Tag Archives: Dutch
Dutch by Kwame Teague
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
ISBN-10: 0446551538
ISBN-13: 978-0446551533
Price: $7.99
Purchase: Amazon
Description
It is the urban-lit classic that breaks all the rules. It introduces a player who will use any means necessary to dominate the streets-and beyond.
There isn’t an angle he can’t work or a woman he can’t seduce. And it’s taken Bernard James, Jr. aka Dutch, no time at all to turn an African drug lord’s stolen heroin business into the East Coast’s most feared drug empire. And there’s no shortage of enemies vowing to take him down, including a vengeful Mafia heir, an ambitious DA and a conscience-stricken former friend. But none of his enemies can stop what they can’t see. And Dutch has everyone right where he wants them in the end. With his life on the line, and the face of the enemy in everyone he sees, Dutch plays the game and scores a winning hand in the face of all that betrayed him. But, there is one woman Dutch just can’t resist who will shake his ice-cold control to its core. And it will be the one betrayal that he never sees coming that will put more than he ever imagined at risk.
Review
Dutch by Kwame Teague is a street classic. The main protagonist, Bernard James, goes by the name of Dutch, moves up the ranks by first stealing cars with his crew. He gets caught and thrown in jail on his first major heist at the port, and swears to never return to prison again. He devises a plan with his crew to go after a major kingpin who everyone feared, that’s until Dutch discovers his weak link and kills him.
After he kills him, he pays a visit to the Italian mafia, and presents them with a surprise. The leader is convinced Dutch is ruthless, and decides to reluctantly agree to his proposition of working in collaboration with him. It was then that Dutch becomes the most feared man on the streets. Unfortunately, this didn’t last for long because many were not happy with the arrangement, and that’s when things took a drastic turn for the worst. The next thing Dutch knew he was on trial for crimes he allegedly committed.
Kwame Teague is a creative genius and gifted story teller. This book read like a movie. To me, Dutch is the perfect gangster. All the characters were real, and the way the story was written kept you in suspense. The ending was shocking as it was explosive.
If you want to get your first taste of urban/street literature, I highly recommend this book.
Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Kwame Teague is the award winning, critically acclaimed, and Essence #1 bestselling author of the street classic Dutch trilogy. His other novels include Above The Law, the Dynasty trilogy, ? (pronounced Que), The Adventures of Ghetto Sam and the Glory of My Demise and Thug Politics under the pseudonym Dutch. With a passion for writing, Kwame is always hard at work on his next novel.
Author Interview: Antoine ‘Inch’ Thomas
I have been following Antoine ‘Inch’ Thomas for quite some time now and I think he is an exceptional man. I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time last month. It was a real treat, because I got to spend time with him and the rest of the 848 Web Series team. Inch is one of the most down to earth and humblest men I know. Besides being incredibly talented as a writer, actor and filmmaker. If you haven’t read any his books, or watched the 848 Web Series, I highly recommend it.
1) Where did you grow up? How was your childhood?
I grew up in the Northeast Bronx, New York City, a housing development called Edenwald Houses. My childhood was fair…my mother was a single mom raising six children on her own. My older siblings were dipping and dabbing in drugs. Mom was on welfare, no real male role model around…just my mother, mostly.
2) What was your dream or aspiration?
My dream was always to own my own business. Nothing in particular..a store perhaps, but something that I could call my own and run it how I wanted to run it.
3) Who did you look up to or admire? Who was your greatest influence?
I had no one that I wanted to be like except the neighborhood drug dealer. There were a few, but one or two stood out to me for various reasons. For those reasons, primarily materialistic reasons, and me growing up poor, I wanted what they had. I wanted to be them.
4) What has gotten you through hard times in life?
My faith in the almighty Creator has gotten me through the times when most people were expected to crack or break. I am a practicing Muslim and I have been so for 23 years. Islam the religion, is perfect. People ruin it!
5) What kind of music do you like or listen to?
I listen to hip hop and R&B music.
6) What is your favorite movie and why?
One of my favorite movies of all time has to be “Scarface”. The story of a Cuban immigrant who made something out of nothing. According to him, all he had was his balls (courage) and his word (honor). Sometimes that’s all that we need.
7) Who are your favorite authors and books?
My favorite authors are different from my favorite books because an author can write an awesome story, but once you get big headed and appear as if your shit doesn’t stink, Fuck You! But a few of my favorite stories are: The Coldest Winter Ever, True To The Game, Dutch, B More Careful, Block Party, Do or Die, Standing At The Scratch Line (My all time favorite), Gangsta, Kiss The Girls, and Flower’s Bed.
Some of my favorite authors are: Treasure Blue, Al-Saadiq Banks, James Patterson, John Grisham, Thomas Long, T. Benson Glover, and Michael Whitby.
8) Tell us a little bit about the books you’ve written? How did you come up with the ideas for them?
No Regrets, the first book that I’ve ever written was inspired by my own childhood. Flower’s Bed, the novel that set off my company is a story about a young lady and domestic molestation. I wrote that book to grab the attention of the readers. Unwilling To Suffer is a hood love story inspired by a personal experience and That Gangsta Shit, an anthology was created to introduce my authors on a level smaller than debuting a full length novel.
9) How long does it take you to write a book?
I wrote my first book in eight days, it’s first draft. Flower’s Bed took me three weeks. Black Rose’s took sixteen days and Unwilling To Suffer took me six months to complete.
10) What are some of the things you learned from writing books?
From writing stories, I’ve learned how to read and write better, I’ve enhanced my vocabulary and I’ve also learned how to improve on story line.
11) What inspires or motivates you?
My will to succeed and win motivates me to reach for the stars. I feel like I have so much potential that I almost wasted running around in those streets that now I try to be an example for the ones headed down that same route.
12) What would you do differently if you had a second chance?
If I had a second chance, I wouldn’t do anything different because everything today for me is the way it is because life was the way that it was.
13) How did you come up with the concept for the 848 web series?
I am a huge fan of “The Wire”. I enjoy the tv show “Power”. I was intrigued by how so many people were so excited about, the following week’s episode of “Empire”. I absolutely admired the show, “Money & Violence”. So I grouped all of those elements together along with incorporating my preparation for writing a novel and boom, 848 was born. I always say, nothing too ratchet, something easy on the tongue, something familiar, easy to remember and something unordinary.
14) What do you want people to take from your books and 848?
I want people to know that the man behind my books and 848 had one time given up on society and life. There was a time when I thought that I would never be shit, so why even try. And here I am today, with maybe not much financially but I am so happy that I made it this far and how other people can see me as a source of encouragement. Hope, for lack of a better term.
15) Do you enjoy acting or writing more?
I enjoy acting and writing equally. I really enjoy coming up with the ideas of how a scene should be played out, camera angles etc.
16) What are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful for a loving family. I love my children with all of my dear heart.
17) Where do you see yourself five or ten years from now?
In five or ten years, with enough hard work, determination, sacrifice and consistency, I see myself on the big screen.
18) What advice would you give the youth today?
To the youth of 2015, although it may sound cliché, never give up. Never give up hope because God is real. We cannot enjoy the rainbow without first enduring the storm. We must experience hardship in order to truly appreciate success.
19) Are you currently working on a new book or project?
Right now, I am still in the production stages of rounding out the end of Season 1 of 848.
20) Lastly, what advice would you give a novice writer?
When it comes to being an author, the READERS, MAKE you, or they break you, figuratively, of course. NEVER, release material that you aren’t 100 with, from its title, the cover, down to every page, every chapter, every paragraph & every sentence. Begin EVERY story with some action, or over the top drama. Be descriptive in your sex scenes, & graphic when there’s action or violence. Exaggerate, but make everything believable & imaginable. Be unpredictable with your story & lead folks to believe one thing, then give them something they wouldn’t expect. Make your readers sympathize with your characters, show compassion… many will empathize automatically with them (when one actually went through it as well). Make them connect with your character, the best way that you can, then bring your character to a low point. Once you’re there, your readers will begin to have hope of a rise. Once YOU feel that way, drop your character into some deeper shit, where the only way out, IS, up…then you give him or her a triumphant rise.
Give your character issues (health, education, family, financial & morals), within the story itself. Make folks LOVE your character and write your narration, and most of your dialogue in correct English. Proper English. Everyone speaks different, but we understand what we read, and interpret it, the way that we talk. So a country nigga and a bitch from Boston can read the same story, & identify exactly the same understanding as the writer, from their experiences, but will actually be hearing it, in their own lingo.
Most importantly, appear to be tangible. Many authors are arrogant and seem surreal so readers look at them as fake & don’t want anything personally to do with them. That creates a barrier, a gap, or a form of distance, between reader & writer, yet the idea is to be on one accord, so the overall understanding of a story and the author behind it, is fundamental and very simple to connect. Be as friendly & sociable, literary wise, as possible. You never know what a simple smile, a wave, handshake or response to an email or inbox, can accomplish.
Be available & WILLING, to do signings. Every signing may not be advantageous, financially, but it can be filed as a learning experience, it can be deemed a rehearsal for future events, and it’s also a form of promotion. Folks may not have the money at that time but they’ll remember your presence and when they return and you aren’t there, they’ll purchase your material because you were kind. Be open minded and patient. Stay hopeful. Believe in yourself and your work. Forget anything negative that anyone has to say, be thankful for the compliments you receive, and be appreciative for any constructive criticism. Without it, we’ll never know where to improve!
Wow! What an incredible and generous interview. Thank you so much, Antoine ‘Inch’ Thomas.
Antoine ‘Inch’ Thomas was born and raised in the Bronx. He’s talented, impulsive, and a passionate writer who thrives on being creative. You can fallow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Posted in Author Interviews, book reviews, faith, writing
Also tagged 848 Web Series, Al-Saadiq Banks, Antoine Inch Thomas, B-More Careful, Black Rose's, Block Party, Bronx, Do or Die, Drug Dealing, Edelwald Houses, Empire, faith, Flower's Bed, Gangsta, hope, Islam, James Patterson, John Grisham, Kiss The Girls, Michael Whitby, Money & Violence, Muslim, No Regrets, NYC, power, Scarface, Standing at the Scratch Line, Steven Smalls, T. Benson Glover, That Gangsta Shit, The Coldest Winter Ever, The Wire, Thomas Long, Treasure Blue, True to the Game, Unwilling to Suffer
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Author Interview: Dutch
It began several months ago, when I wrote a letter to Dutch telling him how much I enjoyed reading his book, Above The Law. Little did I know it would blossom into a beautiful friendship. I have a deep respect and admiration for him. Not only is he a phenomenal writer, he is a genius and wonderful person. I am blessed to know him and call him friend. It is with great pleasure to introduce to you, Kwame Teague, aka Dutch.
1. Where did you grow up? How was your childhood?
I was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. Normal ghetto story, grew up too fast. DJ’d, stole cars and sold drugs. Cliché.
2. What is the most memorable event you experienced as a child?
When I was three, I ditched my babysitter and went to the store. Everybody thought I got abducted. I came back and got my ass whooped.
3. What was your dream?
To be Scarface (lol). Who else? I also wanted to go into politics and be president.
4. Do you remember a teacher encouraging you in school?
Yep. My third grade teacher, Ms. McGeorge. She’s the one who said I’d be president (she may’ve told us all this).
5. Who had the greatest influence on you growing up?
My Uncle Hakim (God bless the dead). He was cool and didn’t take no shit. He spoke six languages and when he died in his 80’s, he looked like he was 50.
6. When did you realize you were a writer?
When I was twelve. I wrote a story about selling drugs.
7. Were you into reading books as a child? What book stood out for you?
Yes, a lot! Still do. I think that is the most important thing for kids, reading. My favorite book is Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.
8. How were your teenage years?
I was selling drugs, State to State. Delaware, Baltimore, Virginia and North Carolina. I wasn’t a king pin, not even close, just young and wild.
9. Was Dutch your first book published?
No. Ghetto Sam is my first book.
10. What did it feel like to be a published author?
To be published gave me a sense of accomplishment.
11. How did it feel to become an award winning, critically acclaimed and Essence #1 best selling author?
To win awards kept me humble.
12. What is your philosophy in life?
Act as if you are right, but know you can be wrong.
13. What gets you through difficult times?
My belief in myself.
14. Who are some of your favorite authors?
Wahida Clark, Al-Saadiq Banks, Eyonne Williams, Stone Ramsey and DC BookDiva (who is just so damn sexy).
15. Besides being an incredibly gifted writer, and prolific author, you are currently fighting for your innocence. Can you share how that is going?
I’ve been incarcerated for twenty-one years, and trying to prove my innocence. I’m currently raising money for a top notch lawyer, but I need all the help I can get!
16. What do you believe constitutes good writing?
Good writing paints a picture, takes few words and makes you think.
17. How did you become the talented writer that you are?
Working hard and eating Wheaties. No really, I love life, so I see the beauty and the ugliness in it.
18. What did you do to hone your skills?
Live, love and learn.
19. What is your principle goal when you began penning books?
To make you think, challenge what you think and make you wet…
20. What is your writing process?
Listen to music and then ask what if…
21. Do you use an outline?
Very rarely.
22. Do you write every day or only when you are inspired?
I write ten pages a day.
23. How long does it take you to write a book?
Thirty days on average.
24. How did you develop the confidence as a writer?
Because I’m confident as a man.
25. What is your vision?
To be free and free minds along the way.
26. Was there a particular book that you enjoyed writing the most?
Good question… I have a book called God that I haven’t released yet. God is my favorite.
27. Lastly, what would you tell a novice writer coming up in the industry? What advice would you give them?
Build your brand and open up the overseas market! The American market is saturated.
Bio: Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Kwame Teague is the award winning, critically acclaimed, and Essence #1 bestselling author of the street classic Dutch trilogy. His other novels include Above The Law, the Dynasty trilogy, ? (pronounced Que), The Adventures of Ghetto Sam and the Glory of My Demise and Thug Politics under the pseudonym Dutch. With a passion for writing, Kwame is hard at work on his next novel.
Posted in Author Interviews, novels, writing
Also tagged Above The Law, Al-Saadiq Banks, Dynasty, Eyonne Williams, Ghetto Sam, God, incarceration, Innocence, interview, Kwame Teague, Les Miserables, selling drugs, stealing cars, Stone Ramsey and DC BookDiva Publications, Tiah Short, Victor Hugo, Wahida Clark, wrongful conviction
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Dynasty by Dutch
Paperback: 245 pages
Publisher: DC Bookdiva Publications
ISBN-10: 0578029464
ISBN-13: 978-0578029467
Price: $15.00
Purchase: DC BookDiva Publications | Amazon
Description
National Bestselling Author Dutch debut’s “Dynasty”, the first urban soap opera! The Bells and Simmons are family. The Bells, a crime family in New York, have the cocaine market on lock. The Simmons, hailing from the South, reign supreme in heroin. Talks of joining forces are suddenly stalled when family patriarch Guy Simmons is gunned down. Suspicions fly. Jealousy breeds. The body count rises. Guy Simmons has created a legacy he wants to pass on to his two sons, Kevin and Tyquan. However, his womanizing ways have spilled over and jeopardizes all he’s worked for. The mothers of his sons hate each other. Like mother, like son. Guy s shooting has ignited a new brotherly beef; a beef that could have deadly repercussions, especially when you have a family where the enemy may lie within.
Review
This is the second book I’ve read by Dutch. I believe he is an excellent writer and storyteller.
Dynasty is rich with intrigue and drama, containing some interesting twists which will surprise you.
Dutch draws you in immediately from the start, and you won’t want to put the book down. His characters are rich and vibrant, the story is detailed and believable. He is a gifted writer, who has an uncanny ability to teach as well as entertain you.
Dynasty is about two families, the Bells and the Simmons, but centers around the main protagonist, Guy Simmons. The surprises that are set off as a result of Guy’s decisions will have you reeling.
All in all, Dynasty is a fabulous read. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to read the sequel, Dynasty II.
Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Dutch is the award winning, critically acclaimed, and Essence #1 bestselling author of the street classic Dutch trilogy. His other novels include The Adventures of Ghetto Sam and the Glory of My Demise and Thug Politics under the pseudonym Dutch. With a passion for writing, Dutch is hard at work on his next novel.
Posted in book reviews
Also tagged Author Dutch, Book Review, DC Diva Publications, Dynasty, Kwame Teague
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