Photo courtesy of www.FoxNews.com

The YOUnity Guild is divided on the issue IT appears like people are saying why should Brandy be let off the hook? An innocent victim was killed who could have been your mother, brother or family member. On the otherhand, folks are saying that an accident is an accident, and why should a person be charged with manslaughter if they did not have intent to kill anymore? Perhaps, Brandy should serve community service and give attention to driving safely. Halle Berry, another celebrity who was involved in a supposed ”HIT & RUN” was let off  the hook for an undisclosed amount and went on to win an Oscar. Is there a double standard in America on who gets let off the hook? It is obvious Halle did leave the scene of an accident, but of course, she was delerious and out of her mind as apparent by a gash wound on her head. However, Cinderella, Brandy Norwood  may now have to do time because of several media hot heads suggesting the latter in the GET THIS, Black  media community and now this… Are we our own self-destruction in the Black community?  Brandy is no criminal, and I am sure she deeply regrets the outcome of her accident and the death she caused. There are real criminals out there. I believe counseling, and a statement or personal address to the family may be better suited. The family member is gone. Nothing can replace the life of the victim, but the family should be given at least a million. Brandy would not survive in jail and is more valuable out of jail and serving her community. She’s even the spokesperson model for hair products for little girls. I am angered by the accident, but I don’t want to see Brandy go to jail. Send your comments to Disilgold@aol.com. Developing…

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Comments are not allowed on this site as courtesy to advertisers. However, you may try to join us on www.Twitter.com/Disilgold or www.Twitter.com/LiteraryDish and await when comment features are on and the only time the editor is able to approve. For advertising on this site email Disilgold@aol.com.

Check out Joe James as featured on cover of new novel  Tekila Nika by Heather Covington aka Babe Charisse Worthington in the arms of Jennifer Hudson. An exclusive the paparazzi could not catch!

http://joejamesjr.com/jhudson.htm

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THE DISILGOLD DAILY LITERARY DISH
Presented by DisilgoldSOUL Literary Review Jan 2007

In This Issue
One of the Most Anticipated Books this Season Has Arrived from Cherlyn Michaels! She’s one of top bookclubs favorite authors.
FIRST FRIDAYS BY CHERLYN MICHAELS

Personal Message from Heather Covington

“Setting goals with a purpose in mind must always be your mission because your life is WORTH IT!” Keep the faith.
Ask Heather Q& A

Disilgold Literary Network
Disilgold YGA Showcase
PressReleaseBlaster
Disilgold Catalog & Bookstore
Disilgold Events
Disilgold Publishing Founder’s Author Home

HEADLINE LITERARY DISH: FIRST FRIDAYS BY CHERLYN MICHAELS IS DESTINED FOR DEBUT SUCCESS & NEWS ON YGA AWARDEES ON THE RISE!

It’s no secret that Cherlyn Michael’s, the HighTech Lady of Pen, is heating up cyberspace with the eager anticipation and release of her latest drama First Fridays. Longtime friends and loyal readers are ready to send Cherlyn Michaels to number 1. What’s so unique about Cherlyn is her dedication toward keeping an online journal since day one reflecting her life as a writer and even sharing news about her bookdeal over at CherlynMichaels.com. Authors will find many of her tips to be very valuable. Check it out. Her site is supported by Pageturner.net. She also generates an exciting newsletter that has gained a surge of new fans. Cherlyn’s new book arrives just in time for Valentine’s Day, and of course, it makes a nice gift for those who design gift baskets for friends and family. I plan on adding Cherlyn’s book along with boxes of chocolates, socks and mouse pads with hearts and a card from Elisse Gabrielle, the author of “Good to the Last Drop.” This author makes some greeting cards that rival Hallmark. I want to triple up with 3 books in my gift baskets, so I am adding Electa Rome Park’s Girl’s Night Out and Vickie Stringer’s Dirty Red. These Book Gift baskets are becoming a hobby I personally enjoy. Try making one for your loved ones . Giving books as gifts is practical and affordable.
I might also top off my gift baskets this Valentine’s Day with a newspaper style letter featuring literary news. Authors have to support one another and not let the booming publishing industry slow down. Speaking of literary news, Terry Anne O’Neal, resident 1st Lady of Poetry over at Disilgold, will debut a new movie adapted from her critically acclaimed novel, Sweet Lavender. Additionally, I opened my copy of Black Enterprise, and nearly fainted when I saw J.Ivy, resident 1st Gentleman of Poetry over at Disilgold representing his Black History poem. There is even a play back button so you can listen toJ Ivy recite his poem. This is state of the art marketing folks, and I guess I will keep my Verizon plan being that the company is supporting African American poets to the top being featured in HOLLER: A Poetry anthology of A Decade. This insert can be pulled out and given as a gift to a young one. Do pass on J.Ivy’s message.

Now when you read Cherlyn’s new book, I want you to see why we are just delighted that she’s back. Talk about a fun read. Feel free to share which part of Cherlyn’s book you enjoyed the most by emailing Disilgold@aol.com. We’re going to announce the YGA’s favorite part.

CONTEST: Cherlyn is calling all booklovers to support sales of First Friday’s at your local bookstore and online on Valentine’s Day. Do visit Cherlyn’s website to share your favorite part of her book after purchasing a copy from Amazon or your favorite bookstore. Cherlyn is going to randomly choose a winner of free autographed book giveaways. AUTOGRAPHED BOOKS FROM BESTSELLERS ARE VALUABLE TREASURES. All of my autographed books from folks like Michael, Ian, Vickie, K’wan, Terry, Omar, Cherlyn, Edith, Alethea, Rhonda, Jewelene, Dena,Delores, and many more are certainly my treasures. The winner of Cherlyn’s Book Giveaway Contest will also be spotlighted on www.Disilgold.com photogallery. . Join in on the fun. It’s Cherlyn Michael’s time to shine. Enjoy the review.

Visit the Daily Literary Dish Syndicate for more Literary News

One of the Most Anticipated Books this Season Has Arrived from Cherlyn Michaels! She’s one of top bookclubs favorite authors.

Visit DisilgoldSOUL for Bookclub Links

FIRST FRIDAYS BY CHERLYN MICHAELS

HYPERION/ ISBN-1-4013-0814-7-First Fridays by critically acclaimed author, Cherlyn Michaels, who brought the literary world the bestselling novel, Counting Through a Stained Glass Window, returns with the highly anticipated First Fridays, a dynamic, exciting, fast paced novel that is by far one of the most entertaining reads of the year, highly energetic, cunningly charming and sexy from beginning to end.
The story plot centers around Naja Rodgers who creates an Internet Cafe haven called First Fridays, but she soon attracts Russ’s insightful eye who believes she has a goldmine not only worthy of investing his money in, but possibly courting the naive entrepreneur who falls into the trap of mixing business with pleasure.

Suddenly, Russ’s plan goes bust and his big time investment backers pull out of a deal. He decides to steal all former contacts, show his true colors all along, but where does this leave Naja’s and Russ’s former relationship?

Will Russ join the list of men who prey on entrepreneurial women or will she be able to pick up the broken pieces of their relationship and move on? Wait until you see what happens next! Wait until you see what happens to her business.

First Friday’s by Ms. Cherlyn Michaels is ENGAGING, WELL WRITTEN, and owns an ORIGINAL PLOT from Hyperion Books that is a PLEASURE TO READ and highly recommended.

Visit the author:

Upcoming Events

Exhibitors wanted for African American Pavilion @Book Expo 2007 May 31-June 3 More information

PerSOULnal Blessings,

From The DisilgoldSOUL Literary Review family.

CONTACT DISILGOLD PUBLISHING

CEO/FOUNDER Heather Covington 1-718-547-0499 disilgold@aol.com

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www.AALBC.com RECOMMENDS

Literary Living
www.blackfamilychannel.com 

Literary Living hosted by best-selling author Heather Covington, airs every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. (EST). The show targets an exclusive audience, the African American book buying market. The half-hour program will take viewers on a journey through the offices and streets of New York City; will introduce some of today’s greatest publishers, authors, writers and poets. 

 Visit:
 http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/1/17457.html 
for more information.

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And the winner is….. (See the founder’s picks based on a quick survey poll)Outstanding New Artist Cherish (Capitol) Corinne Bailey Rae (Capitol) - POSSIBLE WINNER LeToya (Capitol) Mario Vazquez (J Records/ Arista)Outstanding Male Artist Chris Brown (Zomba) Jay-Z (Island Def Jam) John Legend (Sony Urban) - CROSS OVER APPEAL! Lionel Richie (Island Def Jam) Prince (Universal Republic)Outstanding Female Artist Beyoncé (Sony/Urban) Corinne Bailey Rae (Capitol) Fantasia (J Records/ Arista) India.Arie (Universal Motown) Mary J. Blige (Geffen) - LANDSLIDE!Outstanding Duo or Group Gnarls Barkley (Downtown/Atlantic) - A DO!Outstanding Music Video Beyoncé - “Irreplaceable” (Sony Urban)- LIKE ANTHEM FOR WOMEN! India.Arie - “I Am Not My Hair” (Universal Motown) Mary J. Blige - “Be Without You” (Geffen) Prince - “Black Sweat” (Universal Republic) Outstanding Song “Be Without You” - Mary J. Blige (Geffen) - THIS IS THE ONE! “Crazy” - Gnarls Barkley (Downtown/Atlantic) “I Am Not My Hair” - India.Arie (Universal Motown) “Irreplaceable” - Beyoncé (Sony Urban) “Save Room” - John Legend (Sony Urban) Outstanding Album “B’Day” - Beyoncé (Sony Urban) “Corinne Bailey Rae” - Corinne Bailey Rae (Capitol) “Dreamgirls (Soundtrack)” - Various (Music World/Sony Urban/Columbia)-A SURE BET!  “Once Again” - John Legend (Sony Urban) “Reflections: A Retrospective” - Mary J. Blige (Geffen)

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Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature

MAKES ITS MARK IN LITERARY HISTORY

A 2007 NAACP IMAGE AWARDS FINALIST IN LITERATURE

National - Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature by Heather Covington ISBN #:  0-9767735-3-8 / Paperback / Pictures/ 250 Pages / $16.95

Literary Divas salutes more than 100 Literary Divas who have impacted our nation’s culture.

Dr. Maya Angelou, world renown poet and author recently told Ms. Covington, “Child, take my hand”.

Author, Heather Covington is an educator of kindergarten children.  When not teaching, Heather serves as the president of the YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America, editor-in-chief of Disilgold Soul Literary Review, and is noted as one of the nation’s top media personalities and promoters of literary artists…..Heather works as a poet, author, producer, publisher, promoter, educator and humanitarian…..

She has captured the essence of more than one hundred Literary Divas who have shared their pain, struggles, desires, and triumphs, through their written words as messengers of time and circumstance.

According to Omar Tyree, NAACP Image Award winner and New York Times bestselling author, “LITERARY DIVAS…is a relevant and historical tool that all men , women, and children MUST READ!!

Literary Divas’ stories will amaze you…their written words are powerful, boundless, miraculous, paranormal and the best mentor to a writer’s soul.

WHAT A GREAT CONCEPT! Heather provides a valuable reference with glowing tributes to women who are making a difference. - Ann Burns, Associate Editor, Library Journal.

By representing the voices of past & future generations, Literary Divas marks the historical turning point of a new century of African-American women in literature. Literary Divas salutes: Alice Walker, Alicia Keys, Angel Hunter, Angela Davis, Anita Doreen Diggs, Artist C. Arthur, Barbara A. Custer, Barbara Reynolds, Bea Joyner, Bebe Moore Campbell, Bernice L. McFadden, Bertha Davis, Brenda Hampton, Brenda Thomas, Camille Yarbrough, Candice Dow, Cassandra Darden Bell, Celise Downs, C. F. Hawthorne, Cheryl Willis Hudson, Cheryln Michaels, Christine Young Robinson, Corey Sue Ward, Crystal McCrary Anthony, Crystal Lacy Winslow, Crystal Rhodes, Cydney Rax, Cynthia Highsmith-Hooks, Darcel P. Williams, Darline Dorce-Coupet, Dawn Breedon, Deborah Gregory, Deborah Smith, Debra Clayton, Dee Freeman, Deirdre Savoy, Delores Thornton, Denise Campbell, Denise Turney, Donna Hill, Dorothy Ford, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Dorrie Williams Wheeler, E. Hill, Edith Holmes, Electa Rome Parks, Elizabeth Nunez, Erica L. Perry, Evelyn Palfrey, Francis Ray, Gina Cox, Gloria Naylor, Gwynne Forster, Harriette Cole, Ida Greene, Iman, Iyanla Vanzant, Jada Pinkett Smith, Janet West Sellars, Janine A. Morris, Jel Lewis (Jones),  Jessica Care Moore-Poole, Jessica Tilles, Jewelene Banks, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Jill Nelson, Joylynn Jossell, Juanita Bynum, Karen Ligon, Karen E. Quinones Miller, Karen White-Owens, Kashamba Williams, Kelly Kenyatta, Kelly Starling Lyons, Kim Robinson, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Lenaise Meyeil Williams, Leslie Esdaille Banks, Lexi Davis, Margie Gosa Shivers, Mari Evans, Marita Golden, Marti Tucker, Mary B. Morrison, Maxine Thompson, Maya Angelou, Nancey Flowers, Natalie Darden, Nea Anna Simone, Nikki Giovanni, Ntozake Shange, Pam Osbey, Pamela DeLeon-Lewis, Pat G’orge Walker, Renee Daniel Flagler, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Rewa Marie Fyles, Rita Dove, Rita Ewing, Rosa Guy, Sammie Ward, Sheila Goss, Shelley Parris, Sonia Sanchez, Stacy-Deanne Reed, Star Jones, Tajuana “T. J.” Butler, Takesha Powell, Terrie Williams, Terry McMillan, Terry a. O’ Neal, Toni Morrison, Tonya Lewis Lee, Tracy Price- Thompson, Tyra Banks, Vickie Stringer, Victoria Christopher Murray, Wendy Williams, Yolanda Joe, Yolantha Pace and Zane make us so proud.

Editorial Divas: Adrienne Ingrum, Alicia Marie Rivers, Angela P. Dodson, Carol Mackey, Carole F. Hall, Caroline Rogers & Brenda Piper, Cherise Davis, Cheryl Woodruff, Clara Villarosa, Dawn Davis, Denise Stinson, Emma Rodgers, Faith Childs, Faye Childs, Gwen Richardson, Heather Elitou, Janet Hill, Kim McClarin, L. Peggy Hicks, Linda Gill, Lottie Gooding, Malaika Adero, Marie Brown, Marilyn Ducksworth, Niani Colom, Oprah Winfrey, Pamela Yvette Exum, Rachel Breton, Rockelle Henderson, Shunda Leigh, Susan McHenry, Susan Taylor, Sybil Wilkes, Tee C. Royal, Vivian Stephens and Yvonne Rose keep the works of Literary Divas at the forefront of the Publishing Industry.   Literary Divas who have passed on: Alice Childress, Coretta Scott King, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lorraine Hansberry, Octavia Butler, Rosa Parks, Shirley Chisolm and Zora Neale Hurston have become our inspiration and our guides.               Terrie M. Williams, author, The Personal Touch stated: “Literary Divas is an important acknowledgement which not only highlights and details our collective body of work, but most importantly will inspire the up-and-coming Literary Divas and Dons to realize their potential as writers.”

For further information or orders, contact:  Amber Communications Group, Inc. TOLL FREE: 1-866-566-3144 or  602-243-3144 or email: amberbk@aol.com.   

Bookstores and libraries, please contact ACGI directly or your wholesaler/distributor for ordering.

For international licensing / foreign translation rights please contact:  Al Longden, Director, Rights Unlimited, Inc. Literary Agents, 6 West 37th St. 4th floor, NY, NY 10018, 212-246-0900, email: alongden@rightsunlimited.com

For interviews, speaking engagements or booksignings, contact:  Heather Covington at disilgold@aol.com

Visit: WWW.AMBERBOOKS.COM to see the complete ACGI collection.  

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Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature

MAKES ITS MARK IN LITERARY HISTORY

A 2007 NAACP IMAGE AWARDS FINALIST IN LITERATURE

National NEWS: Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature by Heather Covington ISBN #:  0-9767735-3-8 / Paperback / Pictures/ 250 Pages / $16.95

Literary Divas salutes more than 100 Literary Divas who have impacted our nation’s culture.

Dr. Maya Angelou, world renown poet and author recently told Ms. Covington, “Child, take my hand”.

Author, Heather Covington is an educator of kindergarten children.  When not teaching, Heather serves as the president of the YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America, editor-in-chief of Disilgold Soul Literary Review, and is noted as one of the nation’s top media personalities and promoters of literary artists…..Heather works as a poet, author, producer, publisher, promoter, educator and humanitarian…..

She has captured the essence of more than one hundred Literary Divas who have shared their pain, struggles, desires, and triumphs, through their written words as messengers of time and circumstance.

According to Omar Tyree, NAACP Image Award winner and New York Times bestselling author, “LITERARY DIVAS…is a relevant and historical tool that all men , women, and children MUST READ!!

Literary Divas’ stories will amaze you…their written words are powerful, boundless, miraculous, paranormal and the best mentor to a writer’s soul.

WHAT A GREAT CONCEPT! Heather provides a valuable reference with glowing tributes to women who are making a difference. - Ann Burns, Associate Editor, Library Journal.

By representing the voices of past & future generations, Literary Divas marks the historical turning point of a new century of African-American women in literature. Literary Divas salutes: Alice Walker, Alicia Keys, Angel Hunter, Angela Davis, Anita Doreen Diggs, Artist C. Arthur, Barbara A. Custer, Barbara Reynolds, Bea Joyner, Bebe Moore Campbell, Bernice L. McFadden, Bertha Davis, Brenda Hampton, Brenda Thomas, Camille Yarbrough, Candice Dow, Cassandra Darden Bell, Celise Downs, C. F. Hawthorne, Cheryl Willis Hudson, Cheryln Michaels, Christine Young Robinson, Corey Sue Ward, Crystal McCrary Anthony, Crystal Lacy Winslow, Crystal Rhodes, Cydney Rax, Cynthia Highsmith-Hooks, Darcel P. Williams, Darline Dorce-Coupet, Dawn Breedon, Deborah Gregory, Deborah Smith, Debra Clayton, Dee Freeman, Deirdre Savoy, Delores Thornton, Denise Campbell, Denise Turney, Donna Hill, Dorothy Ford, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Dorrie Williams Wheeler, E. Hill, Edith Holmes, Electa Rome Parks, Elizabeth Nunez, Erica L. Perry, Evelyn Palfrey, Francis Ray, Gina Cox, Gloria Naylor, Gwynne Forster, Harriette Cole, Ida Greene, Iman, Iyanla Vanzant, Jada Pinkett Smith, Janet West Sellars, Janine A. Morris, Jel Lewis (Jones),  Jessica Care Moore-Poole, Jessica Tilles, Jewelene Banks, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Jill Nelson, Joylynn Jossell, Juanita Bynum, Karen Ligon, Karen E. Quinones Miller, Karen White-Owens, Kashamba Williams, Kelly Kenyatta, Kelly Starling Lyons, Kim Robinson, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Lenaise Meyeil Williams, Leslie Esdaille Banks, Lexi Davis, Margie Gosa Shivers, Mari Evans, Marita Golden, Marti Tucker, Mary B. Morrison, Maxine Thompson, Maya Angelou, Nancey Flowers, Natalie Darden, Nea Anna Simone, Nikki Giovanni, Ntozake Shange, Pam Osbey, Pamela DeLeon-Lewis, Pat G’orge Walker, Renee Daniel Flagler, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Rewa Marie Fyles, Rita Dove, Rita Ewing, Rosa Guy, Sammie Ward, Sheila Goss, Shelley Parris, Sonia Sanchez, Stacy-Deanne Reed, Star Jones, Tajuana “T. J.” Butler, Takesha Powell, Terrie Williams, Terry McMillan, Terry a. O’ Neal, Toni Morrison, Tonya Lewis Lee, Tracy Price- Thompson, Tyra Banks, Vickie Stringer, Victoria Christopher Murray, Wendy Williams, Yolanda Joe, Yolantha Pace and Zane make us so proud.

Editorial Divas: Adrienne Ingrum, Alicia Marie Rivers, Angela P. Dodson, Carol Mackey, Carole F. Hall, Caroline Rogers & Brenda Piper, Cherise Davis, Cheryl Woodruff, Clara Villarosa, Dawn Davis, Denise Stinson, Emma Rodgers, Faith Childs, Faye Childs, Gwen Richardson, Heather Elitou, Janet Hill, Kim McClarin, L. Peggy Hicks, Linda Gill, Lottie Gooding, Malaika Adero, Marie Brown, Marilyn Ducksworth, Niani Colom, Oprah Winfrey, Pamela Yvette Exum, Rachel Breton, Rockelle Henderson, Shunda Leigh, Susan McHenry, Susan Taylor, Sybil Wilkes, Tee C. Royal, Vivian Stephens and Yvonne Rose keep the works of Literary Divas at the forefront of the Publishing Industry.   Literary Divas who have passed on: Alice Childress, Coretta Scott King, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lorraine Hansberry, Octavia Butler, Rosa Parks, Shirley Chisolm and Zora Neale Hurston have become our inspiration and our guides.               Terrie M. Williams, author, The Personal Touch stated: “Literary Divas is an important acknowledgement which not only highlights and details our collective body of work, but most importantly will inspire the up-and-coming Literary Divas and Dons to realize their potential as writers.”

For further information or orders, contact:  Amber Communications Group, Inc. TOLL FREE: 1-866-566-3144 or  602-243-3144 or email: amberbk@aol.com.   

Bookstores and libraries, please contact ACGI directly or your wholesaler/distributor for ordering.

For international licensing / foreign translation rights please contact:  Al Longden, Director, Rights Unlimited, Inc. Literary Agents, 6 West 37th St. 4th floor, NY, NY 10018, 212-246-0900, email: alongden@rightsunlimited.com

For interviews, speaking engagements or booksignings, contact:  Heather Covington at disilgold@aol.com

Visit: WWW.AMBERBOOKS.COM to see the complete ACGI collection.  

Share on Facebook

Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature

MAKES ITS MARK IN LITERARY HISTORY

A 2007 NAACP IMAGE AWARDS FINALIST IN LITERATURE

National - Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature by Heather Covington ISBN #:  0-9767735-3-8 / Paperback / Pictures/ 250 Pages / $16.95

Literary Divas salutes more than 100 Literary Divas who have impacted our nation’s culture.

Dr. Maya Angelou, world renown poet and author recently told Ms. Covington, “Child, take my hand”.

Author, Heather Covington is an educator of kindergarten children.  When not teaching, Heather serves as the president of the YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America, editor-in-chief of Disilgold Soul Literary Review, and is noted as one of the nation’s top media personalities and promoters of literary artists…..Heather works as a poet, author, producer, publisher, promoter, educator and humanitarian…..

She has captured the essence of more than one hundred Literary Divas who have shared their pain, struggles, desires, and triumphs, through their written words as messengers of time and circumstance.

According to Omar Tyree, NAACP Image Award winner and New York Times bestselling author, “LITERARY DIVAS…is a relevant and historical tool that all men , women, and children MUST READ!!

Literary Divas’ stories will amaze you…their written words are powerful, boundless, miraculous, paranormal and the best mentor to a writer’s soul.

WHAT A GREAT CONCEPT! Heather provides a valuable reference with glowing tributes to women who are making a difference. - Ann Burns, Associate Editor, Library Journal.

By representing the voices of past & future generations, Literary Divas marks the historical turning point of a new century of African-American women in literature. Literary Divas salutes: Alice Walker, Alicia Keys, Angel Hunter, Angela Davis, Anita Doreen Diggs, Artist C. Arthur, Barbara A. Custer, Barbara Reynolds, Bea Joyner, Bebe Moore Campbell, Bernice L. McFadden, Bertha Davis, Brenda Hampton, Brenda Thomas, Camille Yarbrough, Candice Dow, Cassandra Darden Bell, Celise Downs, C. F. Hawthorne, Cheryl Willis Hudson, Cheryln Michaels, Christine Young Robinson, Corey Sue Ward, Crystal McCrary Anthony, Crystal Lacy Winslow, Crystal Rhodes, Cydney Rax, Cynthia Highsmith-Hooks, Darcel P. Williams, Darline Dorce-Coupet, Dawn Breedon, Deborah Gregory, Deborah Smith, Debra Clayton, Dee Freeman, Deirdre Savoy, Delores Thornton, Denise Campbell, Denise Turney, Donna Hill, Dorothy Ford, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Dorrie Williams Wheeler, E. Hill, Edith Holmes, Electa Rome Parks, Elizabeth Nunez, Erica L. Perry, Evelyn Palfrey, Francis Ray, Gina Cox, Gloria Naylor, Gwynne Forster, Harriette Cole, Ida Greene, Iman, Iyanla Vanzant, Jada Pinkett Smith, Janet West Sellars, Janine A. Morris, Jel Lewis (Jones),  Jessica Care Moore-Poole, Jessica Tilles, Jewelene Banks, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Jill Nelson, Joylynn Jossell, Juanita Bynum, Karen Ligon, Karen E. Quinones Miller, Karen White-Owens, Kashamba Williams, Kelly Kenyatta, Kelly Starling Lyons, Kim Robinson, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Lenaise Meyeil Williams, Leslie Esdaille Banks, Lexi Davis, Margie Gosa Shivers, Mari Evans, Marita Golden, Marti Tucker, Mary B. Morrison, Maxine Thompson, Maya Angelou, Nancey Flowers, Natalie Darden, Nea Anna Simone, Nikki Giovanni, Ntozake Shange, Pam Osbey, Pamela DeLeon-Lewis, Pat G’orge Walker, Renee Daniel Flagler, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Rewa Marie Fyles, Rita Dove, Rita Ewing, Rosa Guy, Sammie Ward, Sheila Goss, Shelley Parris, Sonia Sanchez, Stacy-Deanne Reed, Star Jones, Tajuana “T. J.” Butler, Takesha Powell, Terrie Williams, Terry McMillan, Terry a. O’ Neal, Toni Morrison, Tonya Lewis Lee, Tracy Price- Thompson, Tyra Banks, Vickie Stringer, Victoria Christopher Murray, Wendy Williams, Yolanda Joe, Yolantha Pace and Zane make us so proud.

Editorial Divas: Adrienne Ingrum, Alicia Marie Rivers, Angela P. Dodson, Carol Mackey, Carole F. Hall, Caroline Rogers & Brenda Piper, Cherise Davis, Cheryl Woodruff, Clara Villarosa, Dawn Davis, Denise Stinson, Emma Rodgers, Faith Childs, Faye Childs, Gwen Richardson, Heather Elitou, Janet Hill, Kim McClarin, L. Peggy Hicks, Linda Gill, Lottie Gooding, Malaika Adero, Marie Brown, Marilyn Ducksworth, Niani Colom, Oprah Winfrey, Pamela Yvette Exum, Rachel Breton, Rockelle Henderson, Shunda Leigh, Susan McHenry, Susan Taylor, Sybil Wilkes, Tee C. Royal, Vivian Stephens and Yvonne Rose keep the works of Literary Divas at the forefront of the Publishing Industry.   Literary Divas who have passed on: Alice Childress, Coretta Scott King, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lorraine Hansberry, Octavia Butler, Rosa Parks, Shirley Chisolm and Zora Neale Hurston have become our inspiration and our guides.               Terrie M. Williams, author, The Personal Touch stated: “Literary Divas is an important acknowledgement which not only highlights and details our collective body of work, but most importantly will inspire the up-and-coming Literary Divas and Dons to realize their potential as writers.”

For further information or orders, contact:  Amber Communications Group, Inc. TOLL FREE: 1-866-566-3144 or  602-243-3144 or email: amberbk@aol.com.   

Bookstores and libraries, please contact ACGI directly or your wholesaler/distributor for ordering.

For international licensing / foreign translation rights please contact:  Al Longden, Director, Rights Unlimited, Inc. Literary Agents, 6 West 37th St. 4th floor, NY, NY 10018, 212-246-0900, email: alongden@rightsunlimited.com

For interviews, speaking engagements or booksignings, contact:  Heather Covington at disilgold@aol.com

Visit: WWW.AMBERBOOKS.COM to see the complete ACGI collection.  

Share on Facebook

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

POETRY, SHE WROTE II: REFLECTIONS OF THE HEART

                                                                                     By Dee Freeman

Poetry from a woman’s perspective,

as she searches the very bottom of her soul

to find truth and reality.

                                                                                                                                                                                            

        © 2006  Hot off the Press

          AuthorHouse Publication

                      $15.95

             ISBN 1-4033-3780-2

 

 

“The optimism in Dee Freeman’s third volume of poetry is just as contagious as in her first volume … From the opening epigraph from Herman Hesse’s Reflections, which stresses the oneness of all living beings, to the self-eulogy that ends Part II of Poetry She Wrote, Freeman traverses a plethora of emotions from yearning… to resolution… I always knew she possessed tremendous spiritual beauty.  I am glad she decided to share this beauty with the world in such a beautifully organic manner….”

Lovalerie King, PhD;     Assistant Professor of African American Literature,

Penn
State
University.

 

 “Just imagine with me, a little kinky haired girl, who moves …from knowing nothing about the world, to a star of a woman who can explore the universe through her poetry and declare “Still Me”…a masterpiece…A work of art.  So genuine, so rich… so well blended in mind, body, and soul……”  Geraldine Smothers, MPA, RHIA, CSL, CPHQ…President and CEO, Professional Dynamic Network, Inc. …The Jordan Evans Institute

 

Poetry, She Wrote II: Reflections of the Heart       By Dee Freeman

 

This poetry addresses aspects of life from a woman’s point of view, as she journeys and searches through every nook and cranny on earth, then scans the heavens for truth, answers and awareness.  This central theme reinforces the fact that people have a strong faith and are determined to continue their search until they no longer breathe.  There are miles to be traveled before reaching the ultimate plateau of awareness and contentment. 
Dee wishes to help in this conquest with these diverse literary expressions.  Poetry, She Wrote II reveals a number of experiences she has personally encountered while traveling this journey.  Both the poems and prose convey a message, express sentiment, pose unanswered questions, inspire determination, encourage love and togetherness, promote pride, open the emotional window to the heart and invoke inspirational healing.  Their clarity and lucidity motivate as they foster: self-esteem, self-confidence, self-love, self-awareness, healing and a sense of well-being.

 

 

About the Author:

“A dynamically gifted poet…Dee Freeman, Independent Bestselling Poetess and Author, producer and host, speaker and literary advocate, has been writing and sharing her compelling poetry and prose for years!  Poetry, She Wrote II,
Dee’s third book- ‘HOT’ off the press -is one of the most informative, captivating, inspirational and breathtaking poetry works of our era. 
Dee has arrived to join the ranks of poetry Goddesses like Dr. Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, Denise Campbell, Jessica Care Moore, Cynthia Highsmith Hooks, Terry A. O’Neal, Alice Walker and Sonia Sanchez!  Her books are undeniably among the most uplifting poetry books of all time; among the few that will stand the test of time,” says, Heather Covington, Editor of DISILGOLDSOUL! Magazine.

 

Dee uses her creativity, passion, love and clarity of voice to serve up imagery and rhythmic rhyme to tickle and delight her readers.  Her previous well received books of poetry, “Oceans of Love: To Us From Us” and Poetry, She Wrote I: Oh, Magnify Him” proved beneficial; gently touching, softly soothing, delightfully awakening, enthusiastically illuminating and fervently healing.  Her lyrical verse peers into the mind, opens the emotional portal to the heart, and grabs at the soul-all seemingly simultaneously. 

 

Her award winning poems have appeared in magazines, anthologies and both local and distant news papers. She writes a monthly book review, article or word of inspiration for the Lansing State Journal.  She works with the Michigan Million Women Movement that sprang out of the MWM (Million Women March) of 1997.  She participates with functions of the

Lansing
School District.  She’s a member of Marguerite Press, Disilgold Soul and Publishing and co-founder of Sisterhood Of The Written Word.  She proudly accepted a commendation from the City and City Council during Black History Month in 2005 for a stirring presentation.  She was selected as a magazine award cover spotlight winner at Disilgold Soul and heavily referred by the YOUnity Reviewers as top poet of the year.  It isn’t uncommon to see Dee Freeman co- hosting poetry readings, slams, competitions and providing tributes and motivational words throughout the
Lansing and surrounding areas.

 

Dee is eloquent, eclectic, and innovative.  She is an advocate for the arts, human development, peace, global equality and cultural diversity.  She sings with a 35 voice group-The Earl Nelson Singers.  Her two year old TV show-Poetree-N-Motion is expanding and is also a hot spot; drawing dynamite guests, who come by and share their wisdom, viewpoints and advice on a variety of topics.  It airs in Lansing on Comcast channel 16 -Thursday @ 3:30PM and East Lansing channel 30 WELM on Tuesday @ 7:00PM and soon to be back in
Detroit on channel 68, daily.

 

Attorney Myron S. Freeman, Sr., the love of
Dee’s life, is also her #1 supporter; inspiring her to write pieces on love and romance, so her manuscript, “Love Ever Flowing,” the third in the ‘Poetry, She Wrote’ series is almost complete.  Her three adult children and grandson-Giovanni, who inspired her children’s book, To Heir Is To Love, give her much happiness.  Her constant message to everyone is, “Being your best self; Be proud, Be productive and Be Blessed”

 

Dee invites your comments and feedback:

www.deepoette.com  or  deekfreeman@yahoo.com

or 1 517 321-3122,
Lansing, Michigan 
48917-4805

 

 

Dee Freeman,

Author, Poet, Literary Advocate,

Producer/Show Host and Speaker for Truth

deekfreeman@yahoo.com or deepoette@yahoo.com

Find pride and inspiration here!

www.deepoette.com

or

See why I quit my J O B!
www.deepoette.ws

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Beverly Black Johnson, Founder of “GUMBO FOR THE SOUL” LITERACY PROGRAM Offers free Literacy Support Ribbon with each pre-order  ”Gumbo for the Soul: the Recipe for Literacy in the Black Community”

Dear Literature Enthusiasts, Healthcare & Educational Professionals, Corporate Executives, Entrepreneurs, and Community and Ministerial Leaders: Beverly Black Johnson, founder of “Gumbo for the Soul” Literacy Program, and compiler of the soon-to-be-published anthology Gumbo for the Soul: the Recipe for Literacy in the Black Community, announces Gumbo for the Soul Literacy Program was created to heighten awareness of the growing high school drop-out rate in the African-American community. Proceeds from the anthology will support funding of the Gumbo for the Soul Literacy Program. Beverly Black Johnson gives Gumbo for the Soul 5 out of 5 rating! Gumbo for the Soul: the Recipe for Literacy in the Black Community encompasses accounts of educational, occupational and personal experiences of overcoming adversity and obstacles with perseverance and determination - eloquently portrayed in delicious poetry, essays, quotes, reflections and gumbo recipes.   1 FREE Literacy Support Ribbon per book pre-ordered The pages are penned by best-selling authors, first-time writers, media personalities, corporate professionals, laypersons, parents, teachers, students and others from all walks of life. Heather Covington, author of Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature (ACGI, www.Amberbooks.com), has written the foreword. Pre-order at: www.gumboforthesoul.com. Gumbo for the Soul: the Recipe for Literacy in the Black Community anthology release date scheduled for early 2007. Remit payment in US currency check or money order to: Gumbo for the Soul, P.O. Box 5193, San Jose, CA 95150 or pay online www.gumboforthesoul.com/11601.html. A two-year effort, this first “Gumbo for the Soul” title is self-published with direction and assistance from iUniverse.com. There are eight impending titles in the queue. The “Gumbo for the Soul” series remains open to agent representation for the future anthologies. We look forward to garnering the attention of a major publisher. Please visit www.gumboforthesoul.com and help support literacy by ordering our Literacy Support Ribbon. Pre-ordering information will be available soon for Gumbo for the Soul: the Recipe for Literacy in the Black Community anthology. Proceeds from the sale of Gumbo for the Soul to benefit Literacy Programs and scholarships for students at all academic levels. Thank you for your support of and dedication to this very important project. Sincerely, Beverly Black Johnson The “Gumbo for the Soul” book cover embraces the bold and beautiful work of Synthia Saint James, fine artist, author, songwriter, and illustrator of the widely  popular Kwanzaa postage stamp. (cover facsimile)

Toni Beckham
408.499.3664
Toni@PRetCetera.com
www.PRetCetera.com

__,_._,___

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Acclaimed filmmaker Rel Dowdell not only will be at one of the largest African-American colleges in the nation at Prairie View University (over 8000 undergrad) in Texas this week, but his also will be interview on the radio by the mayor of the city, Frank Jackson, to discuss the importance and great success of the film as well, a very distinguished honor. Please take a few moments to check out the advertisement spotlight of the event this week below.

Thanks for listening,

James L. Deame

Home » Prairie View A&M University Spotlights

Prairie View A&M Hosts Movie Screening of Train Ride

Friday, January 12, 2007

Prairie View A&M University will host a screening of the movie “Train Ride,” on Thursday, January 18.  Following the screening, the movie’s writer and director Rel Dowdell, will lead a discussion with PVAMU students and attendees on the film’s message and the prevention of sexual violence on college campuses.

One of SONY’s most successful DVD films of 2005, “Train Ride” takes place on the campus of an all-black college and pushes the edge with a thrilling presentation on the issue of date rape.

“Train Ride,” features stars such as Wood Harris (from the hit HBO series “The Wire”), female rap pioneer and recent VH 1 Hip Hop honoree MC Lyte and the late Emmy-award winning actress Esther Rolle.  Dowdell was the last director to work with Esther Rolle before she died in 1998.  Her performance in “Train Ride” was her final one before her death.

The movie screening is free and open to the general public.

 

Who:           Prairie View A&M University

What:         Free screening of movie “Train Ride” with an appearance and discussion by the writer and director Rel Dowdell

Where:       Prairie View A&M University
                    Memorial Student Center (MSC) Auditorium
                    L.W. Minor Street
                    Prairie View, TX 77446

When:        Thursday, January 18, 2007, 7:00 p.m.

About “Train Ride”:

“Train Ride” is a riveting thriller that takes the viewer on an emotional “Train Ride.”  In this urban drama, four college students are forced to pay for their actions after a startling act of sexual violence.  Katrina (MC Lyte) is a college freshman who, after attending a big party on campus, is invited to a smaller private party thrown by Will (Wood Harris), a charismatic senior.  After plenty of drinking, Will and his friends slip a dose of a “date rape” drug into Katrina’s wine. Once Katrina passes out, the upperclassmen violate her.  Will and his cohorts think the whole sordid matter is over the next morning, but it quickly becomes evident that Katrina is not about to forgive or forget.

About Rel J. Dowdell:

Filmmaker Rel Dowdell, received a bachelor’s degree in english from Fisk University and a master’s degree in film from Boston University.  He was the last director to work with the late, Emmy award-winning actress Esther Rolle in his feature-film “Train Ride”.  She also appeared in his multi-award winning shorter film version when he was a graduate student at Boston University.  Dowdell was the first black to win the top prize in filmmaking with his short film “Train Ride”, at Boston University. He also won the Redstone Film Festival with his thesis project short film “Train Ride”.  After the success of the shorter film, Dowdell was courted by a number of producers to adapt his movie into a feature-length film, which had been a celebrated work in small film circles.  In 2005, SONY released the “Train Ride” DVD version with advanced audio and clarity. It has been one of the top selling African-American films in the world on amazon.com for almost 2 years, and was called “one of the best American films” of 2005 by noted film critic Gerald Peary.Currently, Dowdell works as an assistant screenwriting professor at Boston University.

About Prairie View A&M University:

Founded in 1876, Prairie View A&M University is the second oldest public institution of higher education in Texas.  With an established reputation for producing engineers, nurses and educators, PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools.  A member of the Texas A&M University System, the university is dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research and service. During the university’s 130-year history, nearly 48,000 academic degrees have been awarded.  For more information regarding PVAMU, visit www.pvamu.edu.

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Dear Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have finally discovered…

that the world is not ready for the gift of peace you brought to this world…

the world is not ready to accept one another regardless of their race, color, creed or gender…

 the world is not ready to spread your song of harmony and love…

 the world is not ready to understand the importance of your work…

 the world is not ready to stand up to the pain and struggles you endured for little black girls and black boys to walk together…

 the world is not ready to celebrate and support people who resemble your greatness…

 the world is not wealthy, but greedy

the world is not honest, but a liar

the world is  not a team player, but envious

the world is not well, but sick

the world  is not powerful, but weak

The world is not free, it is in bondage with its own curse…

the world cannot celebrate, because the world is not free,

 but I will still carry on your dream for the world although

 I still do not believe that this world wants me to be free!

Copyright 2007. Heather Covington

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 Hello everyone!

Its been a tough five years for me, I’ve lost so much, family members, even my own mother just this Christmas, with a brother who is hospitalized, barely making it now.  Heart failures, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney failures and lung disease has robbed me of so many members within the last five years, only to be told that I too am added to the list of receivers! What a reward, what a test of times?

I have felt like Job from the bible, but I am back with two new novels which will be published this year, The Transfiguration of Faith and The Legendary Cross Road. These are Veterans Stories, and I am a Disabled American Veteran! I always and I am asking you, to keep our service members in your prayers. Now talking about standing on the Ledge of Greatness about to tip over, I am Edith M. Holmes, author of ‘Pressions: Memoirs of a Southern Cat.

Solemnly, I have missed the groups and friends I’ve met while attempting to becoming a published author. I have read the Reviews of ‘Pressions, and do feel honored.  To be included in the 100 Top African American Divas in Literary by Ms. Covington took me away into a land of make believe! The Book is up for a NAACP Award!  Let me thank everyone again, and tell you also, that I always read all the e-mails and enjoyed the information received from each group!

With the Introduction of VAL’s newly received bound of joy into this world, Author of Insight, I have added my own:

Caitlan Ede’ Holmes, my granddaughter. I invite the members and friends of CoalitionofMentorsAndMuses and PalsAndBooks with all the other groups I am a member of  to visit the site of www.KatieEde.com.  She is my youngest humanitarian, keeping the works of my mother and grandmother who previously passed moving onwards.  I am here to tell the world, not all of our African American children thinks materialistic possessions first, there are those who think of others first…I have my own, KatieBear! In the tradition of the Holmes Family, we are humanitarians…have been and will always be! Our homes and hearts are like hotels and motels with the lights always left on. Strangely, it is not for our glorification, it is a blessing received from JAH, who created the Heaven and earth…

Check out this letter that I am sending to the NAACP Awards.  I think it is time to recognize someone who is not in the lamp light, yet the lights that shines is brightly pointing her way.  She is a giver from the heart, so small with big dreams.

NAACP Image Awards

4929 Wilshire Blvd

Suite 310

Los Angeles, CA 90010

imageawards@naacpnet.org

Dear Sir,

Before you open the last envelope for the NAACP Awards, please consider a new Award for the Youngest Humanitarian!

Let me introduce you to Caitlan Ede’ Holmes, a child that helps patients, elderly citizens in America.  She also gives to the Caregivers of these wonderful people.  She is by far the youngest humanitarian with the biggest heart today.  She is only six years old! Caitlan is and will always be what the NAACP stand for, giving! She is beautiful in spirit and soul.

Like a star that appears in the night sky, her rays have started glowing brightly.  She has appeared at 96.3 WJIZ Radio Station in Albany, Georgia, won the Different Maker for the month of November 2006 with D.J. Christopher Pike Sunday Morning Show.  She has appeared on Fox News in Albany, Georgia, WSST-TV 55 in Cordele, Georgia and she is getting ready to tape with WALB-Channel 10 news of Albany, Georgia.  Caitlan has been in the newspapers in Tifton, Cordele and Ashburn, Georgia, telling her story concerning the Elderly. She has her own Web page at WWW.KatieEde.com, featuring all the amazing things she is doing and plans on doing in the future.  She has pictures on the site of many of the elders her small hands and heart has touched.  It is by far the greatest achievement of one so young, the smiles, the hugs and the love that Caitlan is giving. Over four hundred people in Nursing homes, and at homes, she has visited and made her way into their hearts. The look on the faces of those receiving is wondrous. 

Isn’t this what the NAACP stands for? How many other children watching will join with Caitlan, making a difference in the lives of others.  How many can be reached, sending a new messages of old, coming from the NAACP,  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and all of the Civil Rights Workers who has set the standards for a better world for all God’s Children? Yes, Caitlan really believe in “I Have This Dream, her own Teddy Bear Production.

The newspapers stated, “Caitlan helps local patients through the holidays.  She collect stuffed animals for residents of local nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.”

She has given out over 400 Teddy bears during the holidays with help from her family, community and the good wills of citizens in the area. She used her own allowance to accomplished this mission unselfishly. Caitlan was able to deliver the stuffed animals to people in five different counties, including patients of the Tifton Dialysis Clinic.  As one of her family members, I solely wondered how she could do this, Caitlan lost two grandparents in the month of December, her Grandfather and Great Grandmother within two weeks of each other. Unstoppable, Caitlan  continued in the remembrance of them, Willie D. Holmes, the original humanitarian in our family, and her grandfather, Willie Jackson of Ashburn.

I watched her give away bears and I watched her hug, kiss and cry at times while accompanying this feat, “I have this dream.”  It was all amazing to see this little six year old child have compassion for others.  She has taken the last money from the project and mailed it to Feed The Children in Oklahoma City, OK, and the extra bears are going to our local police force and our fire department to be given out to children in distressful situations.

Caitlan on January 18, 2007 is being recognized by our City of Ashburn, she is being given her own local holiday, The Katie Bear Day!

Caitlan Christmas Float won 1st place on December 2, 2006, featuring the Theme of Africa, with Caitlan performing her new CD for the town.  Her float can be viewed at WSST-55 TV in Cordele, Georgia.  She made her CD, My Mama’s FlimFlam, featuring ArVon Johnson, a local Rap Artist in order to make money to buy Teddy Bears for her project, “I Have This Dream.”

Caitlan Holmes isn’t finished yet.  She plans to collect clothing, books and toys this year for the children living in Africa.  She hopes to deliver them herself with the help of our community, her family…if she is lucky, maybe Oprah, Gail and Star will let her travel with them! (Smile…I am a believer!)

Caitlan is back in the Studio now making a new CD called Genie In A Bottle for this purpose, to sell and receive funds for her new project of Feeding the Children and going to Africa with all the gifts she can muster for the children.  She has a Picture Book in development for publication. Caitlan so wants the other young children in America to join her, helping those who can not help themselves.  She is the light of the world, a new world and should be considered for an NAACP for all her humanitarian work.

Special message: Get ready for the Publication of ‘Katie Are You Ready Picture book,’ with over four hundred pictures of Caitlan in her project of giving away bears to the Elderly during the holidays! 

Edith M. Holmes

Author of ‘Pressions: Memoirs of a Southern Cat

Coming Soon:  The Cross Road

and the Transfiguration of Faith!

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Publicity Manager for J. L. Woodson

Macro Publishing Group 888.854.8823

 

J. L. Woodson, author of Superwoman’s Child: Son of a Single Mother

38^{th NAACP Image Awards Nominee for Outstanding Literary Work — Youth/Teens}

 

January 9, 2007 – Los Angeles, CA The 38th NAACP Image Awards Nominations were announced on January 9, 2007 during a press conference at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Vanessa L. Williams, Isaiah Washington, Chandra Wilson, Shaun Robinson and DB Woodside, joined Bruce S. Gordon, President and CEO of the NAACP along with NAACP Image Awards Committee Chairman, Clayola Brown, and Vicangelo Bulluck, Executive Producer, to announce the nominees for the 38th NAACP Image Awards

The NAACP Image Awards honors projects and individuals that promote diversity in the arts in television, recording, literature and motion pictures. The theme of this year’s show is “Youth Create Change. The 38th NAACP Image Awards will air live on Friday, March 2nd (8:00-10:00 .m. ET/PT) on FOX.

This year, over 1,200 entries were received. From those entries, a special committee of 300 industry professionals and NAACP leaders from across the country selected five nominees in each of 35 categories. Any artist, manager, publicist, production company, record label, studio, network or publishing house could submit an entry to the NAACP Image Awards. The final selections are voted.

…

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens

“Copper Sun”—Sharon M. Draper (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing)

“Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott”—Russell Freedman (Holiday House)

“Letters to a Young Brother”—Hill Harper (Gotham Books)

“Maya Angelou”—Donna Brown Agins (Enslow Publishers, Inc.)

“Superwoman’s Child”—J.L. Woodson (Strebor/Atria Books)

 

See the entire list of nominees: www.maacpimageawards.net

About J. L. Woodson (www.jlwoodson.com)

He is a student of Fisk University, the winner of the Coca-Cola, Clear Channel, State Farm Insurance and McDonald’s Youth Leadership Award; winner of the Chicago Urban League’s Youth Entrepreneur Award, recipient of Fisk University’s Talented Tenth Award and many other

- More -

awards and distinctions including Who’s Who Among American High School Students and National Karate Champion. His first novel, The Things I Could Tell You! was published when he was sixteen, followed by How to Win the Publishing Game at seventeen, Breaking the Cycle award-winning anthology at eighteen, and Superwoman’s Child: Son of a Single Mother at nineteen. He resides in Nashville where he is working on his third novel, Circle Until You Land.

About Superwoman’s Child Son of a Single Mother

“What a wonderful tribute to single mothers. You are a true son of Fisk [University].”

Nikki Giovanni, author and poet

“Superwoman’s Child is a heart-warming tribute to all women and a wonderful account of the challenges single mothers face everyday.”

Mary B. Morrison, New York Times Best selling author“J. L. Woodson captures the heart and soul of teenagers today. This novel tells the story of a young man who draws on the wisdom of his loved ones as he struggles to get back on top. Recommended reading for parents and teenagers alike.”Helen Stanton Hawkins, principal

From a young author who has lived through what he writes about, Superwoman’s Child is an eye-opening novel chronicling one teenage son’s struggle with his trouble-filled life. Sure to resonate with parents and teenagers alike, Superwoman’s Child is by turns humorous and heart wrenching—a revealing story of the determined perseverance of one son and the unwavering encouragement of his mother.

Growing up the only male in a house full of women is no easy task. Sometimes the women can be “as sweet as pie,” while other days they turn into something he wouldn’t dare say out loud.

So is the life of Sean Morris, a teenager with an absent father and troubles many would recognize. Even though his father’s been practically missing in action for a while, Sean still wonders if he will ever be there for him, especially now, when he needs him most. Will Sean be able to handle new challenges without a male role model? Or will he come to terms with the fact that the only people he needs in his life are the ones who actually love him—the “superwomen” who are already there?

Available at Walmart, Borders, Barnes & Noble, www.amazon.com and leading and specialty stores nationwide. Bulk purchases for elementary schools, high schools, libraries, colleges and universities libraries at Simon & Schuster (1-800-223-2336); 224 pages, ISBN: 978-1-59309-059-3, $13.00 paperback/$17.95 in Canada.

Publicist for J. L. Woodson, Macro Publishing Group – 888.854.8823 or lissa@macropublishing.com

Contact for the NAACP Image Awards: 323.938.5268

Jennifer Price/The Lippin Group 323-965-1990

# # #

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 (Exclusive photo of Literary Diva Lissa Woodson coming soon. Find out what Lissa Woodson is wearing to the NAACP Image Awards.)

Lissa Woodson
also writing as Naleighna Kai author of
Essence & Black Expressions Bestseller Every Woman Needs a Wife
What happens when a married couple fight for custody of the mistress?
New York Times National Bestseller contributing author
http://www.naleighnakai.com/
http://www.macropublishing.com/
Trade Paperback ISBN: 1593090609
Black Expressions Bestseller Hardcover Item Number: 487444
Available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Walmart and Amazon.com

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GENERATIONAL HERITAGE UNCOVERED WHILE MAKING UPCOMING FILM “STOMP THE YARD”

Like Alex Haley’s “Roots”, Making of new film found Author Gregory Anderson reaching into his past
When Gregory Anderson first sat down to pen the script for the upcoming Sony / Screen Gems film “Stomp the Yard”, while a student at Florida A&M University, the film’s future was nothing more than a dream. Several years later as he prepared to do the rewrite, he found that the story and history of “Stomp the Yard” had a deeper connection to not only his family, but to all African Americans. “At the end of the day, what I discovered about myself and my people, was far more valuable than I could have ever imagined” – Gregory Anderson.

The movie, which opens nationwide January 12, is driven by the unique artform called “Stepping”. Stepping (or “Stomping”) is a rhythmic dance tradition created by African American Fraternities and Sororities. This territory was nothing new to Gregory, who is a member of Omega Psi Phi and whose classmates Will Packer and Rob Hardy (Rainforest Films, Producers of “Stomp the Yard”) are members of Alpha Phi Alpha. But, as Greg crafted the story, he soon realized he had to go deeper. “I had a teacher in High School named Mrs. Hendricks, and she taught us that in life, we have to look beyond the surface of things, the shape of things. No matter how painful or hard, we have to search for what lies beneath, because that is where the truth is”.

Greg always knew he had a long lineage of frat / soror members in his family, dating back to the early decades of the organizations and spanning all the way to today. The key was to uncover the roots of stepping and why it stayed relevant. What he found along the way, was a reconnection he would never forget.

For more of this release go to www.tridestined.com/andersonspeaks

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So you visit a website with a bunch of Frontpage Hyperlinks that you think are linking to intra-site links within a site’s infrastructure when you’ve completed a chapter. Think again. A few of those hyperlinks may be booby-trapped links to paid for click on ads that extract information from your travel history, surfing and even personal stuff about you. You can tell these sites by all of those Google Ads directed toward downloading software. Be careful! Big brother is watching you. Just say no! Leave sites that want you to download information or warn you that your computer may be infected, “DOWNLOAD NOW”. Once you install this spyware, your computer slows down and a lot of other crazy things you never thought computers could do. Your best bet is to buy a daily newspaper. Most media sites are doing nothing more that loading contrived photos for their bogus stories, although entertaining, and linking to legit news resources or regurgitating what was already featured in the news on the same day. Many are safe havens for media conglomerates who build these sites to disclaim the gossip they dish via other resources and its their gossip disguised, quoted by the masses and damaging good folk’s lives with nonsense. Brilliant idea, but you can tell when a media site is fishy  when you can’t put a face to the OWNER , nor a verifiable name that owns up to the garbage they dish, and for a while has been some of my dear friends from multi-industries. It’s a pure disgrace, but you can fight back at this sites damaging your folks from your industry by docoumenting and downloading every contrived post for 6 months to a year, and then forming a petition to have the site shut down completely. You’d be surprised what people can do with 100,000 signatures. Now don’t get me wrong, some folks like the attention, and  they know who they are, but AUTHORS, don’t sell yourself cheap with gossip and controversy. You have a long career, and once the hype about any controversy is over, so are you. Always think integrity, and especially if you are a DisilgoldSOUL.   Keep your mind focused on quality media. Remember, most news must come from a verifiable source that is the standard or  it is just gossip and stupid hype that wastes your energy from getting the news you need to succeed and stay motivated as writers. 

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WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND TONYA’S BOOKS ON ALL LEGAL MATTERS! HERE IS SOME NEWS YOU DIDN’T KNOW

From the Desk of Tonya Evans-Walls Legal Write Publications
Date: Jan 11 2007 4:53 PM

“Did you know that regardless of the terms of your transfer document (e.g., a publishing agreement or a license), you have the right to reclaim your copyright? Discussion about this little-known legal right for authors is just starting to emerge in the publishing industry. Publishers, for instance, may not want authors to know that the “life of copyright” term in most publishing agreements can be rendered null and void if a statutory termination is properly effected. But because different versions of the copyright law apply to different works, depending on when they were created, registered, and transferred, and depending on who transferred the rights, there are different rules for terminating transfers of those works to third parties.

I will examine only those transfers made on or after January 1, 1978 (not pre-1978 transfers that have slightly different rules); but if you have a specific question regarding a potential transfer termination, please contact an intellectual property attorney who is well versed in literary law and transfer termination issues. This is tough stuff even for lawyers so err on the side of caution and consult with an expert to address your specific concerns.”

So if you want to learn how to reclaim your copyright after transferring it to a publisher or someone else, check out my Blog for more information.

And continue to Write and Shine!

Tonya Evans-Walls
Author, Copyright Companion for Writers
www.literarylawguide.com

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Write Your Way Through

Writer’s Conference January 13th, 2007

The Loudermilk Center 40 Courtland Street Atlanta, GA 30303

“REGISTRATION  TIME FOR THE CONFERENCE STARTS AT 8AM - 9AM”

visit www.urbanmoonpublishing.net for additional information 

Come mix and mingle share your knowledge or just simply share your stories with established as well as writers on the rise. Grab your book club partner and find out who should be your next literary adventure. You don’t want to miss this event. (*Itinerary subject to change*)

- The state of LGBT books - Opening session and welcome - JL King

- Getting down to the business of writing. Everything you need to know to become successful and stay successful (Shunda Leigh, Editor in Chief, The Booking Matters magazine)

- How I self published my books and survived (what is the secret to my success) - Deardria Nesbitt facilitates a discussion with established and up and coming authors

- Writers of the Storm – Hear writers, poets, spoken word artists (Sign up with your registration)

- Reinventing yourself: writing for the multimedia (TV, Film, Commercials, Magazines, niche markets, blogs, etc.).

- Marketing your book: In search of an audience/publisher/agent - What are they looking for?

- Working with bookstores and book distributors

The greatest networking for the success of your next book.

Invited guests are Publishers, Publicists, Agents, etc.

Urban Moon Publishing proudly announces the first annual writers/publishing conference for the LGBT community on January 13, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia. Write Your Way Through, LGBT Writers Conference “Writing In the Spirit of James Baldwin”. This exciting comprehensive and informative one day workshop will offer aspiring writers inside information and education on how to become a successful writer as well as a published author.

The host, New York Times Best Selling Author and publisher JL King, along with co-host, best-selling author Deardria Nesbitt will facilitate this exciting event. JL King’s vision is to produce a platform for LGBT best selling authors and other industry professionals to share their knowledge and their secrets to publishing success with the attendees. Write Your Way Through is open to all writers, authors and anyone interested in any kind of writing, from books, multimedia as well as Film and Television.

The Write Your Way Through LGBT Writers Conference is being sponsored by Just Living Magazine, Booking Matters Magazine, GATe WAY Publishing, Brothers Well Read book club, Barnes and Noble bookstores, and a slate of other supporters of the Black LGBT community of Atlanta. For sponsorship information, please contact Urban Moon Publishing at www.urbanmoonpublishing.net or urbanmoonpub@yahoo.com.

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