New York native, Joan Vassar is an avid reader and storyteller.
Joan graduated from the High School of Graphic Communication Arts in NYC, which heightened interest in journalism. She has always had the in-depth ability to astutely relate, interpret and bring words to life. Joan works as a software analyst by day, but her true passion is storytelling. She enjoys writing narratives that bring to life the African American experience both past and present.
Joan is the author of Introduction to Love and Self and the Black Series, which are her latest publications.
“I love to hear from my readers. When a man tells me that my character made him feel a heightened sense of pride, or a woman shares with me that she enjoyed the romance rarely seen among African Americans in literature, I know I’ve done my characters justice.”
Joan currently resides in Georgia and is happily weaving great tales.
BPM: Please share something our readers wouldn’t know about you.
I love Gangsta Rap–it’s me.
BPM: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Writing is ME.
BPM: Is writing your full-time career? How much time do you spend writing?
I am a software analyst and writer–I do both jobs full time. I devote 4 hours daily to writing and all day on the weekends. I never write at night.
BPM: Tell us about your first time being a featured author at the National Book Club Conference.
I was featured at the National Book Club Conference July 2019. It was a wonderful experience connecting with readers. Seeing black artists being celebrated was music to my soul.
BPM: Introduce us to your most recent work in the 4-book BLACK series. Available on Nook and Kindle?
Anthony Unshackled is book 4 in the Black Series. It is a story that showcases black thought, black family, black love, and black strength. All of my books are available on Amazon.
The Black Series is filled with Sexy Black Men in Love with Sexy Black Women
Black shares the appealing tale of a passionate love between a man and a woman bound together to change their destiny.
Elbert: The Uncaged Mind is a passionate story of love and healing despite the ugly backdrop of slavery.
Emancipating James reveals the complicated facets of the human soul exposed against the backdrops of Civil War, slavery, and romance.
Anthony: Unshackled is a gripping tale of redemption, love and liberty. Join Joan Vassar, Black and the men on yet another nail biting, heart-pounding journey.
BPM: Can you share with us something about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
I considered ending the series with Book 3–I’m glad I listened to my readers.
BPM: Give us some insight into your main characters or speakers. What makes each one so special?
This series offers a look at black people that is rarely shown in books, TV or movies.
BPM: Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart?
Black holds a special place in my heart because he makes all the other characters come to life.
BPM: Did you learn anything personal from writing your book?
I learned that everyday I am proud to be black and able to tell my stories, my way.
BPM: Where do your book ideas come from?
History!!! I research, research, research – proud to be black.
BPM: What did you enjoy most about developing the characters for this book?
I get to promote black people how we truly are (beautiful, strong, sexual, and loving) and not the way this country depicts us with the news and entertainment
BPM: Is writing easy for you? Do you feel lonely being a writer?
Both – writing can be lonely, but good writing brings beautiful readers into my life.
BPM: Tell us a little about your creative process.
I get up at 4 am and write until 9 am–then I go to work. Mon-Fri. On Sat. and Sun., I write all day. I write on a laptop.
BPM: When you’re writing an emotionally draining scene, how do you get in the mood?
I write about the black experience and researching our struggle puts me in the mood.
BPM: Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips self-care for creative folks?
I back away from anything that drains my creativity.
BPM: How do you personally deal with emotional impact of a book as you are writing the story?
I remember that telling this story will make others proud to be black. My goal is to make the reader research–no matter who you are.
BPM: How much planning goes into writing a book in general?
It takes about a year for me–planning and researching a book from start to finish.
BPM: How do you feel when someone disagrees with something you have written?
I don’t have a glass jaw. Art is place where people can agree and disagree. I keep writing!
BPM: Are there under-represented groups or ideas featured in your book?
My characters believe in equality by any means necessary.
BPM: Share one specific point in your book that resonated with your present journey.
Black Lives Matter!
BPM: What were the key challenges you faced when writing this book?
Learning to tell a black story, per my blackness. And doing so apologetically!
BPM: Do you have anything special for readers that you’ll focus on this year?
Black is coming to Audible in August, 2020!!! Look at each book’s Amazon page and look for the audio-book format.
BPM: How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Come to my Facebook page and chat me up!
Joan Vassar is now an Author on BookBub
Join the blog tour and help spread the word about The Black Series