Next week, I'll be joining ReShonda as well as Angela Benson, Tiffany Warren, and a host of other great Christian authors at the annual Faith in Fiction Retreat. This year it's being held in sunny (aka blazing hot!) Orlando. If you're in the area, or have been thinking about a quick weekend get-away, please check it out.
In the meantime, let's learn a little about the woman behind the bestsellers...
Meet ReShonda Tate Billingsley
ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a national bestselling author of 17 books, all published by Simon and Schuster/Pocket Books. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, is being made into a movie and national touring stageplay of which she is Executive Producer and actress Regina King is the director. Five of her other books, have also been optioned for film by CodeBlack Entertainment.
ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a national bestselling author of 17 books, all published by Simon and Schuster/Pocket Books. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, is being made into a movie and national touring stageplay of which she is Executive Producer and actress Regina King is the director. Five of her other books, have also been optioned for film by CodeBlack Entertainment.
ReShonda’s literary career is such a success that in 2007, she was able to leave her job as a reporter with Fox 26 News in Houston to pursue writing full time. ReShonda has appeared on the Essence Bestseller’s list more than 20 times, as well as The Washington Post, Dallas Morning News and Ebony Magazine Bestseller’s lists.
ReShonda has won numerous awards for her journalism, fiction and poetry writing skills. She is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Spirit in the Words competition. ReShonda’s upcoming projects include The Devil is a Lie (July 2009), Holy Rollers (2010) and two more teen novels. The Houston native and University of Texas at Austin graduate also serves as a freelance editorial and marketing consultant. She has ghostwritten four fiction projects and five non-fiction projects. She is married with three small children.
In ReShonda's own words:
Would you say you are an extrovert or introvert?
Extrovert, definitely
Extrovert, definitely
Do you like to cook? If so, what are your favorite dishes to cook?
I like to eat. I’ll leave the cooking to someone else.
I like to eat. I’ll leave the cooking to someone else.
What movie(s) have you watched recently that you would recommend?
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I cried so much.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I cried so much.
Do you like books being turned into a movie? If so, what is your favorite book-to-movie?
The Color Purple
The Color Purple
If The Devil is a Lie was turned into a movie who would you cast to play your characters?
I would like Nia Long or Sanaa Lathan to play Nina, Blair Underwood as Rick, Columbus Short as Todd, Tamala Jones (she needs a job) can play Pam. And I can play somebody!
I would like Nia Long or Sanaa Lathan to play Nina, Blair Underwood as Rick, Columbus Short as Todd, Tamala Jones (she needs a job) can play Pam. And I can play somebody!
Which social networks do you enjoy the most?
Facebook, hands down.
Facebook, hands down.
What's next for you?
Holy Rollers comes out in 2010, working on two teen books and a sequel to Everybody Say Amen. Working with Regina King on Let the Church Say Amen the movie and in talks for collaboration with a dynamic author that I think you guys will love.
About the Book
Holy Rollers comes out in 2010, working on two teen books and a sequel to Everybody Say Amen. Working with Regina King on Let the Church Say Amen the movie and in talks for collaboration with a dynamic author that I think you guys will love.
About the Book
AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT. . . .
When Nina Lawson wins $16 million in the Texas Lottery, the real estate executive and her fiancé, ecstatically begin planning their future — from paying off their credit card debt, to setting their wedding date, to a spontaneous, spare-no-expense island getaway.
When Nina Lawson wins $16 million in the Texas Lottery, the real estate executive and her fiancé, ecstatically begin planning their future — from paying off their credit card debt, to setting their wedding date, to a spontaneous, spare-no-expense island getaway.
But when Nina goes to claim her winnings, she gets an astounding twist of fate: her ex-husband, Todd Lawson, shows up to inform he isn’t her ex —since the paperwork for their divorce was never officially filed. By Todd’s side, his money-hungry girlfriend, Pam – the woman he left Nina for.
MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS
Between her divorce drama, Nina also has to deal with relatives coming out of the woodwork to seek a payday for themselves. Before all is said and done, Nina must ask herself if scoring a fortune in cash comes with too high a price tag. With a little bit of luck, Nina will discern the real wealth in her heart, not just her bank account—or risk losing everything—to find out what matters the most.
Between her divorce drama, Nina also has to deal with relatives coming out of the woodwork to seek a payday for themselves. Before all is said and done, Nina must ask herself if scoring a fortune in cash comes with too high a price tag. With a little bit of luck, Nina will discern the real wealth in her heart, not just her bank account—or risk losing everything—to find out what matters the most.
Visit ReShonda online at http://www.reshondatatebillingsley.com/.
Follow the blog tour at http://bitly.com/TheDevilIsALie.
Follow the blog tour at http://bitly.com/TheDevilIsALie.
