18Q Pamela Samuels-Young

Pamela Samuels-Young

1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?

I chose it. I rarely saw African-American or women lawyers in mainstream legal fiction, so I decided to try writing a legal thriller myself.

2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.)

Former TV news writer, turned lawyer, turned author. I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism (USC), a master’s degree in broadcasting (Northwestern University) and a law degree (UC Berkeley). I currently work as an employment lawyer for Toyota. I was transitioned to part-time lawyer and full-time writer after the release of my first novel in 2006.

3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer?

When friends and colleagues who read the manuscript of Every Reasonable Doubt (the second novel I wrote, but the first to be published), kept asking me if I had another book they could read.

4. How would you describe your style of writing?

Snappy and fast-past, reminiscent of James Patterson. I’m a former television news writer and finally embraced that style of writing after years of trying to be a flowery, literary writer. Once I found my true voice, my writing fortunes changed.

5. What is your writing process?

I like long stretches of writing time (as opposed to writing for a couple of hours every day). I will write the entire weekend (10-12 hours a day) or go to Starbucks after work and write from six to eleven at night. When I’m lucky, I like to get away to my timeshare in Palm Desert to write for the entire week.

6. What was your path to publication?

I spent three years writing my first novel, which I thought was a masterpiece. I proudly gave a copy of the manuscript to all my friends, but no one was brave enough to tell me that it sucked. Finally, a dear friend kindly told me that the novel wasn’t the masterpiece I thought it was. Luckily, I had also given her 50 pages of the second novel I had already started writing. She raved about the second one and urged me to shelve the first one and concentrate on finishing book two. Though, I was disappointed about her review of my first novel, I followed her advice. The reaction from people who read my second legal thriller was overwhelmingly positive.

After that, I received several rejection letters from agents. Within a matter of months, three agents were interested in the book at the same time. In less than four months, the agent I chose sold my first novel, Every Reasonable Doubt, to BET Books. BET Books was later purchased by Harlequin, which published my second novel.

7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?

Book clubs, book clubs, book clubs! Book club members are avid readers. If a book club member loves you, she will recommend your book to others. I’ve gained speaking events, other book club meetings, great friends and, of course, lots of fans from my book club appearances.

8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?

That readers view authors as celebrities that publishers do very little to help promote your book.

9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity?

Imagining thousands of readers enjoying my books inspires me. I’m a morning person. My creative juices really flow around five a.m.

10. What is your proudest writer moment?

Getting unsolicited praise for my novels. More than a few friends have met others who raved to them about my books, not knowing that they knew me. For example, a friend was talking to someone she’d just met at a bar and the subject of good books came up. My friend was about to tell the woman about my book, but the woman beat her to it.

11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing?

During my pre-published days, a writing instructor told me to outline a novel like mine and study the story structure. That significantly improved my writing. I outlined John Grisham’s novel, The Firm. I immediately understood how the story came together and could see the work that my novel needed in terms of story structure.

12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?

A book signing where no one showed!

13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?

I spent way too much money on printed promotional materials for my first book. All you really need are a great website, some nice bookmarks and, if you can afford it, some posters for bookstores.

14. What is your writer life philosophy?

The reader rules. No matter how great I think my story is, if my test readers don’t rave about the manuscript they’re reading, I need to go back to the drawing board.

15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?

Sleep. Writing is my fun.

16. Who do you like to read?

John Grisham, Terry McMillan, Walter Mosley, Greg Iles, Tami Hoag.

17. What’s your advice for new writers?

Give your completed manuscript to a book club to read and listen carefully to their critique. If they’re not excited about the book and asking you when you’re going to finish your next one, go back to the drawing board.

18. What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on my fourth novel, Conditions of Employment, the sequel to my legal thrillers, Every Reasonable Doubt, In Firm Pursuit and Murder on the Down Low. In Conditions of Employment, my protagonist defends a class action lawsuit, unaware of its connection to a past murder and a second one might just be able to prevent.

Pamela’s 18Q