Interview with Author Wayne Jordan

 

Introducing talented Author, Wayne Jordan - Home, Sunny Barbados!. Here's what Wayne had to share about career ups and downs, life as he lives it, and the website he created and launched.

1/ When did Wayne realize he wanted to be a writer?

When I was in high school, my English teacher said I had a talent for writing, but I only really started to believe it could happen with the evolution of the world wide web and website focussed on writing and reader/writer sites started to appear.

2/Once that was decided, what steps did you take to get published?

I started a website, Romance in Color which, fortunately, became a stepping stone to greater visibility and getting to know people in the industry.  I also joined an online writers’ community, Painted Rock Writers’ Colony, where I met others who had the same dream I did. Living on a small Caribbean Island, Barbados, away from the heart of the publishing industry, networking became essential. Both Romance in Color and Painted Rock became stepping stones to achieving that.

3/Few romance writers are male. What made you choose that genre?

My reading tastes were and still are quite diverse. I’d read anything but mysteries and thrillers are my favourites. Romance is a close second. At that time, in the early 80s, when I was thinking seriously about the ‘possibilities’, an author friend told me that romance would be a good way to enter the American market, Eventually, I could, if I wanted to, branch out to do what I wanted to. She was right.

4/ Which publishing house first published you and why not a female pseudonym?

My first book, CAPTURE THE SUNRISE was acquired by BET Books. I was at the right place at the right time. BET Books loved the manuscript I had submitted and because I had a built-in audience because of Romance in Color, they suggested I write under my own name.

5/ I recall you having a very popular review site Romance in Color. What made you start it and is it still in existence?  

 Yes, Romance in Color is still in existence. I started the website to provide a resource for African American romance readers and author.  I saw the dearth of website sites which reviewed our books, so I thought that giving us a voice, via such a website, was essential.

6/We’ve all been rejected at one point or another, any advice on how to handle rejection?

I see rejection as a motivator to look at what you have written, see what needs to be improved and go again. A good rejection letter always gives you good suggestions for improvement.  Never give up on your dream. You owe it to yourself.

7/What’s your writing day like?

I honestly don’t have an official schedule yet. I write when I feel like. A few years ago, I had a stroke, so I am very conscious about my health and fitness. The only thing, I schedule is my gym time (one hour and 30 minutes during the week). But I do try to write two or three time each week. From January, I am going to try to schedule two hours per day. One day, I will write and the next day, I will edit. I hate editing at the end.

8/ If you weren’t a writer, what would you be? 

I was actually a high school teacher in my ‘real’ life. Writing was a second job, until January 1st when I retired.  I hope to write full time, at my own pace, which is why, for now, I have opted for self-publishing.

9/ Are you working on anything currently?

THE CLUE IN THE ABANDONED LIGHTHOUSE, the first book in a mystery series for teens.

10/ On that same note, any thoughts on why the publishers launching multicultural books couldn’t seem to keep those departments up and running.

I see it as a step in the right direction. I wrote for Harlequin Kimani, the African American romance line. I never liked that kind of separation and was happy when Harlequin discontinued the line. I am happier that most publishers have integrated black authors into traditional well-established lines.

11/Finally, what's next for Wayne Jordan?

In 2025, I hope to publish THE CLUE IN THE ABANDONES LIGHTHOUSE, my first book in a mystery for teens. CHASING RAINBOWS, a sequel to CAPTURE THE SUNRISE feature the Melissa, the daughter of the heroine of .And finally a Christmas story. I am working on the teen mystery right now, but the others are tentative. 

https://www.waynejordan.net/

https://www.romanceincolor.com/

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