Meet ReShonda Tate Billingsley

ReShonda Tate Billingsley is a national bestselling author of 17 books, all published by Simon and Schuster/Pocket Books. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, is being made into a movie and national touring stageplay of which she is Executive Producer and actress Regina King is the director. Five of her other books, have also been optioned for film by CodeBlack Entertainment.

ReShonda’s literary career is such a success that in 2007, she was able to leave her job as a reporter with Fox 26 News in Houston to pursue writing full time. ReShonda has appeared on the Essence Bestseller’s list more than 20 times, as well as The Washington Post, Dallas Morning News and Ebony Magazine Bestseller’s lists.

ReShonda has won numerous awards for her journalism, fiction and poetry writing skills. She is a five-time winner of the National Association of Black Journalists Spirit in the Words competition. ReShonda’s upcoming projects include The Devil is a Lie (July 2009), Holy Rollers (2010) and two more teen novels. The Houston native and University of Texas at Austin graduate also serves as a freelance editorial and marketing consultant. She has ghostwritten four fiction projects and five non-fiction projects. She is married with three small children.

ReShonda, tell us about yourself.

I am a writer who loves what I do so much, that I would do it for free. Luckily I don’t have to. I am the author of 18 books. I also work as an editor, ghostwriter and newspaper editor and I’m the co-host of From Cover to Cover literary radio talk show. I am the mother of three small children, 9, 7 and 2 years old (I’ve discovered I’m too old for a two year old).

What type of jobs or careers have you worked in the past?

I spent the majority of my career as a television news anchor/reporter before retiring to write full time. I have also worked as a reporter for The National Enquirer, a variety of telemarketing jobs, and as a hostess at McDonalds.

Who are your favorite authors?

Kimberla Lawson Roby, Tracy Price Thompson, Victoria Christopher Murray, Mary Higgins Clark

What are your favorite books?

Gather Together in My Name, Child of God, Casting the First Stone, I could go on and on…

When did you begin to realize you wanted to write?

I’ve always loved writing and making up stories. My mom called it lying. But my first real memory is fifth grade, when I lied about what I did on my summer vacation. I said I dodged bullets in drivebys, watched elderly ladies get mugged and struggled to stay alive in the ghetto. I actually went to summer camp.

Tell us about your journey to publication.

After getting 2 gazillion, 343 katrillion rejection letters, I decided to self publish. I hustled to sell my book any way I could and it paid off. A major agent caught wind of me, signed me up and got me a book deal with Simon & Schuster/Pocket Books. I’ve been with them ever since.

Are you a full-time writer? If so, describe your day?

I am a full time writer, but since I’m the mother of three I have no structure. I get the kids off to school, then I answer emails and do other promotional things, before doing work for my many freelance editorial projects. I then head out to the radio station or to speaking engagements. I make it home around 7, at which time I cook, spend time with the family. I get them in the bed around nine (well, except the two year old, he goes to bed when he wants to), then I write until three or four in the morning.

About the Book

AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT. . . .

When Nina Lawson wins $16 million in the Texas Lottery, the real estate executive and her fiancé, ecstatically begin planning their future — from paying off their credit card debt, to setting their wedding date, to a spontaneous, spare-no-expense island getaway.

But when Nina goes to claim her winnings, she gets an astounding twist of fate: her ex-husband, Todd Lawson, shows up to inform he isn’t her ex —since the paperwork for their divorce was never officially filed. By Todd’s side, his money-hungry girlfriend, Pam – the woman he left Nina for.

MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS

Between her divorce drama, Nina also has to deal with relatives coming out of the woodwork to seek a payday for themselves. Before all is said and done, Nina must ask herself if scoring a fortune in cash comes with too high a price tag. With a little bit of luck, Nina will discern the real wealth in her heart, not just her bank account—or risk losing everything—to find out what matters the most.

Visit ReShonda online at http://www.reshondatatebillingsley.com/.

Follow the blog tour at http://bitly.com/TheDevilIsALie.