Black Pearls Magazine eSpot

Excerpt from Mama Ruby by Mary Monroe

2011-05-30T02:40:00.000-04:00

Mama Ruby by Mary Monroe
Prequel to the Upper Room

If you are a fan of Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston, you will love Mama Ruby and the writings of Mary Monroe!

New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe presents an unforgettable tale featuring Mama Ruby, the indomitable heroine of her acclaimed novel The Upper Room. Now readers will get a peek into Ruby’s early years, as she transforms from a spoiled small-town girl into one of the South’s most notorious and volatile women…

Growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, Ruby Jean Upshaw is the kind of girl who knows what she wants and knows how to get it. By the time she’s fifteen, Ruby has developed a taste for fast men and cheap liquor, and not even her preacher daddy can set her straight. Most everyone in the neighborhood knows you don’t cross Ruby. Only Othella Mae Cartier, daughter of the town tramp, understands what makes Ruby tick.

When Ruby discovers she’s in the family way, she’s scared for the first time in her life. After hiding her growing belly with baggy dresses, Ruby secretly gives birth to a baby girl at Othella’s house. With few choices, Othella talks Ruby into giving the child away and with the help of a shocking revelation, convinces Ruby to run off with her to New Orleans.

But nothing can erase Ruby’s memories of the child she lost or quell her simmering rage at Othella for persuading her to let her precious baby go. If there’s a fine line between best friend and worst nightmare, Ruby is surely treading it. Because someday, there will be a reckoning. And when it comes, Othella will learn the hard way that no one knows how to exact revenge quite like Ruby Jean Upshaw!

Excerpt from Mama Ruby by Mary Monroe

Mama Ruby - Coming June 1, 2011!

How did Ruby and Othella Mae come to be who they are today? Find out in the exciting prequel to The Upper Room. There’s a fine line between best friend and worst nightmare…but there will be a reckoning....

Introduction to Mama Ruby Prequel to The Upper Room

Originally published in 1985, Mary Monroe's engaging debut novel, The Upper Room, features Ruby Montgomery, an obese, indomitable character who steals her best friend's baby daughter and flees to rural Florida, where she establishes herself as an almost mythical figure. The dialogue and setting are reminiscent of Zora Neale Hurston. The Upper Room by Mary Monroe is a candid portrayal of the cold-blooded yet fascinating Mama Ruby.

~ Shreveport, Louisiana, 1934 ~

Nobody ever had to tell Ruby Jean Upshaw that she was special, but she heard it from every member of her family, her father’s congregation, her classmates, and even the people in her neighborhood almost every day. She was the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. To some black folks, that was a very high position on the food chain. It meant that she had mystical abilities usually associated with Biblical icons. But as a child, Ruby didn’t care one way or the other about being “special” like that.

She balked when people insisted that she’d eventually have “healing hands” and the ability to “predict the future” like other seventh daughters of seventh daughters. But Ruby didn’t care about healing anybody, that was God’s job, and those snake oil salesmen who rolled through town from time to time. And she certainly didn’t want to be telling anybody what the future held for them. Because if it was something bad, they didn’t need to know, and she didn’t want to know.

The bottom line was, and she’d told a lot of people this when they brought it up, she didn’t want those responsibilities. The last thing she needed cluttering up her life was a bunch of superstitious people taking up her time, and drawing unwanted attention to her. Just being the daughter of a preacher was enough of a burden.

And since Ruby was the youngest member of the Upshaw family, her parents watched her like a hawk, and tried to monitor and control most of her activities. “Why do I have to go to church every Sunday?” she asked her mother one Sunday morning when she was just eight. “I want to have some fun!”

“You go to church because you are supposed to, gal. How would it look to the rest of your Papa’s congregation if his own daughter don’t come to church?” Ida replied, giving Ruby a stern look. “Don’t you want to be saved?”

“Saved from what, Mama?” Ruby questioned, looking out of the living room window at the kids across the street building a tent in their front yard.

“Saved from the world, worldly ways. This planet is full of all kinds of pitfalls out there waitin’ on a girl like you. Drinkin’. Men with more lust in their heads than brain matter. Violence. Loud music and sleazy outfits that would shock a harlot,” Ida answered.

Ruby already knew all of that. From what she’d been able to determine; it was a lot more fun to be “worldly” than it was to be the way her parents wanted her to be. “I want to have some fun like the rest of the kids!” she pouted, knowing that she faced a no-win situation. Her parents’ minds were as nimble as concrete. Once they laid down the rules for Ruby, there were no exceptions.

“You can still have fun and keep yourself virtuous,” her father insisted. “Me and Mother ain’t makin’ you do nothin’ we didn’t make your sisters do, and look how well they all turned out.”

Ruby pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. Before they got married, all six of her older sisters snuck out of the house at night, drank alcohol, slept with men, and wore clothes that would shock a harlot. That was the life that Ruby thought she wanted, and she had already started on the journey that would lead her to a life of fun and frivolity. And as far as violence, she wondered what her over bearing, but naïve, parents would say if they knew that she was already carrying a switchblade in her sock.

Ruby made good grades in school and she had a lot of friends, but it was hard for her to maintain both. She didn’t like to study, and she didn’t like having to attend that run down school four blocks from her house. Those activities took up too much of her time. She appreciated the fact that her classmates and playmates were at her beck and call, not because they liked her, but because they feared her. They all knew about that switchblade she carried in her sock, and they all knew that she was not afraid to use it. She was the most feared eight-year-old in the state.

(continued)

© 2011 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author and the publisher, Kensington Publishing Group. This excerpt has been adapted for Internet viewing. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the publisher's written permission. Copyright infringement is a serious offense. Share a link to this page or the author's website if you really like this promotional excerpt.

About the Author
Mary Monroe is the author of the award-winning, New York Times bestselling God series, which includes God Don’t Like Ugly and God Ain’t Blind. Mary Monroe is the third child of Alabama sharecroppers and the first and only member of her family to finish high school. One of her proudest moments was when she became a winner of the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Award.

She is currently celebrating the release of Mama Ruby, the prequel to the Upper Room, the book that started it all. She still writes seven days a week and gets most of her ideas from current events, and the people around her, but most of her material is autobiographical.

Mary Monroe currently lives in Oakland, California. She is divorced, loves to travel, loves to mingle with other authors, and she'll read anything by Ernest Gaines, Stephen King, Alice Walker, and James Patterson. Author website: http://www.marymonroe.org/

Mama Ruby by Mary Monroe
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Dafina (May 31, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0758238614
ISBN-13: 978-0758238610

Purchase from Black Expressions

Download to NOOK Book (eBook)

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Intimate Conversation with Ivette Attaud

2011-05-29T11:02:00.001-04:00

Intimate Conversation with Ivette Attaud

On BAN Radio Show w/ Ella Curry
Monday, June 13, 2011 at 8-9pm EST
Call in to join the show: 646.200.0402

Ivette Attaud, a Harlem, New York native and former Fort Bragg Army wife, has been a survivor of domestic violence and abuse for over twenty years. Ivette served on the Battered Women’s Justice Committee of Voices of Women Organizing Project in New York as well as contributed research regarding law guardians to their report Justice Denied: How Family Courts in NYC Endanger Battered Women and Children. She received a Certificate of Completion in Victim Assistance Training from the New York State Office For Victims of Crime; has received numerous awards for speaking at high schools and colleges; created and facilitated a domestic violence and abuse training for Chaplains called Healing The Body Before The Spirit and talks to teens in various high schools about dating violence and their internet footprint.

Ivette Attaud, publisher, a gifted author, highly sought-after motivational speaker and domestic violence expert, developed Healing The Body Before The Spirit, a domestic abuse educational workshop for the faith-based community. She has written numerous articles, including a recently-published article entitled Surviving the Loss of a Child for Spotlight On Recovery Magazine. More information can be found online at: http://www.mylifemysoul.com/.

Domestic violence affects two to four million people alone in the United States including teenagers and 54% of parents admit they haven’t spoken to their teen about dating violence or healthy relationships.

My Life My Soul, Surviving, Healing And Thriving After An Abusive Relationship is an honest and graphic true story of Ivette Attaud’s dating relationship as a teen and how it quickly manifested into a destructive, violent and psychologically abusive marriage. Ivette puts a face on domestic violence as she describes how she was able to break the emotional and psychological chains of her abuser.

Ivette recounts vivid memories of growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness; her experience with dating violence; her battle with depression; a suicide attempt; the loss of her infant twin daughter to a domestic violence assault and re-victimization by the New York City family court system, including actual documents! In the first part of this three-part series, My Life My Soul, Surviving, Healing And Thriving After An Abusive Relationship: Part 1 – Surviving, Ivette lays bare the life-long difficulties those in abusive relationships face.

BPM: Ivette, when did you begin writing? When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I was born and raised in Harlem. I started keeping a journal about 10 years ago to release some of the emotional pain and trauma I had been dealing with since I left my abuser and to leave something for my children so they could gain some insight as to what I went through and maybe help them deal with their issues when they became adults. I didn't consider myself as just a writer; I considered myself a person with an important story to tell.

BPM: Do you see writing as a career now?

Yes, I do. I am a true entrepreneur at heart! I launched My Life My Soul, The Unspoken Journey of Life After Domestic Abuse to raise awareness about domestic violence and abuse and also launched MLMS Publishing to release my first book.

BPM: What inspired you to write your first book, My Life, My Soul? How did you come up with the title? Who designed the book cover?

I wrote this book as a way to cope with the loneliness and isolation that is felt by survivors of an abusive relationship, and to deal with the grief of losing my child as a result of the abuse. I experienced writer's block frequently, as this is a difficult topic to write about. Over 15 years ago, I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of the abuse, and one of the primary symptoms is re-living the trauma. It took me 10 years to write this because I needed to deal with the book setting off my triggers.

When I was invited to speak in public about my experience and scores of people approached me with positive feedback and shared their experiences with me, I believed that my book could help a lot of people. When I saw the statistics on teen dating violence, I included my experience with that as well.

I designed the cover myself to show that real freedom does exist for the survivor when they break the emotional and psychological chains of their abuser. My Life, My Soul - Surviving, Healing And Thriving After An Abusive Relationship: The title is a reflection of the physical violence and psychological abuse that threatened my life and the spiritual abuse that jeopardized my soul; and that leaving an abusive relationship is about breaking the chains that bind you.

BPM: Do you attempt to avoid the temptation of interjecting your own morals, value system or ministry in your writing?

Including my belief system in the book was important because the reader will not only understand how my belief system contributed to my being in an abusive relationship, but will see how I went about changing my belief system in order to break the chains of abuse and improve the quality of life for me and my children.

BPM: What insight does the book give teen readers on relationships?

The whole book is based on my experiences. I didn't want my book to be a glossed-over version of an abusive relationship. I wanted it to be as real to the reader as it was to me, so there is graphic language in the book. Not because that is my writing style, but because that is the true nature of domestic violence.

The book gives the reader insight on what a person in an abusive relationship goes through. It also helps the reader understand the isolation that survivors of relationship abuse go through. And, more importantly, that you can live a happy and fulfilling life after an abusive relationship.

BPM: What was the hardest part of writing your book?

As a result of the abuse, I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. One of the symptoms of PTSD is re-living the experience. Writing this book meant that I re-lived the experience over and over again, including when I lost my daughter. Although writing this book will help a lot of people, it set off my triggers, which I have learned to manage. That is why it took me so long to complete it. But, the more I wrote, the easier it got to deal with and that meant I was on my healing journey.

BPM: Did you learn anything from writing My Life, My Soul and what was it?

We go through things in life for a reason. I was able to take a negative and turn it into a positive so I would be in a better position to heal and help others. I learned a lot about myself and what constituted an unhealthy relationship. I was also able to see how I’ve grown psychologically and emotionally from my teenage years, all the way to adulthood. Understanding where you’ve come from is crucial to knowing where you’re going. I also learned that I have a very powerful gift for helping people past obstacles in life that may be holding them back from achieving their goals. So, I am also a Personal Life Coach.

BPM: Is there anything that makes your book different from others in the same genre?

I write in a style that makes the reader feel as if I’m talking directly to them. While I was going through my experience, I told a lot of people about the abuse, including the military police, doctors, even the NYC family court system, and no one believed that an enlisted service member could be capable of abuse. As a result, my children and I fell through the cracks and no one did anything to protect us. Not only do I include actual court documents and excerpts in my book, but I mention the names of the people who pushed my children and I through the cracks, including judges. From what I’ve read over the years, there are a lot of people out there who have experienced the same thing.

BPM: What messages in your book, My Life, My Soul, do you want readers to grasp?

The book contains several messages: it inspires and gives hope to the survivor who is currently in or who has left an abusive relationship so they know they’re not alone; it’s an example for the families and friends of the survivor to know what NOT to do and say; it’s for parents and teens who want to know about the red flags of an abusive relationship and it’s for the professional who works with those who have experienced domestic violence and/or abuse. The reader has a birds-eye view of what the daily reality is like for someone going through an abusive relationship, whether you are a teen or an adult. I remember what my thought process was like as a teenager. I believe there is always something to learn from someone else’s experience.

BPM: In writing your book, how much legal research was required, if any?

I still have the court documents I received when my abuser took me to court. When I decided to publish this book, I went to family court to review my family court file and see if there were any additional documents in it. To my surprise, there were court documents in my file that I knew nothing about. I decided to include those documents in my book.

BPM: What should readers DO after reading this book?

Readers who have a friend or a loved one who is in an/was in abusive relationship, and they want to have a better understanding of what they've experienced should read the book. Survivors of domestic violence and abuse internalize a lot of their trauma, and we don't talk about it too much. My book details the thought process of someone in an abusive relationship.

BPM: Now, let’s talk about the publishing industry. How did you initially break into the publishing industry? What road did you travel?

I initially decided to use a subsidy publisher some months ago. But the publishing industry changes so quickly, and more self-publishing resources became available to me, that I decided to fund the publishing of the book myself. It is a common myth that if you use a subsidy publisher, and they offer you a marketing package, that they will market your book. Their goal is to make money from the author. Regardless of the publishing method used, it will always be the author's responsibility to market the book themselves. I decided to independently publish because I am a true entrepreneur at heart (it runs in my family), and I love the challenges of running my own business.

BPM: How do you feel about self-publishing? How do feel about selling digital books vs. selling in a brick and mortar store?

It depends on what the author defines as self-publishing. I prefer the term Independent Publisher. It could be a subsidy publisher, or completely funding the publishing of the book yourself. The traditional publishing industry is slowly changing their bias against self-publishers. The choice between selling digital books vs. selling in a brick and mortar store goes back to the first question - what your goal is for writing your book. Both still require a lot of hard work on the part of the author to get their book in either channel. My Life, My Soul will be available in print and as an e-book in order to make the book available to everyone.

I want to re-emphasize that understanding your goal for writing your book is important. If you want to independently publish your book, you need to understand how the industry operates. For example, if an author plans on publishing independently out of his or her own pocket, and is working hard to market and promote that book, just know that all your hard work may be in jeopardy. I have seen many self-publishers disillusioned by the publishing industry because they don't make much money from the sale of their books. That is because while selling online is an important part of marketing and promoting your book, if they've listed their book at online retailers, they will undercut the author's price by selling their books at a discount.

BPM: Awesome advice! Do you have any more advice for other writers? Do you have any advice for people seeking to publish a book?

There is a story inside everyone and someone will definitely benefit from what you have to say. I would advise anyone wanting to publish a book to do ask themselves the following questions: Why am I writing it and what are my goals? What results do I want to see from publishing this book? Am I ready to take on the challenges of publishing it myself and not use a subsidy publisher? What do I expect from a subsidy publisher? Do I have the resources to market this book? Do I want to make $1-2 dollars in royalties for my book, or do I want to keep more money in my pocket?

BPM: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time or culture to another. Finish this sentence- “My writing offers the following legacy to future readers and new authors... ”

To blaze new paths in your writing and publishing journey and to not be afraid of the challenges. I am happy to say that after 10 years of writing and two years of promotion, that My Life, My Soul – Surviving, Healing & Thriving After An Abusive Relationship – Part 1: Surviving, is now available to make a difference in someone's life!

My Life My Soul tells readers things that someone in an abusive relationship, whether it is your loved one or friend, won’t tell you. It contains my deepest thoughts and feelings from when I first entered an abusive relationship at 16 through to an abusive marriage as an adult. I have included actual court documents as proof of how my children and I fell through the cracks of the systems designed to protect those in abusive relationship. You can view the book trailer and purchase the book at http://www.mylifemysoul.com/

BPM: What has been your most difficult hurdle to leap? Marketing, promotions or gaining media exposure, etc. How can EDC Creations and our readers help you?

The most difficult hurdle is in converting the level of interest in the book into actual sales. As an author and publisher, I wear many hats. Not only am I responsible for the health of my business, but I'm also responsible for making the strongest efforts possible in my marketing and media exposure to make sure my book gets into the hands of those that can really benefit from it.

BPM: Share with us your latest news. How may our readers follow you online?

Readers can follow me on Twitter - @ivetteattaud or on Facebook. They can also email me directly at ivetteattaud@mylifemysoul.com

Domestic violence is devastating. Understand how to better help a friend or loved one.

Purchase My Life, My Soul - Surviving, Healing And Thriving After An Abusive Relationship, Part 1: Surviving on www.mylifemysoul.com!

My Life, My Soul - Surviving, Healing And Thriving After An Abusive Relationship

Part 1 – Surviving by Ivette Attaud

US $15.95; Nonfiction; ISBN-13: 978-0615440613

Purchase books here: http://www.mylifemysoul.com/

Disclaimer:

The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Black Pearls Magazine, EDC Creations or the owners. We are not to be held liable for the statements of the authors. Submission to EDC Creations confirms that the guest writers agree with all of the terms listed and give us permission to display their original work, book excerpts, written and oral interviews and links. The writers are also confirming that they own all rights to the material submitted to EDC Creations and that all statements are true and not malicious. Submission to EDC Creations confirms that the author understands he/she is responsible for all legal enquiries into material submitted.

80 Proof Lives (YA Fiction) Pearl Pick

2011-04-22T02:45:00.000-04:00

Featured BPM Teen Read

April 2011 - 80 Proof Lives (YA Fiction)

80 Proof Lives (YA Fiction) Debut Novel by Felicia S.W. Thomas

Felicia S.W. Thomas is the author of 80 Proof Lives, her debut novel, which was released in February 2011 and published by Amani Publishing, LLC, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Felicia holds a B.S. degree in Journalism from Florida A&M University, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Florida State University. Felicia practices Unemployment Law. She is also an editor, as well as a freelance writer. Felicia currently lives in Quincy, Florida, with her husband and three children. She is hard at work on a sequel to her debut novel and other creative titles.

80 Proof Lives (YA Fiction)
Primary Subject Matter: Coming of age, cautionary tale that touches upon many issues young adults struggle with today. 80 Proof Lives is a young adult novel set in a small, southern town where graduation is optional but a life of despair seems mandatory.

This is the story of Fla (rhymes with clay), a 15-year-old girl who is brilliant but ignorant that she's supposed to be somebody great, because her emotionally abusive, alcoholic mother stifles her dreams and forces her to work for Miss Lipstick, the queen of the bootleg business and the local madam.

While working for Miss Lipstick during the summer of 1976, Fla learns why some people live inside a liquor bottle, as well as some life-changing information about herself that could plunge her into an 80 Proof life, or break that bottle hanging over her head to become somebody great.

~~ Now on the summer reading list for Crossroad Academy Charter School ~~

80 Proof Lives Book Review
Fla's plight is handled expertly by author Felicia Thomas in her ground-breaking new book 80 Proof Lives. The reader is moved to cry or to celebrate with Fla as she determinedly makes her way through her fifteenth year of a cruel life. Finally, Thomas brings the reader up short with an unpredicted plot twist that explains a great deal and may cause the reader to thunk herself in the head and ask, "Why didn't I see that coming?"

The author ties up loose ends and brings the novel to a satisfactory close. While closure is good, this reviewer still wonders what lies ahead for Fla and can only hope that this is the first in a series that follows Fla into what will undoubtedly be an interesting adulthood. -- Liz Jameson, Reviewer

Website: www.feliciaswthomas.com
E-mail: feliciathomas917@hotmail.com

Purchase from Amazon, GO HERE

ISBN-10: 9780981584775
ISBN-13: 978-0981584775
Target audience: 13 and older

Intimate Conversation with Laurence “Lonz” Cook

2011-03-11T13:24:00.000-05:00

Intimate Conversation with Laurence “Lonz” Cook

Laurence Cook, a Marine Corps veteran, educator, and technology professional has written professionally for years. He’s a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and holds a Masters of Science Degree. His creativity helped fellow service members passionately communicate with their loved ones during deployments. Along his career, friends and relatives pushed him to write creatively; there came his novel debut "Good Guys Finish Last."

BPM: What makes you powerful as a person, parent and a writer?

As a writer, the ability to influence and develop through multiple messages makes one extremely powerful. Especially when provoking thought certain social behavior through readers, it’s amazingly powerful. When readers finish the novel, they tend to contemplate their behavior on social events. In A Choice to Yield, either they admit to a misbelief or stereo type, based on someone’s look, ethnicity, or gender, or assess members of their social circle.

Parenting is challenging within itself. You never knew you could love so greatly until you embrace the little person and realize he/she is of you and your responsibility. Power then becomes relevant to how we envision our children for the future and focus on outcome of the child. We do what’s necessary to teach, nurture, and lead so children are capable of enduring life’s challenges. In my case, they lead me to power as realization took hold on their dependency for leadership and guidance. Yet, the greatest power given is their pure love and trust. There lies what makes me a powerful parent, giving love, guidance, and nurturing to their success. (And closing the door so they don’t return...the real parental power.)

A powerful person is challenging in defining, and yet quite simple. Power for me comes in continued social contributions, equally sharing in reflecting a positive image, and uplifting through spiritual means. Not only is there influence in my acts, but there is sincerity in association with others. My interactions with many allows an immediate impact, either they view me as someone to communicate with, or someone to emulate. The power for me lies in the ability to communicate, and communicate sensibly to those with a thirst for motivation. Especially when influencing behavior change through an emotional impact. Usually in my conversation there is a parable, a message, something to spark positive thought, and therefore hopefully ignite a following act. The result is often someone traveling a new direction. Especially in social change.

BPM: How much of what you write reflects on your outlook on life?

Much of my life’s outlook is reflected or written in the few authored novels. My stories connect a number of romantic events where acts and ideas are actually past experiences. Yet, those actions are embellished for sensational reading. Every author shares a piece of them in their novels. In romance, either its common dating failures, where man deciphers a woman’s message differently than she expects or it’s being the recipient of a woman advice when challenging women’s behavior. These events structured the story of my novel. For example, my experience meeting women for the first time left common questions such as:

“What type of man did I present? What type of impression did I leave? Will you I get a follow up call or was I charming enough to get passed her checklist? Did I say something wrong or did I get it right meeting her expectations? Will she enjoy my idea of romance? Is one rose enough for the impression, or is she a dozen roses or floral bunch type? Will she enjoy simple acts of kindness or will my actions be considered a nice gesture instead of a spark of romance?”

These questions are commonly encountered and surely ignites controversy in a “She said-He heard” conversational spectrum. Therefore, the experience in dating, love, and marriage, is surely reflective in my writing. Also my outlook on life varies with the way men and women interact. My observations are of our rituals of dating and exploring personalities and character, and forming belief from social practices. My belief sits with worldly events, or shared in conversations held with many people who discuss relationships. My outlook sits with a transition of historical events, where people once saw each other in a horrifying light, and later travel the same path realizing life has one major road to travel.

BPM: Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?

My first mentor is my best friend, my father. The late Reverend Doctor F. Francis Cooke, a minister who served the community for years. He graduated from Princeton during a time when African Americans were extremely few in attendance. He was a great organizer, a grant obtainer, and created the Joint Partnership Training Consortium in Augusta GA. He worked closely with Dr. King on Civil Rights in the Central Savannah River Area (GA) and also a great contributor to the Medical College of Georgia Mental Health Training. He was my mentor, a guy who spoke five languages, including Hebrew fluently.

My second mentor is a Sergeant Major of Marines, Leonard Roland, a guy who communicated well with everyone, was firm and fair, and yet shared a compassion for life. He was a true leader.

The greatest inspiration for writing is my love to tell a great story. It’s a natural capability and sparked from an event in my life or something observed where it’s worth sharing. Love and relationships are evolving entities, where we as a people are taught how to interact, create, and endure via mainstream media. The finesse in having or living a relationship is leaving us per each generation. When I observe a situation worth conveying, it inspires me to create a story with a message solely based on behavior. For instance, as a gentleman, I’m told chivalry is dead or no longer seen. My thought is different as it’s seen but not as common. In this case, it sparks the idea of creating a “Gentleman’s Guide” where chivalry is a theme.

BPM: What do you think of the increasingly gratuitous sex in African American literature?

“Sex sales,” is often what most readers and authors hear as a response from marketing, publishers, and editors. However, when sex is sensationalized to the extent of losing the story’s finesse, it becomes another institution of stereo typical illusion of our behavior. Just like the myth of sexuality hit our race in the 1860s after freedom, it’s a way other people expand on our customs and behavior. In essence the sexual sensationalism feeds into the expected public behavior other races/ethnicities has of African American people.

My view, is the African American literature plays heavily into the main stream of expectation, where it forms the reflection of what people think our social realm resembles. However, when sex is tasteful, respectful, and directs romantic notions, there is a difference. Because books influence, as an author, I take responsibility of encouraging change. There are methods of writing erotic scenes without being blatantly graphic. So when a youthful mind explores a rated R novel, it isn’t quite an instruction manual and it leaves room for the imagination.

BPM: What three elements complete a formula for Happiness, Success or Freedom?

Following your passion alone is a huge element of success. The challenge is finding the passion and creating a lifestyle around it. Step out on faith from corporate jobs, find a way to endure a comfortable standard of living, and live with work vice work to live. My elements in a nut shell are: Faith, Passion, and Financial freedom.

BPM: Finish this sentence- "My writing offers the following legacy to future readers..."

By giving a reflection of respectful behavior when it comes to heterosexual relationships. It also leaves a definition how people of current times deal with love and romance combining the dating rituals for common core qualities based on social behavior. This becomes a road map of attitude and actions where it may transition.

BPM: Introduce us to your book, A Choice to Yield, and the main characters.A Choice to Yield is a dynamic story of love, friendship, race/ethnicity, and transition. It's a true-to-life fiction where the plot grabs you from beginning to end and a fictionalized account of situations existing in many lives. The plot shares hardships, challenges our learned behavior, and reminds you of social situations faced in modern life.

This contemporary romance is set in Atlanta, GA during 2005 when a Midwestern Caucasian woman Angela and her married best friend Paula relocate to the city. Angela finds interest in Mark, an African-American who intrigues her. Mark shares Atlanta’s diverse culture, and when Angela bellows her excitement with Paula, she is battered endlessly for her enthusiasm. Paula encourages Angela to date three acceptable candidates: Bill whose likeness and belief holds ethnicity and race separate and not equal by any means; Christopher, a self-centered gentleman who surely holds Paula's approval, but isn’t capable of grabbing Angela’s heart; and Eric, a gentle soul, who soothes Angela’s troubled moments, but unfortunately is doubtful as a companion.

Angela eventually emerges from strongholds of misperceptions and social ideologies. Her intrigue allows Mark to merge into her life while she journeys to self-discovery. Along her epiphany, she becomes acquainted with Margo, a charismatic artsy socialite; Karen, the interior decorator entrepreneur, and Amy, an indecisive romantic. Each new friend interjects their perception of love and happiness while influencing Angela’s final decision. The genre is Contemporary Romance and sets in the year 2005.

Major events: A conversation between Margo and Angela, where Margo sets the perception straight on race and dating consideration. And second, the event where Karen exposes her Angela to a world of elegance placing her misconception to myths to rest.

BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?

Nothing specific, per se, but it’s a long time conversation piece whenever I hear how race, gender, ethnicity refers to dating. My thoughts were not to sugar coat the event but really stress social issues from a different view. People often jump to conclusion if they ponder why anyone would love someone so different. However, it isn’t a point of view where we exploit or condemn, but a view where it’s a transition of thought and where culture is surely unique. The way I wrote this novel’s message applies to all nationalities and race of people.

BPM: Who are your favorites? Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?

Of course Angela is a favorite character, but I really liked developing Amy, Margo, and Karen. These ladies really added spice to the novel. Nothing like true friendships and these characters displayed how women truly support each other during tough times. These characters are modeled from people in my life. Fortunately there were strong entrepreneurial influences from my mother and other women who fought in the business world to make it. My observations included how women nurtured and ridiculed each other to get one or the other in line with reality. The women in the story are portrayal of real people, based on specific behaviors.

BPM: What role do you give the "mean-spirited" characters? Do you have such characters?

Paula and Bill, are two characters who identifies with or practice racist views. They held onto myths and historical beliefs of African Americans, or just out right feared losing their White privilege. Though, the story shows effort for one character making an attempt to adjust and adapt, but strong beliefs deterred his/her re-structure. These characters help the story by showing the other side of racial and social beliefs. Though, many don’t exactly speak in a negative manner, however they live and believe quite separate or external to diversity. The characters help reflect another common behavior in our society.

BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?

Median age is 40, mostly women, however, I’d like to reach readers of all races and ethnicities of people who contributes to our social and emotional society.

BPM: What are some of the specific issues, needs or problems addressed in this book?

Love and ethnicity is one issue alone. How people address interracial couples, or encourage their children, friends, and relatives to love based on social beliefs. “Don’t come home with a black, white, or one of those Asian women,” was heard by many men, told by their mothers (especially mothers). Why? Because most mothers want their children mated with someone similar to themselves to fulfill their dream, otherwise its an adjustment.

Also, the book exposes the thought processes most women/men go through when dating someone unlike their family. I highlight the combination and threats most families address, especially when ,” it’s what people do these days, but don’t bring one of those people here.” The common remark even today, especially in families with strong rituals and beliefs. The book addresses friendships, a good vs. bad friend where their influence perpetuates good over evil. Or how influential some people are in dating, their advice on partner selections. What is a great friend? My novel gives examples of both great and horrible.

Black wealth is another social nome, and how most African Americans become successful, with business. The novel reflects how black entrepreneurial efforts are beyond the commonly known abilities. Most people believe black wealth is from entertainment or street hustle. One other social issues is the black family or couple. Since behavior is stressed throughout the book, the sub story shows how a black couple does work, in spite of the continued challenges most perpetuate. There are great black men who love and love well; black men who support and contribute, as well as uphold standards of quality.

BPM: What was the most powerful chapter in the book for you to write?

Chapter 10 – where Angela finally has the heart to heart conversation with Margo. What happens when she teeters the line of decision or making that decision to say yes? Margo explains the other view and surely goes the extra mile of realization. What happens in a woman’s thought process was surely a challenge based on a male’s perspective. This took in depth research and surely an assessment of common core behavior amongst the study group. As well, the chapter took me on a historical ride, where people explored stereo-typed responses on all races of people.

BPM: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?

This book resonates with our current social state of interracial dating. Emphasis is not focused on hatred or deterrence as during the civil rights movement, but it exposes reluctant behavior. The reader encompasses the intricacies of heart and mind while processing a conscious decision to date across invisible lines of social expectation.

Bottom line, a message to follow your heart after realizing the road you wish to travel. Many reflect on what could have or should have been in earlier dating experiences. Here, my message to the reader is to reflect from internal and yet pay attention to the important factors when selecting a mate. Forget about race, ethnicity, religion, and other social idioms, and fact facts to what makes you extremely happen to create an everlasting relationship.

BPM: What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?

Love is blind! The common message in most books of interracial dating, marriages, and or situations. This novel differs because of the focus on current social behaviors, explaining the challenge both genders make, or sharing from a mature woman’s view on the actual thought process.

My reflection of actual behavior is not superficial at the least, nor gives insight to multiple negative behaviors of African American people. It is reflective of a common core challenge seen from multiple people. You actually see a reflection of your actions, behavior of friends and relatives, or reminders of situations you’ve experienced.

As well, this novel differs via sub stories of friendships, business, dating expectations, and reflective of regional intricacies The added difference is every venue or location mentioned in the novel is actual in Atlanta. The reader is able to relive scenes in actual locations with the imagination sparked from the novel. This is truly a “true to life” fiction.

BPM: Share with us your latest news or upcoming book releases.

A new novel is in works for a release. When Love Evolves, releases April 2011. This novel is a sequel to Good Guys Finish Last, by debut book. When Love Evolves is a national release by a traditional publisher, which is an accomplishment from my independent effort.

Other efforts are in work for the final sequel in Good Guys Finish Last. With blessings form above, you’ll find me at your nearest bookstore holding book signings, exposure with additional media outlets, and even on the big screen.

BPM: How can our readers reach you online?

Email me at: LonzCook@RLOenterprises.com. Visit the author's website: http://www.lonzcook.com/. You’ll be glad you did.

A Choice to Yield by Laurence “Lonz” Cook

Purchase from Amazon Today!

ISBN 0-7414-5344-4

Contemporary Romance

Meet Life Changing Books Authors

2011-02-28T01:12:00.002-05:00

Meet Life Changing Books Authors
and the CEO Azarel Smallwood

Life Changing Books, better known as LCB, established in 2003 is quickly becoming one of the most respected Independent Trade Publishers amongst chain stores, vendors, authors and readers. LCB offers a variety of African-American literature including Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Urban/Street Literature, Erotica, and a host of other fiction categories.

CEO, Azarel, launched the company with the release of her self-published title, A Life to Remember, and from there she has continued to add best selling authors onto her label. Currently, LCB has sixteen authors and offers outside distribution to selective projects. The success of LCB is a team effort combined with our outgoing authors, and management team.

As of 2008, LCB has joined forces and constructed progressive relationships with both wholesale and retail establishments across the United States of America and abroad. We’ve topped the charts with some of our Essence Magazine best-selling titles such as Millionaire Mistress, Secrets of a Housewife, Bruised 2, and Deep. In addition, LCB is progressive in contributing to children in need. Visit the Life Changing Books Website: http://www.lifechangingbooks.net/

Life Changing Books presents 4 Urban Literature Sensations!

View the interviews, videos and book excerpts here: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/lcbauthors.html

Video Introduction: One Night Stand by Kendall Banks

Video Introduction: Snitch by VegasClarke

Video Introduction: The Dirty Divorce 2 by Miss KP

Video Introduction: Money Maker by Tonya Ridley

Purchase all the books from the Publisher's website - http://www.lifechangingbooks.net/

MahoganyBooks Featuring Dolen Perkins-Valdez

2011-02-25T06:17:00.001-05:00

MahoganyBooks Reading Series
Featuring: Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Friday, March 11th at 7pm for this FREE event

Join us as we welcome NAACP Image Award nominee, Dolen Perkins-Valdez to the third installment of the MahoganyBooks Reading Series. Dolen will read from, discuss, and sign her highly acclaimed debut novel, Wench.

Wench is a novel that explores the complex relationships between slave masters and their enslaved mistresses. Set at the historic Tawawa House in Ohio, Dolen provides us with a story of four women whose friendship is forged by pain, yet sustained by their love for their children and the hope of freedom. We are excited to feature this award winning novel, Wench, and it’s captivating author, Dolen Perkins-Valdez, during Women’s History Month in recognition of the 2011 theme, Our History is Our Strength.

We encourage you all to join us on Friday, March 11th at 7pm for this FREE event. It will be held at Betty’s Place & Cafe in the PG Sports and Learning Complex at 8001 Sheriff Rd. Landover, MD. Books will be provided on site by MahoganyBooks, however can also be purchased in advance at a discounted price from MahoganyBooks.com.

Attendees must present their MahoganyBooks receipt to collect a ticket prior to getting their book autographed. Your ticket will also enter you to win a prize during the drawing to be held at the conclusion of the event.

About Dolen:

Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s fiction and essays have appeared in StoryQuarterly, Robert Olen Butler Prize Stories 2009, The Kenyon Review, PMS: PoemMemoirStory, North Carolina Literary Review, and Richard Wright Newsletter. Born and raised in Memphis, a graduate of Harvard, and a former University of California postdoctoral fellow, Perkins-Valdez lives in Washington, DC. This is her first novel.

RSVP Today at Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148349478557652

Best Books 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society and EDC Creations

2011-02-08T13:22:00.000-05:00

2010 Best Book Awards
Sankofa Literary Society and EDC Creations

The Sankofa Literary Society and its founder Ella Curry are focused on the issues and lifestyles that define today's avid readers — what they read, what they want out of their literature, how they connect to each other, what motivates them and how they feel about their community as a whole. Many have stated, “There is no African American village…it’s dead,” we don’t feel that way. The Village is here, the village in now! Expand your horizons! We are a community of 11 bookclub units, 4 social networks and 22 nurses who want to enrich our community with books and the written word. Listed below are the books we have read in 2010 presented by small press publishers, traditional publishers and self-published authors. Join us today to add your voice and experiences to our union. Come on in and join this movement to Give the Gift of Knowledge!

The Sankofa Literary Society 2010 Book of the Year

UNTOLD: The New Orleans 9th Ward You Never Knew
by Lynette Norris Wilkinson

Some of the first images you saw of New Orleans under water during Hurricane Katrina were the mangled houses and cars, and drowned bodies of the people from the Lower 9th Ward. Before Hurricane Katrina, few had even heard of this close-knit predominately African American community nestled just five miles form world-famous Bourbon Street.

The author says, "I watched it all unfold on TV from my home near Dallas that morning. As the waters rose, my heart sank." This was my home, my neighborhood, my people. How could I not use my gifts to tell their story?

"Untold" lets you:

• Peek into the lives of 16 residents, share their memories, see how they survived, and where they are now

• Find out what the area was before it became the Lower 9th Ward

• How the Lower 9 may be connected to an area movie producer

• The Lower 9 remains devastated-still---but is struggling to survive

Proceeds from this book will be donated to organizations helping the residents of the Lower 9 recover. Visit the author's website to order the book and to view more details on Untold: http://hurricanekatrinastories.com/joomla

WHY WE ARE HERE
While highlighting our heritage, our experiences and delivering our voice–we remain anchored to the spiritual, emotional and practical realities of our entire global community, supporting all races. We are not limited solely to reading just African American (AA) authors; we hope to educate our readers by offering a variety of quality literature and resources. We are offering you the best in literature period, from our perspective. Spread the word...please share this listing with at least 20 people you know! The books below will make excellent gifts all year long.

WHAT ARE LITERARY HALLMARKS
Listed below are a few of the best books representing the literary world and the arts. Each book created an impact for our readers/reviewers and the Sankofa Literary Society network. Our literary hallmarks indicate excellence in writing. Here are the books we want to showcase to the world. Please take your time and expand your reading territory by saluting the literary greats and leaders listed below. The books are NOT listed in any order pertaining to the quality of the literature—they are all 4-5 star reads. The number beside the title, does not indicate the ranking of this list.

2010 EDC CREATIONS TOP 40 BOOKS - ELLA'S RECOMMENDED READING LISTS
Readers here is a summary of all the BEST BOOKS LISTS posted by our themes.

* EDC Creations Literary Hallmarks, view the entire list of 40 books here:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/01/2010-edc-creations-literary-excellence.html

SANKOFA LITERARY SOCIETY TOP BOOKS — RECOMMENDED READING LISTS

The Sankofa Literary Society is a collective of 11 bookclubs from across the United States. Each bookclub was asked to share 20-30 of their favorite books of the year. The books were later discussed on our monthly conference calls. In September, we polled the clubs, bookstore owners and selected book reviewers. The books below were nominated by the various bookclub members for the awards. Over the course of three months we discussed the nominated books and voted. After voting three times, we came up with the final ballot in late December 2010. The books listed at the links below are the winners!

*Young Reader Power Reads — Books for Children, Tweens and Young Adults
The books on this list were part of our 2010 SLS Young Readers Challenge. Each parent was asked to get their child to read 20 books for the year. The list below is the best selections out of more than 245 books read by the group. View the entire list and order the books here: http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-children-and-young-adult-books.html

*Black Pearl Inspiration — Non-fiction/Heritage/Memoirs/Self-help
View the entire list of 25 books here:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-books-2010-non-fictionmemoirsself.html

*Lift as We Climb Leaders — Popular Fiction/Fiction/Literary Fiction
View the entire list of 26 books here:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-books-2010-popular-fiction-and.html

*Black Pearl Soul — Christian Fiction/ Faith-based /Our Experiences
View the entire list of 26 books here:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-books-2010-christian-fiction-faith.html

*On the Shoulders of Giants — Thrillers/Mystery/Erotic Suspense/Paranormal
View the entire list of 20 books here:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-books-2010-thrillersmysteryerotic.html

*How We Love — Compt.Fiction/Relationships/Urban Lit./Women's Fiction
View the entire list of 25 books here:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-books-2010-relationshipsurban.html

*Black Pearl Passions — Erotica/Romance/Alternate Lifestyles/Adult Literature
View the entire list of 26 books here:
http://edcmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-2010-eroticaromanceadult.html

SPEAK UP AND OUT

Authors, if you see your book listed, please leave a comment with your website address, bookseller links and any news about you and your books! Ask your network to stop by and share their reviews of your books too. Make sure you tell your fellow author friends if you see their names listed below.

If your name is listed below, you can copy the award image to your computer and add to your website as well as your promotional material. I would like to interview ALL of the authors on this list for Black Pearls Magazine and for the Black Authors Network Radio Show. Email me at: edc_dg@yahoo.com to setup the interviews.

Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations Media Group
Visit Black Pearls Magazine: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/

Shop at our Black Pearls bookstore for the books:
http://astore.amazon.com/edcmagazine-20

Intimate Conversation with Dr. Natalie A. Francisco

2011-02-08T13:21:00.000-05:00

Intimate Conversation with Dr. Natalie A. Francisco

Dr. Natalie A. Francisco serves as Co-Pastor alongside her husband, Bishop L. W. Francisco III, and Minister of Music at Calvary Community Church (Hampton, VA). She is author of Wisdom for Women of Worth & Worship: Lessons for a Life of Virtue, Value & Victory and founder/executive director of the Women of Worth & Worship (WOWW) Conference and Institute.

Ella: Dr. Francisco, tell us about your passion for writing. Why do you write? What drives you?
I developed a love for reading and writing in grammar school and excelled at it throughout my educational pursuits and career. My passion has always been centered around educating and empowering others, particularly women, and my writings have been in alignment with my heart's desire to serve others.

Ella: A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence: My writing offers the following legacy to future readers...
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers... Women of all ages who read my book will discover it to be a resource that will motivate them to uncover their dreams and desires in order to live a quality of life that is honorable to God, self-fulfilling and of service to others.

Ella: Please introduce us to your book Wisdom for Women of Worth & Worship.
Wisdom for Women of Worth & Worship: Lessons for a Life of Virtue, Value & Victory is a wealth of information tailor-made to address the questions that women have regarding spirituality, relationships, marriage, parenting, maintaining balance and so much more. I share the triumphs, tragedies, and lessons learned from my life to captivate women and catapult them into their destiny. Biblical principles, self-reflective journal exercises and practical wisdom intermingle to create a mentoring memoir that readers will enjoy time and time again.

Intimate Interview
Ella: Where are you from? What is your favorite genre? How did you start your journey?
I am a native of Hampton, Virginia who loves to travel. Being in full-time ministry has afforded me the opportunity to visit many nations as well as to establish and assist ministries across the United States and around the world for which I am extremely grateful.

My favorite genre of books to read would be the categories of Inspirational and Self-Help. Michelle McKinney Hammond, who happens to be one of my favorite authors and a personal friend, inspired me by her own writings to launch out and do the same. I have helped to write and edit books as well as church, leadership and Christian school manuals for our church, Christian schools and other organizations, but had never given much thought to publishing my own works until I was encouraged to do so by another friend, Rev. Connie Jackson. I will be forever grateful to her, Michelle and my family for the gifts in me that they have helped to nurture.

Ella: Who are the main characters in your book? Can a non-fiction title have a character?
I am the main character and serve as the storyteller to introduce the reader to the profound moments in my life that helped to define who I am and what I was created to do. The transparency and candor utilized allow women to see themselves within the pages as they identify with real life issues that we often face. I have even included anonymous women who have asked questions of me concerning relationships, parenting skills, career choices and the pursuit of purpose in their own lives. I love the fact that the lessons I've learned and the wisdom shared have proven to be helpful in the lives of countless women, and men for that matter, that have benefited from reading my book.

Ella: How does you book shape or add value to the reader's life?Many who have read my book have already expressed how it has impacted them to the core, causing them to re-evaluate their perspective, relationships and habits while rediscovering who they are and pursuing what brings them joy. Here are just a few comments from others:

"In a time when many have abandoned the call to “teach the younger women…” Natalie Francisco emerges as a true Titus woman. As a modern day Proverbs 31 woman, she proves we can all be the women God created us to be if we are armed with the right truths to work with. So take the time to read, to absorb and then apply these rich lessons to your own life. But don't just stop there. Share the wealth with others. Wisdom for Women of Worth and Worship is a jewel of a book that has the potential to change the world one home at a time." - Michelle McKinney Hammond

"Your book is really wonderful. To be honest I have so many friends releasing books that I just had the opportunity to read yours. I thoroughly enjoyed it!! This is not a read through in a few sessions. It is a life manual that one needs to take the time to soak in. Kudos my dear! Love it! Love it!" - Pastor Tracie Davis

"I have been truly blessed by this book. It has helped me to understand that some of the things I felt I was dealing with alone, I'm really not alone. It helped me to realize that you have to let go of any fears that you have and be able to step into whatever your calling is with boldness, knowing that your worth and value as a woman of God is very important. The lessons in the book help to strengthen you and help you to be able to deal with some of the issues that are going on in your life. Also, I think men can read this book. The principles don't change. The lessons can help men understand what their wives or significant others are going through." - Rita LaVeist

"Your book is a wonderful resource for all women -- the cover alone is very impressive. I've added it to my collection of suggested reading for the women's groups that I facilitate weekly. I'm running a series of therapeutic support groups called Healthy Women/Healthy Relationships. We are delving into a lot of the topics that you cover and I'm sure that the ladies' experience will be enhanced by reading this book. I especially like the moments of meditation -- they really help to re-focus the mind and deepen self-awareness. GOD has blessed you with great insight and a beautiful gift of expression through writing. May the LORD continue to richly bless all that you do for HIS glory. May HE enlarge your territory and keep you in HIS perfect peace." - Minister Pamela LaVeist-Bell, LCPC

Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?My greatest accomplishment would be for my book to contribute to the positive transformation of women who are empowered to excel beyond their wildest dreams personally, spiritually and professionally after reading it. God-consciousness, self-discovery and service to others would be the three-fold cord that I would desire for readers to hold onto without ever letting go.

Ella: Who would this book really "speak to" and why?I initially wrote the book as the curriculum for my Women of Worth & Worship Institute classes. I soon realized that women regardless of age, race, ethnicity or socio-economic status should read, learn from and enjoy it. I have even been told by husbands, fathers and brothers of those who purchased the book for the special women in their lives that they have learned much from reading it and that the principles I share are also applicable to them.

Ella: What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?
I was pleased to find out that my book was listed as number 13 on Black Christian Book Company's Top 50 Bestseller List of Black authors and Independent publishers soon after its release. In retrospect, however, I would have to say that receiving emails and reviews from others concerning their perspective of my book and how it has left an indelible mark upon them, fills my heart with unspeakable joy.

Ella: What advice would you give a new writer?
It is important to write about whatever moves you, for in doing so, others will be moved as well. I have found that people readily identify with fiction or non-fiction stories with subject matter that will speak to the heart and feed the mind. Writing then must be passionate and intellectually stimulating, and the writer must be first partaker of what he or she desires to communicate to others.

Ella: Name 3 things that it takes to make a successful author, in your opinion.
In order to be a successful author, one must enjoy reading and writing, networking with others, and consistently promoting one's own book.

Ella: What book already published is similar to your book in its writing style?
A number of books written by my friend Michelle McKinney Hammond are similar to my own in that the writing style is transparent, candid and thought-provoking, causing the reader to have an epiphany of sorts after encountering the book.

Ella: What can we expect from you in the future?My next published book will be my dissertation written in 2000 entitled The New Demand for Christian Education: Targeting the Urban, African-American Community. I am also planning to write a book about effective parenting in the near future. In the interim, I will continue to offer year-round mentoring classes and seminars both onsite and online, as well as annual conferences and community outreach efforts to educate, encourage and empower women as well as middle and high school young ladies.

For more information regarding Dr. Natalie A. Francisco and the ministries in which she is involved, contact:
Dr. Natalie A. Francisco, Founder/Executive Director
Women of Worth & Worship, LLC
P. O. Box 9853
Chesapeake, VA 23321
Email: wowwi@nataliefrancisco.com
Website: http://www.nataliefrancisco.com/

Book Details
Wisdom for Women of Worth & Worship: Lessons for a Life of Virtue, Value & Victory by Natalie A. Francisco, Ed. D.
(Foreword by Michelle McKinney Hammond)

Websites: www.wisdomforwomenofworthandworship.com or http://www.wowwithebook.com/

Purchase the paperback version or eBook format at: http://www.nataliefrancisco.com/.

(Also available at www.Amazon.com, www.Target.com, www.BlackCBC.com, and http://www.gospellightbookstore.com/. (Coming soon online to Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Borders and wherever fine books are sold.)

Intimate Conversation with Miss KP

2011-02-08T13:16:00.000-05:00

Intimate Conversation with Miss KP

The Dirty Divorce Trilogy

Miss KP began writing in high school as an outlet to express her emotions as a teenager. She would write poetry and has even written unpublished songs. However, after feeling as if she had much more to say, she decided to purchase a laptop and began working on her first novel, which we now know as Dirty Divorce, Part 1.

Just months after a good friend introduced her to publisher, Azarel; Miss KP’s dreams came true. She became a published author with the Life Changing Books (L.C.B) family with a #1 hit behind her name. Along with being an author, Miss KP works in the fashion industry as a Merchandise Manager in prominent department store.

A native Washingtonian, Miss KP currently resides in Maryland with her eight year old daughter, and is awaiting the release of her second and most anticipated novel of 2010, The Dirty Divorce- Part 2. For more information on Miss KP or her books, visit her website at: http://www.misskp.com/

Ella: Introduce us to your book, Dirty Divorce 2 and the main characters.
Drugs turn out to be a way of life for Rich, a powerful, sexy Drug Lord hailing from Washington, D.C. His desire for fast money and the extravagant things that it brings puts his family in harms way. Soon, his ego forces him to leave his castle and empire to expand business on the West Coast. His decision to leave his love ones behind at the mercy of his enemies turns out to be catastrophic. One by one, each of Rich's children spiral out of control.

Pregnancy, rape, and abduction all hit the family structure one day after another. With Rich putting his focus on money, sex, and insignificant things in life his wife Lisa, throws some new drama into the relationship as well; a side-piece and divorce papers. This creates an even bigger wedge between Rich and Lisa. The hate that Rich and Lisa develop for each other causes the divorce to get down- right dirty. Can their love out way their hate to save their family or is it too late?

Meet the Main Players in Dirty Divorce 2
Rich- Handsome and definitely a lady's man. Father and husband that is ruthless and some think he's heartless but he's real. He lacks respect for women and his infidelity causes major issues in his home. His only love is for his money and his daughter. He keeps his son and wife on the back burner which causes major problems.

Lisa- Rich's wife. A docile, fragile wife and mother that struggles with what's important in life-- the love of money or her happiness. She deals with Rich's infidelity for the finer things in life but realizes when it's too late the price of street life has a hefty price tag.

Juan- Rich and Lisa's son. Has extreme hate for his dad due to his lack of respect for Lisa but doesn't realize he's more like his father that he knows.

Denie- Rich and Lisa's daughter. Teen girl that loves her father no matter how much he neglects her. He can do no wrong until it effects her and their relationship is tested.

Carlos "Los"- Rich's Cousin. Handsome street Colombian that holds rank in the street. His father Uncle Renzo makes things happen on both coasts and is the reason for the major cash flow that Rich and his family benefits from. Carlos and Rich's loyalty is tested by the ultimate betrayal and causes the family to dismantle.

Marisol- Carlos' wife. Beautiful but ruthless. A true ride or die chick. Will do anything for her husband.
A close friend to Lisa.

Ella: Who are your favorites? Are your characters from the portrayal of real people?
I would have to say that Lisa would be my favorite character in Part 1 because of the transformation of her character. It was intriguing to have her go from being this gullible wife to this deranged woman that was lost and willing to do anything for revenge. The characters of the book are fictional characters but the situations are real.

Ella: What role do you give the mean spirited characters? Do you have such characters?
The mean spirited character in the book is Rich, but he is consistent. Sometimes we have to look inside to see what makes people tick and why are they the way that they are. When people treat others with lack of respect and there are no consequences, do we blame the victim for allowing it and not standing up for themselves.

Ella: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write a book?
As a teenager I would write as an outlet because I experienced a lot at a young age. My father’s absence through my teen years contributed to a lot that I went through. One of good friends was going through some relationship issues and made a powerful statement, she said, “I feel as though I’m being punished for everything my father did wrong to women, why do my relationships keep failing?” From there I said I want to write a book with a storyline that speaks to the troubled black family.

Ella: Who do you want to reach with your book and what is the message within?
The Dirty Divorce I feel anyone can relate to. Everyone either knows someone who has been through a divorce or has been through one themselves, even if they are a product of divorce. Everyone in the family is affected by the break up, whether dirty or not. The abuse in the home becomes a way of life and you take the risk of your off springs either becoming a product of their environment or finding a way out. I want people to see that even though this book is fiction, it’s somebody in this world going through the same things and what are we going to do differently in our lives to make a change in our current behaviors.

The one thing I always say is, I don’t want anyone to lose the message. The cars, the money, and the big house might seem all good but we need to know the consequences that come with it. The streets are always watching and you have to live a life in fear of the day it could all come to an end; whether if it’s the Feds or the next man trying to get on top it eventually comes to an end. Infidelity comes with the territory as well.

Know that these are all the things you sign up for street life, but the main message is not only what I just mentioned, it’s the effect on the family and the children. It’s a vicious cycle because we are teaching our children that this is the only way, and as young girls we choose the hustler as our boyfriend, and as young men we choose street life as the way because this is all we know.

Ella: What are some of the specific issues or problems addressed in this book?
Divorce has been such an easy way out these days, the younger generation doesn't fight anymore for their relationships so this is definitely a topic everyone can relate to. Also the relationship between a mother and her son as well as a father and their daughter. How the decisions that we make as parents and how they affect our children.

Ella: Share with us your upcoming releases and online contact info.
The Dirty Divorce is a trilogy and Part 2 was released on November 24, 2010 and for updates on future release information or to contact me I can be reached on Twitter: www.twitter.com/misskpdc.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/misskpdc or visit my website at: http://www.misskp.com/

Purchase Dirty Divorce 1 and 2 written by Miss KP, HERE.
Publisher: Life Changing Books
ISBN-10: 193423074X
ISBN-13: 978-1934230749

Intimate Conversation with Yayoi Lena Winfrey

2011-02-08T13:11:00.000-05:00

Intimate Conversation with Yayoi Lena Winfrey

Born in Tokyo to an African American father and Japanese mother, Yayoi Lena Winfrey grew up on three continents. A resident of California most of her adult life, she’s also lived in Alaska, Hawai’i, Washington State, and St. Thomas U.S.V.I.

After attending art school, Yayoi freelanced as an illustrator and graphic designer before turning to journalism for the past 13 years. In 1998, she began working in the film industry and made a feature film, Watermelon Sushi, based on her life as an AfroAsian woman. She was a finalist for FIND (Film Independent) Project Involve, Fall 2005-Spring 2006. Besides contributing to numerous publications, Yayoi was twice nominated for journalism awards, and is referenced on Wikipedia. In 2000, she published an anthology of 28 black women writers and a chapbook based on her film.

Today, Yayoi plans a reshoot of the film while writing a weekly blog, Watermelon Sushi World, featuring cross-cultural stories. She’s also created a Facebook group, Hip Hapa Homeez, which addresses multiethnic experiences, as well as a Facebook fan page for Watermelon Sushi. And, she's working on a collection of erotic short stories and a novella featuring multiracial characters and interracial relationships, as well as a novel about an AfroAsian family living in the Caribbean.

Featured Book Brothers and Others Anthology

compiled by Yayoi Lena Winfrey

Brothers and Others is an anthology of 28 black women authors writing about black men. Because I was tired of seeing the same old stereotypical images of black men as drug dealers, gangsters, prisoners and rappers, I sent out a call worldwide requesting stories about black women's relationships with black men. Over 500 submissions were received including essays, poetry and short stories about black men in their roles as grandfathers, fathers, uncles, nephews, husbands, sons, friends, neighbors, celebrities, lovers, brothers and others. A magazine-style book, Brothers and Others contains pieces ranging from poetic tributes like a woman's poignant poem about her HIV-positive gay brother to a cute and classy short story about a man (from his POV) incredulous over his former big-breasted girlfriend having her bosom surgically reduced.

Book Review: Brothers and Others

5 Stars! Reviewed by Heather Covington

"Brothers and Others is a collection of essays, poetry and short stories written by Black women from around the globe about Black men in their roles as grandfathers, fathers, uncles, nephews, husbands, sons, friends, neighbors, celebrities, lovers, brothers and others." Shocking and down to earth poetry from woman poets who hold nothing back!

BPM: Yayoi, are your characters from the portrayal of real people?

A: The characters in Brothers and Others are both fictional and non. They range from a real-life HIV-positive gay man to a fictional character who is incredulous at learning his former big-breasted girlfriend had her bosom surgically reduced.

BPM: What inspired you to write this story?

A: The inspiration for me taking on this anthology as an editor and publisher was because I was tired of seeing the same old stereotypical images of black men as drug dealers, gangsters, prisoners and rappers. I sent out a call worldwide requesting stories about black women's relationships with black men. Over 500 submissions were received including essays, poetry and short stories about black men in their roles as grandfathers, fathers, uncles, nephews, husbands, sons, friends, neighbors, celebrities, lovers, brothers and others. The real challenge was selecting only 28 women's stories to publish. Another reason I wanted to publish this book was to get my father's story of growing up in Jim Crow Texas into print.

BPM: What is your most valuable lesson about the publishing industry?

A: I learned that the publishing industry, like the film industry and so many others, is simply not interested in stories about people of color unless they fit into some preconceived notion of what it means to be that based on the thoughts and ideas of people who are not of color. Unable to interest any publisher in this anthology about black men written by black women, I forged ahead and published it myself.

BPM: What writers inspire you and why?

A: Besides being an independent journalist, I also write fiction. Because I'm a huge fan of prose and interesting, complex characters, I'm heavily influenced by Caribbean women writers like Edwidge Danticat and Jamaica Kincaid. Of course, I also love Toni Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston. And, I've been moved by black American novelists like Earl Shorris (Ofay) and John A. Williams (The Man Who Cried I Am). I also enjoy African authors like Nigeria's Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart). Because of my strong Japanese cultural roots, I'm also attracted to works by author Mishima Yukio as well as many Asian women writers. It's believed that the world's first psychological novel ever published was Tale of Genji which was written by Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th Century. I've seen an anime version of the story, and it rocks!

BPM: What did you hope to accomplish by writing this particular story?

A: I hope to bring a greater awareness of just what it means to be a black man in this world as interpreted by their biggest fans--black women.

BPM: How may our readers connect with you online?

A: Brothers and Others is currently available by contacting the publisher, Yayoi Lena Winfrey, at lenastarwheels@me.com or esianthology@juno.com.

For more information, check out the Brothers and Others Fan page on Facebook where we support all independently published works by people of color. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brothers-And-Others/145195676524 As for me, I'm busy working on a collection of erotic short stories about multiracial people as well as a novel about an AfroAsian family in the Caribbean.

Brought to you by EDC Creations and Black Pearls Magazine.
Visit the magazine here: http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/

Intimate Conversation with Gwendolyn Zepeda

2011-02-08T13:00:00.000-05:00

Intimate Conversation with Gwendolyn Zepeda

Gwendolyn Zepeda began her writing career on the Web in 1997 and has won praise and awards for her short stories, poetry, and children’s books. Her first novel, Houston, We Have a Problema was critically acclaimed for its wit and upbeat story. Booklist calls Zepeda’s latest novel, Lone Star Legend (Grand Central Publishing, 2010) “fresh and smart” and Publishers Weekly says she “gives readers a funny and smart heroine that readers will easily pull for."

Ella: What makes you powerful as a person and a writer? Who are your mentors?I am of mixed ethnicity (father Latino, mom white) so right off the bat that prepared me to see more than one perspective in any given situation. And I’ve lived a lot of lives – I’ve been an inner-city “at-risk” youth and a housewife, an artist and a mother, a college student on full scholarship and a country bumpkin in a mobile home. So I’ve packed a lot of experience into my years so far, and I feel like my family taught me to use that experience well. My mentors have always been my dad, various bosses at the corporate day jobs I’ve worked, and women in my community who run non-profits and raise strong families.

Ella: Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers... My writing offers future readers an accurate depiction of the women around me and how they live their lives today. When readers look back on novels of the 2000s, they’ll see a lot of books about what women wanted – fantasies in which we’re famous and rich and we score fabulous men. And when they read my books, they’ll see how not (yet) famous, not (yet) rich women worked with what they had to get closer to those goals.

Ella: Introduce us to your book, Lone Star Legend, and the main characters. Sandy Saavedra, the main character in Lone Star Legend, is the first woman in her family to attend college, and she’s earned a B.A. in Journalism that she wants to put to good use, writing positive stories about her people. That becomes difficult when the news site she works for is purchased by an organization that specializes in “snarky” gossip blogs broken down by various cultures. There’s “Don’t Call Me Sassy” for African Americans, “Banana Nation” for Asian Americans, and “Nacho Papi’s Web Site,” the site for which Sandy is expected to produce content about Latino celebrities.

Sandy gets grief from her boyfriend, who thinks Nacho Papi is trash and she’s too good to write for it, and from her mom, who thinks Sandy’s makeup and hairstyle are more important than her writing credentials. So she vents about the two of them in her secret, anonymous blog, where she’s sure they’ll never see it.

But nothing is private on the Internet, as Sandy will soon find out. A wise old man teaches her another lesson: that once a crab starts to climb out of the bucket, all the other crabs will try to pull her back down. Can Sandy deal with other writers writing snarky gossip about her? And can she pull free of the claws and get out of the bucket once and for all?

Ella: Take us inside Lone Star Legend. What are two major events taking place? In Lone Star Legend, Sandy is becoming a celebrity. Her audience loves her and wants to know more about her, her friends and family pay her more respect, and she gets a lot of perks. With all that, however, comes a loss of privacy, anti-fans who hate her, and professional jealousy. So Sandy has a rocky road, learning to deal with that.

At the same time, Sandy finds Tio Jaime, a grandfatherly figure who connects her to her past and helps her find peace within herself. On the one hand, Sandy wants to share Tio Jaime with her audience. On the other hand, she has to protect him from the negative aspects of fame when she barely knows how to deal with them, herself.

Ella: What do you want readers to gain from your book?The obvious lessons are that people need to be mindful of what they put online, and that fame isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be. But I hope readers also see that Sandy makes a difference in strangers’ lives with her honest, thoughtful writing. Despite all the drama that goes down on the Internet, it’s still a way to connect people who wouldn’t have been able to find each other before. I hope that if readers are considering sharing their stories on the Internet, this book will inspire them to go ahead and do that.

Ella: How can our readers reach you online? Readers can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and my official author site by searching for my full name, Gwendolyn Zepeda. They can also see me sharing my stories on http://www.gwenworld.com/

Intimate Conversation with Patti Lacy

2011-02-08T12:47:00.000-05:00

Intimate Conversation with author Patti Lacy

Hello Patti! Welcome to Black Pearls, tell us a little about you and your family.
I’m Patti Lacy, a displaced Southerner who was gifted with teacher parents and a passion to read. In 2006, I left my beloved community college halls to set up a writing “room of my own” in the home I share with my teacher husband and a dog named Laura.

Ella: Where are you from? How did you start your writing journey?
I was born in the back seat of a Buick in Waco, Texas , grew up in the South, and now live in Normal, Illinois. I devour literary fiction, penned by Austen, Kingsolver, Morrison, Dostoevsky, Stegner, Hemingway, Gaines, and many, many more. Unlike many writers, I didn’t put anything on paper, except maudlin poetry and embarrassing love letters, until 2005, when Mary’s story refused to settle into my brain and keep quiet.

Ella: Tell us about your passion for writing. Why do you write? What drives you?
In 2005, God gifted me with a wonderful story about Mary, a brave Irishwoman who’d for years kept the secret of how she’d been betrayed by not one but two dysfunctional families.

I became obsessed with the secrets women keep and why they keep them. When the Still Small Voice kept whispering for me to capture Mary’s story on paper, I finally obeyed and penned my first novel, An Irishwoman’s Tale.

Why do I write? Because I HAVE TO! Stories and images bang on my skull and refuse to stop until I release them into a computer file. Hey, I’m 54 and want to share these stories for as long as God allows. That may be for another thirty years. Or it may be one…more…day.

Ella: What Legacy do you want to leave future readers?
My writing offers the following legacy to future readers: When a heart festering with pus-laden secrets is cut open and exposed to light and air, healing begins. Healing brings health. Healthy women can share with others to promote well-being.

Ella: Give us the synopsis of the book being discussed, What the Bayou Saw.

Sally Stevens, a chatty Midwestern college instructor, smothers her secrets with drawly talk, chocolate, and big-toothed smiles. Then the she-devil Katrina threatens her brother and Ella Ward, Sally’s former best friend, and three of Sally’s students are accused of assaulting a fourth student, Shamika Williams.

When a bigoted cop, Shamika’s mama tiger aunt, and Sally collide in Shamika’s hospital room, the past, which has been buried under Louisiana bayou mud, begins to bubble to the surface. Racism, sexual dysfunction, and the traumatic aftermath of assault reach across the span of time and threaten to destroy Sally’s tranquil life in Normal , Illinois . Dare Sally share her secrets with a hurting Shamika and risk exposing her own prejudices?

Ella: Who are your two main characters and what do you like most about them?
Segregation and a chain link fence separated twelve-year-old Sally Flowers from her best friend, Ella Ward. Yet a brutal assault bound them together. Forever. Thirty-eight years later, Sally, a middle-aged Midwestern instructor, dredges up childhood secrets long buried beneath the waters of a Louisiana bayou in order to help her student, who has also been raped. Fragments of spirituals, gospel songs, and images of a Katrina-ravaged New Orleans are woven into the story.

Sally Stevens, the 52-year-old college Humanities instructor whose friendly drawl and bubbly personality mask deep-rooted scars from a childhood rape. I admire Sally’s fierce devotion to her family and to her students.

Ella Ward, Sally’s middle-aged childhood friend who teams with Sally to kill a rapist and later faces betrayal at the hands of Sally. I love Ella’s professionalism, gift of healing, and ability to forgive an awful wrong.

Ella: How does this book shape or add value to the reader's life?
What the Bayou Saw emphasizes the importance of exposing the prejudice all of us harbor, in varying degrees, to the light of truth so that healing can begin. This my second novel also deals with the terrible aftermath in the souls of young girls because of sexual assault and the chilling statistic that even in homes with “good” communication, many crimes continue to go unreported. I also hope my book entertains the reader with a good story and a satisfying ending.

Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?The need for dialogue about race issues in America to continue. The terrible human stain left by racism, sexual assault…and lies.

Ella: Who would this book really "speak to" and why?
My target audience is readers, especially women, between the ages of 25 and 100! Women have traditionally stoked the home fires, have shouldered abuse and misuse throughout the ages. By bonding with other women and honestly sharing our past, we put our heads together to better problem-solve. Think of cultures where women gather at the well to chat and chew. I hope to “chat and chew” with my readers!

Ella: What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?
The humbling opportunity to reach out to one reader at a time. I love each one of you and appreciate your investment of time and money in my book.

Ella: What advice would you give a new writer?
Write for the Audience of One. Write because you’ve been given a talent. Work at it with your heart, your soul, and your mind. Read books. Study the great writers. Become a professional writer, no matter what other people say. Yes, you can.

Ella: Name three things that it takes to make a successful author, in your opinion.
The blessing of God. A crazy passion to read and write, knowing this passion will cost you dearly in other areas of your life but will give tremendous joy and sense of purpose. A solid foundation in crafting words, whether self-taught, through reading the works of literary giants (hopefully a combination of both).

Ella: What book already published is similar to your book in its writing style?
It’s hard to know something like that about one’s own work. I like to think that my voice is fresh and can’t be duplicated. That idiotic thought off my chest, perhaps the frame idea and regional dialect of Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg and the visual imagery of Ella Cather.

Ella: What can we expect from you in the future?My Name is Sheba, another framed story that begins in the rollicking Age of Jazz in New Orleans and ends in the red light district of Bangkok.

Contact information:
Patti Lacy
patti@pattilacy.com
www.pattilacy.com

Books can be purchased anywhere books are sold, including Barnes & Noble, Borders, LifeWay Christian stores, and http://www.amazon.com/.

Intimate Conversation with Lisa Douglass

2011-02-08T12:44:00.000-05:00

Meet Author Lisa DouglassA graduate of the College of Notre Dame of Maryland , Lisa Douglass earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, and continued her education at Loyola College in Maryland , where she earned a Master of Engineering Science degree. Currently, she is a software development consultant for the United States Federal Government.

Ella: Give us the synopsis of the book being discussed.
Lisa: BaloneyBooks.com, offers a series of children’s books I’ve written all about five-year old Gwendolyn BALONEY Lomax. These stories recount childhood remembrances told to me by my mother, who grew up as the youngest of eight siblings in a four-story row house in Baltimore . I love these stories because they are simple, timeless, wholesome tales about childhood and family. I think readers will find the main character, BALONEY, to be both familiar and likeable. Each story unfolds through her eyes. My goal with these books was to write stories that are tenderly written, without being overly sentimental. They deliberately steer clear of moralistic themes, relying more on basic notions of love, youthful spirit, neighborliness, and the natural development of childhood awareness.

Ella: Tell us about your passion for writing.
Lisa: My enthusiasm for writing stems from my excitement for storytelling. I’ve always loved to hear a story being told and am thrilled to be able to tell a story that would be as exciting to the reader as it is to me.

Ella: Finish this sentence: I am Powerful because...
Lisa: I am powerful because I can express myself artistically.

Ella: Where are you from? How did you start your writing journey?
Lisa: I was raised in Baltimore County , Maryland . I started my writing journey in the classroom, taking creative writing courses. I loved the idea of creating characters and telling fantastic tales. Although I put that endeavor aside for a while, as I pursued my education and embarked on my career – that interest had never left me. Writing these books sort of brought me back to my first love. I feel like I’ve come full circle.

Ella: Who is the main character and what is most interesting about him or her?Lisa: Five year old Gwendolyn BALONEY Lomax is the main character of each book in the series. BALONEY’s mother plays a significant role in her life, reinforcing the nurturing environment that is critical to the context of each tale. The character, BALONEY, is one that both children and adults can relate to. I love that there is innocence in her lifestyle and purity in the basic relationships she has with her family and members of her community. Everyone in young BALONEY’s environment has a hand in cultivating a positive and loving environment. It truly does take a village.

Ella: What makes your book stand out and what would entice a reader pick it up?
Lisa: The world we live in today is so fast-paced, full and complicated. Yet underneath it all, we still have some very basic needs and values. Baloney Books takes the reader back to a simpler and less complicated time. Readers will be drawn to the relationship between mother and child and may quietly assess their own home environment and family relationships. While BALONEY’s environment is somewhat idealized, there are aspects of it that are very relatable and realizable to children and parents today.

Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?
Lisa: Above all else, I want readers to have a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. When they put these books down I want them to do so with smiles on their faces. I want them to appreciate the simple yet lasting values that Baloney Books conveys.

Ella: What is the most surprising thing you have learned in creating books?
Lisa: While writing these books was a very personal experience, I was surprised by how other people responded so enthusiastically to the books and the characters and how they were so willing to share their excitement with others.

Ella: What would you say has been your most significant achievement as a writer?
Lisa: My biggest achievement has been ensuring quality through the writing, editing and publishing process. These books are dear to me. While they are fictional works, they are based on factual events from my own mother’s life. The person that my mother is today is largely a result of her experiences in family and society, notions that are at the core of each story. It was important to me to maintain quality throughout the entire production.

Ella: What advice would you give a new writer?
Lisa: Select a subject that is authentically your own, express it with zeal, and have your work professionally edited!

Ella: What can we expect from you in the future?
Lisa: You can expect more short stories about the five year old main character, BALONEY, hence the Baloney Books slogan, “More BALONEY, Please!”

Ella: How may our readers contact you online?
Baloney Books Web Site & Online Bookstore: http://www.baloneybooks.com/
Author’s Email: lisa@baloneybooks.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baloney-Books/40940843876
MySpace Fan Page: http://www.myspace.com/baloneybooks

Meet the Imani Literary Group

2011-02-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

Meet the Imani Literary Group of Metro Atlanta

Ella Curry: Hello Angela, thank you for sharing a moment with the Sankofa Literary Society. We want readers to meet our fantastic bookclubs and literary groups. The publishing industry could not stand without the support of reader's groups. Share the history of the Imani Literary Group.

Angela Reid: Rashida Sule' Sloan had the brilliant idea to start a reading group when she realized that she and several of her coworkers were reading the same book--Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale. She suggested that they meet and discuss their book, the Imani Literary Group was born!

Established in 1992, the Imani Literary Group of Metro Atlanta is a dynamic group of Black women who come together once a month to engage in literary discussions about books by and with the authors we love, we encourage and we promote.

Imani, the seventh principle of Kwanzaa means faith, for Imani has faith in our authors. Meetings are held at members’ homes, African American-owned restaurants, libraries and bookstores. Imani Sisters are serious about our books! One must read at least one of the monthly selections to attend a meeting. Yes, we usually read and discuss two books each month. We also occasionally host a meeting with our teenage little sisters to read and discuss a book with them. Presently, Imani has twelve active members with two frequent visitors and a poet-in-residence.

Over the years Imani has transitioned from a book club to a sisterhood of women who enjoy the company of each other, support each other through rough times and celebrate with each other in monumental times.

EDC: Share with us books that you would define as Literary Hallmarks.
Angela Reid: Here are a few books that I define as "Literary Hallmarks."

Song of Solomonby Toni Morrison
Love by Toni Morrison
Blood on the Leaves by Jeff Stetson
Mama Day by Gloria Naylor
Standing at the Scratch Line by Guy Johnson
The Douglass Women by Jewell Parker-Rhodes
Tumbling by Diane McKinney-Whetstone
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Song Yet Sung by James McBride
The Hand I Fan With by Tina McElroy Ansa
Another Good Loving Blues by Arthur Flowers
The Upper Room by Mary Monroe
In Search of Satisfaction by J. California Cooper
Wake of the Wind by J. California Cooper
Kindred by Octavia Butler
The Sacred Place by Daniel Black
What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage
When Rocks Dance by Elizabeth Nunez
Do Lord Remember Me by Marita Golden
After by Marita Golden
Cotton Candy Don’t Come in Gray by Roslyn Carrington
No Easy Place to Be by Steven Corbin
One Day I Saw a Black King by JD Mason

EDC: What do you define as Quality Literature?
Angela Reid: I have been a lover of lyrical beauty since my mother read to me while I was in her womb. I used to read with a flashlight under my covers when my parents turned off the lights at bedtime. When I finally had access to books about and by folks who looked like me, I had my heaven on earth! I now spend the most of my income on BOOKS for me and those I love. A book is the most precious and thoughtful gift I can give, especially to the children in my life.

So my thoughts on Quality Literature are: Writers owe those of us who love to read. I believe that excellent writers, as well as all artists have been GIFTED with the talent to write and many have been gifted with their stories. They owe us the time and care of telling their stories well, of consistently developing their craft so that everything they publish makes us proud to add their offerings to our collections. To quote Nathan McCall, “One must first decide if he/she wants to be a good writer or just wants to be published.” I want, deserve and expect good writing!

EDC: What is the primary mission of the group?
Angela Reid: Imani is the seventh principle of Kwanzaa and means faith. Imani Literary Group reads books by and about us (BLACK PEOPLE) because we have faith in OUR authors. Our mission is to support our authors and to promote reading and literacy among all with whom we are connected.

EDC: Do you have outreach programs or events that we can support?
Angela Reid: Imani members have participated in literary retreats and conferences around the country. Since many of us have children, we have begun reading and discussing their books with them at a yearly meeting. Imani also donates books to children who live in group homes, shelters and detention centers, and recently to the New Orleans Public Libraries. We have a yearly fundraiser, selling African American Expressions’ cards, calendars, etc., to support our efforts to put books by us in the hands of our children and teenagers and to bring authors to our meetings.

Since I taught in a diverse, multicultural, low-income public high school in Norcross, GA—recently I retired and work part time elsewhere--- five years ago I decided to orchestrate a yearly literary festival for the school and community. Local authors and local book club members have supported my efforts each year with no monetary compensation. One year Jewell Parker-Rhodes was our featured author and last year Nathan McCall came.

EDC: What happens at a typical meeting for the members?
Angela Reid: A typical Imani meeting happens in stages: We never all arrive on time—smile. If the meeting is at a member’s home, usually the meal is ready when we arrive, so we greet each other, peruse the agenda, share a moment of thanks, fix our plates and get comfortable. As we eat we conduct a little business, highlight announcements and catch up on each others’ lives. Then we seriously begin discussing our books. If we are hosting an author or have guests, we begin with introductions, then share a moment of thanks, fix our plates and get comfortable. As we eat, we discuss the book(s) and usually drill the author with questions, but also praise what we loved about the work(s). Next and throughout, are pictures, presentation of our gift to the author and his/her signing our books.

Then after the author leaves, we handle business and some of us stick around to help the hostess clean up, unless she insists that we don’t. If we meet at a restaurant, of course we don’t have to clean up--smile. All in all, it is a full Saturday afternoon or evening, monthly time spent with each other and cherished by all who actively participate, whether we enjoyed or hated the month’s reading--smile.

We absolutely love having authors visit with us and hosting book events with them. We are fortunate to have so many willing to interact with us in Metro Atlanta (Pearl Cleage, RM Harris, Travis Hunter, Kendra Norman-Bellamy, Hank Stewart, Tavares Stephens, Margaret Johnson-Hodge, Dr. Daniel Black, Marissa Monteilth, Franklin White, etc—will meet with Nathan McCall in November and Victor McGlothin in December) and some who come to us from outside of Georgia who travel here or visit with us via speaker phone like: Grace Edwards, Mary Monroe, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Timm McCann, Diane McKinney-Whetstone, Patti Rice, Tina McElroy Ansa, Suzetta Perkins & Michelle Bowen.

Nia at Medu Bookstore has asked us to host several signings at her store and we have: DeBerry & Grant, Angela Bassett & Courtney Vance, and will do so with SIstah Souljah. We traveled to Charleston, SC and Memphis, TN to celebrate anniversaries and meet with Erica Turnipseed—A Love Noire and Arthur Flowers-Another Good Loving Blues. Several of us have traveled together and alone to SC, NC, MD and NY for literary conferences and book signings.

EDC: Do you have an open membership? How can one join your network?Angela Reid: Imani maintains an open membership for women who love to read. One must visit with Imani at least three times before joining and beginning to pay dues. All members and guests must read one or both of the two monthly offerings to attend a meeting. We also invite our menfolk to join us several times during the year when we would like their input about the books we discuss and when we host a male author.

EDC: What advice would you give a new organization forming a network?
Angela Reid: Invite serious readers to help organize your book club. Once book club is started, spread out the responsibility—everyone should contribute to book choices, hosting meetings, setting guidelines for the operation of your book club.

EDC: Would you change anything about your journey?Angela Reid: I have been president of Imani since Rashida transitioned in 1997 for I was vice president then. I wasn’t sure if I could fill her shoes, but before she left us, she told me how appreciative she was of the new energy and ideas I had already brought to the book club. I realized that I didn’t have to fill her shoes, that I could be myself. Imani has entrusted me to lead the group since ’97 and I have worked tirelessly to make sure that our members enjoy and participate in our book club events.

I love these women and enjoy being with them, as we who love Imani and the time we spend together, continue to sustain Imani in our seventeenth year. So no, I wouldn’t change the journey for I can’t imagine the journey NOT including my reading sisters of Imani!

EDC: Ultimately, what do you want members to gain from your union?
Angela Reid: Ultimately, this is what Imani members have gained from our book club experience: We are not just a book club however; Imani celebrates our beautiful moments, hosts all-nite Black movie marathons, attends theater and dance performances, hosts literary events for our favorite authors, and participates in community service activities like Relay for Life Cancer Walk in honor of two Imani members who succumbed to cancer. Our group, ranging in age from mid-thirties to mid-sixties, has seen changes during our sixteen years; members have come and gone, death and serious illness have touched us, the rigors of maintaining at home at work, and in school are a constant struggle for some. Yet, in spite of these difficulties, or perhaps because of them, we have truly become a Sisterhood and Support System for each other.

About Angela Reid

I am Angela Reid. Originally from Maryland—Army Brat whose family, my mama, five brothers and my sister, traveled with my dad, when we could from Baltimore, overseas to Germany twice, instate to Oklahoma twice and finally settling in NC after Pop retired at Ft. Bragg. Migrated to Metro Atlanta twenty years ago from NC after a divorce. Raised a teenager who graduated, went to med school, married and now resides in CA with her husband.

Retired in May 08 after teaching and sometimes coaching, in VA, NC and GA for thirty-two years and a year as an active-duty Army reservist during Desert Storm. Now teaching part time and building my business--Color Me Purple, offering my services as a manuscript editor, literacy consultant, and literary event planner.

I am still, as I always have been, an active participant in the arts and spectator sports—had to hang up my volleyball kneepads after playing USVBA ball for eleven years here and in NC. I attend and volunteer for literary, jazz, film, and theater events around town; I am active in my church; want to travel to snow country to learn to ski, and enjoy the company of my family and friends near and far. I particularly enjoy hearing from and keeping up with my former students who inform me of the impact I made on their lives.

Unwrapped: How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly

2011-02-08T12:34:00.000-05:00

Intimate Conversations with author Connie May Fowler

New York Times bestselling writer Connie May Fowler is an essayist, screenwriter, and novelist. She is the author of five novels, most recently The Problem with Murmur Lee, and a memoir, When Katie Wakes. In 1996, she published Before Women Had Wings, which became a paperback bestseller and was made into a successful Oprah Winfrey Presents movie. She founded the Connie May Fowler Women With Wings Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding women and children in need. Connie lives in Florida.

BPM: Take us inside How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly.
The book tracks a day in the life of Clarissa Burden, a woman who wakes on the Summer Solstice with the knowledge that her life must change because she is wracked with spousal death scenarios and writer’s block. Concurrent with her story is that of Olga Villada. Villada and her family are ghosts, their souls unable to move on from the place where they were brutally murdered. Their stories converge, resulting in a startling and life-changing chain of events.

BPM: What specific revelation prompted you to write your book?

I was reading up on pre-Civil war Florida history and discovered that when Florida was a Spanish territory, women could be property owners and slavery was outlawed. But Spain and the United States signed an agreement that would change all of that. The Florida Purchase Treaty of 1819 guaranteed that the United States would lay claim to Florida in 1821. With a stroke of a pen and strike of a clock, suddenly all women and blacks would have their rights stripped away. That haunted me and I walked around with that kernel in my head for a few years before I sat down to write the novel, which takes place in 2006 but is populated with ghosts.

BPM: Who do you want to reach with your book and the message within?
I think this book will have a broad appeal. The book, at its core, is about freedom—individual and universal—and it’s wrapped up in a story that is both comedic and dramatic. I think readers of many ages and races will identify with the struggles of Clarissa Burden and Olga Villada.

BPM: How will reading your book shape the readers lives?
One, I hope it will make readers laugh even amid a few tears. But if there is one message I want readers to gain, it’s that how easy it is for the course of history—the course of one person’s individual day—to go suddenly very, very wrong. There are bad people in this world—sometimes bad people have all the trappings of kindness—and they are capable of terrible things. So we have to be vigilant for ourselves and for one another. Casual prejudices and ordinary meanness can, in the blink of an eye, become lethal. So we have to learn to be pro-actively kind and relentless protective of our rights.

BPM: What are some of their specific issues, needs or problems addressed in this book?
Women’s issues, race, personal empowerment, marital relations, and Florida history.

BPM: What was the most powerful chapter in the book, How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly?
I think that once Clarissa decides—in a fit of rage—to kill her husband, this book takes a major turn and all the chapters that follow are highly entertaining, shocking, and ultimately satisfying.

BPM: Share with us your latest news, awards or upcoming book releases.
I recently wrote a story for Slate’s online women’s site DoubleX about how the Haitian earthquake has severely impacted their women’s movement. How Clarissa Burden Learns to Fly was released to stores April 2, 2010.

BPM: How can our readers reach you online? Share with us your online contact info.
My website is http://www.conniemayfowler.com/. I blog at http://blog.conniemayfowler.com/. Readers can also follow me on Twitter and friend me on Facebook, where I’m very active. There is also a Facebook fan page for How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly. In honor of Clarissa and those pesky spousal death scenarios that haunt her, I launched the Clarissa Burden Postcard Project in which I will be asking readers to anonymously send me one secret they cannot tell their spouse or partner. The secrets can be silly or serious, and will be posted on my website.

Please share this discussion with your network too! Leave your thoughts below.
Return to Black Pearls Magazine Online

BLACK GURLZ ROCKS! by Louise Rutherford

2011-02-08T12:31:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,
This is a MUST READ! This article will have you in tears! No, it wasn't written by me. This was sent to me in a email forward. I'm just forwarding it on. We searched the web over to trying to find the original author. We found a Mrs. Louise Rutherford, on MingleCity and I hope this is her article. The author deserves a much larger media coverage of this wonderfully thoughtful commentary. The author in my opinion was right on point! The author asks us to pass this on to as many women as we can, to let someone know that you believe they are somebody special. You are special so here you go...

BLACK GURLZ ROCKS!
by Louise Rutherford on November 11, 2010
Posted to Mingle City, view original article here.

When I first heard of the movie "For Colored Girls" I got so excited. I had the idea of getting as many women together that I could think of to go see this movie. I had visions of group discussions and moments shared with one another that would lead to healing and growth, I guess I kind of imagined a Women’s Empowerment Conference type of setting.

Well after I shared my idea with a few women, reality set in and I realized that so many of us wouldn't be willing to participate for various reasons: You don't like me, you don't care for somebody I might invite, you only hang out with certain people, you don't understand the big deal about Tyler Perry making yet another movie about black people and our issues for all the world to see, you don't like crowds, so n so is too ghetto, such and such is too uppity etc... It has ALWAYS amazed me that we as black women are each other’s biggest critics. We are the quickest to bring each other down, find each other’s faults and nitpick at a sister until she has nothing left, nothing left to give and then we step over her and call her worthless.

We take the prettiest women and tear them down for thinking "they are cute" but turn around and dog the average sista because "she know she should take better care of herself than that - can't believe she got a man!" We call strong women female dogs and accuse weaker women of riding somebody else's coat tails. We tell a big sista to put down her burger and turn around and criticize a skinny woman for not picking one up. We ride the loud mouth woman for "talking to darn much" and likewise torment the quiet woman for "Being too quiet and needing to take up for herself" Sad part is we don't discriminate, we talk about everybody!!!

I've watched women dog out everybody from Oprah for catering to white people and Halle Berry for not being able to keep a man to young Willow Smith for acting to darn grown in her recent video. All of these females are successful and there is something about each one of them to be proud of but a lot of us can't seem to see that. I have to wonder since we all share a common thread (whether we want to admit it or not) is there something about ourselves that we don't like, what has happened to us that we cannot seem to get along. Why is that we fight amongst ourselves, backstab & steal each others men(only to find out we should have left him where we found him). We cannot seem to be unified to support and stick up for one another. Everybody seems to be out for themselves while other groups unite against us but nobody else has to bring us down because we trample on the spirits of each other daily.

Even if you live in a mini mansion, drive a luxury car, have good credit, rich handsome husband etc, this does not mean that should look down your nose at the woman with 4 kids, no husband, living in income based housing struggling to keep her lights on.

We ALWAYS think the grass is greener on the other side, I had a woman who's child father is MIA tell me that I should never complain because I receive a decent amount of child support and I laughed and let her know that I would gladly give every dime back if he would come relieve some of this overwhelming pressure of feeling inadequate as a parent. If I could get just one full night of sleep or not always be on the verge of losing my job because I'm the one that has to call off or leave work for one reason or another to accommodate my child - yeah he could DEFINITELY have his money if I could have some peace!

Money alone doesn't make you happy (not true happiness), good credit doesn't keep you satisfied, beauty doesn't make you any less insecure, fame doesn't make you less vulnerable or cause you to be a good judge of character and being stuck up and mean doesn't keep you warm at night or prevent you from being lonely.

You don't know how the sista sitting right next to could have carefully put on her make up this morning to hide the beating from last night. The teacher you handed your child over to this morning could have sent her children off to school from a dark house with empty bellies. The teller you just got rude with at the bank could know that today is her last day on her job and have no idea how she is going to survive past next weekend.

The sista at the office that appears so busy could be typing her goodbyes to all the people that she loves because she plans to blow her brains out tonight after she tucks her babies into bed. The woman you pass in the hallway could be on her way to have an abortion because she fears what others might think or how the woman that sent you this e-mail may drink an over abundance of alcohol every night to mask the nightmares of an abusive childhood.

Ladies we HAVE TO DO BETTER! I'm not suggesting that we all like each other and be phony, but I am asking that we all try to respect each other.

You HAVE NO IDEA what the next woman is going through, you don't know what past or current hurt and pains have shaped her into who she is today. We spend so much time trying to be as strong and hard as we are expected to be that we end up cracking from the inside out piece by piece. If we would spend 1/3 of the time we spend tearing each other down to build someone up, encourage someone, show someone some love, we could truly make a difference and save someone's life. PLEASE don't be the straw that breaks another woman's back. Believe me when I tell you that there is a woman out there that needs your smile, your hug, your support, your prayer.

I hope that you read this and get something out of it other than a laugh and that you pass this on to as many women as you can to let someone know that you believe they are somebody special and that if need be you are available to listen. Nothing bad is going to happen if you don't forward this e-mail, but I'd like to think that something positive will happen if you choose to pass it along. May favor be extended to each and everyone of your lives, keep your head up and know that someone somewhere cares!

BLACK GURLZ ROCKS!
by Louise Rutherford on November 11, 2010
Posted to Mingle City, view original article here.

Meet C. Jay founder of the Risque Cafe

2011-02-08T07:40:00.000-05:00

Meet C. Jay founder of the Risque Cafe

The Risque Cafe's purpose is to create an outlet that will bring more awareness to the Art of Literature, extend authors craft abroad, and promote unity within the literary community. We plan and promote events to bring readers and authors together plus facilitate activities pertaining to an intimate yet fun setting.

Ella: What exactly does your company do for the client?
One of our primary services is literary event planning/management. We at The Risque Cafe are very big on themes and getting the participants to be interactive at the events. This allows them not only to attend the event but to be apart of the event which in return creates a memorable experience for them as a guest. One of our goals is to change the perception people have when it comes to book signings, readings, or pretty much anything pertaining to literature....reading can be fun. We showcase authors and their books as well as advertise and promote events everywhere through several creative productive outlets.

Ella: What's coming soon for The Risque Cafe?
The Risque Cafe and its partners are hosting a national campaign called Losing 4 Literacy. This campaign will bring more awareness to the literary arts and healthcare plus bring communities together on a local as well as national level. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who is a philanthropist at heart to give back and experience a positive life change.

Losing 4 Literacy is a 12-week weight-loss/wellness challenge organized with the purpose of helping establish a nonprofit organization that will empower inner-city and troubled youths to express themselves in a positive manner, bring awareness to the literary community and promote healthier lifestyles.

At the end of the 12-week challenge, the top 3 teams with the highest percentage of weight loss will be awarded a cash prize, products, books, and more. We even have a surprise celebrity helping with the project. I can't release that information until all the paperwork has been completed and signed.

Ella: How would you describe your experience as a Entrepreneur?Great, I would not change it for the world! I have had my challenges like anyone else but for the most part, GOD has been good to me. I've been blessed to meet some great people throughout my journey, like you, Ella and a lot more. So again, the experience has been great.

Ella: What advise would you give someone just starting out?
Be ready to work. Nothing is going to be given to you. It takes time to build but with persistence, late nights, and hard work anything is possible.

Ella: What's new in your company?The Risque Cafe is planning on doing some road trips. We want to spread the experience of being a part of a "literary event" to people everywhere. Plus our non-profit organization will be established and we will be collaborating with authors, publishers, and other literary base companies on different joint business adventures and workshops.

Follow The Risque Cafewww.therisquecafe.com, www.myspace.com/therisquecafe

Bookclub: Judy Stewart and Essence of Knowledge

2011-02-08T07:33:00.000-05:00

Meet the Essence of Knowledge Book Club Louisiana

Essence of Knowledge Book Club was founded in September 2003, by a group of co-workers who loved reading books. They invited family and friends to join for group sessions.

From that point on, we became a book club and started meeting once a month discussing books with refreshments and going to different outings. At that time, Judy Stewart was nominated as president of the book club, along with other officers.

We started with 18 members, but due to Hurricane Katrina, most of our members were displaced. We currently have 10 active members. We still consider our displaced members as our honorary members of the club. When they are home in Louisiana, they are welcome to attend our meetings.

The name "Essence of Knowledge" has a meaning of African American, educated women who strives to accomplish our goals of life. We are a group of African American women that supports literacy and decided to use literacy as a tool to support one another and share life experiences that will allow us to make wiser choices and gain knowledge within our circle.

Vision of Essence of Knowledge Book Club Our vision is to expand our reading level to a new level. We would like to have many meet and greets with various authors. Our goal is to continuously volunteer and donate to organizations and to our community. Some of the organizations we have participated with are Samaritan Purse and the Covenant House. We also strive to support new authors around the nation and in Louisiana, especially New Orleans.

How important is reading to you?Reading is important because it is knowledgeable. Reading can broaden your mind and ideas. It can give you a deeper understanding on how to explain your feelings and experiences that you have encountered through your life. Reading also meditates your mind from a long day at work.

Finish this sentence: Living your best life includes... Living your best life includes...being happy and prosperous in whatever you may want to accomplish.

The book all readers should own besides the bible: "The Child of God" by Lolita Files.

The book that changed your life: "The Penny" by Joyce Meyers and Deborah Bedford and "The Power of Being a Women" by McKinney Hammond.

Favorite Series: Curtis Black series by Kimberla Lawson Roby and Dutch by Kwame Teague/Terri Woods

Name your top 3 authors and why.
Noire, Zane and Kimberla Lawson Roby - Each author writes their books as a page turner, which are full of action and suspense.

Three authors you would like to do a phone chat with this year.Terri Woods, Zane, and Steve Harvey

News and Event:We are planning to attend the National Book Club Conference in Atlanta, for the first time.

Bookclub: Only One Key Stroke Away (O.O.S.A.)

2011-02-08T07:21:00.000-05:00

Meet Only One Key Stroke Away (O.O.S.A.) Book Club

Only One Key Stroke Away (O.O.S.A.) was founded in January of 2005 by a group of readers, wishing to share their thoughts and opinions with others. We started out as a group that simply read together. Eventually we moved to inviting authors to chat with us about their books. Shortly thereafter, we decided to review our selected reads.

Our reviews are posted at several sites including: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, MySpace and GoodReads. The rest is … OOSA! Our resume includes hundreds of titles of varying genres as our motto is: OOSA Gets It Read!

Ella: What is the vision for your organization? We do not have a president. We are a team and there is no “I” in team. We each have responsibilities and tasks that make OOSA what it is. We are an online book club and reviewing team that focuses on African American authors. We wish to further promote African American literature by taking special interest in new and self published authors. We read, review and recommend.

Ella: How important reading is to you? It’s cliché, but reading is fundamental. It’s the corner stone to life. We read everyday in our lives, whether we want to or not. Because literacy is so important we believe in starting as early as possible. The Ladies of OOSA are mothers, grandmothers and aunts. We promote literacy within our families first. When our children see us reading and enjoying ourselves, it encourages them to read. They learn reading is not a chore but something fun to do. What better method than to teach by example.

Ella: Favorite couple from a book: Nina and Dutch (Dutch - Kwame Teague), Yuri and Britt (The Sweetest Taboo - Risque), Portia and Jay (A Dollar Outta Fifteen Cent - Caroline McGill), Clark and Devin (Caught in the Mix - Candice Dow) and Natalia and Shawn (Triangle of Sins - Nurit Folkes).

Ella: Favorite genre, series or sequels:
We are a group of avid readers with various tastes in literature. As such, we really don’t have particular preferred genres. We welcome and enjoy all genres. Some of our favorite sequels include: Little Black Girl Lost by Keith Lee Johnson, the True2Life series by Al-Saadiq Banks, Dutch by Kwame Teague, Naughty by Brenda Hampton, the Vernetta Henderson legal thrillers by Pamela Samuels Young and the Dilemma series by Reign.

Ella: Name three authors you would like to chat with this year. We’ve been fortunate enough to have had phone chats this year with several of our favorite authors including Mike Sanders, Torrian Ferguson, Kwame ‘Dutch’ Teague, Anthony Fields and Al-Saadiq Banks. We’re hoping to get in a few more before the year comes to an end.

Ella: Share your news or events with us.
What’s next…more Author Spotlights and contests.. And as always, we read, review and recommend. It’s what we do.

Book club and contact info: Website: http://www.oosaonlinebookclub.com/
www.facebook.com/oosaonlinebookclub

Bookclub: Carla Walker President Queens Book Club ATL

2011-02-08T07:07:00.000-05:00

Meet Carla Walker President of the Queens Book Club of Atlanta

Queens Book Club of Atlanta was founded in 2006 by a group of friends who shared the love for reading. They felt the need to create a book club called Queens because they knew each woman should recognize the Queen they are.

Queens Book Club was created to reach out to women and come together to discuss and enjoy selective books of the month.

On January 2007, Queens had the first kick-off meeting with guest author Mrs. Tina Brooks McKinney (“All That Drama”) and she became our first honorary member. As of 2009, Queens Book Club is still going strong by the grace of GOD. Queens was fortunate enough to have a chapter formed in Raymond, Mississippi by Adrienne Bailey in 2008. With both chapters we continue to promote importance of reading through each other and our community. Among each other we continue to come together for the love of reading, positive fellowship and sisterhood.

President Biography: My name is Carla Walker and I have been fortunate to have fallen in love with books at an early age. With a huge passion for reading, I joined one of Atlanta’s biggest book club for five (5) years and became member of the year there in 2004. From there GOD planted a seed in me to start my very own book club and from there Queens Book Club was born! I was blessed to have a couple of friends who decided to take the journey with me.

As of this day, some of those same friends are still a part of the club. They are my backbone when I feel I cannot go on anymore. I’m so bless to have my members because without GOD Queens Book Club will not exist. With all the hard work I continue to put into the club, my members (awesome Queens) came together on our 2007 Christmas gathering and presented me a plaque for all the hard work and dedication. When I think of that moment even to this day, that’s my motivation to keep going and allow Queens Book Club to touch someone and become a part of our circle.

Ella: What is the vision for your organization?
To offer a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere, outside of the home and workplace, to, explore many bold, adventurous, and spontaneous interests as a whole. Enjoy the bond of sisterhood and fellowship.

Ella: How important reading is to you?
Reading is so important because you can reach to so many people. Giving someone a book to read can open doors to a new career, friendship and connection can be made; education can take place and so much more. Reading is something a person cannot live without. Knowledge is power.

Ella: Living your best life includes...
Living your best life includes... knowing and continue to learn and love GOD more, living a healthy and bless life, having wonderful family and friends in my corner, good loving relationship with a mate and just being comfortable and continuous blessings from GOD.

Ella: On your nightstand now:
Right now, on my night stand, “Behind Those Eyes” by TP Carter, “To Good To Be True” by E. Lynn Harris, “Why Men Fear Marriage” by RM Johnson, “Secret Society” by Miasha and so many more.

Ella: Book all readers should own besides the bible:
“Behind Those Eyes” by TP Carter

Ella: Book that changed your life:
“Behind Those Eyes” It just gives you a whole different perspective about love, finding your true mate, relationship and the belief in true love.

Ella: Book you've bought for the cover:
A book called “Taste Like Chicken”

Ella: Favorite couple or quote from a book:
Best couple in a book is from “Red Light Special” detective agent Blessing Shields and Collyn Bazemore.

Favorite quote:
“A true Diva is a woman who knows that life is not about her, but rather the contribution she makes to others around her and the legacy she will leave behind.” - From ‘The Diva Principle’, 2004.

Ella: Book you most want to read AGAIN much slower, to savor:
“Behind Those Eyes” & “The Other Woman”

Ella: Favorite genre, series or sequels:
I like all type of books from romance, urban fiction, mystery, inspirational, self-help and any others that I think will interests me or just to give it a try.

Ella: Your top three authors. Why?
Top three authors are Eric J. Dickey, RM Johnson and all the authors who are incarcerated. I feel some authors who are incarcerated are telling real true stories and from research they are some of the best writers. Sad they cannot personally meet those who enjoy reading their stories.

Ella: Name three authors you would like to do a phone chat with this year.
TP Carter, Risque and Wahida Clark.

Ella: Share your news or events with us. What's next for your group?
Our next upcoming event is, preparing Halloween bags for kids at a children’s hospital, making plans for the holidays Thanksgiving and Christmas to sponsor a needed family and to volunteer our time feeding the homeless.

Carla Walker, President and Founder
Q.U.E.E.N.S. Book Club of Atlanta
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/QueensBookClub

Bookclub: Sharon Haynes of Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary Group

2011-02-08T06:49:00.000-05:00

Meet Sharon Haynes, Tulsa Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary Group

Ella: Welcome, Sharon Haynes, coordinator for the Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary Group. It is such a pleasure to have you visit with us and introduce the chapter.

Ella: Tell us about the mission of the literary group.
The Tulsa Chapter of Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary Group is committed to providing an opportunity for women from all walks of life to come together for a common and primary goal…reading and promoting literacy through our community outreach programs.

Our pledge is to transmit our passion for literary pursuits to future generations.

Ella: Sharon, tell us a few books that you would define as "Literary Hallmarks."
The Known World by Edward P. Jones
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due

Ella: That is a wonderful selection of books! What do you define as Quality Literature?
Quality Literature encompasses style, characters, plot and the ability for the written words to come to life and embrace you in a way that totally consumes you. We know the characters personally and can visualize the settings and after reading the book we’re wishing for more. Read more about us here.

Bookclub: Marina Woods President GoodGirlBookClubOnline

2011-02-08T06:33:00.000-05:00

Meet Marina Woods President of GoodGirlBookClubOnline ™

Marina Woods is a graduate of North Park University in Chicago where she received a B.A. in Communication Arts. With a strong desire to utilize her gifts in writing and speaking, Woods began pursuing her dream of working in Radio/TV. Upon graduation, Woods worked for Clear Channel Radio as a communications coordinator.

Soon after, Woods began seeking the Lord for direction of how best to integrate her creative strengths and passions while working in the media. She began freelancing for various advertising and public relations agencies. Two years later she landed the position of syndicator for The Oprah Winfrey Show. Still feeling unfulfilled spiritually and professionally, Woods again sought the Lord for direction, this time inquiring about her passion for books, her aspiration to have an enlarged territory and a medium to encourage women to spend their leisure time in a rewarding way.

Stepping out on faith, in 1999 Marina Woods founded www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com, the #1 Destination for Today’s Aspiring Woman where she serves as President and Chief Marketing Officer. She is a trailblazer for bringing Christian and inspirational books to a national audience when Christian books were unheard of and unpopular.

To her credit she has inspired hundreds of writers to become Christian and inspirational author’s and countless others begin ventures publicizing Christian and inspirational books.GoodGirlBookClubOnline™ is featured in Publisher’s Weekly, the Seattle Times, Essence Magazine; Black Issues Book Review, Precious Times Magazine, the Literary Source, Saints Mega paper, Good News Magazine, Gospel Today and Missionary Magazine. Woods has also been a guest on numerous radio and TV talk shows promoting GGBC.

The website: www.Goodgirlbookclubonline.com reaches over 125,000 aspiring women worldwide whereby helping women discover Christian books, products, ministries, events and resources that will inspire and empower.

During her 11 year career as a Christian book promoter and marketing specialist, Marina has worked with the national bestsellers such as Michelle McKinney Hammond, Patricia Haley, Victoria Christopher Murray, Joyce Meyer, Sharon Ewell Foster, and also helped launch the careers of new authors such as Mikasenoja, Kim Floyd and many more.

In addition, Marina Woods is an internet development and marketing coach with iMarketingPR.com which coaches women on starting, marketing and sustaining online ventures. Woods’ corporate mission and ministry are the same "to inspire, empower and transform the lives of women."

She is a highly sought after speaker for women’s groups, organizations, colleges and universities on the topics of marketing, advertising and PR, and has been featured in several books including Refined by Fire: Defining Moments of Powerful Women and Inspired Attraction with international marketing expert and guru, Joe Vitale.

Marina volunteers as a communications workshop leader for the Girl Scouts of Chicago and a writing coach for College Summit. Visit the GGBC site for more details: http://www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com/

Bookclub: Diana Glasgow President Essence of Books

2011-02-08T06:19:00.000-05:00

Meet Diana Glasgow President of Essence of Books Club

Diana Glasgow founded the Essence Of Books book club in March 1997, due to her love of books. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA where she attended elementary, middle and high school. Mother of two daughters and a granddaughter. Board of directors for a local mentoring youth foundation and full time job skills training specialist for a major utility company.

The Essence of Books book club was founded in March 1997 by Diana Glasgow. Diana has been an avid reader since a teenager, her first genre of books were romance novels. After years of reading alone, the decision was made to form a book club. Flyers and phone calls went out to all friends and family to attend the first book club of Essence.

Fifty ladies showed up to the meeting and we laughed and talked for hours, needless to say this was not the making of a good book club so the next meeting was more structured and geared towards only the serious readers. We have had 11-15 active members for more than 12 years.

What is the vision for your organization?
Our vision is to promote good books written by us for us. We pride ourselves on having a safe zone at the book club meetings, our motto: what happens at the book club stays at the book club. My vision is to create a sisterhood that far out weighs just a book club. Promoting literacy amongst our young lady readers is extremely important and a goal is to form a young ladies of essence book club for 12-18 year olds. Our vision is to become better each year and have at least one author visit us each year.

Our goal is to read, discuss and reenact the events of the book. Our monthly meetings are held on Friday night where we get together for a fun filled sisterhood night of discussion, debating, eating, drinking and bonding. We have had authors attend our meetings to discuss their books, we have also indulged in a pole dancing experiment when the book we read main character was a stripper. Our members put 110% into their meeting. Each book and theme is scored monthly and hostess of the year and book of the year receives a beautiful crystal plague.

We also end the year with a spectacular Christmas gift exchange and outing to a local restaurant to celebrate another year of books! We travel once a year with a weekend spa getaway, our favorite spa getaways have included Las Vegas , NV and Palm Springs, CA. We have a Vice President, Gina Gray and an event coordinator, Euvon Cox who are extremely important to the operations of the Essence of books book club.

Book all readers should own besides the bible:
The Secret is a book everyone should own, it is an easy guide to help you get on or stay on the right path with your spirituality.

Living your best life includes:
Good books, good conversation, good family and friends, good love and good food and wine!

Name three authors you would like to do a phone chat with this year.
Eric Jerome Dickey
Maya Angelou
Terry McMillan

Book you most want to read AGAIN much slower, to savor.
Satisfy my soul by Colin Channer

Bookclub: Tina Moss President of BLACK P.E.A.R.L.

2011-02-08T06:09:00.000-05:00

Tina Moss President of BLACK P.E.A.R.L.S. Book Club

Ella our book club started with just my sister-in-law (Tina Moss) and I talking amongst ourselves. I personally wasn't a reader and just was looking for a hobby that was just for me. I always catered my time to other individuals and one day I said I need to do something for myself. After Tina and I talked about starting the club we invited other ladies (some read all the time and others never did read).

We meet and went over guidelines and protocols...and the fun started from there. I must say from that day forward we have been very devoted ladies; each of us have grown to love, cherish, and respect each other and even the characters in most books.

At this time we have a total of 12 members with the potentials of a new member joining in May. Each of us look forward to our meeting so we can discuss, beat-up, love and rate our monthly selection. It's always interesting to see what other members think about a book.

BLACK P.E.A.R.L.S. Book Club- Positive Ebonites Admiring Reading Learning and Sharing

Our Purpose: Inspirational Scripture ~ Proverbs 31
Mission Statement: “Respectable Black Women’s Thoughts Bonding Together”
Inspiring Verse: She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26

Positive Ebonites Admiring Reading Learning and Sharing

P.E.A.R.L.S. believes in how the bible instructs us to be Christian women: faithful, strong, dignified, and compassionate and servants in our immediate and extended family, communities and most importantly the kingdom. We are striving to be ELEGANT Proverbs 31 women. We believe that what comes out of our mouth is what’s in our hearts. Therefore our purpose is to read, fellowship, support, and respect, encourage, laugh, and cry together. We want to be a role model for our young African- American girls. We are striving to teach them the importance of education while we bond our thoughts into our mind, body and soul.

What is the vision for your organization?
To grow in love, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, with one another. To be like the Proverbs 31 woman the Bible speaks of.

Living your best life includes: Reading, Shopping, going to dinner/movie, hanging with the family, going on out-of-town trips

On your nightstand now: Nightly devotion, Everyday Living Bible, Amaryllis, My Mom's daily devotion.

Favorite book when you were a child:Anything with Michael Jackson or Jackson Five

Book all readers should own besides the bible: Act like a Lady, Think like a Man by Steve Harvey

Book that changed your life:God's WORD ~~ The Bible!

Book you've bought for the cover:Wives and Girlfriends by Nishawnda Ellis

Favorite line or couple from a book:My favorite couple: Hunter and Jade in "In Green Pastures"

Favorite genre, series or sequels:
Series/Sequels: "A Man's Worth" and (sequel) Amaryllis by Nikita Nichols
Your top three authors. Why?
Zane.....she keeps it real, Nikita Nichols......I like her style! ummmm....let me think

Name three authors you would like to do a phone chat with this year.
Nikita Nichols---we have already but she's GOOD!
Steve Harvey----Too funny-but I'm enjoying the book! I like!

Bookclub: Readers in Motion President

2011-02-08T05:56:00.000-05:00

Meet Kim McRae President of Readers in Motion Book Club

Share with us the history of the organization.

Hello, my name is Kim McRae and I am the president of Readers in Motion Book Club. I am a 26 year old nurse and mother. As you can tell I am very busy; however, I have always had a passion for reading. I have tried to start a local book clubs here in Chicago , but it never was successful. It was hard to find individuals that shared the same passion for reading that I hold. I became a member of my favorite author, Wahida Clark’s social network. I felt very comfortable and welcomed. After seeing that everyone on the site had the same enthusiasm for reading that I had, I decided to do an online book club.

The first step for creating the book club was to create a name. We are all busy people; however, we make time throughout our hectic day to read. The name Readers In Motion seemed to fit perfectly Readers in Motion Book Club was established in January 2009. When RIM started we held our monthly online chats at Wahida’s site. In March 2009 RIM launched its own site, www.readersinmotionbookclub.ning.com and with the help of my 2 Vice Presidents, Minah and Misha, we created our MySpace page, which is www.myspace.com/readersinmotion. I enjoy different genres, which range from urban literature to Christian literature. Therefore, I didn’t want to limit the book club to a certain genre. I will admit that urban literature and contemporary fiction is my favorite, along with most of the members.

What is the vision for your organization?

My Vision for the book club is to have a place that readers’ passion is appreciated. RIM is a place where known authors as well as aspiring authors can come and get honest feedback by people that respect their work. We are a family and we want every member to feel welcome and important. We have monthly chats on our featured book, which we collectively chose. I also try to have authors attend the chats if possible. Our past guest is essence best selling author, Wahida Clark, author of the highly anticipated book, Thug Lovin’, which is the fourth addition to her Thug series. Mike Sanders, author of the highly acclaimed book, Thirsty is scheduled to log on for our April 25th chat. Both Wahida and Mike are honorary members. At the end of the day I want RIM to be known as the place where readers, authors, and poets can come and share their excitement for literature.

Favorite book when you were a child:

My favorite books when I was a child were the American girl Abby series.

Favorite genre, series or sequel:

My favorite genre is Urban Literature; however, contemporary fiction is a close second. My favorite series is Wahida Clark’s Thug Series.

Your top three authors. Why?

My top 3 authors are Carl Weber, Kimberla Lawson Roby, and Wahida Clark. These are my favorite authors because their style of writing is unique. You can read any of their books without their names on it and know that they’re the authors. Their styles can not be duplicated. Their imagination and insight is endless.

Book that you’ve bought for the cover:

The book that I bought for the cover is Keyshia and Clyde by Treasure E. Blues. On the cover was a woman with dark sunglasses and a man that looks like he wants to embrace her but doesn’t know how. It is a great book and I am happy that I got it.

Favorite line or couple from a book:

My favorite couple from a book also came from the novel Keyshia and Clyde by Treasure E. Blues. They had a love for each other that was everlasting and pure. The feelings were palpable while I was reading it.

My favorite Line from a book is “It’s got to be God first or nothing will work long term, whether you like it or not. He will not be ruled by you or moved by your pouting, whining, or acting out”- Tamara’s mother Playing God by Michelle McKinney Hammond

On your nightstand now:

On my nightstand now is Single Husbands by Honey B

Book that changed your life:

The book that changed my life is The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. This was the first urban book that I read. I feel like this book was something that I can relate to as well as learn from. This book really showed me how there is only one “hood” or “ghetto”. They are all the same and we face the same problems. The only thing that changes is the names, address, and weather.

Book all readers should own besides the Bible:

The book that everyone should own besides the bible is The Audacity of Hope by President Barack Obama

Book you most want to read AGAIN much slower, to savor:

Book that I most want to read again and slower so that I can savor it is the Bible.

Name three authors you would like to do a phone chat with this year:

The authors that I would love to have a phone chat with are President Barack Obama, Wahida Clark, and Carl Weber

Website: readersinmotionbookclub.ning.com