"Bumped" by Author Sibylla Nash

Bumped By Sibylla Nash


Author Sibylla Nash

What happens when you’re blindsided by betrayal and happy hour is no longer an option?
Elle Nixon seems to have the perfect life.  As a music PR maven and party girl on the L.A. social scene, she attends the hottest parties and has a roster of artists that reads like the who’s who of Billboard magazine.


Her upwardly mobile bound boyfriend lavishes her with plenty of gifts and attention until he disappears…during the middle of a high-profile fraud investigation into his investment firm by the FBI. Add an unplanned pregnancy to the mix and suddenly, it’s not so fun anymore to walk a mile in her Louboutins. Will Elle’s search for answers help or destroy her as she confronts the past and tries to reinvent her future?

Excerpt:

AFTER A FULL DAY of sightseeing in Paris with eight writers and then a sound check at the famed Olympia, I wanted nothing more than to close my eyes and sleep. Long and hard. I unlockedmy hotel room, took two steps in and flung myself face down on the bed, landing on top of the scratchy, green bedspread with my high heels and short trench coat still on. My room was the length of my arm span, which was fine on a day like today. Tiny, dark, enclosed spaces couldn’t make me feel any worse.

I buried my face in the pillow and tried to stave off the nausea. It felt like the beginning of the flu and it had followed me from Los Angeles to Paris, and had dug its heels in at the hotel along the Champs Elysees. It didn’t help that Paris hadn’t gotten the memo that it was spring, or maybe I didn’t read the memo that said to pack layers of clothes. Either way, it was damp and chilly outside.

It was hard to look chic in goose bumps, no matter how cute my shoes were, and my Louboutinswere hot; save for the beating they were taking from all the cobblestone walkways. I checked the time on my cell phone. I had less than two hours before I had to wrangle everyone back on the bus for the main purpose of the trip, watching one of the biggest hip hop artists in the world, Cameron perform at the Olympia, one of the oldest concert halls in Paris. He was signed to Savage Rhythms, the record label that employed me as a publicist and subsidized my stiletto habit.

My phone chimed and a text message from my friend Justine came through. Growing up, we used to live four doors down from one another in New Jersey and had been as inseparable as cake and ice cream at a birthday party. Now, living on opposite coasts, we were like caviar and a bottle of hundred-year-old scotch, only on special occasions. Happy B-day Ellie! Hope ur enjoying ur trip in city of love!  :> :>)

She included her usual assortment of happy faces and other crazy icons that always made me wonder if she dictated her text messages to her 12-year-old. Bleh! Another birthday. I grabbed a pillow and put it over my face. Born four years apart, my sister Evie and I shared the same birthday. I’d much rather pretend the day didn’t exist. I moved the pillow and rolled over on my stomach to send Justine a quick message.

35. Yaay. I’m working & how much fun can it really b w/my man on another continent?

Before she could reply, my phone rang. “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!” Diego Rivera’s baritone sang in my ear with only the slightest of interference from across the Atlantic. I smiled, happy to avert a trip down memory lane. Even after two and a half years of dating, the sound of his voice still made my stomach tingle with erratic butterflies…or it could have been the escargot from the other night. Twowords. Never. Again.

Sibylla Nash is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and author. She has written about a variety of topics that have appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers.  She is also the author of several books including DreamCity, Baby Modeling & Beyond: From the Stroller to the Red Carpet and her newest novel, Bumped.  She holds a degree from the University of Southern California in print journalism and is the extremely proud mom of a young actress.  You can find her on the web at sibyllanash.com, divaluscious.com, starbabyla.com, bumpedthenovel.com on Facebook and tweets @starbabyla.

Get to Know the Author:
1.)    How did you begin my journey as an author?
 I started off as a freelance writer but as an avid reader, novels were always in my future. This is my fifth book – all independently released -  and it’s been a long work-in-progress! When I released my first novel <gasp> eleven years ago, life was pretty different.  The author tag line on the back of that book (DreamCity) read something like “Sibylla Nash lives in Los Angeles with her dog.” Since then, I became a mom, the dog died, I moved back to NJ and then moved back to LA.  Life happens and I think that’s part of what helps one grow as a writer.  Experiencing and living life and then obsessing and rehashing the details, exploring the “what if’s” and “could be’s” in the pages of the worlds we create.


 2.)  What compelled or inspired you to write this book?
 Who hasn’t had that one relationship where you’re scratching your head after the fact asking yourself, how could I not see this?  I wanted to explore betrayal in such way that seemed more organic. You really go through stages of grief after being betrayed and I wanted to show a character dealing with the ultimate betrayal, which is not necessarily the physical, cheating act. I wanted to take this character from point A of thinking everything’s great to point B where she’s like oh my gosh, who is this person? I can rattle off a list of women in that past few years that have been through a very public and humiliating scandal like Sandra Bullock, Maria Shriver, Elin Woods, etc where they’re with someone who totally turns out to be so different with the emotional and physical cheating.   For the public, that’s the big story but for them, life goes on and they have to pick up the pieces.


 3.)  How do you develop the plot?
 I use index cards, and I like to break the story up into three parts, which is from Syd Fields screenwriting technique. I plot it out and usually deviate from many of my plot points, but I always have an idea of where I’m going and I definitely know where I want to end up.


 4.)    How long did it take to write Bumped?
 Bumped has been a labor of love for quite a few years.  I always thought my second novel after DreamCity would be a sequel but the characters in Bumped demanded to be written. DreamCity was written before I became a mom and Bumped was written late at night, in between auditions for my daughter and play dates.  It has taken quite a few years and revisions and was finally birthed in August 2011.


 5.)    What types of books do you like to read?
 I have a very eclectic taste and will read everything from horror, mystery, thriller, self-help, history and anything else that catches my eye.  I’ll read it on the Kindle or in printed form, whichever I can get my hands on first.  I’m not a die-hard purist and love the opportunities that e-books offer.


 6.)  How do you feel about selling digital books vs. selling in a brick and mortar store?
 I love it!  That coupled with social media allows me to find and connect with a wider audience that was harder to reach with my previous books. It certainly levels the playing field and allows new voices to be heard without having to fight through the gatekeepers of the old guard.


 7.)  What’s next?
 I’m updating my guide, Baby Modeling & Beyond. So much has changed since I wrote it six years ago and there seems to be an even bigger market of moms who are curious about getting their kids started in the business.  I’m also re-releasing my first novel DreamCity at the end of the year.  There’s a fun sequel to that which will be out next year.  I’m staying pretty busy.  I have so many stories in my head bouncing around that are demanding to get out and strut their stuff on the page or screen.


Find Sibylla Nash at:
sibyllanash.com, bumpedthenovel.com, facebook.com/bumpedbysibyllanash, Twitter @starbabyla
Email address: sibylla22@gmail.com
Buy Book at: http://www.amazon.com/Bumped-Sibylla-Nash/dp/0970170637/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318560856&sr=8-1

Movers And Sheriff’s Deputies Refuse Bank’s Order To Evict 103-Year-Old Atlanta Woman

Movers And Sheriff’s Deputies Refuse Bank’s Order To Evict 103-Year-Old Atlanta Woman: pYesterday, a Deutsche Bank branch in Atlanta had requested the eviction of Vita Lee, a 103-year-old Atlanta woman, and her 83-year-old daughter. Both were terrified of being removed from their home of 53 years and had no idea where they’d go next. But when the movers hired by the bank and police were dispatched to [...]/p

I received a call from "CHASE BANK" this evening yes I did call and let my voice be heard....now this is what I been told....they apparently had been in a home that belong to someone else...and the home went under foreclosure....I was also told that they are going to let them stay in the home because of the phone callS (YEA) and complaints!!!!!!! Victoory in Jesus because he brought this to light....! I do wonder about who is taking care of them and their affairs.... (Lights, gas and just their everyday living) I give GOD the victory....and I thank him for allowing me to share my voice of concern....and I thank the gentlemen for posting the number so that I could make that call.....and I thank the Chase rep...for taking me serious (In my Jesus is going to work this out voice :)!!!!! I'm keeping Chase phone number in my phone so if they go back on their word...I will be hot on this topic again!

Movers And Sheriff’s Deputies Refuse Bank’s Order To Evict 103-Year-Old Atlanta Woman

Movers And Sheriff’s Deputies Refuse Bank’s Order To Evict 103-Year-Old Atlanta Woman: pYesterday, a Deutsche Bank branch in Atlanta had requested the eviction of Vita Lee, a 103-year-old Atlanta woman, and her 83-year-old daughter. Both were terrified of being removed from their home of 53 years and had no idea where they’d go next. But when the movers hired by the bank and police were dispatched to [...]/p

Author William Norwood Holland, Jr.

The Reading Room Present Author William Norwood Holland, Jr.

William Norwood Holland, Jr.  or Norwood Holland also his nom de plume was born on July 22, 1951 in ashington, 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.

Desegregation was complete by the time he entered the County’sFortHuntHigh School.  There he witnessed limited social and extra-curricular opportunities for blacks and sought out the historically black college experience enteringFiskUniversityin the fall of 1969.  There he majored in English and Education studying under the late Harlem Renaissance writer Arna Bontemps. Hollandgraduated a member of Lambda Iota Tau International Literature Honor Society in 1973 then worked briefly at theGraduateSchool, USDA counseling military veterans and foreign students before enrolling at Howard University School of Law receiving a Juris Doctor in 1978.

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.

Excerpt:

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.

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.”

 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.

Holland currently blogs at editorialindpendence.com . More information on Sleepless Nights is available at SleeplessNightsNovel.com and his web site Norwood Holland.com

Author Symbolie Monique Smith

The Reading Room Present
I Am The Ancestor By Symbolie Monique Smith
 

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.

AAMBC

3rd Annual Holiday Book Drive

This year marks the third year for the Holiday Book Drive conducted by AAMBC. I for one am excited as I have built relationships with two group homes in the San Antonio Metro Area. The book drive is the spread the love for literature and to entertain those who are less fortunate in a way they would have never imagined. I hope you choose to donate. 2^ndverse.net the premiere showcase of spoken word poetry has joined us in our quest to raise at least 200 books. December 9^th our founder will conduct book drive at their monthly event.  You may wonder why books and not food, clothes, or money? Spreading literature is something that can never be taken away from someone. So please give out the gift of reading. I have located two homes and here is some information about each one

Seton Homes~ is a temporary resident for young teen mother’s ages 12-19 years old. 90% of them have been physically abused and have become pregnant not by choice. Others who have become pregnant have come to Seton Homes to learn how to be a great mother. For this location I am looking for teen books, inspiring books, and children’s books. Not to worry, if you are an author and your book doesn’t fall into this category please consider purchasing a book and donating it. PLEASE NO books with sexual content, rape, abuse, or torture. We must help these young girls evolve and some of them can not read well because they left school. Let’s help them make a turn around for the better.

Their website is http://www.setonhomesa.org/

San Antonio Family Endeavors~ is a permanent home for men, women and children. This home deals with some people who have had mental illness or a disability. We hope that giving them something positive or entertaining will help bring a smile to their Christmas holiday.

Their website is: http://safamilyendeavors.org/

Please send in books that may fall into the following adventurous, inspiring, children books, romance, and mystery

Please do not send in books with large sexual content, murder, rape, torture, profanity, and molestation

If you can not send in books please help us buy books by donating $10 to AAMBC via paypal.com address aambookclub@yahoo.com or mail in monetary donations.

Have questions please email us at aambooklcub@gmail.com

Email us for direct mailing address

With book entry please include a synopsis of the book, genre, and contact information.

BOOK DRIVE STARTS NOVEMBER 15-DECEMBER15. THANKS AGAIN IN ADVANCE FOR HELPING OUT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Author "Winnk"

The Reading Room Present Author "Winnk"

Get to Know Winnk:

What inspired you to write the novels Tour Secrets and Tour Secrets 2?

I’m a former dancer/choreographer and have worked for artist including R. Kelly, Avant and Ronald Isley.  Traveling on the road as a dancer inspired me to write the Tour Secrets series so the readers could get a glimpse of what dancers experienced.  I felt it would be interesting to write some outrageous and sometimes unbelievable, but realistic things that dancers deal with.  Tour Secrets is not a tell all, but will give you a heart-stopping, jaw-dropping inside look into the music industry.  The novels have been re-released under Ailam Publishing, and are available in paperback an Ebooks.

 What character did you enjoy writing about the most in the series Tour Secrets?

 Raven and Que were the characters I enjoyed creating and writing about the most.  Raven revealed a big secret in the book and her sassy, humorous personality was exciting to write.  Que is scandalous and ruthless, and creating his character was fun. 

 Was it easy making the transition from a dancer to an author?

The literary industry is very similar to the entertainment business, so the transition was very easy.  Since I’ve been writing for many years and used to write while traveling, I felt comfortable making the change. 

Tell us about your new novel Misleading? 

My new novel Misleading is about a nightclub owner who is focused on money and being successful.  He realizes that he can’t control the world with money and finds out that the people closes to him are more interested in bringing him down then helping him succeed.  Revenge, deceit, sex, drama and scandal are all tied up in this novel.  The novel will be available on September 30, 2011 and you can pre-order it now on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.  It will be available in paperback and Ebooks.

 What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?

The part of the writing process I enjoy is creating the story and seeing all the elements come together.  I usually create the cover in my mind first and everything else falls into place.  I love creating so writing a novel is like choreographing a dance routine to me.  I enjoy the process from the beginning to the end.

 Why did you decide to self-publish and what are your plans for your new publishing company? 

 I started Ailam Publishing to publish my novels and to keep the creative control over my projects.  I will continue to publish my novels and would also like to publish other authors in the future. 

 What can we expect next from Winkk? 

I will keep writing novels and producing video book trailer.  I will turn my novels into movies and continue mentoring and sponsoring local artist.  I’ve got a few things up my sleeves, so be on the lookout

Excepts:

Expanding his company, Jarvis Denttin is excited to open a new nightclub in Chicago.  He is devastated when his close friend is killed and his businesses become in jeopardy, that he is now reconsidering his move to the Windy City.  Just as attractive and charming as Jarvis, his friend and employee Antonio Flink, is being well trained to become a duplicate of him, but Antonio proves that he is more conniving then Jarvis could imagine.

Candace Mourton, the personal assistant to Jarvis Denttin is a smart opportunist and knows that he is capable of providing the lifestyle she deserves, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the money flowing.   She enjoys her professional and sexual relationship with him, until she breaks her own rule and falls in love.  Jarvis takes care of her financially, and she caters to him daily, but realizes that isn’t enough to keep him interested in her. 

With money dominating Jarvis’s successful life, he is unaware of the scheme being orchestrated to bring him down and he gets caught up in a web of deception.  Knowing all the wrong he has done to people, he’s ready for a fresh start, but karma gets to him first.  Oblivious of his acquaintance motives, puts him in a deadly situation. 

Will his life crumble before he finds out that the people around him have been misleading him the entire time?

Once you open one of Winkk’s novels, you won’t be able to stop until you’ve navigated every twist, turn and tragedy in the lives of her relatable and fascinating characters. Winkk’s deft storytelling and experience as a former model, actress and professional dancer for artists, including R. Kelly, Avant, and Ronald Isley made “Tour Secrets” and “Tour Secrets 2,” a rousing success.

The two novels–which follow the lives and torrid love affairs of dancers and best friends, Raven and Music–flew off virtual shelves when they were published in 2009 and 2010, netting acclaim from outlets including Rolling Out, Power 92.3 FM, Parle magazine and Raw TV. She is a “Breakout Author of the Year” nominee for the 2011 African American Literary Awards, an honor also bestowed upon fellow nominees and celebrity writers Iyanla Vanzant, Tavis Smiley and CNN anchor Don Lemon.

Winkk follows that credo in her own life. That is why, despite dancing for some of the biggest names in R&B and modeling for Ebony magazine among others, she opted not to go the tell-all route. Instead, Winkk focuses on fictionalized stories based on her experience and imagination, broaching topics from “down low” men to transsexual entertainers.

Winkk also is building her brand beyond writing novels. In 2011, she founded Ailam Publishing. Though she is currently publishing her own projects, she wants to assist other authors in finding their voice.
“When I first started writing, I wanted to tell the story of the tour experience from the dancer’s side…that’s a side that never got out,” Winkk said of the books and innovative video teasers she produced on her own. “Misleading” too will get the visual treatment, as part of Winkk’s holistic literary vision. “Now, I want to tell as many stories as I can as many ways as I can in print and eventually on the small and big screen.”
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You can catch me at http://www.winkkatme.com/ or info@winkkatme.com.  Also facebook.com/winkkatme2, Twitter.com/winkkatme.com, Myspace.com/winkkatme and Youtube.com/winkktv.

Author Syretta A. Walker

The Reading Room Present Author Syretta A. Walker
Upgrade You By Syretta

Syretta A. Walker was born in South Carolina, but raised in Dayton, Ohio. She is a single mother of one little boy. Currently, she is obtaining an associate degree in real estate property management. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and eatinG all the fantastic recipes she create. Her debut novel Upgrade You was written as a form of therapy after some of her old baggage began to surface. Upgrade You is loosely based around her life story. Syretta hopes that her novel can help at least one girl that is facing similar struggles.
Anabella Carter is alone and miserable. The only thing that brings her happiness is a blunt and a pint of Hennessy. Due to a number of misforturnes, she doesn’t know where her life is headed until she enters a urban fiction contest.  As she journeys through her tale, she discovers the meaning of love and pain. Anabella realizes one person has stood by her side during the good times and the bad. She wants to tell him how she feels, but doesn’t want to risk losing him. Will Anabella will succumb to the pain? or Will love prevail?

Get to Know Syretta:

 What is your first title called, and what is it about?
A: My first street lit title is called ‘Upgrade You’, and it is about a “broke dog”{ who goes through on trial after another on a promiscuous journey to find love; maybe it will happen, maybe it won’t.
Where did you get the inspiration to write ‘Upgrade You’?
A: My baby sister, and my son. Got to do it for the kiddies, and leave my next few generations secure.
 What sets ‘Upgrade You ‘apart from other books in the same genre?
A: I wrote the book while going through schizophrenia before being diagnosed with the disease. I was hearing voices and characters in my head.
Who was the biggest influences in your life coming up, and why?
A: My late great-grandmother because I would watch her tend house for others, sell baked goods, and remain a gracious woman while instilling a hustler’s mentality in me. Second,the late rapper Tupac Shakur, for sharing his trials with the world, and still trying to help in the crisis of poverty.
As an author, what are the keys to you success that lead to getting Upgrade You out to the public?
A: Word of mouth and attending seminars to get recognized as an upcoming serious author.
As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take to write Upgrade You?
A: It took me a month and a half. My writing process was eating a great deal of chocolate, drinking lots of sodas, and consuming lots of Newport cigarettes.
What other projects do you have available, and what’s next for Syretta Walker?
A: Chocolate Rose 2 is available on Kindle, and Nook. And I will be releasing Behind Tha Chastity Belt coming early 2012.

Excerpt:

That was also part of the reason Anabella decided to tell her story. She had been unable to talk about the point when her life took a turn. Anabella hated that point and most importantly she hated the way her life was headed at this point. She was twenty-one years old now with a child of her own, and most times she couldn’t believe she was a mother herself.  Anabella had gotten pregnant at seventeen, had her daughter at eighteen, continued to see hell every since. Currently, her National City checking account held a balance of twenty-three cent, and she didn’t have anything else to lose.

 At least we got a roof over our heads and food to shove in our mouths, Anabella thought of her, and her daughter Isabella. She was due to start one of her last three semesters at Sinclair Community College tomorrow, and she didn’t know how she was going to swing that, and writing her novel as well. But, to Anabella it no longer felt like an option anymore. It was mandatory. Anabella loved the idea that she could erase the pain and hatred from her heart. She felt like she would be able to start all over again. Anabella just hated the fact that she would have to give the readers her triumph, before her tragedy. But, she thought, what the hell? Might as well get all this shit off me.

 Anabella decide she would use characters real names for the time being, although she knew it was risky. That is where an urban tale was born, five days into 2008, and the day before Anabella was due to go back to school…


Syretta A. Walker books can be purchased at a http://www.mahogneyinkpublication.com/, amazon.com and a bookstore near you!!!

 Email: Xmom9727 @att.net

Prince to a King!

      
Prince to a King By Clifton J. Dutton

Author, Clifton J. Dutton is a multi-faceted man that has confronted life’s positive and negative moments with courage and tenacity. His endowment of writing allows him to share these enthralling real life events, and allows the awaiting public a glimpse into his creative mind.

Born in 1972 in Sandy Spring, MD, Howard County, Clifton was raised in a middle class family of one sister and two brothers; Clifton being the youngest of the four.  He earned a full athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee where he studied Criminal Justice. Once college was over and the dreams of a career in the NFL never materialized, he pressed on with aspirations of working in the music industry.
Although Cliff is blessed with a wide range of gifts and talents, he quickly discovered that his mastery is indisputably writing.  This expert author possesses the ability to bring his readers the gritty intense reality of the same streets that many experience every day.  Cliff’s vivid imagery causes his audience to truly understand and feel what they otherwise could only speculate, traveling  from DC boardrooms and South Beach bedrooms to this nation’s most powerful courtrooms..  Readers who are lovers of action, thrills, suspense and drama, get ready to brace yourself as he brings you powerful anthology which highlights the pleasure (and pain) of relationships, along with the dangerous and seductive world of the street life leaving no truth untold.

Brace yourselves as he releases the first of many in the Clifton Dutton Novel Series, Prince to a King!

Prince to a King is a novel set in an urban environment, but is also relatable to all societies. The love story that unfolds and proves to grip the plot, can take any reader of any backgrounds heart. How often do you find yourself cheering for the bad guy?

Based on elements of true events, new author Clifton J.Dutton takes the reader on a journey that proves to be electrifying.This novel captures the audience of the passionate type, while never losing the interest of the action and drama reader. This combination is often lost when trying to reach one core audience.

Prince to a King is an urban novel, but stretches the boundaries of the term taking you deep into the mind of a confused young black man that desperately seeks the love that was taken from him so long ago.©
DC, the murder capital, city of terror; It’s within these streets where a Prince will come to rise. Prince is a young man with a sadistic inner soul that was created by the tragic events of his early childhood.

Though these events have been suppressed deep in his mind, these are the traits that make him the man he is. As the pages turn and the roller coaster ride of Prince races toward the Man that stole his young life as he knew it, you can’t help but to cheer for the one American Gangster you hate to love.

Excerpt-

(“Explict) drive, why the (explict) sitting here..?” Before he could finish his head was flung back from the force of the truck speeding away. Fear is the worst enemy of a man. This concept was described as the fifth law of power in the book, 48 Laws of Power written by Robert E. Green. Prince was another Sun Zu of sorts. As the smoke cleared Prince stood unmoved by the events.

 The (explict) ran like (explict) even though everyone of them was strapped. The presence of Prince made them afraid. He was living proof that fear is indeed the worst enemy of any man. The truth of the streets of DC stood strong on that sidewalk that hot summer night. The urban legend stood tall for all to see!!

Get to Know Cliffton:
1. Where are you from?
 I am from Howard County, MD.

2. Where did you attend school?
I went to the university of Tennessee on a full football scholarship.

3. What made you begin to write?
I loved to write at an early age but once sports took over my life writing was put on the back burner. Once I was incarcerated I used the time wisely to re-invent my gift of writing.

4. Where did the concept of Prince to a King come from?
The concept literally came from the first sentence of the book. I wrote the first sentence and then let the story come to life.

5. As a writer who is Clifton Dutton?
A man that is not scared to tell the truth and creatively have the ability to fictionalize the truth of life and make written words become visual as you read.

6. how many books do you plane to release under the Clifton Dutton novel series?
The plan is for the first four releases to have three parts making 12 in all.

7. Finally what makes you different then the other hundreds of Urban authors?
My opinion is this, my upbringing is completely different then most of my fellow authors in my demographic.Most of them have a “HOOD” upbringing. Myself, I was raised in a 98% whit area which gives me uncanny ability to write and be able to expand on the interest of all demographics. I just got a great review back from a 75 year old white country woman from Nevada.

Find the Author at:
http://www.cliftondutton.com/
cliftondutton@twitter.com
cliftondutton@facebook.com
cdutton007@gmail.com

--
~a woman with a vision
http://www.tamikanewhouse.com/
www.twitter.com/tamikanewhouse

THE READING ROOM IS UP AND RUNNING....!!!!! WE WILL BE POSTING UP AND COMING AUTHORS FOR YOUR READING ENJOYMENT............SO STAY TUNE CLICK ON THE LINK AND BECOME INVOLVED....IF YOU KNOW AN UP AND COMING AUTHOR PLS CONTACT ME IN THE COMMENT SECTION SO YOUR WORK CAN BE SHOWCASE HERE!  BEVY