AALBC.com eNewsletter - November 13th 2005

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AUTHORS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Natasha Munson

In May 2004, USA Today Weekend featured three top self-published authors; Natasha Munson was one of those authors.

Natasha's self-publishing journey began in 1999 when she sought out print-on-demand publisher iUniverse. With little money and the hope of seeing her work in book form, Natasha stepped out on faith and submitted her manuscript. Two months later history was made. The manuscript for Life Lessons for My Sisters: How to Make Wise Choices and Live a Life You Love! was turned into a book and placed on some store shelves in just two months. Life Lessons then established Natasha Munson as the bestselling print-on-demand author for over five years, selling nearly 20,000 copies! In July 2004, Natasha signed a six-figure publishing deal with Hyperion Books.
 

Sheila Anderson

Anderson is the author of two books; How to Grow as a Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed and The Quotable Musician: From Bach to Tupac.

"I may get in trouble saying this, but I see more and more white kids learning and playing jazz.  Young Black children seem to gravitate to "Beats" and find jazz music boring. My concern is that it will turn into a genre of music of dead artists but when I hear musicians like Eric Reed, Gerald Clayton [son of John Clayton, nephew of Jeff] and other talented young people, it gives me hope that the music is in the right hands." 
 

Therone Shellman

Therone�s life's story is inspirational and motivational.  He spent time in and out of jail during his late teens through early twenties.  During his incarceration, Therone started writing about his life experiences.  Therone has authored, �Love Don�t Live Here�, a story about two black women in their early 20�s and takes place during the early 1970�s into the 80�s.
 

Click on the link below for FREE STUFF from Black Pearl Books, Inc.
http://www.blackpearlbooks.com/marketing4.htm

Get Rich or Die Tryin' Film - Review by Kam Williams
http://aalbc.com/reviews/get_rich_or_die_tryin.htm

Jim Sheridan, Director, Get Rich or Die Tryin' Film - Interviewed by Kam Williams
http://aalbc.com/reviews/jim_sheridan.htm

50 Cent - Interviewed by Kam Williams
http://aalbc.com/reviews/50_cent_interview.htm

Thru My Eyes: Thoughts on Tupac Amaru Shakur in Pictures and Words By Gobi Foreword by Afeni Shakur
http://reviews.aalbc.com/thru_my_eyes.htm

"When a pop star passes away prematurely, he or she is often elevated to an iconic status bordering on sainthood. This is the case with the late gangsta� rapper Tupac Shakur, who has earned such adoration since becoming a victim of the East Coast-West Coast turf war at the tender age of 25.

Despite, or perhaps because of a long rap sheet which included felony convictions for sexual assault and gun possession, he has been the beneficiary of an enduring street credibility which continues to resonate with members of the Hip-Hop Generation."

Driven from Within By Michael Jordan

"This help explains why he launched his new book ever so strategically with an appearance on 60 Minutes, immediately after a nationally-televised football game, and a week before the beginning of a new NBA season. He was able to do so because he published it with Atria Books, which is a division of Simon and Schuster, which, in turn, is owned by Viacom. 60 Minutes airs on CBS which is also a sub-division of that same parent company, so all the cross-promotion only helps everybody�s bottom line."

The Oxford Anthology of African-American Poetry Edited by Arnold Rampersad
http://reviews.aalbc.com/oxford_anthology_aa_poetry.htm

"Let�s just not forget that prior to the explosion of rap, for over 200 years, African-American poets addressed their attention to issues other than bling and booty calls. Those dedicated artists labored assiduously to create relevant, lyrical verse which gave expression to the full panoply of emotions and experiences which reflected the black condition in their day."

Keepin' It Real: School Success Beyond Black and White By Prudence L. Carter
http://reviews.aalbc.com/keepin_it_real.htm

"There have been an abundance of social scientists in recent years weighing-in on the underachievement of minority students in America�s public schools. Generally, these pundits take one of two predictable stances, depending whether they�re on the left or on the right. The conservatives tend to say it�s the kids fault for capitulating to peer-pressures to not �act white,� while liberals tend to see them as victims of a combination of societal ills.

Well, now along comes Keepin' It Real: School Success Beyond Black and White, a book which turns both of these competing conventional wisdoms on their respective heads."

How to Grow as a Musician: What All Musicians Must Know to Succeed by Sheila A. Anderson
http://reviews.aalbc.com/how_to_grow_as_a_musician.htm

"Over the years I have encountered a countless number of talented, but delusional, aspiring artists whose grandiose expectations about their prospective careers were woefully out of sync with the steps they were taking to get there. For instance, a common trait which seems to be shared not only by musicians, but by actors, dancers, and all sorts of young performers is that all they need to do is perfect their craft and they will somehow be magically discovered, appreciated and catapulted to super-stardom."

Pornified: How Pornography Is Transforming Our Lives, Our Relationships, and Our Families By Pamela Paul
http://reviews.aalbc.com/pornified.htm

Thanks to its easy accessibility and its pervasiveness, statistics reveal that pornography has infiltrated everyday life in profound ways. For instance, it is more and more frequently cited as the grounds for divorce, and sadly, it is increasingly blamed for distorting children�s ideas about sexuality and for eroticizing pre-pubescents attempting to mimic the carnality they find online."

Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask An Insider's Story of the King of Pop by Bob Jones with Stacy Brown
http://reviews.aalbc.com/michael_jackson.htm

"For over 34 years, Bob Jones was Michael Jackson's right-hand man. This brilliant publicist ran interference for his employer, always putting a good spin on whatever embarrassing predicament his boss found himself in, from being caught on camera canoodling with a boy, marrying Lisa Marie Presley as a publicity stunt, or writing anti-Semitic song lyrics.

Emerging from every escape unscathed, Michael must have come to see himself as a Teflon icon to whom no negative story could stick. So, for some dumb reason, he fired his dependable hatchet man, and without notice or any severance pay, despite the decades of loyal service. Jones was lucky he had never been asked to sign a confidentiality agreement, for hell hath no fury like an apologist scorned."

Blair Underwood - Interviewed by Kam Williams
http://aalbc.com/reviews/blair_underwood_iterview.htm

"What makes the movie most interesting is that it honestly addresses a variety of cultural issues currently being debated in the black community, thanks in part to Bill Cosby, including questions about class, conspicuous consumption, misogyny, family stability, and profane language. But the film is also easy on the eyes, thanks to some spectacular architecture and breathtaking vistas which come courtesy of its authentic Hamptons locations."

Lorraine and James is a literary journal whose mission is to till the urban landscape in search of new writers and give attention to the noncommercial work of established writers from the United States and around the globe. It is our intent that through this process we will act as a conduit though which a writer from anywhere can connect with readers everywhere.

I don't think you'll find another bookstore in the country that has more extensive and varied schedule of readings by and of interest to Black people.

Zawadi Books
http://www.zawadibooks.com

This online bookstore features books for ages 0-100! It features many genres of literature by African and African American authors. All of our published books are featured and available for order on this fantastic site! You can place your order using your bank account or use your Visa or Mastercard! Safe and Secure.

The AALBC.com will start selling self published books and small press titles direct to visitors of its web site at discounts ranging from 20% - 40% off list price. The AALBC.com receives an average of 250,000 � 300,000 unique visitors per month. The new direct to consumer program will start in early November.
 

The Self-Publishing Symposium: Strategies for Success! - March 26, 2006
Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture,  New York, NY
http://www.aspicomm.com

Keynote Speaker, Vickie Stringer, Author/Owner, Triple Crown Publications

Catering specifically to the needs of today's independent and self-published community, this symposium will offer an unprecedented opportunity for attendees to obtain the necessary tools for operating and building successful literary enterprises.  (1) Learn... Business strategies that will help make your publishing enterprise more successful; (2) Network... With experts and peers from across the industry and make valuable connections and (3) Grow... Your business when you apply what you have learned here and work your new connections


New Jersey's Popular Spoken Word Poetry Event - November 19, 2005
Serengeti Plains Comes to NJPAC�S Sacred Circle Caf�
http://www.njpac.org

Since October 1999, Baraka Sele, Curator/Producer of NJPAC�s Alternate Routes, has presented local, national and international spoken word poets and Hip Hop artists as part of its Sacred Circle/Spoken Word conference, festival and the on-going Sacred Circle Caf� series. Sacred Circle Caf� has featured such artists as Rennie Harris, Sarah Jones, Sekou Sundiata, Taalam Acey, Toni Blackman and Will Power. Sele has also presented such groundbreaking artists as Mos Def and the Fo Deuk Revue, which included popular Senegalese rappers Positive Black Soul, among others. These events were a catalyst for the bi-annual Planet Hip Hop, which returns in the 2006-07 season.


Urban Fiction, the Controversy Continues - Howard County Central Library, Columbia, MD - January 11, 2006
http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/2151/7497.html?1128551541

It�s real. It�s hip-hop. It�s raw. But is it literature? Authors and professors discuss issues surrounding the resurgence of urban fiction. Adults only � ages 18 and up.
 

How Stella Got Her Gay Man Back
http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/2152/8033.html?1131740654

I suspect what follows might run countercurrent to the opinions of many who witnessed Terry McMillan and her gay ex's recent appearance on Oprah.
 

The Future of Self-Publishing and Subsidy Publishing?
http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/1/8032.html?1131823165

"With more and more self-publishers and more subsidy presses popping up, it would appear that this phenomenon is here to stay. Do you feel this is true? If so, is it good for the marketplace?"
 

What Whites Can't Do
http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/179/8003.html?1131873577

An interesting article by one of my home girls. Some of her references are kinda "dated" but what she has to say is still provocative:  "Apparently, only black people can have a "straight thuggin' " party. Both the Associated Press and the Chicago Tribune reported that when a group of about 20 white students at the University of Chicago held a straight thuggin' or "ghetto"-themed party last month, black students were appalled...."

Exactly how should the media portray black women on TV?

Authors to introduce your book to thousands of AALBC.com visitors for free; I encourage you to mention your book on one of our discussion boards: http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus you can include a graphic and even link to your web site. 

Advertise your book or company on both the Mosaicbooks.com and AALBC.com web sites � one fantastic rate, two leading websites!  Our advertising campaigns provide you with real-time reports, a simple pricing structure, and the ability to reach a large, but targeted audience very quickly. Visit http://aalbc.com/adbanner.htm or call 866-603-8394 for more information. (the $99 setup fee waived for clients who purchase or already have an AALBC.com Author's Profile)