DrumBeats Magazine
Monthly Book Club
Book Club Topics
Directories
Diversity by Region
"Quiet Heroes: The
Grandmothers Who Have Enriched Our Lives"
Las Vegas, NV (BlackNews.com 2/17/09) - Dr. Farrah Gray, celebrity, entrepreneur, best-selling author and NNPA columnist, is calling on all Quiet Heroes - Grandmothers - and their beneficiaries to share the love and inspiration that sent them on their way to a life of success and happiness. [continue]
| Join E-Mail List | Submission Guidelines | Advertising |
Email us at: bookclub@dvercity.com
Send review copies to: Book Club c/o DverCITY, P.O. Box 0733, Niceville, FL 32588
Publisher Introduces "Occasion Literature--Fiction for Change"
Bookcover |
Author - Kim L. Dulaney |
Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com 2/17/09) - Third World Press, the publisher of Covenant with Black America releases Where I've Been the latest title by Kim L. Dulaney, controversial author of I Can Fly: The R. Kelly Story, Star Struck: An American Epidemic and The Beautiful Ones. Where I've Been, set to be released February 21, 2009, is a collection of short and flash fiction urban-themed tales meant to incite discussion and give cause for gathering.
According to the book's author, the book supports the notion that art is and should intentionally be propagandist. "Everything created for public consumption has an intended purpose. My work's purpose is to give folks a substantive literary cocktail: something mind-altering and potent they can gather around to experience and enjoy, leisurely. It's occasion literature -- meant to be shared."
The 80-page paperback book sells for $12.95 and is available through Third World Press and all major booksellers.
Book Signing Event:
Saturday, February 21, 2009 - 1pm-3pm
Borders Books - 2210 West 95th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60643
Book Description:
Contemporary urban America comes alive in this eclectic compilation
of short and flash fiction with an inner-city aesthetic filtered
through the brevity of hip-hop culture. A wide variety of strong
voices and unforgettable characters are united by the humorous and
unusual predicaments in which they find themselves. Many of the
stories tackle contemporary psychological and sociological issues.
Stories like "Simple," "The Faucet," and "Getting to Know Him"
demonstrate a wonderful ear for the lilt of the spoken language
while portraying everyday drama. Other engaging tales like "Chicken"
and "Cleaving to the Man" prove how thought-provoking entertainment
can be. These quick slices of life and easily consumable vignettes
aim for a sophistication not common in most urban fiction.
Kim L. Dulaney is a Professor of English, and an African
American Studies teacher. She is the author of
The Beautiful Ones,
Star Struck: An American Epidemic and several children's
books. She lives in Chicago. For author info, visit
www.readme4.com
Third World Press - For more than forty years, Third World Press has brought Black literature and thought to the center of the literary community. By providing a showcase for the vital works of best selling authors and the prosperous words of emerging literary talent, Third World Press solidifies its position as one of the most important publishers of progressive Black discourse and critique.
New York, NY (BlackNews.com 2/12/09) - KeepingUpBooks.com is the first ever networking and one-stop shopping website for new and self-published authors. It's a full service company for that writer who has become frustrated with the process of trying to get published. KeepingUpBooks.com launches on February 16, 2009.
The competition to get published is fierce with approximately 1,000 new books being published/self-published each week. KeepingUpBooks.com keeps it real because we know when publishers ask, "What makes your book different?" or "Why should I publish your book?" It doesn't mean that they will consider adding an unknown author to their list. They just want to see if you are passionate and enthusiastic enough to do it yourself. Not to brag but we don't concern ourselves with the publishers because we know that for every person who writes a book there are thousands of people ready to read it. They just need to know where to find it.
KeepingUpBooks.com works with writers and authors from the initial typing of your manuscript to a polished professional book that is ready to compete in the marketplace. Our experienced Self-published Specialists take the guesswork out of what you as an author should do next. They eliminate much of the stress and frustration associated with the process of getting published.
KeepingUpBooks.com will reveal the predators in the publishing businesses who make a profit from your inexperience. No, our services aren't free, they are reasonable when you consider we practically hold your hand through the entire process. Nobody held our hands and we learned many valuable lessons and now we're passing that knowledge on to writers, authors, and self-published want-to-bees'.
The owners of KeepingUpBooks.com, P. Sprattling and Pat Myatt are both in the publishing industry. Mr. Sprattling has 30-years of experience in the editorial and entertainment field while Ms. Myatt is a seasoned self-published author and screenwriter. Ms. Myatt published her first book, Keepin' Up With the Joneses: Secrets the Banks Don't Want You to Know through the School of Hard Knocks, "Which can be a painful education when you don't know where to go or who to trust." Both of KeepingUpBooks.com's partners feel the time has come for writers and self-published authors to have a support system that is reliable, professional, and vested in the author's success. KeepingUpBooks.com is the right system to provide that service.
"Quiet Heroes: The
Grandmothers Who Have Enriched Our Lives"
Las Vegas, NV (BlackNews.com 2/17/09) - Dr. Farrah Gray, celebrity, entrepreneur, best-selling author and NNPA columnist, is calling on all Quiet Heroes - Grandmothers - and their beneficiaries to share the love and inspiration that sent them on their way to a life of success and happiness.
Inspired by his very own Grandmother's words of wisdom, guidance and compassion, Dr. Gray is looking for contributing writer submissions for his new book entitled Quiet Heroes: The Grandmothers Who Have Enriched Our Lives -- Inspirational Letters of Wit, Wisdom and Worth Delivered Through Grandmothers and Their Grandchildren.
Much like Grammy-award-winning songwriter Bill Withers' "Grandma's Hands," which has touched generation after generation with its moving message, this compelling book's content will serve as a guide for both children and adults alike seeking wisdom, comfort and encouragement. The book, while inspirational in nature, will also provide an ode to the mature matriarchs of millions of families, dishing up soothing scoops of advice on everything from perseverance to handling personal relationships. Quiet Heroes will share the amazing grace, kindness, love and wisdom grandmothers have bestowed on so, so many of our leaders, public figures and just regular folk.
Indeed, even President-elect Barack Obama gets emotional when he speaks of his late grandmother, who he is quick to credit with instilling the values, the discipline and the compassion he is carrying with him to the White House as President of the United States and leader of the free world.
This exciting new book will focus on the poignant wisdom often taken for granted in our everyday lives, the golden advice of our sage-like family matriarchs, OUR GRANDMOTHERS.
Quiet Heroes: The Grandmothers Who Have Enriched Our Lives, a marvelous collection of grandchildren and grandmothers and their inspiring stories, will be a timeless piece that will be treasured in today's troubled world and for generations to come. Celebrities, politicians and heroes from all walks of life will share their "Grandma experiences," many of which that have inspired them to great things, or just to get through a troubling time in their lives.
Dr. Gray is looking for that uniquely plainspoken and highly principled guidance that only a Grandmother could deliver from years of experience and observation, pearls of wisdom that transcend time and place.
A very successful entrepreneur, Dr. Gray himself attributes much of his personal success to the simple but powerful guidance he received from his own grandmother, propelling him to pinnacles of accomplishment. Passing it forward, he is now graciously providing a worldwide forum for other persons of achievement to share the unsung stories and wisdom of those Quiet Heroes that propelled them to the top of their game -- their beloved Grandmothers.
Quiet Heroes is specifically looking for sharply-insightful and compassionate stories that highlight a Grandmother's unique perspective, principles, sayings and sage advice which can serve as universal jewels of wisdom for book readers seeking success and achievement in their personal or professional lives. Submissions should be 500 words or less and can be sent directly to the Farrah Gray Foundation at the email address provided below.
Letters and stories from grandmothers and those inspired by a grandmother or someone like a grandmother.
Your Grandmother's wisdom and personal story profiling the prudent vision that helped guide you to your destinations in life. And Grandmothers themselves are welcome to submit letter on love, life, inspiration and hope. If their work is chosen for publication, writers will receive $50 per story, along with publication of their 50-word biography before a national and international readership.
Submissions should be sent to:
Danielle Jean-Jacques, danielle@farrahgrayfoundation.org.
Submissions will be taken through April 1, 2009.
New York, NY (BlackNews.com 2/2/09) - Resilience Multimedia, publisher of the widely praised book, Think Outside the Cell: An Entrepreneur's Guide for the Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated, has announced the winners of its writing contest for people who are or were in prison, and their loved ones. The winning stories will be included in books in Resilience's Think Outside the Cell Series, which is intended to help the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated tackle hard challenges and have successful lives. In the process, the series will present a fairer, more balanced image of those who've spent time behind prison walls.
"We were moved by the honesty and power of the many stories we received," said Sheila Rule, president of Resilience Multimedia. "We thank everyone who entered. And although the contest has ended, we invite others to contact us if they have work they'd like to offer for the series."
Contestants were asked to submit stories about actual events on one or more of these topics: reentering society after incarceration, waiting for loved ones to return home from prison, and prison marriages and relationships. Three winners were chosen for each topic, receiving $300 for first place, $150 for second place, and $75 for third place. For the topic prison marriages and relationships, there was a third-place tie, with each writer receiving $75.
Reentering society after
incarceration:
1st Place: Tion Terrell, Pound, VA
2nd Place: Esther Morales Guzman, San Diego, CA
3rd Place: Delores Mariano, Anaheim, CA
Waiting for loved ones to return
home from prison:
1st Place: Lawrence J. Schulenberg, Council Bluffs, IA
2nd Place: Kimberly Milberg, Massachusetts
3rd Place: Zee Mink-Fuller, Burleson, TX
Prison marriages and
relationships:
1st Place: Tanea Lunsford, San Francisco, CA
2nd Place: Joel Williams, Ione, CA
3rd Place: (tie) Daniel Skalla, Rockwell City, IA/Lise Porter, San
Diego, CA
Many stories that did not win cash prizes are still eligible for inclusion in the series. Writers whose stories are published will receive a free copy of the book in which their work appears.
St. Louis, MO June 2007 -- Author/ Freelance Writer Zekita Tucker brings you the new and more powerful revised edition of her highly controversial children’s book titled “Don’t Call Me N!gga”. This daring and critically honest book has kept both children and adults in amazement at the shockingly open display of emotions and the realistic language used by this books’ characters.
Already, “Don’t Call Me N!gga” has generated an enormous buzz across the country throughout many African American communities. Since its first publication in March 2006, “Don’t Call Me N!gga” has been featured by ABC World News on the very popular news site ABCnews.com, has made cover stories in African American newspapers and websites. Zekita Tucker has been interviewed by a Black Enterprise reporter for her courageous work on “Don’t Call Me N!gga” as well as the very popular The Ave. Magazine, and she has also been a guest on the Roland S. Martin Show, who is a CNN News commentator (Chicago) and The Intersection w/ Rebecca Roberts (DC).
Teaching your children about the affects of language is a great way to help them conquer some unforeseen battles in their lives. “Don’t Call Me Nigga” now published and reprinted by Zeniam Publications, written by Zekita and illustrated by Matthew Schultz, is a perfect tool for parents who want to combat the use of the ‘N’ word with their children but may not have other effective tools or resources. It is a perfect tool for children of all ages and is recommended for 8 years old and up.
The story focuses on the history of the so called ‘N’ word, its negative connotations, and its impact on the African American community. In this book the two main characters are faced with two very common dilemmas- conflict and self respect. This is the first children’s book that has ever addressed such a powerful issue in the African American community. Your children will be able to enjoy and learn from a story about children who look like them, use the same language codes, and may have similar viewpoints on the world. This book is a must read for all! It tackles responsibility for actions and the power of language. Zekita Tucker serves the community as an author and freelance writer. She is the Founder and CEO of Zeniam Publications, a company that offers literary services to both independent authors/ writers as well as businesses .
She has written many controversial articles about the problems in African American communities for newspapers across the country. Some of her many insightful works have appeared in the ABCnews.com Website, Award Winning St. Louis American Newspaper, Black Star News, Emerging Minds, Westside Gazette, The Indianapolis Recorder, The Black Suburban Journal (NJ Ed.), Gambia.net, The Jackson Advocate, Black Britain Magazine, and the very popular black British website Tytecurl.com and Timbooktu.
“Don’t Call Me N!gga” will be available for order in June 21, 2007 through publisher/ author, by call in order through Barnes& Noble (if it is not already on local shelf), and available at Amazon.com.
Don’t Call Me N!gga (Revised Edition) - ISBN# 978-1-60402-249-0
Washington, DC (BlackNews.com 11/20/06) - There is a new rush to Africa with celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi, Chris Tucker and Isaiah Washington tracing their roots back to Africa. The Africa focused radio magazine, "Africa Meets Africa" on Pacifica Radio's WPFW 89.3 FM is taking its agenda up close and personal, extending its platform and mission beyond the airwaves. Host & Executive Producer, Angelique Shofar is bringing the spirit of Africa alive, inspiring closer ties between people of African descent and the continent, putting ideas into action, while expanding vision and hope for a new Africa.
On Sunday, November 19th people will gather at the entry of the door of no return. This month's theme is "BACK TO MY ROOTS". Shofar plans on taking her audience back to Africa and empowering them with words, resources, wisdom and the tools needed to trace their roots through DNA Genealogy.
According to DNA Tribes President, Lucas Martin, "Our DNA test kits include an African Panel which specifically measures a persons genetic conditions to individual ethnic and national populations." The question is, to what extent would one's life be transformed through the discovery of their past and place of origin in Africa. Priscilla's Homecoming reunited the Gullah people of South Carolina's Sea Islands and the people of Sierra Leone. Charlotte Maize of Tampa, Florida explains her journey as, "a spiritual awakening that brought an unexplainable sense of peace to me." Now she travels back and forth to what she now calls her real home. Many say it is a dream they can not afford. But for a few lucky individuals, on that evening they will leave with a DNA test kit that will make their roots and cultural identity a reality!
Each month Africa Meets Africa Live! will focus on a particular theme or topic that impacts the lives of Africans. It takes place at Bukom Cafe, 2442 18th Street NW, Washington, DC. The doors open at 7:30pm for meet and network, the program begins at 9:00pm.
The guest line up includes James E. White, Author of "Roots Recovered: The How to Guide for Tracing African American and West Indies Roots Back to Africa and Going There, For Free or On a Shoestring Budget," Gina Paige, President of African Ancestry. There will be live entertainment by Comedienne Freddi Vernell, Poetry by spoken word artist, Men Maa Aim Ra, Art décor by Iroko Gallery and live music from the new band "Rebel Vibes". The event is sponsored by Bukom Cafe, DNA Tribes, Roots Recovered and Iroko Gallery. Proceeds go to the "Explore Africa" cultural holistic project for school-aged children and WPFW.
**NOTE: Author James White & Liberian Talk Show Host, Angelique Shofar invite you to join them on a voyage to Africa in July 2007 for the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso. The trip will include other West African countries. Visit www.rootsrecoveredtravel.com for travel to Africa and all your travel needs.
Tune in to "Africa Meets Africa" with host, Angelique Shofar on Sundays at 9:00pm on 89.3 FM WPFW and live on the web at www.wpfw.org and inquire about the Voyage to Africa in 2007.
Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com 11/20/06) - A Cry for Light: A Journey into Love, by author Janet Alston Jackson is the winner of the "Christian Inspiration" Award from USA Book News "2006 Best Books."
This powerful memoir follows a Hollywood publicist seeking help for her adopted son whose behavior tears her family apart. Surprisingly Jackson finds herself on an inner journey leading to her Spiritual Self, and finally regains her detached son. The true, inspirational story is a voice for frustrated parents who do everything they can to raise their children right, but still their kids go down the wrong path.
USA Book News calls A Cry for Light, "An amazing book filled with love, power, and mindfulness of how each and every one of us can make a difference in this world." A Cry for Light which is not just a book for parents, unveils how detached relationships in families can be healed through mindfulness and love.
"I had to learn how to live in the moment practicing Mindfulness to get out of God's way so that I could be directed how to connect with my son who was abused in foster care," says Jackson. "Most of us pray, but few of us listen to our inner wisdom that guides us. Living in the moment gives us that peace and direction especially in our darkest times."
Jeff Bowen, president and publisher of USABookNews.com, said this year's Best Books contest yielded an unprecedented number of over 1200 entries. "The 2006 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States," says Bowen. Winners and finalists traversed the publishing landscape: Simon & Schuster, Warner Books, New American Library a division of the Penguin Group, Red Wheel Weiser and Conari, New World Library, and hundreds of independent press titles contributed to this year's outstanding Best Books Award competition.
Janet Alston Jackson was a publicist for CBS and ABC Television Networks, and a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children. She was in the ministry for four years, and studied with three Zen masters, including Thich Nhat Hahn, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ms. Jackson, a Behavioral Consultant, is the co-owner of Self Awareness Trainings with her husband, Walter H. Jackson, author Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family. The couple facilitate effective communications and stress management workshops to a variety of audiences including parents, teachers, executives, health care workers, law enforcement, and entertainment professionals. For more information, contact them at (818) 899-8812 or info@SelfAwarenessTrainings.com
A Cry for Light is available on Amazon.com, or JanetaJackson.com
A surge in violence made St. Louis the most dangerous city in the country, where Kobalt Books was founded and its title “The Hoodlum Preacher” is centered. With all the discussion about the crime in the city, Kobalt Books has decided to show graphic visuals, so that people are 100% sure that their mid-west story is real, and that there is hope after all. Kobalt Books has released a video for one of its titles called “The Hoodlum Preacher”, in which over 50% of the book takes place in St. Louis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2N2ijI3420
St. Louis, MO (BlackNews.com 11/20/06) - In a time when people are more mindful of the violent negativity that has cast a dark shadow on St. Louis, Kobalt Books has decided to release one of many videos to come, where individuals can actually connect with the author of “The Hoodlum Preacher”, Burton Barr Jr., who has actually lived and survived that street-life that is so well reported in the news today.
“You can get the news from anywhere, but when you want the understanding, you have to listen to someone who has actually lived and survived the harsh realities of America’s Most Dangerous City”, says Cedric Mixon, founder of Kobalt Books.
“The Hoodlum Preacher” is A TRUE STORY about a minister on the run, from St. Louis to Chicago, fighting for his life as he struggles with the consequences of getting caught up in the drug-world and street-life. Wanted by the police in over a half-dozen jurisdictions, and arrested over 30 times – Burton Barr Jr., had done everything possible to ruin his life.
As the City of St. Louis spends millions of dollars on urban renewal, Kobalt Books takes a different approach since this is the city that it was founded. “The murder-rate may have cast a dark shadow on St. Louis, but Kobalt Books is going to show people the light -- Just as it was given to me, when my father was murdered in this very city”, says Mixon.
“I’ve heard people say that they wished the media didn’t promote the negativity of the city of St. Louis – Just as some people prematurely assumed that ‘The Hoodlum Preacher’ promoted negativity, because of its title. However, ‘The Hoodlum Preacher’ is a true story about someone who survived situations that claimed the lives of nearly everyone that he had come in contact with”, says Mixon.
“You can hear for yourself, directly from the author in the video to draw your own conclusions. The truth speaks for itself, and all of the things that are talked about in ‘The Hoodlum Preacher’ are verifiable. When Burton Barr Jr. talks about being in prison, he gives the dates, his inmate numbers, and the names of the institutions”, says Mixon
“When you have a testimony as strong as “The Hoodlum Preacher”, centered in the belly of a place like St. Louis, you have to visually take people to a place where they can see the truth. This story is unique and the world needs to hear it just as it happened. One thing’s for sure -- In a time when people can believe almost none of what they hear, eventually they will gravitate only towards the truth that is visually put before them”, says Mixon.
Kobalt Books released this video for “The Hoodlum Preacher” on YouTube to clarify the negative reservations that people have towards the title, and the city of St. Louis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2N2ijI3420
Kobalt Books publishes non-fiction books that are actually true stories. Even the fiction books are based on true stories, presenting real life stories real people.
New Video for The Hoodlum Preacher:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2N2ijI3420
Book Cover Picture:
www.kobaltbooks.com/THP_FrontCover.jpg
Founder of Kobalt Books Picture:
www.kobaltbooks.com/CedricHeadShot300dpi.jpg
[Arts and Entertainment]
| About Us | News and Articles | Shopping | DVC Business Network | Communities | FAQs | Yellow Pages | Advertising | Site Map | Home |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
