The Scoop with Tanya Flanagan

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This is a Kun V studios original program. The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 jazz and more the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

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Good morning, and thank you for joining me for the scoop with Tanya Flanagan, I'm so happy you decided to wake up and start your day with me here on the scoop, where we talk about life, joy, funny moments, trending topics and so much more. We promise to keep you in the know and find out what you know. So let's get started.

Unknown Speaker 0:42
You Tanya, good morning Las Vegas, and welcome to another edition of the show. The scoop with me. Tonya Flanagan, as always, I am delighted and grateful that you've decided to wake up this Sunday morning and share some time with me as usual. What I hope is as usual, we have another wonderful conversation that's going to take place today. I am super excited and enthusiastic to welcome my guest to the studio this morning, my beautiful sorority sister and friend, yes, members of the Alpha Kappa, Alpha Sorority Incorporated, but just excited to delve into her life. Elvie Hall. She is author. Elvie Hall, I've known her for many years as my sorority sister, and really by another name, but her author and published name, and I want you to be familiar with it is LV Hall, welcome to the show. Good

Unknown Speaker 1:37
morning, Tanya. Thank you for having me and Happy Sunday to all.

Unknown Speaker 1:42
Happy Sunday to you. Many, many years she spent in the Clark County School District as an educator, as an administrator, and on July 1 of this year, 2024 my birthday month, but July 1 of this year, retired after how many years? 2424 years in 2024 you hung up the hat. Okay, I like the play on numbers. I also like the play on words. We're going to talk about that in a little bit. And we had the pleasure of sitting together last year at a regional conference for our sorority, and she began to talk to me about a passion that you have about writing books to be, you know, to get published, and that it was burning inside. And you meet people all the time who say, I have a book inside of me, right? And I want to do this thing. And even me as a past journalist who's actually written for newspapers, and I had another one of our sorority sisters who's a friend of ours, say, why have we not written a book? We know people written books, and we've actually worked in this field, but it takes a burning flame inside of you that's different than anything else, to take a dream that's a passion and conquer the fear to actually do it. And you've done that. So I tip my hat and commend you, because I want to know, and I want the listening audience too, because there's someone out there who's going to be inspired by your story, your walk in your dream, who's thinking, I have a book. I want to publish. This book, I want to Self Publish. And they had, they're not sure where to start, and you rolled up your sleeves and dug in and created these beautiful stories, and you started so LV Hall, and you're also an award winning author, so we have a lot to talk about this morning. When did this passion start? And what you know got you going?

Unknown Speaker 3:40
Very good question. So this is a passion I've had since maybe the age of 10, and it started with journaling. So at the age of 10, or somewhere around 10 years old, journaling became a coping mechanism for me when things were stressful or I needed to just release some whatever emotions I was feeling, I started journaling. It carried on through the years, and journaling became a part of me as I got to be a young woman and married and having my first kid, it turned into poetry. I kind of went from journaling to more of a poetic stance in my writing and just in a normal journal. But during the pandemic in 2020 I started writing a novel. I actually started two, because it was a stressful time. We didn't know what was going on, so I started two and one I couldn't stop, which turned into my first published novel, infinite mind. I didn't even plan on publishing it. I had BETA readers read it, just to give me some feedback. And the feedback was, you. Have to publish this book. This is too good to just let sit. And so with all the restraints, I just took my time trying to research to see how to self publish. And so I'm sure I did, now that I know how to publish my book, I totally did things out of order, but I got them done. And those things included the ISBN, getting the copyright, getting the book edited, the formatting the cover, so eventually it released in 2020, that was book one. And the feedback from, you know, the book was on Amazon, and the feedback from the readers, I had to keep going. And so book two came Book Three, but you mentioned something about how so many of us have a story to tell, and we are at so many different levels or stages in the writing process, but fear usually is the thing to hold us back. And so when me and you had lunch last year, I was telling you that this is my happy place, like when I'm writing, I'm in a whole nother zone. It's just a good thing. I can go on and on. I'm full of stories, and I love escaping to that place of fiction, fiction and realistic fiction, of course, but I hadn't decided what I was going to do. But tragedy hit. I lost my mom, and last year, September, and that right there put me in a whole nother head space where I didn't want to, I wanted to stay in that happy place. So my happy place is writing, so that that's what gave me the courage to go ahead and retire and just follow through on my passion, which is writing, and that's why that's where I am today.

Unknown Speaker 7:03
Wow. You answer a question that I had just like floating right there in my mind. What was it and where did you find the courage? And you you touched on it when you said your mom, because there's the thing that happens in life that it's the transformative moment, right? The AHA moment, and I've to have lost my mom's I understand that pain, and it's it's a combination of a lot of things, but one of the things that makes you realize is how valuable your time is, and how it's not an endless amount. And the difference between you and I is probably the ages at which we lost our mothers. And so there's a at the where we are in life now, there's a different type of accountability of time, what you're doing with it, what you've done with it, and how much of it you have left, coupled with how much energy you have left to run the race that we call life. And you realize clock is ticking on those dreams, right? So you're like, let me get started. I went to your website because, of course, I wanted to dig in and find out as much as I could about LV Hall. So it's LV E, Hall, H, A, L, L, dot, O, R, g1, of the things I was wondering about is why you chose an org website versus the.com and then there's some other stuff too. So I want to talk about that. I'm gonna talk about that first, and then I'm gonna come back to the other thing, because we're gonna

Unknown Speaker 8:34
Okay, so I like it, you know what? When? Okay, so during that whole seek and find period when I was first starting out, I came across a different how to build a website, and the easiest for me, because you got to do what's comfortable for you when you step out into self publishing. So Square Space was just easier for me, because it was all there was just one hub for everything from the website to book sales, if I'm out at on a book function at the bookstore or any festival. So they created that for me. Once I gave the name, the the brandy name, they the org was on there. So I'm like, Oh, okay. And it just, it just, it was something that was given to me, and I just went with it. And I to question what happened to come but, you know,

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and I was wondering, because a lot of times with.org you see a and you never know it could be the beginning of something that would be, that will be birth later. But when you see it.org you think organization designed to help, helpful component, right? Wow. And so somewhere in there, you know, maybe down the road, there is some additional piece that's going to come. Yeah. In your puzzle, and you know, as you sit there smiling, it's going to manifest itself. And so I'm like, Well, is there, like, you know, philanthropic component that's going to at some point come to pass, or even just a self help? Which brings me to my other observation about the website, because I wrote down, I love all the love inspiration on your website. It feels like inspiration and empowerment. I'm assuming it's intentional. What are you hoping to share or influence?

Unknown Speaker 10:34
Yes, that when it comes to my style of writing and my why is to the message, because everything we do should have a why. What's your why behind it? And so for my, my novels, they're all romance novels. They're but they're realistic fiction. However, the why I want to just put out in the universe, let people see that healthy love exists. Healthy Love exists. So you'll always find a strong male in every book, because a lot of times our males get the short end of the stick when it comes to love. No one's perfect. So I always go about explaining that or that character development from when you first meet a character in the books, where they are and where they where they end. So the why, again, is to promote healthy, realistic relationships, because I've been reading. I've been reading forever, but I'm I'm and I don't quit. I like a book, A, B, not good to me, but I finish it, but what I take from it is that's not how you should be talking to a woman. That's not how you should treat a parent, you know, is relationships throughout every book, so at the end, it's just how hard a man can love and how healthy it can be. And of course, those books are spicy, so you have to be 18 and over to read them. They're spicy, but, you know, they're still realistic,

Unknown Speaker 12:19
but that's realistic. Came in, right? Because it takes you back to the years that I was, you know, in journalism, because I was in the print news business for about 10 years. And so one of the best parts of traveling to a National Association of Black Journalists conference, it was the authors and the author corners, right? So they would come. I remember Nathan McCall came and Eric Jerome Eric Jerome Dickey, like Eric Jerome Dickie, books couldn't hit the shelf without me go wait. Eric Jerome Dickie has a new book and Tanya needs to purchase because correct for me, the book had to be hardback. Yes, I remember when I first went. I've been here for 29 years now, and so I would go over to Native Son bookstore that Sam's former Clark County firefighter, Sam Smith, operated at the corner of D and Monroe, okay? And sometimes he would have a book and paperback. And Sam was like, I know Ms Flanagan, you want the hardback version? I do Sam. And he would order books for me, and I would come back a week or whatever later, and he'd always have a hard cop a hardback copy of whatever books. So I have all my books in hardback, because if it was, if it was out in paperback, because that's more economical, right? He goes, I know. Ms Flanagan, you want the hardcover. I do. And you know, nothing wrong with all of the binge TV that we do, but I think a lot of times, we have gotten away from the joy of reading. For some of us, we're books. We're so busy in our lives, I started reading becoming I picked up my becoming yes by Michelle Obama again while I was on a trip this past weekend, and it was nice to have the girls trip and the downtime to really get through the pages. And so I'm excited to read your books, and there's a trilogy, and you talked about, I was reading a little bit about that on the website as well, and how the backstory for the characters, and I'm like, Look at her, she has it's like you're building this connection between the characters and you're building the connection for us as readers. I remember when Eric Jerome Dickey would write those books, the characters would transfer, in some cases, from One Book To Another, correct. Yeah. And so it keeps you hooked, waiting for when the next one is coming out. And I love it because I respect and understand some of the genius behind how authors begin to set up this fan following. And so you, speaking of fan following, are building that, and you received the book fest Award winner for Fall 2023 Yes, I saw the New York pictures and the times. Where, and there your book was, and there you were. So how did all that feel? Because, I mean, you're to be new and just to be exploding like this has got to be awesome that

Unknown Speaker 15:13
I don't I don't know what good angel then. I do know what good angel blessed me to be able to I receive, as an author, you receive all these different, you know, invitations to submit your manuscript for a possible prize or recognition. And I did it first time. I just stepped out, and I did all, I did all three of my books. And so I got an email to say I made it to the finalist. I'm like, okay, and then within three weeks, I guess, I got the email to say congratulations, and they did a big ceremony, virtual and met with us. And so the trilogy, the mind series, which is infinite mine, secretly, mine and all mine won second place for it won, they said, I can't think of the term, but they said it was so realistic because I had the exact dates when Harvard had graduation. I had did my research before I put things in the book and whatever I missed, my editor totally go back in and make sure which is right on target. And then all mine, the third book won first place for urban fiction. And with that first place book, The prize was first, I'll have two beautiful glass trophies that are forever near and near to me, the certificates, and then the book would be on the NASDAQ screen in New York for a full day. So all the first place winners, it just went around, and I'm like, this a once in a lifetime opportunity. We got to go see it in person, because they, they took the video so we, they would send it to us, but we, me and my husband, we got tickets, went out there, freezing cold a week before Christmas, and had that once in a lifetime opportunity

Unknown Speaker 17:15
to let the moment pass you by. Because sometimes people look at life through the practical lens. And when you look at life through the practical lens, which you could have said, I was a week before Christmas, I have all this stuff to do with the House and the kids and, you know, family, and you said, No, I'm not going to miss my moment. And I think it's so important to grab hold of those moments and not let them pass you by, and to recognize the value that you won't ever get this moment back and to be in the moment. I looked and I said, Oh, she was on because that, it's just so much energy at times, times square is, oh, my goodness. You know, it's completely different than the strip, you know, comparatively, but it's probably the two spaces you could compare. I mean, the strip is a different type. Nothing is

Unknown Speaker 18:00
stripped, right? Like,

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I'm just gonna tell true absolutely nothing. But having been to both, I understand the electricity of Times Square and the allure and the attraction. But to be on the screen, the NASDAQ screen, people

Unknown Speaker 18:15
from New York go, are you kidding me? You made it to the next like, I'm from New York, that's big time, and there was a time so I have a doctorate. And then, you know, when you get a degree, be it a bachelor's, a master's, whatever, a doctorate, you have a graduation, you have a ceremony. I didn't go to my ceremony for my doctorate or my master's. I was like, Oh, I got my degree. I don't need

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to go that moment that you let that moment pass you by. Life changed me.

Unknown Speaker 18:41
And I was like, I'm gonna be in New York. I'm not missing these moments again. So yes, thank you bringing that out. It's

Unknown Speaker 18:47
something. It is. It is important something to do. I want to make sure anyone who's out there with the dream and wondering how to do it, you talked about not taking the proper steps in order in terms of getting published, but yet, you did the self publishing talk a little bit more about that and what it takes to get that first book signing, because it's something to write a book. It's another thing for people to become interested in your book, or to have a community that loves you enough, at least, to come out and say, I will be there. And you did it during covid, when people really could not come out together, because I realized that the date of your book signing was like somewhere in 2020 like October or something 2020 so maybe November, I think it was, but we were definitely in covid. So

Unknown Speaker 19:35
through connections, there was a little coffee shop down downtown, and what does that district? Call this Arts District, the arts district. And some art to the arts district. They wanted to host my book signing, and we had to do all the necessary precautions. We had to take all the necessary precautions with the covid. You know, everybody had. To have a mask on. And we they had the, this was the very first book signing. They had pastries, which were all individually wrapped up. And I remember, I didn't think anyone would show. I was like, maybe, you know, at least the family will be there. And to my great surprise. It was a it was sorority sisters, colleagues in the district, neighbors, friends, family. They're my daughter's friends. You know, it was a really good turnout, and people just kind of took make the most of those two hours, which coming in. You know, we were all very cautious. And you know, back then, everybody knew if someone came down with covid. And, you know, lucky, luckily, no one did get beautiful get sick. But it turned out to be so fun. And the discussion around the book one just kind of motivated me to like, I gotta keep it going. I gotta keep

Unknown Speaker 21:02
doing readings. Have you gone places I read like the first because I know a lot of times authors will read like the first chapter to group are. And I know you've done some panel discussions for the community to give people some of what you know about how to go about this process and how to, you know, channel the motivations that they have to try and write a book or or self publish, or what have you. And so when you did the front covers, because I'm always curious about what you know is the idea behind the front cover of a book, whether it's an illustration or it's a piece of art or because that's going to draw the person in

Unknown Speaker 21:37
so, so no one covid During 2020, I'm online looking book cover. You just put in book covers, and they take you all over you can you have all these graphic, graphic design artists that advertise they can do whatever kind of cover? So I went to this one lady's website, Jessica Scott, and I like this. This picture, I was like, This is my these are my characters. This is my Malcolm. This is my Lexi except for they were real light, so I had her darken them and put some, you know, tattoos. So she worked with me, and complete stranger, I bought the cover, and she's done every cover since we have a real tight friendship. We've never met personally. So where does she live? She lives in Wisconsin, and she just published her book, and she had me read it, do a first read edit, and she writes a sci fi, sci fi horror type, and I'm like, I don't know. That's not my genre. However, it was really engaging, and she sent me pictures of Rakesh. I think she just got engaged. But it's just that's a that's she's part of my team, and I'm part of hers, apparently. And I love that, and I was a complete stranger. So it's just

Unknown Speaker 23:03
trying to find your community. You brought up that you mentioned that do people? Do you read for other people? Because I know people who do write books look for and that's not everyone's forte. I've had people with my journalism background ask me to edit their book. But there's sometimes you'll find someone who's writing, yeah, you can just read. And then other people, there used to be a saying in the business, show me, don't tell me yes. And a lot of people will begin to write a story, but they're just telling you Yeah, and I'm like, No, you and they and it's hard to convey if you don't have professional training, or, you know, even the full understanding of English and the use of language and just certain parts of things that you need to know to get people to understand show me is very different than you telling me everything you have to paint this vivid scene. I have to feel like I'm being transported to what you're describing so that I become invested in the character, in the story, and I want to know more, and I can see, I don't care if it's the sunset, if it's the water ripple, if it's the boat, if it's a red dress, I need to see it. You,

Unknown Speaker 24:12
My Love, understand the art of writing, because that is exactly what my editor can if she read a section or chapter, she'll go, Okay, you're starting to tell me, I need you to show me, and I have to get back on target or go back in and redo some things. And if you look my first book again, I didn't plan on publishing it, so there's probably more telling than showing in that book. But as the progression for each novel you're saying you're writing, I'm impressed with myself, yeah, and I have grown as a writer, and I think it's that editor and reminded me, when you are telling a story, you need to show it, you need to shoot. Don't just tell it. That's not That's not good writing. And so you are so right on target. With that, yes, and you, you just ask that I ever read? Do I ever read, like, some of my, some of my book, or do I do edits for others? So there's a partnership I have with the Las Vegas Library District, and they are, they have given me the opportunity to give back. I'm a that's that educator in me. So I have classes like once a month, free classes just for people, through the library district, through the libraries, where if they are interested in self publishing, or if they want to get some feedback on whatever it is their manuscript, or how they go about trying to complete the task of publishing a book. So we, I have been able to help them along the way, and that that that beats that, that educator in me, because I think that I'm just I'm an educator, so even though now I'm a full time author, that's that piece that I can't give up. And so helping anyone else with their passion of writing and actually publishing their manuscript or their poems or their nonfiction or children's book, that's just been my thing. So I do read sometime kind of my first draft down to my third and read theirs and give feedback. So I just wanted to make sure I answered that, because I remember you asking that earlier, and

Unknown Speaker 26:28
anyone who is interested in being a part of one of her next panels I'm going to share with you the one that's coming up on November 9 at Whitney library. It's from three to 5pm it is free. It's at Whitney library, and it's going to be a discussion about how to self publish. So if you are interested in meeting author LV Hall, meet us at Whitney library on November 9. It's a Saturday. It will start at 3pm It's a couple of hours. So mark your calendar. I know we're coming down to the wire on the time we have. I want to make sure, before we tick out that we share your social media ways that people can get to know you, better engage, find the books that they want to delve in and get to know these characters and get drawn in. I know you're on Twitter now, x Facebook and Instagram. So

Unknown Speaker 27:20
to share that, yes, so to reach me, or to go look at my catalog on Instagram, I'm at author lb Hall on Twitter, or now x is at LV Hall 20, because that was the first year. Remember, I published the first book, and then on Facebook, is author LV Hall, okay, and thank you. November 9, not only is it me, I've invited four to five other local art authors here in Las Vegas that can share their their role to publishing, and I have an author who write poetry. I have an author who is very urban, kind of really young, you know, the not the young adult, but again, a little bit young adult. And I have a children's author as well as another author who is a male author, which is very rare to find out here in Las

Unknown Speaker 28:22
Vegas. I wish we had a little more time to delve into poetry, because I know, yes, I never write poetry. I speak poetry. It hits me like when I walk on the dog, you know, you're in the shower, and it just flows. But I never capture it and catch it. I just love how sometimes people who write morph, and they're the things you think you can't do, but that you find you can do. But this has been such a good conversation. Thank you, author, LV Hall, my darling sorority sister, and I'm just so excited for you. Thank you for the copy of the book that you have blessed me with as a gift this morning to Las Vegas. Seek her out. If you'd like to learn more, just have an experience and support a blossoming, budding black female author. Thank you for joining us this morning. Here on the scoop on kunv 91.5 jazz and more. Have a wonderful Sunday, a wonderful week. It's still a little hot outside as we inch out of summer into fall, but stay blessed, stay hydrated, stay well and stay healthy until next time we're signing off, I want to thank you for tuning in to the scoop with me. Tonya Flanagan and I want to invite you to get social with me. I'm on Facebook and Twitter. My name is my handle, T, a n, y, A F, l, a n, a G, A N. You can also find me on Instagram at Tanya almonds Flanagan, and if you have a thought, an opinion or a suggestion, don't hesitate to shoot me an email to tanya.flanagan@unlv.edu Thanks again for joining in. Stay safe and have a great week. You.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai