Leslie Haskin was one of the survivals from 9/11. Before the tragedy she had worked in the corporate reality climbing the ladder year after year. She decided to share the worst moments of her life with her very successful book Between Heaven and Ground Zero. The success of the story gave her wings to pursuit a new journey as an author, who became part of NY Times Bestselling list. Dear friends, let me introduce you Leslie Haskin:

– Leslie, one of the reviewers of Between Heaven and Ground Zero wrote the following: “Life Changing Book”. How would you describe the book so many years after the initial publishing?
– Between Heaven and Ground Zero is just as raw and heartbreaking as it’s always been. My soul is poured out over every page. There has not been a day that goes by since the attacks that I don’t remember what happened in those Towers. The books till brings it all to life for many people. It is still an amazing ministry.

– Do you remember the exact moment when you decide to write the story?
– Writing a book was never a thought for me. It really just happened that way. I was in therapy. And one of the symptoms of my diagnosed PTSD was the inability to speak without extreme emotional distress and a stutter. So, at the suggestion on my therapist, I started writing down my thoughts and memories. The book is a compilation of my journals and notes to my therapist.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– The hardest part of the process for me was the editing process. Because the book is my life, it’s not just a story; it felt intensely personal to remove parts of it.
– How much time did you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– Jeff, my editor did an amazing job with the book. If I remember correctly, the entire process from the point where I handed over my journals to print was just under a year.
– What the readers will find in Escape from the World Trade Center?
– The truth, some heartbreak and evidence of God’s grace.
– Give us some info about your book Held?
– Held is a book about healing. It’s therapeutic for me to write that one. I think it can help a lot of people who want to know the steps and the process that I took to regain control of my life after 9/11.
– Who are you?
– But I’d sum it up with few words… Follower of Jesus Christ. Mom. Girl Next Door.
– What are your writing habits?
– That’s funny. I have notes of paper all over the place. When I was younger, I loved the artis named Prince. I wanted to leave college and become a singer just like him. So one month during my college years, I secretly left school and followed him from Missouri to Chicago trying to become a singer. I wrote my father a letter to break the news to him. My father’s response was amusing. He told me that I was a much better write than a singer and perhaps I should consider writing more and singing MUCH less.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of your books?
– Oh yes. In fact, I call it the gift that keeps on giving. It’s been on the New York Times Best Sellers List for Two Consecutive years.
– What are you doing to promote your book by the best possible way?
– Most of the promotions are done by my publisher.
– When we will see your next novel and would you unveil something more about it?
– I’m working on the next book now. While I’m not at liberty to speak too much about it at this time, I will say that it’s a very powerful book and I expect my publisher will launch a large campaign to promote it. Look for it in 2016
– You are working in Safe Hugs Ministries. Would you share more about your job?
– Safe HUGS Ministries is now Life Stations Centers of Excellence. I am the founder and director. Our mission is to improve the quality of Life for Black Men and their families. We work in areas of employment, incarceration, racism and political matters. For more information, please visit our website. http://www.lifecoe.org
– If you may ask yourself one question in the interview what it will be?
– I would ask what I’d hoped the readers learn from reading my book, Between Heaven and Ground Zero. Then I would answer, that I hope they learn to have faith in God; knowing that no matter how devastating the circumstance or situation, God is always the Redeemer. And there is no situation that we can experience in life that is outside of what He is able to restore. If he can do it for me, He can do it for anyone!

Follow Leslie Haskin at her Twitter and Facebook

Take a look at her books:
Between Heaven and Ground Zero
God Has Not Forgotten About You
When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Held
Escape from the World Trade Center