Literary Spotlight: Leslie Banks

Leslie Banks

Leslie Banks, voted Essence Magazine Storyteller of the Year 2008, has published books in romance, crime suspense, dark fantasy/horror, women’s fiction and non-fiction genres.

Q: How does a successful multi-genre author make the transition between books?

A: If at the core, you are strong in character development you can float between the various genres. Good research and solid plotting will take you into the different realms for the story backdrop, but the thing that keeps readers turning your pages is whether they feel invested in the characters.

Q: As a member of the Liar’s Club author’s support group, what do you get/give to other writers, and what does membership in such a group offer to published writers in general?

A: This is a place where you can get good, sage advice, can band together to do promotions that the publishers don’t pay for and can get constructive feedback. Once published, the struggle just begins; questions loom like, “Now that I’ve published, how do I stay published?” and “How do I get out of the rut and take my career to the next level?”

Q: The Vampire Huntress Legend is a 12-part series. How were you able to sustain this theme over such a lengthy project?

A: Trust me, there is more than enough fodder in the world news to keep one writing about evil and mayhem being unleashed on the planet. If you combine that with the three main religious texts.

Carlotta Holton is the author of Salem Pact and Touching The Dead, and is a member of the National Federation of Press Women and an affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association.

Carlotta Holton has just received her second award for Touching the Dead from the National Federation of Press Women Communications Contest. Click here to purchase the book.