Rashaun J. Allen Literary Blog Tour - Day 4

Meet Author & Publisher Rashaun J. Allen

After Rashaun graduated from SUNY Albany with his BS in Business Administration and The College Of Saint with his MBA. He decided to combine his educational background with his passion for writing. 5 years into his vision, Rashaun has two books of powerful poetry: A Walk Through Brooklyn and In The Moment and is also the founder of Royal Blue Publishing.

Rashuan has published paperback and electronic books, edited manuscripts for authors, and theses for graduate students.  He has facilitated workshops for poetry and entrepreneurship for schools, libraries and organizations. He has been quoted in publication throughout the capital region of New York: The Chronicle, The Troy Record, Albany Student Press & UA Magazine. His goals are to write novels, publish future writers, and inspire youth through his story.

 Rashaun J. Allen Interview:

 

Tell Us about Yourself?

·         I have a great sense a humor. But when I try to make a joke few people laugh. I tend to let my eyes decide when I’m full. The gym’s my best friend but we haven’t spoken in a while and if I wrote as much as I talk I would produce twice as much material.

 

What are your favorite books?

·         The Glass Castle By Jeanette Walls

·         A Tree Grows in Brooklyn By Betty Smith

·         Things Fall Apart By Chinua Achebe

·         A Hope in The Unseen By Ron Sunskind

·         The Kite Runner Khaleed Hosseini

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers/authors?

·         Write something you’d like to read.

·         Find out where the writers are and go there!

·         Share what you wrote with somebody.

·         Tell that writer what you thought about their work.

·         Have fun

 

What has been the best and worst experience you’ve had on your literary journey?

·         Unreasonable expectations – I thought since my first book signing had 30 people every time I did one the turn out would be awesome. Then, I had a book signing where 2-5 people showed up. It opened my eyes to set modest expectations.

 

I understand you support different charities through the sales of your book.  Tell me about those.

·         I partner with local charities for events. I worked with the community counseling & mediation not for profit with their SIMBA program or “Safe In My Brothers Arms” which focuses on helping homeless male students complete high school. I did a couple poetry workshops along with the sales of my books.

 

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

·         Yes, but for a long time I didn’t think writing could be a career.  I read often but I didn’t know any authors.

 

How did you get started writing? 

·         Growing up I kept a journal. It was my feelings as rhymes, stories and sayings.

 

Do you remember the very first story you ever wrote?  What age were you when you wrote it? 

·         No, but I remember writing a play, I never finished when I was a teen.

 

If you could pass on one tidbit of knowledge to both your fans and aspiring writers, what would it be?

·         If you write solely for money you’’ll be pissed at your bank account.

 

What are three things readers don’t know about you?

·         I’m a huge fan of Game Of Thrones the TV series.

·         I love role playing games

·         Enjoy spending time with friends and family

 

Conversely, what are your best and worst experiences as a writer?

·         Discovering that I received more support as a writer from strangers than people I knew

·         I did a book signing at a bookstore where the owner attempted not to pay me for selling my books.