Melodrama's Queen Pen, Crystal Lacey Winslow
As seen on Vibe.com

By: Baria A. Razzaq
October 20, 2005

Investing $50,000 of her own money and abandoning law school, Crystal Lacey Winslow self-published her debut novel Life, Love & Loneliness, an Essence best-selling novel that chronicles the drama (and there's lots of it) of four friends and their search for love.

At 26 years old, the bookstore owner and publisher (Melodrama Publishing) has already turned down a deal with a major publisher to pursuit her dream of always being her own boss. Vibe.com talked to Winslow about the popularity of street lit and what's coming next for the young entrepreneur.

Vibe.com: Do you consider your work street lit?

CLW: I like to think that I'm the Queen of contemporary/street literature (laughing). The reason I use both terms is because I mix it up in my books. You can't say that I'm contemporary, because some readers who buy contemporary-fiction can argue that's not the case. And you can't say that I'm straight street, because some readers who purchase hardcore street literature can argue that's not the case.

Vibe.com: What made you want to write full-time?

CLW: My grandmother, who was my mentor, fancied herself a writer. She began writing a novel about slavery, but died before she finished it. I model myself after her. She was the first person who made me believe I had a talent to write. Writing is my passion. I love creating characters and having the drama play out. I live vicariously through the events of my characters, although people would like to believe it's the other way around.

Vibe.com: Why do you think street lit books are not being reviewed in mainstream publications? These books sell well but aren't on The New York Times bestsellers list. They're not even reviewing these books.

CLW: Politics. They want the money from the sales, but don't want to push the publisher over the edge by giving them the prestige and recognition they deserve. It's hypocritical. They think that street lit doesn't deserve the recognition and that the writers are not educated. That's why most street writers are comparing themselves to rappers. Look how rap was excluded from the Grammys. But I do foresee street lit getting its props soon!

Vibe.com: When? Some popular authors are signed to major publishers, but they still don't seem to get the recognition they deserve. What's up with that?

CLW: Everything takes time. I have a positive outlook on the whole situation. If we continue to put out quality novels, they can only keep us down for so long. I foresee movie and imprint deals down the line for a lot of authors/publishers.

Vibe.com: Speaking of quality novels, what do you think of publications who release books with grammar and spelling mistakes?

CLW: I think they should step it up. But in defense of some of these novels, readers may be hating. I say that because a publisher may leave a word spelled incorrectly for the sake of the character, which is acceptable in literature.

For instance, if the character speaks in broken English and says "dat" instead of "that," do you think that the publisher really doesn't know how to spell “"that" or that the editor/proof reader really didn't catch it? Obviously, that's not the case. Many people when arguing don't say “"motherfucker",” they say “"mu-fucker" or however they may say it. In order to ring true of the character the spelling is left.

Vibe.com: Preach! But do you think racism plays a part in that?

CLW: Yes. The content is criticized and some say that it's corrupting the kids, but the correct argument is what most actors/rappers have been saying. Major movie houses spend billions yearly on movies that promote violence and have mega movie stars in the lead roles and they receive Oscars. Street lit isn't any different from Oscar nominated movies such as Traffic. It's all a bunch of boloney.

Vibe.com: Is this why you've made the decision to self-publish?

CLW: I came into the game wanting to be my own boss.

Vibe.com: At what point did you decide to stop looking for a publisher or agent?

CLW: I've never tried to find a publisher or agent.

Vibe.com: Do you have any advice for authors who dream of being the Terry McMillan of street lit?

CLW: That's a great dream, but people should aspire to be themselves. They should do their research and find the right lit-agent that believes in their work. I truly believe that if you work hard and believe, you will get what you want out of life.

Vibe.com: What's next for Crystal Lacey Winslow and Melodrama Publishing?

CLW: I published Wifey and A Twisted Tale of Karma. I also have a slew of other novels about to drop from talented authors in the upcoming months. I just signed Al-Saadiq Banks, Mark Anthony, Isadore Johnson and JM Benjamin to write an anthology. These are hardcore street lit writers.