A mother, the author of 25 books, the publisher of over 200 books by 60 authors, a producer, a screenwriter, owner of a record label, and the leader of a mental sexual revolution, Zane is what a 21st century businesswoman looks and sounds like. With all of these duties, she does a great job at maintaining a strong connection with her fans. She took 30min out of her limited 24 hours to chat with me this morning. Her voice is strong and means business. This conversation was with a very focused woman.
Zane's latest
TBBO: Thank you for taking some time to talk with me this morning. How is your tour for “Total Eclipse of the Heart” going?
Zane: It’s going well. I’m doing one city at a time right now. The end of February, I’m headed to Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans. I’m generally a homebody, but I love touring, connecting with my fans and receiving their feedback on my work.
TBBO: Speaking of fans and feedback, you’re active on Facebook. I saw you posted an HIV question on your page. Your feedback was interesting.
Zane: Yes. HIV is a very important topic for me. Whenever I’m speaking to women about sexual empowerment, I always ask if they have been tested. You cannot be liberated sexually unless you have been tested and can talk about being tested for HIV with your partner and the people around you . EVERYONE should be tested.
Zane
TBBO: You also posted this quote on your update “I am still waiting for there to be 48 hours in a day. This 24 hour mess is for people who have no goals or ambitions in life” What is your 24 hour day like? and what would your 48hr day be?
Zane: I work 16-18 hours a day. I rarely sleep. I read 100’s of pages a day, about 4 books a day, phone calls, emails, and I’m a mom. If I had 48 hours I’d read about 4-6 books a day! I’d accomplish more.
TBBO: MORE???!!
Zane: (laughing) Yes.
TBBO: “Zane’s Sex Chronicles; season one” is out now on DVD. How did you do with season one?
Zane: The first day or so was overwhelming. Since nobody knew me, I could to sneak onto the set. It was good, because I was able to look around and take it all in. Finally someone recognized me! I’m the producer and screenwriter, so I learned a lot. I’m enjoying it now, and excited about season 2. It will be more dramatic — with a few cliffhangers. The fans will be mad, in a good way!
The sneak peek of season 2 comes March 13th on Cinemax.
TBBO: How do you answer the critics that say you are contributing to the promiscuity of young women and that you glorify affairs?
Zane: (with a light but serious chuckle) I welcome the critics, it’s a bit amusing to me. I have had ministers from all over send me letters about my novels. When they finally read a book, they discover — as my fans have — that the affairs have consequences. I do not advocate affairs. I’m not encouraging promiscuous activity. They also learn that my characters are learning things about themselves in ways that lead to empowerment and self discovery. There is always a transformation for my characters. I do believe people should seek healthy sexual behavior. I believe women should have just as much sexual satisfaction as a man. Everyone is not comfortable with that.
TBBO: Now for a couple of fan questions. One of the most common questions we got probably came in for a few reasons, but here goes – are you married?
Zane: I’m divorced and I date.
TBBO: Wow! It must be intimidating to date ZANE! You can spot BS a mile away huh?
Zane: Yes it is. Yes I can. I don’t tolerate any mess!
TBBO: Cierra Bryant wants to know: Who is your inspiration?
Zane: Wow. So many authors. I’ve read many, many books. First thought: Stephen King. He has the ability to make up something and make you believe it. I had a very vivid imagination when I was growing up. I read V.C. Andrews. We didn’t have many Black authors at the time. My mother put me in a speed reading class when I was in third grade. By the 6th grade, I was reading a book a day. Today I can read 4-6 novels a day. It takes me 11/2 hours to read a novel. That gives you an idea of how many books I’ve read!
TBBO: Jonathan Hailey asks: As an author, why do you feel qualified to develop a music label?
Zane: The thing that qualified me to produce a T.V. series was my love of T.V.! My sister is 10 years older than I am. She loves music and I’d listen to her records with her all the time. Music and good writing used to work hand in hand. Musicians would write deep lyrics. They don’t do that anymore, just a good beat. There are Grammy-award winning musicians that cannot get signed to a label because they don’t produce today’s type of music. It’s those artists I want to sign. I want the music to be an extension of the empowerment my books offer. In addition to that, I have a very good partner who has many years in the business.
TBBO: Care to share who the award winning artists you’re about to sign are?
Zane: No, not yet!
TBBO: Thank you so much for your time today.
Zane: My pleasure!
Zane also interacts weekly with her fans at PlanetZane where you can also purchase Zane’s Sex Chronicles the DVD . Her book Total Eclispe Of The Heart can be purchased at major and independent bookstores everywhere and online.
