Who are you, and why should I read you?

Well, I'm Niya White--author, Chicagoan, and literary junkie extraordinaire! As for why you should read me--a more important question is, why not?

 

What can we expect from this impromptu conversation with yourself?

Years ago, I once read an interview in some nameless music magazine (probably NME) in which two guys were auditioning to be apart of Marilyn Manson's band. As part of the auditioning process, they were asked to fill out a questionnaire (!) Both guys got bored with it fairly quickly--or maybe they figured out the ironic joke. One guy answered the questions with answers that had nothing to do with the questions, the other answered every question with the words "dish-washing liquid". 
I will try not to do that here.

 

What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?

That remains to be seen. Although I will say putting my work on the national stage has been a tremendous step forward...

 

Describe your desk

My laptop shares space with a smart phone, a camera and tripod, a set of broken speakers, a flash drive and a framed picture of some random guy I don't know-- all on a draft table I found in my grandmother's basement.

 

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up in Chicago, a beautiful city with a mean streak. This city has beaten me down several times: I survived homelessness, a dysfunctional family, dysfunctional neighborhood(s), psychotic bosses, sociopath boyfriends, and though I still struggle with depression from so much SURVIVING, I only know one thing--well, two things really: no anti-depressant will replace the joy of having others relate to your work and writing is a whole lot cheaper than therapy.