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Shevi rated The Lovely Bones 6 days ago.
Shevi finished reading The Lovely Bones 6 days ago.
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Shevi is planning to read My Woman His Wife.
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Rated 5 stars
In a moment of pique and frustration Virginia wrote an open letter to Oprah, and shared it with a few writer friends who are going through the same thing we are. Now the letter has started to go viral--getting a lot of repostings and inclusions in blogs, newsletters and on Facebook, so in case you hadn't seen it, we wanted to share our plight, the plight of many black authors with you, readers who have supported us all these years. http://twomindsfull.blogspot.com.In reality Oprah is just a metaphor--a name that might get this subject the attention it deserves. Because when you have a publication like Library Journal listing their 31 Best Books of 2009 http://ow.ly/HDU7 and the "genre" fiction list includes Street Lit --8 books but no category for contemporary African American writers, we are really in trouble. We are trying to encourage diversity in reading--we believe books should be windows, not just mirrors...
Thank you so much -! I look forward to receiving your photo!xoxo,Bernice
Thank you!
Dear Book Lover:You may not know me or my novels, because I am a member of a growing band of African-American writers of literary fiction who are slowly disappearing. And not because I am lacking in talent and credentials; in fact I have already published a number of books with major publishing houses and have been reviewed by national newspapers and well-respected literary journals, and have received critical acclaim and awards for my efforts. My work has been hailed as vivid, thought provoking and brilliant. I have been compared to Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston and Gloria Naylor.The fact that my novels may disappear is not due to the downward spiral of the economy or the pound of flesh it has taken from the book-publishing industry. No, my demise began long before the floor of the housing market began to rot away and the stock market crashed through.Why?I don't rightly know why publishers market fiction written by African-Americans ONLY TO African-Americans - but it has become common practice. And by doing this, they've placed all AA authors in one box forcing them to compete for the attention of ONE audience.The word that has been coined to describe what is happening to AA writers is: Seg-Book-GationSegregation is an abominable practice no matter how you slice it - but when you apply it to art -- it becomes a sin. Art of any medium should transcend color, race, class, religion and ethnicity, but alas, that is not the case in the publishing world.AA literary writers like myself are being pushed out of the industry all together as we are no longer able to secure book deals, because publisher claim that AA readers are only interested in buying books about sex, street-life and drugs. We know that this is not the case. We are a diverse people, interested in a variety of subjects.On January 9th, 2010, my debut novel, SUGAR will celebrate its 10th anniversary. In order to commemorate this occasion It is my great hope that this moving story of friendship and acceptance will sell 10,000 copies between now and the anniversary date.Please try your best to purchase from an independent bookstore. It was the independent bookstores that made SUGAR the instant success it was 10 years ago. But if you're unable to do so, then place your order with AALBC or Amazon.comIt is my dream that the surge in sales for this decade old novel, will send a message to the publishers that we readers desire ...crave and DEMAND a variety of literature from our AA writers because our stories are just as riveting, thought-provoking and universally appealing as the stories coming from our non-African-American counterparts.Please purchase at least one copy of SUGAR for yourself, a friend or family member. Cut and paste this message into your email program and send it out to your list. Tweet, Blog, Facebook and Myspace it.... !!Thanking you in advance for helping SUGAR make history!P.S.Send a picture of yourself purchasing a copy of SUGAR and I will post it on my blog: www.firstborngirl.blogspot.comSend your photos to: bernicemcfadden@hotmail.com and please include your name and the name and location of the bookstore.
Poignant. Shocking. A page turner. These are some of the words found in the good reviews of d.y. phillips’ new book: Love Trumps Game. Reviews can be found on Amazon.com. Love Trumps Game by d.y. phillipsFor an excerpt of the book, check out the author’s website at. www.debraphillips.homestead.com .
We're having a CONTEST!EVER BEEN BROKE? In our new book What Doesn't Kill You, the main character, Tee Hodges, loses her job and just about everything else except her mind and her sense of humor. So we're having a contest--tell us your best BROKE STORY! And win prizes!! Visit http://deberryandgrant.com, http://twomindsfull.blogspot.com, http://blog.myspace.com/twomindsfull for contest details!!!!ANDSunday, Dec 21 6:10PM-7PM. We're going to be on Blogtalk Radio with our friend and sister author, Donna Hill. If you're free please drop by http://blogtalkradio.com/author-donna-hill at 6:10pm to listen and/or call 347 426-3649 to join in the chat.AND Did you know? December is National Buy a Book by Somebody Black and Give it to Somebody Not Black Month? Check out our friend Carleen Brice at http://welcomewhitefolks.blogspot.com/ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!
I just wanted to introduce all of my shelfari friends to my new character, Olena Day. So if you see a friend (In Love With A Younger Man) that you don't recognize I updated my shelfari profile and Sweet Georgia Brown is gone, but hopefully not forgotten. Thanks for staying supportive.
We haven't been reading much these days, but we have been busy writing and counting our many blessings! And we now dates and cities for our Tour for What Doesn't Kill You--which will be released Jan. 6, 2009. Please visit our website: http://deberryandgrant.com/DGTours.html for exact times, locations and for updates. Come and see us if we're in/near your city-and PLEASE spread the word!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I think you should be able to research and join the Amazon Vine Program via this link: http://vine.amazon.com
Nope, not until you read something of mine! Just kidding. Of course. Talk with you soon.B
You know, I started out finishing every book that I started, whether I loved it or hated. These days, I just can't be dedicated like that. There is just so much to read out there! Yesterday I started on a book, and it feels like a dud too! :o)
Hi Shevi...I see you are reading Property too. How do you like it so far? I have been trying to get through this book for the past two weeks. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Thanks for accepting.
Thanks for the friendship!! I see A Woman's Worth is one of your favorites. Tracey Price Thompson is a great author and on my must read list!Check out Gwyneth Bolton in the Kimani Press Myspace Lounge @ www.myspace.com/kimanipress
I also read and enjoyed reading One in a Million, the good Rev Black made a cameo appearence. I always enjoy her books.
I haven't read Sanderine's Letter to Tomorrow but thanks for recommending it! I've been trying to find more books liike OMaH ever since I finished it. I'll check it out and let you know how I liked it.
Thanks for the recommendations I will add those to my list.
Ooooh, Kindred was gooood! Have u read Fledgling?
Hey, Shevi! I was looking through your shelf and I noticed you read The Good House by Tananarive Due. Another one of her books you should read is The Living Blood. It is the sequel to My Soul To Keep, but I didn't read that one. Also, read The Between. Both are FANTASTIC!!
