Meet Reds Johnson (Bridgeton, New Jersey)

Born and raised in Bridgeton, New Jersey, Reds Johnson is one of New Jersey's brightest stars when it comes to writing novels. Her passion for writing evolved from an intimate love of reading, and at the young age of nine years old she penned her first novel.

Since then, Reds has written over forty novels and short stories, with Silver Platter Hoe series being her most successful. Her favorite part of writing is expressing her creativity through her words, while at the same time using her imagination to highlight topics and events that her readers can relate to.

In 2019, she graced the cover of Strawberry Lit magazine, and was awarded a publishing contract with Wahida Clark and her literary empire Wahida Clark Presents Innovative Publishing.

Reds' books cover many genres: urban, romance, erotica, bbw, and teen stories, with each title being just as intriguing as the next. Her stories are so real and cleverly written, they jump right off the page.

Reds Johnson is without a doubt the future of African-American literature. The sky is the limit for this young, talented author.

About her most recent book
Whew, chile! The crew is back for Valentine's Day, and the drama is at an all-time high! RELL wants to embrace their newfound freedom after years of nonstop drama, but DESIRE can't seem to leave the past behind. Her heart is telling her that history is bound to repeat itself, but Rell is determined to keep that from happening.

He is hoping to bring a smile to her face with everything he's been planning for Valentine's Day, but with ASANI and her brother, DJ, still on the loose, there's no telling what's going to happen. Will true love, accompanied by red roses and red hearts conquer all? Or will the splatter of red blood turn Rell and Desire's V-Day upside down?

When did you first decide you wanted to become an author?
I was nine years old when I first realized I had a passion for writing. Ever since then, I always made a way to turn everything I saw into a book.

How did you decide on the idea for your current book?
A Silver Platter Hoe V-Day was my way of giving the readers who enjoyed the Silver Platter Hoe series an update on the characters.

What is the process like for you in publishing a book?
Umm, I guess you can say the process is easy for me now that I have people that don't mind working with me an email and phone call away.

What’s so rewarding about writing books and being an author?
I've written 50 books without a high school diploma. I just recently got my GED July 3rd of this year so the rewarding part of me being an author is knowing that I was capable of doing something I loved without taking the traditional "you need an education" road. Now, understand that this is not me telling people they don't need an education. This is me strictly speaking upon my journey and how many people downed me and didn't believe in me because I dropped out of high school in the tenth grade.

Tell us about a time you felt like giving up and how you overcame it.
After I left my first publishing company back in 2014 because I was being robbed of my royalties and my image was being tarnished. To know that so many people hated me and didn't even know me was hard. Then, its as if things went down hill and each time I signed again it was to a far much worst publisher that attempted to dig a deeper hole for Reds Johnson. Now, here it is 2021 and I'm lucky if I barely get a total of 5 sales when I drop a book.

There’s more to being an author than writing a book. How do you manage to handle the business side of things?
Whew, I bumped my head several times before I said let me take a break and study the industry. You can never do enough research. One of the biggest things I've learned is that its really not business when it comes to the literary industry. Its all about who you know and what clique you're apart of sadly.

Do you have an editor or do you edit your own books?
I now have an editor for my books and I am so grateful for her.

Who does the cover art for your book(s)?
It varies honestly. Felicia Ann, Candice Persail, Brittani Williams, Quardeay Julien.

Tell us about your last book signing.
I've never had one but I plan to.

Besides social media, what other methods are you using to get the word out about your book(s)?
Pop Up shops, and pretty much hearsay. I tend to leave my business cards in local stores.

Tell us about your 9-5
I no longer work a 9-5. I strictly work from home. I write my books and I also have several businesses that includes a fashion line, lip gloss line, lash line, and skin care line.

If you could quit your 9-5 to become a full-time author, would you?
That's actually what I did.

What are your thoughts on dating? Are you single, married, divorced, widowed?
I don't like my time wasted and I tend to give more than I receive. I grew tired of that so, I'm very much single.

How do you get through the tough times in life when life throws what it throws at you?
I pray and I cry and I pray and I cry some more.

How did you get through the COVID-19 pandemic?
Prayer and staying to myself really.

What is one goal you want to accomplish for yourself in 2022?
I want to break out of this hold I feel like the industry has on me. I just really want to be able to drop a book and it sells because its a good book instead of people seeing my name and simply saying "I'm not supporting her because I HEARD....

What's one piece advice you would give an up and coming author?
Every helping hand isn't a genuine one because even salt looks like sugar.

Reds' Entire Book Catalog
A Silver Platter Hoe V-Day
Silver Platter Hoe: 1-5
Power Couple: The Desire and Rell Story (Sph Spin-off)
A Silver Platter Hoe Christmas
Silver Platter Hoe: 1-2 (New Versions)
Closed Legs Don't Get Fed: 1-2
Harmony and Chaos: 1-6
She Don't Deserve The Dick: 1-2
Honey Dipp: 1-3
Byron: Life Of A Hustla (Prequal)
Kocaine’s Hustle
Baby Doll: Just Another Girl From Jersey *Teen Series* (Coming Soon)
Dope Dick: 1-2
Never Trust A Ratchet Bitch: 1-3
A Prostitute’s Confessions: 1-2
Thicker Than Most
Salute My Curves
Hood Vibes
Boss Lady
Hustla’s In Heels
The Bum Bitch Chronicles
You The King, I’m The Queen: Together We Are Royal (Coming Soon)
The Perfect Crime: If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don’t Want To Be Right (Coming Soon)
Fat Bitch: My Voice, My Pain, My Truth *Memoir*
Married To A Street Nigga: 1-3
Street Tales: w/Wahida Clark & Shannon Holmes:
Gangsta Luvin’ She Fell In Love With A Philly Goon

How can readers and others in the literary community reach you?
Facebook: Anne Marie Johnson
Twitter: ISlayBooks
Instagram: RedsJohnson
Website: www.iamredsjohnson.com