Hello Ella and the Black Authors Network:
Allow me to introduce you to the RWA. Readers With Attitude (RWA) Bookclub is passionate about reading and supporting our authors and our book stores. We are founded by an Essence Bestselling, Self Published Author Nikkea Smithers and buy our books through an Essence Reporting Bookstore, Precious Memories. Because our president understands the importance of a bookclub to the literary community we focus our energy on things that we find exclusively important. We host authors at each meeting to fully understand the unspoken values in each book. We provide reviews for authors who are interested in having honest and timely feedback. Each month we pride ourselves in the ability to share with each other and promote reading in our community.
Anyone who visits our website at www.myspace.com/rwabookclub can expect to receive sound suggestions on intricate reading. We give every author, in every genre a chance and have a plethora of reviewers that are specific to certain genres providing unbiased opinions. We post our calendar so readers can follow along with us and for quick viewing have posted certain books on our bookshelf. People can also correspond with us directly through our myspace page or by emailing us at rwabookclub@yahoo.com
Join us as we meet the ladies of RWA in a Intimate Conversation with Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations and the Black Authors Network.
EDC: Tell us a few books that you would define as "Literary Hallmarks."
RWA: Here is a very brief list of the many hallmarks/books we have read.
Looker by Stanley Bennett Clay
Sweet Dreams by Nikkea Smithers
Let's Talk About Pep by Sandy "Pepa" Denton
Another Woman's Husband by Angel Mechelle
We consider these books Literary Hallmarks because each has justifiably earned stellar ratings from the bookclub. Each book touches on subjects that we feel are not over saturated and need to be discussed. The work is written seamlessly and we were truly impressed by each author.
EDC: What do you define as Quality Literature?
RWA: Literature that gives you that 'wow' factor when you finish reading it. In order to earn a five with us an author has to be able to hold our attention throughout, give us plot twist that are unpredictable and it must be realistic.
EDC: How many members are in the group?
RWA: We currently have fifteen members and are steadily growing!
EDC: What is the primary mission of the group?
RWA: Our goal is dual, we want to support the authors and help them to make an impact while supporting the bookstore in our community as well. We purchase all of our books through Precious Memories Bookstore which is an Essence Reporting Bookstore. This is an impact for the author because we are helping to get their sells reported to Essence Magazine by buying from this bookstore. While we make our Book of the Month authors aware that we do not garauntee that their book will be the next Essence Bestseller, we explain to them that our sales do help to make an impact.
EDC: What does a typical meeting consist of for the members?
RWA: We start each meeting with an icebreaker and mingling with food. We then have another major game that we play to get everyone involved, during this time members can win special prizes. After our games are done we discuss the book with the author in a round table forum. When discussion is over we show the author our appreciation and close by writing individual ratings that are later tallied and placed in a comprehensive review in our blog and on Amazon. We also do detailed wrapups of each meeting on our blog so that those who missed out can still be a part of the fun.
EDC: Do you have an open membership? How can one join your network?
RWA: We currently have open membership until we reach 20 members. Once we reach 20 members we will close membership until further notice. Interested parties in Richmond, VA can email rwabookclub@yahoo.com
EDC: Ultimately, what do you want members to gain from your union?
RWA: Ultimately we want to be recognized as the premier bookclub and readers group for authors and publishers alike. We want to gain lasting relationships that we look forward to extend through open dialouge and conversation.
Thank you Readers With Attitude (RWA) Bookclub for joining us today. It has been a pleasure. Readers, have you read any of the RWA Literary Hallmarks? Do you have a bookclub too? Tell us about your club below.
This interview was brought to you by Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations
Website: www.edc-creations.com
