Eureka (Urban Novelist) Oliver is the author of “Vixxen: Taking Chi-town by Storm,” “Concoction: A Deadly Mix,” and her latest, “Concoction 2: The Ties that Bind” - with a few more slated to be released later this year. Alongside having a full time job as a mother and wife, Eureka has placed her love of music and teaching into her new passion for writing. Using her life growing up in Chicago as a backdrop in all of her books, descriptively displaying the fact that It was not easy, having been a witness to violence and often times poverty, broken homes and misguided children and the devastation of child molestation all with countless situations that affected her urban community, Eureka decided to take what was a bad situation and turned it into a good in her life.
Survival and perseverance have always been a driving force for her to success.
About “Concoction 2”
“Concoction 2: Ties that Bind” is a sequel to the first out of the ordinary urban drama.
This time Concoction is faced with the fact that there are two men in her life whom she loves. Her twins’ father, Sa'ron 'Siren' Ferguson and Darell 'Spade' Hughes lay in the hospital with gunshot wounds. An end result of an ambush meant to end their lives. They both are fighting for their life and this has Concoction not only faced with the possibility of losing one or both of them. In search of answers, the who and the why leads Concoction and her sister Rasheemah open to answers they were not ready for.
Betrayal, lust, and murder from enemies known and unknown drive this story home. Who will live? Who will die? So many questions and all the answers to this concocted mix are all inside of Concoction.
DP: When did you first decide you wanted to become an author?
Eureka: I was an avid reader with many stories of my own. When I started reading urban fiction, I could picture my story in some of the urban novels I read. I said to myself I have some out of the ordinary real and fiction experiences that I feel would fit well into the urban lit world. I grew up with drama, betrayal and a list of other juicy things that are inside of urban lit. I read a book by an author and that got me wanting to learn the craft and study some books so I can put my own words down.
DP: How did you decide on the idea for your first book?
Eureka: My first book was a no brainier for me. I looked around my life and saw a need to concoct a tail of suspense, an out of the ordinary story. Having read numerous books with almost the same storyline proved really hard for me to just ignore. I took sexy and mixed it with suspense, drama, and some real life experience.
DP: How long did it take you to write your first book?
Eureka: I would have to say a little shy of a year
DP: Did you self-publish or are you signed to a publishing company?
Eureka: Self -Publish
DP: How did you decide on the cover for your most recent book?
Eureka: I always choose a cover that will give my story a great visual
DP: Tell us about your writing style. Do you write on a schedule?
Eureka: I try to write on a self-made schedule. I want to be fair to myself and my readers. I will not rush or skip on anything I put out. I want quality more than quantity.
DP: What makes your writing unique?
Eureka: I try my best not to write your typical tale. I am versatile. I can write anywhere from an erotic tale to a tale of pure gangster life tone.
DP: As a writer, what motivates you?
Eureka: What motivates me is my readers, but more so my passion for the craft
DP: How do you balance your writing and various responsibilities that come along with being an independent author?
Eureka: So far I have been able to set myself on some sort of time management. I have to devote myself to so many things that I have a chart set up for what activities will come and what order I will address them.
DP: When you’re not writing what are you doing?
Eureka: Working and being a wife and mother
DP: What’s a typical day like for you?
Eureka: First I’m a mommy and then my wifely duties kick in; then I try to write at least 3 chapters in whichever book I am writing in on my list for the day.
DP: Tell us about your last book signing.
Eureka: I have yet to experience a book signing but will experience one real soon
DP: Do you have contests or giveaways?
Eureka: Yes I do. I will gift my books and other authors work as well. Sometimes I offer free gift cards.
DP: Many independent authors find it hard to get readers to buy their books. How did you handle the challenges that come along with being a first-time author in a competitive and ever-changing market?
Eureka: I must be real, some days it is saddening and frustrating but I keep researching and improving on every outlet that I can to get my work out to the readers
DP: What did you do on your 2nd book that you did not do in your first one?
Eureka: I learned more on the craft, like scene and character development to enhance the story that I was telling. I wanted to give the reader the feeling like they were right in the moment.
DP: If you could give one piece of advice to an up and coming author, what would it be?
Eureka: I would say surround yourself with true and avid readers and authors not just ‘yes’ men. You have to know the truth in order to improve and make the story better for every reader who chooses to support you. Not just for them but for yourself. If you re-read your work will you get caught up in that moment? Not because you wrote it but because it truly grabbed your attention and had you engulfed as if you never read it before. Don't think because you drop a few F bombs here and there, it makes your story. Keep the passion in what you are writing. All of your stories should come from inside. Let your passion speak through you. No matter what, invest and believe in yourself
DP: Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?
Eureka: Amazon.com and Paperback
DP: Please list any literary awards, honors, and book club affiliations.
Eureka: I am a member of many book clubs but New SWAGGA book club is one that is closet to me.
Survival and perseverance have always been a driving force for her to success.
About “Concoction 2”
“Concoction 2: Ties that Bind” is a sequel to the first out of the ordinary urban drama.
This time Concoction is faced with the fact that there are two men in her life whom she loves. Her twins’ father, Sa'ron 'Siren' Ferguson and Darell 'Spade' Hughes lay in the hospital with gunshot wounds. An end result of an ambush meant to end their lives. They both are fighting for their life and this has Concoction not only faced with the possibility of losing one or both of them. In search of answers, the who and the why leads Concoction and her sister Rasheemah open to answers they were not ready for.
Betrayal, lust, and murder from enemies known and unknown drive this story home. Who will live? Who will die? So many questions and all the answers to this concocted mix are all inside of Concoction.
DP: When did you first decide you wanted to become an author?
Eureka: I was an avid reader with many stories of my own. When I started reading urban fiction, I could picture my story in some of the urban novels I read. I said to myself I have some out of the ordinary real and fiction experiences that I feel would fit well into the urban lit world. I grew up with drama, betrayal and a list of other juicy things that are inside of urban lit. I read a book by an author and that got me wanting to learn the craft and study some books so I can put my own words down.
DP: How did you decide on the idea for your first book?
Eureka: My first book was a no brainier for me. I looked around my life and saw a need to concoct a tail of suspense, an out of the ordinary story. Having read numerous books with almost the same storyline proved really hard for me to just ignore. I took sexy and mixed it with suspense, drama, and some real life experience.
DP: How long did it take you to write your first book?
Eureka: I would have to say a little shy of a year
DP: Did you self-publish or are you signed to a publishing company?
Eureka: Self -Publish
DP: How did you decide on the cover for your most recent book?
Eureka: I always choose a cover that will give my story a great visual
DP: Tell us about your writing style. Do you write on a schedule?
Eureka: I try to write on a self-made schedule. I want to be fair to myself and my readers. I will not rush or skip on anything I put out. I want quality more than quantity.
DP: What makes your writing unique?
Eureka: I try my best not to write your typical tale. I am versatile. I can write anywhere from an erotic tale to a tale of pure gangster life tone.
DP: As a writer, what motivates you?
Eureka: What motivates me is my readers, but more so my passion for the craft
DP: How do you balance your writing and various responsibilities that come along with being an independent author?
Eureka: So far I have been able to set myself on some sort of time management. I have to devote myself to so many things that I have a chart set up for what activities will come and what order I will address them.
DP: When you’re not writing what are you doing?
Eureka: Working and being a wife and mother
DP: What’s a typical day like for you?
Eureka: First I’m a mommy and then my wifely duties kick in; then I try to write at least 3 chapters in whichever book I am writing in on my list for the day.
DP: Tell us about your last book signing.
Eureka: I have yet to experience a book signing but will experience one real soon
DP: Do you have contests or giveaways?
Eureka: Yes I do. I will gift my books and other authors work as well. Sometimes I offer free gift cards.
DP: Many independent authors find it hard to get readers to buy their books. How did you handle the challenges that come along with being a first-time author in a competitive and ever-changing market?
Eureka: I must be real, some days it is saddening and frustrating but I keep researching and improving on every outlet that I can to get my work out to the readers
DP: What did you do on your 2nd book that you did not do in your first one?
Eureka: I learned more on the craft, like scene and character development to enhance the story that I was telling. I wanted to give the reader the feeling like they were right in the moment.
DP: If you could give one piece of advice to an up and coming author, what would it be?
Eureka: I would say surround yourself with true and avid readers and authors not just ‘yes’ men. You have to know the truth in order to improve and make the story better for every reader who chooses to support you. Not just for them but for yourself. If you re-read your work will you get caught up in that moment? Not because you wrote it but because it truly grabbed your attention and had you engulfed as if you never read it before. Don't think because you drop a few F bombs here and there, it makes your story. Keep the passion in what you are writing. All of your stories should come from inside. Let your passion speak through you. No matter what, invest and believe in yourself
DP: Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?
Eureka: Amazon.com and Paperback
DP: Please list any literary awards, honors, and book club affiliations.
Eureka: I am a member of many book clubs but New SWAGGA book club is one that is closet to me.
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