It’s been a year and some change since an Essence Bestselling Author has hooked up with the legendary Martha Stewart for a chat. Especially since Ms. Stewart sought her out. Well for Wahida Clark, she has more than that to look forward to in the upcoming year. 2007, Lord willing will see not only the release of her highly anticipated fourth novel, Thug Matrimony, a release from the Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia where she is serving 125 months for conspiracy/money laundering, mail and wire fraud. Her accomplishments in spite of her situation merit the standing ovation, some white roses and a legion of fans on the magical day when she walks out of prison. Wahida chose Jarold Imes for her interview to address her fans, literary critics and to show that there is love behind these bars.
Jarold: Wahida, tell me about your upbringing? What was life like before the sentence? Wahida Clark: What’s average? I came up in the hood and you know how that is. Survival of the fittest. Welfare, food stamps, government cheese, weed, boosting, partying. I had the average dysfunctional family, (smile). I always had a roof over my head and clothes on my back. Single parent home in the projects, Donnelly Homes, until I was about 9 or 10 then we moved to the West Side of Trenton with my Aunt Ann and Uncle John. May he rest in peace. That was all love. Before I was incarcerated, I was running my businesses and working a 9 to 5. Ironically, working the 9 to 5 is how I caught my case.
Jarold: So I take it that you went to trial? Wahida Clark: I took my case to trial and loss. That’s right. This sista here lives by the code: Death before Dishonor. However, I lost two appeals so I don't hit the bricks until 07.
Jarold: Hmm, Death before Dishonor. So you don't have any love for those who snitch? Wahida Clark: Not at all. When everything is going good, they eating, balling, and getting paid, taking care of their families, it's all gravy and they are happy to play their part. But as soon as the shit hits the fan their weakness and hypocrisy gets put on blast. The sad thing is without snitches the government 98% of the time doesn't have a case. Snitches tell the things that the government wasn't even aware of. If everyone on my case would have stood tall we all would have walked.
Jarold: So how has prison affected your views on life? Wahida Clark: I appreciate being with and having a family that much more. I no longer take the simple things in life for granted. Freedom. My physical freedom is truly valued. If you have been locked down, or did time with a loved one you understand what I’m saying.
Jarold: How are you being treated by guards and inmates? Wahida Clark: My fellow inmates show me lots of love and support. The guards, I stay out of their way and treat them with respect, so they can only do the same for me.
Jarold: Everyone is fascinated with the fact that you got to roll with Martha Stewart. Tell us what she was like? Wahida Clark: I didn’t hang out with her. I met with her on several occasions. She put together a Business Seminar, with us allowing the guests to pick her brain. And I met with her to go over my business plan for my publishing company. She gave me some very valuable feedback. Martha is cool. She did her little five months like a trooper and was always willing to help you out if she could. Plus my agent used to date her niece and told her to look me up when she got here. Which she did. The first day she hit the compound she was asking who knows Wahida Clark. By that evening I had got the message and I went to meet her. I thought she was going to be standoffish. But she was the total opposite, to my surprise.
Jarold: So how did the inmates treat her? Wahida Clark: Whenever I got with her it was always on a business tip. So I didnít always see how the rest of the population was treating her. You always gonna have your haters and I would hear different comments. But me? I'm not a hater. I’m a congratulator. I’m trying to get where she is. She is big time. Certified Gangster for real. Whenever you can do time and turn on the preview channel and see your TV show getting ready to air: That’s Big! Whenever you can do time and your magazines are coming out every month: That’s Big! Whenever you can do time and two major retail chains that carry your products merge and you make a billion: That’s Big! Whenever you can do time and your stock from your company is steadily rising: That’s Big! Whenever you can do time and when you set your foot out the gate and a TV show is waiting for you: Thatís Big! Whenever you can do time and bounce on your own private jet: That's Big! You get my point? I think she’s a brilliant businesswoman.
Jarold: Speaking of business, tell us about your upcoming projects and Thug Matrimony. Wahida Clark: Well, I have an anthology coming out called, What is Really Hood? Vol. I. It is an Anthology of five blazing hood stories, by Victor Martin (A Hood Legend), Shawn “Jihad” Trump, Bonta, myself and introducing Mo Foxx. Everyone is on lock. Then in April '07, the highly anticipated, Thug Matrimony drops. Ninety-eight percent of my readers, hit me up and say, “Wahida, we love Payback is a Mutha, but…whats up with Snake? Angel's Wedding? Is Trae dead? Please don’t leave us hanging like that.” Well, all of the answers are in the highly anticipated Thug Matrimony.
Jarold: How do you keep your ear to the streets that is in literary business? How do you know what is going on with your books? Wahida Clark: I read, I watch, I learn, I study. My team at home is whats really good: my husband, my sisters-in-law and my daughters, Hasana and Wahida.
For more information on Wahida Clark, visit www.wahidaclarkpresents.com and/or myspace.com/wadhidaclark. Write to:P.O. Box 8250, Newark, NJ 071
Comments page 5 of 5:
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eyes :
Posted 21 hours ago
i have read all your book went the next book come out CANT WAIT
LOVE :
Posted 2 days ago
OMG I LOVE YOUR BOOKS IM JUST S EAGER FOR YOU TO CUM OUT WITH THUG MATRIMONY VOLUME 2 YOU JUST DONT KNO HOW BAD I LOVE WAT YOU DO && KEEP WRITIN GIRL!!PLEASE GO HEAD AND CUM OUT WIT THUG MATRIMONY VOLUME 2
Yolonda :
Posted 11 days ago
Hey! Wahida I really like all your books and they are off the chain. My Auntie had order some book from Black Expression and gave them to me, at first I wasn't gonna read them but one day I got bored and the first book I read of your was Every Thugs Needs a Lady, and I could not believe my eyes, I just could not put that book down. After calling my auntie about the book, she told me that you had some more books before this one and I went to the bookstore and bought the rest of them. I have already read all three more than once. I fell in love with Trae and Kaylin and how they were handling their business. I can't wait until Thug Love comes out and also the other books. Keep up the good work.
Taneesha :
Posted 29 days ago
Hey Wahida I really love your books I read everyone except for Pay back with yo life I just finish reading Thug Matrimony it was so good I can't wait to get pay with yo life I knew it's gon be off the chain ans I really can't wait tell you come out with Thug Matrimony Volume 2 I really wanna see what happened with Trea and Tasha P.S YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST WRITERS IN THE WORLD KEEP GOING GIRL YOU HAVE ALOT OF RESPECT OUT HERE
kiana :
Posted 32 days ago
hey wahida im jus gone tell you that i love your books and im glad that you did write i just turned 14 and just started readin your books i read thugs and the woman who love them,every thug needs a lady,andthug matrimony in 1 week no lie!!!thats how good your books are cant wait till volume 2 to thug matrimony come out
reka :
Posted 57 days ago
Hi wahida I love eavery thug needs a lady and I love thug matrimony but you no you got to come out whit thug matrimony two I love to read about trae tasha They are way I wot to read thug matrimony I love them to so come and give more . ps. you are the best
linda :
Posted 71 days ago
i really love your books. you are an awesome writer. i wish you all the luck in the world. keep up the good work. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS>
MELISSA CARTER :
Posted 123 days ago
HELLO, TO ALL OF TO OUR FANS, OF WAHIDA CLARK. WANT TO SAID HELLO, GOOD MORING AND BLESSED TO EVERYONE TODAY! I LOKKING FOR OUR WAHIDA CLARK COING OUT WITH HER, NEW BOOK? IN JULY THE 25 OR THE 29 OF JULY THIS MONTH? I HOPE EVERYBODY, IS DOING FINE TODAY? I'M FINE THIS TIRED THAT ALL, BEEN WORKING ALOT OF HOUR THIS WEEK? I'M GOOD, BEEN TRY TO READ OTHER AUTHURS, UNTIL WAHIDA CLARK COME OUT WITH NEW BOOK IN OF THE MONTH? THAT IS ABOUT IT, HOPE THAT WAHIDA CLARK THINKING ABOUT COMING OUT WITH NEW THUGS PART TWO, THIS YEAR? HOPE ANY WAY? I HOPE ALL OF OUR FAN, GAT WAHIDA CLARK COME OUR THIS YEAR, THEN 2009? LEY IT COME OUT NOW? MADE SOMETIME OF END OF THE YEAR? SO CAN EVERYBODY CAN EN-MAIL WAHIDA CLARK SO WE CAN SEE, IF WILL THUGS COME THIS YEAR? I HOPE EVERYBODY IS DOING GOOD AND HAVING GOOD SUMMER THIS YEAR? AND STAY COOL, IF YOU GET KIDS OR TEENAGE GET READY FOR SCHOOL SHOPPING IN AUGUST? IF YOU HAVE ALREADY STARTING, HOPE BE SAFE DOING SHOPPING OUT IN THE STORES? I'M AT WORK NOW, THIS NOT BUSY AT THIS VERY MOMENT? THIS TRYING TO REST A LITTLE BIT, WE GET BUSY IN THE ER THE HOSPITAL ON FREDERICKSBURG. I LIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. PRETTY MUCH ALL MY LIFE, DON'T GO NO WAY IS WAY? THIS WORK AND TO HOME THIIS ABOUT IT? GOP SOME WAY EVERY NOW THEN, WHEN I GOT MONEY? TO SPEND? I DON'T GO ANY WAY THAT MUCH GAS PRICING IS HIGH NOW! LIKE FOUR DOLLARS IN VIRGINIA. I TRY TO MAKE MY GAS LAST AS LONG AS, AS LONG AS I CAN! TAKE ABOUT FOURTY DOLLARS. BUT I'M GOING TO GET OFF THE COMPUTER NOW. EVERYBODY TAKE CARE OK, AND BE SAFE OK TAKE CARE? AND I A NICE TODAY ! ONE OF YOUR FANS, MELISSA CARTER!!!!! THIS HOPE AND PRAYER THAT WAHIDA CLARK LET HER NEW BOOK COME EARLY? SHE SAID DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO WRITE A BOOK ABOUT SIX MONTHS. SHE SAID ? EVERYBODY TAKE CARE OF OK, AND GOD BLESSED! AND WAHIDA CLARK THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL BOOKS THAT YOU ALREADY COME WITH YOU NOW IS OUT? THANKS AGAIN OK LOVE, MELISSA CARTER TALK TO EVERBODY LATER! MELISSA CARTER!
MELISSA CARTER :
Posted 126 days ago
HEY, WAHIDA CLARK TO SAID THAT YOU ARE WONDERFUL AUTHUR! MY MELISSA CARTER LIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, FREDERICKSBURG. LIVE HERE ALL MY LIFE, AND HAVE ONE SON IS THIRTTEEN YEARS OLD. GOING INTO THE EIGHTTH GRADE. I LOVE YOUR BOOKS, THEY ARE OFF THE CHAIN! I WISH YOU MOVE YOU DATE ON THUGS TWO, THIS YEAR NOT UNTIL 2009. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, WHEN TASH AND TRACE GET THAT CALLED FROM HIS MOTHER HE HAD TO COME BACK! THEY WAS ABOUT TO MOVE INTO THEIR NEW HOUSE, AND ALRAEDY HAD TWO BOYS, TASH WAS HAVING ANOTHER BABY! AND I READY ON THE EDGE OF MY SIT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, WHEN TASH WAS ON THE PHONE WITH ANGIE SHE GET A BEEP ON THE PHONE SHE, SHE CLAP ON THE OTHWE LINE ON THE PHONE. THAT WHEN TASH HAD GAIVE THE PHONE TO TRACE HIS MOTHER SAID SOMETHING TO HIM, TASH ASK HIM WHAT IS WRONG? HE STARING CRYING WILD HE STILL TALKING TO HIS MOTHER ON THE PHONE. THEN HE TURN THE PHONE AND TURN TO TASH AND TOLD HER, THEY HAD TO GO HOME?????? IS THERE IS ANY WAY YOU CAN COME OUT WITH THAT BOOK THIS YEAR?????? PLEASE FOR ALL YOUR FANS PLEASE!!!!! PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT PLEASE! I LOVE THE ONE EVERY THUG NEED A LADY, I READ THAT OVER TWENTY TIMES ALREADY!!!!! EN-MAIL BACK AT MISSYCARTER91971@YAHOO.COM THABKS AGAIIN FOR ALL YOUR BOOKS, YOU ARE VERY WONDERFUL WRITTING GIRL! GOD BLESSED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY OK! AND GOOD EVENING TO ALL THE FAN OUT THERE THAT READ WAHIDA CLARK BOOKS! ANY OF OURS FAN OFCAN EN-MAIL TRY TO GET , TO GET WAHIDA CLARK COMING OUT THIS, UNTIL 2009 ????????? FAN ONE OF YOUR FAN, MELISSA CARTER TAKE CARE TO ALL FAN OUT TAKE CARE OUT THERE EACH ONE OF THE FAN! TALK EVERYBODY LATER! BYE!
MELISSA CARTER :
Posted 127 days ago
HELLO, MY NAME IS MELISSA CARTER. I WAIT FOR TO COME OUT WITH YOUR NEW ONE END OF THE MONTH! I CAN'T WAIT WAHIDA CLARK I LOVE YOUR BOOKS. I HAVE ALL OF YOUR BOOKS, SO FAR! YOU ARE GOOD WHAT YOU DO? I WAIT FOR YOUR BOOK FOR TASHA AND WAS A DRUG DEALER, GET MARRIED. AND ANGIE AND K. AND KAYLE AND MAVLIN. I HOPE I SPELL THAT RIGHT? GOD BLESSED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TAKE CARE OK! LOOK FOR YOUE BOOK BE NUMBER ONE AGAIN! ONE OF YOUR FAN, MERLISSA I KNOW I'M NOT YOUR NUMBER ONE FAN OUT THERE! TALK TO LATER OK, TAKE OK MELISSA CARTER!
Meme :
Posted 131 days ago
When I started reading ur books i started with Every Thug Needs A Lady... I read half of the book until my oldest sister took it from me and told me I had to read part 1 Which was Thugs and The Women Who Love Them. I was already hooked on the second 1 i didnt want to put it down, I read the first 1 my sister took to long to give me the 3 Which is Thug Matrimony.. i finished reading Every Thug Needs A Lady a few days a go.. All i have to say is your books are the bomb and i cant wait to vol.2 of Matrimony to come out.. Real Talk i rather sit and read den chill wit ma homegurlsz..... ya books are the bomb and im looking forward to more
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“I’m starting to see the same story with a different cover, those who truly take pride in the craft will remain and continue to pursue successful careers once the dust has settled.” —Joylynn Jossel, Author
It’s been a year and some change since an Essence Bestselling Author has hooked up with the legendary Martha Stewart for a chat. Especially since Ms. Stewart sought her out. Well for Wahida Clark, she has more than that to look forward to in the upcoming year. 2007, Lord willing will see not only the release of her highly anticipated fourth novel, Thug Matrimony, a release from the Federal Prison Camp in West Virginia where she is serving 125 months for conspiracy/money laundering, mail and wire fraud. Her accomplishments in spite of her situation merit the standing ovation, some white roses and a legion of fans on the magical day when she walks out of prison. Wahida chose Jarold Imes for her interview to address her fans, literary critics and to show that there is love behind these bars.
i read thugs and the woman who love them,every thug needs a lady,andthug matrimony in 1 week no lie!!!thats how good your books are cant wait till volume 2 to thug matrimony come out
ps. you are the best