Who is Gregory Simpson?

Q: Why did you write Until Death Do Us Part!?
Because I'm tired of working for corporate America for the most part. Its hard to go to work every day and have your livelihood and future in the hands of a person who won't speak to you on the street if you passed them by. The second - and just as important reason for my writing has to do with the reality I faced as a reader was that the books that were available to me did not speak to me as a black male so I decided to write my own situation.

Q: What does the book say to women?
Its hard for me to answer that question because I didn’t write this novel per say just for women even though I was told very early in my writing career that men don’t read and I would never sell enough books if I counted on them to buy my book. But I have never believed that men wouldn’t read if given something to hold their attention. I started this book with one major point in mind and that was to create a story and characters that a woman could pick up, read and enjoy and still hand it over to her male companion and he would enjoy it just as much if not more.

Q: Do you think readers will accept reading about a "flawless" black man who is the main character in your novel?
I had to laugh at this question and then I asked myself who are you talking about Noah or Bishop. Because to me Bishop is the idea man as far as one black man to another and its funny that men are closer to Bishop in their questioning than to Noah. And I think in book number two you will see some of Noah’s quirks and issues.

Q: So are you saying this isn’t the only novel we’ll see Noah, Bishop and Micah?
This is the first of I hope many books with Noah, Bishop and Micah. I have always liked reading books that continue in the development of the characters that are entertaining me.

Q: Do you think that black men have been the scapegoat in male/female relationships and contemporary fiction?
I’m not saying this but we all know that it’s true. Think about this… no man forces a woman to accept drama and abuse. Women make choices … good and bad. So do men. I ask all women how many men have you left waiting for a return phone call? How many men have you struck at in anger? How many men have been held hostage to your moods? How many times have you been unfaithful to a significant other? This is a human nature problem on both sides of the fence.

Q: What does the title "Until Death Do Us Part!" mean to you?
It means what a marriage is supposed to be about. I was married for quite a while and I never thought anything could end that relationship except for death but it doesn’t always end the way we want it. Noah had this same belief in my mind.

Q: Have you already started on your next novel?
Yes, I have and I hope to have it on the shelves by mid 2003. The name of my second novel is "Urban Web Tales" and it will be written in Micah's voice. My third novel will be written in Bishop's voice. Writing like this is a challenge I truly look forward to.

Q: What's it about?
I can’t say too much about it now because I do want to keep it a surprise but I will let you know that Noah, Bishop and Micah will be the major players. It will have some social issues wrapped into the story and it will be staged in New Orleans, Louisiana which is my hometown.

Q: Really? That’s a very unique approach what made you decide to go in that direction?
Its something that I would have loved to see when I was reading but I never saw that kind of creativity. So I promised myself that if I was ever given the opportunity to write my own novel, I would take a chance and try it for myself.

Q: What would you say to writers just starting off looking to get published?
Don’t limit yourself to holding your work until you find a typical publishing company. I wanted more control in every aspect of my material and by working with iUniverse.com I was able to get that control. I did end my contract with iUniverse.com once my book was published because I was not getting the royalties from my sales. That's another pitfall for all new writers to avoid. Get paid for your work and keep great numbers on the sales you've made.

Q: How would you like to be compared to other novelists?  
Never thought about that one because I never considered myself the typical writer. I do like to think I'm a little of Robert Parker (Spenser), Andrew Vachass (Stega) and Walter Mosley (Red Dress) rolled up in one.

Q: You even have poetry in your novel right?     
Yes I do, if you want to call it that but actually it’s a rap song from Prophet.

Q: You incorporated Locks, an African American hairstyle in your novel. What does that mean to you?  
It’s a look that I like but I’m bald by choice and so is my son. I cut our hair weekly and not because I don’t have a full head of hair, its just a look I like. I also tell all of my friends that if I had the time and energy I would wear "locks." And I must admit that the 'blackness' of the look itself is quite inspiring.

Q: You have a gay female as one of your characters who is in a relationship with a straight male. Where did you do your research for this character?
I have a number of my female friends who are gay or bi-sexual so it was all good for me. As a matter of record my baby sister is gay and I couldn't be any prouder of her - She is all that and a bag of chips so her sexual preference is not a negative. Now some of my other family members acceptance of this is another story! :-)

Q: This novel could easily be turned into a movie. Why do you think more black books are not being adapted in Hollywood?      Because contrary to our believe we are – African Americans - only about 15% of this nations population and every major studio knows this. The other factor is that most white folks I know will not go out and intentionally go to an all black movie. We’ve come a long way but we still have an even greater journey to complete before white folks will let us in their homes when it ain’t necessary.

Q: Your female lead, Micah, is a very strong willed woman in an usual position as a woman. How do you think women readers will react to her?                 
From the initial responses I’ve gotten most women either love her or hate her. There are no so-so thoughts about her. But what I really like is that I love her. And believe it or not she is was based on a "real life" person who I met many years ago.

Q: What’s next for you?
Writing and trying to sell as many books as I can. I never want to go back to working in corporate America.