Derrick A. Bonner was born and bred in Brooklyn New York and is the author
of 2 outstanding novels, Alley Katt and Havoc and Mayhem. He self-published his
first novel Alley Katt back in 1998 and even though he had decent success
for a first-time author, he discontinued writing and shelved his second novel
Havoc and Mayhem. Twenty years later at the request of his wife he decided to
resurrect his writing career and finally put out his second novel Havoc and
Mayhem. Set in the 80's the lead character Havoc is based on the strong and
influential men he grew up idolizing in his East New York neighborhood, as well
as the lead character from his all-time favorite television show as a kid, A
Man Called Hawk. Played by the suave Avery Brooks, Hawk was a man's man. An
impeccably dressed jack-of-all-trades, renaissance man who helped out
desperate people in trouble who had nowhere to turn. His realness and black
masculine presence on TV was rare then and still is today.
"The thing about my characters is they are people we all know. We've
seen in the neighborhood doing good and giving back to the community. You ever
knew someone who was ordinary but did extraordinary things and you were like
wow? They seemed like they had super powers, but the truth is they were just
good individuals. That is Havoc and Mayhem....That is Alley Katt."
Derrick currently lives in Hudson Valley New York with his wife and two
sons. And although he no longer resides in the borough that's thorough, he
still shouts 'BROOKLYN!' at concerts and still considers himself a
Brooklynite. Because as he puts it, 'You can take me outta Brooklyn. But, you
can't take Brooklyn outta me!"