AMANI PUBLISHING BLOG:

It's been awhile since I lasted posted a blog. In fact, it was May 15th, right after Mother's Day. Since then, I've celebrated another birthday, school has ended, I've attended the Black Writers Reunion and Conference (Tampa), and I've gone on several short vacations. One of the highlights of my summer was having my husband, Wilbert, and daughter, Amani, featured in the local newspaper on Father's Day. It was such an emotional story for me because I was shocked that my husband agreed to do the interview and was even more surprised when he agreed to meet with the photographer. Anyway, it turned out to be a very memorable Family Day.

But the major highlight of my summer was attending my 29th High School Reunion in Rosston, Arkansas, as the keynote speaker for the banquet which topped off the three-day Fourth of July weekend. It was wonderful to see some of my former classmates, family, and teachers. I enjoyed myself so much that I couldn't speak for almost a week after returning home. So you know that I had a GOOD TIME.

Now personal stuff aside, let me share what's going on with the business. As you all know, we're in the middle of a recession right now so let me say that I appreciate all the people who have continued to support me and the other authors I've published. I'd like to especially thank the wonderful people who attended my workshop and supported me at the Black Writers Reunion and Conference (BWRC) in Tampa, Florida. I'm certain that I made some new friends for life.

New Author - I'm happy to annouce that Amani Publishing signed a new author this month from Madison, Florida. Her name is Carol R. Griffin and the title of her poetry book is Like Whispers from Heaven. Carol is a public school teacher. wife, mother, and a talented poetess. It's people like her who makes the publishing process a pleasure for me. Carol's debut book is scheduled for release on October 1st.

WIB - The 2nd Annual Women in Business Expo is set to happen on Saturday, August 16, at Tallahassee Community College, from 9:00 - 3:00 p.m. Vendor booth investments are available for $60.00 each. Door prizes will be given away, and free workshops will be offered. I'll be teaching a class titled "Creating a Publishing Business." And each registered vendor may be eligible to win $500.00 worth of free radio advertising from a local station. This is an opportunity that you don't want to miss. If you'd like more information about this event, please contact Katina Amoah at 850-980-3638 now.

LAN - The Local Authors Network has been formed by Marilynn Griffith and myself as a means to bring all local and aspiring authors together. We will meet once a month at the Main Library on Park Avenue. Our first meeting has been set for Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 - 12:00 p.m., in the Henderson Room (upstairs). Our mission is to provide a supportive environment were new and seasoned authors can network and learn from each other. We're also in the process of creating a website to showcase all authors joining the network. So please spread the word and please come out to support this exciting new venture!

That's it for now. Please visit my website to view my entire calendar for the remainder of this year at www.amanipublising.net

Recently, I bought a t-shirt that says, "Life is Good," and it made me stop and think about my life and how good it really is. I'm thankful everyday that I rise that I can open my eyes and look into the eyes of the two people who love me the most in this world. Where would I be without Wilbert (husband), Amani (daughter), and God? At the bottom of the t-shirt it reads, "Do what you like, like what you do." Well, I love to read, and I love to write. And I'm so blessed that I get to do these two things every single day. In fact, I was shocked earlier this week when I arrived home to find a box on my doorstep from Simon & Schuster (publishers) with two books by author Claudia Mair Burney, asking for me to review them and post my comments on Amazon. com. Needless to say, I was happy to oblige them. One of the books I'd already read, and I just finished the second one last night.

Mother's Day just passed and I had several people ask me, "What did you get for Mother's Day?" Well, I got a lot of things, but the most important thing that I received didn't come in a gift wrapped package. It came in the form of a handmade card by an eight-year-old titled, "These Are the TOP 10 Reasons Why I Love You:"

1.  She loves me

2. She takes me to the mall.

3.  She takes care of me.

4.  She takes me for rides.

5.  She takes me to the bike trail.

6. She take me to the movies.

7.  She gives me a hug.

8.  She gives me a kiss.

9. She never gives up.

10. She lets me sleep with her.

All in all, it was a beautiful day. And at the end of it, it felt good to take a lavender bubble bath and say, "Life is good."

As I stated earlier, I love to read. So here are a few of the books that I've read since the last time I posted. I'm not going to rate any of these, but they're all recommended reading (if you haven't read them already). And they are:

Death, Deceit, and Some Smooth Jazz (mystery) by Claudia Mair Burney

The Secret (non-fiction) by Rhonda Byrne

Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration (non-fiction) by Marcia Ann Gillespie, Rosa Johnson Butler, and Richard A. Long

In Another's Man Bed (romance) by Francis Ray

The Other Side of the Pillow (ficition) by Cyril Gillion

The Pastor's Wife (fiction) by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Sin No More (fiction) by Kimberla Lawson Roby

Crawlers (fiction) by Necee

Faith Under Fire (non-fiction) by LaJoyce Brookshire

My Soul Cries Out (fiction) by Sherri L. Lewis

Happy reading and happy day. Life is good...

The History of Women's History:

The public celebration of women's history in this country began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, California. The week including March 8, International Women's Day, was selected. In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional resolution proclaiming a national Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the celebration to a month, and March was declared Women's History Month.

While we celebrate the many African-American women from our history such as: Ida B. Wells, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Madame C.J. Walker, Coretta Scott King, Mahalia Jackson, Gwendolyn Brooks, Wilma Rudolph, and many others, let's not forget to celebrate ourselves and the individual contributions that WE have made to our communities across the country.

I, for one, plan to get plenty of rest and concentrate on completing several writing and publishing projects. Then, it's back to the promotional campaign. So please join me at some of these events:

Wednesday, April 16, Prelimary Teenage Poetry Slam, at the Lake Jackson Library.

Thursday, April 17, Final Teenage Poetry Slam, at the main library downtown.

Saturday, April 19, Black Business Expo

Thursday, April 24, Barnes & Noble's Bookstore at Tallahassee Mall

Friday, April 25, FAMU Bookstore on Gamble Street

Enjoy the month and enjoy yourself!

Americans have celebrated black history annually since 1926. First, it was "Negro History Week" and later it became "Black History Month." What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studied when the tradition originated. We owe the celebration of Black History Month and the study of black history to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. He was born to former slaves and spent his childhood working in the Kentucky cole mines. He enrolled in high school at the age of twenty. The scholar was very disturbed to find that history books largely ignored the black American population, and when blacks were recognized, it was generally in ways that reflected their inferior social position. Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. However, February has much more than Douglass and Lincoln to show for it's contribution to black American history.

Now that you've had your black history lesson, won't you join me in celebrating the remainder of the month with two significant literary events:

February 15 - 16, Inspirational Poetry Conference, Cathedral of Faith Church, 6304 N. 30th Street, Tampa, Florida,

Registration is only $50.00, contact Ella for more details at 813-754-9212.

February 23, Local African-American Authors Day Program, 12:00 - 3:00 PM, Amen-Ra's Bookshop, 812 S. Macomb Street, Tallahassee, Florida

This event is FREE and open to the public. Please come out to support your local authors. Refreshments will be served.

Some of the authors participating will be: Marilynn Griffith, Irma Clark, Rosalind Tompkins-Whiteside, Sylvia A. Thomas, Juanita E. Thomas, Nicole Perkins, and more...

Happy New Year from Amani Publishing!

I'm so happy that you're stopping by to read my blog. I promise not to hold you for long, but I have lots of good news to share with all of my friends.

1st NEW AGENT

Most of you should know by now that I've signed with an agent to represent my work in securing a traditional publisher. I'm so excited about this new venture and finding out what's on the other side of the track. I'm just a little sadden that my fourth novel titled A Man of My Own won't be published this year, but hopefully it'll be worth the wait for you and me. For those of you wondering about my agent's name, you'll have to wait for the dedication in the first published book to solve that mystery.

2nd UPCOMING EVENTS

Amani Publishing has two exciting events coming up next month. Check this out:

1st Inspirational Poetry Conference, Tampa, Florida, February 15 -16. Contact: Ella Salter at 813-754-9212 or email: projectcareunlimited@yahoo.com for more details regarding registration. Don't miss this event if you're looking to get published this year because one of the door prizes will be a publishing contract with Amani Publishing.

3rd Annual Local African American Authors Day Program, Tallahassee, Florida, February 23, from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m., Amen-Ra's Bookshop. The theme for this year is "Our Children Speak." The event is FREE and open to the public. We're happy to have a proclamation from the mayor in support of this event.

3rd WHAT I'VE READ

My friends are always asking me what I've read recently, and I'm always happy to share my growing list with them. Here's what I've read in the last few months, but not in this order:

1  Chasing Destiny, Eric Jerome Dickey

2  The Pastor's Wife, ReShonda Tate Billingsley

3  Happily Even After, Marilynn Griffith

4  She Ain't the One, Carl Weber & Mary B. Morrison

5  Confessions of a Video Vixen

6   Vixen Diaries

I just started reading, Playing with the Hand I Was Dealt by Nikki Jenkins.

4th BUSINESS UPDATE

AP published several books in 2007. Check out this updated list:

How I Met My Sweetheart Anthology (February)

A Writer's Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing by Barbatra Joe- Williams(March)

Positive Outweighs Negative by Tiwana Mutch Miller (March)

Staying Focused by Tiwana Mutch Miller (May)

What Color Are You? by Tiwana Mutch Miller (June)

You Can Learn From Any Level by Tiwana Mutch Miller (July)

The Big White House on the Hill by Winifred R. Banks (August)

Courtney's Collage by Sherille Fisher & Barbara Joe-Williams (September)

Since I've signed with an agent, I can't publish anymore books for myself but I'm looking forward to helping other aspiring authors reach their goals.

5th PROFESSIONAL GOALS

1  Secure a multiple book deal with a traditional publisher.

2  Write at least three books by the end of the year.

3  Secure more (paid) speaking engagements.

4  Write another literary grant to help sponsor literary events.

5  Continue publishing and supporting other authors.

6  Do more blogging and reading blogs.

That's it for this time. I hope that you have a happy and prosperous new year. I'll keep you updated as things develop. Until next time, keep it positive and keep it moving...

I'm so excited that a new author signed with Amani Publishing today. His name is Marvin "Merv" Mattair from Madison, Florida. The title of his book is, Word to My Kings & Queens: Achieving a Renewed & Improved Mind. I'll send more details about the book and its availability later on.

My latest project titled, Courtney's Collage, will be released next month in conjunction with Sherille Fisher from Houston, Texas. Sherille had a short story published in the How I Met My Sweetheart Anthology published earlier this year by Amani Publishing. Courtney's a college student who finds herself pregnant by her sister's boyfriend. She's determined to rebuild her life and relationship with her youngest sibling, Majesta. That is, until baby sister does the unthinkable.

You don't want to miss the Women in Business Expo 2007 next month on October 20, from 9:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Tallahassee Community College hosted by the You Can Women organization. For more information, contact Katina at WIBExpo2007@youcanwomen.info. The admission is only $5.00 and vendor booths are available for only $35.00 but the registration deadline is October 10th. They will be offering several 30-minute workshops, and I'll be hosting a one-hour workshop titled, "Facing Your Writing Fears" from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. for no additional charge. (The workshop scheduled at Jack McLean Community Center on the same day has been cancelled).

Let's see, I've only read two books so far this month. One was The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier and the other one was No Greater Love by Helen Baylor. If you're fans of either one of these artists, I highly recommend that you read both of their books. I was fortunate enough to meet Mrs. Baylor earlier this month at a conference, and she autographed a copy of her book to me. She's an amazing woman and an amazing performer. Her testimony will blow you away.

Currently, I'm reading You Can Market Your Book by Carmen Leal. As a self-published author, I'm constantly looking for new ways to market my book and this one is excellent even for traditionally published authors.

Please mark your calendars for the following local events that I'll be attending:

November 2, FAMU Bookstore signing

December 1, Riley House Celebration and book signing

February 23, Local African American Authors Day celebration and new book release titled, A Man of My Own. Yes, Lisa Bradford, from my first novel is back and finally searching for a man of her own. But is he available?

That's it for now. Please email or post your comments directly to this blog. I'm always happy to hear from you.

Welcome to another edition of the Amani Publishing Blog Newsletter. I've had a very busy summer, but I'm happy to be back home working and promoting books for myself and others. I haven't had much time to concentrate on my writing. However, I have two completed novels that have not been published yet and two novels in the works.

Right now, I'm enjoying reading The Day All Hell Broke Loose by Clarence M. Jackson, II. And the next book on my list is The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier. Yes, I'm giving the brothers a chance. Earlier this year, I read What I Know for Sure by Tavis Smiley and The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner. Both books are highly recommended for your reading enjoyment from a male perspective.

Let's take a look at the future of Amani Publishing:

September 30, Courtney's Collage, new book release from Sherille Fisher & Barbara Joe-Williams, will be available for ordering from any bookstore. Courtney Marie Charles is a college student who finds herself pregnant from her sister's boyfriend. Will she be able to get her life back on track and mend the relationship with her sibling?

October 20, Facing Your Writing Fears Workshop, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Jack McLean Community Center in Tallahassee. This is a FREE workshop, but books will be available at the retail prices. If you've been letting the fear of writing stop you from completing the book inside of you, then don't miss this interactive workshop.

November 2, FAMU Bookstore Signing for Homecoming, 11:00 - 2:00 p.m. Come by to meet me and ask questions regarding writing and publishing.

December 1, Riley's House Holiday Event, 9:00 - 3:00 p.m. There will be live entertainment, food, and the museum will be open for touring.

February 23, Local African-American Authors Day and A Man of My Own (book release). Come join me and at least a dozen other local authors at Amen-Ra's Bookshop. We have received a proclamation from the mayor for this event, so please come share our joy for the written word. This program is appropriately titled "Our Children Speak."

A Man of My Own is the fourth novel in the forgive series. Lisa Bradford returns from my first published book titled Forgive Us This Day. Those of you that have requested a book about Lisa or have e-mailed me asking what happened to her character, well, this one's for you.

That's all for now. I have to get back to reading and working. I've enjoyed taking a break to bring you an update on the publishing industry. Please post your comments here or e-mail me at: amanipublishing@aol.com with your comments or questions.

Remember:

I believe there's a book inside of you, please let me help you get it out.

See ya on the web or somewhere...

I was excited that Dancing with Temptation, my second novel, was selected as the book of the month by the local "Women's Discussion Group & Book Club." I was even more excited when they asked me to attend the meeting on Thursday, August 2, hosted by one of the members at her home.

After being served salad, dinner, and dessert, we all made ourselves comfortable while we prepared for the discussion on Dancing with Temptation. As an author, it was wonderful to have my work appreciated and discussed by such an educationed group of professional women. It was clear that these ladies enjoyed reading books, asking questions, and learning about people. They meet once a month to discuss a book that has been nominated by one of the members.

By the end of the evening, I was looking forward to becoming a part of this fantastic group of literary lovers. Next month, we're reading The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier. Too bad he won't be able to join us for the discussion, but it'll be good just the same...

I'm back from my three-week summer vacation with my family. Can you say "cook-out?" That was the word of the day just about everywhere that we went. But believe me, it was fun traveling from state-to-state in our minivan visiting family in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan before heading back to Tallahassee and then leaving again for Bradenton, Florida. There were times that I wanted to scream at my husband for being cooped up in that minivan for so many hours when we could have reached our destination in just a few hours on the airplane. Anyway, my daughter enjoyed stretching out in the back seat while I kept him company up front. I just thank God that we finally made it home safe and sound before I had to hit the road again to attend a conference in Atlanta last weekend.

If you missed the "Writing & Networking" conference hosted by Aleigha Butler, author of A Learning Book Just for Me, you missed a literary treat. I enjoyed presenting two workshops at the conference as well as listening to the other presenters and participating in the "Author's Discussion Panel." The audience hit us with some interesting questions, but we were able to provide everyone in attendance with pertinent information from the publishing industry. I was tired from being on the road for three weekends in a row, but I was happy that I perservered to meet those published and aspiring authors. Mrs. Butler is already talking about doing it again next year so stay tuned for more information.

Now I'm scheduled to publish three books in the next three months and here they are:

1) You Can Learn From Any Level (July) Tiwana Mutch Miller

2) The Big White House on the Hill (August) Winifred R. Banks

3) Courtney's Collage (September/October) Sherille Fisher                          with Barbara Joe-Williams

I hope that you will support these fine authors by buying their books. You'll receive press release as soon as the books are available for ordering.

Check out my latest interview with author, Kim Robinson, which will be posted on Monday, July 30, at www.rouxinthegumbo.blogspot.com. Please read it and let me know what you think. I love being interviewed.

I want you all to mark your calendars for February 23, 2008, for the "Local Authors Day Program" at Amen-Ra's Bookshop in Tallahassee, Florida. We have a proclamation for this event and, hopefully, the mayor himself will be in attendance for this momentous occasion. The topic is "Our Children Speak." So bring the children out to meet the local authors and let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

That's it until the next time that I have something to say...