Slyce: Brothers and Sistah’s, please welcome our sistah, Phillis Forrest to “The Interrogation Room”!! Welcome my sistah:-). Are you ready?
Slyce: What inspired you to become an author?
PF: I have always been an avid reader and I knew one day, I was going to write my own personal story when I was about 21. I didn’t write it till I was 47. My first self published book “Through A Child’s Eyes” started it all.
Slyce: What is the name of your publishing company?
PF: The name of my publishing company is Delphine Publications with Tamika Newhouse
Slyce: In what genre do you write?
PF: So far I have written in autobiography nonfiction and Urban but I don’t plan to stay in any particular genre I want to be versatile. I would like to write a little paranormal, sci fi and children’s book.
Slyce: Have you penned under another name?
PF: No. Once I wrote “Through A Child’s Eyes”, I wouldn’t want to switch up and confused the readers.
Slyce: You wrote a book titled “Through A Child’s Eyes”. What was this book about?
PF: “Through A Child’s Eyes” was my first self published book, protecting your children from child sexual predator. (my personal story). It was about a 19 year old man that becomes infatuated with a seven years old girl and plots and scheme to infiltrate her innocence by befriending her mother. I talk to single mothers because they are the targets and used my story as an example so anyone that reads my book could see exactly what he did and exactly how he did it.
Slyce: Is the book a series or a standalone?
PF: It is and its not because I didn’t do a part 2 but I did a spin off in which I told the 1st book in the survivor’s voice but “DEVIANT: Secrets of a Predator”, I told it in the abuser’s voice. It was important for my readers to know exactly who he was.
Slyce: How important are reviews?
PF: REVIEWS ARE VERYYYYYY IMPORTANT! To the readers and people who may be seeking you out. It’s been times when someone was looking for a book on sexual abuse and because of my reviews, selected “Through A Child’s Eyes” plus I got speaking engagements and radio shows because of them too..
Slyce: How important are interviews?
PF: Interviews are very important it widen the net of possible readers and notoriety.
Slyce: What does the term “Building a Brand” mean?
PF: It means building a reputation or notoriety for yourself. It is what you are known for. You are the go to person for that particular subject.
Slyce: What steps are you taking to build your brand?
PF: For “Through A Child’s Eyes”, I run a Protect Me Campaign in April for Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Month. I also have a short film on YouTube and I do speaking engagements. “Behind Every Boss There’s A Bae”, I give away free t-shirts to any reader that buy both part 1 and 2.
Slyce: What goals would you like to achieve as an author?
PF: I want to be a number one best seller and be known for my style of writing. Mainly, my ultimate goal is to sit on Oprah’s stage and discuss my book and how it could be a tool to protect our children from this heinous crime committed against them. We are at war and our innocent babies are the casualties.
Slyce: Is there anything else cooking in the lab for Author Phillis Forrest?
PF: Yes, I’m a writer at heart so that is what I will be doing till the end. Once I finish my “Behind Every Boss There’s A Bae Series” (4 Books), I have so many stories in my head to get on paper. I also do some ghost writing and editing for Impression Publications
Slyce: “Through a Child’s Eyes”. Please explain to our viewers, what this is?
PF: It’s rules and guidelines to protect our children from child sexual predators that mothers may unintentional bring into their lives. “Through A Child’s Eyes” is a book, a campaign (April is child sexual abuse awareness month) and a short film that was viewed at the International Black Film Festival in Nashville. Through A Child’s Eyes (OFFICIAL SELECTION INTERNATIONAL BLACK FILM FESTIVAL)
Slyce: Do you write for the passion or the profit?
PF: Both..I love books, I love to read, I love to write so it would be great if I can make enough money to take care of myself with something that I love, plus that means I could write all I want.
Slyce: Do you feel a new author should have a team?
PF: YES! My family is my team. When I wrote “Through A Child’s Eyes” and “DEVIANT”, both being self published, I had a daughter that was an English major who did my editing. My oldest daughter did my promoting cause she run a non-profit organization called “Heartbeat Music & Performing Arts Academy” in San Diego. My sister did my cover and formatting and my second sister was my financer and my bestie is my beta reader.
Slyce: What author past/present has inspired you?
PF: I think they all did. If they had an entertaining book and it was well written then I was inspired.
Slyce: Name 3 authors you would like to work with.
PF: Jessica N. Watkins, Tanisha Hope, and Chamise Thompson
Slyce: What advice would you offer to those aspiring to become an author?
PF: 1st Read Read Read as much as you can. I learn a lot about developing story lines, character building and flow from being an avid reader. #2 research any and everybody you do business with. If you are soliciting a publisher and they’re an author, read everything they wrote, and read every book from the authors they publish. That will give you a great sense of work ethic,and quality. If their book is a mess then how you think yours is going to look and check social media and following. #3 PLEASE INVEST IN A EDITOR! #4 Start building a following immediately Don’t depend on family and friends; they are the last to support!
Slyce: How can our viewers contact you?
PF: Email: phillistforrest@gmail.com
FB: Phillis Forrest
TWITTER: AuthorPTForrest
IG: @authorptforrest
My website: www.authorptforrest.com
If you live in the Holly Hills, FL area, my book is on the shelves at Mahogany Reads 787 Central Avenue and Book Teas, Urban Indie Author Book Source in Tallahassee, FL.
Slyce: I’d like to thank guest Author Phillis Forrest for joining us in “The Interrogation Room”!! Thank you my sistah. You were wonderful!!
Everyone please go purchase “Behind Every Boss There’s A Bae” by Phillis Forrest. Also, remember to check out her page on Facebook at: 
.
Books:
The short film of “Through A Child’s Eyes” is on YouTube.
