African-American Literary Industry Giants Gather in NYC

Book Expo America Recap
by Kam Williams
http://reviews.aalbc.com/book_expo_america_recap.htm

Book Expo America, publishing’s premier annual convention, was held this year at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City from May 29th to the 31st. On Saturday afternoon, black literary giants representing every area of the industry gathered inside the hall’s African-American Pavilion for a reception sponsored by publishers Tony and Yvonne Rose of Amber Communications Group. The event’s award program was hosted by ravishing Renaissance woman Heather Covington, CEO of Disilgold.com.

Mother’s Day Stories

Mother’s Day Stories: A Lifetime of Appreciation in a Few Words The Defenders Online
http://tinyurl.com/troy-mom

I have a tribute to my mom here along with several well-known writers including: Martha Southgate, Jill Nelson, Tananarive Due, Bernice McFadden, Errol Louis, William Jelani Cobb, and the Reverend Al Sharpton.

Video Interview with Farai Chideya

I just upload a video interview with Farai Chideya. It was shot at the AALBC.com Gallery in Harlem. Ron Kavanaugh of MosaicBooks.com did the interview.


Farai Chideya is a multi-media journalist who has worked in print, television, and online. Five years ago she founded PopandPolitics.com, an online journal of news and opinion for a diverse national and international audience. She is currently a Knight Fellow at Stanford University.

Troy still has a few tricks

Last year I started working out again. As I lost weight and got a little stronger, I started doing some of my old gymnastics moves in the gym during my warm up (I was on Syracuse University's gymnastics team in 1984).

It took me months of trying to get this particular move back. I kind of take it for granted; but I noticed some time ago that it really impresses people, so I figured I'd make some videos of it.

New Reviews by one of AALBC.com's Favorite Reviewers - Thumper

Thumper went on hiatus for a couple of years, to complete another graduate degree. He is working his way back slowly. Here are his latest book reviews.

There is something here for everyone. Enjoy.

Red Light Special by Risqué
http://reviews.aalbc.com/red_light_special.htm

One day, I was in the mood for a Noire novel, but I had read all of them. I looked around my office and saw Red Light Special by Risqué. I picked it up. Red Light Special is the first book I’ve read by Risqué and it definitely will not be the last. I liked the novel a lot. I have a major issue with the book concerning the sex scenes, but other than that the book is good. I was hooked and did not put it down until I was finished.


Beulah Hill by William Heffernan
http://reviews.aalbc.com/beulah_hill.htm

I am sounding the alert that I just read a novel that has a strong black male character in it. Let’s imagine that I’m waving a big neon sign with “Black Male Hero found HERE!” There is no shortage in black male character in our literature today, but there are not many black male characters in today’s fiction that embodies that pioneering, wise, strong, will-beat-you-down-I-don’t-care-who-you-are black male character--the realistic black hero. When I come across one, I feel like trumpeting; there’s a strong black man in this book, there’s a strong black man in this book! In Beulah Hill by William Heffernan, did not only give me a strong black male character name Jehiel Flood, Heffernan placed him in a fabulously, complex murder mystery. Beulah Hill, which takes place in 1933 Vermont, is a solid mystery and examination of racial history and self identity. I loved it! The novel is an ass wiper of the nth degree.


Negro with a Hat: The Rise and Fall of Marcus Garvey by Colin Grant
http://reviews.aalbc.com/negro_with_a_hat.htm

I appreciate the time and details Grant put into this wonderful biography, but I have to admit that the portion of the biography that had me glued to my seat was the constant bickering and snipping between Garvey and his nemesis W. E. B. DuBois. *big smile* You all know I love drama. The battle that Garvey and DuBois engaged in is the stuff movies should be made of. I loved it! Not only did the two see their differences from an ideological point of view, which in my opinion Garvey and DuBois were closer than apart, but it got ugly. DuBois taking Garvey to task over Garvey’s perceived uncouthness and his black skin and Garvey attacking DuBois on his preference for light skin, and his Talented Tenth approach to race, the barbs the two traded is amusing and sad. I cannot help but to think that if the two had set both of their egos aside and worked together, the civil rights movement would have taken place and succeeded 40 years before.


The Middle Sister by Bonnie J. Glover
http://reviews.aalbc.com/the_middle_sister.htm

I’m still finding my footing. Being away from reading books for three years, obtaining another degree, has dulled my reading senses. Now that the fire in my belly for books is growing larger and hotter, I decided to play a little catch up, read the books that I did not read while in pursuit of higher education again. Boy, did I strike gold when I picked up The Middle Sister by Bonnie J. Glover. I became familiar with Glover when I read her current novel, Going Down South. Going Down South is a simply MARVELOUS novel! Pick it up and read it, if you haven’t already.

2009 ALA Midwinter Meeting - Denver, CO

As part of my role as a board member of the Literary Freedom Project, and a full page ad in Mosaic Magazine, I offered to help Ron work the table and help promote Mosaic Literary Magazine at the American Library Association's (ALA) 2009 Midwinter Meeting.


On the day I arrived in Denver (January 22nd) it hit 70 degrees. I was kicking myself for not bringing a lighter jacket. However, that concern was short lived because the following evening it was 17 degrees! The following day temperatures were in the single digits.

Despite the frigid temperatures, dry air (I had Carol Daughters' Body Butter workin' overtime)and lack of oxygen (the Mile High City had me sucking wind on the treadmill). We had a productive conference and a great time.


Ron and I got a chance to have dinner with Denver based authors Carleen Brice (left) and J.D. Mason. We had a good time and a good meal.



Surprisingly (I guess 'cause Denver is not exactly known for fine dining) I had several good and two great meals in Denver. Perhaps the best steak I've ever had was at Elway's I had the bone in Rib Eye and I'd have to say it was superior to the steaks I've had at Peter Lugers in Brooklyn.

Elway's in located in the lobby of the Ritz Carlton. The Ritz Carlton is some hotel. They have, far and away, the best gym I've seen in a hotel. The gym has a full court basketball court, swimming pool, huge weight room, plush locker room and a great spa.




Below are two friendly faces from New York City both are ALA members and are in leadership roles in the Black Caucus of ALA. Stanton Biddle from Baruch College & Andrew Jackson from Langston Hughes Community Library.

We were at a reception. I actually won a basket of Chinese New Year (OX, 丑 Chou January 26, 2009) Paraphernalia.




I stuck around an extra day and drove to Vail, CO. The drive was actually pretty hairy; low visibility, and heavy snow -- everything was just white. I was driving a 4 wheel drive Expedition and never really felt secure.

Fortunately when I got close to Vail the sky opened up and the view was awe inspiring. Vail provided the greatest skiing conditions I’ve ever experienced!

Vail had an area called the "back bowls". Basically it was an huge expanse of steep, deep snow. The mountain was virtually empty and there were no lift lines. For perspective, the blue circle below shows a skier -- That was the closest skier to me! A great experience!

The drive back to Denver, thankfully, was much better.

Usually when I visit a city for the first time. I check out the 'hood and the main drags. I was strolling down 16th street (the main drag) and stumbled upon the Tattered Covered Book Store. I actually got a little excited because I'd seen the bookstore on C-Span 2 so many times it was like crossing paths with a famous person. I immediately went in.

Tattered was an impressive, but very warm facility. It is was the largest independent bookstore I'd ever been in. The is plenty of soft seating, a large area for reading two floors of books (down from three) and the obligatory cafe. The next day I dragged Ron with me he took the photo below. We spoke to the staff; who were very friendly. One even gave us a brief tour.

Also announced by the American Library Association during the Midwinter Meeting were the Coretta Scott King Author Awards recognizing African-American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults that demonstrate sensitivity to "the true worth and value of all beings" Here is a link to those titles: http://aalbc.com/books/2009_csk_winners.htm

Antigua & Barbuda Literary Festival 2008 - Was a Blast

I have never attended an event that was more personally fulfilling and fun in my entire life! Participants which included authors like; Antiguan phenom Marie Elena John, Eric Jerome Dickey, Esmeralda Santiago, Elizabeth Nunez, Mary D. Morrison, Tina McElroy Ansa, Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due; industry professional including; Carol Mackey (Editor-In-Chief Black Expression Book Club), Ron Kavanaugh (Mosaicbook.com), Linda Duggins (Direct of multicultural publicity at Hachette Book Group), and actor/authors like; Victoria Rowell and Roscoe Orman (Gordon from Sesame Street), and too many more great folks to mention (Click for full list of participants)

Virtually everyone, friendly, engaging and helpful. It really was a terrific experience. I had a similar reaction to the National Book Club Conference, but this event exceeded even that incredible experience. I’m sure the beautiful island, perfect weather and low pressure environment – had something to do with it.

Image having stimulating conversations with smart, passionate people from all over the world. The experience was sublime. On top of that we had the privilege (really honor) of participating in workshops, panel discussions, readings, school visits and one on one conversations with attendees mostly from Antigua – though anyone interested in writing or publishing would have benefited.

While we were the Prime Minister of Antigua, Honourable Winston Baldwin Spencer, addressed us:


Spencer announced that Antigua’s Highest mountain will be renamed Mount Obama.

Look out for next year's festival -- it is sure to be better than ever!

Cyclying from Harlem to Willow Grove, PA

I've made this trip a couple of times in the past. This year I took a slightly longer northern route. It was much more hilly but much more scenic. It took me a little more than 11 hours to over the 114 miles. I basically rode from sun up to sun down.

Some of my trek is recorded on twitter: http://twitter.com/aalbc

VIDEO: Amiri Baraka: Evolution of a Revolutionary Poet

Amiri Baraka: Evolution of a Revolutionary Poet

Exhibit at Zambezi Bazaar in conjunction with the Leimert Park Book Fair.

Amiri Baraka is one of the most prolific African American writers of the 20th century. He is an acclaimed poet and the Obie-winning playwright of Dutchman. His long list of writing credits includes: Blues People; Home; Social Essays; Black Fire; Selected Poetry of Amiri Baraka / LeRoi Jones and Selected Plays and Prose of Amiri Baraka/LeRoi Jones. He continues to be active in the struggle against racism and capitalism, to organize artists, and tp participate in the struggle for Black Liberation. He is currently teaching classes on Pan-African literature at Stony Brook College at the State University of New York and at Columbia University.

Produced by AALBC.com

Harlemnite Prays for Shootings... So Say the New York Times

Someone forwarded me a NY Times Article. The Times usually pisses me off when they write about Black folks 'cause they typically show the our most pathetic side.

To be sure the NYT couchs these artilces in sympatheic terms and tone. But this is only to pander to their liberal audience at the expense of Black people.

The late quote was from a Brother in Harlem about my age who said in response to a recent shooting where 8 people were injured said,

“I was praying something like this would happen to keep them out...”

You can read the whole article here: http://tinyurl.com/5uxaqd

One can reasonably assume the dude quoted was a "Brother" and that he was talking about white people.

The NY Times LIVES for these eggregiously asinine statements. The fact that Black people too are reluctant to come to Harlem for the same reason is unimportant to the Times.

It is already a cliché that local news programs will get the most ignorant sounding or looking Black people to quote on the scene of some news story.

Consider the imagery:

Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times, June 13, 2008

Decent white folks casually dine outside sipping iced coffee and latte's while a Brother strolls with a "40" in hand.

SIDEBAR
This cafe if around the corner from my house. I was in there to buy some French bread for dinner that night. A white guy, just recieved his small, regular cup, of coffee to go. The Cashier told him there was a price increase at the same time he handed him is coffee. The coffee was $2.75 (or thereabouts).

The White guy complained; (1) that he was not told up front and (2) that the price was outrageous -- even more than starbucks a few blocks away. He said the Cafe was making a mistake and that he would never buy coffee from there again.

I've stopped buying coffee, to go, there myself during the last price increase. Fortunately, there are increasingly more options in Harlem so I don't have to pay 3 Bucks for a cup of java.