Spring 2018 issue of THE HUB Magazine

Page 18

CENTERSTAGE | BLACK BOOK AUTHORS

publishers found out I was nine years old, they would not make a contract with me at that time but told me to come back when I was 15 years old. Long forgotten by 15 I was into what every other young girl was into, clothes and boys. It wasn’t until after I got hooked on the romance novels that all the women in my Wall Street bank were reading, that I figured out the formula and decided I could do it too and I tried my hand at it. I’d write but not knowing what to do with my manuscripts, they went into shopping bags in my hall closet. Eventually I went back to school and forgot all about writing. Fast forward to 2005, I figured out how to self-publish my first book “HIGH RISE.” I was too dumb and inexperienced to know I had a lot against me; the book was 600 pages and the paperback price was set by the publisher at $26.50. I was told many times by book stores, nobody is By Contributing Writer, Donna Ramos going to by this book, it’s too long, it costs too much money for a nobody. Yes, it was true I was unknown and not a even books in print, and four on the way, “writing is famous author, yet, but I knew it was a good story and I in my blood.” I don’t write daily but when the mood hits me, usually 1 a.m. or later I can stay up for hours writing believed in it, so I didn’t listen. After my first New York City book signing, I was shocked and thrilled until the sun comes up. Sometimes to find my book debut on Essence.com’s the mood lasts for days or even weeks best seller list in the 10th position and and I can’t get my thoughts down fast After my first New York on BlackBookplus.com’s best seller list in City book signing, I was enough. I used to get upset that as soon the 5th position. I could hardly believe shocked and thrilled to as I was ready to fall into a good sleep it and it pushed me to keep writing. Fast find my book debut on all these thoughts come tumbling out Essence.com’s best seller forward to now, I am writing full-time: of my mind. Now I am resigned to no list in the 10th position my dream. sleep when necessary, once I realized

Persistence Pays Off for Best-Selling Author DONNA RAMOS

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this is when my best thoughts come to me. Probably because my mind is finally clear right before falling to sleep and my imagination and creative mind come out to play.

and on BlackBookplus. com’s best seller list in the 5th position.

I got started on this literary road in the fourth grade when my teacher liked my composition so much she showed it to the principal, who liked it too and read it to the school over the P.A. system. At lunch, I was surprised to find that I was something of a celebrity, I liked it! So, I started cranking out children’s books. I almost got a book deal until the | 1 8 | T H E   HU B MA G A Z I N E

I self-published 4 books solo and partnered with another author, Brooklen Borne to write a 4-book series, “ABSORPTION.” Brooklen started writing in high school, published his first book in 2008 and has several books out in addition to our 4-book “ABSORPTION” series. “ABSORPTION” is a real departure for me, from my multi-cultural contemporary and historical romance novels. “ABSORPTION” takes place in 4 cities across the United States. It is a science fiction thriller about a serial killer, with a touch of romance. Brooklen had the

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