Visit the Bookstore!
December 13, 2008 by admin · Comments Off
Before you leave today, now’s the time to load up on books by all our spotlight authors, workshop presenters and even attendees. So, Don’t forget to stop by the BOOKSTORE. Remember, books make great gifts!
Participants Only – List Your Link!
December 13, 2008 by admin · 26 Comments
Okay, listen closely. This is a link only post. (And this is for those who actually participated, so we can have everyone’s info in one spot.) If you do NOT follow directions, you will be deleted. If you DID NOT participate, you will be deleted. Also, do not include your pitch or your book title, your company bio, or any of that for this post. So, please follow my lead and share your link and the info as shown.
(Did I say you will be deleted if you don’t follow directions? LOL. Just wanted to say it one mo’ time.)
Example:
RAWSISTAZ Literary Group – http://www.rawsistaz.com (Book Club)
Maya Angelou - http://www.mayaangelou.com (Author)
(And it is okay to post more than one link in a reply vs sending a million replies.)
DISC- Favorite Books of All Time
December 11, 2008 by admin · 39 Comments
Today’s discussion topic is on favorite books of all time. Please LIST THEM (not link to another site) and tell us what made them special for you. Also include the authors. And, if you can remember a scene or line from the book (without giving spoilers), tell us that too!
Let’s hear from you.
Great Black Books 2008
December 11, 2008 by admin · 16 Comments
It’s that time of year when many people review their reads for the previous 11 months or when others are searching for holiday (book) gifts. The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (TRR) are doing a GREAT BLACK BOOKS 2008 list this, pulled from our Five on the Fifth column on Blogging in Black. These are books we have reviewed and given the tag TRR FAVORITES. As a reminder, most of these books received a 4.5 or 5.0 rating on a 5.0 scale. (And this is only a small portion, so be sure to visit http://www.blackbookreviews.net to find more!)
Did you read any of these titles? Share your list of favorites for 2008 in the comments section!
GREAT BLACK BOOKS ‘08 / RAWSISTAZ FAVORITES
January Features:
· Sweet Georgia Brown by Cheryl Robinson (Fiction)
· Murder, Mayhem and a Fine Man by Claudia Mair Burney (Mystery)
· Passin’ by Karen E. Quinones Miller (Fiction)
· Wind Follower by Carole McDonnell (Speculative Fiction)
· Where I Want to Be by Maryam Diaab (Romance)
February Features:
· Not Even if You Begged by Francis Ray (Fiction)
· Hotlanta by Denene Millner & MItzi Miller (Young Adult Fiction)
· Even Numbers by Barbara Grovenor (Fiction)
· Interceptions by Staci Robinson (Fiction)
· Choices by Skyy (Fiction)
March Features:
· Jezebel by Jacquelin Thomas (Christian Fiction)
· Faith Under Fire: Betrayed By A Thing Called Love by LaJoyce Brookshire (Memoir)
· The Mpire: In Search of the Lost by T.L. James (Fiction)
· Them by Nathan McCall (Fiction)
· Three Wishes by Janice Sims (Romance)
April/May Features:
- Long, Hot Nights by Candice Poarch (Romance)
- Like Never Before by Sylvia Lett (Romance)
- The Trophy Wife by Ashley & JaQuavis (Street Fiction)
- Dynamic Diva Dollars: For Women Who Aren’t Afraid To Be Millionaires by Elon Bomani (Self-Help/Business)
- Naked Love by Darnella Ford (Fiction)
- Sacrifice: Demon Hunter Series Book 2 by T.L. Gardner (Paranormal)
- Deception’s Legacy by Jacqueline G. Randolph (Fiction)
- One Dead Lawyer by Tony Lindsay (Mystery)
- Sexcapades by HoneyB (Erotica)
- The Knees of Gullah Island by Dwight Fryer (Historical Fiction)
June/July Features:
- Ivy’s Twisted Vine by Latrivia S. Nelson (Fiction)
- Too Little, Too Late by Victoria Christopher Murray (Christian Fiction)
- Money Power Respect by Erick S. Gray (Street Fiction)
- Forever The Fat Kid by Michael Boyd (Memoir)
- Love Tornado by Mable John and David Ritz (Christian Fiction)
August Features:
- Motherless Child: Stories of A Life by Sarah Gordon Weathersby
- Just Too Good To Be True by E. Lynn Harris (Fiction)
- You Gotta Sin To Get Saved by J. D. Mason (Fiction)
- Shameless Hoodwives by Meesha Mink and De’Nesha Diamond (Street Fiction)
- Orange Mint & Honey by Carleen Brice (Fiction)
September Features:
- Crown’s Jewel by Cynthia D. Toliver (Fiction)
- Seeds of Bible Study by Carol McDonnell (Non-Fiction/Religious)
- Three Doors Down by Michele Sudler (Romance)
- Taneesha: Never Disparaging by M. LaVora Perry (Young Adult)
- Broken by Robin “Robbie” Ayele (Mystery)
October Features:
- Sinful Too by Victor McGlothin (Fiction)
- Harriet Tubman: Imagining A Life by Beverly Lowry (Non-Fiction)
- Floss by Monica Marie Jones (Fiction)
- Lady Preacher by K. T. Richey (Christian Fiction)
- Charlemagne Mack: Rise of the Queen, Personal Journal #1 by Stephen M. Jones (Young Adult)
November Features:
- Uncle Otto: A Novel by Winifred Cook (Fiction)
- So Good It Hurts by Na’Kisha Crawford (Self-Help)
- Rhythms of Grace by Marilynn Griffith (Christian Fiction)
- In The Night of the Heat by Blair Underwood, Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due (Mystery)
- The Shadows by L.A. Banks (Paranormal)
December Features
- This Life Isn’t Perfect Holla by Sandra Foy (Romance)
- Ruby and the Booker Boys: Trivia Queen, 3rd Grade Supreme by Derrick Barnes (Young Adult)
- Reflections of A Mississippi Magnolia: A Life of Poems by Patricia Neely-Dorsey (Poetry)
- Blackbird, Farewell by Robert Greer (Mystery)
- Family Skeleton: A Brother and Sister’s Journey from Murder to Truth by Sabrina Carmichel-Yaw and Aurora (Memoir)
- Southside Nefertiti #3 by Mike Sales (Comic)
Book Spotlight Ad – Every Woman Needs a Wife
December 11, 2008 by admin · 22 Comments
If you can’t view this eBlast, visit http://www.rawsistaz.com/Naleighna-Kai-eBlast.jpg.
Reader & Writer Tips
December 10, 2008 by admin · 40 Comments
Sharing another article I’ve written…
Please add your own tips as this is a topic we could continue for days. Tomorrow, I’ll provide a listing of literary resources I find helpful and break them down in categories, for readers and writers.
Reader & Writer Tips
by Tee C. Royal
::::::READER TIPS::::::
Keep a Reading Log. A simple spreadsheet of what you read, the author’s name and your general thoughts is a great tool for avid readers. I’ve been doing this the past 5 years consistently and it’s rewarding to see the diversity of my reading selections.
Share Recommendations. Most readers are in book clubs or various online groups. Share your recommendations as this is a great promotion tool for authors.
Step Outside the Box. Everyone has preferred genres, but challenge yourself to read one book a year outside of the genre. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Read The Book Selection. I don’t get why so many people join book clubs and never read the book. It seems pointless.
Elaborate During Discussions. The simple “I liked the book” says nothing. Really evaluate a book and try to apply it to your life. See how it relates to past times and events. Know why you like a book and why you don’t. Consider what you would’ve done differently, what may have worked better.
Buy the Book. Yeah, the library is great and all, but the whole borrowing of books is getting out of hand. Skip lunch a few times a month and save that money as your book money if there are financial issues. If you don’t have those issues, stop being cheap.
Stop Harrassing Authors. Some of our book buddies give readers a bad name. Stop stalking authors ya’ll. They do have the right to privacy.
Work Together. There are a million book clubs, with hopefully very similar goals of helping authors and reading great books. Why be competitive or even go so far as to steal information? (Someone stole the entire RAWSISTAZ site one time and claimed it as their book club, with a new name and new colors and everything. It was crazy. (And it’s gone now.) But we can work together, share information, do joint projects, without the competitiveness.
Don’t Settle. Stop buying poor quality work. Raise your level of expectation and constructively share feedback with authors.
Be Honest. Whew…can we stop giving the “you go girl” dap to poor quality work or books of your favorite author just because she may have given you a free book once. I heard one book club president tell an author (at a literary event), and this is verbatim, “send your book to us, we’ll give you a 5-star rating. We love you.” Her book club will never be credible if that info gets out.
Have Fun. Reading and discussing books is supposed to be fun, so enjoy it. And, stop trying to go to blows over some made up characters. LOL. Enjoy that time bonding with your sister friends, that’s what the whole book club experience is about.
::::::WRITER TIPS::::::
Have a Plan. Don’t just say you want to write a book…do it. And, don’t just jump on the latest bandwagon, DO YOU. No one can do you better than you can, and if you’re not quite there yet, study, research, and take classes to help perfect your craft. Devise a plan to help you get from point A to point B.
Read. I’ve heard many authors say they don’t read. What? Ummm, never ever say that loud enough for any book enthusiast to hear you. Read the works of others, study what makes them good, and use that information to find out what your strengths are and perfect them.
Research. I can’t stress this one enough. Don’t expect anyone else to do this for you. Yes, others can be used as resources, but always know how to look up things, research, and stay abreast of the latest industry news. Get subscriptions to Publisher’s Weekly, Black Issues Book Review, Writers Digest, or simply sign up for these places online. Most have online versions of their magazines. Websites and blogs such as Book-Remarks, AALBC, The Blacklist, Blogging in Black, RAWSISTAZ, TheGRITS, and others are great sources of information to stay aware of what’s going on and how it affects writers.
Be Professional. OMG, you would not believe how some folks act in email, query letters, or even out in public. Remember that you are not only selling your book, you’re selling yourself. Agents and editors don’t want drama, moody, demanding, annoying, or those folks whose hands you have to hold. Be professional at all times. (And don’t harrass folks either.)
Practice Email Etiquette (and Patience). Don’t send nasty grams. ROFL, I’m laughing now, but it’s not really all that funny. I’ve gotten quite a few nastygrams from disgruntled authors wanting to know where a review was, if I had read their books, did I get their submissions, is there any word on the partial they sent in, am I going to represent them, on and on. And while I understand the frustration, realize that the publishing industry is for the most part, not a “fast” industry. It takes time to read/review books, read/respond to queries, and yep, even to negotiate a contract and actually get your books on the shelves. It doesn’t happen overnight.
Follow directions. I know I work folks’ nerves with this one, but please please PLEASE follow directions. When you don’t, it creates much more work for that person to follow-up or fix the problem. Realize that there are reasons a person asks for things a certain way. If they say no attachments, don’t include them, or more than likely your email will be deleted.
Be Careful. Not everyone claiming to “help” you is really planning to do so. There are wolves in this industry too and they will try to gobble you (and your money) up. Ask around; get references! Don’t be too desperate to get out there that you sell yourself short.
Build inventory. Agents and editors love it when authors have several completed books in the hopper. It shows you can start/complete work and you’re more than likely in it for the long-term.
Plan to Market. No one knows your book better than you, so plan to market it. You should start well in advance of the release of your book and continue throughout the release and following months. This includes getting a website. Stop being cheap or thinking you can’t afford a site. You can find low-cost domain and hosting for $10-$25 per year and decent websites (or blog set-ups) for less than $500 (and places like WordPress are free. So please, please please…get your www-FirstnameLastname-com domain NOW.
Be Gracious. A thank you goes a long way, so do thank those who have helped you. Additionally, learn to accept criticism, and use it as a tool to take your writing to another level. Another thing, be proud of your accomplishments, but not arrogant.
Support Others. Some readers read 100+ books a year. Stop thinking your book is the only one competing for their attention. Support your fellow authors.
Practice Positivity. Surround yourself with positive folks and steer clear of those who sap away your energy. Believe in yourself and your dreams.
That’s it! I hope you have enjoyed and will share some of your own reader & writer tips. (And anyone who wants to also share them on the RAWSISTAZ site, please email me directly with WRITER (or READER) TIPS in the subject line, and include your tip, name, and a link to your website. (Please note that it may not be up within a week or two.)
Book Discussion – Unexpected Interruptions
December 10, 2008 by admin · 29 Comments
Come out and join us as we discuss Unexpected Interruptions with author Trice Hickman. Feel free to post your questions in the comments section. Trice, welcome! Please come in and tell us a bit about yourself and post a few discussion questions to get us started. Also be sure to invite your readers over to join the discussion.
About the Author
Prior to writing, Trice Hickman’s diverse professional career included work in both corporate and non-profit organizations. Currently, she is putting the finishing touches on her second novel, and a third book is already underway. She resides in Washington, D.C., with her husband.
Book Spotlight Ad – The Knees of Gullah Island
December 10, 2008 by admin · 10 Comments
Can’t view this eBlast? Visit www.rawsistaz.com/dwightfryer-eblast.jpg
Panel – Books, Book Clubs & Book Reviews
December 9, 2008 by admin · 51 Comments
Welcome to the panel on Books, Book Clubs & Book Reviews, with panelists: aNN Brown/RAWSISTAZ, Renee Williams/All the Buzz, Dee Dee Dalton/Sexy Ebony BBWS, J’me Adams/Passion for Reading, Eraina Tinnin/Piedmont Triad RAWSISTAZ & Monique Bruner/Real Page Turners.
Ladies, please take a moment to introduce yourselves and tell us why you read. Then we’ll follow-up with book reviews, book clubs, and how both can be major assets to getting the word out about books.
If you have questions, post them to the comments section.
Discussion – A Different Kind of Blues
December 9, 2008 by admin · 4 Comments
RAWSISTAZ read A Different Kind of Blues by Gwynne Forster for our November Book of the Month. Join us as we discuss it during the conference. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read it, feel free to ask the author questions about her writing process for the book.
Book Synopsis
At thirty-six, Petra Fields gets a shock that causes her to take a look at her life, and she’s not proud of what she sees. Her past is a catalog of secrets and lies that she’s never had the courage to own up to, and Petra knows she won’t find peace of mind until she’s made amends. But the task is far more difficult than she expected.
The first and hardest step is admitting to Krista, her teenage daughter, that the father Krista believed was dead is very much alive—a revelation that will change their relationship forever. Then there’s the neighbor whose husband Petra had an affair with, the former coworker that she got fired, and a list of other acquaintances who are understandably angry at her sudden desire for forgiveness. Far from setting her free, the truth seems to bring more complications and heartache, but also opens up her life in surprising ways. And when Petra is granted a new chance at love, she’ll face the biggest challenge of all—finding the courage to seize her own happiness and start over for real…
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