Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Kwame Teague is the award winning, critically acclaimed, and Essence #1 bestselling author of the street classic Dutch trilogy. His other novels include The Adventures of Ghetto Sam and the Glory of My Demise, and Thug Politics under the pseudonym Dutch. With a passion for writing, Kwame is hard at work on his next novel.
BPM: Introduce us to your new book Dynasty.
Dynasty is a urban soap opera series that follows the life of Guy Simmon[s family. What is unique about the series is its set in both the past and the present. It deals with drugs, lust, betrayal, jealously and inner family relations.
BPM: What inspired you to write this story?
A. I wanted to write a book that was based on a gangster crime family similar to the Soprano’s. I wanted to deal with some of the issues that come with the lifestyle and how it affects the family structure.
BPM: Who did you write this book for? Why?
A. I wrote the book for myself first. Whenever I write, I have to be first interested in the subject matter myself or I can’t write the story. After that, I give it to my readers, I say reader in a wide context because weather you’re a 34-year old woman, a 22 year old man incarcerated, or even a 50 year old college professor I want to intrigue you. I don’t aim for the “urban” audience but I do write about the urban experience. So in a nutshell, if you can relate, then I write for you.
BPM: Urban literature should present a “cautionary tale”. What issues do you bring to the reader’s attention?
A. Who says that urban literature should present a cautionary tale? I don’t believe that’s true. The first priority is writing a good compelling book. Hannibal Lecter eats people; Mario Puzo wrote the Godfather, where’s their cautionary tale? Let the urban voice be free to express their selves, and as the reader grows, the genre will grow. Don’t hold us to standards you don’t propose to Teri McMillan, Eric Jerome Dickey or Joan Collins.
BPM: I, Ella Curry, says that Urban Literature should have a cautionary flair to it. My reason? Because in this hiphop generation, our children are reading material too old for them to grasp. They need to understand that there is a consequence for every action. Now, that's just my opinion, this interview is about you! What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
A. I like to listen to music, that is what inspires me the most.
BPM: What is the best advice you would give to an inspiring author?
A. Stay true to yourself. Don’t try and be street if you’re not just because you may have grown up in the ghetto. Also, if you’re from the street, don’t try and water it down just because mainstream wants to belittle you. Be true to yourself.
BPM: How may our readers contact you online to purchase book?
A. Purchase books here from my publisher: http://www.dcbookdiva.com/
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