Author of the Week J B Stallworth

About The Author

J. B. Stallworth was born in Baltimore, Maryland. For Stallworth, being raised in a city known for its rich history and culture had its benefits.

At an early age, her passion for the arts was sparked through the love of reading and theatre. Later, she would enroll into Towson State University under the Communications and Theatre programs. At TSU, Stallworth cultivated an interest in biblical studies, research, history and philosophy. Unbeknownst to Stallworth, her eclectic and often esoteric interest would later become an integral thread in her writing style.

Stall worth’s natural storytelling abilities led her to the stage as a performer for various community on-stage productions in the Baltimore / Washington Area; including the works of Shane, Shakespeare, and Hansberry.

But a once in a life time chance opportunity during her freshman year of study, led Stallworth into a career in broadcast news. During which time, she intertwined her social activism with her work as a media professional. Stallworth enlisted into the AmeriCorps Program two consecutive terms working with high-risk teens and later she would teach Media Education in the DC Public School System.

After a successful run in the film and television industry for twelve years, Stallworth decided to change direction. She left her career in entertainment to fight for social and spiritual change; devoting her time to Children and Women advocacy organizations.

In 2009, she emerged as an online journalist after some much needed time away, and in 2011, formed Flu ire Group.

The 'Fear Me Not' novella series is her debut as an author. Stallworth resides in South Carolina with her dog, Langston, and immediate family.

                                  Q & A with JB Stallworth

A&RBC: How did you become a writer?

JB: I've always penned in some form or fashion. But mostly, my life as a creative was in tv/ film production. I have always wanted to be a writer. It's like being GOD-- wielding your words to create worlds. How cool is that? Why aren't everyone writers? (Laughing) Hell, if they wrote more maybe we would not have the world we have now.

A&RBC: Where does your inspiration for your characters come from?

JB: Like most authors, my characters are an amalgam of everyone I've ever met. THEY are not based on anyone. Mostly news articles and people watching.

A&RBC: What are you hoping readers take from your book?

JB: I hope they escape, learn something new and enlightened people about the hidden horrors that goes unnoticed in our society.

A&RBC: If you were to write a book about a controversial topic, what would it be?

JB: I'm kinda doing it now. It's has a lot of elements, but the core theme is secrets; wearing the mask that grins and lies. We all do it. The series is about human trafficking. The first installment just sets up the characters. It's a novella series so it does not end in UNSIGHT CHANCE. Later, the true plot reveals itself. I'm hoping readers will be patient and enjoy the ride.

A&RBC: Most writers have a process or method for writing their books, what is yours?

JB: Ah, with my background in TV, studying screenwriting and all, my ideas always come with the question..."WHAT IF....?" Then I think about the characters. Then I come up with the beginning middle and end scenes. I have to see them in my mind's eye first. If can't see it, I usually safe keep them here (pointing to her head). They always resurface in some way. Whether it is how I originally perceived it or in a plot of something else.

A&RBC: What is your favorite genre of books?

JB: I love thriller, corky romance, comedies.

A&RBC: Are you an avid or occasional reader?

JB: I love to read. I was a former library aide and actually considered being librarian.

A&RBC: What are two things you want your readers to know about you?

JB: I have a love for knowledge. I love to learn. I should have been a teacher. When you are a teacher you have to always be learning. I guess that explains my style a little. I want my readers to learn something, however small, when you read my work.

A&RBC: If you could interview one of your favorite authors, who would it be? Why?

JB: Tennessee Williams. He was eccentric personally and in his writing. He had a unique perspective that was not understood or well received by many during his heyday. Coming from a harsh abusive childhood, much of Williams' writing was based on his home life, as well as, his damaged family members. (Smirk) He actually recycled the same characters changing the circumstances and sex. I guess he needed to write that out.

A&RBC: What is or was your dream job?

JB: I would love to be a writer for the hit show Scandal or my own created hit show. I want to make money writing... creating and be beautiful. You know it's all about being artistically beautiful (laughing).

A&RBC: What new projects are you working on?

JB: Well, I'm ironing out some things for the second installment WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS of the novella series- the follow to 'UNSIGHT CHANCE'. That too will be published in ebook format. Then very soon all parts of the novella will be published in one title 'FEAR ME NOT'. The first of the year I will be publishing two more novels 'SCARLETT LETTER A' and 'RUNNING OUT OF TIME'. SCARLETT LETTER A is a drama. RUNNING OUT OF TIME is a futuristic tale. Both will have trial run in ebook format before going to the presses.

A&RBC: Where can readers find you?

JB: Find me to chat. Well I'm very active on Twitter, Facebook right now. My website is being revamped and you will be able to find me there soon at www.jbstallworth.com. Eventually, I will be available on other social networking channels as well. I am honored and grateful for this interview opportunity. It's great you guys reach out the newbie writers like myself.

WHERE CAN I BUY IT?Unfortunately, UNSIGHT CHANCE is NOT avail on AMAZON. However, it is available in Kindle and other formats on SMASHWORDS. It is also available at Barnesandnoble.com, dieselbooks.com, Kobo.com and Google Play. It is being distributed worldwide ( UK, CAN, and FR) in ebook format. Please look in January for the part one and two available in print and audiobook.

Audio Excerpt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRgM-dciPak
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/I7WqKyhgT9w

Excerpt of Unsight Chance by JB STALLWORTH

CHAPTER TWO Red, Red All Over

St. Paul Street

Baltimore, Maryland The morning traffic jam on St. Paul Street has subsided to a constant trickle. A delivery truck pulls up alongside a parked silver Saturn. The driver swiftly gets out the truck holding a small package and jogs up the steps to an Italianate style row home. He leans against the deep recessed French archway as he peeps through the stained glass casement windows. Impatient, he knocks mercilessly on the mahogany oak doors. An angry man of late pops out of the front entrance of the adjacent building. “Stop that damn banging boy!” the crotchety man yells. “All that ruckus in the morning.”

The driver asks, “Will you sign for this?”

The man hobbles over the bridge path that connects the two buildings. His hair has more salt than pepper, mostly due to the large pieces of lint from his ratty old sweater.

“Now, I don't do that. I don't get in nobody's business, and they don't get in mines. Especially the likes of those types, anyway. They carry on all times of the night. I'm an old fashion Baptist country boy. That their business is not my upbringing.”

The old man steadily approaches the driver on the stoop. The driver listens on, trying not to be disrespectful. The old man continues, “You know the type?” The man spreads out one hand, shaking it rapidly back and forth. The driver squints in confusion. “On the sugary side,” the old man whispers.

The driver finally grasps the meaning behind the old man's words. Often, he finds

himself in these situations. Too many times than he can count, people have expressed their contempt towards gays around him-- totally unaware his sister, whom he loves dearly, is a lesbian. Normally, the young man gets defensive, but the man is from another generation after all; a time when these types of comment was acceptable and commonplace. So, the driver opts to contain himself. “Look sir, I'm just trying to deliver this package. It specifies not to leave it at the front door,” the driver petitions.

The old man stutters; fearing he spoke out of turn. “Oh yeah...well, I think my front door key will do. The landlord, he owns both these here building.” The old man finally gets the door opened after a few attempts. The driver graciously thanks him before heading inside. “Just one unit for each floor. I'll wait here outside to lock up.”

Despite the ill-lit narrow hallways, the driver beelines up the staircase. On reaching the top, he notices the apartment door slightly ajar. “Hello,” he cries out, before inching closer. Nothing. The hardwood floors creaks and cracks under his feet with every movement. The driver calls out again; hoping the first attempt went unnoticed. Perhaps the feeling he has of something being amiss is unfounded. Suddenly, he hears a faint, almost undetectable breathy voice in the distance. “Here…help...help.”

The delivery guy rushes to the apartment. At first glance, he sees no one, only furniture tossed about haphazardly. It's apparent to the driver that there was some sort of break in. He hesitates to go further. He hears a hollow gasp coming from the far end of the sofa. He soon finds himself there.

“Oh, my god!” the driver says, horrified. “HELP!” The young driver runs to the door yelling. “Somebody has been shot!” He races back to where the bloody body lies; large pieces of the woman's skull floats in a pool of blood surrounding her close-shaven head. The blood is rich, dark, and red like the color of her dress. Shaken, the man pulls his cell phone and dials out.

“9-1-1, do you need police or paramedics?” the operator greets. “Yeah. Hey, I'm a delivery guy. I found a woman shot in her apartment,” he says, distracted by the hollow gurgling death rattle escaping from the woman's dry lips.

“Is the victim alive?” the operator probes further. “Hello sir, are you still with me? Is the victim alive?”

“Hold on lady! Please don't die on me,” the man's plead. The young man checks for a pulse. Nothing. Something inside him turns frightfully cold at the sight of the woman's fixed haunting eyes. She is gone. Just then, the old man appears at the doorway. The elderly man dares not to enter. Instead, he calls out. “You say what?” The delivery guy rises from his crouched position, listless.

“Sir…sir, are you still on the line? Where are you located?” the operator persists. The young driver snaps out of his lethargic state in time to answer.

“1893 Saint Paul Street.”