Amiri Baraka

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 to participate in the struggle for Black Liberation. 

J.D. Mason

J. D. Mason is the national bestselling and award-winning author of the novels Don't Want No Sugar; One Day I Saw a Black King; and And on the Eighth Day She Rested. Her short fiction appears in the Zane anthology Blackgentlemen.com. She lives with her family in Denver.

One of AALBC.com's top selling authors, Dr Kunjufu has dedicated himself to the uplifting of our community and has personally written over 22 books dealing with these critical issues, including Raising Black Boys; Satan, I'm Taking Back My Health; and Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys.

Dr. Kunujfu is the founder of African American Images, which publishes and distributes books of an Africentric nature that promote self-esteem, collective values, liberation, and skill development.

Electa Rome Parks

Parks, one of the rising stars in contemporary fiction, is the author of the best-selling novels The Ties That Bind and Loose Ends, which were originally self-published through her own company, Novel Ideal Publishing and Editorial Services Company, a company now dedicated to quality editorial services.   After successfully self-publishing her debut novels, New American Library, a division of Penguin Group, bought the rights and signed Mrs. Parks signed a three-book deal.

Author of the, Caldecott Award winning book, children's book The Snowy Day.  Keats writes about a small boy named Peter who experiences the joy of a snowy day.  First published in 1962, this now classic book broke the color barrier in mainstream children's publishing. It is beloved by children, by their parents, and by their grandparents. The vivid and ageless illustrations, along with the classic text, have earned this book a place in the pantheon of the greatest children's literature ever produced in this country.

Due is the American Book Award-winning author of nine books, ranging from supernatural thrillers to a mystery to a civil rights memoir.  Her newest novel, Blood Colony (June 2008), is the long-awaited sequel to her 2001 thriller The Living Blood and 1997's My Soul to Keep, a reader favorite that Stephen King said �bears favorable comparison to Interview with the Vampire.� Blood Colony continues the saga of African immortals with healing blood.

Smith, an author, and DJ, was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised on the south side of Chicago. Born with a love of the arts, she studied drama, ballet and jazz dance and dreamed of one day becoming an actress and music producer. After completing high school, she attended Clark Atlanta University where she majored in Mass Communications, later transferring to Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, where she received a Bachelor's Degree in English.  Smith sizzling debut novel was The Rolexxx Club look out for her next Novel; Whip Appeal, will be published in August.

Video - Mary "HoneyB" Morrison tells Us about Her Latest Novel Sexcapades with Abiola Abrams

New York Times bestselling author Mary B. Morrison, in 1999, decided to step out on faith and quit her near six-figure government job with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to become a writer saying, "I'd rather die a failure, than to have lived and never known whether I would become a success."  

Videos from The 1st National Black Book Festival, Houston Texas

Watch several videos featuring a of a wide range of authors including ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Armani Valentino, Marc Lacy, Debra Williamson and others.  These video were taken during the 1st Annual National Black Book Festival.  It was a veritable smorgasbord of authors in all genres from all over the country � a book lovers paradise.

Video - Terrance Dean Talk About His Best-Selling Novel Hiding In Hip Hop - On The Down Low in the Entertainment Industry from Music to Hollywood

A riveting memoir, Hiding In Hip Hop, uncovers a hidden and well-known unspoken secret. Deep within the confines of Hip-Hop is a prominent gay sub-culture. A world that industry insiders are keenly aware of, but choose to ignore. From the testosterone of men striving to be on top and in control, to the �by any means necessary� bravado in an industry that thrives on power, homosexuality is a reality at nearly every level of Hip-Hop.

What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception by Scott McClellan - Book Review

Scott McClellan served under George Bush for seven years, starting out is his Traveling Press Secretary in 1999 until he was appointed Deputy Press Secretary soon after the 2000 presidential election. In 2003, he was promoted to White House Press Secretary, a position which made him part of the inner circle comprised of infamous characters like Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Andy Card, Scooter Libby and Condoleezza Rice, and thus privy to the shady and deceitful shenanigans going on inside the Administration.

Strongholds by Vanessa Davis Griggs - Book Review

A gifted Bible scholar, Griggs uses scripture to begin each chapter.  Griggs� books always have a message based on the Word of God; yet she writes timely novels about real people and real situations which make her books stand out among the many books published in this genre.

Inheriting the Trade: A Northern Family Confronts Its Legacy as the Largest Slave-Trading Dynasty in U.S. History by Thomas Norman DeWolf - Book Review

Today, most of the descendants of such slave traders maintain a �willful silence� about their ancestors� legacy, and are raised safely separated from African-Americans. Nonetheless, they live in fear of �losing our privilege, money, and respect� according to Thomas Norman DeWolf, �even when those things are unearned or phony.� DeWolf, author of the author of Inheriting the Trade, knows whereof he speaks, because his own kin had been the most successful slave-trading family in the history of the United States.

From Dusk to Dawn by Niambi Davis - Book Review

The opening chapter of From Dusk To Dawn by first-time novelist Niambi Brown Davis reads like your average romance novel, but this reviewer found that the similarity between this novel and most romance novels ends right there. Much to my surprise and delight, I found the storyline to have far more substance than boy meets girl.

25 Things That Really Matter in Life: A Comprehensive Guide to Making Your Life Better by Gary A. Johnson - Book Review

Are you stuck in the doldrums? Could you use some help to kick start your life? Then you might want to consider reading this handy little how-to guide by Gary Johnson, publisher of BlackMeninAmerica.com and founder of the consulting firm which bears his name.   Mr. Johnson is also an inspirational speaker whose services are always in demand. And now, with the publication of 25 Things That Really Matter in Life, you can be motivated by the man without having to attend one of his lectures or workshops.

Sweet Release: The Last Step to Black Freedom by Dr. James Davison, Jr. - Book Review

At first blush, Davison may simply sound like the latest in that ever-lengthening line of leading black conservatives which includes social scientist Shelby Steele, economist Thomas Sowell.... However, Davison deserves serious consideration, if only because more and more African-Americans who share his point-of-view are gaining access to the mainstream media and having their ideas published by top publishers.  His basic contention is that African-Americans need to break the psychological bonds to their racial past by asserting their individuality, a step which he claims �has little to do with racism, prejudice, or discrimination.�

What happens when a good, Christian housewife finds herself divorced and having to fend for herself and her children? Perhaps she will find another believer to share her life with. Maybe she�ll put it all in God's hands. Or maybe she�ll be like the protagonist in �Never As Good As the First Time� and just get buck wild.

Seminar Presentation - The Real Deal on On-line Book Promotion

The Presentation was delivered by MosaicBooks.com Founder, Ron Kavanaugh and AALBC.com Founder, Troy Johnson during Book Expo America.  Only 6 people attended our presentation and but we felt the information was worth sharing with others.  Also check out the last slide which feature a very funny video about book promotion in the age of the Internet.

Clinton As Vice President Would Be a Disaster for Obama - Article by Gwen Richardson

While Hillary is certainly qualified to be president, she is grossly unqualified to be Obama's vice president. The most important role of the VP is like that of a physician -- �first, do no harm.� Hillary fails this test on several fronts.

The Dana Delivered! - Interview with Kam Williams

Every Monday morning for the past several years I've looked forward to receiving via email the latest edition of Dana Delivered!, an entertaining, intelligent, unpredictable and uplifting e-magazine offering a generous mix of interviews, inspiration and personal introspection. I can�t for the life of me remember who first recommended the weekly newsletter to me, but it's been one of my favorite escapes ever since.
 

I'm Through with White Girls (The Inevitable Undoing of Jay Brooks) - Film Review

Although he himself is African-American, Jay Brooks (Anthony Montgomery) doesn�t date black girls, basically because every one he's met has been more interested in the athletic, alpha-male, Talented Tenth type of guy. And this thirty-something, nerdy underachiever not only wears glasses, but can�t dance, chain smokes through a cigarette holder and isn�t exactly good in bed. Worse, his pay as an illustrator of graphic novels isn�t enough for him to own a car, which makes it almost impossible to wine and dine women in a city like Los Angeles.

On the Rumba River

On the Rumba River, a retrospective directed by Jacques Sarasin (I�ll Sing for You), is an endearing mix of reminiscences and impromptu concerts by Wendo and some of his former sidemen, all of whom are by now senior citizens up there in years. Plus, the picture features plenty of compelling cinematography guaranteed to give the uninformed a good idea of what life might be like in a land where over four million souls have perished in a neverending cycles of exploitation and ethnic cleansing.

Tim Meadows - SNL Alum Back on TV on TBS Series -

Meadows was born in Highland Park, Michigan on February 5, 1961. In 1991, he was invited to join the ensemble cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL), a position he would enjoy for ten seasons.  Tim proved to be quite a talented impersonator, doing dozens of celebs over the years, including Will Smith, Tiger Woods, Busta Rhymes, Dennis Rodman, Ru Paul, Snoop Dogg, Don King, Seal, Montel, Diddy, O.J., and Michael Jackson, to name a few.  He is perhaps best known for The Ladies Man, a sketch character he played on SNL. The skit proved popular enough to be spun off into its own movie in 2000.  Semi-Pro.

Mike Epps - The "Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins" Interview

Epps was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 18, 1970. Mike's breakout performance would come in his second film, Next Friday, where he co-starred opposite Ice Cube.  As for his private life, Mike married Michelle McCain in 2006, though he has recently become the subject of tabloid speculation after being slapped with a paternity by an unnamed woman who claims he fathered the child she gave birth to last December.

Nia Virtual Book Tours

With Nia Virtual Book Tours, you can participate in interactive calls with African-American authors. You can win autographed books. You�ll also receive book discounts and more!

The site was created for readers that love to find new and interesting books. But when we search our local book stores the faces on the book covers may not reflect what we see in the mirror.

The Secret Olivia Told Me by N. Joy

Published by Just Us Books, Inc., The Secret Olivia Told Me is a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award winning book.  The book, written for young children tell the story of Olivia who has a secret � a BIG secret!

It's a secret that she tells only to her very best friend. And her friend promises she won't say a word. But the secret is really BIG and really Juicy. What happens when a trusted friend slips and the secret gets out?

Ride or Die Chick by J. M. Benjamin

J.M. Benjamin is a new and exciting underground writer making noise, destined to solidify his spot in urban literature. �Susan Hampstead, Senior Editor, Don Diva Magazine

 Ride or Die Chick, The Story of Treacherous and Teflon is about two people who come from nothing and are willing to sacrifice anything to gain everything. This is a modern day tale of Bonnie & Clyde and built on a love that is stronger than that of Romeo and Juliet. A bonafide gangster, Treacherous is confident that he can't lose, as long as he has his ride or die chick!

Harlem Book Fair - Volunteers Needed

Volunteers wanted for the 10th Anniversary of the Harlem Book Fair July 18-20th. We are looking for people to volunteer as dinner, event & reception hosts/ stage managers/ event set-up & break down crews/ technical assistants/ panel coordinators/ site & workshop management. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow in the field of event planning. If you are interested please contact Tiffany Newton, Program Coordinator at 1-866-312-9910 or via email: tiffanydenise74@yahoo.com. To learn more about the Harlem Book Fair visit: http://www.qbr.com/page8684.asp

Hot Book Fun in the Summertime II - Sunday, July 20, 2008

Celebrate the summer with some of the HOTTEST titles for the taking. Readings, dancing and refreshments - an afternoon by the water to relax and take a moment for you!  This is the perfect post Harlem Book Fair event to relax and dance by the water.

It's that time again!!!! The Nominations Process for the 4th Annual African American Literary Awards Show ! African American Literary Award Show will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2008 at the Harlem Gate House in New York City.  We are looking for participation from all book clubs, avid readers, and those who appreciate the literary art form regarding the nomination process.

If you have the time, please review the categories below and select three (3) books/authors from each category and send your results to Yvette Hayward at yvette@literaryawardshow.com. The nominations process for 2008 starts on Monday, May 12, 2008 and closes on Monday, June 30, 2008. 

To be eligible for the 2008 nominations, books and other literary works must be published between June 2007 and June 2008. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Yvette Hayward .  Voting for the 2008 African American Literary Awards Show will take place in July 2008. 

Check out photos from the 2008 African American Literary Awards Show: http://events.aalbc.com/2007aalas.htm