Interview ft. A. Bryant

Getting to Know A. Bryant

Author Q & A

Describe yourself as an Author? How does it feel now to be an Author? I am a black love author who hopes that her art brings joy to all black people. I am a firm believer that your art belongs to your audience. Once it is written it should be shared. I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist. So my art takes a while to be released but once it is, I hope my readers would recognize that it is the best I have to offer. I am still in total shock a year later that I am even considered an author and hope to continue to live up to that name. I have so many beautiful and talented pen sisters in BLP who make me proud to be apart of their village. Explain the title. What is the significance of the title? Would you have given the book a different title? If yes, what is your title? I chose the title "Tethered to Avery" because such a strong female lead had to have people who would gravitate toward her. Avery's energy drew the attention of men and women alike. Who wouldn't want to be connected to such a strong woman? As the story unfolded the more I realized that Avery had multiple people tethered to her and many who would take any position in her life to remain in her space. Tell us about your novel? Summarise it in one written sentence? Sometimes the vision you had for yourself is not what the universe has in mind. Tethered to Avery is a novel about a young woman moving from one phase in her life into another. As she completes undergrad and begins her transition into adulting she has to learn quickly how to adjust. With her entire life planned to the tee, she has little room for interruptions. She gets a rude awakening when her heart has different plans for a new guy named James. James is fighting demons. He never fit in because he has a particular set of skills that doesn't really lend itself well to your typical nine to five. In an attempt to escape his uncles' line of work he takes a job as a police officer in the inner city. Little did he know, his uncle would find that useful as well. Set on a mission for his uncle, James finds Avery and gets... well tethered. Maleek is Avery's best friend. They've known each other for years and have practically grown up together. Maleek is a hustler and oddly great at his "job". Despite this, everything else in his life is going down the drain, from his kid to the person he thought would be his wife. Spiraling out of control Maleek attempts to take hold of what control he has left. What was the inspiration for the story?  I was inspired to write Tethered to Avery because I wanted to write a story that closely mirrored my younger self. Avery is a hustler. She raised herself, learned very quickly how to fend for herself, and never took her eye off of the prize despite the many ways society has tried to deter her. The romance was just the backdrop of how amazingly unique Avery was.   What is the key theme and/or message in the book? What do you hope your readers take away from this book? The key theme in all my books is to support black-owned businesses! That's first and foremost. Each book I have released have highlighted black excellence. In Tethered to Avery, I want readers to recognize that what you are used to is not always what is best for you. Don't be afraid to step into what the universe has in store for you.   How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? When can we expect another novel from you? Don't judge me... I have two unpublished books and four half-finished books. I hope to release a novel this summer for my birthday.   Tell us a little about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years? In five years, I see myself testing out my ability. I want to expand my writing, I want to learn to release consistently and I want to write freely. In five years, I want to be limitless in my art without the noise and fear of being received by my audience.