TimBookTu: In your bio, it states that you are from Dayton, Ohio and you attended both Howard and Washington Universities. Did your attendance at either of these schools influence your writing and in particular, your book "Not All Dogs"?

CKR: My years at Howard had a definite influence on my mission as a writer, and on the types of characters that appear in my novels. Not All Dogs kind of captures both influences. Howard opened my eyes to just how diverse the African-American community is; we come in all shapes, sizes, classes, and styles. Growing up in Dayton, Ohio, I really hadn't experienced the full "Black experience." In grade school I'd always been one of a handful of Black students and in high school (I transferred into an urban public school after ninth grade) I'd been ostracized because I was one of the only "studious" Black males. But at Howard, there was a whole rainbow of "us" covering the entire physical, spiritual, and economic spectrum. I tried to capture some of that in Not All Dogs.

TimBookTu: What would you say to beginning writers who face rejection from the mainstream publishers?

CKR: Well, I can certainly speak to them from experience! I would say that they should use real readers as a sounding board: post your work on sites like TimBookTu, network with writers and avid readers through groups like the African American Online Writers Guild, and get it in front of some local book clubs. If they like it (and let them be honest), then you might want to consider self-publishing and making some noise on your own. But know what you're getting into!

TimBookTu: Do you have any recommendations or suggestions to aspiring writers that may help them on their writing skills or writing techniques.

CKR: Remember that the terms "fiction" and "nonfiction" are misleading. I've been in several conversations and read several articles recently talking about this. The best "fiction" will resound with readers because it feels like real life. That's one of the constant comments I get about Not All Dogs - everyone says they know these brothers! Aim for that goal by building your characters with care and precision. I like to take a couple of weeks at the outset of a manuscript and do nothing but build the characters first.

TimBookTu: Do you recommend self-publishing? What steps would you suggest for the aspiring writer who wishes to be published?

CKR: I recommend self-publishing, but you should go into it being honest with yourself about what you want out of it. In other words, if your goal is to get picked up by a major publisher within a few months or even a year, you will need to go about it differently than if you just want a few hundred people to be blessed by your work. If you just want to be published (as opposed to self-published), you actually have a simpler road ahead of you. Just submit, submit, submit and practice, practice, practice! It may take years, but if you are honing your writing craft carefully, there is a chance you will eventually cross the right agent or publisher.

TimBookTu: What were some of the disadvantages or obstacles you encountered when self-publishing?

CKR: I think the biggest obstacles for me have been time and financial resources. There are hundreds of new books published every day, and especially with unknown fiction, you really have to work to get readers to seriously consider dropping hard-earned money on you. As I said before, if you self-publish with the goal of competing with the best-selling books, you've got to do it full-time and become a better salesperson than a great author. Sometimes I wonder if the quality of our Black contemporary literature will suffer for it, but it seems clear that most self-publishers who break through do so based on their marketing skills. It's sort of funny when you compare our field with white contemporary literature. It's hard to picture Stephen King, John Grisham, or Scott Turow selling books based on their ability to hustle, as opposed to the storylines themselves. But it's a reality.

TimBookTu: What were the advantages from publishing your own book?

CKR: The main advantage was that I did not have editors who might compromise the central themes of the book. Also, each per-book sale that I make is significantly more profitable than it would be if I was just earning royalties from a commercial publisher. However, I must admit that the cost of traveling and promoting the book online offsets the profits I have made so far.

TimBookTu: You established your own publishing company, Against The Grain. What prompted that and how will it differ from other companies out there?

CKR: Against the Grain is really a marketing company. That's why it is called Against the Grain "Communications." ATG was founded to help promote Not All Dogs as well as my wife Kyra's nonfiction book, No Ways Tired: The Public Historically Black College Dilemma. It captures all of our business revenues and expenses, and helps give a "brand" to the mission we are on - cutting against society's grain with positive Black imagery.

TimBookTu: Are you considering other avenues with your book such as e-books, movies, audio books, etc.

CKR: I am open to e-books but have not had time to focus on learning that technology and market well as yet. I have had hundreds of readers already tell me that Not All Dogs would make a great movie - Will Smith, Taye Diggs, are you listening? Seriously, though, I am interested in getting the book in front of Hollywood. I hope that my new literary agent can help with that process.

TimBookTu: What are some of the techniques, procedures or rituals that you employ when you sit down to write?

CKR: To be honest, I've been so focused on trying to sell Not All Dogs the past fourteen months, I've forgotten how to write (LOL). I really need to do better about writing something at least once a week. However, when I do write I like to start by meditating, praying, and getting in touch with my senses - recording sensory details, setting and background, and visualizing my characters. Then I'm ready to bring them to life and see where they go.

TimBookTu: How and/or where do ideas come to you?

CKR: Ideas come from all over. Not All Dogs came to me over the course of about six months, first as a vague idea one day while jogging, then taking shape bit by bit as I observed the lives of friends and family, reflected on my own experiences, etc. Ladies' Man, my second manuscript, grew out of endless arguments I've had with male and female friends about what women really look for in a man. I also get ideas and grist for the mill from newspapers, magazine profiles, good biographies, and even inspiring music.

TimBookTu: The number of black male authors has greatly increased. Do you see yourself joining the upper ranks of that group (such as Dickey, Harris, and Tyree)?

CKR: While I feel my talent is in the same league as these gentlemen, (apparently Omar Tyree and I were contemporaries at Howard University, though we never met), this past year has taught me that success in this game is not based on talent alone. Also, I think the definition of the "upper ranks" will continue to change and shift over time. Hopefully we will reach a point where young Black male authors are allowed to stretch and do more literary work that gets support from major publishers as well. While I believe I can be a best-selling writer someday, I'm writing for the sheer pleasure of it and for the blessing of seeing my work impact readers in a positive way.

TimBookTu: Many of the male authors are trying to show the more sensitive side of black men in their books. Was that your aim?

CKR: There is some "sensitive male" in Not All Dogs, but that was not my prime motivation. The bottom line was showing a full-bodied, complex portrait of Black male life. I can't capture every brother's experience, but I think I've brought it home in a way two-thirds of us, and hopefully most women, can relate to.

TimBookTu: How did you arrive at the title "Not All Dogs?"

CKR: I read an article recently where a top author said "dog" was a useless, meaningless term. For obvious reasons, I was a little offended. While I disagree with the way it is used, "dog" has come to symbolize the frustration and disappointment many women feel with us brothers. Because this book showcases the lives of four guys who are growing out of that "dog" phase or never fell into it to begin with, I chose a title to remind readers that there's more to Black men than a shallow stereotype.

TimBookTu: Which character in Not All Dogs could we say is closest to C. Kelly Robinson?

CKR: Memphis, you're my "dog" and all - TimBookTu has supported me since Day One - but I've learned from the masters not to reveal such private information. Let's just say there's a little C. Kelly in every lead character.

What characters stimulated you the most while writing? Which character was the most difficult to write?

CKR: The most stimulating characters probably were O.J. the "Sinister Minister" and Nico, the neighborhood dealer. I say this because these were characters I didn't necessarily like when I started the project, but by the time I'd written most of the book and gotten to know them (all their fears, motivations, weaknesses), I had a more favorable view. For that reason they were also the most difficult to write.

TimBookTu: What have been your experiences in marketing your book?

CKR: Word of mouth is the best selling tool for a self-published writer, followed by simply getting in readers' faces in as many locations as possible. Most of my books have sold at personal appearances, to book clubs, and then one by one as these readers spread the word. Beyond that, spending thousands of dollars on traditional advertising or regular book signings can be a waste of money and time, if you're not careful.

TimBookTu: How has the internet benefited you and your book?

CKR: I think my web site, www.ckellyrobinson.com, has been a useful tool in providing round-the-clock information and excerpts to interested readers.

TimBookTu: I see that you are already on your third book. What's up ahead for C. Kelly Robinson?

CKR: These days I am trying to be patient. Two major publishers are currently reviewing Not All Dogs, and I just retained a top agent who hopefully will be able to sell my two manuscripts, Ladies' Man and Stacked Deck. In the meantime, my wife and I will continue to sell our books and will be traveling on a limited basis in September and October. Details of our schedule are available at www.ckellyrobinson.com.

TimBookTu: Is there anything else that you care to discuss?

CKR: First, I want to say that the readers out here are a great group of people; so many of them have encouraged me I could never thank each one personally.

The one other comment I have is for potential self-publishers: be careful in dealing with bookstores and distributors. While I wholeheartedly support and do business with several Black-owned bookstores and distributors, I have been burned in a couple of cases. I don't want to sound negative because there are challenges in every business, and the rewards of self-publishing (as opposed to doing nothing) outweigh the thorns. But it can be a rude awakening when your impression of the book industry has been formed through rose-colored glasses. Just be careful out there!

TimBookTu: Thank you for your time and I wish you much continued success on your writing career.