Monday, September 27, 2010

AAMBC Fall Tours with Maxx Kilbourne



Synopsis: The story of Love, lust and memories lost.  Sam Bradford is the only hope of a desperate professor, the only love of a jealous harlot and the only friend to a man facing insurmountable odds.  While Sam holds the key to so many lives, he can't remember anything of his own life, not even the reason an ambitious prosecutor hopes to lock him away forever.


 
Excerpt: 
Rising from her chair, the old woman slowly stepped towards an open window.  "You young folks are disillusioned by your fancy machines and your cell phones.  You're too busy Facebooking and emailing to know what real emotion looks like.  I know it.  I've seen it. I know that boy is innocent."

Pointing her finger outside the window she motioned for each juror to join her.  "Look, look over there" she instructed.  "See those people?  Tell me what you see?  Ms. Mad-at-every-man, tell me what your eyes see over yonder."


"I see people walking" the girl reluctantly answered.  "Why?  What does it have to do with anything?"


"Oh my child" the old woman winced.  "It has everything to do with everything. You kids are so unfeeling now.  Alla' these shoot'em up movies and killing makes you forget what real smiles and frowns look like, you're missing the big picture.  When I look from this window I see that young mother walking her child to school for the first time.  I see the fear in his eyes and in hers.  I see the way he holds his head and the uncertainty they both surely feel.  I notice her apprehensiveness to let him go and the pride she has that he's grown.  I see it because I've been there before."
Biography:

Maxx Kilbourne was born and raised on the Eastside of Detroit, Michigan, an area known for drugs, gangs and violence. Kept in line by a stern mother, supportive father and strong male role models, Maxx graduated from Denby High School and received a Bachelors Degree in History from Thomas Edison State College in Trenton New Jersey.  Maxx worked in the radio industry for ten years before leaping into the world of writing, penning his first novel, "Heart of Justice" in 2009 as a tribute to a fallen comrade.

Maxx carefully crafts his novels in a manner that appeals to readers of all backgrounds, he's a product of the inner-city, not a hostage.  Maxx knows the "hood" is more than sex, drugs and violence and believe Urban novels should be more as well.  Each Maxx Kilbourne novel is written to entertain readers and offer insight to virtues of life, each interjects comedy, drama and pleasant subtleties of life without a single phrase of profanity.  Maxx Kilbourne novels are easy reads offering messages of hope and understanding to men and women alike.
Maxx is currently writes for The Source Magazine and working on a Masters of Education degree from the University of Southern California.


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Workshop (Detroit): Internet Marketing for Writers & Businesses Oct 14th


Internet Marketing for Writers & Businesses 101

social media mix



How to get on the Internet and Successfully Market Yourself


Date: October 14, 2010 6pm to 9m
Location: Detroit Impact Center
9930 Greenfield nr Plymouth Road
Detroit, MI 48227

Wi-Fi Available

Price: $25 (limited seating)
will include Resource Download, Internet Marketing Updated ebook & promotional gifts.

Register at: http://intmarkoct10detroit.eventbrite.com


Welcome & Introductions

Getting on the Internet, Setting up Websites, Professional Emails & Signature Lines

HTML, RSS, SEO and other letters you should know

E-book 101, formatting, publishing, and setting up to sell

Blogging, Vlogging and Podcast

Marketing, Promoting and Automating... Oh My!

Networking and Selling

Authors and Businesses wishing to have their promotional materials in our gift bags, please email me with Internet Workshop Promo. We'd appreciate more than just paper promotional materials, such as pens and so forth.

Facilitator: Sylvia Hubbard, Author and Founder of Michigan Literary Network & AAELN.com

Books can be purchased in advance at: www.WritersGuide2InternetMarketing.com

This event is sponsored by:

Motown Writers Network
http://motownwriters.com
The
Michigan Literary Network
http://michiganliterarynetwork.com

The African American Electronic Literary Network




Register at: http://intmarkoct10detroit.eventbrite.com








Monday, September 20, 2010

event (Atlanta): The RAWSISTAZ Affair 2010: Ten Years & Counting… October 1-3, 2010



RAWSISTAZ Literary Group



Registration Ends Soon (RAW Affair 2010)

Posted: 18 Sep 2010 03:00 PM PDT

The RAWSISTAZ Affair 2010: Ten Years & Counting…
October 1-3, 2010

Doubletree Hotel Atlanta-Buckhead
3342 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia — 404-231-1234
Event Code: RLG — Rate: $69

REGISTER NOW

Have you registered for The RAWSISTAZ Affair 2010 being held in Atlanta, GA on October 1st-3rd?  If not, you have less than 2 weeks left to do so.  Join us for our 10th year anniversary with keynotes Daniel Black (Perfect Peace), Carol Mackey (Sistergirl Confessions), & Leslie Esdaile Banks (aka L.A. Banks). Other featured authors are Jacquelin Thomas, Pearl Cleage, Angelia Menchan, Shawneda Marks, Yolanda Johnson Bryant, Naleighna Kai, Ja'Nese Dixon (tentative) and Travis Hunter (tentative).  We have a few additional authors pending and hope to announce a guest celebrity appearance, so stay tuned!

Need some time away with the girls? Come on and hang out with your RAWSISTAZ…

All information can be found at the event site, http://www.rawsistaz-affair.com.  For those not able to attend, there are many opportunities to show your support and showcase your book or company. We are requesting promotional items from authors, publishing companies, literary organizations, book clubs, etc., to share with our attendees.  This is a great way to promote yourself, as well as your chance to give back to RAWSISTAZ.  10 years of free services and support of Black books and authors shows our commitment to the literary world!

You can also place an ad in our souvenir journal, make a donation, or send books or prizes for our giveaway and silent auction. CLICK HERE FOR INFO!

**All full page ads in our ad booklet (or those who donate the equivalent amount) will receive free advertising on the RAWSISTAZ site. **

For more info visit http://www.rawsistaz-affair.com.

Doubletree Hotel Atlanta-Buckhead
3342 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia
Tel: 1-404-231-1234
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Thursday, September 16, 2010

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Vanessa Miller, author of A Love for Tomorrow



Joey Pinkney



5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Vanessa Miller, author of A Love for Tomorrow

Posted: 15 Sep 2010 06:59 AM PDT


JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Vanessa Miller, author of A Love for Tomorrow
(Whitaker House)

When Christian talk show host Serenity Williams' fiancé calls off their wedding because he can't deal with her popularity, she determines that she will never fall in love with another pride-filled, ego-driven pastor.

Then, Serenity's producer asks her to interview the charismatic Pastor Phillip McKnight, who has recently gone through a divorce. Serenity feels that this is her chance to expose the arrogance of ego-filled pastors to the world.

But Pastor Phillip is broken and humbled from his experiences, and the surprising humility of this man causes Serenity to want to un-break his heart.

However, Serenity will need the Lord to fix her heart and change her mind about male preachers before she and Phillip can become all they were meant to be to each other.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write A Love for Tomorrow?

Vanessa Miller: I've talked with many people who have experienced hurt in the church. So, I wanted to write a story about a woman who had trust issues because of things she'd seen growing up in church.

JP: What sets A Love for Tomorrow apart from other novels in its genre?

VM: A CBA (Christian Book Association) Reviewer said this about A Love for Tomorrow: "Trust, Forgiveness, and faith, the core of author Miller's message are woven into a light love story that offers help and healing… good romance that ministers."

I believe her review hit in on the head. What sets my books apart from others is that all though A Love for Tomorrow is romance it is written to not just touch the heart, but also the soul and spirit.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to A Love for Tomorrow getting out to the public?

VM: If I have any keys to success it would simply be that I have decided to stick it out and to succeed at doing what I love… no matter what it takes or how long it takes.

I also try to publicize my books as much as possible. I do a 5-7 city tour when my books releases. I believe that it is important to get out there and meet your readers.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish A Love for Tomorrow?

VM: A Love for Tomorrow took two months to write. Most of my books take between two – three months. As for a process, I get up every morning and sit down in front of my computer and write.

I do not allow myself too many non-writing days. This is my career. I couldn't go into a corporate job and say, "Well, I'm here but I'm not going to do any work today." So, even though I work from home, I am determined to be productive.

The writing business takes discipline. So, if anyone says to me, "I want to write a book." Then I tell them to sit down and write everyday. I also handle a lot of the business of writing through the day also.

I may write a page or two and then need a break, so I'll check my email and handle whatever is on the agenda for that day… An interview, setting up a book signing, signing books and mailing them out, responding to my readers, working on book cover or back copy concepts with my publishers. Believe me, there is a lot to do in a day.

JP: What's next for Vanessa Miller?

VM: I have another book releasing in November, Long Time Coming, which is a stand alone book with a wonderfully inspiring story.

The third book in the Second Chance at Love Series will release in April 2011. So therefore, you have: Yesterday Promise, A Love for Tomorrow, then A Promise of Forever Love.

http://www.vanessamiller.com/
http://www.myspace.com/vmiller1
http://www.facebook.com/vanessamiller01
http://www.twitter.com/vanessamiller01

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Monday, September 13, 2010

AAMBC Book Fall Tours w/ Arquila Todd

Synopsis :  My Testimony documents Arquila's remarkable journey from dating drama and distress to dating experiences with knowledge and revelation. This highly personal yet universally relatable book outlines how Todd rose from the depths of despair after finding the true love of her life, God. Through her inspiring story readers will learn:
 
What the Bible really says about relationships - key Scripture to uplift, enlighten and heal.
 
How to learn, grow, and mature from your past boyfriends or partners no matter how painful or dysfunctional, with the help from Jesus Christ. She sat at His feet and was transformed.
 
The secrets to living a happy, fulfilled single life, whether dating or not. Discover the inner strength you didn't know you had by relying on God's glorious Word.
 
Through Todd's honest frank and always engaging personal history, readers will gain life-changing insights into the way God really commands us to live and the peace and fullness of life that follows. This book is for all women who have ever struggled with the answers that solve their dating frustrations.
 
Excerpt: So many men have been conditioned by the reactions of women. A man will mention plans and not follow through, which causes the woman to chase after him because the woman wants what he has suggested. Pavlov was a scientist famous for demonstrating that if you give a dog something to eat every time you ring a bell, soon the dog starts to salivate when you just ring the bell because it has associated one stimulus with the other. It’s the same way with men. The ladies they date enjoy spending time with them, and after a while, they just offer to spend time with the women, who begin to salivate, wishing for the reward of being with these men.
 
Awareness of the situation is key. We have a choice to step back for a moment and witness what is happening. Is a man putting a carrot in front of his woman’s face because he’s so conditioned to seeing women chase after the hope of being with him? He wants her to chase after what he is offering or what he has. And if so, we can make a conscience choice to not chase that carrot. We accomplish this by not allowing their proposals to get us so excited that we plan everything or nag them about their suggestion. We don’t run after what they are offering; we simply allow them to give to us. We can see the proposal for what it is—just a suggestion—and say, “Oh, well, maybe he will follow through but maybe not. We will see. I am not affected by what he does or doesn’t do. I can make a conscious choice to not get bent out of shape if he doesn’t follow through. His proposal doesn’t make me or break me. His calling or not calling doesn’t rock my world. His follow-through, or lack thereof, doesn’t ruin my day. He doesn’t have that kind of control over my feelings. He is not the be-all to end-all. If he doesn’t make plans, life goes on. I am not thrown off one bit.”
 
Now, that’s girl power!
 
 Biography: Arquila grew up in small town Phenix City, AL where her parents instilled in her a reverence for God. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Airway Science Management and has been an air traffic controller for the past 20 years. Arquila enjoys reading, vacationing and visits with friends and family. She lives in Arlington
 
Interview with Arquila
 
1. What was the biggest problem in your dating relationship? I put the man before God. I loved the creation more than the Creator. I had forsaken my first love which caused chaos in my relationship.
 
2. What was your biggest lesson you learned during your journey? That there is a cost for the sin I commit. Scripture teaches me not to fornicate which is having sex and I am not married. I could not be mad at the guy I was dating because of my choice to be disobedient which caused me pain. I was experiencing consequences for what I choose to do. In taking responsibility I could never say, “There are no good men left or all men are dogs.” If I want things to go better in my relationships, the change starts with me.
 
My Testimony: How God Used the Pain of My Dating Relationship to Get My Attention and Had Me Return to Him3. How was your past affecting your dating? I grew up in a house hold were my father would tell me I would never amount to anything and couldn’t do anything right. My ex-husband had that same condescending attitude towards me. What I learned is I had to forgive my father because that childhood relationship was still affecting me. And I had to learn what godly relationships looked like. I read how Boaz protected and provided for Ruth and she let him. Now this is my example and new standard for the special man in my life.
 
4. What did Scripture teach you as far as dating? First, Scripture taught me the difference in a man who treats me as someone who is special compared to someone he just wants to sleep with. The example is Jacob, Rachel and Leah where Jacob had an outward show of affection for Rachel. Jacob knew who he wanted and chose Rachel. He helped her with her task. He wanted to be in her presence. She was special and he waited to have sex with her. Jacob did not choose Leah but had sex with her and the next morning was calling for Rachel. Leah having sex with Jacob did not keep him from calling the woman who had his heart. Leah had sex with Jacob but was miserable and unloved. Jacob used Leah but loved Rachel. There was no mention of any outward show of affection or any mention of him spending time with Leah. 
All Jacob wanted was sex from Leah. As women we must decide if we are going to be a Leah or a Rachel.
 
5.  How do you handle a guys disappearing act? By having a life that does not revolve around him. I had to learn to keep my appointments with my friends and family and it was okay to tell him no to us getting together when I had previous plans. Absence makes the heart grown fonder and too much of anything is not good. I do not want my male companion complaining of Arquila overload. Balance is key. So I volunteer with big brothers and big sisters, spend time writing books and hanging out with friends.
 
6. How do you handle the frustration when a guy makes possible plans for the weekend but doesn’t follow through which leaves many women sitting a home waiting on his call? I have him RSVP. I tell him to let me know by Wednesday if we are going to get together on Friday or else I will make alternate plans. This way my life is not on hold because of some possible plans he may have.
 
7. Does it frustrate you if a guy gets your number but does not call? No, I had to learn that when a guy does not call he is not the one for me. God blocked the connection and instead of being angry I am thankful. Life is all about perspective.
 

Monday Morning Motivation - "You are the Boss of You"


Monday Morning Motivation
"You Are The Boss of You"
Greetings!

We have a tendency to torture ourselves.  We over book ourselves.  We take on more than we can handle.  We help other people more than we help ourselves.  Do any of these behaviors sound familiar? 

What I have eventually come to realize is that in the past I made my life a lot harder than it had to be.  Sometimes we take our lives and ourselves way too seriously.  As an entrepreneur, I am my own boss.  But as people, we are all the bosses of our own lives.  Therefore, we have the power to make our lives work for us. 

How can you readjust your day to day routine to reduce unnecessary stress?  Here are a couple of simple suggestions...

Pay Yourself First

When I say this, I don't just mean money. Time and energy are just as valuable as money.   Do something for yourself first, before you begin to think about what needs to be done for the children, what needs to be done around the house, or what you need to do for work.  Each day, I exercise first, which sets a nice tone for the rest of my day and helps me to have more energy, less stress, and peace of mind in knowing that I took care of myself first.

It doesn't have to take two hours.  It may just be that you spend the first five minutes of your day in prayer, enjoying your favorite breakfast, or reading a chapter of a juicy novel.  When we neglect ourselves and put all of our energy into others, resentment begins to creep in and take over our joy.  When you put yourself first, if only for a moment, you will feel much better about the things that you do for everyone else.

Make Time For Fun

Some people play too much, but most people don't play enough.  Play is an integral part of the human experience.  So make some time for fun, or those things that you've always wanted to do.  Reintroduce spontaneity into your life.

Go to a carnival, arcade or movie with your mate. Read a book for enjoyment instead of business or school.  Make a spur of the moment decision, throw caution to the wind and just do it!  This week I made a last minute decision to attend an out of town literary event next weekend where some of the biggest authors in the business will be in attendance.  I figure that since I want to be the best, then I'd better surround myself with the best.  So I've decided to embark upon this adventure before I begin to create a thousand reasons why I shouldn't go. Now that I've registered for the conference and booked my room, I feel so excited!  I'm excited not only about the experience, which I know will be awesome, but I am excited about taking such a huge leap of faith and doing something that I know that I will enjoy.

 

This week I challenge you to come up with a simple and manageable plan to make your life work for you.  You are the boss of you, so take charge and adjust accordingly.

Monica Marie Jones
Marketing and Motivation Mondays with Monica Marie Jones Radio Show TONIGHT!
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Join Author and Motivational Speaker Monica Marie Jones as she shares Book and Business Marketing tips on a budget and Motivation to keep you striving toward your goals! This week's show features Dara Nichole, author of the highly anticipated, soon to be released, young adult novel..."Called Out!" This is a show that you do not want to miss. Listen and chat live at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/michiganliterarynetwork or call in at (646) 915.9177
Monica Marie Jones
The Literary Loft
www.monicamariejones.com
monica@monicamariejones.com
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