Slyce: Brothers and Sistah’s, please welcome our brother, Author Andrew Snorton to “The Interrogation Room”!! Welcome my brother:-). Are you ready?
Slyce: What inspired you to become an author?
AS: I really feel like being an author found me. I had a background in writing, including for the online magazine Examiner (from 2010-16 when it shut down). It was always interesting to report about community events, as well as some op-eds and interviews.
I just evolved from there and pivoted to the next step of writing, so it is more of an extension of what I was already doing.
Slyce: What is the name of your publishing company?
AS: I’m an indie author, but I publish my books through Smashwords.
Currently, I’ve used Createspace (which is now KDP) for my first two books. It’s helpful given the attachment with Amazon. I’ll take inventory of their and other services for future works.
Slyce: In what genre do you write?
AS: I’d say I am flexible with my writing. My first book (which I’ll get into shortly) is more poetry based, but taken from direct conversation with a family member (and I’ll detail how it is relatable and connectable with just about any audience). The second book is more interview driven, so in general, I’d say non-fiction based.
Slyce: Have you penned under another name?
AS: No, I have not. I think the Author Andrew Snorton name is easy for people to remember, including myself 😂. Perhaps, but I’ll keep it simple and straightforward for now.
Slyce: You wrote a book titled, “Deeper than your deepest sleep”. What was this book about?
AS: Deeper than your deepest sleep: thoughts on love with Joseph Snorton (2017) is one for you or someone you know who can identity with the action of love through multiple lenses. It’s based on conversation with my extended family member who I did not know existed until May 2014; I was invited and fortunate to attend the memorial service for Dr Maya Angelou (she was a professor for 30-plus years where I went to college, Wake Forest). When I received the invite, it was in Joseph’s name, so you can imagine the conversation I had with my parents 😂
I was able to track him down and we talked about love (among other topics). We looked at love through the lenses of family, friends, community, people in your life, people no longer in your life, and self-reflection. It digs deep and allows people to take inventory of things; just because you may not experience love in one realm, it does not necessarily mean you aren’t at all.
That can be a very identifiable and powerful concept, be it during the holidays or any time of year. The hope is for people to remain encouraged even when things don’t always go your way or as planned
Slyce: Is this book a stand alone or a series?
AS: I haven’t decided yet. I will likely revisit this, but not immediately. Doing a series can be tricky at times as you have to really “feel” how far you’ll go with it. I’ll say in the next year or two, I’ll revisit it.
Slyce: Is your book an eBook and/or paperback?
AS: It is a paperback; I am looking into other platforms, so stay tuned!S
Slyce: How important are interviews?
AS: Interviews are VERY important. It allows you to have conversations with people you don’t know and let them know WHY they should get to know you and get familiar with your work, or at least share your info with others. It allows you to share your narrative about who you are an author, the topics you cover, and things of that sort.
Even if you are more low key and reserved, use it as a way to advocate for yourself so others can help advocate and speak for and with you. Any time you have access to a platform to share your story, tell it!
Slyce: How important are reviews?
AS: Reviews are helpful as well. Of course, all of us as authors likely have the mindset of Erykah Badu…I’m an artist (author), and I’m sensitive about my work (see…y’all thought I was about to cuss 😂😂😂). Seriously, getting reviews helps, especially if your work CONNECTS with someone. Likewise, it helps you keep your skills sharp and remember that regardless of your topic and format, being authentic and accessible is VERY important. Connect with the readers and go where the journey takes you.
Slyce: What does the term, “Building a Brand” mean?
AS: This is REAL important.
Your brand is your work, how you engage with your audience, and other means. You brand all the time. How do you respond to people, from the applause to lack thereof?
What are you doing beyond your online presence to expand your reach? Who are you trying to speak with/your core audience? How do you engage with traditional and contemporary media? How do you document what you do?
These are some of the questions when it comes to your brand and ultimately, connecting with your core audience
Slyce: What steps are you taking to build your brand?
AS: For starters, I handle my own press and media. This includes my bookings (book signings, festivals, contact with media, stores, including THIS platform). I make sure to keep my social media updated consistently, be it a signing, autograph request, reminders as to where to make your purchases, and regularly saying THANK YOU to all who are supporting.
You HAVE to thank you audience, whether it is 2 or 202; be grateful.
Having my own television show helps as well (viewable on the Status Network via the Lyve TV channel every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7pm EST); not only do I remind my audience of how to connect, but I have brought on fellow authors and secured sponsorships from others to promote their work.
Again, just as others provided you access, do the same for others.
Slyce: What goals would you like to achieve as an author?
AS: This is a good one.
I’d say the main goal is to be know as a writer who regardless of the style of writing, is authentic and accessible over anything else. Of course, I want to and will tackle different topics and employ different styles, but to be respected, appreciated, supportive, and supporting is what it comes down to. The other things will come accordingly, but when you lose sight of those things, you won’t last too long.
Slyce: Are you affliated with any other organizations or groups?
AS:My main affiliations include my alma mater, Wake Forest (a few boards and advisory entities including alumni in admissions and the Deacon Club…NOT the deacon board as our mascot is the Demon Deacons). I’m a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc (initiated at my college and a member of the Alphas of Atlanta – the collective which does the #AlphaDerbyWeekend and other programs to give back to different community organizations), and Family Food Festival ATL. I am hopeful that as my time allows, I can do more.
Slyce: What advice can you offer those aspiring to become authors?
AS: I would say it starts with being dedicated to your craft. Whatever consistency and excellence in your achievement looks like for you, do it as everyone has a different formula.
Do more than just rely on Amazon or online sales; this is still a PEOPLE engagement “business”. If you don’t engage with people, you’ll be in trouble.
And remember, you are running a marathon, not a sprint. Having said all that, move with some swiftness sometimes 👍🏾
Slyce: Do you write for the passion or the profit?
AS: It is the passion.
If you are dedicated to your passion and brand accordingly and consistently knowing it may be a minute to get there, the profit comes. Do it the other way around and you’ll be here today and gone tomorrow.
Slyce: How many books have you published?
AS: I have published two books: Deeper than your deepest sleep: thoughts on love with Joseph Snorton and 9 stories of faith: volume 1. 9 stories is for those who can identify with the concept of living with life’s biggest DAILY challenge beyond just the challenge of the moment. Physical health, mental health, life after incarceration, life after a family member transitions…these are the topics individuals open up on and how they live lives of meaning and purpose through the lenses of their faith (mainly Christianity, Hindu, and Islam), health and wellness best practices, their supper from family and others, and ultimately, their own desire to do so.
It’s some truly powerful interviews and testimonies to say the least, and the number 9 has a deeper meaning (you’ll have to read to find out)…
Slyce: Name three authors you’d love to work with.
AS: One that comes to mind is Naz Pankey (author of Evergreen Uprooted), as het books is being developed into a film. Another would be Tyressa Ty (author I’d Follow the Fiyah and Follow Your Fiyah); reading her book really provides the seed planting and kick in the…shin to challenge myself to go beyond article writing.
A third one would be Darius Gourdine; he was very helpful in my evolution as well and someday I’ll see what we can do, but those are 3 who come to mind.
Slyce: Have you ever done blog talk radio?
AS: Yes, I have done multiple blog talk and related radio and television shows. The Marley Monroe Show, No Filter Fridays, The Morning Takeover, Say Tell Us…those are a few.
Oh, there’s WJCU when I did the Mississippi Book Festival (2017, 2018), along with the Atlanta African American Book Festival and a few others. Forgive me for not listing all of them as I’m doing a semi-decent job of multitasking 😂
Slyce: Where can our viewers purchase your book?
AS: You may purchase both books on Amazon, and if you add the Facebook Page Author Andrew Snorton, click on the “shop now” button and it takes you directly to Amazon.
You may purchase from the following bookstores: the Tubman Museum (Macon, GA), Nubian Bookstore (Morrow, GA), Medu Bookstore (Atlanta, GA), Booknook (Decatur, GA), Black Dot Cultural Center (Lithonia, GA), Hub City Bookstore (Spartanburg, SC), Park Road Books (Charlotte, NC), Readmore Book-N-Card (Madisonville, KY), Pan African Connections (Dallas, TX), and Book Addictions (Roanoke, VA), with more coming…
Slyce: How can our viewers contact you?
AS: Facebook: Author Andrew Snorton
Instagram/Twitter/YouTube: @authorasnorton
Email: authorasnorton@gmail.com
Television: The Conversation Corner hosted by Author Andrew Snorton. It airs every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7pm EST on the Status Network (view from their site and free app) on the LyveTV channel. It is viewable on multiple social media platforms, ROKU, and I air it on my Facebook author page (Live) and Instagram Live.
Website: ASnorton.wixsite.com/authorpage/
MANY thanks for the opportunity today. I have had fun; my thumbs are feeling it though since I did this from my phone 😂
This is from the Atlanta African American Author Festival.
Slyce: I’d like to thank guest, Author Andrew Snorton for joining us in “The Interrogation Room”!! Thank you my brother. You were wonderful!!
Everyone, please go purchase, “Deeper than your deepest sleep” by Author Andrew Snorton. Also, remember to check out his page on Facebook at: 
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