K.C. Blaze's Blog, page 2

Author Spotlight: Eartha Watts-Hicks Author of Love Changes

A good tale usually takes a few chapters from real life.  With more and more urban stories being filled with extreme violence or glamorous lifestyles it is my pleasure to make mention of a different kind of tale. The author took some of the things that make up a great story like a protagonist looking to give love but is only reciprocated with a little bundle of joy and mixed it with serious drama like thoughts of suicide. Before we give any of the details let’s welcome its creator Eartha Watts-Hicks.

A Little about Earth Watts-Hicks

Eartha Watts-Hicks is the founder of Earthatone Enterprises and Earthatone Books, an imprint of Earthatone Enterprises, LLC. She has designed and published titles for herself and others. She has also lead self publishing workshops, writing, and publicity workshops for the New York City Parks Department, the National Writers Union, Project Enterprise, and other not for profits. A freelance PR writer, she offers select small business owners, houses of worship, nonprofits, film projects, and independent artists (poets, authors and musicians) press material and market copy of superior quality and at a reasonable price. Many have been effective in gaining national and international exposure. As an affiliate of BlackPR.com, Eartha Watts-Hicks has written countless press releases for products, services, and events. Eartha offers a range of publicity services and specializes in interactive digital media kits. She is a member of Women in PR, the Black Public Relations Society, the New York Association of Black Journalist, as well as a contributing writer for Harlem World’s Magazine’s blog site and several other online publications. She is a former board member of Cultivating Our Sisterhood International Association a 501(c)(3), having served two terms as director of publications.

On the creative spectrum, Eartha Watts-Hicks is the award-winning author of Love Changes, as well as a songwriter, music publisher, and member of ASCAP. A writing fellow of the Center for Black Literature and the North Country Institute, Eartha has studied under other award-winning authors, including Valerie Wilson Wesley, Chris Abani, and Bernice McFadden. Eartha is also a member of the acclaimed Harlem Writers Guild, a writing network that has helped developed the talents of Grace F. Edwards, Lorraine Hansberry, Sarah Elizabeth Wright, Audrey Lorde, Walter Dean Myers, Ruby Dee, Paul Robeson, Maya Angelou, and Terry McMillan. In June of 2013, Eartha Watts-Hicks received the Just R.E.A.D. ‘literary game changers’ Award by the NYCHA branch of the NAACP and was named a 2013 NAACP ambassador for literacy.

Book Summary & More for Love Changes

In May of 2013, I self-published my debut novel Love Changes. Love Changes is the tale of a single mother who is eager to marry, despite the fact that she has yet learned to love herself. At a pivotal point in the tale, angst, personal issues, and postpartum depression leads the protagonist to consider suicide. This novel weaves popular music from the 80s and 90s with prose. It took me eight years to write and another 4 years to acquire the permission of the publishing admins for Sean P. Diddy Combs, Mary J. Blige, and several others for featured songs lyrics.

So far, Love Changes was named the New York Amsterdam News’s Recommended Summer Read for 2013.Love Changes is also 2013 winner of the Just R.E.A.D. Award in fiction from NYCHA/NAACP. Love Changes is available on Amazon.com, BN.com, Esspresson.net, Ondemandbooks.com, NYU Bookstore, Sisters Uptown Bookstore, select Barnes & Noble locations, The New York Public Library System, and is also available in Kindle. I was featured in the New York Amsterdam News, FAN Magazine, January Magazine, Harlem World Magazine, NAACP Radio, and both the Work It Out and Mothership Connection Shows on Time Warner Cable Television Channel 57. I have also served as a panelist for the WRITE IT DOWN panel  at the Author’s Pavilion of this year’s Congressional Black Caucus.

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Author Spotlight: Kenya Moss Dyme Author of Daymares

With the Halloween season quickly approaching readers looking for a little fright within the pages of a good read may enjoy a tale from author Kenya Moss Dyme. It is always fun hearing from writers who enjoy spinning compelling tells of horror. Having the gift of being able to provoke the emotion of fear can be a tell-tell sign of a job well done. Without further adieu let me introduce you to the lady behind the fright Ms. Kenya Moss Dyme.

A little more about Kenya Moss Dyme 

Kenya Moss-Dyme was born and partially raised on the Southside of Chicago, and now calls Michigan home – land of the subzero winters and nuclear summers. She began writing short-form horror in her teens and won several scholastic writing awards for her creative work. Her first published work – The Pulpit Chronicles: Prey for Me – is the hard-hitting story of a monstrous child-abusing preacher.

“The only genres in which I don’t feel comfortable writing are comedy and romance. Whenever I try to write a romantic story, it ends up turning dark and the couple will go from taking marriage vows to going on a crime spree! So I tend to stay away from those genres altogether.”The upcoming Halloween season will bear the fruit of Daymares, a frightening collection of short stories that will have you watching your friends and your enemies a bit closer. Early 2015 will bring Dead-Zoned, a novel about an urban zombie apocalypse.

“I love zombies and the supernatural! But there’s nothing scarier to me than HUMANS and the unimaginable depths of depravity of which we are capable. You see it in the news every day and you ask yourself, ‘what kind of monster…?’ That’s what I love to explore in my writing, characters that are like the people you think you know – but you really don’t know after all. I create them – and then I like to set them free – does that sound a little strange?”

Kenya works as an eLearning Developer in her day job, designing web-based training courses for various industries. She also holds undergrad and graduate degrees in Business, Web Development, Marketing and Instructional Design.

Kenya Moss-Dyme was born and partially raised on the Southside of Chicago, and now calls Michigan home – land of the subzero winters and nuclear summers. She began writing short-form horror in her teens and won several scholastic writing awards for her creative work. Her first published work – The Pulpit Chronicles: Prey for Me – is the hard-hitting story of a monstrous child-abusing preacher.

“The only genres in which I don’t feel comfortable writing are comedy and romance. Whenever I try to write a romantic story, it ends up turning dark and the couple will go from taking marriage vows to going on a crime spree! So I tend to stay away from those genres altogether.”

The upcoming Halloween season will bear the fruit of Daymares, a frightening collection of short stories that will have you watching your friends and your enemies a bit closer. Early 2015 will bring Dead-Zoned, a novel about an urban zombie apocalypse.

“I love zombies and the supernatural! But there’s nothing scarier to me than HUMANS and the unimaginable depths of depravity of which we are capable. You see it in the news every day and you ask yourself, ‘what kind of monster…?’ That’s what I love to explore in my writing, characters that are like the people you think you know – but you really don’t know after all. I create them – and then I like to set them free – does that sound a little strange?”

Book Summary for Daymares

Daymares is a 230 page collection of seven disturbing little tales of terror by Kenya Moss-Dyme:

In Baby Mine, a woman faces the ultimate ‘morning-after’ following a lust-filled night with a brutish former lover;

A landlord rules his apartment building with sharp precision in 1st of the Month;

Junebug/The Flat Earth tells the story of a little boy who refuses to lie down and play nice with his tormented stepmother;

Ride takes you on a 911 call when a cop with a secret meets his karma in the cornfields;

A grieving widower mourns the loss of his selfish and controlling better half in Her Things;

An innocent game of Tag takes a frightening turn when the little ones hang out at the Playground; and,

A Colder Kind of Hell brings us the story of a crafty defense lawyer who is so good at his job that all hell breaks loose.

 

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Author Spotlight: Michael B. Jackson author of FatherHoodlum

Every great urban fiction tale should possess a redeeming quality. a lesson learned by its protagonist. FatherHoodlum is just that type of tale. With so many urban fiction stories revolving around the glamorous side of criminal activity it is often refreshing to come across a title that not only gives you the bad and the ugly but also the good. Let’s learn more about the author of FatherHoodlum

A Little about Michael B. Jackson

Michael B. Jackson was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He is the author of 4 books. Three Self Help books entitled, How to Love and Inspire Your Man After Prison: A Guide for Women with Men in Prison; Como Cumplir Con Tus Obligaciones Al Salir De La Prision: Guia Practica Para Una Vida Mejor and one-time NY Times Magazine’s “This Weeks Recommendation” How to Do Good After Prison: A Handbook for Successful Reentry. His recently released novel, FatherHoodlum: Chronicles of a Prison Dad is his first venture into fiction writing.

He is an inspirational speaker and the founder and host of the Internet based radio station, PrisonNationRadio.com. He recently retired after working for 26 years with New Jersey Juvenile Corrections and Parole

Jackson is a passionate advocate for the rights, protections and success of formerly incarcerated people and their families and those without a voice. He lives by the philosophy that “Doing good is the best revenge” and encourages those leaving prison to take control of their own success and “Do good, with a vengeance. He was a proud member of the planning committee for the Counting the Costs Hearings convened by New Jersey Assembly Majority Speaker Bonnie Watson Coleman (2008-2011). These series of history making Town Hall meetings have resulted in legislation being introduced that will bring unprecedented positive reform to the New Jersey Criminal Justice System.

Jackson frequently conducts workshops and presentations at seminars and conferences, including the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Conference, in Jacksonville, Florida, The National Associate of Hispanics in Criminal Justice and the Prison Talk Online National Conference.

He has been featured in numerous magazine and newspapers and has appeared on several national television shows, such as “The Iyanla Vansant Show” (ABC), “Dayside with Linda Vester” (Fox News Network) and “Comcast Newsmakers” and “It’s Your Call, with Lynn Doyle (CN8).

CONTACT: mbj@jointfx.com,  www.jointfx.com,  609-877-8071

Book Summary: Father Hoodlum

This story is about Lamont B. Moody, who grew up in a Newark, NJ housing project, during the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Like many other boys from the projects, Lamont was lured into a life of crime and heroin addiction at an early age. At 18 years old, he made his first trip to prison, and for the next 10 years he was in and out of prison for parole violations and new offenses.

When he was paroled from prison in 1980 he decided not to return to his beloved hometown, Newark, New Jersey.

“Whenever Newark and I would get back together, we’d soon start doing all the things that tore us apart in the first place. Everything always ended up the same way, with me leaving the city a few months later in the back of a sheriff’s van headed back to the joint for parole violations or new bid…”

Lamont was 28 years old now, and determined that this time would be different. He knew his best chance of success would come with a change in residency. He decided to relocate and reinvent himself in the city of Trenton, New Jersey.

Lamont also knew the same drugs, crime, and street demons that had haunted him in Newark, were also alive in the streets of Trenton. He didn’t know anyone in Trenton, so that is what made it attractive to Lamont. He felt strong and focused and didn’t fear being distracted or drawn into the negative elements.

Not long after parole, Lamont gains custody of his eight- year-old son, LJ, who was getting suspended from school and had also been arrested for burglary, back in Newark. He brings his son to live with him in Trenton.

Lamont soon learns that his son was completely illiterate and could not read nor write. Lamont was determined that LJ would not become just another black boy being primed for the prison system. Lamont launched a mission to save his son from the ‘jaws of the beast’, while pledging, “They (the prison system) may have gotten me, but they damn sure won’t get my son.”

Lamont and LJ were brought together at a time when they most needed one another to survive. This is Lamont’s journey to overcome a history of drug addiction and prison recidivism, and raise his son.

Q&A with K.C Baylor

KCB: What inspired you to write this type of tale?

 MBJ: There aren’t many inspirational “ex-con” stories being told, although there are many. I wanted to tell one. This story is personal to me. The main character, Lamont B. Moody, and I share many of the same life experiences. We both grew up in the projects in Newark, NJ and became addicted to drugs and incarceration early in life. Also, like Lamont, I raised my son as a single father when I got out of prison.

 KCB: When did you decide writing is what you’d like to pursue professionally.

 MBJ: I began writing poetry and short stories in grade school and have been doing so since then, but never professionally – as in I made a living from it. I wrote my first book, How to Do Good After Prison: A Handbook for Successful Reentry, in 2001, while working full-time for the NJ Juvenile Justice System. I recently retired after 26 years and that gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of writing this novel.

KCB: What message do you hope your readers/fans take away from the story?

MBJ: I hope incarcerated and formerly incarcerated men will be informed and inspired as to their own possibilities to make a positive difference in the their own lives and the lives of others.

I hope I can inspire more men, especially black men, to become better fathers and make a difference in their own children’s lives.

I hope I can inspire and motivate more men to reach out and make a difference to a child as a mentor or sponsor.

I hope that I can make everyone realize and understand that there can be significant, meaningful life after prison.

KCB: How can readers connect with you?

 MBJ: info@jointfx.com

www.MichaelBJackson.net

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Author Spotlight: Dion Cheese Author of Explain it to Her Momma

Dion Cheese is not only the author of Explain it to her Momma and Who Am I? The Chronicles of Cain but also the owner of iUrban a social networking site for urban fiction authors looking to mix and mingle with their reading audience. His strong desire to create a place for urban fiction readers and writers sets him above the rest of those simply looking to be bystanders. Let’s learn more about Dion Cheese an up and coming Urban Fiction Powerhouse.

A Lil about Dion Cheese

Urban author Dion Cheese is an African-American writer that penned Who Am I, The Chronicles of Cain, and Explain It To Her Momma.

Formally a hip-hop recording artist, father, convict, and drug dealer, Dion was born in northern New Jersey, the 7th of 8 siblings. Raised in the inner city section of Plainfield New Jersey, his life was anything but a Norman Rockwell portrait; life was hard, cold and — at times — cruel.

Crime and drug-ridden, Dion avoided the lures of selling drugs and/or using them, coming from a family where everyone had succumb to one or the other.

He somehow managed to have the force of will and vision to step outside his world, becoming the first in his family history to go to college, attending  NJIT (college) to pursue a chemical engineering degree.

That got sidetracked however when in his late teens during the 1980s he felt the pull from the large wake his older brother was creating in the world of hip hop music. Robert, AKA Dee Jay Cheese – better known as DJ King Kut –, by his late teens was already a multi-award winning DJ World Champion, and later and inductee to the DMC Hall of Fame.

Dion had always been inspired to write, and recorded his first song “He’s Phenomenal” through CSI Entertainment in the mid-1980s as a tribute to the older brother’s talents. Two years later he formed Third Street productions and recorded the singles Third Street, Come On Everybody, Kick The Habit, and Leading The pack — released on Big City Records. He performed live at countless festivals, as well as did shows at The Strand Theater in Plainfield New Jersey [headlined by E.M.P.D], and Newark Symphony Hall [headlined by BDP, D-Nice and Poor Righteous Teachers].

Book Summary Explain it to her Momma

EXPLAIN IT TO HER MOMMA is an urban love story with a little bit of everything – but it will mostly make you laugh. You’ll end up having to reconsider the way you think about sex. Simply put, there’s so much more that we never even think about.

In EXPLAIN IT TO HER MOMMA, we are introduced to DJ, a charismatic brother who just completed a short federal prison stint for drug possession. Upon release, DJ meets and falls in love with innocent college student Lisa and begins making plans to marry.

Everything about Lisa is perfect! And DJ wants desperately to be a one-woman man – except if it weren’t for a certain part of him that just refuses to lie down and listen to reason. The problem for DJ began in prison when he crossed his best man in the worse possible way.

Within the federal system, the Number One Rule is DON’T SNITCH. But what DJ had done to his best friend was far worse than snitching – DJ had ended his best friend’s love life. And for that one unintentional mistake, his best friend Dick decided to make him pay.

No longer would Dick sit back and let DJ make all of the decisions for them. Dick came home with an attitude, and from here on out, Dick wanted to f**k everybody – including Lisa’s mom.

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Author Spotlight: John Spencer Yantiss Author of Murder by Bequest

Lover’s of Sherlock Holmes will get a hell of a ride from book  Murder by Bequest.  There is nothing like being on a great literary mystery ride where the pages fly and your imagination flies higher. Solving cases as you flick at the pages of a great book. John Spencer Yantiss seeks to give his audience such a ride. So strap in and cuddle up with this great tale but first lets learn a bit more about the creator.

A Little About John Spencer Yantiss

John Spencer Yantiss was born in Louisville, KY to parents of Anglo-Scotch-Irish, and Lithuanian

descent.  A musician and singer, he started piano lessons at age 5, and began writing poems and songs 8 years old.  While still in high school he began playing guitar professionally.  Over the years he shared the stage with such notable Southern Rock figures as Dickey Betts and Berry Oakley, an evening of coffee and conversation with “Uncle Miltie.”

His love of writing poems and lyrics continued on over the years, branched out into fiction, beginning with not a few attempts at fantasy, in a style not unlike Tolkien and Lewis.  In 1993 he began writing classic detective mysteries, based on the character Sherrod Reynard Colsne, in the transatlantic and cumulative tradition of Sherlock Holmes and Nero Wolfe.  Murder by Bequest, his inaugural effort, first appeared in publication in 2012 through and on Amazon.com, as a Kindle e-book, and soon thereafter in paperback via Amazon’s CreateSpace vehicle.

There are several more in what is a growing casebook, with Code Name, Erelim, a nightmare novella threatening intelligence and national security agencies around the globe; The Weerwolf Problem (Dutch spelling) and The Golden Dart , both short stories filled with subtile horror and the grotesque, in Kindle and paperback, the latter two being in a combined volume under the collection name of Macabre2.  Coming are Sa Kainitan, based in The Philippines, and The Seiðr Affair, a bone chiller about a doomsday computer weapon.  Yantiss has also returned to classic, mythological fantasy, and Rylie Rabet Goes on an Adventure— A Tale of Magic and Thaumaturgy Amongst the Wee Forest Folk is forthcoming in late 2014 or early 2015.

Book Summary Murder by Bequest

Murder by Bequest is a transatlantic tale of deep romance and multiple murders spanning the Indian sub-continent, Europe and the United States. It follows the often exciting lives of Sherrod Reynard Colsne and Montague Boyd ‘Monty’ Weston. Monty casually mentions a recent and most bizarre murder in the hopes of calling his employer and friend to action. Action in this sense means business, the work of a professional detective. Little does Monty know that his choice of stimulus is prophetic. When faced with Eleanor Catherine Harkness, the eldest Scion of the murdered man who is convinced the authorities are botching the investigation is determine to hire both Monty and Colsne to solve the case for her. A literary adventure awaits you within these pages. Find out how this riveting mystery unfolds.

Q&A with K.C Baylor

K.C:  What inspired you to take pen to paper and set out on the literary trail?

JSY: A combination of several things including inspiration from my artist, musician mother, and encouragement from my great-grandmother to set down my feelings in “sayings” and essays.  Additionally, I have been an enthusiastic reader of fiction and non-fiction since early childhood.  As a late pre-teen I began reading mysteries, ghost and other horror stories, and fantasy, including the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Rex Stout, and J. R. R. Tolkien.  All of this fostered a growing desire in me to set down stories and tales from my own imagination.  It would be, however, a number of years after high school before I began to actually write fiction, most of my teen years and early adulthood taken up by being a professional singer, songwriter, musician.

K.C Is your book Murder by Bequest a part of a series?

JSY: Yes, though not a sequential series.  The casebook of Sherrod Reynard Colsne is an ongoing record of the 21st century’s worthy successor to the well-known sleuths of yesteryear: Sherlock Holmes and Nero Wolfe in particular, but also in many ways suggestive of Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, and even Lord Peter Wimsey.

K.C What genre of writing are you most intrigued by?

JSY: Actually, two-plus-one: Classic detective mystery, with a dash of the macabre and horrific thrown in, as already shown by two very short entries into the SCM series, The Weerwolf Problem and The Golden Dart; and classical, mythic fantasy in the grand tradition of Tolkien and Lewis, the first completed example of which is Rylie Rabet Goes on an Adventure—A Tale Of Magic and Thaumaturgy Amongst the Wee Forest Folk, which should be available on Amazon.com in Kindle and paperback formats, late this year, or early 2015.

K.C: How can fans and readers contact you?

JSY: You can follow me, and thereby communicate with me, via Facebook, Twitter, Aboutme.com, and more:http://about.me/jsyantissbooks, http://www.manicreaders.com/JohnSpencerYantiss/, https://twitter.com/JSYantissBooks,https://www.facebook.com/JohnSpencerYantiss?skip_nax_wizard=true, and https://www.facebook.com/thebeloveddisciple,https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5344339-john-yantiss, http://www.pinterest.com/johnthebeloved/.  Doubtless I shall find my way onto more such venues.  If you do contact me, and we happen to establish a rapport, it is not inconceivable that I would give my e-mail address to you.

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Author Spotlight: Antonio Moses Author of Rita (The Sole Survivor)

Antonio Moses is a rare gem of a writer. His gift for words and creativity captivates his readers from the first page. It’s always nice to meet a talented writer who understands their craft and make it work for them. His fresh voice and new ideas make him a literary force to be reckoned with. Follow along on his exciting ride of a creative new voice in the African-American Literary game. Individuals close to the Marketplace at Palmdale Barnes & Noble may also come out to get an autographed copy of Rita as well as bring an unpublished manuscript to be considered for publication also on Oct 3, 2014 from 6pm to 8pm visit Mr. Moses’ contact information below for more details.

A Little About Antonio Moses

Antonio Moses is an African-American Urban Fiction author, novelist, and poet. He has work appearing or forthcoming in over a dozen venues, including Barnes and Nobles.  When he’s not entertaining strangers with his writing, he’s most likely frightening his mischievous Rottweiler, Cali. You can visit him at www.antoniomoses.com.

RITA (The Sole Survivor) is a compelling Urban Fiction Novel about a 17-year-old girl who is forced to face the hassle and dangers of the streets of Atlanta.

Antonio Moses plans on publishing several books, producing screenplays and writing biographies for individuals with compelling stories (be as standard or as playful as you like here. this is a great opportunity to say something quirky and unexpected.)

Book Summary

Rita Washington, 17, is a wise-beyond-her-years African-American street raised young lady who acts as the provider for her 8-year old sister Diamond Washington because her mother is strung out on heroin. After she nearly loses everything dear to her. Rita is forced to turn to her father; Dillard, who is serving 25 years to Life for murder he never committed and White Slavery. But a secret from her past will surface which will rock her world and Rita will be forced to face her darkest fears or never see her sister again.

Q&A with K.C Baylor

K.C Baylor: What motivated you to start writing professionally?

AM: I started writing about my home boys I grew up with as journals. My best friend stumbled over the journals and was impressed with what he read. He told me that I should consider writing a book and the rest is history.

K.C Baylor: Being a male author, did you find it difficult writing from the female perspective?

AM: Being a male author made it extremely difficult to write RITA (The Sole Survivor) because there were certain aspects of the story I wasn’t comfortable with. It goes without saying, it was challenging to say the least. But as the story developed RITA took on a life of its own and ultimately became a lot easier to write from a female perspective. The best thing about writing from a female perspective is that it made me a lot more versatile as a writer.

K.C Baylor: What genre’s of literature are you most comfortable writing in?

AM:  I would have to say that Urban fiction is my strong suit, because I was raised in the hood. I realize that stories about the hood have been considered to be degrading by some intellectuals in the literary community. But my stories are written to present a very different perspective than your typical Urban book. I want to tell a different story, one that uplifts my brothers without exploiting their misfortunes.

 

K.C Baylor: How can your reader and fans get in touch with you?

AM: I can be reached on my author page: www.antoniomoses.com  email: sales@antoniomoses.com telephone no: 404-451-7355
I also have a blog www.whatisstreetjustice.com
Ashanti Publishing Group: www.ashantipublishinggroup.com
Facebook: Antonio Moses
About me: Antonio Moses
Stage 32: Antonio Moses
Twitter: Maestrospek
Tumblir: Antonio Moses

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Author Spotlight: I.R Anderson Author of Flocken

While serving time this up and coming writer discovered a love of writing to help pass the time but learned that its healing components could help them turn over a new leaf. I.R Anderson is taking on urban fiction from the side of both experience and sensationalized fiction. Follow along on their literary journey you just may become a fan.

A Little About I.R Anderson

I grew up in Compton, California and discovered my love for writing while serving eleven years in prison. Initially writing was an outlet and a way to pass time. Now it’s my passion and a way to be felt. I  am currently working on two novels and look forward to creating a great body of work. A special shout out to everyone who has and continues to support me. Follow me on Instagram @i.author. 

Book Summary

The streets of Compton shape the mindset of most men. Best friends R.B. and T.G. tackle daily obstacles striving for something better. As luck usually has it, an opportunistic Home Invasion presents itself. With street fame came a new struggle. Especially in the hood, where loyalty and deceit are blurred and the only rule is survival. Can T.G. and R.B. succeed? Or will they fall victim like so many others before them?

Q&A with K.C Baylor

 UFN: How did you discover your ability to write?

I.R Anderson:  I discovered my passion and ability for writing while serving time from the age of 18 to 29. My aunty planted a seed in my head to leave prison better than I came and to write a book. The creativity flowed from there.

UFN: Is Flocken your first attempt at urban fiction?

I.R Anderson: Flocken is my first urban fiction.

UFN: What can readers and fans expect from you in the future?

I.R Anderson: Currently I am working on the sequel of the Flocken series. I also have another project that is set to be released before the end of this year.

UFN: How can readers and fans reach you?

I.R Anderson: Follow me on instagram @i.author and readers can reach me @ iranderson84@gmail.com. Hit me and let me know what y’all think. Peace

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Interview with Award-Winning Author Ben Burgess Jr.

UFN Question: What inspired you to write Wounded?

At first, I was working on another novel which has now turned into my next novel “Love and Happiness” when my co-workers asked me to write a book with a Lesbian protagonist. At first I thought it wouldn’t be possible since I wasn’t a woman, I knew nothing about being Gay or the LGBT community. My co-workers decided to take me to a Lesbian bar. (They took me to the Cubbyhole, which is the first bar I mentioned in Wounded.) After going there with them and talking to the women, I decided to work on the book. To make the book feel as authentic as possible, I did a lot of research. I interviewed fifteen women and five couples, to hear their thoughts, feelings, and philosophies about being a Lesbian, and life. I also used one of my family members as a basis for my character development, so I felt personally invested into creating “Samantha”

UFN: Did you find it difficult to write from a female point of view?

It’s extremely hard to write from a female perspective. While women might have some similarities, all women are different. To interview, listen to, and talk to so many women to get the perfect tone for my characters, was very hard. It was also fun, educational, and interesting. By listening and researching women, I feel I have a better understanding of how some women think, and approach life (Just to be clear, I am in no way shape or form claiming to be an expert on women’s thoughts LOL. I know for a fact there is no way to master that.)

UFN: What is the message you hoped your readers would take away from the story if any?

There are so many lessons I want people to learn from Wounded. The most important lesson is “Love is Love.” I’ll admit, before my current profession, I was a bit of a homophobe too. After working with, people who were a part of the LGBT community, befriending them and listening to them, my prejudices went away.

I hope my book can do that for some people. I want people to learn that love can help you heal. I’d like for people to learn that sometimes a person’s wounds will not show with their appearance. Sometimes people are mentally and emotionally wounded, but a person can heal if they put the effort into healing and if they allow themselves to. Which leads me to another lesson. “You can’t move forward if you’re always looking backwards.” Sometimes we have to accept things and let them go.

There are a lot of things I hope people take away from the book, but some lessons I want people to discover on their own.

UFN: You are also the author of the award winning title Monster. Has Wounded won any awards as of yet?

 

 

Yes. Recently I’ve won the 2014 Readers Favorite Book of the Year in the Urban Fiction category!

UFN: What can fans expect from you in the future?

My next project is called “Love and Happiness” It kind of a spin off from “Monster” It’s based off a character named Karen who was one of Ken’s clients in my first novel. I added a rough sample of “Love and Happiness” in the back of “Wounded” *All of my books are connected in some way. For example in “Wounded” Ron is friends with Dr. Andrews. They were in the same Fraternity and roommates. Also the characters Will and Lou make a cameo in “Wounded” they are in the next book “Love and Happiness” I like all of my books to share the same universe.

An exclusive that I’m only sharing with Urban Fiction News, my project after “Love and Happiness” is a book called “Daddy’s Girl” which will be the story of the trials and tribulations of a single father raising a daughter on his own. The character in that story will be “Lynn” who is the fiancé of Ken from Monster! I’ve only shared that here!

UFN: How can new readers and fans reach you?

Readers can go to my Facebook fan page or my website to learn about my works.

Website:  http://www.woundedmonster.com/
Blog:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6925256.Ben_Burgess_Jr_/blog
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BenBurgessJr
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Ben_Burgess_Jr
Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=50211048&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile_pic
Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/bennyb15/
Amazon-Author-Page: http://www.amazon.com/Ben-Burgess-Jr./e/B00BCKZPHK/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1408072175&sr=1-2-ent

Book Links:

Book purchasing links:
Amazon: http://com/mtf2lw9 
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/wounded/id866628476?mt=11
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=Vr5oAwAAQBAJ
Barnes and Nobles: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wounded-ben-burgess-jr/1119273400?ean=2940149460601
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/6925256.Ben_Burgess_Jr_

Author Spotlight: Le’Vonne Author of Sideline Hoe

It’s always nice to run across an author who enjoys the actual art of writing and Le’Vonne is definitely one of those writers who gives it her all. With her debut novel Gurlfriends she told an unusual tale of sisterhood through the eyes of transgender males. Now her sophomore release is Sideline Hoe. So without further delay let me introduce you to the best-selling author Le’Vonne

A little about Le’Vonne

Le’Vonne is a native of Chicago and has always had a love for books. Using her creativity as a way to escape Le’Vonne often got lost in the pages of her notebook, writing short stories and plays. Years later Le’Vonne decided she wanted to share her creativity with the world, and penned what would later become her debut novel Gurlfriends along with her second release Sideline Hoe. You can also catch Le’Vonne as she co-host the controversial blog talk radio show The Mirror.

Sideline Hoe Book Summary 

Kami seems to have it all. A great paying job in Human Resources for the City of Chicago, money in the bank, a closet full of high-end fashions and the man of her dreams. The only thing is her “man” has a woman and child at home. Deon can have any woman he wants and spends his time between his two favorite girls; Zena, the mother of his child and Kami the woman who his heart truly beats for. It is all love, fun and games for Kami and Deon until she gets knocked up for the third time. Hell bent on being happy and finding a love of her own, Kami packs up and leaves Chicago to have her baby in solace. When Kami finds out the man who holds the key to her heart was slated to marry his baby mother she makes her way back to her hometown to reclaim what should have been hers. 

Q&A with K.C Baylor 

K.C Baylor: Did you experience an aha moment when you told yourself writing is something you wanted to pursue professionally?

Le’Vonne: I can’t necessarily say that I had an aha moment. Writing was just something that I did. It was relaxing and gave me an opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I actually started to believe that writing was something I did for fun and decided that I didn’t have time for it. Literally 7 days after stating that it was just a hobby, the opportunity to collaborate on a project presented itself and I haven’t looked back since.

K.C Baylor: How long have you been writing and do you focus primarily on the urban fiction genre? 

Le’Vonne: I have literally been writing since the 4th grade. I went to a School of the Arts and I favored the creative writing classes. I would write short stories and plays with myself and my friends as the characters. My focus is not on any genre really. Every book will have a different aspect and more than likely will hardly ever fall into the same genre.

K.C Baylor: Do you prefer writing a standalone or series?

Le’Vonne: I am different to stand alone and series alike. For me, I think it depends on the way the story and characters develops that will determine if the book would be a stand alone or a series.

K.C  Baylor: How can your fans and followers reach you?

Le’Vonne: I can be reached on: facebook.com/Levonnethewriter  twitter: @levonnewrites

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Author Zane involved in Scandal!!!

Kristina Roberts better known as Zane the best selling and highly acclaimed author of many erotic tales has found herself in the middle of a scandal. She is reported to owe the IRS more than half a million dollars in back taxes. Her 1 million dollar home in Upper Marlboro purchased back in 2004 had a tax lien placed on it by the Treasury department in 2010. Not only is Ms. Zane facing financial woes but she also faced foreclosure on her home in 2009 after missing more than 4 months of missed mortgage payments which averages up to $22, 457. She was able to dodge that bullet by settling with her lender.

The state of Maryland’s Comptroller Peter Franchot has declared Zane as the state’s top tax cheat with a balance of 341,000 owed. They have been trying to collect back taxes since 2003 and has since publicly announced what she owes in an attempt to shame her into making payments. Her refusal to pay as well as her refusal to respond to the state’s demands for repayment has forced them to put her and more than 40 other’s on the pubic list. She has not publicly acknowledged the accusation in either direction but has tweeted a message that ‘Ignoring someone is way better than engaging in the ignorance.’ So what say you?

Zane has sold millions of her urban erotica books world wide and has also seen two of her works turned into screenplays. Should she be exempt from paying taxes? let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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