BV on Books

50 Cent to Write Anti-Bullying Book for Kids

The BV Staff — 2011-06-20T13:30:00+00:00

From Mediabistro:

Hip-hop artist Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson will write a semi-autobiographical novel called Playground. The young-adult book stars "a thirteen-year-old schoolyard bully who finds redemption as he faces what he's done."

Read the whole story: Mediabistro

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Jennifer Hudson Inks Deal With Dutton to Write Weight Loss Memoir

The BV Staff — 2011-06-07T15:22:00+00:00

Filed under: Health

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Add author to Jennifer Hudson's resume.

The Academy Award-winning actress and singer has inked a deal with Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Group, to pen a memoir detailing her struggles with weight.

The still-untitled book, due in January 2012, will also expand on how she shed 80 lbs.

Hudson has had her share of weight ups and downs.

Dubbed "the big girl" as a contestant on season 3 of American Idol, she transformed her body for her Oscar-winning turn as Effie in Dreamgirls by gaining more than 20 lbs.

Read more here.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Black App! African-American Kid's E-Book Links Culture & Character

The BV Staff — 2011-06-03T09:02:00+00:00

Filed under: Children's

From NewsOne:

The African-American presence in the technology space has been enhanced with the recent release of the first digital storybook for kids, "A Song for Miles." Written by Dr. Tiffany S. Russell, "A Song for Miles" uses black musical history to teach children important life lessons. Launched to coincide with the start of Black Music Month, "A Song for Miles" was conceived and produced by a 100% African-American team. Here's more:

"A Song for Miles by Dr. Tiffany S. Russell takes children on a colorful and interactive musical journey. Through the lyrics of soul songs by artists like Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, and Fire and Marvin Gaye, children learn the meaning of determination, kindness, and love. The digital book nurtures children's inquisitive nature and love of music and sounds, all while teaching valuable lessons and the importance of having good character.

A Song for Miles links with a school-based character education curriculum. The story creatively aligns with character traits such as initiative, compassion, civility, respect, empathy, responsibility, and perseverance. Character development is an integral part of raising respectful and happy children and A Song for Miles appeals to parents as it creates a platform for values discussions. Children enjoy the colorful pages while parents and music lovers appreciate the musical content and paying tribute to their favorite soul music artists. [...]"

Read more here.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Life Lessons, Plainly Told

The BV Staff — 2011-05-31T08:14:00+00:00

Filed under: Author Updates

From Philly.com:

If you've read anything by best-selling author J. California Cooper, you know that she would quickly tell you that basking in the spotlight is like making a direct call to the devil. Humans are their most foolish, she says, when they aren't humble.

Extolling these simple truths has made the 79-year-old California native a favorite among generations of readers. Her books, which include seven short-story collections and five novels, are all about learning life's obvious lessons.

Cooper's latest novel, 'Life Is Short but Wide' (Anchor Books, 2009), was on the New York Times best-seller list for weeks. Philadelphia singer Jill Scott refers to Cooper as "brilliant. One of the best writers of all times." She's also a favorite of Nikki Giovanni, Halle Berry, and former first lady Laura Bush. She has earned scores of accolades and literary awards including the American Book Award in 1989.

On Thursday, Cooper will add one more honor to her prestigious collection: a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Philadelphia-based Art Sanctuary's 27th Annual Celebration of Black Writing. Past recipients include poet Sonia Sanchez and novelists Walter Mosley and Terry McMillan.

Interview With an Author: Muhammad Ibn Bashir on the American Legal System; Young Black Males Often Seen as Criminals

Lynette Holloway — 2011-03-31T23:59:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews, Hot Picks, Reviews

As a criminal attorney for 23 years, Muhammad Ibn Bashir has seen a lot, both in the courtroom and behind closed doors with clients, many of whom are young men of color.

"There are basically three things to consider when discussing the incarceration of young black men,'' he said in an e-mail interview. "They are as follows: your own actions, the actions of others and the perception that young black male equals criminal.''

'Raw Law: An Urban Guide to Criminal Justice' lays bare details behind America's criminal justice system. In 2009, 563,500 black men were housed in state and federal prisons, according to the Bureau of Justice's December 2010 report, the largest number were between the ages of 25 to 39.

Additionally, Bashir has dealt with some of the nation's most difficult cases, including serving as co-counsel in the World Trade Center bombing trial. He talks to BlackVoices.com about his new book and his thoughts on the criminal justice system.

BlackVoices.com: To what do you attribute the large number of incarcerated black men, and why is mass incarceration so prevalent within the black community?

Muhammad Ibn Bashir: Many of the young black males that I see in criminal justice are there based on their own foolish conduct. That conduct is usually based on their emotions and/or their ignorance of the system. No one is teaching our children to think critically, and thus, all they have as a frame of reference when confronted with a decision is emotion. Ignorance of your own plight and your surroundings is a recipe for disaster and since America has always fought against the education of young black males, incarceration is a disaster waiting to happen.

Mass incarceration is the product of a very American legal concept, which was articulated by the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Dred Scott case that "A black man has no right that a white man is bound to respect." Slavery as an institution meant that white males did not have to compete for jobs, homes, land or families with their black male counterparts. White America profited enormously from that peculiar institution. What would make them want to change it? Morality has never trumped capitalism and it still does not.Look at the time when mass incarceration became en vogue. It happened directly on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement when white America was being forced by the courts to share the resources. For the first time in history, a black man could get a job, loan or college seat to the perceived detriment of white men. White America struck back by declaring "Law and Order," a "War on Drugs" and attacked the black community with the criminal justice system (the grandchild of slavery). The ultimate reality is mass incarceration and, thus, the continuance of white supremacy. As part of this attack, the perception was created that young, black and male meant criminal, and because young black males have no education about what is happening to them, they fall victim to their historical ignorance.

BV: What are a couple of the most widely believed myths when it comes to people dealing with the criminal justice system? Please set the record straight for our readers.

MIB: The biggest myth is that there is something called a fair trial. For example, in Illinois, the governor just repealed the death penalty. (1) He did so because he recognized that a trial can never guarantee that you convicted the right person. Three hundred-plus exonerations based on DNA evidence demonstrated that. (2) He did so because he could not guarantee that the police did not fabricate evidence to implicate people. The discovery that Chicago police officers tortured confessions out of black suspects also helped convince him. (3) He discovered that prosecutors charge blacks differently than they do whites, that penalties are enforced differently against blacks as opposed to whites. In other words, racism is alive and well in the criminal justice system. Frankly, he acted on something he should have known all along, but when your victim is black and valueless, why bother considering it as anything other than the cost of doing business?

In Pennsylvania, it was discovered that judges were funneling offenders to particular juvenile facilities. These judges maintained the myth of being fair and impartial until it was disclosed that they were receiving millions of dollars in kickbacks to send kids to these institutions. There can be no justice without fairness and there can be no fairness with all the variables that the culture will never address, until the system begins to impact on the white community, as in this case of the white juveniles who were exposed in this scam at the Pennsylvania facilities.
The second biggest myth is that a paid lawyer is better than a public defender. The issue is skill, access and heart. Just because you retained a lawyer, doesn't mean he/she has any of the qualities you need. And just because the public defender appears aloof, arrogant and often condescending, doesn't mean he or she does not have the skill to handle your matter. The best way to deal with this issue is to watch the lawyer work. Public or private is a question of your needs and your comfort level, but there are quite a few incompetent jerks on both sides of this debate.

BV: As someone who has represented far too many young people who have either intentionally or unintentionally had run-ins with the criminal justice system, are there any cases in which you feel you've been able to make a difference? If so, what happened that allowed you to get through to that client, for him or her to actually hear you and change their lives?

MIB: Once I represented a young black male who was acquitted at his criminal trial. During the time I represented him, he was your typical street thug charged with armed robbery. He thought he had all the answers even without knowing the question. We would debate and argue and fight about what it was like to grow up in the "streets" and I would tell him that the key to his future was his willingness to work for it. I also told him that education was his key to getting out of the hood or staying in the hood as someone who fights to change it, versus someone working to destroy it. His grandmother told me that he now has a bookstore with a section he calls "Bashir's Sayings.''

The saying that I understand he loves the most is, "If you don't stand for something, you stand for nothing." His grandmother said that he told her that he changed his life because no one ever fought for him before. He said that while in court, I made him sound like someone important, someone worthy of respect. He also said that no one ever fought with him so hard. It was the fact that I would take the time to argue with him and discuss life that made him read so he could have a better argument whenever we met. The bookstore now satisfies his appetite for the same learning that he gathered from our arguments and discussions.

BV: What do you think are the most important lessons that people will get from reading 'Raw Law'?

MIB: There are two important lessons. The first is the cliché: "Knowledge is power." That simply means that you are in such a better position to make decisions about your own life if you have information. This book gives you information. And who does it empower? All ages and people from all backgrounds have found something they can identify with in this book. Teenagers and those who have been incarcerated are calling me or writing me saying they learned something. Parents and grandparents are calling me to say thanks for the information. Teachers are structuring their classes to include the book as a part of their curriculum. It's clear that when you know better, you can do better.

The second lesson is that for everyone willing to read it, the book gives you something you can identify with personally. These are the stories that you hear at your barbershop or your front steps with the added bonus of learning how the law and the system really impacts upon you. When I say that the best way to avoid injustice is to avoid this monster called criminal justice, you now know the reason why.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Cairo Follows in the Salacious Footsteps of Zane

Lynette Holloway — 2011-03-31T18:33:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews, Hot Picks, Reviews, Fiction, Romance & Erotica

'Deep Throat Diva' is a game changer in the erotica book genre.

The novel, written by the author who writes under the nom de plume Cairo, ups the ante in the style that was popularized nearly 14 years ago by his publisher, Zane.

The book is a great and sexy read, but not in an Anaïs Nin sort of way. More in a leave nothing, like really nothing, to the imagination sort of way. And if that's your thing, you won't want to miss 'Deep Throat Diva.'

It is the story of Pasha, a successful hairstylist who engages in online hook-ups with strangers while her fiancé, Jasper, is locked up in prison. Since she vowed not to have intercourse while he was gone, she justifies that having oral sex is still being faithful.

When her gangster fiancé returns home, her online life continues to beckon, forcing her to make serious choices.

Cairo chatted recently with BlackVoices.com.

BlackVoices: All of your books are sexually explicit, such as 'Daddy Long Stroke' and 'The Kat Trap.' Are you upping the ante for erotica? What does your publisher, Zane, the queen of erotica, have to say about all of this?

Cairo: Yes, in some ways, I believe I am most definitely upping the ante. But I also believe I'm writing things that many people already think about (or dream about) doing to their partners, but don't actually have the guts to. So, through my raw, raunchy writing, I'm allowing readers to live vicariously through all of my characters.

Truthfully, Zane has been one of my biggest supporters. She believes in me. And she believes in my ability to bring the heat.BV: Do any of your characters resemble you in any way? Be honest! Real talk.

C: (Laughs) I get asked this often. Okay, real talk. Since I am able to write in both male and female voice, I can't actually say that any of them resemble me in any way. But I can say there are sex scenes that resemble some of what I have experienced between the sheets at one time or another. And, nah... I don't kiss and tell, so I won't say which ones.

BV: How do you develop your characters?

C: I meditate and travel a lot, which allows me to conjure up images of characters. I typically start with a title, then create my characters.

BV: Is Pasha depraved and indifferent to what it means to be in a committed relationship?

C: Unfortunately, Pasha, like so many other men and women, have distorted views of what monogamy is or isn't. The definition of what a committed relationship is seems very subjective for many. I mean, look at Pasha. This chick knew what she was doin' was wrong, but she tried to justify her actions and kept lying to herself that what she was doin' wasn't cheating because she had no emotional attachment to any of those cats. In her mind, she only loved one man. And that's who she planned on spending her life with. So, as far as she was concerned, she was still committed to the relationship.

BV: What do your readers have to look forward to next?

C: Well, in the fall of 2011, 'Kitty-Kitty, Bang-Bang,' the sequel to 'The Kat Trap,' will be released. In the spring of 2012, 'Man Swappers' will be released. I promise you, 'Man Swappers' will stir up a lot of conversation (laughs). Then I'm gonna hit 'em with 'Big Booty,' or maybe 'The Booty Bandits.' Hell, maybe both. It'll depend on where my imagination takes me. Just know that whatever I decide to write, there are some things that will never change. And my raw, graphic, hot, nasty, sex-filled, porn-in-a-book style of writing is one of them. It's my signature. And I'm gonna stamp it all over every book.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Octavia Butler: Celebrating the Writer Who Changed My World

Michael Boatman — 2011-03-30T14:17:00+00:00

Filed under: Hot Picks, Author Updates

"Why are you reading all them books? White man ain't gonna let you do anything in them books."
I heard these words from an older cousin who expressed his opinion that I wasn't normal.

I read constantly, anything I could get my hands on: comics, spy stories, boys' adventures. I even "borrowed" from my mother's bookshelf in the dead of night. And I read lots of science-fiction and fantasy. But at some point I noticed that none of the fantastic events in the stories I loved ever seemed to happen to black people. Nothing cool ever seemed to happen to us.

No, we got threatened with eviction, or punched out at the local "Whites Only" dinner theater. I read 'The Lord of the Rings' at 9 years old. I was swept away by the wonder of J.R.R. Tolkien's vision.

But, almost shamefully, I would imagine that some of the characters were black; anything just to go along on a grand adventure from which I felt excluded: At that time, the only books by African Americans I'd read were about "the struggle" -- heavy, important books that illuminated for a young black mind how dire life must be.

But I wanted to explore haunted houses, visit distant worlds. I wanted to battle evil like millions of other American boys. Soon I was forced to accept the sad reality: Black characters belonged in stories about racism and oppression. My cousin was right. I was suitably depressed.

Then one day I was strolling through my local library and stumbled across the 'Xenogenesis' trilogy, by an author named Octavia Butler. 'Dawn,' 'Adulthood Rites' and 'Imago' were later compiled into a single volume titled 'Lilith's Brood,' but at that time, which was the late '80s, I eagerly awaited each installment, craving the adventures of Butler's protagonist, Lilith Iyapo.

Lilith encounters a supremely adaptable alien race, The Oankali. They possess the ability to change their bodies to suit the planets they visit, through interbreeding with the local dominant life forms.

These books were so fascinating that my previous misconceptions were swept away. Butler's imagination was as vast as the realms her black female protagonists explored. In other novels, like 'Fledgling' and 'Kindred,' she wrote, without apology, about black women confronted by unimaginable challenges, armed with a tough-minded intelligence -- sometimes augmented by superhuman abilities, like immortality.

As I rode along on Butler's terrifying adventures, I suddenly understood that the limitations I'd accepted about myself had become self-fulfilling. Butler's vision showed me how to embrace the vastness within everyone, even myself. Notions of race, religion and gender limitations lost their power over me.

Butler opened doors I'd been taught to believe permanently locked: My inner Civil Rights Movement found a brilliant voice in the imaginings of a lonely, bookish girl from Pasadena. Her stories opened up galaxies of imagination. She taught me that the loftiest reaches of the human story are colorless... free. I've been writing the kinds of stories I want to write since then; peopling my stories with characters who do and don't look like me: empowered, inspired -- the way millions of readers have been inspired to dream. Without limit.

We all have Octavia Butler to thank for that.

Michael Boatman is an actor and author currently seen on The Good Wife and Gossip Girl.He is the author of two novels, The Revenant Road and The Red Wake, numerous short stories and the story collection God Laughs When You Die. You can read his blog on Red Room

Black Voices celebrates Women's History Month with a list of the 40 most influential African American female authors. See who they are below.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

40 Influential Black Female Authors

Laura Adibe — 2011-03-25T18:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Hot Picks, Biographies, Author Updates

Some people might argue that words are just words, but if words don't matter, then writers don't matter - and if writers don't matter, neither do we.

Writers take us to different places and introduce us to all kinds of people throughout vast periods in time. In one story, we might travel from 1920s Harlem to Nigeria in the midst of terror during the Biafran War, and then on to the mystical Oguta Lake, all without ever having to set foot outside our door.

Words and writers should never be underestimated, and there are hundreds of brilliant authors who deserve our appreciation and respect.

To wrap up Women's History Month, BlackVoices.com put together a gallery of 40 influential black women authors. Some names you may know and others you may not. Their varied backgrounds give way to multi-faceted perspectives.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The Last Listening Party of the Notorious B.I.G.: A Pictorial Glimpse by His Last Publicist

Lynette Holloway — 2011-03-25T17:03:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews, Hot Picks, Biographies

Before his untimely death in 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. frequently made headlines for his bad boy antics. Through his music and personae, he carefully cultivated a thug image born of the gritty streets of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

He was not known as a man of compassion. That was until now. In 'The Last Listening Party of The Notorious B.I.G.,' LaJoyce Brookshire, the former publicist for Arista Records, his record label, and Elijah Muhammad, an entertainment photographer, show a different side of the artist during the listening party for the album 'Life After Death,' which was released 14 years ago today (March 25, 1997).

Thirty eight striking never-before-released images show him in repose, in pensive thought and laughing with friends, including Sean "Puffy" Combs. No one would have thought that two weeks later Biggie would be dead, murdered during a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles.
"Readers will see Biggie in a different light, compared to what they've seen before in the press,'' Muhammad told BlackVoices.com. " He's down-to-earth in these pictures. It's not the tough guy image. It's the Biggie that his mother knew -- in his innocence, so to speak.''

"He went through a lot of different moods in this one setting at this one listening party,'' Muhammad continued. "The photos reflect that. It looks like he had a lot on his mind at one point. He's sleeping at another. It's interesting. I think readers will connect with a part of him that isn't normally revealed.''

Self published on blurb.com, the pair came up with the book idea after talking about it for years. Brookshire felt she had a lot to share. She was director of R&B publicity for Arista and handled Biggie from the beginning of his career until his death. With her first-hand narrative, she takes readers on an inside journey from her first encounter with Biggie to their last.

One of her first encounters with Biggie in 1994 was riotous if not outright obnoxious, she recounted.

"We were at the Bad Boy Records office and we were supposed to have a press day,'' Brookshire shared. "He needed media training beforehand. I told him to look people in the eye. I told him to answer a question with a question. I told him not to say [n-word]. He was like, 'OK, 'I'll be right back.' Twenty minutes passed. I thought he was socializing. I went to look for him. It was a catered affair, so I wanted to get things started because people were starting to show up. He never came back. No, I'll be right back; I'll see you later. He just left. That's how it started.''

Then she told us how there were many instances when he kept her waiting for hours or all day long after telling her he would be downstairs in five minutes.

"We'd just have to wait downstairs in the car,'' she said. "There was lots of trying to get him out of bed and lots of him showing up with lots of people at a TV studio and we'd have to accommodate them all. I'm talking 15 to 20 people easily.''

But their relationship changed after the release of his second album, 'Life After Death.'
"We, at the label, knew he was a star,'' Brookshire said. "He knew I cared, but I wasn't going to take any junk. He was like, 'Dag, you are a bitch.' I was like, 'It's Miss Bitch to you.' ''

The most endearing thing about Biggie is that he was an incredibly caring person, but it took time to peel back the layers of the onion, she said. In one case, she recounts how she had received news of her estranged husband's death during the iconic cover shoot of him and Faith Evans under the Brooklyn Bridge for Vibe magazine. Knowing how difficult he was to manage, Brookshire said she was reluctant to leave even though she was grief stricken.

"I kept going to the phone in the car,'' she recalled. "He saw me crying and he was like you need to go home and take of your business. He kissed me on the forehead and turned me around and pushed me toward the car.''

In another instance in March 1997, just after the listening party, Brookshire and Biggie were attending the 'Soul Train Music Awards' in Los Angeles. Brookshire said Biggie was eager to attend the Vibe party afterward, but she wasn't. She gave him her tickets because she wanted to return home to put the finishing touches on her wedding, which was scheduled to take place the next month.

"We said our goodbyes,'' Brookshire recalled. "And then the next day I found out he was gone. Just like that.''

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Interview With an Author: Chika Unigwe Probes the Gnarly Underworld of African Women Working as Prostitutes in Europe

Lynette Holloway — 2011-03-18T11:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews, Hot Picks, Reviews, Fiction

Nigerian author Chika Unigwe marks her debut in the United States with 'On Black Sisters Street,' a masterful sketch of four women from Africa who make their way to Belgium in hopes of building better lives for themselves. Unfortunately, they end up working on Antwerp's Zwartezusterstraat as prostitutes, lured there by false promises and empty hopes.

Unigwe draws a rich tapestry of arresting characters that will remain with readers long after they cease reading the pages. One character, Sisi, was coaxed to Zwartezusterstraat, or Black Sisters Street, by a Belgian businessman who made her an offer she couldn't refuse. Full of hope and expectations, she leaves the dreary and destitute streets of Lagos only to find the same and worse in Antwerp.

Unigwe, who lives in Turnhout, Belgium, with her husband and four sons, spent years researching the novel and even dressed in skimpy clothes and thigh-high boot to gather details for this must-read story.

BV on Books caught up with Unigwe recently via e-mail to discuss her novel, what it was like to walk alongside the women on the cobblestone streets of the red-light district and what she's up to next.

BV: Are you excited about your U.S. debut novel?
Cnika Unigwe: I am very excited. America is an important market, and I feel very privileged to be published there and by Random House, no less.

BV: How did you come up with the idea for 'On Black Sisters Street'?
CU: From the first time I saw the women behind their display windows, and learned that a majority of the African ones were Nigerian, I wanted to know what their stories were. 'On Black Sisters Street' was written in answer to my questions.

BV: You were so curious about the lifestyle that you bought clothes and thigh-high boots and spent two years among women in the red-light district. What was that like? Would you do it again and would you recommend it for others?
CU: I spent two years researching and writing the novel. I went to the women because I had no idea about their lives as prostitutes, and because I wanted to know what it felt like to walk those cobbled streets of the red-light district. I wanted to feel what it was like as a woman to be on that street, and to be looked at as a possible worker. It was only by doing that that I could somehow, in a very small way, inhabit the skin of my characters and write them truthfully. It was awkward at the beginning. Would I recommend it to others? I think as long as one is comfortable doing it, that sort of research helps more than any literature.

BV: Did any one person stand out? What was she like? Do you keep in touch with any of the women?
CU: There was a very assertive one in a cafe out of which mainly illegal prostitutes work. She was one of the first I spoke to. She was honest, very brutally so. She was also surprisingly forthcoming, and had a joie de vivre I envied.
No, I am not in touch with any of the women for many different reasons. I remember asking one for her phone number because I wanted to keep in touch and she flat out refused. It is normal, I suppose. They were very gracious, and answered my questions, even when they were dumb questions.

BV: How did the experience help you develop your richly drawn characters?
CU: Just being with the women, for short periods at a time, talking to them, being in that space, gave me a sense of empathy with them that I could never have gotten otherwise.

BV: What's next for you?
CU: I am working on a collection of short stories, and a novel set in the 18th century and based on the life of Olaudah Equiano. Also, 'Sin Eater' is coming out next year.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

After Controversial Oprah Appearances, Iyanla Vanzant Returns to Best-selling Glory

Karu F. Daniels — 2011-03-16T20:08:00+00:00

Filed under: Self-Help, Publishing News, Author Updates

One thing good came out of Iyanla Vanzant's much buzzed-about blowout on Oprah Winfrey's talk show last month; she's back atop the New York Times Best Sellers list.

After the self-help diva's eagerly anticipated return to Winfrey's couch -- after the two had a falling out over 10 years ago -- sales of her latest book, 'Peace From Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You're Going Through,' skyrocketed -- four months after its initial release.

The no-holds-barred interview -- where Winfrey confronted the spiritual teacher and once-popular media personality about her past transgressions -- became much fodder immediately after its Feb. 16 airing. "[The] tension was so thick that it seemed to suck the oxygen out of the room," wrote BlackVoices.com blogger Dr. Boyce Watkins about the interaction, which --at times -- didn't seem appropriate for daytime television.

Nevertheless, the book, which was published via Tavis Smiley's SmileyBooks imprint on Nov. 15, 2010, is #1 on the Times' Hardcover Advice & Misc. list.

"We are thrilled that Iyanla's inspiring message has reached so many people," offered Smiley. "Her mission -- to promote family healing -- affirms why she remains one of the nation's most beloved teachers."

This marks Vanzant's fifth time on the New York Times' Best Sellers list, and her first with SmileyBooks. She previously spent 20 weeks on the list with 'In the Meantime.'

Part metaphorical teaching story, part wrenching personal chronicle, '... Broken Pieces' is Vanzant's phoenix-rising-from-the-ashes story about overcoming great loss after experiencing major triumph.

"A story about how a New York Times best-selling author ends up flat broke, looking for a place to live, how a 37-year relationship ends in divorce by e-mail," she surmised, adding that she shared "the intimate details of how an internationally recognized spiritual teacher ends up on the edge of the bed in a million-dollar home slated for foreclosure, contemplating suicide."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Interview With an Author: Urban-Lit Pioneer Vickie Stringer Talks About Her 'Dirty' Book & Publishing Industry's Dirty Deeds

Lynette Holloway — 2011-03-11T17:05:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews, Hot Picks, Fiction, Urban Lit, Author Updates

Dubbed by Publisher's Weekly as the reigning queen of urban fiction, ex-con Vickie M. Stringer has returned with the third sequel to her red hot 'Dirty' series, 'Dirtier Than Ever.'

True to form, the novel is filled with wild twists and turns that will leave readers on tenterhooks as they turn the page. This time, we find the dynamic trio engaged in a full-on game of life and death: the lovely and seductive Red Gomez, who will stop at nothing to get her way; Bacon, her kingpin boyfriend; and Quentin Carter, the true love of Red's life, who is angling to get out of Detroit's treacherous street game.

BlackVoices.com catches up with the founder of Triple Crown, one of the most successful African American book publishers, to talk about the sequel, her life and the publishing industry.

BV on Books: So, you've written the third installment to 'Still Dirty.' Is this the end or is there more to come?
Vickie Stringer: By popular demand, I've added two more installments, 'Down Low & Dirty' and, the finale, 'Dirty Love.'

BV: Your characters are so unique. How do you develop them? Are they based on people you've met?
VS: I always, always write about people I know. I don't think the biggest mind could imagine these crazy characters, so they have to be real.

BV: You are the reigning queen of urban lit. What did you have in mind when you started writing? There weren't many books like yours on the shelves. What was your inspiration?
VS: I was inspired by Donald Goines.

BV: Did you think urban lit would become a genre in and of itself?
VS: Yes, actually, I did. I thought this because of the absence. Just like hip hop was added to music, hip hop was added to clothing, I knew this would be added to publishing. You cannot pioneer without vision. My vision was Triple Crown, and my vision is in fruition today.

BV: Urban lit has garnered a bad rap for outpacing sale of more serious literature. Do you think it's unfair?
VS: I think it is unfair and, unfortunately, instead of the genre standing on the merits of commerce, the moniker is negative. And I feel like the Little Richard of the book industry. Triple Crown not only pioneered the genre, we birthed the urban fiction roster that you read today.

BV: Part of the bad rap is that critics say urban lit has contributed to the black corner in bookstores. Do you agree/disagree?
VS: There has always been a black corner and always will be a black this or black that until we are taken seriously for the talents that this genre includes. I mean, really, the sales of my work and of Triple Crown authors can compete (numbers-wise) with mainstream authors. I'm furious when I see so many New York Times bestsellers, then research those numbers and those books have not sold close to what my titles or company titles have sold.

BV: Triple Crown Publications is one of the most successful African-American publishers in the nation and abroad. What accounts for that?
VS: We are successful first and foremost through the grace of God. I say God because of the timing and the favor my company has with the industry decision makers. Next, there is the fan support that really is the biggest success. Coming in after that is the hard work and dedication of my staff and authors. I'm also very fortunate to have the wisdom that my editor at Atria Books, Malaika Adero, shares. See, I'm not just one of her authors, but someone who can come to her as a veteran with ideas. There is no one set of answers to this question, but I do know that, ultimately, success boils down to one thing: How bad to you want it?

BV: Finally, what is your advice for aspiring authors?
VS: Today, your material must be above the best. It must be excellent in all areas: creativity, content and clarity. The bar is high for this genre, and you have to measure up.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BV HOT LIST: 10 Black Novels to Read This Season

Lynette Holloway — 2011-03-08T21:09:00+00:00

Filed under: Hot Picks, Publishing News

The big winter thaw is on and BlackVoices.com has chosen 10 spring releases that are worth your attention this season.The list includes hot new novels by bestselling novelists Sister Souljah, Victoria Christopher Murray and urban lit queens Vickie Stringer, Nikki Turner and Teri Woods.

Our Hot List also features a sobering debut novel by Chika Unigwe, of Nigeria, about three women from West Africa who move to Belgium seeking a better life but end up working as prostitutes. Readers also will find something hot and steamy from Zane's male protege Cairo (who releases his 'Deep Throat Diva' this month), and the acclaimed favorites by Dolen Perkins-Valdez and Connie Briscoe.

Happy reading.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Interview With an Author: Tonya Lewis Lee on Writing Children's Books With Husband Spike

Lynette Holloway — 2011-03-04T10:11:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews, Hot Picks, Health

Known for his hard-bitten Brooklyn persona, it might seem a little intimidating to work with Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Spike Lee.

Not according to his wife, Tonya Lewis Lee, who recently authored a third children's book with him called 'Giant Steps to Change the World,' which was illustrated by Sean Qualls.

"Not everybody steps to Spike the way that I do,'' the missus told BlackVoices.com recently about their creative process. "I'm not sure if he is used to that. It's good because he knows I'm being real with him and I know he's being real with me.''

To be sure, she may have a little more leverage than most. After all, she is his wife and the mother of his children. But the creative process is still important to the world-renowned filmmaker and actor, who has produced over 35 films.

Lewis Lee is no lightweight herself. A lawyer, who graduated from the University of Virginia, she has worked in television production at Nickelodeon. She also created an animated series for Disney through her company, Madstone Co., Inc.

Other children's book collaborations between the couple are 'Please, Baby, Please' and 'Please, Puppy, Please.' They live in New York City with their son and daughter.

Mrs. Lewis Lee chatted with us about their latest project, 'Giant Steps to Change the World,' an inspiring picture book that highlights the works of historical leaders who brought change through activism. It is a solid and colorfully illustrated book that parents should read with children of all ages.

BV on Books: How did you come up with the idea?
Tonya Lewis Lee: I love history, and I love the idea of making it accessible and interesting to young people.

BV: You refer to a lot of historical figures, but not by name. Is that so parents can be instructional?
TLL: Yeah, it can be instructional. We wanted to get at the essence of who these figures were. In a way, I would like for children to see themselves in these people. As you see on the front and back flaps, we quote individual historical figures, so parents can play a guessing game with their children after they read the book.

BV: "There will be dark days and lonely nights. Press on through the darkness.'' Those aren't typical words for children's books, but they are very inspirational. The book is filled with that kind of language. Did it take a lot of time to write?
TLL: The editor, as a means to help me, sent the poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling, because I wanted to do something lyrical that just had that flow. The book has quotes from Dr. Ben Carson, Harriet Tubman and Albert Einstein. The whole book is about anyone who has ever felt that they have been marginalized. Dr. Ben Carson was in elementary school when his teachers told his mom that he should be put in special education classes. They fought it. I'm sure that many of his patients are glad he fought that stigma and ended up where he belongs. Most of us at some point experience low expectations in our lives. You still can go on and do wonderfully great things. I know many kids who have difficulty learning to read and went on to become great students. I also feel like I want young and old people to realize it's not just about them. Each individual has a contribution they can make to the greater good. If you stay focused on the idea and you have a contribution to make, you can move beyond any obstacle.

I quote Albert Einstein, who said, "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new." We can all look at things in a negative point of view. You have to make a choice to see what good is there. Sometimes we internalize all our negativity and allow it to fester. Take a moment to lick your wounds, turn around, get back up and keep it going.

BV: You're a lawyer. Do you prefer writing children's books? Do you find it more challenging?
TLL: It's interesting. When I was doing the legal work itself, I enjoyed it. I drafted contracts. I found that fun, but I didn't love the politics of working in a law firm. I enjoy writing, but it's very solitary. It's just the page and me. When it's a good day, it's good. When it's not, it's not. I also love working as a producer and working with people. The biggest challenge is finding the money in all of it. I get knocked down a lot, but I keep carrying the ball until we get to the end of production.

BV: What is it like writing with your husband?
TLL: Someone has to take the lead. I'm happy to do that when it comes to our books. It's a wonderful process. Once I do a draft, I show it to him and he can give me his comments and we go back and forth. I produced a series for Nickelodeon and Spike was one of our directors. He is interesting to begin with, but it can be challenging when you put in the husband and wife dynamic. We are good at challenging each other. Neither is a shrinking violet. We support each other, so it works. Not everybody steps to Spike the way that I do. I'm not sure if he is used to that. It's good because he knows I'm being real with him and I know he's being real with me.

BV: What's next for you?
TLL: I have a lot of things going on, including producing 'The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963.' It's a Newbery Honor Award-winning novel for young readers. I wrote the script. I'm also the spokeswoman for the Healthy Baby Begins With You campaign for the U.S. Office of Minority Health. It really is a campaign to encourage them to monitor their health. I work with Regina Benjamin, the surgeon general. I would love to link up with the first lady; we are working on the same things. There really is a moment going on with health awareness and I'm glad to be a part of it.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Sister Souljah: 'Midnight' Sequel, 'Meaning of Love,' Underway

Karu F. Daniels — 2011-02-28T08:08:00+00:00

Filed under: Urban Lit, Publishing News, Author Updates

It looks like Sister Souljah may be continuing her winning streak.

The former raptivist turned best-selling author will release her newest book next month - and it is a sequel.

'Midnight and the Meaning of Love' (Atria, $26.95) is a follow-up to her 2008 New York Times best seller 'Midnight, A Gangster Love Story' and will go on sale April 12. On her Website, the former Public Enemy-associated rapper informed her readers that she was trying to get the book out last fall, but it was delayed after she completed it. "I hope you ALL know that I threw my heart into [it] ... and I hope you'll agree that it was worth the wait!"

The hefty novel is told from the point of the view of the African-born, devout Muslim, street-savvy protagonist from whom it is titled. It picks up where the last book left off: Midnight heads to Japan to get his 16-year-old Asian wife, Akemi, after her father took her back to their native land with no warning. He must travel across three countries and numerous cultures in his attempt to defeat his opponent.
Along his life-affirming sojourn, Midnight meets people who change him forever, even as he changes them. Encountering temptations and taking risks is par for course in his quest to get the woman he loves back.

Of the beloved character, Souljah said: "I thought, 'Wouldn't it be something to speak in a male voice?' And wouldn't it be something else to speak in an Islamic voice? Once I realized I had to go deep into my imagination and that the manhood had to stay in the tone and that I couldn't slip into a Souljah or feminine voice, I got excited about it. As I writer you have to be excited about what you're writing about. If you're not excited, you can't excite the reader."

Aside from pioneering the street-lit movement with her 1999 debut novel 'The Coldest Winter Ever,' Souljah (nee Lisa Williamson) is best known for her work as a political activist and educator of underclass urban youth.

'The Coldest Winter Ever' became such a phenomenon that Souljah's avid fans were waiting with baited breath for its follow-up. Many thought 'Midnight' - who is based on a secondary character of 'Coldest Winter' - was its sequel. To many people's dismay, it wasn't.

Souljah defiantly noted that the book was not a "sequel" but a "prequel" during an interview with BlackVoices.com. "I wrote 'The Coldest Winter Ever' as a complete work," she clarified. "If I were to do a sequel, let's look at the story: At the end of the book, Winter went to jail and was sentenced to 15 years. When Winter comes out of prison at 33, will her story still be hot? Would she have the same confidence? Her mom is dead; her father is doing life. These are real things that happened. She doesn't have the same resources. Do you really hold the same position when you're 33? Can you talk all of that s--- you talked when you were a teenager? No! So what makes that so hot?

"I loved 'The Coldest Winter Ever'; I would be a fool not to love it," she continued. "I wrote it. I imagined it. I put it into circulation. But I wrote it in a complete form - a beginning, middle and an end."

A proposed film version of the movie - optioned years ago by actress Jada Pinkett Smith - is still in limbo, but Souljah is readying a follow-up to the beloved tome after she finishes touring with 'Meaning of Love.'

A graduate of Rutgers University, she remains a respected personality in her own community. In between books, she worked with Sean 'Diddy' Combs at his charitable Daddy's House foundation.

"Souljah is the #1 author of the hip hop generation," the rap mogul noted.

Public Enemy front man Chuck D has also championed her literary efforts: "[She] has led a generation back into reading books. Souljah clearly and forever stands as a major trendsetter."

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Interview With an Author: Walter Mosley Delivers Formidable Modern-Day Faustian Tale With Latest Novel

Lynette Holloway — 2011-02-25T10:10:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews, Hot Picks, Reviews, Author Updates

When you talk to award-winning author Walter Mosley about books, be prepared to discuss literature and writing on a serious level. When BlackVoices.com caught up to the best-selling author, the discussion ranged from Faust to celebrated characters in his own personal works, including Soupspoon Wise, Fearless Jones, Leonid McGill and, of course, his latest fictional work, 'Ptolemy Grey.'

Grey is the unfading protagonist in 'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey,' a trenchant and absorbing look at man's struggle with immortality. The perennial challenge is addressed through the life of 91-year-old Grey, who is forgotten by his loved ones and lives out his last days in a cluttered Los Angeles apartment carpeted with remnants of his former self. Then he meets Robyn, who, at only 17 years old, gifts him with a metamorphosing friendship.

A New York City resident who grew up in the Watts section of Los Angeles, Mosley talks with us in a candid interview about character and plot development, race in America, love and what's headed next to your literary shelves from one of today's most celebrated African American authors.

BV on Books: How did you come to write 'The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey'?
Walter Mosley: My mother had dementia. And for five years, as an only child and her being an only child and having no one else to care for her, I had to learn to communicate with her in a really deft way. She was in Iran, and I was in New York. She was incapable of taking care of herself. One, I had to pretend that she could and, two, make sure that the world around her kept her safe. It was a lot of work. In doing that work, I learned the language of dementia. I had the language in my head. That's how I decided to write about Ptolemy Grey.

BV: You fictionalized a personal experience?
WM: Yeah, but almost everything I write is a personal story. My father was dying of cancer when I wrote about Soupspoon Wise dying of cancer in 'RL's Dream.' This is a story that is informed by a personal experience, but it is not that personal experience; it is something else, completely. This is kinda like an adventure. It's also like a Faustian bargain of an old guy who is at the beginning stages of dementia who has a choice; I can offer you a couple of months of lucidity or 10 years of downward spiral into dementia, which would you prefer? And him making that choice. That might be wishful thinking on my part, but that's fiction.

BV: You charter new territory in the complex tensions at the heart of race in America. It's something you've dealt with for years. Is it an issue that's deeply personal for you?
WM: Race in America, rarely ever has it been the central topic in my works. African Americans are really the quintessential American. There really is no question about that. We're so deeply interbred with the native population that was here when we got here, and because we built this country. All I have to do is write about African Americans and there is no way to avoid having written about race in America. If you talk about a woman in 1910, you're going to have to talk about feminist issues because women couldn't vote. They couldn't own their property or their lives. So if you write about a woman in 1910 and you don't talk about the issues she faces because of her gender, then you're not only writing fiction, you are writing fantasy. So race and racism come up in the works, but that's only because there is no getting around it. I try my best not to write about it too much because I'm not trying to tell you what you should be thinking or what's right or what's wrong. I just want to write about what my character's lives are like - these black male heroes - and race and racism naturally come up in that. I'd be happy if it didn't.

BV: How do Ptolemy and Robyn reflect your understanding of generosity and love? Has your understanding of both changed over time?
WM: It's a funny question. In order to answer it, I negate it. I say that because in my next novel, coming out in March, there is a scene where a detective brings Leonid McGill, the central character, pictures of his wife having enthusiastic sex with some younger African man. Leonid goes to the guy he knows sent him the pictures. The guy who sent them was having an affair with his wife and is now jealous that the wife is now having an affair with someone else. What he's trying to do is get Leonid to get her to break up with the new guy. Instead, Leonid comes at the guy who hired the detective with a gun.
"If you mess with my wife again, I will kill you,'' Leonid says.
"But she's having an affair,'' the guy says. "I know,'' Leonid says. "She is my wife and you are going to leave her alone.''
There is nothing similar between Leonid and his wife and Ptolemy and Robyn. So whether my opinion on intimacy, kindness, or sensuality and love has changed has nothing to do with what I'm writing. I write characters and their kinds of love develop and I write about that. I would like to say it's broadened some, but to say it's changed, I'm not sure that matters.

BV: Ok, I have to ask, what have you done with Easy Rawlins?
WM: I don't know. He's finished. I've moved on. I've finished writing about him. A lot of people ask me, "Is he dead?" I go, "I don't know." He could've died; he might not have died. But I've stopped writing about him. There is no more Easy Rawlins for me to write about.

BV: What's next for you?
WM: I have a new book coming out in March [2011], 'When the Thrill Is Gone,' a sequel in the Leonid McGill series and I'm releasing one of my nonfiction political monographs in April or May.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Karrine Steffans-McCrary To Talk Couples Sex In Fourth Book

Bridget Bland — 2011-02-18T17:05:00+00:00

Filed under: Self-Help, Romance & Erotica, Author Updates

Say what you will about Karrine Steffans-McCrary but she seems to be unstoppable.

At least in the publishing industry, that is.

The former video vixen affectionately known as 'Superhead,' who chronicled her sexcapades in her he 2005 Harper Collins memoir 'Confessions of a Video Vixen,' has carved out her own lane in the literary world.

The New York Times best-selling author will release her fourth book, titled 'SatisFaction: Erotic Fantasies for the Advanced & Advernturous Couple,' with her current publisher Hachette Book Group, on Aug.10.

The new how-to guide is an extension of the 'Sex' chapter of her 2009 best seller 'The Vixen Manuel,' which encouraged the exploration of erotic fantasies between committed and monogamous partners.

Though there is much truth to 'SatisFaction,' the St. Thomas-born beauty mixes in her fair share of erotic fiction to provide examples of how to make each erotic fantasy a reality - hence the title's double entendre 'faction.'

She even produced a video trailer (see below) to promote the book's release.

As previously reported, the author was married to former 'Family Matters' star Darius McCrary. The actor, who currently stars on the soap opera 'The Young and the Restless,' filed for divorce from his spouse on Feb.10, 2010 after less than one year of marriage. The pair have reportedly reconciled.

While things might have been rocky on the homefront, professionally McCrary is still making strides.

'The Vixen Manual' was optioned by Fox Television Studios and provided the 32 year-old a production deal with the studio giant. She has since penned a television series based on the book, which is in development. In 2010, she partnered with Larry Flynt Publications and the Hustler Hollywood retail chain, whereby the retailer would carry her books in stores around the country and online and Steffans serves as Hustler's resident sex and intimacy consultant and couples' course instructor.

Steffans-McCrary's literary tour in support of 'SatisFaction' is scheduld to kick off in New York in August.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

CNN Anchor Don Lemon to Detail Childhood Sexual Abuse in Poignant Memoir

Laura Adibe — 2011-02-10T15:33:00+00:00

Filed under: Biographies, Publishing News

Last year, CNN news anchor Don Lemon made headlines when he revealed to the world that he, like countless men and women, endured childhood sexual abuse.

Now, the 44-year-old multiple Emmy-winning journalist has penned a poignant memoir, aptly titled 'Transparent,' which candidly details the painful abuse he endured in childhood.

Scheduled for release in June via Farrah Gray Publishing, 'Transparent' explores the long-lasting trauma abused children experience -- from feeling "different" from other children to self-isolation to the impact that abuse has on relationships. Lemon speaks to all this as well as the colorism and racism that he has experienced.

Through compelling narrative, Lemon digs deep to expose his painful past and explains how those early experiences shaped the man he is today -- one of the most prominent African American men in television news.

"To me, Don Lemon has written one of the most courageously and shockingly honest memoirs ever," Dr. Farrah Gray, the book's publisher, told BlackVoices.com today. "His heartfelt candor makes this book like no other. 'Transparent' is a searingly candid memoir that celebrates the virtues of hard work, perseverance and determination. Readers will view daily life in a new light that enables them to overcome any obstacle with no fear."

Lemon's memoir also brings the reader behind the scenes of such tragedies as the September 11 attacks in 2001 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as well as the monumental election of President Barack Obama. Readers get more than a glimpse into Lemon's personal experiences with Barack and Michelle Obama prior to the presidential campaign and his conversations with the Jackson family following the death of Michael Jackson.

Born in Baton Rouge, La., Lemon, who has a degree in broadcast journalism from Brooklyn College, has accumulated numerous awards, including Emmys and the Edward R. Murrow Award for his work on the Washington, D.C., snipers case. In 2006, Lemon joined CNN and in that same year was named as one of the most influential blacks in America by Ebony magazine.

Aiming to be an inspirational endeavor, 'Transparent' speaks to the fact that there is light at the end of the tunnel no matter what one endures.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Black Eyed Peas' Taboo Reveals Negative Past in 'Positive' Memoir

Bridget Bland — 2011-02-04T12:12:00+00:00

Filed under: Biographies, Publishing News, Author Updates

Fans of six-time Grammy Award-winning pop group The Black Eyed Peas seldom hear about what's going on behind-the-scenes with original group member Taboo. Things are about to change, however, when the MC releases his autobiography 'Fallin' Up: My Story' arrives in stores next week. The Simon & Schuster tome, which was co-written by Steve Dennis, follows the early days of the platinum-selling group before they were selling out arenas around the world.

For the first time, Taboo opens up about having a son at 18, whom he says he neglected, as well as how his wife, Jaymie Dizon, along with family and friends, helped him shed his drug and alcohol addiction.

The History of The Black Eyed Peas

Born Jaime Luis Gomez, Taboo was raised mostly by his grandmother in the Mexican-American community of Rosemead, Calif. His love for break-dancing and hip-hop culture, led him to hip-hop clubs and resulted in meeting what would become half of the Peas: apl.de.ap and will.i.am.

He particularly has an affinity for Peas' front woman Stacy Ferguson, affectionately known as Fergie, and discusses with wit and insight her unique contributions to the popularity of the group. Fergie, who has battled drug addiction in her past, is proud of the man that Taboo has become.

"I've seen a talented, sensitive, lost young boy become a strong man with integrity and dignity," Fergie shared. "'Fallin' Up' will give you an inside look at the life of this inspiring individual."

In addition to the release of his debut book, Taboo continues to shine. This Sunday (Feb. 6), the Black Eyed Peas will perform during the halftime show at the Super Bowl.

Taboo has several book signing dates in New York and Los Angeles lined up to promote 'Fallin' Up.' He will drop by Barnes & Noble in Tribeca on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and on Feb. 9 at 7 p.m., he'll stop by Brooklyn's Powerhouse Arena. Two days later, on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m., he will head to the West Coast to appear at Barnes & Noble in Los Angeles, followed by a Huntington Beach, Calif., signing on Feb. 11 at Barnes & Noble before wrapping at Vroman's in Pasadena on Feb. 20 at 1 p.m.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Steve Harvey's Radio Show Co-Host Writes Debut Book

Bridget Bland — 2011-01-28T19:20:00+00:00

Filed under: Self-Help

It looks like Steve Harvey's rubbing off on his radio show co-host, Shirley Strawberry.

For the past ten years, she has delivered her advice to eight million listeners in thirty markets as the King of Comedy's co-host on the nationally syndicated 'Steve Harvey Morning Show.'

The single mother has finally following in the footsteps of her New York Times-Best Selling Author boss and decided to share her tidbits of advice on parenting, relationships and career decisions in her first book, 'The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn't Sexy.'

Ultimately, I hope that 'The Strawberry Letter' will encourage you to make better choices and decisions in relationships-whether they be with your family, your lover, or in the workplace," Shirley said. "Let's take this journey together. Be inspired. Be motivated. Be healed, reinvigorated, and challenged to love yourself and to love your life!"

Several big-name celebrities are fans of the how-to book already.

Tyler Perry wrote, "Only a woman who lives life with purpose and divine revelation can inspire people through her advice, and that is Shirley."

While, Academy Award-winner and BET talk show host Monique gushed, "Shirley Strawberry is a sistah who has been there and conquered that. Her insightful advice on life, love, and relationships makes her book a must read for anyone struggling with past hurts."

The booked is divided into four sections including "Taking Inventory: Woman to Woman" and "Love and Relationships" to "Family Matters" and "Self-Love."

'The Strawberry Letter,' which will be published by Random House, will be released in April.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

BV on Books

50 Cent to Write Anti-Bullying Book for Kids

Jennifer Hudson Inks Deal With Dutton to Write Weight Loss Memoir

Black App! African-American Kid's E-Book Links Culture & Character

Life Lessons, Plainly Told

Interview With an Author: Muhammad Ibn Bashir on the American Legal System; Young Black Males Often Seen as Criminals

Cairo Follows in the Salacious Footsteps of Zane

Octavia Butler: Celebrating the Writer Who Changed My World

Influential Black Authors

40 Influential Black Female Authors

Influential Black Authors

The Last Listening Party of the Notorious B.I.G.: A Pictorial Glimpse by His Last Publicist

Interview With an Author: Chika Unigwe Probes the Gnarly Underworld of African Women Working as Prostitutes in Europe

After Controversial Oprah Appearances, Iyanla Vanzant Returns to Best-selling Glory

Interview With an Author: Urban-Lit Pioneer Vickie Stringer Talks About Her 'Dirty' Book & Publishing Industry's Dirty Deeds

BV HOT LIST: 10 Black Novels to Read This Season

10 Books To Read This Season

Interview With an Author: Tonya Lewis Lee on Writing Children's Books With Husband Spike

Sister Souljah: 'Midnight' Sequel, 'Meaning of Love,' Underway

Interview With an Author: Walter Mosley Delivers Formidable Modern-Day Faustian Tale With Latest Novel

Karrine Steffans-McCrary To Talk Couples Sex In Fourth Book

CNN Anchor Don Lemon to Detail Childhood Sexual Abuse in Poignant Memoir

Black Eyed Peas' Taboo Reveals Negative Past in 'Positive' Memoir

Steve Harvey's Radio Show Co-Host Writes Debut Book