Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Have you ever baked for 1,000 men, women and children? What an experience is all I can say. Today, I was one of the featured chefs for the Coalition of 100 Black Women’s annual Gourmet Chef of Distinction event. I was one of  more than 70 chefs – bringing my signature dessert, Espresso Almond Crunch Cake taken from my first novel Always Room for Dessert.

Rows of desserts, entrees and appetizers nestled next to each other as far as the eyes could see. Stuffed shrimp, crab cakes, Orange Creamcicle Martinis, Lemon Walnut Chicken and so much more. You should have been there.

Special thank you to Thelma T. Daley, Chefs Chair; Laura Knight President / Event Chair and Diane Hocker for inviting me to the event. She and all the other hosts were working very hard to make sure the guests and the chefs had everything they needed. Also thank you to my daughter Kayla who joined me and helped serve. As picky as she is when it comes to eating I was extremely surprised to see her visiting all the tables and trying so many different dishes.

As for the Espresso Almond Crunch Cake, I’m told it was a hit. Table visitor after table visitor, I’m told the cake was moist and the hint of espresso coffee in the homemade frosting was sharp and on the money – good thing too, because it was the first time I ever made it.

Next year, I mayk bring a few dishes to teh party. So if you’re around Baltimore in May and you’re looking to get a sampling of some delectable delights, I invite you to come on through and make sure you make sure leave room for dessert.

For more on the Coaition of 100 Black Women, visit their site at  http://www.ncbw-bmc.org/

8th Annual CityLit Festival in Baltimore, MD's Enoch Pratt Free Library

What a day at the 8th Annual City Lit Festival. It really was a day long festival celebrating literature. I talked to so many readers and authors, my throat starting getting sore. Special thank you to the City Lit Project for hosting an event, where new authors can come out to show and sell their works without having to pay for a booth. I sold plenty of books, did some much needed networking and overall had a good time.

The day started off a little slow as the clouds decided to be over generous with rain.  As if crowding into Noah’s Ark, attendees came in it seemed by twos with dripping wet ponchos and rain gear leaving a few puddles on the floor and author tables. I’m not sure why traffic eventually picked up, because it rained all day – but I’m glad that a crowd did gather. I’m sure many of the other authors were just as pleased.

Authors, publishers, editors and writers groups staffed tables and passed out information, spoke about their works or held workshops to help other writers hone their craft and learn about resources to help them take their work to the next level.

Me with the hosts from the IndieBookMan Show - Check them out at http://IndieBookMan.com/TheShow

While at the festival, I had the opportunity to meet a few publishers and poets, even a podcast duo that interviewed me to get my insight on the value of CityLit.  Be sure to check out The IndieBookMan Show at http://IndieBookman.com/TheShow

Another winning opportunity came when I met Donna Wessel, President of American Literary Press. She even picked up a copy of my book Even Angels Need Miracles. Visit her site at www.my-new- publisher.com

One of the biggest takeaways for me of this festival is its dedication to really giving authors who are smalltime (for now) a real shot at exposure, without charging an arm and a leg. This was a fantastic event. For all you authors, writers, poets, publishers and other literary artist, I invite ou to look into this festival next year – very well worth it. To Gregg  A. Wilhelm, Executive Director for the CityLit Project – job well done. Expect to see me again next year.

I’ve posted a few photos from the Festival.  Enjoy.

 So after my wonderful trip to Buffalo for the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair, I’m continuing to take advantage of opportunities to meet readers and show off my books. My next showcase will be right in my own neighborhood,  Baltimore, MD at the 8th Annual CityLit Festival – and with gas at almost $4 per gallon, my tight pockets are extremely thankful.

As usual, I’m always very excited to meet readers, new authors and have the chance to exchange stories. Only recently, I was telling someone who I met at a book signing that every book event I’ve ever participated in, someone has come up to me to tell me they have a story they’d like to publish. I’ve turned on so many people onto the process that some say I should make that a business. I’m not ruling out that idea, but for now, I don’t mind helping them get a little “shelf space”.

Now this is the first year I’ve participated in this festival, but from what I hear, it promises to be a day-long celebration of literature. Come out to the

Looking forward to sharing my books with you.

 Downtown Enoch Pratt Library (on Cathedral Street) from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and meet local and national best selling authors, have your books signed, attend writing workshops and hear some readings – all for FREE.

If you’re a writer, author, or someone interested in getting into the publishing business (hardcopy or digital) I strongly encourage you to attend as well. I and I’m sure many of the other authors would love share with you what we know.

As for me and my writing, I’m still pushing on. Third book – which is a sequel to Even Angels Need Miracles is coming together quite nicely. I’m hoping to have complete the first draft by this year with a release in 2012. For all those, who’ve asked “What happens next?” Let me just say, you’ll find out soon.  If you stop by the CityLit Festival, maybe I can whisper the plot  … maybe.

Wonderful Family I Met at the Fair

Such a great time in Buffalo this weekend for the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair. Special recognition to Chris Fritton for hosting an astounding event. It’s estimated that almost 2,500 visitors attended. So, what did I enjoy most? As always, the people! Oh, and getting to spend a fun, interrupted weekend with my eight-year old daughter, Karah. Before coming out in “The Buff” (I couldn’t resist), I knew nothing about this great city. The only things I knew about Buffalo were The Bills, Buffalo Wings, and that it was used in a memorable Eddie Murphy quote (at least to me) – you know in the first Beverly Hills Cop, Detroit under cover cop, Axel Foley is selling stolen cigarettes out of the back of a truck, when a buyer s ays to him, aren’t you a

The Heat is On! (Just not in Buffalo)

cop? Murphy responds with,

On the morning of the book fair, Karah and I stopped at Starbucks, where we met a morning – discussion group who frequents the spot for coffee and conversation. It was just a few blocks away from the fair so we invited them. They all came out and got copies of Even Angels Need Miracles – some more than one copy –

Niagra Falls

we were. It led us right to the Canada side of the falls. We ended up going through Customs and setting foot in another country. When they found out I didn’t have my passport, they booted us back to the Red White and Blue side – Ay! Karah and I enjoyed the visit, but she was more impressed with being able to swim at the hotel. Hey, she’s only eight!

Looking forward to the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair in two weeks. It’s been a while since I last met a mass of new readers. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get back into the “free-reading” season. Both, my 12 year old and eight year old daugthers are competing to be my road-dog. I may end up taking them both. We’ll see, but for now, I’ll enjoy the cookies, the slippers and tiny kisses they are hitting me up with.  Evil right?  Ha!

Anyhow, I’ve never been to Buffalo. I’m always interested in new destinations and discovering that special culture and those special locations that gives each city its unique character. Hopefully, I’ll get a few books into the hands of some northern readers.

Again, I can’t wait – not only to get to Buffalo, but to get this book tour re-started. 

ACM

Until about eight years old, I used to get confused about when my birthday began. I knew it was on the Jan. 2, but wasn’t sure when that day actually began. On New Year’s Eve, I would stay up way past my bed time to watch all of the party coverage in the “Big Apple”.  Sometimes I’d fall asleep right when the ball dropped. Other nights, I drift a few hours afterwards. On those occasions when I stayed up into the new day, eventually when I slept and woke up,  I had the feeling that Jan. 1, had passed by and Jan. 2 was now in full effect.

As an adult, I never was a big partier on my birthday. A quiet dinner with friends, a chill day with family or even hanging out by myself was plenty of enjoyment. The idea of going out and having friends spend a lot of money on drinks, and partying only so you couldn’t remember the evening the next day seem sort of, well … misplaced.

This year, I spent a very simple evening with some family playing the Wii. Got a gift or two, ate some cake, played video games and even blew out some candles.

For 2011, one of my resolution items is to get back into being a little more outgoing – a little more adventuring, as last year was my year of yanking myself out of the mix a little.

They say that when you blow out the candles that you shouldn’t reveal the wish or it won’t come true. Well, I think I’ll share my wish only because it’s been coming true for years.

“For a healthy, loving family that operates with good conscience.” As I celebrate my birthday today I say thank you to God for giving me air in my lungs to blow out those 37 candles.

I know the holidays are here and ’tis the season and what not, but whoever said you can’t treat yourself to a gift? If you’ve been on planet Earth for the last few years, chances are you’re hustling to keep it together. Work at the office, work at home, work while in the car – we’re traveling on a treadmill.

Last year, right around this time, my daughter lost a very nice and expensive watch of mine (yes I’ve forgiven her) but I loved that watch. It was the one thing that I treated myself too a few years ago, that really didn’t do anything but looked pretty (oh, it told the time).  Whoever found that watch, best to you, you got a real deal.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to check out what deals I could find on Ebay as I was wrapping up my Christmas gifts, when I saw an image of the watch I used to own. The price was right about what I paid the last time for it.

You can see the watch somewhat in this photo.

Now with the current recession and holiday season upon us, ignoring it felt like the right thing to do, but I clicked the buy now and parted ways with a lump of cash. Why?  Because I could.  Because I wanted the watch and well, we only live once.

When the watch arrived, I inspected it and the same day, I took it to a jeweler to take out a few links so it would fit me nicely and confirm its authenticity, which he did. 

So now, I’ve been wearing the watch a few days. I’ve had a smile on my face and nothing bad has happened. No explosion of debt. This helped me realize the importance of doing for ourselves sometimes.  What a miserable life when we forget to put a smile on our own faces every once in a while.

Today, I wrapped up the last day of class for this semester and I think I did great in both. I think I’ll treat myself to something nice. (It won’t be nice as my watch, however – I’m not that stuck on ME! )

Have a Merry Christmas and safe holiday season!

She bought a copy of Even Angels Need Miracles

Today, I participated in a book fair at East Point Mall. Didn’t bring my daughters as usual. How did I do? Glad you asked – Not counting online sales, I sold one book. One. (You have good days and not so good days, I guess)

 Was it the Black Friday competition? Was it the location?   Perhaps my daughters are my

Click the book cover to see the trailer

good luck charm. Whatever the reason, the “slow day” taught me a  little something about myself. 

 1)      I am not too proud to hide my short comings (I can admit a slow day)

Okay, so I had a less than stellar experience today. I had a few people pick up the books read the backs and tell

me  they didn’t have any money for books – then they walked into a department store and walked back out with several bags. I had one woman thumb through a book and tell me she could tell there wasn’t enough “sex” in the book and gave it back – one “non-sale” after another – despite my charm and irresistible personality.

Fatal Rebounds by Dorothy J. Morris

While handing out bookmarks, information cards and talking to a few mall customers, I also had an opportunity to talk to several of the other authors. One new author – Dorothy J. Morris, who just released her first novel Fatal Rebounds (www.DorothyJMorris.com), purchased my book Even Angels Need Miracles during the summer and told me how much she enjoyed it. I of course purchased a copy of her new novel and wished her the best.

Odessa Rose, author of Water in a Broken Glass

Another author, Odessa Rose (www.odessarose.com) told me she was working on her sequel to Water in a Broken Glass. She also told me how much she enjoyed my book, but I was more thrilled to hear about the accomplishment of her new book on the way.

Donnie Manuel, author of Humdadao

I shared with another author omblivnuj (pronounced almost like I’m beyond you) (www.togodbetheglory.us) how to get the best deals for printing book covers and marketing collateral such as book marks and post cards.  

It was also fun to watch Donnie Manuel, author of Humdadao of Baltimore (www.humdadao.com) sell his first book.

If you ever want to know what your passion is, ask yourself  – what on this planet can you do, not get paid for it and still be happy. I’ve found my passion and it has nothing to do with how many books I sell.

Below are more pics from the day:

Fantastic! That’s the one word I would use to describe the Capital Book Festival in Charleston. I met dozens of locals, sold dozens of books and had the time of my life as my 11 year old daughter came along for the ride.

We arrived at 6:30 p.m. Friday evening and was greeted most pleasantly at the Radisson in Charleston. Nice hotel, my only complaint is that I didn’t get any sleep. They had the “sleep number” bed in the room and I couldn’t figure out my number.  Why have that kind of bed when your customers are only staying a few days? Don’t you need time to determine the perfect number for your sleep?

I won’t dwell on the one tiny inconvenience as Charleston still treated me and my daughter like royalty. We met

Me and Nikki Giovanni

person after person and each time, the most humble, polite and gracious hello.  Here are some pics from the festival. I hope you enjoy.

I am one who appreciates “the teachable moment” – even when I’m the one getting the lesson.

This evening, I’m matching wills with my three-year old daughter. This sort of exchange is not   for the weak-minded.

So here’s the situation. It’s time for her to eat dinner, but she wants to do everything and        anything else. Instead of simply finishing her last few bites, she starts to find reasons to get out  of her seat. Once or twice in the middle of completing the task before her, she went into the  living room to get a few items, she went to the sink to put a bowl or cup away, she even pulled the “I have to go to the bathroom” stunt.

After charming her mom and me into letting her go “potty”. She decided to sit in the bathroom and wait. I guess she figured that as long as she was in her sanctuary, she need not return to finish her dinner.  She was right … sort of.

As any parent would reach their limitation for patience and reason, I reached mine. I told her to hurry up sternly so she can finish dinner and she responded,”I don’t love you anymore daddy.”

I paused.

I didn’t know what to say. How does a daddy respond to that?

“Well, get out of my house,” I said.  Her reaction – a deafening cry.

My 11 year old who just happened to walk in the kitchen during the exchange turned to me and while softly shaking her head imparts her wisdom. “You should have said well, I love you any way.”

Again, I had no answer. Other than the one I kept saying in my head. “She’s right.”

For the rest of the evening, before their bed time, I played with all three of my daughters even putting the young one on our front porch for a few seconds to stretch out the joke.

As I’m getting ready to travel to the Capital Book Festival in SC this Saturday, I’ll be taking my 11 year old wise one with me. I’m excited about the time we’ll spend together and the potential lessons she and I may exchange along the way.