Bookpleasures.com welcomes as our guest, Denise Turney. Denise is a novelist, public speaker and professional corporate writer. She is the editor of The Book Lover's Haven and host of the literary radio show, Off The Shelf Books Talk Radio.

She has been listed in various entertainment and business directories, including industry leaders such as Who’s Who, 100 Most Admired African American Women and Crosswalk.  Her works have appeared in Parade, Essence, Ebony, Madame Noire, We The People, The Trenton Times, The Pittsburgh Quarterly and Obsidian II.

She is the author of the books Portia, Long Walk Up, Spiral, Love Has Many Faces, Rosetta's Great Hope, Long Walk Up, Gada's Glory, Gregory The Lionhearted and Love Pour Over Me (her new book)

Norm: Good day, Denise, and thanks for participating in our interview.

What has been your greatest challenge (professionally) that you’ve overcome in getting to where you’re at today?


Denise: Time - Early on, I had to learn how to prioritize my writing and book marketing. This was important, because, not only was I creating entertaining novels, I was also raising a wonderful son, volunteering as a church secretary and working a full-time corporate job.

Norm: What do you consider to be your greatest success (or successes) so far in your various careers?

Denise: My greatest successes are times when I connect deeply with others. Those rewarding connections come through reader conversations at book signings, book festivals, cultural events and client Q&A sessions.

In fact, I think that art is an effective way to make those deeply rewarding connections. For example, when readers gain inspiration, empowerment or hard-to-forget entertainment from novels like Love Pour Over Me, Portia and Long Walk Up, deep connections are made between book characters and book readers. It's a reason why I love to write and read!

Norm: How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going? As a follow up, why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

Denise: What a wonderful question! I started writing when I was 10 years old. As a child, I was an avid book reader. It was nothing for me to read 30 to 40 books a week! Pippi Longstocking was my favorite!

I also loved Judy Blume's books. Inspiration to be a writer came when I was 10 years old. I had just finished a book of poetry by Gwendolyn Brooks. When I sat at the edge of the bed that I shared with my sister, it came to me (as if from my Higher Self) that I was a writer. Back then, I wrote poems, plays and short stories. I was 12 years old when I started writing my first novel, a 400-page book that I didn't finish until I was 18.

I keep writing because I believe that it's my calling. Absolute enjoyment from creating multi-faceted characters, putting them in suspenseful, mysterious and romantic situations that intrigue readers is another major reason why I continue to write.

After all, who doesn't love a good story! As it regards a theme for my books, there is no single theme. For example, my first novel, Portia, tells the inspirational story of a successful defense attorney who uses her faith, family and the love of a good man to deal with breast cancer. It's an uplifting story. And, Long Walk Up tells the story of an orphan girl who goes on to become Africa's first woman president. I encourage readers to enjoy free excerpts from my novels at  My Website

Norm: Did you read any special books on how to write and what has been the best part about being published?

Denise:  When I first started writing, I read Writer's Digest and The Writer. I also attended writer's conferences. Was I ever an eager student of the craft! Can still see myself catching the bus to downtown Knoxville and visiting the Waldenbooks store, pouring over books and those writing magazines.

Back then, I spent so much of my spare money on books and writing magazines. And, I guess that sort of lends itself to one of the best parts about being published. In today's changing world (especially as it regards technology), publishing books keeps me learning. I love that, as I'm very curious! But, above all, I love creating engaging and entertaining stories that people love to read! That's the top reward!

Norm: Do you write more by logic or intuition, or some combination of the two? Please Summarize your writing process.

Denise:  Generally, I write by intuition. But, I've always written using a combination of logic and intuition. It's definitely easier to develop a story after I've created an outline and character sketches.

But, I often just sit down and start writing. It's during the editing process when I tighten a story, taking out entire paragraphs, ensuring that character behavior, dialogue and fashion is in alignment with the time period that the story is set in. I tend to edit a novel at least four times before I pass that story to my editor.

After my editor returns the story, I'll do two or so additional edits before I consider the novel ready for publication. This is because I have tremendous respect for readers and want to give them my best work!

Norm: Many people have the skills and drive to write a book, but failure to market and sell the book the right way is probably what keep a lot of people from finding success. Can you give us 2-3 strategies that have been effective for you in promoting your books? 

Denise:  Sixteen years ago, I started Off The Shelf Books Talk Radio. The weekly Saturday at 11am/EST radio interviews that I do with other writers (e.g. screenplay writers, stage play writers, novelists) keeps me and my stories in front of listeners / readers.

Additionally, I have a newsletter called The Book Lover's Haven which readers and writers can subscribe to at my official website That's another vehicle that keeps me connected to prospective book buyers and readers. I have also found social media, Amazon ads and attending book festivals, etc. to be effective ways to connect with book buyers. I also send direct mail to organizations that service my books' demographic.

Norm: Could you tell us about your most recent book, Gregory The Lionhearted and Love Pour Over Me? What served as the primary inspiration for the book? How did you decide you were ready to write the book?

Denise:  Gregory The Lionhearted is a working title. It's a comic. I'm writing it in honor of my son, Gregory, who transitioned nearly two and a half years ago at 27 years old due to blood clots. There will always be a character in my books named Gregory going forward. Inspiration for Love Pour Over Me came from observing life.

It's a book that I simply sat down and started writing. I knew that I was ready to write the story because, early on, I felt emotionally connected to the characters and the plot.

Norm: Where did the title come from?

Denise:  Years ago, I was moved by a movie that had the word "love" in the title. I knew that the story's foundation had to do with love.

Norm: How did you go about creating your principal character, Raymond Clarke?

Denise:  Raymond is a compilation of a bit of my brothers, myself and other men who I knew, directly or indirectly.

Raymond is a track and academic standout. The Olympic gold medallist, Carl Lewis, and his track exploits may have lent themselves to parts of the build of Raymond's character. But, Raymond's father had the greatest impact on Raymond's development, as most fathers do with their sons.

Norm: Is he based on someone you know?

Denise:  He's not based on a specific person. Raymond is a compilation of several different men and, of course, my imagination.

Norm: What purpose do you believe your story serves and what matters to you about the story and what do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your book?

Denise:  Love Pour Over Me demonstrates the importance of not giving up on yourself, despite the odds or how troubled our childhood may have been. I hope that people read Love Pour Over Me and gain the clarity and the inspiration to open to change, forgive and keep expanding. Raymond faces more than his fair share of challenges in the book.

But, he doesn't venture too far away from his core. Women love Raymond! Yet, childhood wounds cause him to protect his heart. But, that doesn't stop him from joining in love with Brenda, a woman he meets at college.

Norm: Which of your novels would you like to see made into a movie and which actors would you like to see play the principal roles?

Denise:  Oh-my-goodness!!  I've love to see all of my books made into movies! But, which book do I think would translate into a movie the easiest? Hmmmm. . . I'd say Love Pour Over Me or Long Walk Up.

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and Gregory The Lionhearted and Love Pour Over Me?

Denise:  Please visit me online at My Website Would absolutely love it if readers stopped by!

Norm: What upcoming projects are you excited about? 

Denise:  I'm exciting about a book titled Running Toward Freedom that I'm writing. It's a book about sex slave trafficking. I'm also excited about the soon publication of my first Young Adult novel - Rosetta The Talent Show Queen!

Norm: As this interview comes to an end, what question do you wish that someone would ask about your book, but nobody has? Please elaborate.

Denise:  How much did you think about me (the reader) before you green lighted the book? And my answer would be - years! I truly value and respect book readers and book buyers! Thank you for this opportunity! I appreciate you and how you support literacy, community, books, readers and authors! Thank you again!

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors