PRODG Entertainment Promotions

PROFILES

Louis Elneus
Founder of HLD

Richard Jeanty
Author & Entrepreneur

Leslie Demangles
Author & College Professor

Danielle Legros-George
Haitian Poet & Autor

Margaret Papillon
Haitian Author

Myrtelle Cherry
Haitian Artist & Painter

Carole B. Joseph
Mass Bay Community College President

Gashford Guillaume
Mozayik Drummer

Pascale Auguste
Haitian Association Against Cancer

Andy Jacques
Haitian Fashion Designer

Phillip J. Brutus
State Representative

Yvecar Momperousse
Haitian Student Alliance

The Maroons
Haitian Writers & Poets

Evans Thesee
Founder HaitianConnection.com

Abdias Charles
Founder of Repair Haiti.org

Mecca AKA Grimo
Haitian Hip Hop Artist & Activist

Fania Simon
Writer, Lecturer & Activist

Nadege Fleurimond
Owner of Fleurimond Catering

Interview: Richard Jeanty

		The Haitian born author, Richard Jeanty is a multi-faceted writer and is described as being a literary warrior for change. Founder and President of his own RJ Publications, Richard turns words into vivid images, painting well-formed characters that compel the reader to become involved in their sagas. Richard is determined, via his work, to improve urban America’s minds, souls, spirits and condition, to assist in ameliorating the circumstances that too often befall them.
Prodg Entertainment Promotions talent liaison, Carline Gelé recently caught up with the Haitian wordsmith, while on a short break from his 25 city book tour, and they spoke about some of his work, his upcoming plans for both himself and his company.

Carline Gelé: Richard, I want to thank you for slotting me in your schedule. Before we even jump into all the questions, let's set the stage for our readers. Who is Richard Jeanty and how did you become a published author?

Richard Jeanty: Carline, it's really a pleasure to be featured as one of the Haitian authors. Who is Richard Jeanty? I would say Richard Jeanty is many things, a proud father, husband, brother, son, writer, publisher, accountant, artist, teacher, friend, philanthropist and humanitarian.

My Road to publishing was actually created by me. I learned a lot about publishing after the vanity publisher of my first book, "The Most Interesting Email Circulating on Cyberspace", kept my royalties from me. I was so angry I didn't even bother looking for another publisher to publish my first novel, "Neglected Souls". I decided to start my own publishing company instead. Through research and dedication I created RJ Publications, which now boasts six titles and seven more to be published next year.

CG: How is business?

RJ: Business is great, I can't complain. It's paying the bills and setting up the college fund for my daughter. I'm trying to carve my own niche in this literary world. I hope to become an entity in the next five years. I'm laying the ground work for a multi-million dollar company.

CG: What was the first book you read that had a major impact on your life?

RJ: I don't think I have ever read a book that impacted my life more than "The Autobiography of Malcolm X." Then I went on to read "Soul on Ice" by Eldridge Cleaver, "Black Skin White Mask" and "Wretched of the Earth" by Frantz Fanon and a few Alice Walker and James Baldwin books.

CG: Are your stories from experience, your imagination or a combination of both?

RJ: Most writers draw from experience when writing a book and I'm no different. It's a combination of imagination and personal/life experience. Another thing, I see stories everyday as I walk through the black community.

CG: How would you describe your writing style? And what can people expect from your stories?

RJ: My writing style is easy flowing and direct. I try not to confuse the reader throughout the story. My stories are mostly told in chronological order, but there's always a few surprises and twists to keep the reader yearning for more. I keep it entertaining.

CG: What was your initial inspiration for "Neglected Souls"?

RJ: "Neglected Souls" was inspired by many different events. The two main characters in that book basically raised themselves from the age of fourteen, and that's exactly what I did. I left home at fourteen years old and I was not expected to finish high school much less graduate from college. I was able to accomplish that all on my own. The world was my canvas for experience, I drew what I could positively and "Neglected Souls" was born. The rest of the story came from my days of working as a social worker, teacher, and program director.

CG: "Neglected Souls" has sold well, what does the title mean to you as the author?

RJ: Basically, anyone who reads the story can figure out where the title came from. The neglected souls in the story are not just the characters. They are the community, the people, the environment, the lack of resources and everything that have been neglected in the hood by society.

CG: One of your books, "Sexual exploits of a Nympho", is pure erotica. It is quite a shift from your previous books. Were you trying to show your versatility as a writer?

RJ: "Sexual Exploits of a Nympho" was my own personal challenge. I needed to show my readers my range as a writer and I basically came back in full force with an erotica after people reacted positively to a few scenes in Neglected Souls. You can say I was trying to demonstrate my versatility. I'm just glad that it was well received.

CG: In your book "Meeting Ms. Right", your main character Malcolm needs to develop self-esteem and confidence to meet the right woman. Is that a problem you as a person had to deal with in the past? Were you always well embraced by the ladies?

RJ: The reason why I wrote that book was to point out the fact that women, despite what they say they want always gravitate towards the bad boys. To answer your questions, I was never a Malcolm, Sometimes I wish that I stayed a virgin until I was thirty. I never had any self-esteem issues. I grew up around a confident father who instilled a lot of confidence in me when I was a kid. The ladies started embracing me when Denzel brought dark skinned men back from the abyss.

CG: Which of the books that you've written is your favorite? Why?

RJ: "Meeting Ms. Right" is definitely my favorite because of the nature of the story. I wanted to portray a beautiful friendship between two men who are very different, but somehow manage to keep a great relationship. That's rare. I also wanted to show the point of view of two guys who are both good men with different characteristics as well as the women who befit them.

CG: RJ Publications is now home to a few writers. Do you publish any other Haitian authors?

RJ: Unfortunately, I have not received any submissions from any Haitian writers. I would love to publish their work as long as it is appealing. Anybody with a good Haitian story can always contact me via my website at www.rjpublications.com

CG: Richard, have you ever lived in Haiti?

RJ: Of Course, I lived in Haiti for over ten years.

CG: Will you ever incorporate your background, Haitian culture, into one of your books?

RJ: I tried to incorporate a little bit of my Haitian background in Meeting Ms. Right. I even had a little dialogue in creole in that book. The unfortunate thing about my culture is that my people are not interested in it.

CG: Are you in touch with the Haitian Community? Do you use Haitian events to promote your books?

RJ: Honestly, I find that most people in the Haitian community do not support my writing. I don't think we have that many readers in our community to begin with. I remember taking part in a charitable event in Boston for the hurricane victims in Gonaives a few years back, I donated 100 copies of my books for this event and only 3 were sold to the attendees. They were more interested in System Band's performance later on that evening than getting a book signed by me. I did other events, but the support just wasn't there. Also, I find that some Haitians don't like to show appreciation for their talented artists.

CG: Have you ever thought about having your books translated to French to be sold in Haiti?

RJ: I never thought about my books being translated to French because it makes no economical sense right now. I might do so probably in the future.

CG: Writers are also readers. Who are your biggest authorial influences? What do you like about their stories, their style?

RJ: My literary influences range from Alice Walker to James Baldwin to some of today's hottest contemporary writers like Erick Jerome Dickey and Michael Eric Dyson. I appreciate a little piece from each writer. I like how James Baldwin brought to the forefront the struggle of black people in America back in the sixties. I like Alice Walker's candid approach in her storytelling, Eric Jerome Dickey basically forged this whole urban romance fiction path, and Michael Eric Dyson is as raw and real as they come. He makes people think and he understands that this Hip Hop generation should not be alienated.

CG: Which of your books you think would make a good screenplay, and who would you want to star in the movie?

RJ: I'm actually in the process of selling the rights to "Meeting Ms. Right" to a major production company. I think Morris Chestnut can definitely play Dexter, Hill Harper can play Malcolm, and Nia Long can play Jessie.

CG: You seem to be a very open and honest person. Is there anything about you that people would be surprised to find out?

RJ: There's a lot about me that people would be surprised about and that'll come when I write my autobiography. I'm able to mask a lot of my pain, so no one can say that they really know me, not even my family. I believe I've come a long way and it's only a miracle that I'm still here.

CG: Where do you see yourself in terms of your career as a writer in the next five to ten years?

RJ: In the next five years, I hope to be revered and respected for my craft. This is just the beginning for me. I have written about eleven more books to be published and I'm still writing more. I just hope that I can grow with each book that I write and that's most important to me. I also hope to contribute to mankind in a way that'll be forever remembered.

I hope that people start taking advantage of the scholarship that I offer through my company. I hope to increase the amount each year and to add more recipients to the list.

CG: "The necessity of promoting your work": how do you feel about this side of the business? Are you able to spend much time attending chats and going to conventions? Do you have any future projects that you wish to share with our readers?

RJ: Since writing is my passion, I don't have much to complain about. Promoting my books is part of the business. I'm actually on a twenty five city tour to promote my latest book, "Neglected No More". I only travel from Thursday through Sunday, it's not so bad. I do about six conventions a year, but the biggest one for me is Book Expo America (BEA), which is in New York next year so, I don't have too travel far.

As far as projects, I'm considering signing a three book deal with a major publisher for a very handsome price. But my own company, RJ Publications is releasing seven books in 2007. Currently, I have about eight authors that are officially signed to my company and I'm looking for more. As far as personal projects, I have the last installment in the "Neglected Souls" trilogy coming out in fall 2008, the sequel to "Sexual Exploits" is coming out Fall 2007, but I might surprise my readers with "Sexual Jeopardy" in the Spring of 2007(not sure yet). I have two books that are very interesting, but I'm not sure when they'll be released. "The Bedroom Bandit" is going to make the women squirm and "If These Streets Could Talk" will give people something to think about. I also have a book project that I'm working on with another best-selling author that's going to make a lot of noise.

Meanwhile, look for the RJ Publications authors' works at www.rjpublications.com. "Extreme Circumstances" by Cereka Cook will be released in February 2007 and "Cater to You" by W. S. Burkett is due for release in September 2007. There's another book in between, but I haven't settle on a title yet. The release schedule is kind of tight, so I'm not certain about some of the release dates as of yet, but there will be seven books published next year.

CG: Some readers have compared you to Zane, the very well-known erotica writer, are you comfortable with this comparison or would you say that it is unfair?

RJ: It's funny that you mentioned Zane, because I was nominated for an African-American Literary Award for best erotica and I lost to Zane. I think the difference between Zane and I, is that I try to educate people in all of my books regardless of the subject. There's always a moral to every story that I write. I don't know if it's fair that people compare me to Zane. I've only published one erotica. Let's wait for the next three then they can come with the comparisons. I hope people notice the differences more than the similarities, however.

CG: Do you feel that there's a lesson, either for yourself or for your readers, in your books?

RJ: There's always a lesson in my books. I can't escape the teacher in me when I write. Each book deals with an issue or issues that prevail in the Black community. I want to change the world one book at a time. I plan on tackling subjects that will get people talking and thinking about changing the way they live and think.

CG: Aside from writing and promoting your books, what else occupies your time?

RJ: My family takes a huge chunk of my time and I'm happy to give them every minute. My daughter is my heart and I'm just grateful that she was born. Also, real-estate occupies my time but I'm trying to get out while I'm ahead. Plus, it's too time consuming for me for now.

CG: What advice would you give to our young aspiring authors?

RJ: You can't force your creativity it has to come from the heart. When a door is shut in your face, you can create your own opportunity and build your own door. You don't have to wait for another one to open. Keep writing because it's like anything else, practice makes perfect. Anything that's weighing you down creatively must be let go. You'll run into a lot of pessimistic people who would want nothing more than to discourage your dreams, don't give them the power.

CG: Richard, congratulations on your success and on behalf of Prodg Entertainment, I would like to thank you for taking the time to talk to us. We wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors.