I self-published my first book Sugar Hill: Where The Sun Rose Over Harlem. I had started it decades before, but by 2012, self-publishing was no longer a joke and it was time to bring that project to fruition.
Terry Baker Mulligan – 27 November 2014
The Back Flap
As President Hillary Clinton settles into the White House in the year 2016, First Husband Bill is foundering. Hemmed in by the Secret Service, blocked in his memoir-writing, and not feeling needed by his wife, he is itching to do something fulfilling. Seeing his distress, the ghost of Alexander Hamilton — America’s first Secretary of the Treasure who, like Clinton, chose to live in Harlem and was a visionary on the matter of race relations — appears in Bill’s living room to help him get back on track.
With freed slave Sarafina, his sensuous mistress, in tow, Hamilton regales the former president with true tales of the 18th century. The reader is plunged into a world of Indian bordellos, slave auctions, and the political chicanery that threatened the American Revolution. Hamilton also urges Clinton to fill his post-presidential destiny by taking in an African American child abandoned at Harlem Hospital, and helps him to perform a minor miracle that brings peace to restless spirits, both living and dead.
About the book
What is the book about?
The ghost of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, on sabbatical from heaven, shows up at the Harlem townhouse of a foundering First Gentleman, Bill Clinton. The two embark on an adventure that reveals Hamilton’s legacy, Harlem’s history, and Bill’s new destiny.
When did you start writing the book?
I started in 2007, when Hillary first ran for President. When she lost, I put the manuscript away until this year, and then I dug it out and started updating.
How long did it take you to write it?
It took about a year to write the book.
Where did you get the idea from?
The idea came from a comment my husband made about how interesting it would be for Clinton and Hamilton to meet. We are a biracial Saint Louis family, so both race relations and equality are often very much on our minds.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
At times I struggled with how to write about a President Hillary Clinton, when Hillary Clinton was actually running for the office. Also, Hamilton’s sex scenes were hard to write, because he’s a distinguished historical figure and I didn’t want it to appear cheesy or demeaning.
What came easily?
Writing both the historical adventures and Bill and Alexander’s modern escapades.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
It’s a mixture. A few characters – the Clinton family, Robert Reich, and of course Alexander Hamilton – are from the real world. The rest are fictitious.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
A few examples stand out: James McBride’s family story in The Color of Water inspired me to write my first book.
I loved Mary Karr’s voice in The Liars Club. She really nailed the sound of working class Texas. Because of her, I knew I had to settle on the right voice for Harlem.
Brian Doyle, who wrote Mink River, makes readers use their senses when he writes about flora and fauna. I wrote about his book:”…he takes readers into the woods to hear the silence, then up the mountain to meet the animals, taste the berries, feel the rain, or witness the sky changing colors.” I would love to be able to describe nature even a little bit like he does.
Most recently, Ron Chernow’s vivid writing in Alexander Hamilton made it easy to conjure up how my Harlem neighborhood looked 250 years ago.
Do you have a target reader?
Bill and Hillary fans, political junkies, readers of historical fiction, multicultural literature and fantasy.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
If I don’t have morning meetings or appointments, I start writing about 9:30 AM, after my walk and breakfast and reading the local paper. I take five minute breaks every half hour and stop around 11:30 AM to run errands. During lunch, I read the NY Times (where I frequently find material on the Clintons, Hamilton and Harlem, etc.), I start writing again around 2 PM and go until about 5 PM, when I have to figure out something for dinner. I work again from about 7 to 9 PM. Of course, that’s on a good day! On crazy days, I run around jotting down ideas—sometimes at red lights! Even at home on busy days, I write notes so I can recall ideas when I get back to the computer.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I think about the chapters I need and then I write them.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit as I write. It’s not time efficient, but it works for me.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No music. I work best in a quiet setting.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I self-published my first book Sugar Hill: Where The Sun Rose Over Harlem. I had started it decades before, but by 2012, self-publishing was no longer a joke and it was time to bring that project to fruition.
With Afterlife In Harlem, my latest book, I wanted a quick turnaround time, in case Hillary Clinton decides not to run for President.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
My cover was professionally done.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I have a good marketing person. She has the plan.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Don’t take shortcuts; write the book you can. If something doesn’t feel right, fix it.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Harlem, across the street from Alexander Hamilton’s historic home.
Where do you live now?
I live in St. Louis, MO, which is quite different from living in New York City. We’re a biracial family and live near Washington University, in a very progressive part of town.
What would you like readers to know about you?
A few fun facts: I hitchhiked from Bregenz, Austria to Amsterdam, the Netherlands; it was a while ago, but even then that was ambitious!
On my daily morning walks, I’ve logged just over 12,000 miles!
My dad danced on the Cotton Club chorus line when Lena Horne was the singer. Lena was only 16 and had to be chaperoned by her mother.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a travel epistolary book with my son, who backpacked around the world.
End of Interview:
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Get your copy of Afterlife in Harlem from Amazon US (paper or ebook) or Amazon UK (paper or ebook).