Great event: The Black Book Coalition

Ella Curry and friends enjoying The Black Book Coalition event.

Founders of The Black Book Coalition

I recently attended a spectacular event hosted by the Black Book Coalition. Several authors, publicist, and literary vendors met to network and share resources. This was one of the best networking events that I have attended this year! Great Food. Stimulating Conversation. Power Connections! The Black Book Coalition was founded by MahoganyBooks in conjunction with The Renaissance Group, LLC and The Hurston/Wright Foundation to achieve success and value for our literary community through the use of their combined talents and expertise.

We opened the event by paying tribute to author E. Lynn Harris. Yao Glover, founder of literary giant Karibu Book Stores, was given a photo album documenting the 14 years of operation by the Black Book Coalition founders. Publisher Jessica Tilles was instrumental in making new authors feel welcomed and appreciated. Lee and Charlotte were the perfect hostesses.

Literary icon Marita Golden was supporting the authors with her years of wisdom. I had the pleasure to mingle with avid reader Jackie, Judine Slaughter founder of the United Black Writers Association, Gary A. Johnson owner of the Black Men in America organization, literary agent Audra Barrett, Russell Price Jr. owner of Be There Magazine, life balance expert Takeyah A. Young and many owner fabulous business owners and authors were there to round out the exceptional evening.

The owners of MahoganyBooks, Ramunda and Derrick A. Young, brought about such elegant flair, that I didn't want the night to end! The launch party for the Black Book Coalition with attendees ranging from New York Times Best Selling authors, area publicists, independent publishers and more, will greatly increase the unity between the avid readers, new leaders and the literary elite in the DMV.

Become part of the movement to unify the DC Black Book Community by visiting MahoganyBooks for more information here.

About the Founders:

** MahoganyBooks - created by an enterprising husband and wife duo in the Washington DC area, MahoganyBooks is positioned to become the premier online destination for all books relevant to the African Diaspora. Coupling a dynamic social networking community, robust inventory selection, easy to use website and provocative literary content, MahoganyBooks is the ideal online bookstore dedicated to "Books, Community, Words & You."

** The Renaissance Group, LLC - comprised of Lee McDonald (former Karibu Marketing Director) and Charlotte Reid (CEO/Founder of Intimate Interiors) is a strategic marketing and event management firm. With over 30 years of outstanding professional event development and implementation experience, TRG specializes in communications, brand development, public relations and community outreach.

** Hurston/Wright Foundation - is the nation's resource center for writers, readers, and supporters of Black literature. The only organization of its kind that provides culturally sensitive services and guidance for Black writers at every stage of their development.

For more information: contact MahoganyBooks at Info@MahoganyBooks.com

Derrick A. Young, CEO MahoganyBooks

Website: http://www.mahoganybooks.com/

Tel: 703.730.3873

Fax: 888.573.3987

Books, Community, Words & You

http://www.mahoganybooks.com/



http://www.trgpronline.com/

http://www.hurston-wright.org/

EDC Book Club Partners

Congratulations New Book Club Partners!
I am proud to announce the creation of 9 new book clubs in the EDC Creations network. I had the pleasure of setting up all 9 bookclubs with private blog websites, newsletters, email accounts and gave them their first suggested reading material. This was such an awesome project! The readers range from age 19-77!

Each bookclub was given a "Book club to Go Bag", filled with books, bookmarks, promotional material, EDC Creations hat, EDC Creations Catalog, and Godiva Chocolates. Each bookclub was given a folder with all kinds of suggestions for rules, setting up meetings and how to select the book of the month. EDC Creations has a book club reading room, created for all book clubs to find new books to explore.

Here are the names of our new book club partners:


1. MLK Blvd Readers from Atlanta, GA (27 male and female readers; no Urban Lit)

2. SapphoAngel Sisters from Hattisburg, MS (reading only Erotica and Urban Lit)

3. Garrett Swain Legacy from Annison, AL (reading only Faith based books)

4. 7th Ward Reviewers from New Orleans, LA (42 women and 3 groups;largest of the 17 Wards of New Orleans)

5. Delta Divas Wine and Books from Tuskegee, AL (hosting formal gatherings every 3 months; no online meetings)

6. Mocha Sister Runners from Jackson, MS (exercise club of plus sized sisters; prefers Romance novels)

7. SCLCC Reader's Group from Marietta, GA (all over 40; no Erotica; no poetry)

8. Mt. Moriah Reading Rainbow from Clanton, AL (only reaing Black Authors; no Urban Lit)

9. Daughters of Toni and Maya from Houston, TX (9 teen readers; 14 adult readers; Faith based books)

All 9 bookclubs and 5 groups would like to have reading conference calls with authors. If you are interested in contacting any of these groups to review your books, email Ella Curry at: edc_dg@yahoo.com with a pdf of your first chapter EXCERPT and your professional email coverletter. I am the sole public relations person for these groups and they will select all reading material from EDC Creations magazine, radio show and personal newsletters. Each group will be given a choice of 3 books to read each month. They will discuss the books on their private blogs as well as monthly conference calls with me. I will pull the best of their blog post out and put them in Black Pearls!

Enjoy and tell at least 10 people about this wonderful list of leaders!

Ella Curry, founder of the Sankofa Literary Society
EDC Creations Website: http://www.edc-creations.com
Email me at: edc_dg@yahoo.com

Intimate Conversation with Yvonne Perry

Meet Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and editor and award-winning author

Yvonne Perry is a freelance writer and editor, award-winning, bestselling Amazon.com author, podcast host, blogger, newsletter publisher, Internet marketing guru, and the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (WITS). She graduated from American Institute of Holistic Theology where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Metaphysics.

What exactly does your company do for the client?
Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services offers ghostwriting and editing for books, biographical sketches, memoirs, résumés, media releases, press kits, marketing copy, Web site text, articles, brochures, newsletters, business documents, and articles. We also assist authors with online book promotion.



Did your company change the way consumers were previously taught to think?
A lot of people have the idea that they need to refrain from freely sharing information in order to gain wealth. I have a different view, and I use a universal philosophy in my business practices. Sowing and reaping, giving and receiving, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, the law of attraction, or whatever you choose to call it, there really is no competition; there is enough water in the cosmic universe to float all our boats. I assist others on their path to success by sharing what I have learned and allowing people to post messages and announcements on our blog and in our newsletter. I also post content-rich messages on Twitter to help other writers and let my network know about our clients’ books and successes. This mentality seems to be prevalent among the writers with whom I network and it provides a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Additionally, I blend a spiritual mindset with my business practices without making anyone feel uncomfortable. By honoring all paths, we have allowed a wide range of people to express their views in the form of books, Web text, podcast interviews, newsletters, brochures, and marketing material.

We have incorporated social networking into our line of services offered to our clients. Many people have not heard of these sites and methods or do not know how to use them wisely. We can either provide mentoring to set up and maintain a high-traffic and sales-effective blog, or we can do the marketing on behalf of the client.



How did you get your start in this business/industry?
Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services, also known as WITS, is my Nashville-based writing and editing services company. I started this company in 2003 with a strong belief that I could create the career I wanted by learning as much as I could about the craft and business of writing, focusing on the positive goals I had set, and doing the work necessary to reach these goals. I started out solo, but since then, I have put together a team to diversify the types of writing, editing, and promotional services we offer our clients.


What do you like most about your profession?
Having flexible hours, working from home, and meeting great people online. There is no limit on how far I can move up the ladder of success!

What is your biggest challenge in business?
Not being a workaholic!


How did you overcome it?
I put our business hours on our Web site and in our phone message. I close my office door at the end of the workday and let the machine take the calls. I can’t allow my business to take away valuable time from my family.



What are three things all leaders possess?
There are more than these listed here, but I would have to say vision, determination, and a belief in oneself/abilities is very important. Also, leaders have a willingness to set goals and do what it takes to reach them.


How does your mission or vision keep your business growing?
I’m always looking for new ways to help authors and businesses use writing as a key tool for communicating their message in a professional manner that attracts high-quality clients. When I see an unmet need, I am quick to learn all I can about new tools available so I can begin to provide that service.



What's new in your company for 2009?
We have started an affiliation with Full Circle Admin to offer virtual assistance to our clients. This includes calendar management, data entry, maintaining, Excel spreadsheets, job search services, letter writing, typing, transcribing, link building, SEO writing, social networking, and creating/posting trailers for books and businesses. I’m also looking to add technical services such as Web site building and maintenance.


Contact information and website addresses.

Yvonne Perry
http://writersinthesky.com
http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com
www.OnlinePromotionMadeEasy.com


Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services produces a free monthly newsletter filled with articles, announcements, and information about the craft and business of writing, publishing, and book marketing. Subscribe or read more at http://www.writersinthesky.com/writing-newsletter.html



Please join in the discussion by leaving comments or congrats below.
Black Authors Culture Center-- Twitter with Ella--Black Pearls Mag

EDC Creations Book Promotions

Author and Book Cover Designer Rae Lindley

Hello Black Authors Network!

I'm an author (Rae Lindley for my sci-fi fantasy work and Rae Lori for my romance) but I also do artwork for indie authors and offer resources on my website.

I create book covers and promotional designs upon request. My website is http://www.raelori.com. I have a gallery there of my book covers in case visitors want to see my work. More is also at my myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/raelori.

Rae
http://www.raelori.com

'Art and any media of the mind is most powerful with a voice'


Samples of Book Cover Designs
http://www.raelori.com/bookcovergallery.html