The SCBC thanks Eric Pete for being so kind to our book club and participating in our author interview!

-SCBC, Inc. (2002)

Tell us your latest news?

Well, I've been busy touring nonstop over the past five months since Real for Me has been out. I've been from Texas all the way east to Georgia and all points in between. I'll be in Dallas on May 26th at Black Images for my first appearance in the Big D. It should be special. I'll also be returning to Houston on June 23rd where I'll be at the Shrine Bookstore and the Barnes & Noble-Galleria. I'm just having a wonderful time meeting so many people from all over the country and sharing my creation with them. It's still an amazing feeling having your work touch people the way it has.

I'm also gearing up for my first tour swing to Los Angeles at the beginning of June as Real for Me takes place there. It should be fun as I'm scheduled for appearances at Smiley's in Carson, CA on June 1st & Zahra's in Inglewood, CA on June 2nd.

Book clubs all over, including yours, have been especially wonderful in giving a newcomer a forum to get the word out and I really appreciate it. 

With each day, word of  Real for Me is reaching more people and I've done some television and radio appearances in support of it as well. I'm always trying to hustle to break on through with people such as Oprah, Queen Latifah, Nia Long, etc. Hopefully, they or their assistants are reading Real for Me right now (or reading this interview) and can't put it down! Haha! On my website, www.ericpete.com , or at www.e-fectpublishing.com everyone can keep up with my tour schedule as more cities are added. Right now, plans are for Orlando, Tampa, Mobile, a return to Atlanta & possibly locations in Tennessee later this year with an East Coast swing next year.

I'm also one of the featured authors on the 2001 African American Book Club Summit at Sea! For all you avid readers and book club members out there, I hope to see you! It sails out of New Orleans October 21-28. For more info, go to www.summitatsea.com .  

What are you reading now?

Not much! Haha! I'm currently working on my third novel and tend not to read much when I'm writing. I do read magazines though like Vibe or ESPN. I tend to cram  2-3 books in between my writing to catch up. I've got a few waiting on me now.

What are your current projects?

As I said before, working on my third novel. Spreading the word all over about Real for Me and getting out to meet the fans across the country. I'm working on more television appearances and hope that someone out there takes an interest in a screenplay adaptation of Real for Me and decides to option it.

Do you feel that the boom in African American writers is a fad or another renaissance?

I don't think it's a fad at all. I just think it's a swelling of people finally doing what they want instead of just taking what is handed out. 

How does your family and/or friends feel about your book or writing venture in general?

They are EXTREMELY supportive! I would have to say that I was seriously unprepared for their reaction when I "went public". I guess I thought there would have been more cynics and naysayers. Their confidence in me is an honor and I truly appreciate it.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything?

I would have started writing earlier! But seriously though, everything happens at a certain time for a reason. I think the right things came together to make me realize I could do this.

How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?

Real for Me came about from the characters. I had thought of a few names in the beginning stages of writing it, but scrapped those. I decided just to let the story unfold and the title would come about naturally and it did. I was doing dialogue for the character Glover and she spoke it. The words "Real for Me" were so dead-on with the overall theme and are pretty catchy too! Hopefully the whole country will find that the book is "real for them". 

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

There are many messages going on, some subtle and some not-so subtle. The fun is in seeing what each person takes from it. I leave it up to my fans as to how deep they want to go. 

How much of the novel is realistic?

Real for Me is a work of fiction, but I'd say the feelings and experiences are real for most people out there. A lot of the locations and the overall feel of the book are intended to give you, the reader, the feeling that you know these people. I picked real apartment locations and intentionally picked certain last names, etc. Real for Me is meant to feel as if you are caught up in a movie. I'm sure most people have felt those lines blur between fantasy and reality as you sat down in a theatre and got into a really good movie. This time though, the theatre is your mind. I'm just the guy up in the booth running the projector.  

Is there anything additional you would like to share with your readers?   

Thanks for being so receptive to a new author! From my fellow authors to my fans, I really feel like part of one big family. For those of you demanding more, don't think Real for Me is it! My second novel is completed and ready to go. This one is a little darker and spicier in tone and takes place in Houston, TX with parts in New Orleans. I plan on being around for a long while! And don't forget, www.ericpete.com!