2008 Romance Slam Jam Winners

The Romance Slam Jam was a blast! Some of the most influential writers in the African American literary industry were present for the 2008 Romance Slam Jam Conference which took place this weekend in Chicago, IL.

The winners of 2008 Romance Slam Jam book categories:

Beverly Jenkins-Author of the Year
Favorite anthology
Favorite hero
Favorite heroine
Favorite novel
Favorite novella
Favorite suspense
Cover of the Year-Deadly Sexy

Francisrayfinal

LaConnie Taylor-Jones: Best Debut Author

Francis Ray: Favorite Sequel

Deatri King-Bey: Favorite Steamy Novel

Listen to the Black Authors Network tribute to the Romance Slam Jam authors and the quality literature that each author presents. Click Here>>

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Meet The Sankofa Literary Society

Sankofa is an Akan word that means, "We must go back and reclaim our past so we can move forward; so we understand why and how we came to be who we are today." The symbol is based on a mythical bird that flies forwards with its head turned backwards. This reflects the Akan belief that the past serves as a guide for planning the future, or the wisdom in learning from the past, in building the future.

The Akan believe that there must be movement with the times, but as the forward march proceeds, the gems must be picked from behind and carried forward on the march. We give thanks to all those who helped us get to where we are today. This group "must go back and bring forth" all those who have a dream and are not afraid to work at seeing it in living color.

The Sankofa Literary Society and EDC Creations provides authors, artists, reviewers, journalist and book clubs, innovative website design advice, marketing and branding tips with a special focus on the African American literary community. We provide a venue, in the spirit of Sankofa, to showcase our newcomers and old friends in the literary world. The SLS was founded by Ella Curry, the owner of EDC Creations, to give back to the literary community the things she has learned while building her vast literary network.

Website: http://www.sankofaliterarysociety.org

What the SLS Has To Offer--Enter the SLS Paradigm Shift

Sankofa Literary Events Bookstore
You may purchase the books related to our featured shows and author chats, in our SLS Events Bookstore. Check the store often, because we change our front page theme frequently, in order to showcase the authors appearing weekly.
Website: http://astore.amazon.com/sanklitesoci-20

SLS Audio Book-club
SLS Audio Book-club is for all book lovers who want to receive daily book previews in their email account. Authors and poets will reading from their latest releases and share their news, as well as their latest events. You may register for the SLS Audio Book-club to win free books and to be invited to private chats with today's hottest authors.

You may sign up for our SLS Audio Book-club by visit our website and entering your email address. The sign up box is at the top of the page, in the left hand corner. We hope to see you on the next release!
Social Network: http://slsbookclubcenter.ning.com
Enter SLS Book-club: http://www.shelfari.com/groups/13544/about

Note: Authors we are accepting all books for our daily previews. Email Ella for your showcase in our SLS Audio Bookclub Blasts. ellacurry@edc-creations.com

The Black Authors Network (BAN) Talk Show
The BAN Radio Talk Show is an open forum for ANY African-American community leader, concerned parent, book club, educator, writer, poet, or author to promote their products, services, or business. We are a "community voice" programmer! We welcome the African-American community to our radio show to showcase quality literature, provide insightful information and to share in the power of our collective voice.

We aim to improve our image and to bring the PRIDE back into our global community. We are presenting seeking weekly co-hosts for the show! You are invited to host your own segment on the BAN Radio Talk Show. We welcome anyone with a positive message to deliver to the world! Just Ask, Ella.

BAN Call-in Number: 646-200-0402
BAN Website: http://www.edc-creations.com/banhome.html
BAN Online Newsletter: http://www.edc-creations.com/ban1newsletter.html

The Black Vibes 365 Talk Show
Come join our round-table discussions each week as we tackle a number of topics relevant to improving literacy and our image within our community. Each week, The Black Vibes 365 Talk Show interviews special guest authors, community leaders, educators, and experts from various fields in publishing, who want to make a difference in the lives of Americans.

This is the home of the "Intimate Conversations--Noon Day Quickies". Tune in each day for a 30-minute Intimate Conversation interview with today's hottest speakers! BV 365 also has its own newsletter of the audio interviews. Sign up today so you never miss a show, they will come to your email account!

Contact Ella Curry if you would like to be included in our 30-minute noon day interviews at: ellacurry@edc-creations.com

Black Vibes 365 Call-in Number: (347) 324-5929

Black Vibes 365 Talk Show Website: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-Vibes-365
Black Vibes Newsletter: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?html=352823
Subscribe to BV365: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=352823

EDC Literary Divas
Explore the writings and musings of Ella D. Curry and the EDC Literary Divas! Inside our informative and entertaining ezine you will find articles to inspire you, invoke romance, increase your awareness, educate you, and most of all bring back a sense of pride and direction for people of color!

All the writers for The EDC Literary Divas are professional writers, business owners, or published authors! Join us as the sistahs bring our community to the top! We are now accepting application for EDC Literary Divas.
Website: http://edc1creations.wordpress.com/literary-divas

On The Shoulders of Giants Journal
The On The Shoulders of Giants Journal (OTSOJ) is an all male blog, created to show African-American males that we do care about them and we want to support them in every way. EDC Creations is currently seeking male single-parents, male athletes, business owners, pastors, doctors, community leaders, lawyers, writers and poets for a New Blog called, On The Shoulders of Giants Journal.

We will host monthly radio shows to bring the news to the world. The On The Shoulders of Giants Journal, radio broadcast, will take place the first Sunday of each month.

Male- to-Male Intervention and Support Network
Real Men | Real Issues | Real Help
See Your Message Change the World!

This blog will showcase African American men at their BEST! Each male author of the blog will post daily musings, poetry, short stories, or just tips for other men to ponder. Please let me know if you would like to be one of the official male writers, authors, and bloggers. Each male blogger will share information that can lift his brothers and sister up!
Website: http://edc1creations.squarespace.com/shoulders-of-giants

The Black History 365 Network
The Black History 365 Network aims to bridge the gap between authors, publishers, book clubs, and the avid readers. We all make up the fantastic and dynamic world of literature! Each group is just as important as the next and we all need each other.

We can not hope to succeed alone—-sharing will bring us all up! This site is the home to everything BLACK-video history blogs, featured authors, community message boards, and help tips for the literary community. Home to the all male bloggers, On The Shoulders of Giants Journal and our Black History 365 campaign.

Black History 365 Website: http://edc1creations.squarespace.com
Black History 365 Social Network Center: http://blackhistory365.ning.com

Parent Company-EDC Creations

EDC Creations is a Prince George's County, Maryland marketing, branding, and promotions firm that specializes in Internet book promotions and PR, graphic design, Internet marketing campaigns, publishing websites, and marketing materials for small to medium-size businesses, new authors and individuals. Our award-winning team offers exceptional design, outstanding service and quick turnaround time without the high costs, impersonal attitude and expensive rates of a larger marketing agency.

The Sankofa Literary Society and EDC Creations provides authors, artists, reviewers, journalist and book clubs, innovative website design advice, marketing and branding tips with a special focus on the African American literary community.

EDC Creations offers:

• Full-service direct and indirect marketing campaigns
• Exemplary graphic design and marketing materials
• Imaginative website and image development
• Impeccable book publicity campaigns
• Flawless Internet marketing plans

We assist authors and businesses that are too busy to tackle the cyber- world or to take care of the behind the scenes activities of the day-to-day corporate front. We are virtual publicists, marketing specialists, book coaches and brand developers. Let us make life just a little easier!

Main Website: http://www.edc-creations.com

Win $100 with Hazel

click here to register

Intimate Conversation Interview with Author Hazel Mill

Lunch with Ella Series

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Bare Necessities: Sensuous Tales of Passion

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. What Bare Necessities can't you live without? Listen to the interview above to find out more about this tantalizing new release!

These questions and many more are answered by listening to our 30-minute Intimate Conversation, check it out!

Purchase Your Copy Today!
ISBN-10: 0979975794
ISBN-13: 978-0979975790

Hazel’s short erotic fiction can be seen in Playgirl Magazine’s Erotic Encounters (January 2007 issue) and in Best Lesbian Love Stories: New York City, edited by Simone Thorne (Alyson Books, November 2006). Hazel also has an essay published in Jolie Dupre’s series in The Blushing Ladies Journal.

Hazel is also launching PassionScape, a monthly column published online by EDC Creations and the Sankofa Literary Society. PassionScape seeks to explore all things relating to the genre of erotic romance including thought provoking essays, informative articles and intimate interviews with some of today's hottest authors.

Her debut erotic anthology, Bare Necessities: Sensuous Tales of Passion, is now available. Please visit the author's website for more details on her other books: http://www.hazelmillsstories.com You may also register to win $100.00!

So, how did you like the interview? Tell us below. Share your most Sensuous Tales of Passion!

Would you like an Intimate Conversation with Ella? Then let's do lunch!  Email Ella to request your author interview today.  Email:  ellacurry@edc-creations.com

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Reparations Requires a Dramatic Shift

I said this before - in 2006 - yet, in light of recent questions that have come from readers I post it again. Enjoy!

When starting a business or starting a movement, it is a revolution. And, a revolution is simply a change. It has been a long time coming, and I do still know a change is go'n come - Oh yes it will! But, where does that change begin?

Why would change begin "out there?" Why would the "powers that be" change the way things are done when we haven't changed ourselves? It was the change within ourselves that ignited the changes in society, leading to the end of Jim Crow. It will be the change within ourselves that will ignite the changes in society that will end the myriad disparities we face.

But, we don't want to change. I mean - if we change, the fight will be over. And then, what will we do? What will we have to look forward to once that "one day" when we shall overcome appears? So, for the sake of the struggle - we struggle. Frederick Douglass said, "without struggle there is no progress." Very true, but Mr. Douglass I must ask: "without progress what's the point of the struggle?" Can anyone answer that for me? Of course you can't! There is not point to struggle without progress. So you see that what we're doing is pointless!!!

Reparations requires a dramatic shift. Our ways of thought must change if we're to ever attain true Reparations. And, that's where we must start. So long ago Mr. Charles Woodson said we were mis-educated and needed to be re-educated. But alas, we've still gotten it all wrong. We have neglected re-education, preferring simply to gripe about the mis-education - doing nothing to fix the problem.

How do we fix this mess? Garvey would say that we need institutions. Our institutions - our organizations. But, our organizations are failing us. We speak of how their institutions are failing us - the schools are undereducating our children. But, how much better are our institutions performing? What have they done to change the way that people think about life and their roles in life?

These organizations have talked a good game - throwing bricks at the establishment. But, we need those bricks for our own development. We must quit wasting these valuable bricks, and use them to build our institutions - to build our communities. Our organizations must begin the work of re-education: shifting the ways of thought which prevail in our society.

Einstein would define insanity as doing the same thing over and over, yet expecting different results. So, my scientific reasoning must say that we are insane! Reparations calls us to end the madness, and chart a new course.

Follow me to your Reparations!

 

Add Reparations: The Blog to your Social Network

Reparations in Your Language

Mr. Reparations

Jabriel Ballentine

View my complete profile

For more stimulating articles like this, please visit the blog of Jabriel Ballentine

http://reparationsblog.com

Latest Release:  From Dusk to Dawn

Author Niambi Brown Davis featured March 21, 2008
on Black Authors Network Radio

http://www.blackauthorsnetworkradio.com
 8pm-10pm EST  Mon., Wed., and Friday nights
Authors dial-in number:  (646) 200-0402

NiambiBrownDavis.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2008

GOT CHANGE FOR A TWENTY? TAKE A ROUND TRIP!

Bookcover

Bookcover

 

 

Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com) - Approximately 70% of all newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients are African American women, and the percentage for African American males is steadily rising. In Shamontiel L. Vaughn's novel, Round Trip, she takes on the subject of AIDS from college students' perspective.

 

Four years of relationships, pledging, classes, finals, partying, and friendship is what three of Change for a Twenty's characters reminisce on while planning their college graduation. This is Memo's, Arnez's, and Jermaine's time to collect caps and gowns, pursue their careers, and celebrate their success. However, Memo is trying to pursue a relationship with Seleste while dealing with the issues of his corrupt cop father being released from prison. Jermaine has decided to propose to Cara, but she can't seem to decide between him and Arnez. Arnez is still flirting and floating away, but now he has to deal with rumors on campus that could ruin his swagger. With a potential wedding in Atlanta, a graduation in Chicago, and some unfinished business in the boroughs of New York, their journeys are nonstop.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shamontiel L. Vaughn is a two-time novelist, freelance journalist, and a full-time Assistant Copyeditor. Graduating Cum Laude from Lincoln University (MO) with a Bachelor of Arts in English/Creative Writing, in addition to attending Northern Michigan University, University of Chicago, and DePaul University, Shamontiel studied writing, communications, criminal justice, and Spanish. This 26-year-old author has over 80 articles, 4 poems, 4 short stories, and 2 novels published in magazine, newspaper, and book locations, in addition to her online site at www.associatedcontent.com/shamontiel.

 

Shamontiel is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and an active reporter for imperative social and political issues in the African American community, such as the Jena 6 case, Trinity United Church of Christ versus Barack Obama, and being a soul food vegetarian. In addition to being a writer, Shamontiel is also a volunteer for BEHIV, an HIV/AIDS free testing facility in Chicago, and she has spoken in college classrooms about the importance of safe sex, correct condom usage, abstinence, and testing information.

 

Both of her novels Change for a Twenty and Round Trip can be purchased at Target.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Half.com, the Southside Community Art Center (Chicago), and Heritage Books & Music (Chicago).

 

Visit www.shamontiel.com for a press kit and more information.

-END-

 

 

 

 

 

SLS Intimate Conversations Showcase

Mismatched1

Recently Ella Curry, CEO of EDC Creations (www.edc-creations.com) and founder of the Sankofa Literary Society (www.sankofaliterarysociety.org) had the opportunity to talk with the author of the  book Mismatched, Laura Major.

MismatchbyLauraMajor

Laura, for those of us who aren’t familiar with your background, please tell us how you came to write novels and what you went through to get published.

For as long as I can remember I’ve been attempting to express myself creatively through the written word. It initially started with trying to write songs at the age of six. Then I wrote an autobiographical anthology in the second grade while living in New Jersey. It was a school project where my second grade teacher selected a topic for the class to write about each week of the school year. She edited each page and we illustrated them for the finished product. By the end of the year, each student had their own personal autobiographical anthology. 

It included simple subjects like who I admired most, what my family did on vacation, what my favorite experience was and what I wanted to be when I grew up. I still have that completed anthology sitting on my bookshelf to this day.  

I finished elementary school in Arizona, I also became the class historian in junior high. That required me to save pictures and news clippings detailing the events of the year for the student body. This was also in book form. Then, I began preparing for college during my high school years. While in high school, I was a part of the yearbook staff for over two years. It was during high school that I knew English would be my major in college.

I got accepted to Arizona State, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. I chose to stay close to home and attended Arizona State, where I took lots of women’s studies classes in addition to my English coursework.

While I didn’t participate in any writing endeavors on campus, I did attain a freelance catalog copywriting position for three short months. I graduated from ASU and landed a financial proofreading position at a well-established financial printer.

After working there for two years, I lost direction and ended up in the finance and investing industry. I was laid off in 2001 and found myself in online higher education, an industry where I still work to support myself while I nurture my writing career.

It was a faithful Sunday afternoon in February 2005, where I chose to attend a local chocolate affaire and I came across a table of romance writers. With the exception of Frances Pascal’s Sweet Valley High collection, I was not a romance novel fan. I hadn’t tried to write a novel up to this point because I was not sure what story I could tell.

Anyway, when I saw these women sitting behind the book signing table, they seemed like ordinary women. I was in awe, but I also thought that maybe this scenario was not out of reach for me. I began talking to two of the women, Judi McCoy and Jennifer Ashley, and they invited me to a Romance Writers of America (RWA) chapter meeting that was taking place the following week.

I attended and felt at home instantly. I attended another chapter’s meeting two weeks later and it was during that meeting that the idea for my first novel, Mismatched, came to me. I realized that while I was not a reader of romance novels, everyday life in some way dealt with love. We are seeking it, giving it, trying to sustain it or in some ways trying to avoid it in our lives. Even in the absence of it, love touches us in some way.

I became a member of both RWA’s local chapters and immersed myself in the industry and made many friends with both published and aspiring authors. I even organized our participation in the next year’s chocolate affaire for my fellow romance writer groups. I volunteered heavily to the detriment of my writing, so I had to step back and focus on my goal.

With lots of self-doubt and the lack of support for interracial themes in my area, it took me over a year to write the novel. I could have finished it a lot quicker but doubt caused me to take long breaks from writing. I also did some minor freelancing during this time which I think built some confidence but also distracted from the book I needed to write. After the book was written, I edited it twice and then solicited the help of a few avid book readers to get some feedback. I didn’t really use critique partners because of the subject matter and the difficulty in finding people who understood what I was trying to convey.

During this time I joined MySpace and began connecting with a lot of other authors and publishers. One in particular, Dyanne Davis, pointed me in the direction of a multicultural/interracial romance reader and writer network on MSN. I joined and for the second time in my writing career I felt I had found a home.

Shortly after joining that group, I started querying my book to two agents and two eBook publishers who accepted electronic submissions. I was in the middle of remodeling my house, so my plan was to query the traditional publishing houses via the US mail system once I got my house back in order. In October of 2007, I received two rejections from the agents and one rejection with a request to see other work from one of the two e-publishers. On December 10th, 2007, I received a response from the last e-publisher I had contacted.  To my surprise it was a contract offer from Amira Press.

While Amira Press is a small e-press, I thought this was an excellent opportunity to get my work out there and get my career the attention only a small press can provide. In addition to liking Amira’s cover art, I also liked their multicultural philosophy and the possibility of writing other types of multicultural novels.

After two edits, the eBook version of my novel Mismatched was released on February 15th, 2008. Shortly there after, I was notified by my publisher that my book would be released in paperback sometime in May.

I really like your title. Do you pick your titles first, and then write the stories? Please explain.
Thanks. The title came about as I was finishing the book. Originally, the working title was Tessa Makes her Own Match. I felt this seemed wordy and not entirely accurate so it later evolved to Mismatched.

What makes this novel different from others in its genre?
While this novel is classified as an interracial romance, I feel that it is truly multicultural. Often romance novels do not reflect real life in that a traditional romance may only have Caucasian characters and an African American romance may only have African American characters. I wanted a book that reflected real life where people of different races and ethnic backgrounds interact with one another and also fall in love. So in my book, there are Caucasian characters, African American characters, older characters as well as gay characters.

Is any of this story autobiographical? Were any scenes from the book inspired from what you know, or it is through your imagination?
I would say the book is inspired by events in my own life as well as being mostly inspired by my imagination, however it is not autobiographical. I have dated briefly on the Internet, I have been involved in interracial relationships in the past, I did live in New Jersey at one time, and I was in the finance industry, but those are the only similarities.

How are you marketing and promoting your new title, Mismatched?
In addition, to marketing on MySpace, and the various writers Yahoo groups and MSN groups to which I belong, I am also attending two writer’s conferences where I will be contributing to the goodie bags with promotional material about my book. My book will also be featured in a Romantic Times ad this summer. I am also seeking reviews and I am researchig how to query movie producers as I think this book would make a great date movie.

Please share some resources you recommend for new authors writing their first book.
I recommend joining a writers group like RWA or some other groups more aligned with your genre of choice. This is beneficial for the networking opportunities as well as support and industry information.

I also recommend subscribing to as many writer magazines as you can stand. I subscribe to The Writer, Writer’s Digest and Romantic Times.

Take online writer’s classes, some are very affordable and provide a wealth of information. Also read in your genre to see what is selling and to learn how to improve different areas of your own writing.

Ella D. Curry, President/CEO of  EDC Creations

EDC @MySpace:      http://www.myspace.com/edc1creations
SLS Homepage:      www.sankofaliterarysociety.org
Bookclub Center:     http://slsbookclubcenter.ning.com

Black History 365 Main Time
http://edc1creations.squarespace.com/welcome

Literary Divas Hangout
http://edc1creations.wordpress.com

Graphic Designer |  Marketing Consultant |  Book & Branding Coach

Unexpected Interruptions by Trice Hickman

Unexpected Interruptions

Synopsis: