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There are some things worth waiting for, and there are some things that are highly anticipated. This summer is one of those moments the literary world promised to deliver a summer scorcher reader, and they’ve certainly delivered with Terrance Dean’s new novel, MOGUL.

With the publication of Hiding in Hip-Hop, the controversial Essence bestselling expose that set the entertainment industry on its ear, Terrance Dean, who has worked in television and film for well over a decade, became the voice of African American men in Hollywood and in Hip-Hop who conduct clandestine same-sex relationships. Through revealing yet discreet anecdotes about his liaisons with the rich and famous who were also on the “DL,” Dean’s provocative and candid account brought to light a hidden gay subculture that insiders have been well aware of for years.

Now, with his debut novel, MOGUL (Atria Books Paperback Original; June 14, 2011; $15.00), Dean once again returns to this subject matter as he entices readers to play the guessing game about the real-life celebrities who serve as inspiration for his larger-than-life characters. In a literary style that’s E. Lynn Harris meets Zane, Dean presents a fictional page-turner about a beloved music industry genius who’s launched the careers of the hottest stars in hip-hop but also harbors a secret that could destroy his life and empire.

Aaron “Big A.T.” Tremble, an athletically gifted teenager from Brooklyn, discovers he is attracted to George, one of the most popular basketball stars at his school and soon, the two become embroiled in a secret romance as they juggle studies, gym practice and girlfriends. A year later during their senior year, George announces he is moving to California for college. While Big A.T. is heartbroken, he pours himself into his music to forget George and begins producing for local rappers in his neighborhood. After a chance meeting with the retired kingpin of hip-hop, Larry “Pop” Singleton, Big A.T.’s life is forever changed as he becomes Pop’s protégé and a member of the “family”—a network of secretly gay men in the industry who will eventually become instrumental in helping him launch his own music label. Attracting the biggest names in the industry, Big A.T. has the Midas touch with millions of dollars in the bank, real estate holdings, luxury cars, and countless fans. He’s built a bona fide empire but along the way, Big A.T. falls hard for one of his artists, the sexy Tickman. They love each other but know they must keep their relationship a secret and to keep any press speculation about their sexuality at bay, each becomes involved in relationships with high-profile women. However, unbeknownst to Big A.T., a journalist seeking revenge against hip-hop power brokers and looking for his 15 minutes of fame obtains compromising photographs that threaten to expose the truth about Big A. T.  Will his life crumble in the wake of a huge scandal or will Big A.T. survive—and out of the closet forever?

Hello Beautiful sat down and spoke with Terrance Dean about his juicy page-turner, MOGUL. The book is in bookstores everywhere, and we strongly encourage you to hit up your local bookstore and get a copy, or two.

How would you describe Mogul?

I would describe Mogul as a modern day roman-a-clef. There is a lot of truth to this story, along with lots of fictionalize situations and persons. But, all-in-all it’s a poignant story about the entertainment industry, and in particular Hip Hop, and the many closeted gay men who work, and have worked, to help create this phenomenon. It’s a story that I’ve wanted to tell for a long time, and I’m happy it’s finally being told. There are many gay men and women in the entertainment industry who silently work behind the scenes without recognition. As someone who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade, I feel people have a misconstrued and delusional idea of what celebrities lives are like, and what the industry is like. I want to invite readers into this world of power, seduction, and fame showing at what costs, and length, a person will go to rise to the top. Besides, I also feel it’s important we start a serious conversation and dialogue about homophobia in Hip Hop, and within the Black community. We’ve done so much when it comes to repealing, ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ in the military. I feel it’s time to repeal the same within the entertainment industry, particularly amongst Black celebrities who are afraid to come out for fear of backlash. I know in this day and age, especially in the 21st century, that people are no longer naïve to the notion that there are gay Black celebrities.

After your breakout memoir, Hiding in Hip Hop, what propelled you to want to write fiction?

I’ve always wanted to write fiction. It’s been a desire of mine since I was a teenager. I remember reading Ralph Ellison’s, Invisible Man, and Iceberg Slim’s, Mama Black Widow, and saying to myself, “This is what I want to do.” Those books changed my life. Those writers created characters that leapt from the pages, and their powerful use of words and language intrigued me and set fire to my soul. After that, I devoured books by authors such as James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Maya Angelou. But, then I read E. Lynn Harris’s, Invisible Life. That’s when I knew for sure it was okay to write stories that reflected my life, journey, and experiences. I studied the craft of writing for years afterward. I remember I was on a panel with esteemed poet, Sonia Sanchez, when I wrote my first non-fiction self-help book, Reclaim Your Power! I asked her what advice would she give to authors looking to write in other genres. She said, “Always study your craft. Take classes and learn. Read other authors, see what they are doing, and find your voice.” And, that is what I did. I read other authors and I learned from them – Eric Jerome Dickey, Omar Tyree, Tananarive Due, Dominick Dunne, Jackie Collins, Zane, Sapphire, Edwidge Danticat, and Junot Diaz. Although, I started off writing non-fiction, I was nervous to write fiction. In non-fiction, writers do a lot of telling, and many have strong voices that are very distinct. I had to learn how to use my voice in fiction without telling the story, but showing the story. Once I learned my voice, I knew the stories I wanted to tell. And, though I love the greats and wanted to emulate them, I realized there is only one James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Iceberg Slim, and E. Lynn Harris. I needed to simply be Terrance Dean and let my voice speak for itself.

What experiences in the past and present, if any, did you draw upon to craft this novel?

WOW! I have over 15 years of experience working in the entertainment industry. The stories, people, and varied journeys I’ve traveled have given me enough to write novels for several decades. One thing I can say about the entertainment industry is that there’s never a dull moment. Hollywood and the music industry has everything you can possibly imagine when it comes to what makes a great novel – drugs, sex, scandals, murder, mayhem, envy, jealousy, drama, and never-ending plots. I’ve been privy to so much as an insider that readers may find themselves wondering what’s real and what’s fiction. For this novel, I was able to draw upon my working relationships with music executives, and personal friends who are musical artists that are dealing with their sexuality. I’ve been in the recording studios, on the road, in their homes, and I’ve met their domestic partners. I’ve seen them vulnerable, hopelessly in love, and chasing after love. And, that is what I wanted to capture for this novel. I want readers to see the humanistic side of people in the entertainment industry. That despite who they are, they really are like everyone else. They want and desire love. They want and need acceptance, but oftentimes when you are a celebrity everyone forgets that and places them on a pedestal. They hold them in such high regard that many of them really do fear falling or failing. They don’t want to disappoint their fans, loved ones, and themselves. So, they are trapped by their own creation. I also want readers to see the dark side of celebrity, and the how the business oftentimes really does operate.

The protagonist is essentially a successful Hip Hop Mogul who lives a down-low lifestyle. As homosexuality is taboo in the Hip Hop industry, do you expect a backlash from this book?

Of course I expect backlash from this book. Homosexuality is a taboo conversation in our communities. People are afraid to discuss the topic, and if they do some do it with so much venomous hatred that it leads to young people being bullied, and other’s committing suicide. It’s time for us to have an intelligent discourse on homosexuality, especially in Hip Hop.  It says a lot about our communities when we continually attack someone based on their sexuality, and we saw that happen with DJ/Producer Mister Cee’s situation where he was arrested for having lewd sex acts with another man, as well as rapper, Lil B who announced that he planned to title his upcoming album, “I’m Gay,” and he’s a heterosexual male. Those two incidents created a firestorm in the Black community, especially in Hip Hop. And, it was a great time for us to come together with Black and Brown leaders, churches, and the LGBT community to have a, Gay In America dialogue. It would be awesome if people did finally speak up and say something. That is how conversations begin. That is how a dialogue is created. If people don’t feel anything after reading this book then essentially I have not done my job. I want readers to become angry, sad, upset, happy, or joyous when they read this book and get to know these characters. I want them to feel invested in their lives, and especially what and how the entertainment industry is about. People should feel engaged in such a way that they take what they’ve read to work, school, on blogs, chat room boards, Twitter, and Facebook. At the end of the day I am writing about a controversial topic and issue that has plagued our communities, and world, for well over a decade. And, despite the many hush-hush conversations, or speculations of a certain celebrity’s sexuality, not one Black celebrity (musical artist) has come forward. Not one has publicly announced they are gay. Why? Again, I ask in this day and age of us having a Black president, and a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ that not one Black celebrity will come forward and be who they are, and love who they desire, without fear of judgment or ridicule? Hopefully my book will create that conversation, and a platform for a Black celebrity/s to come forward.

What do you want readers to leave away with?

I hope readers will leave with a sense of entertainment, satisfaction, understanding, and food for thought. The book is a page turner. It explores a lot of what goes on in the entertainment industry, but at the same time it gives readers an insider’s view into the world of power, fame, down low and gay men, and a glimpse inside the illustrious and glamorous world of Hip Hop. There is a powerful message also about coming to terms with sexual identity, homophobia, and how fear grips and prevents us from moving forward. Hopefully, readers will strongly consider their own opinions, morals, values, and judgments. I really want readers to ask themselves what they would do, or how they would handle various situations that the characters find themselves. But, more importantly, I want readers to walk away with a sense of understanding, compassion, and love. If we are to move forward as a community, race, and world we have to be willing to be open to our varied differences. There’s something amazingly powerful and dynamic when we can appreciate and accept one another despite our –isms.

What’s next on your literary agenda?

I am excited and looking forward to creating more literary works that engage readers. I am an author who loves to educated, empower, inspire, and entertain. I’m hopeful my fans will grow with me with each book, as well as enjoy the many varied characters who will show up and grace the pages introducing themselves with their powerful and unique voices. As I’ve stated before, I have over 15 years of experience and stories from working in the entertainment industry. I think readers will be captivated with each plot, twist, and turn I create. And, with each new book I’m certain readers will thoroughly be engaged as they devour and savor these powerfully entertaining stories. And, yes, there is a series in the works for Mogul.

MOGUL: A Novel is currently available at Amazon.com, HERE!

You can follow Terrance Dean on Twitter, HERE!

You can also visit Terrance Dean’s website to find out more about him, HERE!

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