INTELLECYUAL INK ISSUE 18

#WRITENEWS

AUTHOR KEITH KAREEM WILLIAMS is the author of over 20 books & 7 screenplays. He still resides in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York where he delicately balances his time between his responsibilities as a full-time father as well as the challenges of being a full-time author.

“In interviews, one of the most difficult questions I’ve been asked is, ‘What genre are your novels?’ because honestly, I never write with any particular style in mind. I enjoy blending styles and mashing different genres together in interesting ways. Basically, I pen whatever is in my heart and soul.

However, if I had to describe my style I would use musical terms and say that I write Urban, Hip-Hop, fiction with the rhythm of Reggae that crashed into Heavy Metal and then began to bleed Neo-Soul. I write Alternative Urban Fiction.

FATHER AUTHOR ENTREPRENEUR

BY JULIA PRESS SIMMONS

Tell us about Keith, the father. What is the most challenging aspect of fatherhood, and what is the most rewarding?

Out of all the things that I’m proud of, all of the aspects of my life that I truly love, I can honestly say that raising my son and daughter was the best part. They’ve always been my biggest supporters, and they’ve always been my two best friends.

Over the years, people would often praise me for being a single father and a good dad, but it was always what felt natural to me. I didn’t do what I did for the hype, the optics of it, or for the praise. I did it because I love my children more than anything in this world.

The most challenging part about fatherhood is facing my imperfections and not hiding them from my children.

There is the temptation to try to appear perfect. Nothing hurts worse for me than the thought of being a disappointment in their eyes. However, I’ve always known that the only way for me to show them how to avoid certain pain and pitfalls was to show them how I failed and what it cost me every time so that they don’t make the same mistakes. The most rewarding aspect is the trust that we have. They know that I am always going, to be honest with them, and in turn, they are always honest with me. I help them work through their mistakes, and they often help me work my way through mine.

How does fatherhood affect your artistry?

Fatherhood has taught me patience. Being a single father for all these years has taught me how to be more nurturing than I ever was before I had children. I see that quality reflected in my work. I take my time and am very mindful of everything I put down on paper in my books. I am very careful with every chapter, every paragraph, and every sentence. I’ve always been honest with my children, and I am also honest with my readers. I don’t pander to them or try to write what I think readers want to read. I express myself honestly on the page and paint vivid pictures of real-life with my words.

Many of my characters are flawed, just as we are in the real world, and they do things that real people would do. No matter the genre, I make sure my work reflects the raw nature of humanity.

Take us back to your first book. What was the process like, and has it changed?

When I wrote my first book, I think I used a more conventional method. I wrote my way through the story in a linear fashion, chapter by chapter, until I reached the end. I believe that was the main reason why it took me so long to pen my first and my second novel. When I used that method, writer’s block would often set in.

I was trying to be too organized, and my mind just doesn’t work like that. If I kept

shown love. But this thing was going to be different. The Hustle & Grind was going to be a huge undertaking. Finally, I picked a day and prayed on it. In an unprecedented industry move, I decided we would go hard. Not just hard, but hard, hard. There would be two segments to my event. The “Hustle” portion would start at noon and go until six at a location across from Hood Book Headquarters. Then immediately following, the “Grind” portion would start back in front of the store at six and go until midnight. Needless to say, it was bananas. Twelve straight hours of selling books, and of course partying. Well, thank God, we pulled that first one-off. Fast forward, the Hustle & Grind Urban Literary Convention has become yearly industry history in the making.

Sounds like a fairy tale of sorts.

I guess you can say that. I mean I never saw this amount of interest or success when I swallowed the lump in my throat and put on my big girl pants to have the first event. Now that I’m years in deep, I still hope, pray, and worry constantly that each Hustle & Grind will be better than the last.

And thus far, it has been. We have the most incredible legendary star power joining us. We boast having a certified “Who’s Who” in the literary industry attend, while still blessing several up-and-coming writers that will be destined to make their own noise. This year, we are going full circle with vendor space both inside and out. It’s by far the biggest one yet. I can only say, “Pray for ya girl!”

The most important aspect that we have going on is readers. I mean, at the end of the day, readers are the ones who make any book fair successful.

What’s the point of having an event where all the authors stand around, taking pictures and exchanging books as if it’s no more than some sort of a reunion? Most want to at least recoup their initial investment (Table, Print, Transportation, Lodging, etc.).

It’s my hope that each author can walk away feeling like they at least accomplished that.

Although I can’t promise that, I can do my part to advertise and get those readers through the doors. After that, it’s on them. With the power of social media, each author has the opportunity to get the word out on their own platform.

Is there anything else you want us to know?

I would only say that although this industry, as others, may change up from time to time, the basics stay the same. If you live your life and play the game with integrity and accountability, then longevity is sure to come into play. Peace and Blessings to all!

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