DT: Please tell our readers about Stacy-Deanne. Where are you from? What motivates you? Why do you write?
SD:  I am twenty-seven years old. I was born and reside in Houston, Texas. I am originally a fiction author. I am a proud feminist. My biggest inspiration is my Mom for always supporting me. My second biggest inspiration is Madonna because she and everything she does defines feminism. Because I rely on creativity for my career I admire those who do as well. My favorite author is Kay Hooper. I am an avid reader. I love mystery and suspense novels. “ Divas of the New Millennium” is my first biography. I have been writing professionally since I was nineteen. I am a big dreamer. I believe deeply in people following their dreams and that is where my motivation for writing comes in. I do a list of things such as modeling, landscape photography and editing. I am also a member of the Author’s Guild. I love writing like nothing else. It’s the only thing that makes me happy. Writing’s the perfect profession for me because I am very shy and it’s a career that allows me to stay solitary and within my own space.

DT: Divas of the New Millennium was an outstanding read! How difficult was it to work on a collaborative project? Where there times you and your co-authors disagreed?
SD: We didn't work on the book together. I have never even met the other authors of the book. The compilation came as a surprise to me. It was the publisher who decided to put our biographies together after we'd finished our books. The company believed this would be something remarkable. It turns out they were right. It’s a huge best seller. “ Divas of the New Millennium “ stemmed from an idea I had to do a series on Mya, Jennifer Lopez and Ashanti entitled “ Millennium Divas of Color “. I, like most people, always thought that authors worked on collaborations together but that’s not always the case. The company felt that putting all of these artists together would ensure a biography powerhouse and I am grateful for the idea. In this business it’s the publisher that makes the final decision and this time it worked wonders for everyone involved.

Divas of the New Millennium by Stacy Deanne

DT:  This work seemed to flow smoothly from one star to the next, how did you accomplish this with numerous authors?
SD: Since we didn't work on it together, I can only give credit to the editors for that. The editors did a magnificent job leading into one artist after another. It’s amazing how even though these singers are alike they are also different at the same time. They all have gone through the same struggles but their personalities are so different. I was so surprised at the finished product. I was deeply impressed. When I saw how the book turned out I almost cried because my hard work had finally paid off. I couldn’t believe that a biography could read with such emotion and power. When I first read it, it didn’t even feel like my writing. I remembered most of the things I’d written but it was like I had someone else’s work in my hands. It was an amazing feeling. What is even more powerful is how it’s touched readers. I hope they know that this book was a gift from us to them. It all came from the heart.

DT: Who is the target audience for your book? And, why did you feel the need to write this?
SD: It’s an interest to almost everyone. The audience mainly consists of females from their teens to their mid-thirties. Nine times out of ten it’s the females I hear saying, “ I gotta get this book! “ (Laughing). I started my biographies because I have always been a big fan of Ashanti, Mya and Jennifer Lopez. I decided to learn more about them so I began researching them. With that, I decided to write about them. I became an even bigger fan of these artists after I’d finished.

DT: As a member of the baby boomer generation I was pleasantly surprised by your book and I'm wondering what the response has been from other readers. Are older people reading it? Does it appeal to men?
SD: Readers of all ages have been very supportive. Most of the people I meet are thrilled that a person my age is doing something so positive. They have automatically pegged me as a role model and I love the feeling. The response from readers has been wonderful. I get mail from men and women mostly of all ages who say they are so proud of me. It makes me feel incredible to see strangers being so appreciative and supportive. Men have congratulated me on my success but not so much for the book. They always say it’s good to see a young woman holding her own in the industry.

DT:  What's next for Stacy-Deanne?
SD:  Currently I am shopping around a Latino love story. I am always working on a novel no matter what. My ideas never run out. Fiction is in my blood and that is where my heart lies. I am currently working on a comedic anthology that puts various characters in the craziest situations. It’s hilarious to me and I can’t wait to share it with the world. Right now I am searching for the perfect home for my fiction work.

DT:  Where can people purchase, Divas of the New Millennium?
SD:  You can order the best seller “ Divas of the New Millennium “ from the publisher, Amber Communications Group Inc., at: http://www.amberbooks.com or purchase it at your favorite online or local bookstore.

DT:  Any final words?
SD:  Thanks for the opportunity, Delores. I enjoyed it!

DT:  The pleasure has been all ours, and we wish you nothing but the best!

Stacy's website:   http://www.stacy-deanne.net
http://stacy-deanne.blogspot.com