Tamika Newhouse is a self-published bestselling author who founded Delphine Publications, at the age of 21; Tamika appeared on various bestseller lists and won Self Published Author of the Year at the 2009 African American Literary Awards only 9 months after her debut novel. In 2010 she was inducted into Who’s Who in Black San Antonio and she landed a major publishing deal without an agent and still continues to write independent projects. In 2011 her company Delphine Publications won an African American Literary Award for Best Anthology as well as Tamika won for the second time Self Published Author of the Year. She was also nominated by the National Women in Business Association for the 2011 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. In 2013 she was honored with the Author of Distinction E. Lynn Harris Award. Her latest award for the 2013 African American Literary Award for self published author of the year.
Along with Delphine Publications, Tamika is the founder and President of African Americans on the Move Book Club (AAMBC) – an online book club and radio show catering to avid readers across the nation. She is also CEO of Obsessive Soul Media. With future projects in the works from short films, stage plays and much more, Tamika is a young woman on a mission. She has been featured in Uptown Magazine, Essence, Hello Beautiful, Juicy Magazine, and in Vibe Vixen Magazine.
Tamika presently tours the country speaking about overcoming her teen pregnancy to fulfill her dream, as well as teaching aspiring writers the publishing ropes. A former radio host, she hosted her own internet radio show (AAMBC) for over three years and continues to expand her brand. She is currently living in Atlanta with her son and daughter and is currently working on her next novel.
B2M presents our exclusive interview with Tamika Newhouse.
Welcome to Books2Mention Magazine.
B2M: Please tell our readers about your new book, The Words I Didn’t Say.
Tamika: Janet Jamison and Denim Overton seemed to be two souls that were meant to fall in love. It was from first sight that they knew they wanted and needed each other. But in some situations it is hard for people to walk away from what they know and in the midst of that trust is ultimately tested. You follow the lives of two broken souls too broken to love each other when it is actually genuine.
B2M: What inspired you to write this particular story?
Tamika: I begin to write The Words I Didn’t Say upon personally experience an incomplete love. I had also witness so many heartbreaks from some of my friends and associates. I am prone to write about the imperfect love and this fit right up my alley. To depict a romance that is in self-destruct will allow my readers to not only be entertained but to witness the possibilities of heartbreak and hopefully learn a lesson.
B2M: What did you enjoy most about penning this book?
Tamika: I enjoyed the fact that I realized my writing had grown. I was able to understand these characters more because as have aged I have experienced more in life. I actually know and understand grown folk problems now and I was able to show that through my characters. I also enjoyed writing the sex scenes. That was really fun lol.
B2M: What would you say is your formula to creating characters that readers can relate to?
Tamika: I make sure that my characters are realistic. I do not depicting characters without flows and problems. People love drama and people like imperfection and that’s what give them. I always give my characters a bio so that I personally know who they are. Because I write in first person which is the characters voice I have to know them. How can I allow them to tell their story and betray it accurately if I do not know them? I treat them as real people because in my head they are real. They are a part of me.
B2M: I really like your statement, “I didn't choose writing, writing chose me.” How did that happen?
Tamika: The day I discovered how t actually write and form sentences is when I knew what I loved to do. I was a lonely child and I played a lone often and when I discovered the art of story telling the people in my head begin to come out on paper. I free hand wrote stories, songs, poems, and eventually novels. It was love at first sight for me. I didn’t begin to write because I felt it would be a cool thing to do, or an easy buck, or because I read a book I felt I could do better with. I write because that’s what I am. That’s my identity.
B2M: What would you say is the most challenging aspect of writing overall?
Tamika: The marketing aspect. You have to stay consistent in this game. I feel in the past year I lost sight of the love for this because so many were coming in and manipulating what should be a true art. So many have come in for the money and it’s disheartening. However I am a beast when it comes to what I love and I never quit. I couldn’t live with myself if I did. Marketing is the hardest part but ironically it’s the part I really love.
B2M: Among all the books you have written, do you have a favorite character? If so, which one, and why?
Tamika: Cookie James from my book Cookie a Fort Worth Story. Because that story reflects the real me the most I have a connection with it. I feel that it is a raw story that is so real and depicts the life of a black girl lost in this big world so perfectly that I want the whole world to read it. I plan to rerelease it one day.
B2M: Is there a particular subject matter you would like to incorporate in a future novel?
Tamika: I am looking to write about a character who gets to know her sexuality more. I have come to realize that African Americans really shy away from being open with their partners. The spontaneous aspect isn’t there, the willingness t be different isn’t there, and we tend to be ashamed about what we really desire. It will be a 3 part erotic series I will debut this winter.
B2M: You have accomplished so much since your first novel. What do you feel has been the most rewarding?
Tamika: The authors I have published and molded since launching Delphine Publications in 2008 is one of my greatest achievements. Also the designers I have molded, the editors, social media specialists, publicist, and so on. I have helped so many that I have discovered that’s what I really enjoy doing. Teaching.
B2M: Do you have a special place where you like to write?
Tamika: Home. Home is where the heart is and I tend to write my best work right in my bed.
B2M: You have a few projects in the works with your company Delphine Publications. Are you able to share a little about those projects?
Tamika: Yes I have many talents debuting later this year. I will also release If I Aint the One You Love. We have a lot of books coming.
B2M: Outside of writing, what do you like to do for fun?
Tamika: Stay home and watch TV. I am a family girl and a loner. I just like to be to myself most of the time.
B2M: Do you have a favorite book? If so, which one?
Tamika: All That and a Bag of Chips by Darrien Lee is my all time favorite.
B2M: Are you currently working on a new novel?
Tamika: Yes I am finishing up If I Aint The One You Love its coming this summer as well.
B2M: Tamika, thanks for interviewing with us. We encourage you to continue writing great stories with intriguing characters and interesting plots. Please keep Books2Mention informed about your future endeavours.
Much Success To You!
The Staff @ Books2Mention Magazine
To learn more about Tamika Newhouse, please visit her website at www.TamikaNewhouse.com.
Books by Tamika Newhouse include:
