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Meisha Holmes
Urban Book Source
January 2006
 Meisha Holmes, no relation to Shannon Holmes, was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she still resides and works as a literacy specialist. As a dancer in her younger years, she had the opportunity to tour the world with the likes of Queen Latifah, Salt-n-Pepa, among many rap artists, and uses her experience with cultures abroad in her novels. Presently, Meisha is hard at work on the third novel in her Brooklyn Exchange Series.
UBS: Meisha Holmes, are you related to Shannon Holmes?
Meisha: Actually Shannon is my third cousin removed on my god sister’s second baby father’s side. Seriously, we are not related. But the way we met was funny. I was hustling books in Harlem on 125th street. I approached Shannon, not knowing he was an author, asking him to show some support. He looked at the cover of Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange and said, “Meisha Holmes? Where are you from? What kind of last name is that?” Being the Brooklynite that I am, I became defensive and replied, “What's wrong with my last name.” He smiled, stated who he was and we became cool after that.
UBS: In our previous communication through email, you stated you suffer from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Does this affect your writing? We’re only joking! How long does it generally take you to complete a novel? Or rather how long did it take you to complete your novel Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange?
Meisha: That’s HADD Hyperactive Attention Deficit Disorder don’t get it twisted (smiles). It took me one year to complete the novel. Generally it takes me about 4 to 5 months, but I really out did my self with Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange, or at least that’s what the word on the street is!
UBS: How do you feel about being nominated for one of the top 20 most attractive urban authors of 2006, by Urban Book Source?
Meisha: It feels great. It would feel really, really great if I was winning, but all in all I am flattered.
UBS: Do you suffer from Writer’s Block? How do you overcome it?
Meisha: Yes I do, but not often. If and when it occurs I usually step away from my computer for a matter of days and then come back to what I was working on. Either that or I work on something else.
UBS: Tell us about your novel Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange.
Meisha: My novel takes you into the lives of four different sets of characters: meet Rock Candy, I ain’t saying she's a gold digger but she ain’t fu---n’ with no broke broke ni--a, Tony and Kahmelle, both down with Brooklyn’s most notorious gang, Brooklyn's Finest, Malik and Susan who both work at the same law firm, he's the handsome mail room clerk and she's the white attorney and wife to the owner of Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange are having an affair and Joann Nunez, the lesbian cop who likes turning out straight girls. All of these characters are linked through Brooklyn Jewelry Exchange. They don’t know each other at the novel’s start but by its end all of their lives collide in an interesting twist. It is very risky on the sexual tip, most people label it erotica, but I beg to differ. I have been told on several occasions that the book puts you in the mind set of the movie Crash. I take you from the thorough borough of Brooklyn to the beautiful beaches of Negril, Jamiaca to Cozumel, Mexico and Las Vegas, Nevada and you don’t even have to pack a bag all you have to do is read the book.
Check out www.brooklynjewelryexchange.com if you would like to find out more about the book.
UBS: How do you feel about the urban fiction trend and what is your input on it?
Meisha: I think there is enough room in this book game for everyone with talent. Unfortunately everyone with or without talent are putting books out there and that’s when it becomes frustrating. Books that are poorly written give the urban fiction genre a bad name.
UBS: Who are you published by? Or are you self-published?
Meisha: I am self published. The name of my company is My Lyric’s House Press. Check out my website www.mylyricshouse.com if you would like to find out more about my publishing company.
UBS: Do you have any advice you'd like to give to an upcoming author?
Meisha: It’s a struggle so don't become discouraged. Strive to write your best and master your craft. I acquired a Bachelor of Fine arts in Creative writing with a focus on writing fiction. After I completed my degree, with honors if I may add, I realized that I learned very little about me and my writing style. I had the tools and knew how to write with out my degree. So if you got it (talent that is) you got it, never be discouraged.
UBS: As a self-published author, how hard is it to get your book into the eye of the public?
Meisha: It is very hard. At the end of the day I am an author. Honestly, I am not much of a business woman and that along with being a small publisher hurts my sales. The bigger chain stores don't give most small publishers the time of the day. That goes hand in hand with getting reviews from popular periodicals and magazines. When I mail promotional items and books to these people they are like My Lyric’s House who? The bigger publishers have access to the above mentioned things and that is one of the down sides to being a self published author. Now if I had the business jargon and contacts in the business field perhaps it would offset the fact that I am a small publisher. None the less it is a learning process, and trust I am learning quickly.
UBS: Are there any authors you admire, if any? Or enjoy reading?
Meisha: I admire Donald Goines and Dean Koontz they are two of the most descriptive writers to date. I think some of our more contemporary writers lack description. Along with the above writers I enjoy the writing styles of Caroline McGill, A Dollar outta Fifteen Cents, Crystal Perkins-Stell, Hood Rich and Isadore Johnson, Drug Dealer. Unfortunately, writing takes up a lot of my spare time and I don't get to read as much as I would like to.
UBS: What drives you, or gives you inspiration to write?
Meisha:My eight year old daughter, Kayla Lyric is my inspiration. She is so proud of her mommy's writing career that I know I have to excel. If I model success, she will claim it once her time comes.
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