"The author shows the triumphs and tragedies of living in the ghetto." --Ebony Magazine
Not since the Native Son has a young black man written so eloquently about the experience of growing up black, poor and male in urban America.
Clarence Nero, hailed as "one of our most promising young authors," by Maya Angelou, is a native of New Orleans's lower Ninth Ward that was demolished by Hurricane Katrina. He graduated from Howard University with a B.S. degree and worked as a chemist in the forensic department of the District government in Washington, D.C. before getting the bug to write. Nero was nicknamed "Cheekie" and grew up in New Orleans' infamous Desire Housing Project, where drugs, violence and poverty defined the way of life. His first novel, Cheekie: A Child Out of the Desire, a story loosely based on his childhood, was nominated for 'Best Books for Young Adults,' by the American Library Association and selected as 'One of the Best First Novels of 1998,' by Library Journal.
A former middle school teacher in Washington, D.C., Nero has traveled throughout the country speaking to teens and adults alike about the problems most threatening to this generation. From the high rate of black men in prison, to teenage pregnancy and AIDS, Nero tackles these critical social issues with deep, personal insight
His writing has been endorsed my numerous writers including Dr. Maya Angelou, E. Lynn Harris, Ernest Gaines, and Omar Tyree. In a recent review of his new novel, Three Sides To Every Story, Publishers Weekly, says that "Nero deploys three deftly drawn narrators to tell a wrenching story of desire and survival."
Nero is currently a Professor of English at Baton Rouge Community College . Learn more about him and his work at: http://www.bswconference.com
Below Clarence Nero is interviewed by CNN about Crime in New Orleans
Clarence Nero, is the subject of a new special appearing on CNN: What Matters Series to talk about the senseless violence in New Orleans and how he is healing from having three brothers murdered in the city. Nero�s first brother was killed in 1995 and then another one exactly eight years later in 2003 with the most recent tragedy of Sean Simmons who was shot down in cold blood on February of this year.
Temptations
of Desire
Click to order via Amazon
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: NuWorle Publishing; 2nd edition (February 18, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1615238166
ISBN-13: 978-1615238163
Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
Since the release of his first novel, Clarence Nero has become a superstar of the literary world. His words pulse with the energy of life on the street, and his stories brim with conflict and emotion. Now we're proud to reintroduce his first urban classic, which explores a young man's experience living in and eventually freeing himself from one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America. At one time, Desire in New Orleans was the pride of public housing, and generations of teenage Cheekie's family had lived there happily and safely. But by the 1970s, the project has seriously deteriorated into violence, drugs and poverty. Despite its downfalls, Desire remained a neighborhood fueled by the people, and their vibrant energy and love of fun transcending their oppressive surroundings. But it's still no place for a young boy, and all Cheekie wants is to get out. Described through his young voice, the neglect and the nurturing, the violence and the inspiration of Desire come alive as Cheekie grows into manhood, finally escapes and forges ahead on an inspiring journey toward personal and professional success. We think you'll love Clarence Nero's critically acclaimed first novel.
Too Much of a Good
thing ain't bad
Click to order via Amazon
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Broadway (June 23, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0767929721
ISBN-13: 978-0767929721
Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
"Clarence, I wanted to let you know that I was hanging out in a Borders on Saturday and I purchased your new book. Thanks for the love in your acknowledgments. It was a wonderful book. Sheila, Johnny and James were well drawn out characters and had a lot of drama going on. Great job!" 'Zane (Bestselling author, publisher, producer)
In this sequel to THREE SIDES TO EVERY STORY, daring and acclaimed
writer Clarence Nero takes us back into the lives of Johnny and James in
a powerful novel about fraternities, family, and college drama.
Johnny and James survived the tough streets of New Orleans, but when
Hurricane Katrina lays waste to their beloved Ninth Ward, they are
forced to begin a new chapter in Washington DC. For Johnny, this means
finally pursuing his dream of a becoming a student at the historic
Wheatley College. James soon joins Johnny in the Nation's Capitol but
the strong connection that brought them together in prison is strained
by the pressures of their new lives. Then Johnny's brother Carl and his
wife, Tiffany, introduce Johnny to the beautiful, sexy, and smart,
Sheila Doggett with the intent of steering Johnny in a different
direction. The entire family rallies around Johnny and Shelia's budding
friendship and Johnny prepares to join the frat that is a legacy in his
family.
But once James gets wind of what Johnny's family is up to, he decides
that he'll stop at nothing to save his relationship. Meanwhile, Johnny
is struggling to keep the peace with everyone and keeping a potentially
deadly secret that could stand in the way of his dreams. Everyone is
soon confronted with the truth that the havoc in their lives has only
just begun'
How far will you go for love?
Our heroes and sheroes wrestle with this question as they struggle to do
right by themselves and those they love and the result is a fast-paced,
thought-provoking roller coaster of a read.
Three Sides to Every Story
Click to order via
Amazon
ISBN: 0767921364
Pub. Date: October 03, 2006
Format: Paperback, 352pp
Publisher: Broadway Books
Three Sides to Every Story is a love triangle that unfolds in the
voices of Johnny, Tonya, and James. Johnny and Tonya are high school sweethearts
whose dream of a life together is shattered when Tonya is assaulted. Johnny, in
revenge, beats her attacker and is imprisoned.
At first, Tonya stands by Johnny, but eventually finds comfort in a rapper's
arms. Meanwhile, in prison, Johnny meets the openly gay James. What begins as a
friendship soon evolves into an intimate relationship, a sexually passionate
romance that is cut short when James is released on parole. A year later, Johnny
leaves prison haunted by his feelings for both James and Tonya.
Their lives are turned into emotional roller coasters as each one tries to come
to terms with what they really want. Inviting comparison to E. Lynn Harris and
J. L. King, Clarence Nero creates an utterly compelling narrative while
illuminating the social and sexual challenges young urban black people face
today.
"Nero kicks it off the hinges with this bold new urban drama."
--Omar Tyree
"The idea of the story is wonderful'man and woman have problems told from each
other's point of view. Then a third character comes into the story to clear up
the mess. This is not my generation, but I must admit that it held my attention
to the end."
--Ernest Gaines
"One of our most promising young authors."
--Dr. Maya Angelou
Cheekie: A Child Out of the Desire
Click to order via
Amazon
Hardcover: 276 pages
Publisher: Council Oak Books; 1st ed edition (April 1998)
Language: English
ISBN: 1571780637
Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
The Desire project in New Orleans, once the pride of public housing, was home for Cheekie, as it had been for his parents and grandparents. But now, in the 1970s, the Desire has degenerated into a world of violence, drugs, and poverty. Still the project is full of life as well, and of people whose vibrant energy, love of fun and ties of family help them to transcend their oppressive surroundings. Cheekie is a young man's day-by-day account in the honest voice of a boy growing up in the Desire. Cheekie brings it all to life - the abuse and the love, the neglect and the nurturing, the violence and the inspiration through which a child came to manhood.
Related Links
Clarence Nero's Official Website
http://www.clarencenero.com
