention, most people have a story within so if you just write what you know, you can't go wrong.

 

 

 

Title: Dicmatized

Sexcapades: Volume 1 The Doctor Is In!

Author: Dyphia Blount

Publisher: Gemini Phoenix Publications

Genre: Erotica

Hosted By: Diva’s Literary World www.divasliteraryworld.com

 

 

 

About The Book

Dr. Lenese Stringfield Puts the “Sex” in Sex Therapy as she takes the profession by storm with her new and innovative techniques. Her seductive nature and sexy demeanor has her clients eating out of the palm of her hand; amongst other things. Lenese has loved once and lost. So, if she can’t be with the one she loves; she will love the one she’s with. But, amazing sex doesn’t come without a price tag. Too bad life has a lesson to teach this freaky therapist! She will soon learn that Karma is the “one bitch” that has everyone’s address. Fooling around with another woman’s husband is dangerous, but falling in love with one can be deadly.

 

 

Social Media Links

Blog

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authordyphiablount and http://www.facebook.com/dyphiablount

http://www.facebook.com/letstalkaboutitwithgeminiphoenix

Twitter

Instagram: dicmatized and dyphiablount

Website

Radio show

Youtubebook trailer

Youtube interview w/JoeyPinkey

Purchase Links :

Paperback  and Ebook