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Friday, November 18, 2011
The Literary World of Sylvia Hubbard 4 Updates: LiveStory, Black Friday, Writing Workshop & Loaning Books
Monday, November 14, 2011
I Am The Ancestor By Symbolie Monique Smith via @aambookclub
I'm the proud mother of 4 awesome and amazing children and I take my role as a mother VERY seriously. My primary reason, main purpose and my true desire for writing my book is gift to them. I have used every bit of knowledge, strength and capabilities that I've self-developed to raise and developed their individual personalities while building a mini empire. I refuse to just leave behind businesses, a life insurance policy, homes and other materials possessions, without sharing with them my true identity and my life's journey. They must know who their mother really is, my experiences and what it took for me to become the women I am today.I want to leave them a TRUE LEGACY. As I started writing my story, I became overwhelmingly compiled to bring awareness to many areas that have affected my life. The immediate are: Sharing of one's history is nothing new, but are people really educating their children about their roots and the importance of them. Good or bad, parent must continue to empower them with that knowledge; they may even enlighten themselves during the process. Thus: GENEALOGY Elementary children with cell phones may be ok for many, but do parents and care givers have a STRONG plan enforced with them about their safety and surroundings. Let them know that the boggy man is not just something that they imagine under the bed or peeking from the closet—it's lives amongst us. Oh yea, the boggy grows as they grow and changes often. Worst of all, it's not always a deformed evil looking creature, which only appears once they're alone. Thus: PREDATORS Blinded eye people – Any person who KNOWINGLY fails to perform their duties are partially responsible for damages and harm they allow to take place. There are all types of signs and processes that are being ignored by them which should immediately be acknowledge in any possible way. Blinded eye people are aiders and abettors for sharing in wrongful acts because their actions or, lack of. Family, Friends, Neighbors and Municipalities: Thus "ROLE PLAYERS". If I can bring hope of any, to show proof that light IS at the end of the tunnel, that a cloud can be lassoed and can proudly shout…..I AM ABLE……………..GET READY, BE READY AND STAY READY……………………Thus: INSPIRED Excerpt: Throughout all of this, I still make time for myself. I have to! My social life is pretty average for a woman who has her children's best interest first. Over the years, I've dated and enjoyed hobbies like sewing and knitting. I also make time to connect with other women at social events and outings. On a monthly basis, I attend a recurring women's event and every time I leave I am pumped and charged to work even harder. By all accounts, I feel like the most powerful woman in the world when I take into consideration what I have vs. what statistics report I should have. Unfortunately, I am also a woman without a true identity on a quest to find out where it all began for me. Imagine a world with no links, no attachments, and no existence. Can you picture yourself walking down the street wondering if the person who just passed you is your brother, sister, or cousin? Do you know what it's like to get tested more frequently than most persons because of an unknown family medical history? Have you experienced not being able to enjoy a simple cruise to Aruba, Jamaica, or the Mediterranean because you cannot produce proof of your identity? I can't obtain a passport because my vital statistics are not correct. For too many years, I have lived this way and still I have no real answers. This is the reason I gave birth to I Am the Ancestor. After 15 years of endlessly searching for the truth, I suddenly realized that I must tell my story before I die in an attempt to leave behind a true legacy for my four children. Leaving this burden on Courtney is completely unacceptable to me. I Am the Ancestor is an inspirational account of my life as a woman living in a world without a single connection. Thanks to being abducted, exploited, and raised by a woman named Tammie Smith who never showed any love and various municipalities such as the public school system, the Department of Social Security, Bureau of Vital Records, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and police departments who dropped the ball at one point or another in my life, I am like many victims of abduction: left to put the pieces of my life together. What's worse is the impact this is having on my children. Now, it's my duty as a mother, the only dear title that I really have — for I'm not a daughter, a sister, an aunt, nor a cousin — to make sense of my history. With this book, I truly want to share my strengths, expose my weaknesses, develop in all areas of my life, and survive by any means for my children and myself. When this book is finally released, I will be free, my children will be empowered, and the minds of many will be wide open! Not only that, but this book will open the door for other people in the world, like me, who are determined to put together the missing pieces of their lives. I believe that there are thousands, if not millions, of people like me in the world! As a matter of fact, just recently I saw two different news accounts of women who had been abducted as children and were reunited with their family. It shocked the world to know that we, adults who were abducted as children, are still out.
Ms. Smith is an accomplished author. There are certainly multiple dimensions to this woman and they are constantly unfolding, however amidst all her accomplishments the one that resonates and remains a constant in her life is that of "Mother." As a mother, she wants nothing but happiness and a "real legacy" for her four beautiful children. Ms. Smith has often said that her children are her reason for breathing. She manages to balance both the role of motherhood and professional with fineness and her own unique style. But it doesn't end there. Ms. Smith is an involved parent, a mentor to many, a philanthropist and an activist. Some of her interest and hobbies include bike riding, white water rafting, swimming and skating. S. Monique Smith is a multi-talented, and vibrant powerhouse of a woman. She is indeed a force of nature, and once you've had the pleasure of making her acquaintance, you will be left with a indelible impression. Get to Know Monique: 1. What's so special about your book with so many others out there? A. That I'm living the life as a 'Missing Person'…because I am. 2. Have you ever written a book before? A. I have never neither written nor desired to write a book before now but felt the need to not only share my story with my children, but to the world in hopes of HELPING anyone….another innocent child more so. 3. Why a book now? A. Sharing! It's time for me to share MY story and to step out on faith with another project . . . Why now? Once one knows they are ready for something . . . IT IS TIME! I had opportunities before that were small….'it's the season now I guess". Also, the resources I have now make it so much easier for the novice in this writing/publishing area. 4. What challenges are you facing? A. This a whole new arena for me. Way out of my scope. …Did I say WAY? So researching, educating myself and cherry picking the resources that could directly aid me in this process was priority…and COSTLY! People are NOT the professionals that they THINK they are. 5. The release of the book? A. Sunday October the 2nd, followed by a bus tour on Sunday October 14th, and a Book signing on Sunday October 7, 8, 22nd EXCITED!! I'm going to do a state tour in hopes of finding out what state I'm from while raising awareness and funds for my charities 6. Are you getting any help? A. People are amazing. I've shared my story and have often received an abundant amount of tools, aids, resource, leads and unbelievable support…BRAVO TO ALL WHOM TAKE ACTION FOR THEIR CAUSES!! 7. Can you share anything exciting about the book? A. Yes I can . . . my book is not just for me to share with my children. It will inspire people in so many other areas of their lives…I know and have been told DAILY since I've started. With that being said…I'll be launching and advocating the importance of instilling in not just our youth, but how EVERYONE is an Ancestor….Stay Tuned. |
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Essence of Motown Literary Jam & Conference 2011 #motownlit Itinerary | Still Time To Register #111111 | Plz Share!
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Monday, November 07, 2011
Spotlight: Sleepless Nights: The Drew Smith Series By Norwood Holland @Norwood22 via @aambookclub
Literary Spotlight
twitter: @Norwood22
William Norwood Holland, Jr. or Norwood Holland also his nom de plume was born on July 22, 1951 in Washington, DC and grew up in Gum Springs the historically black enclave in Virginia’s suburban Fairfax County once apart of the Mount Vernon plantation then willed to George Washington’s slaves and their descendants. Holland traces both maternal and paternal lineages to Washington’s slaves. During the post Brown vs. Board of Education desegregation period he attended the County’s segregated Drew-Smith Elementary School named after the pioneering African American physician Dr. Charles Drew and 19th Century Gum Springs resident and educator Annie Smith. Holland credits his early childhood reading and education with inspiring the name of his lead protagonist Drew Smith.
He has served in several government agencies including the National Labor Relations Board and a number of Washington’s top national law firms. In the mid 90s Hollandbegan freelancing for the local media. In 2008 The Writer Magazine published his How I Write profile of local best selling novelist George Pelacanos.
Hollandidentifies with Pelacanos’ writing style and hometown setting also adopting the same hardboiled noir fiction genre. For the past 10 years Hollandhas devoted much of his writing to completing the 4 volume Drew Smith series. He launches the series with the publication of Sleepless Nights, where the practicing attorney/bon vivant keeps it real both at work and play.
Hollandcurrently blogs at editorialindpendence.com . More information on Sleepless Nights is available at SleeplessNightsNovel.com and his web site Norwood Holland.com
Trial
attorney Drew Smith a solo practitioner takes on shady clients solving
cases fraught with danger and romantic intrigue. Through Sleepless
Nights the urban legal wizard while frolicking with an exotic dancer
succumbs to a midlife crisis. Haunted by foreshadowing nightmares an
awakening reveals an empty life but Smith finds solace with therapist
Zöe Settles. In an already complicated life Smith is pressed into
service when a vicious robbery leaves three dead and the city enraged.
Drew Smith and his devoted sidekick Julio Mejia work to free his young
client on the trail of a crazed gunman responsible for a growing body
count. In the end, the gunman and the dancer combine forces to bring
Smith down. When death comes knocking Drew Smith faces the fight of his
life.Purchase Your Copy | Click Here
Get to Know Holland:
1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a freelance writer and lawyer lobbying on behalf of police and security officers. I received my law degree from Howard University School of Law and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English at Fisk University. A native of Washington DC, I favor D.C.’s local color in my fiction and currently write the offbeat blog editorialindependence.com devoted to diversity issues and labor law, book reviews, and social commentary.
2. Describe your book ‘Sleepless Nights’ in 30 words or less.
Sleepless Nights is suspenseful with larger than life characters based on a true crime story changing the lives of three young men and those around them–an engrossing legal thriller.
3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
For me the most difficult part of writing Sleepless Nights was developing the plot line, and trying to come up with creative ways to raise the stakes for Drew Smith. A fundament rule for legal thrillers is to make your protagonist suffer and with that in mind the challenge was to make Drew Smith suffer while seemingly enjoying the high life. Drew Smith an urban bon vivant in his favor why should he be troubled? So I had the difficult task of causing him trouble. Once I had a central plot down then subplots and characters began to unfold naturally in the development.
4. What books have had the greatest influence on you?
I love biographies and particularly writer’s biographies. I’m a student of African American Literature so my taste may be a little esoteric. Two great books which I considered my favorite autobiographies are James Weldon Johnson’s Along This Way and Langston Hughes I Wonder As I Wander. As for popular fiction I’m a big fan of Harold Robbins and James Michener, I like epic adventures. I can say unequivocally the works of Langston Hughes have had the greatest influence on me.
5. Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?
Marketing is a challenge and a whole new experience for me. I’m targeting book clubs and reading groups to develop a core readership or fan base. I’m also targeting the Library market. I have found the local and national independent publishing associations to be valuable resources. They have also been instrumental in introducing me to book fairs and trade shows as possible venues for selling books. My promotional strategy is combination of both on line and off line. I plan to implement an intense internet promotional plan primarily made up of a bog blog tours to promote the ebooks and book signings at independent book stores and reading groups.
6. How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
Lately I’ve taken up golf as a hobby. When I’m not working I’m usually involved in some type of self improvement project like trying to teach myself new skills like building web sites and learning a second language. I also like to travel something I hope to do more of as I attempt to promote my book at book stores across the country. I enjoy reading, visiting art museums, and music. According to Auntie Mame, “life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving.” I try to end each day sated.
7. What are you working on next?
Minus One, the prequel to the Drew Smith Series is in its final editing stages. I expect to see it in print by Spring 2012. Drew Smith finishes law school and takes a job as a hotel concierge while awaiting his bar exam results. He makes new friends with two Bell Men and after a night out on the town suddenly finds themselves the center of a murder mystery.
twitter: @Norwood22
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
The Literary World of Sylvia Hubbard Updates from the Live Story: La Revanche des Trois (The Revenge of Three)
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