LEV: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for Literary Essence today.

 G T: It's my pleasure!

 G T: Well, okay. I'm married, father of four, and eldest of 8 children. My love for writing came very early. It really came from an avid love of reading. I was always into fantasy books, comics, Greek, Egyptian and Roman mythologies.

 LEV: As a reader, do you have certain genres you prefer to read?

 G T: Yes. I prefer the Stephen King, Dean Koontz type of genre. Horror, thrillers, suspense, but I read mostly everything.

 LEV: Very intriguing. So what drew you into writing?

 G T: As a child I always loved to write. My storytelling ability came from watching my siblings. We have very little in the way of toys, so to entertain everyone I would make up a story. Then they would want me to tell the same story again, so I had to write it down to remember what I said.

 LEV: Are you from a close knit family?

 G T: Very. I have two sisters and five brothers. We speak almost everyday although we're spread up and down the east coast.

 LEV: With the release of The Tribe, what has the reaction been amongst those close to you? Was it expected or did they know you were now writing professionally?

 G T: Most of my family was aware of my burning desire to be published. My brothers and sisters were very helpful. For instance, my brother's daughter is on the book cover, and my brother did the web-site for me. Their reaction to the book has been very favorable. They knew I had it in me, but I must admit they're very impressed with the results.

 LEV: What would you like to share about the road you traveled to being the published author you are now?

 G T: It's a long and very frustrating one. But because I LOVE what I do, it's a road that's worth it. I just hope readers like the story as much as I like writing it.

 LEV: Share with us a bit about The Tribe.

 G T: The idea came to me after I finished my first novel. I wanted to show something about consequences of actions. The slave trade as we all know was one of the most horrific events in mankind. I wanted to use the horror of that event and tie it in to a lot of things happening now. But I didn't want to be preachy with it. I just wanted to set the stage and see where the reader's mind would go.

 LEV: Do you feel the message you want to get across is being picked up by your readers thus far?

G T: Well, the message is multi faceted. A story should inspire, inform and entertain. In that way, yes, I do think I got my message across, but only the reader can tell me for sure. Thus far the feed back has been very favorable.

LEV: That is very good.

 G T: Thanks…

LEV: What else do you have in store for us in the future? Will you be touring with your debut release?

 G T: Oh, I have a plethora of stories written and a heap more waiting to be born. I am currently writing the sequel to the Tribe and my tour is being worked on as we speak.

 LEV: Please keep me posted and I can keep your readers informed.

 G T: Will do!

 LEV: Is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers and other aspiring authors.

 G T: Yes… I hope they are willing to come on a journey with me. I promise to bring them home safe and sound.

 LEV: Well put. Thank you once again for your time and I look forward to seeing more from you in the future, Mr. Townes.