I haven’t always known the story of how black descendants were stolen from their land, to work as slaves in a land unknown to them. In fact, I was an adult when I first started to hear stories about how there were kings, queens, princesses, doctors, scientists, who were also taken along with other people. Growing up in Los Angeles, the school districts in Los Angeles and Compton did not teach us about our heritage as a black student. 

Kay Cee Jones – 7 October 2023

The Back Flap

The Black Magician is about a very intelligent slave, George who uses different disguises and tricks to free slaves with potentials. The slaves he chooses have special traits in their bloodline that ensures that the chosen slaves produce descendants who will make a difference in the world, such as African American leaders like Obama, Oprah, Lewis Latimer and so many others who changed the history.

George is instructed and guided by his grandmother who is really a Nubian princess, stolen from her land in Africa. His grandmother had been trained since birth by the best warriors, doctors and scientist. George grandmother teaches him about his royal family history and special invention skills their family possess, and how to use his special talents to help certain slaves gain freedom. In the course of the story, they are helped by a Caucasian young woman, Shelby, and a Red Indian man.

While setting out on the mission to set slaves free, George has to contend with a money hungry slave catcher and a few other trials and tribulations. The magic of the whole story is come to life when we get to see the historical black people who became the descendants of the runaway slaves. Earning his nickname, “The Black Magician.”

About the book

What is the book about?

This book is about a gifted Nubian princess who was stolen from her land in Africa, and was brought to America to live in a place unknown to her. Overnight she went from being the royal daughter of the great warrior Manley- Chief of the of the Zauzuuzuu tribe, to living in chains with very minimum to eat. In the 1800’s being a slave in South Carolina was a scary place to be. Being beaten and separated from your family was an all too familiar story for slaves in this state. In this lonely abandoned place of extreme pain and hardship you will meet an intelligent genius slave name George; also known in the 1800’s as, “The Black Magician,” for his remarkable tactics of helping slaves escape North into freedom. George uses his witty inventions, brilliant disguises and crafty tricks to help slaves escape slavery.  George is instructed and guided by his grandmother, the Nubian princess, stolen from Africa. His grandmother had been trained since birth by the best warriors, doctors and scientists. George’s grandmother teaches him about his royal family history and special invention skills their family possesses, and how to use his special talents to help certain slaves gain freedom. In the course of the story, they are helped by a Caucasian young woman, “Shelby ”, and “Red” an Indian man. While setting out on the mission to set slaves free, George has to contend with a money hungry slave catcher, untrustful friends and many other trials and tribulations. The magic of the whole story comes to life when we get to see the historical black people who became the descendants of the runaway slaves. George will prove to readers how he earned the name, “The Black Magician.”

When did you start writing the book?

This was initially a script. I started to write this script in December 2021. I finished the script in Jan 2022. I wanted a book edition (which is way better), so I turned the script into a book. I started working on the book in April 2022 and it was complete in June of 2022.

How long did it take you to write it?

Collectively I wrote both the script and the book within 6 months. The book was published on June 14, 2022

Where did you get the idea from?

I haven’t always known the story of how black descendants were stolen from their land, to work as slaves in a land unknown to them. In fact, I was an adult when I first started to hear stories about how there were kings, queens, princesses, doctors, scientists, who were also taken along with other people. Growing up in Los Angeles, the school districts in Los Angeles and Compton did not teach us about our heritage as a black student. Instead we were taught about Christopher Columbus and how he saved the Indians and invented Thanksgiving. But when I started hearing people talk about the royalty being stolen from their land I was caught off guard. I must admit it mesmerizes me. I was intrigued to know this was factual and felt proud to be black. For once in my life I was hearing positive things about black people. So I began to explore and educate myself on slavery and the unspoken voices. Turns out, it was true. Black people of all social status were kidnapped and sold into slavery around the world. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks one day!  I needed to tell this story in my own words. It has been proven countless times that kings, queens, princesses, doctors, astrologers, scientists, herbalists, surgeons, were indeed stolen. When you stripped everyone of their attire, it was hard to tell the difference between royalty and regular people. Not that it would have made any difference. I don’t believe the slave catchers were asking questions about their social status during the kidnapping. So I feel it’s my duty, honor and privilege to tell the stories of my ancestors.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes, the struggle is real, it seems like I struggled the most in chapter 3. For one reason it was very hard to put into words the lifestyle that the princess lives before going into slavery. Granny was a nubian beautiful princess that was trained by the best doctors, warriors and scientists in her tribe. In order to get a good understanding, I had to set the stage and go back to the 1600s, so that people can understand how creative and smart some of these tribes were, as you read the chapter entitled.” Land of Zauzuuzuu.” In this chapter you will meet Granny. And learn about her ancestors, you will begin to uncover the importance of the African-American slave trade. These different tribes before they were taken were living, breathing, eating, worshiping, increasing, and ruling their own land. They were creative people; they were caring, loving, and wanted the best for the children.

What came easily?

The story of George came easy and lived in my mind for years before I even put it on paper. I always wanted to create a character who was way smarter than what people thought, don’t judge a book by its cover, but it’s not until you open the books that you realize the true beauty; and that was the case of George. It was so easy writing about him. He was mysterious but transparent, he was nurturing but straightforward, his character was so easy to write.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Although The Black Magician is a fiction book, there are so many factual parts of this book that are based upon real life. I used fiction and real characters, however most of my characters are people I know, and I carried over their characteristics into the character to make it as real as possible. I did this to bring more real life to the book. My characters later on in the book, are the descendants of the most historical black figures that made American history, like Barack Obama, the famous Kobe Bryant, and many many others I have highlighted in this book to bring their characters to life.

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?

I have read a lot of autobiographies in real life event books. Those are my favorites, and I get so much joy from knowing that someone actually went through what I read is inspiring, and it encourages me to tell my truth. The author that I adore is Dave Pelzer for his miraculous story, A Child Called It. He survived the most known case of child abuse in the 60’s. He was thrown out to the dogs as a child to suffer, but we did not know that the things he was going through was building his character and setting the foundation for his future. It was impossible for him to forget the torture. I loved all his books, they were really motivating and encouraging for a first-time author like me.

Do you have a target reader?

My target reader is African-American fiction, African-American History, school age children, mystery and suspense readers.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Writing and ideas come to me in the strangest places I often keep pen and paper near. I write down my ideas on various pieces of paper or anything I can get my hands on. Then I write down all my creative notes and all the funny scenarios that will arise during a book. I write on my sticky notes different scenarios. Then I write names for my chapters. So it’s like the subject, it’s easier that way. I name my chapters. It’s really easy to write information in that chapter. When I begin writing I make sure to look over all the notes and that starts my writing process. That’s pretty much how I wrote the book, 1 chapter at a time. I figured out the order of my chapters later on, but naming the chapters is my secret weapon.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I do not do an outline, I just kind of write notes, and every time I have another idea I will write more notes, and the story comes together through the notes I write.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I do small editing when I’m writing so I can understand because I have a tendency to write illegibly, and sometimes cannot understand what I wrote. I try not to do too much editing when I’m in a creative space because it gives me a writer’s block. I know that I can always go back and correct, edit and fix but it’s very hard to go back and try to get your ideas rolling in your head again so when my brain is rolling, I’m writing and those words look crazy on paper. I do a lot of writing on paper and I do a lot of talk to text speech on my phone. I take my notes from my phone and my paper and that’s how I type up the book.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Although I love music. I do not listen to music while I am writing because it’s distracting to me. I prefer it to be extremely quiet so I can relive the story in my head. I prefer a quiet, well lit place or outside, while nature is nurturing.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes, I have submitted my work to several agents to represent the book but again I am a first-time author, so finding an agent is extremely hard. Google has a lot of great information on contacting agents and sending information about the book.

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 decided to go Indie because I had done research, and I understood the big ticket that comes with big publishing companies. I decided to go indie because it’s convenient, cheaper and you still have control over your creative process. You are the CEO of your book and that’s very important. My decision to go indie was concrete, an easier way to get my book published.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The idea for the cover of the book came to me like a vision in my head. I saw it clear as day, so I went on Amazon and I bought the props. A magician hat and wand, some brown rope. Then I asked my cousin if he would be willing to pose for me as my book cover model, he agreed. I went online to find an independent photographer, he came into my home and set up my house like a real photo set. I asked my other cousin who is a makeup artist to help me with my make up and she agreed. I told the photographer about my vision, and I told him about my book so he could have a good understanding of what I saw in my vision, and he indeed delivered exactly what I pictured in my mind. It was very cheap and very rewarding because it’s exactly what I wanted. That’s why I love being a indie author

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I do not currently have a marketing plan. I didn’t even think about a marketing plan when I was writing this book, but I have started to market my book on different platforms, including social media. I have entered many contests for my script in my book and I have won over 10 awards for my script. The book is a little harder to push but currently I’m not paying anyone to market my book. I’m doing all the marketing myself. I’ve signed up for a lot of book giveaway contests and I was getting a lot of great feedback from that.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

My advice to any newbies that’s considering becoming an author, please do it to get your story out there. You will feel more independent and you will make some mistakes along the way, but that’s fine. It’s just a learning process to continue to write, you also have to remember that agents have their own genre that they love! So you need to find readers that you love your genre and push through that way, for instance, one thing I love about my book that is about slavery so I tried to push my book in the category of African-American slaves, which made it real easy to get positive feedback, and to get more readers interested

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Los Angeles, California, born and raised. Growing up in Los Angeles taught me diversity and gave me the indication to never give up. In Los Angeles we are always seeing celebrities or people that are trying to make it in Hollywood. You don’t see too many quitters out in LA, there’s so much opportunity at every corner. Los Angeles is a rough place to grow up in, but it also teaches discipline, respect, dignity, and honor, and I would never change it for anything.

Where do you live now?

I wrote this book 2 months after I moved to Houston Texas. I had so much peace when I moved. This is where I’m currently residing. Texas made me take a step back and smell some flowers. Texas gave me a chance to understand the importance of tackling your goal.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I want my readers to know that I’m just an ordinary black girl that has a story that needs to be told. I am very hands-on with my community and have started an organization back in 2014 called Operation Save The Streets we are a nonprofit organization that specialize in helping those in need, I started off helping the homeless on skid Row downtown Los Angeles now we have several nonprofits around the United States of America and one nonprofit in Africa. I want my readers to know that you can do whatever you choose to do as long as you put your mind to it and be consistent, I also want to let my readers know that I wrote a children’s book entitled, If You Sprinkle When You Tinkle, Please Be Neat and wipe the Seat.  It’s a small book that encourages young children to have great cleaning habits when using the restroom. I wrote the book a few days after I published The Black Magician, which is also available on Amazon.

What are you working on now?

I do have an upcoming novel about a girl who has to find strength within herself to get free from an abusive family. This one is going to be a keeper.

End of Interview:

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Get your copy of The Black Magician from Amazon US or Amazon UK.