Najee Jamerson (Las Vegas, Nevada)

3 things about Najee that you may not know

1. She speaks French

2. She had her first book deal at the age of fifteen.

3.  She never thought she’d become a writer; she always thought she be a basketball player.

UBAWA: What's your favorite color? and why?

Najee: My favorite color is purple from some reason it brings me peace.

UBAWA: What's the last country you visited? Tell us about your visit.

Najee: I actually have not been outside of the US yet.

UBAWA: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Najee: I would live in Belize because I'm Belizean and would love to learn more about my heritage.

UBAWA: If you had to choose between owning a nice car or a nice house, which one would you choose?

Najee: I would choose a house because there's nothing like turning your own key to your home.

UBAWA: If you could create your dream job/career, what would it be?

Najee: Fulltime writing; things gets hectic when you’re working a fulltime job all day and then have to come home and punch at the keyboard. If I could have my way, all my focus would be on my writing.

UBAWA: Most people say success is a matter of luck; what do you think?

Najee: I think success is a matter of determination not luck.

UBAWA: Tell us a little about how you became an author.

Najee: It’s kind of funny because I hated writing. Anytime I had a writing assignment in English I would dread it. It’s my best friend Kimberly’s fault that I'm a writer. She used to write stories and I'd read them and one day I just decided I'd try to write a story. I haven't stopped writing since.

UBAWA: Many self-published authors face some sort of challenge when publishing their first book. What was your biggest challenge?

Najee: My biggest challenge was exposure. When you self publish everything is on you. You don't have a team that's going to back you up.

UBAWA: If you had to choose one category, where would writing fall for you: a hobby, a passion, a career, or a gift? Explain

Najee: Writing is a passion for me; I don't think I could ever do anything else but writing.

UBAWA: Some things are not for everybody. Do you think writing could apply to this statement?

Najee: Of course, it takes a lot to write a book.

UBAWA: Do you use an outline before you write or do you just write?

Najee: I just write. I've tried to use an outline and found it even harder to write my story.

UBAWA: Many authors prefer complete silence when they're in the writing lab, how do you like to set your atmosphere?

Najee: I have to have my headphones on with soothing music. For some reason, I have to have the TV on as well even though I don't pay attention to it.

UBAWA: What makes your writing style different and unique?

Najee: I try to think outside of the box with a lot of things. I switch my style up because I don't want to just be known for writing one type of story.

UBAWA: Do you think it's helpful to invest money into taking writing classes and workshops or are you a self-taught writer?

Najee: I'm a self taught writer but if someone thinks writing classes and workshops will help them , then of course, it’s a good idea to take it.

UBAWA: Before you begin to write, is there some special ritual you adhere to or do you just write?

Najee: LOL I have to get in my zone. I sit there and listen to music for about an hour. It helps me become one with my character.

UBAWA: Have you ever looked at something you wrote and asked yourself, "Did I write that?!" Please do tell. : )

Najee: Lol yeah I have with my book Sweet Malevolence. Sometimes when I write I don't know what I actually write until I read it over. There's this one scene in my book where I actually killed a baby and to me it was so cold so I had to fight myself to not take it out.

UBAWA: What's your opinion on the state of Urban Fiction? Is it an accurate depiction of real life or a bad influence on the people who read it?

Najee: Most authors get their stories from real life experiences. I know I do. So I don't believe urban fiction is a bad influence on people who read it. I hear lots of readers saying to their favorite authors "You wrote my story. I can relate to the main character." For some, urban fiction is an escape;  it used to be for me

UBAWA: Nowadays, it seems that every time you turn around, someone else has a new book out. Do you think the industry should be more stringent as to who can write and publish a book or is it fine the way it is?

Najee: Honestly I think so. I've read a lot of books thinking, how did this even get published? I look at the covers and wonder what were people thinking when they made the cover? I've seen regular people pictures that they've just put on a book cover smh. It’s changed a lot since I first started reading and writing.

UBAWA: If you could give advice to an aspiring author, what would it be?

Najee: Do your homework. Don't just jump into the publishing game thinking you’re going to be a bestselling author. Before you sign a contract, do your research on the publishing company and make sure the contract will be beneficial to you. Last thing, don't give up; success will not come over night but with work you'll get there.

UBAWA: Before you leave, tell us one thing that you would like to be remembered by.

Najee: Just know that any book I put out, I've given it my all.

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About her book, “Sweet Malevolence”

When Alexia Salazar and Cayo meet, they don't expect the journey that lies ahead of them. Alexia is next in line to take the throne of her father's lucrative drug empire. Cayo is one of the most notorious hit men anyone has ever come across. So what are the two doing together? A night of passion leads them down a path of destruction when a hit for six million dollars is put out on Alexia and her Alano. Cayo's team is hired for the job. It gets worst when one of the assassins is Sade, Cayo's ex - wife who he still cares about deeply. When tragedy strikes the Salazar home, Alexia is out for blood and will stop at nothing to get the people responsible. Cayo on the other hand is trying to protect Alexia and Sade from each other. Will Alexia find the person responsible for the hit on her family or will Sade kill her first? Will Cayo be able to convince his ex-wife about the suicide mission or will the chance of six million dollars be too great for Sade to turn down?

Purchase her book online: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Malevolence-Najee-Jamerson/dp/0985719796/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top