Posts (page 25)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2007 NAACP Debut Author Nominee Prepares for Second Book Release The Knees of Gullah Island on Sepia/Harlequin Imprint
Memphis, TN – January 28, 2008 – The Knees of Gullah Island (Kimani Press, March 2008, $14.95 US, $18.95 CAN), the sophomore release of author Dwight Fryer, arrives in bookstores nationwide on March 1, 2008. This book is a prequel to his first novel, The Legend of Quito Road, which earned Fryer a nomination for Outstanding Literary Work from a Debut Author at the 38th NAACP Image Awards last year.
The Knees of Gullah Island examines the life of Gillam Hale, the free-born son of an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) preacher from Cumberland, Maryland, and his search for his wife Queen Esther and the five children they had together. They were free persons of color, but Gillam and his family were kidnapped and sold separately into American slavery. After the Civil War, he could find no trace of his wife or offspring, so Gillam began a new life. Son Erby, the main character from The Legend of Quito Road, is Gillam’s grandson from that second family he started.
In this next Southern tale, Gillam leaves his second family to search for his first. In Dwight Fryer fashion, the theme of this book is “bent knees straighten crooked deeds.” The Knees of Gullah Island follows Gillam, Queen Esther and their son Joseph to 1883 Charleston, Edisto Island and the South Carolina Low Country. This is a timeless story of love, loss, hope and rebirth. The Knees of Gullah Island explores Gullah – Geechee culture and its historical significance in American history. This story examines the complex racial dynamics that shaped the South through one family’s extraordinary journey to freedom.
Dwight Fryer is an author, motivational speaker and businessman. Dwight has twenty-five years business experience in transportation, manufacturing, and capital services in technology, finance, accounting, marketing and leadership. Dwight and his wife Linda live in a rural area near Memphis. They have an adult daughter. He is working on his third novel and his first nonfiction title.
THE KNEES OF GULLAH ISLAND
ISBN: 0-373-83119-6
KIMANI PRESS/SEPIA IMPRINT
$14.95 US, $18.95 CAN
Please contact for a press kit, interviews and book club meetings.
Contact:
Amanda Fryer
When your life has been terrorized by violence, how do you manage to go forward, looking over your shoulder at every turn? This is the daily question that haunts Caitlyn Thompson. She has been in hiding from an ex-boyfriend for three years, always careful not to slip up and allow him to find her again. Working for a neighborhood youth center, she has found her niche. This is something she believes in, having grown up in inner-city New Jersey herself. Submitting a grant request to a wealthy philanthropist foundation, Caitlyn is soon to meet the man who will make her want to stop running, want to trust and love again; Marcel Baptiste. It will take a will of iron and a courage she didn’t know she possessed to battle her fears and open up to the wealthy entrepreneur. But when violence comes knocking again, will she have the courage to face her biggest nightmare?
Visit LaConnie on the Web at: www.laconnietaylorjones.com
How To Self-publish That Great Novel: Without Going Nuts! Limited copies AVAILABLE NOW!!! A book about self-publishing with an emphasis on marketing and promotion, by the "Queen of Promotion" herself!! Price $11.95 plus $4.00 shipping. Go to www.margueritepress.com and place your order today! You may pay via PayPal to dthorn4047@aol.com or by mailing check or money order to:
by Delores Thornton
PO Box 53941
Indianapolis, IN 46253
Divine Appointment: A Caregiver’s Guide, is my personal story. It contains short-short stories and anecdotes, as well as legal, medical, and psychological information. I spent countless hours interviewing caregivers and although I don’t know all that there is to know about this subject, what I do know I freely share. I was thrust into a caregiver’s world in which I knew nothing and I had to learn quickly. I prayed to God for answers, and his replies are contained in this guide.
Author Bio
Delores Thornton, a lifelong Indianapolis resident, belongs to several writing organizations including her own Marguerite Press founded in 1996; Marguerite Press Promo, founded in 2003 and Marguerite Press PR (launched 2006). She is host of the BookNook and A Round 2 It, radio shows on www.margueritepress.com. A columnist for the Indiana Herald Newspaper (PLEASE VISIT OUR BOOK CLUB PAGE AT: www.margueritepress.com). Thornton is the literary expert at Blackrefer.com www.blackrefer.com, and has
been inducted into the Self Publishing Hall of Fame(www.bookmarket.com/selfpublish.html).
Thornton started writing several years ago and friends encouraged her to publish her first novel, Ida Mae, in 1997. Her second work, Ida Mae: The Saga Continues, was released in December, 1998. In May 2000, she released Ida Mae the combined edition. Her third novel, titled Babe was released December 2000. Anybody Seen Junebug?, was published in January 2003, by iUniverse.com, Divine Appointment: A Caregiver's Guide, August 2004, How to Self-publish That Great Novel: Without Going Nuts!, 2005. Update...Amber Books will re-release, "How to Self-Publish That Great Novel Without Going Nuts!" in May 2007!!!! And watch for Thornton's, "Airing Dirty Linen," (from Marguerite Press) in 2007.
Voted " Queen of Promotion" by C & B Books Distribution, Thornton is also the "Literary Expert" on Blackrefer.com. And, she's a contributor to Word Life News, Chaotic Dreams, AMPS Magazine, and Booking Matters Magazine.
Thornton is a graduate of the LongRidge Writers Group of West Redding, CT.; currently attends Simmons College of Kentucky, and is a volunteer mentor for the Marion County Probation Department. When she has spare time, Thornton likes long drives and visiting her grown children and grandchildren.
Delores Thornton, Voted "Queen of Promotion" by C&B Books of New York
Literary Expert at www.blackrefer.com
Voted "Best Online Presence - 2006" by Nubian Literary Network
www.deloresthornton.com
www.margueritepresspromo.com
www.margueritepresspr.com
www.indianapolisbookfest.com
www.margueritepress.com
www.myspace.com/deloresthornton
www.myspace.com/margueritepresspromo
Black Authors
Showcase Presents
Black History Month 2008
February 29, 2008
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
F.H.M. Murray's Story
Come out and meet with me and get the inside story of a Civil Rights giant.
Inside story of the Murray
Underground Railroad, plus more.
Also, stop by my booth and get an autographed copy of my book.
FREE to the Public
Refreshments Served
LOCATION:
Howard University Continuing Education
1100 Wayne Avenue • Silver Spring, MD 20910
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Thanks to Author, Sydney Molare! Hostess of You Don't Know Jack Talk Radio
The radio interview was great! I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey to publishing with your listeners. I enjoy sharing my story in hopes that it inspires and helps others. I look forward to speaking with you again when my new book, Barry A. Murray: Biography in a New Dimension, comes out.
Click here to listen to the Interview: Anita's Journey to Publication
Click here to Visit Sydney's Website
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2007 Pioneer in fight for civil justice honored Civil rights pioneer forgotten no longer A Multitude of Gratitude! Thank you Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Service for being the first historical organization to recognize and honor pioneer civil rights leader, Freeman Henry Morris Murray with a celebration and display exhibit, entitled. Freeman Henry Morris Murray: Devoted to Equality and Justice for All Visit the exhibit: Click here for details |
Coming April 2008
"SOMEWHAT SAVED"...they're baaaack --
chURch folks cutting up in Las Vegas, NV...
They made the Devil run to God for help!!!!
“It is my intent to draw attention to God’s message of love through humor. If we can love God whom we have never seen, yet cannot love the ones we can see, then we have missed God’s entire message.”
Pat G’Orge-Walker
The First Lady of Gospel Comedy
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Pat G’Orge (pronounced Gee-or-jay) - Walker is in a league of her own. This accomplished Christian author and comedienne has an amazing mind and talent for turning her observations of church and black church life, in particular, into gems of sidesplitting humor. It is her own special gift from God that enables G’Orge-Walker to depict the often ridiculous antics of church folk. She does it without subverting the Good News or watering down the potency of its message.
Pat G’Orge-Walker has led a colorful life professionally, to say the least. She is a former music industry veteran who has worked for several major labels including Epic, Def Jam and Columbia. She cut her chops as a singer by performing with the legendary 60s girl group, Arlene Smith and the Chantels (“Maybe”) as well as with the gospel groups The Spiritualettes and The Heavenly Two. And she has written as well as acted in stage presentations.
In the 1970s G’Orge-Walker began penning short stories featuring a main character that has an intimate and impacting encounter with God Almighty on the telephone, the now infamous Sister Betty. But it wasn’t until 1997 that she actually self-published the first in a series of books and that book – Sister Betty God is Calling! – is now being sold on Amazon.com as a collector’s item.
“The fact that there has never been anything like my gospel comedy stories never crossed my mind until I was presented with the BWA 2000 Golden Pen Award for creating a new genre in fiction—gospel comedy.”
God called Sister Betty once more in 2003 and G’Orge-Walker released Sister Betty God’s Calling You, Again! (Kensington Books) thus marking another first for both the author and the publishing house that launched an inspirational department, a result of signing G’Orge-Walker. And G’Orge-Walker was thrust onto the scene in a rocket as a much sought after and highly acclaimed speaker and stand up comedian with her one-woman shows.
Kensington followed its endorsement of G’Orge-Walker with the commission of another novel featuring Sister Betty, “Mother Eternal Ann Everlastin’ is Dead,” which was released in 2004. If the author pushed the envelope with Sister Betty God’s Calling Again! then she mailed the letter with Mother Eternal Ann Everlastin’ is Dead.
“Some people thought I went too far in exposing some of the spiritual flaws of the church by giving the characters names such as a Sister Ima Hellraiser or Bishop Was Nevercalled. Unfortunately, these characters exist and any resemblance to these characters, whether dead or alive, is a doggone shame.”
The characters still exist and G’Orge-Walker continues to pull from a seemingly inexhaustible pool of material to create more novels and build her comedy routine. In between the laughs, Pat G’Orge-Walker the wife, mother and church deaconess is deadly serious about serving God. Some consider comedy to be entertainment first but not G’Orge-Walker who views it as ministry first.
“Promoting books and performing comedy are very arduous tasks particularly when you are trying to expose the church to a new method of bringing people to Christ. No matter how funny my routines or stories may be there will always be a message of God’s love and redemption.”
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Attorney: Christopher R. Whent, Esq. 212-683-5320
Literary/Film and Booking Contact:
Done Deal Entertainment, Inc. / Done Deal Management
516-502-6405 (Voice)
donedealentertainment@sisterbetty.com sisterbetty@sisterbetty.com
www.sisterbetty.com
Book Publisher:
Editor: Selena James.. Kensington Book Publishers
Sjames@kensingtonbooks.com
Rhonica’s Notebook
Visit her blog spot on with the Divas
Welcome to Rhonica Wesley’s Notebook! I would really like to focus on doing interviews with different authors, some what give their readers a view of their lifestyles, and what inspires them to write, overall just get into their heads and pick their brain. I also in the past have done excellent with my articles on sex, relationships, and family. At least twice a week my readers will be expose to new content for Rhonica’s Notebook Every month I will feature a hot topic. This will be a topic that concerns the black community– whether it is health wise, something in the news, or just something that I want to discuss with the African American community. Rhonica’s Notebook is a journal. I would like to bring in people from my vast network of blogs to Rhonica’s Notebook to chat. At Rhonica’s Notebook, I will be writing about different things that may come up in the literary community too. I really want my readers to be interactive and participate in different discussions that I may bring to the table. I want everyone’s opinions and their outlooks. During the beginning of her life in a small town in Louisiana, Author Rhonica Wesley Knew that she was different from all the other children her age. By the age of Five she had gained a love for good books and quiet corners. While Her peers frolicked and played Rhonica stayed inside to create what would later become her addiction to fine literature. It wasn’t until Rhonica was seven years old that she discovered she not only liked to read books, she enjoyed writing them as well. During a Young authors contest Rhonica’s Second Grade teacher was astonished by what the seven year old had written. The story did not win the contest, but Rhonica’s teacher kept it as an example to future students. Now at the age of 23, Ms. Wesley is the mother of 2 beautiful children, still residing in Louisiana, and still writing. Her Debut novel “Live For Thyself” Is scheduled to be released Jan. 5, 2008. For more on her upcoming books and more about her visit her official website at www.rhonicawrites.com. Rhonica Writes Unlike on the silver screen, when a reader has curled up into a corner to read your book, they are not fed the action. Instead, they have to sit and use their imagination. This could be the reason why so many people admit that they don’t read much. Those same people will not be embarrassed to admit they are an avid movie watcher. This is why when it comes to writing you must be able to hold your reader’s interest with descriptive scenes, paragraphs, and over all creativity. First, I want us to take a look at a few things. Just to get us started on being more descriptive and creative. There are a few ways to write sentences one being very bland and simple, the other being bold and spicy. When describing people, if you’re not very observant you may have trouble at first. Look around you. No one is the same. They aren’t all just plain tall, skinny, short or fat. Everyone has something unique about the way they look. You can almost always notice it right off the bat. You may even say, “She looked like… He reminded me of….” Let’s take a look at the first sentence and then compare it to another that is written more descriptively. Dylan was tall, with big eyes, muscles, and a nice haircut. Doesn’t really give the reader anything to go on, right? Let’s take that same sentence and break it apart to create a new bolder desciption of Dylan. Dylan was tall . That’s great that we know he’s tall, but how tall exactly is Dylan. Tall could be six feet, or seven. We don’t know because we have not been given full detail. Ask yourself, what you see when you see Dylan in your head. It may be someone you already know, or it may be someone you conjered up with your imagination. Let’s pretend Dylan is Six foot four. The sentence revised would look like. Dylan stood six foot four. Ok, wonderful now we at least know how tall he REALLY is. With big eyes. Imagining someone with wildly bold eyes, is not excatly what you wanted your readers to do. They don’t know, so they picture what comes to mind. Let’s say you were aiming for the fact that he looked like an innocent school boy. The sentecnce would read; His eyes were wide, like those of a curious schoolboy. Now so far we have: Dylan stood six foot four,His eyes were wide, like those of a curious schoolboy. Excellent! we now atleast have a clearer picture of Dylan. We know that he is precisely Six-foot four, and has wide eyes like a school boy. Let’s move on to the rest of the sentence. Muscles. Just muscles…? Where are these muscles? Are they in his biceps, triceps, calves? Let’s say he has the whole package, but is not too muscular. How would that sentence look? Dylan was slender, but his muscles were firm and sculptured proportionately. You may always go further into detail. If you want you can give him Abs, just not abs of steel, you are the artist paint him how you wantl. The Abs and buns of steel thing is just so worn out. He was slender, but his muscles were firm and sculptured proportionately,along with his finely, detailed Abs.. (Even I want to date Dylan). Now that gives us this; Dylan stood six foot four,His eyes were wide, like those of a curious schoolboy. He was slender, but his muscles were firm and sculptured proportionately,along with his finely, detailed Abs. That’s quite a bit of information about him. I can already picture Dylan. Can you? The last part of the sentence can be made to describe all types of men. Haircuts vary by race. For an African-American male it could be a Fade that’s wavy, an Afro that’s brillo. For a Caucasian male it could be long and silky, or short and spikey. It depends on what you have in mind. In my vision Dylan has a close haircut, with deep waves and a perfect edge. and a nice haircut. And the award for BLAND goes too…? Let’s remix it a little. I will put my personal touch on it. Dylan had a clean cut, all even with soft textured deep waves to set off its perfect edge. Now we have a paragraph full of detail. Let’s see what we have. Dylan stood six foot four,His eyes were wide, like those of a curious schoolboy. He was slender, but his muscles were firm and sculptured proportionately,along with his finely, detailed Abs. Dylan had a clean cut, all even with soft textured deep waves to set off its perfect edge. Dylan was tall, with big eyes, muscles, and a nice haircut. To the more descriptive paragraph above. Remember when you are describing someone or something make sure you include full detail. Leaving out one thing can hinder your whole vision. If your character has Brown eyes, you don’t want to say just brown. There are so many colors that coincide with brown it’s a shame. What about chestnut brown, or mocha? Don’t forget Pecan and Hazel. There are so many ways to doctor-up your sentences. It is up to you as the artist to figure out how you want to go about it. Though you do not have an easel or paint brush, just like the painter or sketch artist you must paint a picture for your readers. They need to be able to see your character so that they can relate to his/her situation. If you are reading the newspaper, and see the story of a woman who went missing. The woman being described as an African-American Female with short black hair and a slender frame has no picture, so you turn the page. You would not turn the page if there was a more detailed description and perhaps a picture. You want to be able to sympathize and relate. You can’t do that if you can’t see an actual person. Play around with different descriptions until you find one that is suitable to you. Avoid bland words like Tall, slim, pretty, beautiful, cute, short, fat. If you are going to use these words spice them up. She was tall enough to reach the top of an oak tree. There was not a slender bone in her body; Her body was set up just right. She was not just pretty, but beautiful and bright as a daisy in springtime. Her set of pouting lips were cute on her short round face. Her back side was plump, or as the brothers said, “Fat.” Spelled Phat. Now, that’s just how I do things. Everyone has their own style. Utilize your imagination and don’t be afraid to use it, Because a picture is worth a thousand words. Stay tuned for Lesson 2 -Scenery:Running through open fields Visit me at- Rhonica's Notebook Rhonica Wesley’s contact information: Rhonicawesley@yahoo.com
Writers/Author Bio:
Lesson 1
People: Removing the stick figure image.
We went from;
Meet Literary Diva: Dorothy Goins
Dorothy Goins, born in South Carolina, has been a native of Philadelphia for 37+ years. Her first novel is a compelling story of love and betrayal. Married Man is the story of Kendra Davis and Miles Jordan whose paths suddenly cross after nine, long years.
Kendra is one sexy, ambitious and self-determined sister, fast tracking in her career. She's fed up with corporate America. Although set in her ways, she knows how to bargain for what she wants. Miles Jordan, a strikingly irresistible man, is a lover from Kendra's past who jumps full force on the scene and skillfully maneuvers his way back into her life. A night of steamy, undeniable interactions re-kindles old feelings and renders the two of them wanting more than they bargained for. Pressured by their actions and their rising emotions, the two of them begin to realize that their selfish intentions has led them to some overpowering self evaluations. Kendra, who is driven by her career, must deal with the harsh reality that she's fallen hard for a man she can't have, the very same man that previously broke her heart. Miles, on the other hand, has put himself in quite the unpredictable situation. How does he choose between the two women he loves?
A veteran poet, Goins began writing through the encouragement of one of her professors, while attending Temple University in 1996. After forming her own literary group, she exposed her talent through the open mic venues, afterwards self-publishing her poetry book, Woman I Know in 1998. She has been featured by Power 99 FM at Sistahs and WPEG 98.9 FM, For Sistahs Only, as well as interviewed on several radio talk shows throughout the Tri-State area.
While pursuing her long-term career in banking after a major merger, she relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina in 1998 only to later return back to Philadelphia in 2000 after growing weary and annoyed with 17 years of corporate America's politics. It wasn't too much longer after that experience when Goins got the idea to write her novel, Married Man, and decided to take her chances on self-publishing her material. She refused to let the query rejections from several agents she'd written to about her first book idea in 1993 stop her from fulfilling her dream. She attended self-publishing seminars and started learning the literary industry standards, pooled her financial resources together, started her own publishing company, Xpressit Publications, and released her novel on her own.
Goins, who believes children learn to lead positive lives from positive examples being set before them, works extremely hard at setting and completing her goals as an example to her son and daughter. She is exceptionally proud of her son's track and field accomplishments throughout high school and the mark he has made in the track league he participated in with Phatback Athletes at their national competitions. He is currently away in his first year of college. Goins currently resides in Philadelphia with her daughter.
She recently released her second novel as of May 2005. A WOMAN SCORN'D is a family saga that is sizzling and full of suspense.
Featured in the Philadelphia Tribune and The Philadelphia Sun, A Woman Scorn'd centralizes on a topic that is true for so many families, the issue of domestic violence and abuse. Roxane Brissett is a psychotherapist who sets up a counseling service in Manhattan for battered and abused women. When a phone call from a client leads Roxane straight to a murder scene and her relationship with the "foine" as ever stock broker she's gotten herself involved with is interrupted by a crazy and deranged chick named Karma, Roxane's perfect little world suddenly spirals out of control.
Be sure to check out this latest novel by this inspiring author. She is currently working on releasing her third novel in the winter of 2008.
Driven by her passion to write novels that are realistic and a creative depiction of real experiences within family structures as well as tuning in on community related issues, Goins' ultimate goal is to become a well known novelist leaving behind her own legacy in the literary venue. Her writing ambition was sparked and inspired by her favorite writer and poet, Dr. Maya Angelou, whose work she enjoyed as early as the age of nine through her first encounter with the novel, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings." Still an avid reader, Goins' inspiration to continue writing is heightened through the great literary works of authors such as Ralph Ellison, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Edwidge Danticat, Nawal El Saadawi, Donald Goines and Terry McMillan.
"These are just a few of the writers who remind me of the great efforts and struggles of our ancestors," states Goins, "Our ancestors were remarkable storytellers, who kept our history alive without the usage of ink or paper. Their greatness has transcended through lineages, through folktales and throughout many villages...the writers of this and past eras have made the same impact within our families and our communities. Who wouldn't want to be a part of this great history?"
Visit the author's website from more news, events, and excerpts of her books, by clicking here>>
Hazel Mills' Stories
Whether newly discovered or rekindled, there is no feeling in the world like pure passion coursing through our veins. It erupts at our core and allows us to be free and uninhibited. Bare Necessities: Sensuous Tales of Passion is a collection of short erotic stories that explore passions that are buried deep in the subconscious as well as those that lie just beneath the surface and are easily exposed. The characters of each sizzling story experience passions that explode and send them hurling into a fiery universe of sensuous pleasure.
Bare Necessities: Sensuous Tales of Passion, published by Xpress Yourself Publishing, will be heating up your bookshelves April 2008!
Author Hazel Mills
Author Hazel Mills knew that she wanted to be a writer from the moment she penned the first words of a poem titled “A Tree” when she was in the third grade.
As a college student, Hazel majored in business but writing continued to be her first love.
Her debut erotic anthology, Bare Necessities: Sensuous Tales of Passion, is expected to be released 2008.
Visit her website by clicking here>
My Groups
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African American by association Updated: 1 hour ago
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Verbal Penetrations Updated: 1 hour ago
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Seeking Knowledge - Updated: 1 hour ago
