I’m a new author, the owner of Legacy Editing, a free-lance editing service for fiction writers. I’m also the Vice-President of Faith Based Fiction Writers of Atlanta. I’m a divorcee with two awesome sons. I’m originally from a small, coastal town in New Jersey, but I’ve called Atlanta, Georgia home for eleven years.
What made you decide to become an author?
Being an author chose me. I’ve been writing since I was child, but never thought of myself as a potential author until Terry McMillian published Waiting to Exhale. Then I read Temptation by Victoria Christopher Murray and knew I had to work towards publication. But ultimately the decision came as a response to prayer. About ten years ago I asked God what my purpose was, I surmised it wasn’t just to be a wife and mother, and He told me, He’d given me the gift to write. So here I am, using the gift and fulfilling my God-given purpose. People from high school tell me all the time that they knew some day I’d be an author. I never saw it.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Sherri Lewis, Tiffany L. Warren, Victoria Christopher Murray, Stacy Hawkins Adams, Tia McCollors, Sharon Oliver, Nikita Nichols, Claudia Mair Burney, Jacquelin Thomas, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Linda Leigh Hargrove…for real, really are you asking me that? I could go on for an hour. I love to read. The Pamela Samuels Young, late BeBe Moore Campbell, Deberry and Grant, Tracy Price Thompson, fade to black… LOL.
How are you giving back to the literary community?
I blog about books at www.urbanchristianficitontoday.com . It’s my way of getting the word out about all the under-promoted and under-purchased books by African-American Christian Fiction authors. I also teach for free at online writing seminars several times a year. My writers group has been raising money for the last year to provide a partial tuition scholarship for a rising high school student who wants to study journalism or something writing related in college. We will award it in May 2010.
Give one tip you would give new authors?
Study the craft of writing. Story is king, but executing that story with excellence is a skill that’s honed. Just like someone may be gifted to play the piano, they won’t play in an orchestra until they learn how to read music. Readers deserve the best.
Who, What, When and Where is your next event?
My first event is Sunday, Dec 5th. I’m having a Book Release Celebration and Signing at Big Miller Grove Church(Lithonia, GA) Family Life Center in the Fellowship Hall from 2:30 to 5 pm. On Dec 13th I’m having another release and signing event in Manning SC. (Details on my website – the location is private) and I’m currently scheduling several signings in and around Atlanta.
My biggest event for 2010 will be the annual Faith and Fiction Retreat – June 18 and 19th in Atlanta. Details at www.faithandfictionretreat.com I’ll be there with some awesome authors, like Kim Roby, Victoria Christopher Murray , Tiffany L. Warren and more.
What is the biggest lesson you've learned since becoming an author?
It’s not easy selling books. People will take the chance on anything but a book, so when I meet someone who just says, “Oh, I’m going to get your book” I want to jump for joy and hug them, seriously.
Suggest a preferred literary service. (i.e. publishing, printing, editing, marketing, accessories, etc)
Tywebbin Creations. Tyora Moody is a web designer, graphic designer, virtual publicist and she offers an awesome blog tour service. Very creative and the ultimate professional.
What genre do you consider yourself?
I write women’s fiction, but I’d classify it as Christian Fiction.
Where can your work be found?
Wherever books are sold. I’m with Kensington Publishers and we have great distribution. Our books are in all the main bookstores, independent stores, online and even in the supermarkets.
Where can we contact you?
My website is the best way to contact me www.rhondamcknight.net and I’m a big FaceBook junkie www.facebook.com/rhondamcknight
Thank you so much for allowing us to get to know you Rhonda! ~~Literary Wonders! (Please find Literary Wonders! review of Secrets and Lies below)
Secrets and Lies by Rhonda McKnight – ISBN 13:978-1-60162-940-1 ISBN 10: 1-60162-940-0 – 376 pages – published by Kensington Publishing/Urban Books LLC – Paperback – Reviewed by Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant, Literary Wonders! (www.literarywonders.com) December 29, 2009 – 5 Stars
Welcome newcomer and Christian fiction author, Rhonda McKnight with her freshman debut, Secrets and Lies. Mrs. McKnight’s opening scene gives a thought provoking entry that is often rare with new authors.
The key players, Jonah and Faith Morgan, are faced with many trials throughout this page turner that will test and possibly end their ten year union.
Jonah is a lucrative cardiologist who is partner at Christian Brothers Family Health, where the main objective is to help patients who normally cannot afford healthcare. Jonah’s work is his passion, and he’s recently taken on the challenge of nine-year-old Amadi Lazarus. Dr. Morgan has taken a “special” interest in his new patient and within the confines of his reasoning lies a deep dark secret.
Faith, Jonah’s wife and a stay at home mother, is involved with her church and its various activities, is starting to feel the strain of her husband’s demanding career and becomes suspicious when she starts receiving mysterious phone calls. Her confidence is tested as she starts to wonder if the good doctor is cheating.
Jonah has given up on God and his relationship with his father. And just like his relationship with his father, he’s tucked his past far, far away. So far, that he failed to tell his wife. Through warnings from his mother, God sends Jonah messages that he needs to utilize forgiveness or things are only going to get worse for him. And when Jonah starts to feel pressure at work, he feels the only thing he can turn to is alcohol.
Faith makes an attempt to try to save her marriage but is confronted with Jonah’s past during a routine trip to the vital records office. Hurt and betrayal engulf her and she decides she will no longer roll over and cater to the needs of her husband.
Mrs. McKnight takes her readers on a rollercoaster of trials and tribulations, scripture, biblical and spiritual life lessons. In Secrets and Lies can Jonah and Faith find their way back to each other before it’s too late? Can they both learn the true meaning of forgiveness before it destroys their family and those around them?
Secrets and Lies is an easy but powerful read that can be read in one sitting. The pages will have you turning and not wanting to put it down. Kudos to Mrs. McKnight, she truly knocked this one out the park.
Great interview, Rhonda! Thank you for the mention of Tywebbin Creations. I appreciate you! :)
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