"Unveiling the Talent: A Spotlight on Author Andrew Snorton"
Author Spotlight & Blog Feature on #LaDonnaMarieBooks
Welcome Author Andrew Snorton
Where are you from?
Atlanta, GA
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I first considered myself a writer around March 2010 when I was a contributing writer for the Examiner (magazine). When it concluded operations in the summer of 2016, I continued writing (more press/media related) via my business, Creative Community Solutions. Once I realized my debut "Deeper than your deepest sleep: thoughts on love with Joseph Snorton" (February 2017), I'm able to take my writing to another level.
Do you try to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
It's about finding an intersection between the two mindsets. I have often said "be authentic and accessible". This way, you're able to maintain your originality and speak with your audience, so you are able to do both.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It honestly depends on the topic. My first book (Deeper) took 2 months, but my other books took between 9 to 12 months to complete, so it really does vary.
What is the title of your book? How did you come up with the title?
Just one (LOL)? I'll see what I can do on all 4 if that is workable:
1. Deeper than your deepest sleep: thoughts on love with Joseph Snorton (2017). The title comes from a typo from the invitation I received for the memorial service for Dr. Maya Angelou; it's in the name of Joseph Snorton instead of my name, and I thought it was a prank. After doing some research, I learned I have a very distant relative named Joseph, so the title comes from there.
2. 9 stories of faith: volume 1 (2018). The original title is supposed to be 13 (a play on the "bad luck" nature of the number). However, after having a conversation with a friend of mine regarding her work, I took a moment to pause and realized I already had 9 stories. The significance of the number 9 is this is the length of the nails (9 inches) driven through Christ's body at his crucifixion, so him going through that kind of pain for our redemption can provide parallels for an adversity we are dealing with and the potential redemption that can come from it.
3. nothing Minor (2020). The title comes from the topic covered, as the book focuses on my coverage of minor league baseball. As players work their way up the ranks, they have the potential to play on the highest level of baseball (Major League Baseball); when you can potentially accomplish something that great within your field, there's nothing minor about it.
4. quotes and notes: something's on the horizon. Honestly, it's an idea that came to me while sitting on a bench on the boardwalk (Atlantic Ocean/Asbury Park, NJ) watching the sunrise. I know how peaceful that view is for me, so to help invoke similar peaceful moments for others when reading, it just made sense.
5. The Author's Mixtape (audiobook series: 2019-2021): The title and related subtitles literally come from how the audiobooks are put together. The pieces are freestyle as we literally come up with a title in our studio sessions and then create what's next. And invoking the spirit of the mixtape evident in music (mainly hip-hop), it just fits.
Give us a short description about it..
1. Deeper: It's a poetic retelling of the energy of love in multiple forms, as it's based on conversation with family members. We make sure each chapter is a segment of the actual conversation (preview) so the reader can better connect with the poem and the themes covered.
2. 9 stories of faith (volume 1): The underlying idea is all of us are dealing with something, but some of us are dealing with some major life challenges daily. Via the lenses of one's faith, application of best practices in health/wellness, their support network, and their change in thinking, they are able to live positive and powerful lives despite challenges ranging from physical/mental health, life after incarceration, and other life challenges.
3. nothing Minor: The focus is more than just the actual game of baseball. It's about the game coverage, the insight and wisdom of the players, and the lessons applicable beyond the game. Add a mixing of just enough history and broader perspectives, and for fans of all levels of the game, team-building, and other related themes, it's about getting into the game today.
4. quotes and notes (something's on the horizon): What we put in our heads in some way, shape, or form, becomes manifest. All of us at times need to pause, reboot, or have a hard reset, so the original quotes help frame one's mind/approach; in looking at the logic/rationales, readers have an explanation, but the most important part of the book is the ability for readers to journal (do they agree/disagree, or do they need to go in a deeper or different direction to unlock the greatness within them).
5. The Author's Mixtape (audiobook series): It's essentially coming straight from the dome and articulating one's thoughts, ideas, hopes, fears, and beyond. Be it acapella or with background music (volumes 4 and 5 are done in collaboration with Kris10), it's about unwinding and opening your mind to the broader and greater realm of possibilities.
Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
For all of the books, it's about connecting with the topics, but reconnecting with themselves. Far too often, we are all over the place given family, career, and other things on our "to-do" list. At times, we just have to slow things down and think, revisit, evaluate, assess, pause, pray, plan, and proceed. Being able to do so can set the stage for deeper connections and beyond.
What does literary success look like to you?
It all starts with getting started, as that is the hardest part of even achieving success. Once you start, maintain a balance of focus and moments to pause, as we are so driven on creating the perfect work or piece.
Once you are done, focus on simply connecting with readers and more; show your dedication to your craft as consistently as possible and as I noted earlier, write authentically and accessibly so you are speaking WITH your audience instead of AT them.
All of us look for the sales, but the bigger focus is on making an impact and seeing how your work can potential change someone's life for the better, however that may look. Do that over the long haul and bigger rewards can come, but if your focus is elsewhere, people can read and see through it and you.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
The main thing is get started, be consistent (based on what that looks like to you) with the time needed to get your work done, and simply be among the people/audience. Don't just rely on social media! Get out there and be among the people who can help you grow, and don't be afraid to ask for help.
And don't forget to help someone else; as the saying goes, "build as you climb" as there's tremendous narratives out there which need to be told and shared by US.
What are your current projects?
Just like any other author, working on a few projects, including working on a few more releases on the coffee collaboration I have with Fante's Coffee (the #AuthorASnortonBlend coffee). You'll have to stay tuned as I'm sure I'll have some things in store for 2024 :-)
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