A CONVERSATION WITH VINCENT ALEXANDRIA (Interviewed By The RBM)
When seeking our very first spotlighted author I became increasingly frustrated. I had been looking for
hours, days at a time, because if this was going to be our initial interview, we needed to make an impression.
We needed someone not only able to articulate life as a author of color, but also a successful author of color.
See, my definition of success was more than the number of published works authored, the amount of money
made, or the popularity of the author in the mainstream, and while that type of success doesn't hurt, usually
it does not translate into a great interview or an interview at all, especially when a beginning website comes
calling. Mainstream success by society’s definition has a tendency to change an individual, morph them into
someone they vowed they wouldn't become before being discovered, and take away the ’human’ aspect of
the author, the exact opposite of who I was looking for.
I wanted someone who would be able to relate with our Community Members, visitors of our site, and
myself. After about the third day of searching different publications, authors websites, and receiving
information from friends of mine and still lacking luck, I began to shift my focus to other ideas planned for
this website later in the year and look for my interview later. That’s when I stumbled onto a website
describing and promoting the 2006 Black Writers Reunion and Conference. Still not really focused on my
initial task, I began reading what this event is about, it’s goals, and the purpose of it, and then the profile of
Victor Alexandria was listed.
I began to read Mr. Alexandria’s small profile that was provided and I immediately knew that he was the type
of person that I had been searching for, but fell short three consecutive days. But sure, he was the type, but
was he the one? I decided to find out more about him by visiting his website and read his complete bio and I
was amazed by what I read. Not only did he meet the commonly defined type of success previously
mentioned, but he was a successful person. While reading, I was expecting to read about his literary
accomplishments more than anything else because I was on his website, but I astonished to read most about
his commitment to his community, his fight to combat illiteracy, and how through his company, looks to
empower others to be successful.
I am honored to introduce to all of you reading this, our June 2006 and our very first Mecca spotlighted
author, Mr. Vincent Alexandria:
RBM: I first want to thank you for granting us this interview and I speak for all of the Community
Members of The Mecca Lounge when I write that we appreciate you allowing us to take up some of
your time today.
Vincent: It is truly my pleasure to be read in Milwaukee. I have not been there in the last 3 years, but really
want to come back. I have some good friends there.
RBM: How long have you been writing and when did you realize that the hobby was really a blessing
that would enable you to become a successful author?
Vincent: I've been writing for over 35 years. I started with music and poetry, then to stage plays, books,
and screen plays. I realize that I could make a living at it when agents started contacting me.
RBM: I've read that you are big on volunteering. You are active with the Boys and Girls Club and
you once rode your bike from Missouri to Chicago to raise awareness of illiteracy. What drives you
to give back to your community and how tough was that bike ride (lol)?
Vincent: My parents made sure that volunteering was embedded in us at an early age. It was part of our
spiritual upbringing and they also made sure that we knew our responsibility to our community. I have
children, so I really do it for them. I can't expect somebody else to be an example for my children, if I'm not
doing it. Literacy is important to me and I just want young people to have the tools they need to live their
dreams. If they are not educated, there dreams will never come to pass and they are not ready for the
opportunities that may come their way.
RBM: Tell our Community about the Brother 2 Brother African-American Male Literacy
Symposium you founded.
Vincent: The B2B Literacy Symposium is one of the most important accomplishments of my life. We have
over 30 nationally published authors come to cities to promote reading and literacy. The event is free and
open to the public and we give out free books. We discuss the trials and tribulations of our young folk and
help provide them with the tools to be literate and successful in school.
RBM: What about We Must X-L Inc, the company you own? How did that begin?
Vincent: I wanted to put out quality books and not be tied to a formula that most big publishing houses
made you adhere to. I wanted the freedom to write the books that I liked. It has been fun and I learned more
that anything else how to run and operate a business.
RBM: You have published three murder-mysteries, a book of poetry, and you wrote a movie script.
What setbacks did you encounter (if any) to reach these accomplishments? Are you proud of one of
these writing projects more than another?
Vincent: Each project is like a child, so you love them all. Each books gets a little easier to write, but you
are always learning. The set back is using your own money to produce your works. You have to market,
promote and distribute your works across the country. Writing the screenplay was really a great
accomplishment because I had to learn a whole new writing style and how to work the writing program. It
was hard, but I did it. I love learning.
RBM: This question comes from one of the up and coming writers in our Community, Anthony
Murff. He asks what preparations should be taken before approaching a publisher (with your
manuscript)?
Vincent: Anthony, you should know the genre that this publisher puts out. You should have a query letter
and synopsis of your book by each chapter. Then you should be ready to submit at least three chapters of
your book when the publisher requests it. Be confident and be able to describe your book in 60 seconds or
less positively and energetically. Find out which publishers produce the type of story you are writing. You
can do this by going to the bookstore and checking out the publisher of like books. If you open the
acknowledgments, most authors thank the editor, this way you have the correct spelling of the editor's name
and you know who to send your query letter to.
RBM: You are to take part in the 2006 Black Writers Reunion and Conference, scheduled July 14th
- July 16th. Can you tell our Community the importance of this conference and conferences like
this, and what your role will be when you're there?
Vincent: I was one of the original presenting authors at BWRC almost 5 years ago and I'm returning this
year to celebrate their success. Events like this is for collaborating, exchanging information, networking, and
getting friend in the business. It's nothing like being around like-minded talented individuals that understand
what you are going through in the publishing industry. I will be teaching a class on How to deal with the
public when you are an author.
RBM: In your opinion, how difficult is it for writers of color to not just be published, but to be taken
seriously in the writing market?
Vincent: If you put in the work it will show. People will take you seriously by the way you craft your story.
A great book will not be denied the glory, just take your time and do the best you can possibly do. Learn the
craft of writing and put in the work of reading just as much as you write. That make a great writer. Also
read in the genre that you are writing, what makes you different from everybody else?
RBM: Are you currently working on any writing projects? If so, can you tell us about them and
when you anticipate them being completed?
Vincent: I am working on 7 different projects. Three young adult stories and three novels for adults and 1
romance erotica novel.
RBM: Who influenced you growing up and does anyone influence you now?
Vincent: My parents are my greatest source of inspiration. My favorite author is Walter Mosley, Malcolm X
probably had the most influence of my outside my household, he taught me about educational and
community responsibility. Nothing can replace intelligence.
RBM: Finally, how has your Spirituality influenced you, not just as a writer, but also a person?
Vincent: My spirituality has guided me my entire life. Without it I am NOTHING!
You can read more about Vincent Alexandria on his official website: VincentAlexandria.com
When seeking our very first spotlighted author I became increasingly frustrated. I had been looking for
hours, days at a time, because if this was going to be our initial interview, we needed to make an impression.
We needed someone not only able to articulate life as a author of color, but also a successful author of color.
See, my definition of success was more than the number of published works authored, the amount of money
made, or the popularity of the author in the mainstream, and while that type of success doesn't hurt, usually
it does not translate into a great interview or an interview at all, especially when a beginning website comes
calling. Mainstream success by society’s definition has a tendency to change an individual, morph them into
someone they vowed they wouldn't become before being discovered, and take away the ’human’ aspect of
the author, the exact opposite of who I was looking for.
I wanted someone who would be able to relate with our Community Members, visitors of our site, and
myself. After about the third day of searching different publications, authors websites, and receiving
information from friends of mine and still lacking luck, I began to shift my focus to other ideas planned for
this website later in the year and look for my interview later. That’s when I stumbled onto a website
describing and promoting the 2006 Black Writers Reunion and Conference. Still not really focused on my
initial task, I began reading what this event is about, it’s goals, and the purpose of it, and then the profile of
Victor Alexandria was listed.
I began to read Mr. Alexandria’s small profile that was provided and I immediately knew that he was the type
of person that I had been searching for, but fell short three consecutive days. But sure, he was the type, but
was he the one? I decided to find out more about him by visiting his website and read his complete bio and I
was amazed by what I read. Not only did he meet the commonly defined type of success previously
mentioned, but he was a successful person. While reading, I was expecting to read about his literary
accomplishments more than anything else because I was on his website, but I astonished to read most about
his commitment to his community, his fight to combat illiteracy, and how through his company, looks to
empower others to be successful.
I am honored to introduce to all of you reading this, our June 2006 and our very first Mecca spotlighted
author, Mr. Vincent Alexandria:
RBM: I first want to thank you for granting us this interview and I speak for all of the Community
Members of The Mecca Lounge when I write that we appreciate you allowing us to take up some of
your time today.
Vincent: It is truly my pleasure to be read in Milwaukee. I have not been there in the last 3 years, but really
want to come back. I have some good friends there.
RBM: How long have you been writing and when did you realize that the hobby was really a blessing
that would enable you to become a successful author?
Vincent: I've been writing for over 35 years. I started with music and poetry, then to stage plays, books,
and screen plays. I realize that I could make a living at it when agents started contacting me.
RBM: I've read that you are big on volunteering. You are active with the Boys and Girls Club and
you once rode your bike from Missouri to Chicago to raise awareness of illiteracy. What drives you
to give back to your community and how tough was that bike ride (lol)?
Vincent: My parents made sure that volunteering was embedded in us at an early age. It was part of our
spiritual upbringing and they also made sure that we knew our responsibility to our community. I have
children, so I really do it for them. I can't expect somebody else to be an example for my children, if I'm not
doing it. Literacy is important to me and I just want young people to have the tools they need to live their
dreams. If they are not educated, there dreams will never come to pass and they are not ready for the
opportunities that may come their way.
RBM: Tell our Community about the Brother 2 Brother African-American Male Literacy
Symposium you founded.
Vincent: The B2B Literacy Symposium is one of the most important accomplishments of my life. We have
over 30 nationally published authors come to cities to promote reading and literacy. The event is free and
open to the public and we give out free books. We discuss the trials and tribulations of our young folk and
help provide them with the tools to be literate and successful in school.
RBM: What about We Must X-L Inc, the company you own? How did that begin?
Vincent: I wanted to put out quality books and not be tied to a formula that most big publishing houses
made you adhere to. I wanted the freedom to write the books that I liked. It has been fun and I learned more
that anything else how to run and operate a business.
RBM: You have published three murder-mysteries, a book of poetry, and you wrote a movie script.
What setbacks did you encounter (if any) to reach these accomplishments? Are you proud of one of
these writing projects more than another?
Vincent: Each project is like a child, so you love them all. Each books gets a little easier to write, but you
are always learning. The set back is using your own money to produce your works. You have to market,
promote and distribute your works across the country. Writing the screenplay was really a great
accomplishment because I had to learn a whole new writing style and how to work the writing program. It
was hard, but I did it. I love learning.
RBM: This question comes from one of the up and coming writers in our Community, Anthony
Murff. He asks what preparations should be taken before approaching a publisher (with your
manuscript)?
Vincent: Anthony, you should know the genre that this publisher puts out. You should have a query letter
and synopsis of your book by each chapter. Then you should be ready to submit at least three chapters of
your book when the publisher requests it. Be confident and be able to describe your book in 60 seconds or
less positively and energetically. Find out which publishers produce the type of story you are writing. You
can do this by going to the bookstore and checking out the publisher of like books. If you open the
acknowledgments, most authors thank the editor, this way you have the correct spelling of the editor's name
and you know who to send your query letter to.
RBM: You are to take part in the 2006 Black Writers Reunion and Conference, scheduled July 14th
- July 16th. Can you tell our Community the importance of this conference and conferences like
this, and what your role will be when you're there?
Vincent: I was one of the original presenting authors at BWRC almost 5 years ago and I'm returning this
year to celebrate their success. Events like this is for collaborating, exchanging information, networking, and
getting friend in the business. It's nothing like being around like-minded talented individuals that understand
what you are going through in the publishing industry. I will be teaching a class on How to deal with the
public when you are an author.
RBM: In your opinion, how difficult is it for writers of color to not just be published, but to be taken
seriously in the writing market?
Vincent: If you put in the work it will show. People will take you seriously by the way you craft your story.
A great book will not be denied the glory, just take your time and do the best you can possibly do. Learn the
craft of writing and put in the work of reading just as much as you write. That make a great writer. Also
read in the genre that you are writing, what makes you different from everybody else?
RBM: Are you currently working on any writing projects? If so, can you tell us about them and
when you anticipate them being completed?
Vincent: I am working on 7 different projects. Three young adult stories and three novels for adults and 1
romance erotica novel.
RBM: Who influenced you growing up and does anyone influence you now?
Vincent: My parents are my greatest source of inspiration. My favorite author is Walter Mosley, Malcolm X
probably had the most influence of my outside my household, he taught me about educational and
community responsibility. Nothing can replace intelligence.
RBM: Finally, how has your Spirituality influenced you, not just as a writer, but also a person?
Vincent: My spirituality has guided me my entire life. Without it I am NOTHING!
You can read more about Vincent Alexandria on his official website: VincentAlexandria.com
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Check out our other
exclusive Spotlighted
Author interviews!!
June '06
Vincent Alexandria
July '06
Mary Monroe
August '06
Cold August
September '06
L.R. Hatcher
October '06
Various
November '06
Melanie C. Jordan
December '06
Mark Goggins
January '07
San Culberson
February '07
Rhyme Cypha
March '07
Lesley S Munyuki
April '07
Joseph Phillips
May '07
Hannah Drake
June '07
Kateb Nuri Shunnar
exclusive Spotlighted
Author interviews!!
June '06
Vincent Alexandria
July '06
Mary Monroe
August '06
Cold August
September '06
L.R. Hatcher
October '06
Various
November '06
Melanie C. Jordan
December '06
Mark Goggins
January '07
San Culberson
February '07
Rhyme Cypha
March '07
Lesley S Munyuki
April '07
Joseph Phillips
May '07
Hannah Drake
June '07
Kateb Nuri Shunnar