Avery Goode was born and raised in Oklahoma City, OK but has called Atlanta, GA home since 2006. She is making her mark in the literary world with four Goode novels under her belt, and is showing no signs of slowing down. The recently released, Head Doctor, has readers panting for more. A sexy erotic tale, Avery Goode has delivered yet again. Her first novel, Dishonest, introduced her as an author with a fresh voice with witty and original ideas.

Capitalizing on that creativity, Avery penned the psychotically refreshing series, Pillow Princess Part 1 and 2 giving readers a glimpse into her crazy Goode world. Praised by readers the series left everyone questioning Avery’s sanity. Known for writing Goode fiction that borderlines truth, Avery is determined to give readers more with every novel she pens. Armed with an arsenal of ideas, Avery plans on delivering books that leaves the masses wanting more. Currently, she writes in the urban/general fiction genre but is spreading her wings to capture the attention of all readers.

When she’s not writing, A.G is working diligently to build her business, Goode Gyrlz Publications that she formed in 2016. She also enjoys reading and restoring bargain basement furniture that she resells. When she’s not doing either of those things, Avery is spending time with her family and friends. She loves life and loves keeping people guessing. Her motto is ‘Be Goode or Be Goode at it.’ Avery Plans on doing both.

1) When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most?

I’m glad that you asked that. I think I knew I was called to be a writer when I was about 12 or 13. I loved reading but would go through books so quickly that I had to start changing the ending of stories to get new books. I read my stories to my friends and they would tell me that they liked my endings better. I guess that is one thing I love most about being a writer; having the ability to create entertaining and meaningful content that my readers love.

2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you? 

Absolutely! Because I love diversity when I read, my reader’s get diversity in my books, thus I write in multiple genres. Dishonest is an Urban Fiction crime drama about a young lady who feels like she was born to hustle. Pillow Princess Parts 1 and 2 are a LGBTQ, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, especially by another woman series. Head Doctor 1 & Head Doctor 2, a Freakquel, are erotica novels about a gold-digging sex therapist who has a hands-on approach helping her clients through their sexual dysfunction. Pen Pals is also erotica about a female pimp who uses her catering company as a front for an illicit escort service. Sex sells and she makes it delicious to buy. And Crying Meadows is a suspense-thriller tale about a wealthy couple here in Atlanta who will do anything to maintain their posh lifestyle even if it costs someone else their life. All my titles can be found at select Barnes and Noble stores and online, Amazon and every major e-book distributor and my website of course, which is www.averygoodesworld.com. Readers can get to know me by checking me out on Facebook: Avery Good (I am still baffled why Tom and his minions removed the E from my last name), IG/Twitter; @thegoodescribe and Snap: Shegoode. I share different content on each platform, and I am very transparent about who I am.

3) What projects are you currently working on?

Jimmetta, can you believe that I just finished working on my first script? Dishonest, my Urban Fiction novel is being made into a film. I am not sure when we will go to production, but I am so stoked about it. In addition to that, I am working on three new novels. Meal Tickets, my next novel is set to release March 1, 2021. I think readers are really going to enjoy that one. After that, I am going to release another novel in June and then again in August. These are novels that have been years in the making, literally.

4) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?  

Honestly, the most significant achievement so far has been the fact that I have published seven awesome novels, four of which sell so well, I quit my day job. God has blessed me, and I am able to work as a full-time author. Writing is my nine-to-five, 24/7, so I write to live. I have won a few literary awards including ATL’s Hottest Author, which was really dope. It is my hope that in the next five years, I will have written and sold several screenplays and published at least five new novels for myself and a dozen more for authors who sign with my imprint. It is not going to be easy, but I am up for the task. 

5) How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career?

One thing I’ve learned, Jimmetta, is that rejection is a harsh part of life. When I first began to write, I sought a traditional book deal, of which I eventually got, but the journey was tedious. It is never an easy thing to hear when someone tells you ‘no’. It’s like they are shutting the door on your dreams. But in this industry, one must have very thick skin. Your “why’s” have to be greater than someone’s “why not.” I just keep pushing when rejection comes my way and I smile in the face of adversity. I have a quote on my desk from Tyler Perry where he says, “It doesn’t matter if a million people tell you what you can’t do, or if ten million people tell you no. If you get one yes from God, that’s all you need.” I stand on that.

6) Do you have a schedule for when you write?  Do you outline your novels?  How long does it generally take you to finish a novel?

I maintain an eccentric schedule and get the majority of my writing done from 9pm-4:30am. This is when my home is the most peaceful and my thoughts are racing the most. But I write any and everywhere I go. I like being a passenger in cars because I can watch passing scenery and it sparks my creativity. Because I hear voices in my head, outlining helps organize them and helps me create meatier stories. It helps eliminate writer’s block as well. Before I begin to write, I take the time to get to know my characters. I give them backstories in my notebook that may never make it to the novel, but by me knowing them so well, it helps me communicate who they are better to my readers. Having my outline handy allows me to finish a novel in about three months. Editing the project is a totally different story though. I don’t rush putting out a book. I firmly believe in quality over quantity.  

7) Do you believe that there is ever a point in life where it’s too late for an aspiring writer to become successful in this industry?  Do you feel a late start would hinder their chances?

Oh no. It’s never too late. Ava DuVernay didn’t pick up her first camera until she was 32, now look at her. J.K. Rowling was 36 when she first published Harry Potter and she is one of the highest grossing authors to date. It’s not when you start that determines your success in this industry, but how hard you work. Books don’t sell themselves; people do. So an author needs to learn this industry, identify their target market and be able to pitch their books in a moment’s notice. The competition is fierce nowadays because everyone has a story tell. The key is knowing how to tell the story so well, it compels people to buy it. 

8) What’s the first book you ever read that really touched you emotionally and moved you?  Who is your favorite author? What book are you currently reading?

Can I be transparent here? My friends call me a crybaby, but I prefer the term, ‘sentamentalist’. That’s a word I created, feel free to use it. LOL. Seriously though, the first book that I read that truly touched me was Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. I was seven or eight when I read that book.  It was a story about a poor little boy who wanted some hunting dogs. He finally gets them; they go on to win some competitions and things are great. His dogs are his best friends. One day, a wolf tries to attack him, and his dogs defend him. They kill the wolf but one dog, Old Dan, dies later because of injuries he sustained. The other dog, Little Ann, loses her will to live after her best friend dies and she dies too.

Oh my gosh, I cried like a baby. This was the greatest display of love and friendship that I understood as a youngster. To this day, the book makes me cry, especially now that I have three grand dogs of my own. Grand dogs are like grandkids except well, they’re dogs.  I took a few creative writing classes that helped me improve my craft and the instructor said that with whatever emotion we write, is the same emotion that our readers will feel when they read our work. That resonated with me, so I give my books my all. Readers tell me often that they laugh, cry and even curse when they read my work. It is then that I know I have done ‘A Very Goode Job’. See what I did there? Don’t pay me any attention, I am silly like that sometimes. My favorite author hands down is Toni Morrison, who I had the pleasure of meeting a few years before her passing. Her books were so diverse and realistic. She had a way of pulling you into her stories so effortlessly. The novels she left us are truly life changing.

Currently, I am reading a book called Do It Afraid, by Joyce Meyer. It’s about not allowing fear to stop you for any reason and be courageous. It is truly ministering to me.

9) So many writers say that they hate reading their own work? Do you ever just sit down and curl up with your own book?

I can understand why many say this. I used to hate it, too but one day I sat down and read a few of my books. I could see my growth as a writer and that pleased me. It was interesting because I had forgotten that I had written certain things in the books and I was like, “dang girl, you wrote the mess out of that,” or some passages would make me laugh. I think authors should read their work every now and then, if for nothing else, to see where they matured or what areas they still need improvement in.

10) What are your thoughts about how the publishing industry is drastically changing? 

Hmm, that’s a good question. Like most changes, there are pro’s and cons. As I mentioned before, I came into the industry with a traditional publishing deal but now, I am an independent author who has her own publishing company. A pro is that Print-on-demand, has allowed so many people to get their stories out there. They no longer must toil with trying to get a book deal. If they have the desire, they can publish their own books. With that being said, another pro is that technology has streamlined a once tedious process.  Authors used to write a book once every two or three years. Now you see some author’s dropping books every month. I love the fact that we can take our destinies into our own hands. However, a major con is that some independent works show that the author sought quantity over quality.

11) I feel like writing is a remarkable tool to help people not only express themselves, but also to cope emotionally and mentally.  I know for me I write to be and feel more authentic. What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity?  How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?

Originality is what makes me and my art truly authentic. This may sound weird, but before I begin a new book, I pray and ask God for witty, creative, and original ideas. There are some great books out there, but you can definitely read the difference in an Avery Goode book. I’m not afraid to push the bar or tackle taboo subjects. You know, when I write, I sometimes feel like I’m in this special zone. Like I’m writing on Cloud.  This is how I know that writing is my purpose and the more I do it, the more empowered I feel. Writing has opened many doors for me. As I said before, we all have a story to tell and because of writing, I am able to speak to women and men across the country about domestic violence, homelessness and many other topics which I write about and have experienced. Along with my kids and God, writing is a reason that I get out of bed every morning. What A Very Goode feeling to be able to do what you love for a living and bring joy to people around the world. Through writing, my readers and I have forged a special, unbreakable bond. 

Okay now I have a few questions for you as well Jimmetta! 

1) First let me thank you for the opportunity to do this interview. You give authors such as me a chance to gain new readers and this allows them to get to know us on a more personal level. Your magazine is awesome, what motivated you to start it?

Wow! That’s such a complicated question for me because it was a compilation of reasons but ultimately at the point in which I started the magazine I was having a hard time being seen and getting my own work published and I had been reading about other authors, mainly self-published authors, who were having the same struggles and I didn’t feel like that was fair to people who are talented and deserve to have their work seen and to have people know who they are. Originally this magazine started as a newsletter and was called Free Fall and I took submissions of short stories and columns and other types of writing but as I branched into taking the newsletter into the digital magazine avenue I felt that unless I was able to pay authors for their stories and their columns that I shouldn’t accept any more submission because writers deserve to be paid for the work that they do and I just wasn’t there yet. I did, however, know that I wanted to continue highlighting authors no matter what phase of their career they were in and wanted to make sure I was allowing anyone and everyone to be seen that wanted to be seen. I love what I do and having someone as accomplished as you tell me that they think my magazine is awesome really makes me feel like I’m doing something that matters and that’s the main reason I do it!

2) What was your favorite interview so far and who is someone that you would like a chance to interview?

I think two of my favorite Interviews so far have been with Cyrus Webb (from Conversations Live and Cyrus Webb Presents) and Monica Marie Jones. I’ve interviewed them both twice and they have been an absolute joy to do the interviews with. 

I would actually love to interview authors like Mindy Kaling, Terry McMillan, Issa Rae, Tyler Perry because those are people whose writing or career journey I have followed and that have inspired me so much and I think I would probably pass out if I ever got the chance to interview Tyler Perry lol. I just don’t know if I have the nerve to seek out those bigger named writers and entertainers but I’m working up to it.

3) I know the magazine keeps you pretty busy, but what other ventures do you have a hand in?

I am also a writer and I have actually been published before but the book didn’t do well mostly because the marketing wasn’t done well by the company and I didn’t know anything back then about trying to market myself. I am in the process of republishing that book as well as publishing a few other books that I have already finished and are just in different stages of the editing process. I also have a blog, as well as a YouTube channel that I’m growing and I’ll be starting a podcast soon. I have a few other things I want to do down the line but those things are where my focus is at the moment.