E.L. Berkley

Author Bio: I'm a triumphant overcomer of trials & trauma, light bringer, environment changer, and healer of souls.

Author Interview:

1.What inspires you most to write?

I want to leave a legacy of possibilities for my daughter. I want her to see proof that it’s never too late to write or RE-write your story as long as you have breath. 

I also have no interest in taking any regrets to the grave.

2. What is your favorite genre?

My favorite genres are supernatural, psychological thrillers, horror, with a twist of realism.

3. Who is one author you admire if any and why?

One is unfair. I started reading adult books at a very young age in order to escape from my own darkness. I loved to read stories about other types of darkness…other people’s darkness. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone in the dark. 

I read so much I didn’t do regular homework. I stole time from my responsibilities in order to read. Here’s a list of authors that had me in a choke hold during my formative years:

VC Andrews’ classic Flowers in the Attic

Stephen King- Carrie, The Shining, Firestarter, The Dark Tower, The Apt Pupil, IT, Misery, Dolores Claiborne, Needful Things, Nightmares & Dreamscapes

Maya Angelou- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings & Letters to My Daughter- Maya met me in the darkness and walked me toward the light.

Anne Rice- Interview with a Vampire

Edgar A. Poe- Collected Works

Much later I was introduced to Toni Morrison and Octavia Butler.

4. How do you overcome blank writing spells?

Most of the time it happens in a slow spiral. When I start to get overwhelmed with adulting I slowly start to shut down.  My physical environment starts to get cluttered. Once that happens my mind gets clogged. So I clean my room and my office 1st. Then I reset.

5. What legal publishing advice can you give?

Don’t do this alone!!! Get help. Also, purchase your own ISBNs. For my next book I plan to do so. That way the publishing is yours.

6. How many books have you written, are any a bestseller yet?

I have written two thus far: Beyond the Cracked Door and Black Jinni are part of a series and are up and coming best sellers. The third book in the series is underway.

 This series is dark. It is not for those close minded, judgemental, or severely raw from their own traumas.

7. If you had the opportunity to rewrite one movie script which would it be, why?

This is going to sound funny, but I’d like to do a sequel or a re-imagining to Tales From the Hood.

8. What are some difficulties you've experienced in your writing career; how do you handle book critiques/criticism?

Since my first report card the box was checked “Has trouble accepting constructive criticism”. However, I grew to realize some people weren’t trying to be constructive with their criticism. 

I DO read them. I try to push past the sensitivity that it’s my creation, and the barriers it took to get it to fruition. I pay more attention to those that give a why behind their criticism. 

9. What are your best experiences in your writing career?

There’s nothing like holding my product after it’s complete. Whatever the flaws, whatever the critiques…it’s mine. I saw the mission through.

10. Do you prefer to write in silence and or have some sort sound in the background?

I listen to Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata (the slow part).

11. What are some encouraging words you'd give to another author/writer?

There is someone out there waiting for YOUR words!! Yes. YOUR WORDS will change the course of someone’s life in a positive way. Don’t keep them waiting…

12. How did you decide the pricing of your material; how did you go about promotion/advertising and distribution of your work?

I thought of what I’d be willing to pay for a book of my size.

Writing a book is one thing, but this promotion/advertising thing is another beast!! I don’t have it all figured out. It’s rough when you have to split your time in so many other areas.

 However, I decided to start my own platforms instead of just asking others to have me on theirs. Dark Papyrus Productions on Youtube and Dark_Papyrus_Productions @ IG

13. Why should anyone read your book?

I’m going to remix your question a little. After reading my book I want my readers to be able to:

Identify the darkness put in them by others.

Dispel it.

Acknowledge they too have darkness in them.

Identify it.

Get to know it so as to not be consumed by it.

Allow your light to grow so that even when external darkness comes back, it will not find an ally within you.

14. Did you have a book coach?

IDK if that’s the same as an editor. However, I do have a dope editor. Shout out to Dominique over at Happie Face Publishing House.

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

Spelling in early years. English in later years. Sociology/Psychology in college.

16. Are you self-published or have an established publishing contract elsewhere?

Both. Happie Face Publishing House helped with my 1st two books. However, I am not under a contract and all royalties and intellectual properties belong to me.