Kevin M. Weeks

 

Author Kevin M. Weeks was born on the rough side of West Philadelphia (West Philly), Pennsylvania. He has seen a lot on the streets, which is what brought about The Street Life Series®, a collection of Crime Fiction novels. The Street Life Series® is about main character Teco Jackson’s fascinating journey. Each book in the series reveals an action packed occupation for Teco. Crime happens around him; and we come to see how Teco responds. Book Reviewers describe the series as "entertaining, engaging, and just plain fun to read."

Mr. Weeks has spent countless hours researching the publishing industry and becoming a self-published author. He is an inspiration to all to reach higher in order to achieve ones career goals and aspiratons. His ultimate objective is to have a series to inspire adults through fiction to never give up and to continue to follow their dreams.

 

As a self-published author, Kevin M. Weeks received the following awards and recognition:

 

* 2007 New York Book Festival Award

* 2008 Beach Book Festival, Honorable Mention

* MosaicBooks.com 2007 Bestseller

* YOUnity Guild of America Best New Urban Author of the Year 2006

* 2007 Hollywood Book Festival, Honorable Mention

* 2007 Do It Yourself Book Festival, Honorable Mention

* Conversations Book Club" Best Kept Literary Secrets of 2007"

* In January 2008, Kevin M. Weeks received United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) trademark approval for the use of the name "The Street Life Series."

 

To find out more about Kevin M. Weeks, visit www.thestreetlifeseries.com, www.Myspace.com/kevinmweeks and his BLOG at www.kevinmweeks.vox.com. To contact Kevin M. Weeks, email info@thestreetlifeseries.com

 

 

"The Street Life Series: Is It Suicide or Murder? is a very strong debut novel in the urban fiction genre. The plot was engaging, and the pacing was well suited to a novel of this type. The dialogue came off as very convincing, and did a good job propelling the story. The author (Kevin M. Weeks) has a very accessible prose style, which makes the book just plain fun to read. Weeks successfully conveys a sense of realism necessary for a convincing genre novel, through both dialogue and narrative. He excels at combining dialogue and descriptive passages, and keeps the story moving along nicely. The novel will be enjoyable to a wide audience."
Reviewer: Writer´s Digest 15th Annual Self-Published Book Awards

 

“Weeks’ second entry in his self-published "Street Life" series (after Is It Suicide or Murder?) mixes gritty street-lit action with hints of a police procedural that will appeal to both urban fiction fans and readers of African American mysteries.” Reviewer: Rollie Welch, Library Journal

 

PageOneLit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Kevin M. Weeks: During my early childhood in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I experienced difficulty reading; therefore, I became discouraged. As an adult, I looked to different avenues in order to overcome my obstacles of reading and writing. As an example, books and National Public Radio (NPR) grasped my attention. This is how I increased my vocabulary, which is essential. It was as if these alternative methods became a mentor to me. Authors and radio talk show hosts provided the knowledge that I needed in positioning me to succeed.

PageOneLit.com: Why do you write?

Kevin M. Weeks: There are three essential reasons why I write:
(1) Writing relaxes my mind. My theory is that if the mind is relaxed, the body will follow. (2) I delight in thinking, seeing, and playing the roles of all my characters. (3) Written words give me the chance to show various lifestyles from different perspectives. The world is a better place because of diversity.

 

PageOneLit.com: Briefly discuss your new book THE STREET LIFE SERIES: IS IT PASSION OR REVENGE? Where did the story come from?

Kevin M. Weeks: The Street Life Series is a collection of crime fiction novels in an urban setting. The series comes from a childhood dream of becoming a detective. Thus, I'm following the American dream through my writing career.

PageOneLit.com: Who is Teco Jackson? Who is The Paradox? Who is Detective Hanae Troop?

Kevin M. Weeks: West Philadelphia native Teco Jackson is a young man who is in search of his true identity in life. In the first novel, "Is It Suicide or Murder?", Teco does things such as bucking against the law and finding refuge in the arms of women. Throughout the series, he travels to different cities across the world and ultimately becomes a positive male figure. As an example in the second novel, 'Is It Passion or Revenge?", Teco finds out that he can score fast money as a male exotic dancer in Washington, D.C. When he catches the interest of a female detective, Hanae Troop, Hanae provides Teco with an avenue for a more secure life on the other side of the fence, which continues to play out in the third book called "Is It Rags or Riches?"

If I tell you who The Paradox really is, this reveals the plot in the second novel titled, "Is It Passion or Revenge?" I will say this. The Paradox is willing to die for a cause that is tied to the streets; however, The Paradox wants to live.

Hanae Troop is characterized by The Library Journal Book Reviewer, Rollie Welch, as a "cops cop." She is a quick-witted and statuesque detective who works in an all male Homicide Division. Having everything to prove, she does it with her innermost desires to protect the innocent. Think of the movie Jackie Brown, starring Pam Grier, and you will see similar attributes in Hanae Troop. Though Hanae is divorced, will any man ever find the key to her heart?

PageOneLit.com: What is your message for THE STREET LIFE SERIES?

Kevin M. Weeks: The message for The Street Life Series is simple. It's about getting a second chance in life. People want to hear more success stories about people who achieved their dreams regardless of "temporary impossibilities." I want readers to dare to dream again. Forget what people say can or can not be accomplished in life. Allow The Street Life Series characters to demonstrate through fiction that all things are possible for those who believe.

 

PageOneLit.com: Character or plot? Which do you feel is more important and why?

Kevin M. Weeks: Character and plot are equally important. The Street Life Series starts off as character driven; however, the story progresses as plot driven. I do this so that if I eliminate a character, the story will continue. After all, it is a series.

PageOneLit.com: THE STREET LIFE SERIES would make a great film or television movie - Who would you cast as your actors and why?

 

Kevin M. Weeks: The closing credits would include the following cast:

 

 

Teco Jackson - Tyrese Gibson

Hanae Troop - Kerry Washington

Marcus Brown - Daniel Craig

Linda Hubbard - Arielle Kebbe

Gail Indigo Que - Meagan Good

Bobby Stephens - James Todd Smith III (LL Cool J)

Twyla Burke - Ellise Neal

Captain Wicker - Lawrence Fishburne

FBI Detective Mullis - Keanu Reeves

FBI Detective Rozier - Donald Frank Cheadle

 

I chose the following cast because The Street Life Series is about more than books. I want the audience to not only see the movie itself, but also to see accomplished actors and actresses who themselves are successful. I can't say this enough; The Street Life Series is about achieving your dreams.

 

PageOneLit.com: What do you hope readers will say after reading THE STREET LIFE SERIES?

Kevin M. Weeks: First and foremost, I hope readers say that The Street Life Series is a refreshing read. I want them to identify with a particular character and enjoy seeing how that character grows throughout the series. Ultimately, I want them to enjoy reading each novel.

PageOneLit.com: What's next?

Kevin M. Weeks: In addition to The Street Life Series, I want to start a youth program. This all goes back to your original question to me about my earliest influences. I want to be the role model for our youth, which I never had when I was growing up. I want to provide reading programs for all age groups, with a focus on young people. You will see a separate series of books geared strictly for the youth to encourage them to read and to never give up in following their aspirations in life.

PageOneLit.com: What was the last book you read?

Kevin M. Weeks: The last book I read was Trademark: Legal Care for Your Business & Product Name by Stephen Elias and Richard Stim. I trademarked the name The Street Life Series in January 2008. Reading this book is in anticipation for more innovative ideas to come. Also, I am an avid reader of books about writing techniques on topics such as character development. I must add that I was fortunate to have a writing mentor from PEN American Center.

PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Kevin M. Weeks: I enjoy playing the bongos and listening to different types of music. Music taps into my creativity which fuels my writing.

Thank you for this interview. I wish PageOneLit.com all the best.