I’m happy to be participating in this year’s Follow Fest, which is organized by Melissa Maygrove. The Follow Fest is a one-week event that serves as a networking tool to meet and learn about other writers outside our usual blogging circles.
I missed out on this event last year and was told by several writers how much fun it was, therefore, of course, I’m not gonna miss the fun again. Duhhhh.
So let’s get started!
Name:
Demetria Foster Gray
Fiction or nonfiction?
Fiction, yes please! But I also like inspirational nonfiction, and some biographies.
What genres do you write?
Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Are you published?
Yes. My debut novel Sifting Through Mud was released August 2014. It’s a contemporary women’s fiction book. Add it to your Goodreads “Want to Read” list here.
Do you do anything in addition to writing?
I’m a freelance writer and communications consultant with expertise in writing marketing, technical, and corporate communications for various companies.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m married with two kids (a pre-teen and a full-blown, drive me bats teenager. They both are the joy of my life).
For the past several years I’ve been on a mind, body, and soul journey to live my truth and walk in my fullest potential. Because of this, I’ve become an inner-growth, self-development, self-empowered, spiritual junkie who gobbles up books by spiritual thought leaders like: Dr. Wayne Dyer, Iyanla Vanzant, Deepak Chopra, T.D. Jakes, Marianne Williamson (and many others).
I’m a Pepsi-holic, chocoholic, shower singer, work-out dabbler, Zumba dancer, and tv-sitcom freak. I love a good laugh, a good book, a good hair day, long walks alone, and the color blue (particular navy blue). Fresh air and silence are my two best friends.
What are you reading right now?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Which authors influenced you the most?
Elizabeth Berg made me fall in love with contemporary women’s fiction. I thoroughly enjoy her books (most of them).
Where can people connect with you?
Website: DemetriaFosterGray.com
Blog: Shaken But Not Stirred
Twitter: @DFosterGray
Facebook: DemetriaFosterGray.Author
Goodreads: DemetriaFosterGray
Do you have a newsletter?
Yes. I offer a free eNewsletter called Sexy Savvy Growth. It’s a bi-monthly newsletter delivered only six times a year. In it I share personal stories, powerful resources, and awesome life strategies for obtaining sexy, savvy growth—because growth is sexy. The purpose of the newsletter is to give back what’s been given to me—knowledge and growth. Click here to learn more or to subscribe to the newsletter.
In addition, I also have an Author’s Mailing List for those wanting to stay updated on my book releases, announcements, or author events. This is delivered only when there’s news to share. Click here if you’d like to join the mailing list.
Is there anything else you’d like us to know?
Yes. I will be going on a virtual book publicity tour for my novel Sifting Through Mud beginning October 6 through October 31. The tour is being hosted by Pump Up Your Book Tours, and you can view the tour schedule here. Please join me on the tour by visiting any of the tour stops listed on the schedule. Your support is truly appreciated.
Thanks for your Follow Fest visit today.
Be sure to visit the other writers/bloggers participating in Follow Fest this week. View the list of participants below.
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This is a fun hop and a wonderful chance to get to meet new writers. After all, it was through blogs that I got to know a few of my favorite writer friends, including you. 🙂
Awww thanks, Reese, you’re one of my favorite writer friends, too. And why aren’t you hopping along on the hop with us? Did you participate last year? I didn’t. This is my first time and it is quite fun.
Great post! Thank you for taking part in Follow Fest, Demetria. 🙂
Thank you, Melissa, for organizing it. It’s a great networking tool, and big fun.
As someone who survived the preteen and teenage years, it does get better. My sons are two of my favorite people.
Welcome, Dawn, and thanks for stopping by. I am truly hoping to survive the teenage years. Thanks for letting me know it gets better. That’s what everyone says, but right now I’m too blinded by all the teenagery hormonal attitudes flying around the house to see it. 🙂
Great to meet you 🙂 I’m with you on the whole pre-teen and fully blown teen thing! My girls are 15 and 12 (going on 25)! I hope to connect with you at some point and learn more about your work.
Nice to meet you, too, Melissa. I’m opposite you, I have two boys (12 and soon to be 16). Don’t you just love these teenage years?!!!@# I find myself daily mourning the loss of their youthful innocence. Why do they grow up so FAST!!!
Also, of course, we should connect. That’s what this whole networking Follow Fest is all about. 🙂 I’m glad you stopped by.
It’s nice to get a chance to meet you, and learn about you and your writing. Congratulations on your upcoming release!
Thanks for the congrats, Pat. It’s nice to meet you, as well. I always enjoy new visitors. Thanks for stopping by.
What a lovely cover image you chose for Sifting Through Mud. And a great opening – Nyla just walks out. Intriguing.
Shade, thanks for the compliments. I love the fact Nyla just walks out so I’m glad you enjoyed it, too. I’m also very grateful for your visit. Thanks for stopping by.
What a great cover!
Teenagers are lovely aren’t they!?
Thank you, Dani, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Also you’re sooooooo right, teenagers are lovely (ignore the high dose of sarcasm in those words. 🙂
I just LOVE the name of your newsletter! It turns out we have a lot in common: I love tv sitcoms (The Golden Girls is my fave. Hands down), Zumba, and Pepsi (although, I try not to drink a lot of it). I’ve been looking forward to reading Sifting Through Mud and we should definitely swap blog features for our blog tours!
Quanie, glad you like the name of the newsletter. And congrats again on the new bundle of joy that made her way into your family. I love sitcoms. I like a lot of older ones. Will & Grace is hands down my favorite. Looking forward to the blog swap.
I read a lot of Elizabeth Berg’s early books, but I haven’t read much of her newer stuff. And I love fresh air and silence, too. 🙂
Hi, Madeline, it looks like we have three things in common: Elizabeth, fresh air, and silence. It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for stopping by.
Demetria, I thought your two best friends were Starla and Sharon. But, you truly understand the peace and quiet
Sharon you won’t believe this but as soon as I wrote that about fresh air and silence being my two best friends, immediately I knew either you or Starla were gonna harass me over it. So needless to say, I knew you were going to say that. 🙂
You guys are my human besties, fresh air and silence are my spiritual and stress relief besties.
Demetria, I thought your two best friends were Starla and Sharon. But, I truly understand fresh ait and silence. The only other thing missing is a cocktail. LOL!
Oops! Sorry ffor sending my message before I was finished.
Oh yeah, girlfriend, I’m feeling you on the cocktail thang, too! 😉
Demetria, how nice to meet you through Follow Fest. I just joined up today. I can really relate to your spiritual journey and have read many of the spiritual/inspirational authors you mentioned (in fact, I’m currently developing a spiritual course around their work). I’ve linked and followed you through many of the sources you shared here in your interview. Looking forward to staying connected.
Ooooooh a like-minded person on her own spiritual journey. Awesome, Stephanie! I love surrounding myself with like-minded people, especially those in touch with their spiritual selves. Let’s indeed stay connected. I’m thrilled you stopped by for a visit.
Hello, Demetria, nice to meet you. Much success with your writing!!!
Thank you, Cathrina. Much success to you as well. Thank you for your visit.
Great to meet you and connect with you on Goodreads. Let’s keep in touch. Women’s fiction writers unite!
Elizabeth Hein – Scribbling in the Storage Room
Great to meet you, too, Elizabeth. Yes, I agree…Women’s Fiction Writers unite! Thanks for the visit.
Haha, yes teenagers are the loves of our lives but also very frustrating at the same time! We wish you luck with the rest of your soul journey!
CoverGirls, I agree teenagers are lovely and frustrating, but well worth it (that’s what I keep telling myself). 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
Congratulations on your book!
Thank you. I wish you much success in your writing endeavors. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Hi Demetria! We have a lot in common. (Mom, chocoholic, long walks, Zumba, writing, 2 kids, good books, good movies, good hair days) Fun stuff! Glad to meet you through Follow Fest!
~Ava
Ava, so happy to meet you, too. Looks like we do have a long list of things in common. How cool is that? Fun stuff, indeed.Thanks so much for your visit.
Great meeting you through Follow Fest, and congrats on your recent release! I hope it and your virtual tour are super successful!
Thank you, Loni, and right back at ya as I wish you great success in your literary endeavors. Happy for your visit today. Please come again anytime. 🙂
Nice to meet you! I found you through Follow Fest, so it’s working. Great to meet a fellow freelance writer and novelist. Congrats on your release!
Welcome, Stephanie, and thanks for your visit. To me, it’ always great to meet fellow freelance writers and novelists. Nice to meet you.
Nice to see you in the FF.So great to see some unfamiliar faces!Good luck in your work!
Hello ladies, nice to me the two of you. I’m so glad you stopped by for a visit. Wishing you all the best in your literary endeavors. Come again, soon. 🙂
You are one busy lady. And especially now on your blog tour! Congrats on your April release! You have a full life and I can tell you are loving it. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
J.Q. being a busy lady is an understatement. Sometimes it feels like my brain is going to explode. But that’s life, and it’s all manageable. Thank you for stopping by.
Good luck on your blog tour! I am in awe of people who tour around the internet because of the amount of effort and time required! Blog tours are fabulous though so don’t stop doing them DON’T STOP. 🙂
<3
Thank you, Mia. Blog tours are exhausting, so don’t be in awe. Instead, point your finger and say, “Look at that crazy woman.” 🙂
Thanks for your visit.