The interesting thing about Konrad Cowell is that he was incarcerated when he first hired me to typeset and design some books he was looking to publish. The former drug dealer turned motivational speaker had me help him publish his autobiography and upon his release, partnered with Jaylenne Austin to launch a new publishing company. This interview covers their debut erotic urban novel, Desires of the Flesh.
What inspires your writing?
KONRAD: Life.
JAYLENNE: I’ve always loved to read. I will read almost anything but my favorite genre has always been fantasy. But there was always something missing. Then I realized that I was missing. Not me, but people who look like me. Many of my favorite books are less than diverse. And if there are people of color, they are not main characters. So, I just wanted to see “me” in a fantasy novel.
What is your process of developing characters?
KONRAD: I meditate about people with various life situations and envision how they respond to them. I start with a storyline and structure the dialogue with the characters within it.
JAYLENNE: Honestly there is no process, my characters are like real people. They have their own personalities and I’m still getting to know them myself.
Did you start with a story outline or did you make it up as you went along?
JAYLENNE: Free style. Outlines kill the process for me.
How much research did you do for Desires of The Flesh?
KONRAD: Even though the book is considered an erotic novel, it has a religious overtone to it. I’ve been involved with Church protocol for over 25 years, so I was privy to the culture. Also, a lot of my research for this story was based on personal knowledge. Including, the sex.
JAYLENNE: Many, many hours. I had to research everything because the best fiction is grounded in reality.
What researching methods did you use?
JAYLENNE: Internet.
Did you draw on personal experience?
JAYLENNE: No, lol. My life is not nearly that interesting.
How did you publish?
KONRAD: I self published. My reason for doing this was to cut out the middle man. That’s what most publishing companies are. Many take advantage of new authors offering them literally pennies for their work. I was willing to take on the challenge of starting my own publishing company, King Jewel Publications, and marketing my own work. That was really a challenge due to the fact I started this venture while incarcerated.
JAYLENNE: When we co-founded King Jewel we did it with the intention of giving marginalized populations a platform where they could express their creativity. As a Black woman, I am a member of that population, so King Jewel was the obvious choice.
How long did it take for you to get representation?
KONRAD: I’m still doing this without representation. It’s just me and my business partner, Jaylenne Austin.
Who did your cover and marketing?
KONRAD: J.D. Williams of JQW Graphics laid out all my graphics, including website design.
JAYLENNE: We are still sourcing marketing options.
How many revisions did it take to get a publishable book?
JAYLENNE: Desires only took three.
KONRAD: It took about 3 revisions before we were ready to release Desires of The Flesh. However, most authors are never fully satisfied with their artistic literature. They always feel there’s something more they could’ve added or changed. That’s the life of a writer.
Why is corruption in the Church something you chose to write about?
KONRAD: There’s has been a number of well known prominent pastors who have been caught up in all types of sexual indiscretions. I wanted to paint a picture to the public one example of some people in the church struggling with these indiscretions. At the end of the day ministers and pastors are human, and have human urges like anyone else. People need to think about that before they start judging.
What are you writing now?
KONRAD: Currently, I’m writing a screenplay called, “Pharaohs of Egypt.” It’s a dramatic TV series based on ancient Pharaohs.
JAYLENNE: My current labor of love, Lightning Strikes, will lbe available at kingjewelbooks.com in July.
What is your advice to other authors?
KONRAD: Challenge your creativity, be true to who you are in your writing, and live your dreams.
JAYLENNE: Write what you love.
Be sure to get your copy of the debut novel from Konrad & Jaylenne, Desires of the Flesh!
