Bernice L. McFadden's Blog, page 4

#LifeAfter: A few words of encouragement

#LifeAfter came into being when my life turned upside down.  Listen to my story here

The Book of Harlan on Sale May 3rd, 2016


Bernice L. McFadden

THE BOOK OF HARLAN: This book just snatched all of my edges...

Available May 3rd, 2016HueMan BooksAmazonBarnes and Noble




Bernice L. McFadden

Elbow Room by James Alan McPherson was the first book written by an African-American to win a Pulitzer Prize in Fiction

From Amazon: 
A beautiful collection of short stories that explores blacks and whites today, Elbow Room is alive with warmth and humor. Bold and very real, these twelve stories examine a world we all know but find difficult to define.

Whether a story dashes the bravado of young street toughs or pierces through the self-deception of a failed preacher, challenges the audacity of a killer or explodes the jealousy of two lovers, James Alan McPherson has created an array of haunting images and memorable characters in an unsurpassed collection of honest, masterful fiction.


Some people buy jewelry and furs.. I buy limited edition books. I am so happy to have this in my library -- now if I can only get an autograph! 

Celebrating John Oliver Killen's 100th Birthday

Last night I had the immense pleasure of celebrating the life and letters of John Oliver Killens, the God Father of The Black Arts movement. John Oliver Killens was born in Macon, Georgia. His father encouraged him to read Langston Hughes' writings, and his mother, who was president of Dunbar Literary Club, introduced him to poetry. Killens was an enthusiastic reader as a child and was inspired by writers such as Hughes and Richard Wright. His great-grandmother’s tales of slavery were another important factor in his gaining knowledge of traditional black mythology and folklore, which he later incorporated into his writings.In 1948, Killens moved to New York, where he worked to establish a literary career. He attended writing classes at Columbia University and New York University. He was an active member of many organizations, including the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Congress of Industrial Organizations(CIO). Around 1950, Killens co-founded with Rosa Guy and others a writers' group that became the Harlem Writers Guild (HWG).[2]His first novel, Youngblood (1954), dealing with a black Georgia family in the early 1900s, was read and developed at HWG meetings in members' homes.[3] His second novel, And Then We Heard the Thunder (1962), was about the treatment of the black soldiers in the military; it was named by critic Noel Perrin as one of five major works of fiction of World War II.[3] His third novel, Sippi (1967), focused on the voting rights struggles by African Americans during the 1960s.The Cotillion; or, One Good Bull Is Half the Herd (1971) explored upper-class African-American society.[4] (1971). In addition to novels, Killens also wrote plays, screenplays, and many articles and short stories that appeared in publications as diverse as Black Scholar, the  New York Times ,  Ebony  and  Redbook .In 1950, Killens became the founding chairman of the Harlem Writers Guild, a still-active workshop.The Harlem Writer's Guild produced such notable writers such asl: Terry McMillan, Elizabeth Nunez and Louise Merriweather.
Killens was a profound writer, his words are as relevant today as they were 50 years ago.

"From all sides pressure is put on the Negro artist to deny his culture, his roots, his selfhood...- Black Man's Burden by John Oliver Killens 1965 (Photo by Tony Medina)







Bernice L. McFadden

Alicia Keys talks about the novel: SUGAR by Bernice L. McFadden

So five years ago today I received an email from a journalist who wanted me to know that eight years earlier he'd been a videographer at some event featuring Alicia Keys and when she was asked what her favorite book was, she replied: SUGAR by Bernice L. McFadden. Now, it didn't mean anything to him then, but he was going through these old videos and on teh replay, he got curious - googled me - found my email address and asked if I'd like a copy of the clip. Of course I did - but my immediate question was: What's it gonna cost me? The man - sorry I can't remember his name - told me it wouldn't cost me a thing. He added that he hoped the clip would help sell some books. I believe it has. 






Bernice L. McFadden

White Privilege, Racism, White Denial & The Cost of Inequality

Bernice L. McFadden

What people are saying about: The Book of Harlan and three chances to win a copy for FREE

Christie Egeston1 hr · 
Listen Linda. It's been a minute since I've read a book that had me choosing between going to bed on time or struggling the morning after because I stayed up reading. Second only to Toni Morrison, Bernice L. McFadden is a beast of a writer. Only she could write about jazz musicians, concentration camps, black lives matter, and racial passing in one book and it all fit together

Christie P rated it it was amazingThe Book of Harlan was everything! Bernice McFadden's ability to tell a story across generations and provide a real life history lesson is nothing short of amazing. There were parts that were clearly fiction, but the way she weaved historically figures into the story had me questioning several times if these things might have really happened. There really isn't any area she didn't touch on; the struggles of brown people over the years, the Great Migration, passing (with a twist), PTSD, past and current police brutality, and I could go on. As the story of Lizard unfolded, I gasped out loud. As the story of John Smith and Harlan's latter years unfolded, I gasped again at the comparisons of what happened in the novel and what has happened to countless black males over the last few years. I thought of a statement Toni Morrison made after Henry Dumas's death and imagine my surprise turing a few pages further and seeing mention of Henry Dumas in The Book of Harlan. At the end of the novel all I had left was "OH MY GOD!" Excellent book!

Flashette rated it it was amazingShelves: 2015-reads




The Book of Harlan is an excellent book that chronicles the life of the title character: from his humble birth in Macon, Ga to his upbringing in Harlem, NY and beyond. It also provides a picture of life in a WWII concentration camp and how challenging circumstances can make us stronger. I was on an emotional roller coaster while reading this book and when I finished, I was ready to take another ride. Read this book...it is one of the best books I've ever read. It will have you thinking about the characters long after the last word has been read. (less)

Enter to win a FREE copy from GoodReads

Enter to win a FREE copy from The Book Club Cook Book

Please spread tell a friend about The Book of Harlan...in other words, please spread the #BookLove!




Bernice L. McFadden

Saturday Morning Inspiration courtesy of Steve Harvey: JUMP!! JUMP!! JUMP!!!

I've been feeling kind of down these past few days. Questioning my purpose, my life and my circumstances, so when I saw this text from my cousin Kathleen D. Taylor - I knew the universe was using her to remind me of a promise it made me way back in 1997 when I first JUMPED out of my "safe" 9-5 job to finish my novel SUGAR. I did have to go back to work in 1998, but little did I know my parachute had been deployed and in 1999, after ten years of trying and 75 rejection letters, my dream of becoming a full-time writer, of LIVING IN MY GIFT - finally came true. Stop making excuses..............JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!














Bernice L. McFadden

Happy Women's History Month!

I AM THE MAN. I SUFFERED. I WAS THERE. The immortal words of Walt Whitman set the tone for my latest novel, a moving epic that follows the life of one man, Harlan Elliott. Harlan's tale begins in Macon, Georgia, in 1917, and readers follow him up north to Harlem during the Harlem Renaissance; across the country as a traveling musician; and to Montmartre (the "Harlem of Paris") as it falls under Nazi Occupation. From Montmartre, Harlan and Lizard-his best friend and fellow musician-are interned by the Nazis in Buchenwald concentration camp, with no hope of seeing their beloved Harlem again. 

* The titular character of Harlan is partly inspired by own research into my family history. The photo on the cover of the novel is of my  paternal grandfather, Harold Isaac McFadden, a guitarist who served as the primary inspiration for the character of Harlan (though most events of Harold's life do not-to my knowledge-directly correspond with those of Harlan's life). 
*I've woven real-life characters into the fictionalized events of the story. The Book of Harlanincludes cameos by Amiri Baraka and Louis Armstrong, among other historical figures. * The turning point for Harlan's life comes when he and his friend and fellow musician, Lizard, are taken into custody by Nazi soldiers during the Occupation of Paris and brought to Buchenwald. My research into the treament of black people during the Holocaust, inspired by Firpo W. Carr'sGermany's Black Holocaust 1890- 1945, led to my decision to illuminate this little-discussed aspect of history. And while a truly fictional account, I incorporated Carr's text as well as Charles Glass's Americans in Paris: Life and Death under the Nazi Occupation; William A. Shack's Harlem in Montmartre: A Paris Jazz Story Between the Great Wars; and The Buchenwald Report (translated by David A. Hackett), among other works. 
I encourage you to support your independently owned and operated bookstore whenever possible. For those who do not have that option, The Book of Harlan is available for pre-order through Amazon.comand BarnesandNobleUpcoming Events
This Spring I'll be taking The Book of Harlan on the road. Please check my tour schedule to see when I'll be in your hometown.

 Tour Schedule March is Women's History MonthAnd Hello Beautiful.com has compiled a stunning list of 17 books by women authors that you need to read!!
I'm not Oprah, but this digital painting by B. Ciacco is one of my favorite things!




Check out B. Ciacco's work here.



On why it's important to spread the #BOOKLOVE
Did you know that most novelist make less than 10K a year? 
Far from a living wage. So why do we do it? I can't speak for all writers, but for me, it's not a choice. Writing is apart of my DNA. This is what I was born to do. If I stopped, I would simply cease to exist. I also enjoy entertaining, educating and enlightening my readers. 
Buying books is the #1 way to support authors - but do you know what's just as important? Leaving a review  on Amazon or B&N. You don't even have to write anything - just click the amount of STARS you think the book deserves. 
The more REVIEWS a book receives the more Amazon and B&N will promote it to its millions of customers. 
Of course, word of mouth is very, very important, so as always, I hope you'll take a moment to share this newsletter with your friends, family and on any social media platforms you engage.
Every little bit helps and I appreciate every, single bit!
Until next time,
Light and Love!
Bernice


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Bernice L. McFadden

GOODREADs GIVE-A-WAY: THE BOOK OF HARLAN

Would you like an early copy of The Book of Harlan for free?? 


Well, here's your chance becuase GOODREADS is giving away 25 copies of the book weeks before it will be on sale to the general public!

Click HERE to enter!

And don't forget to spread the word!!!








Bernice L. McFadden