Pump Up Your Book Chats with Historical Fiction Author Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Dolen Perkins-Valdez will be right in this very spot live on Monday, Jan. 25 from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., answering any questions you may have about her historical fiction novel, Wench (HarperCollins). Leave a question or comment (along with your email address) between now and 11 p.m. on Jan. 25 and you may win a free autographed copy!

The lucky winner will be announced on Jan. 26.

ONLY THOSE LEAVING EMAIL ADDRESSES ARE ELIGIBLE.  YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTEST.

Thank you and good luck!

Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the author of Wench, a debut novel to be published by Amistad/HarperCollins on January 5, 2010. Her fiction and essays have appeared in The Kenyon Review, StoryQuarterly, African American Review, PMS: PoemMemoirStory, North Carolina Literary Review, Richard Wright Newsletter, and SLI: Studies in Literary Imagination. She is a 2009 finalist for the Robert Olen Butler Fiction Award. A graduate of Harvard and a former University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellow, Dolen splits her time between Seattle and Washington, DC. Learn more about Wench at http://www.dolenperkinsvaldez.com, http://dolen.blogspot.com, or http://twitter.com/dolen

Thank you for this interview, Dolen.  Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later?  Do you remember your first published piece?

I do remember writing stories as a child.  My mother bought me a Fisher Price typewriter, and I learned to type very fast using typing textbooks.  So my first stories were typed, believe it or not! My first published short story was called “A Concrete Jungle” and it was published in the now-defunct Potpourri literary magazine.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

The most frustrating aspect is the long wait.  I had to wait two years after signing my contract before finally seeing my book in print!  Has it been worth the wait? Of course.  Did I wish at the time that my book would be published immediately? Yes! I am still learning about publishing as an industry.  It’s actually very intriguing.

The most rewarding aspect of becoming a published author has been developing a relationship with my editor.  I deeply respect and admire her.  It has been a pleasure getting to know her.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

I am married with a child.  I have learned to write whenever I get a moment. What that often means is that I stay up late at night and get up early in the morning.  Do you want to know the sad part of that? Many working mothers I know do the same.  It is not easy.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

I need a vacation! I haven’t had one in a long time.  When I do get a chance to vacation, I prefer the beach.

Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (click on cover to purchase at Amazon)

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

I would like to return to Cairo to the Egyptian Museum. Egypt has such a fascinating history.

Who is your biggest fan?

My entire family.  I have a big southern family, and they support me in everything I do. I am humbled by their love and belief in me.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I get more work done at my desk than anywhere else.

What’s your favorite library and why?

The Library of Congress is not only my favorite library, it is also one of my favorite places on the entire planet.

What’s your favorite bookstore and why?

Ooh, that’s a hard one.  I absolutely love Elliott Bay Books in Seattle.  When I am home in Memphis, I always visit Davis-Kidd.  I have just discovered Mahogany Books, an online retailer of African American books.  They are a new favorite of mine.

Do you have any pets?

No.

What are you reading right now?

I am reading The Ecstatic by Victor LaValle.

Have you ever won anything?

I was a recent finalist for the Robert Olen Butler Short Fiction Award.  That was a thrill.  It was my first literary recognition.  The story will be published in an anthology by Del Sol Press.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in January via a virtual book tour.  Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

I believe that virtual book tours are very important because readers spend much of their time online these days.  When I go into a bookstore, I usually know what I want to buy.  I rarely browse.  Most of the time, I have already researched my book choices online. I believe virtual book tours help readers make informed choices about what they would like to read.

Thank you for this interview, Dolen. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

Thank you for having me!! It has been a pleasure.

If you would like to visit Dolen’s official tour page, click here.