"Read My Lips" is the new initiative began in November 2006 to encourage reading and writing among those both young and old. We want to help feed a passion for the written and spoken word to help individuals continue to mold the future. Want to know how you can be featured? Contact us at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

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Friday, June 29, 2007

REVEALED: July 2007 Conversations Magazine



What do you get when you combine interviews with Bestselling authors Travis Hunter, Nikki Turner, Trista Russell, Nancy Bush and Thomas Long with profiles of "Books Are Sexy" Book Club President Derrick L. Briggs, Stuart Woods, Monica P. Carter and more? You get one blockbuster of a magazine! That is what Shadow Play Publications is presenting to you in the month of July 2007!

This is one definitely for your scrapbook! Conversations Magazine is brimming over with information that you will want to refer to for months and even years to come, and you get it all in 32 pages.

Looking to get your personal copy or even your subscription? Don't forget that single issues are available for only $5.00 ($6.50 with shipping) or you can get a subscription of 12 issues for only $50.00 ($65.00 with shipping). Would you rather just get it in your inbox as an e-book? You can do that for only $3.50!

Email us today at cawebb4@juno.com for personalized links or you can order directly from Conversations Book Club's main site beginning July 1, 2007.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Conversations Book Club's newest feature: "Take Ten" featuring Bestselling author Stuart Woods

Over the past seven months, we have met a great deal of authors. So many in fact that there is always a problem of being able to schedule them for a 30 minute or hour discussion! Because of this, we have begun a new phase of Conversations Book Club. It is called "Take Ten". What is it? Well, to put it simply "Take Ten" is an interview of 10 questions that we can get answers to quickly without having to really schedule any of the author's precious time.

The interviews will be featured in print publications, online and in the Conversations Magazine.

This week we are featuring another one of our history-making interviews: Bestselling author Stuart Woods. Few writers hae been able to have such an impact on the world of fiction like Woods, and with over 20 titles under his belt---many of them New York Times Bestsellers---there is no way for him to be slowing down soon.

Enjoy the interview and look for it to be featured in the July 2007 issue of the Conversations Magazine!


Mr. Woods, thank you so much for your time. Looking back over your career one of the questions that immediately comes to mind is about your relationship with words. Have you always found it easy to tell a story?
It was harder in the beginning. Experience builds confidence, and confidence is a wonderful thing.

How much do you rely on your feelings about a certain situation or occurrence in the news dictate the story you tell us in your novels?
I have to construct the feelings to fit the scene.

Your career has spanned many years and has been filled with critical acclaim. Does it ever surprise you that you evolve such a eager anticipation for each new release?
All the time, but I like it.

In Mississippi where most of our readers are based, we are faced with a critical case of apathy towards reading and writing. What are your feelings about how the general attitude of books seems to have shifted over the years?
It's my experience that there are more readers and more books than ever. I get a lot of mail from people who tell me they never enjoyed reading until trying one of my books, and now they read all the time. That's very satisfying.

And the electronic age? In talking to librarians in our state, the consensus of visitors are coming to use the internet and not checking out as many books as they would have been 8 or even 10 years ago. In your opinion is that just a sign of the times?
I honestly don't know what that is. My guess is that those people wouldn't be coming at all, if there weren't an internet.

Tying in your books, there always seems to be a sense of morality, no matter what side of the law the characters find themselves on. Do you think this shows it's true that "There is some good in everyone" and are we being too pessimistic about the fate of our youth?
Yes. Normally, you need morality to separate the good from the evil, although I once wrote a book, L.A. Times, in which I set out to make not one of the characters a decent human being (it was set in Hollywood), and people still rooted for the protagonist.

From visiting your site, I know that you get quite a few requests for advice from aspiring authors. Who was inspirational to you in your literary endeavors?
All the writers I read, particulary Mark Twain.

Some of the authors we have talked to, Mr. Woods, tell us that in the beginning it was surreal to go into a store and see their name on books or posters with their face plastered in stores or in magazines. Has there been such a moment for you when it really hit home the magnitude you have made on the literary community?
It happened so gradually that I got used to it over the years. It's not like I was all over the bookstores right away.

Without giving away the plot to our readers, are you able to tell us about your upcoming release?
It brings together most of my continuing characters, including Teddy Fay, in one book.

Thank you again for your time. Anything you want to say to your fans that might be reading this interview?
I thank them for reading my books and making my career possible.

You can learn more about Stuart Woods by clicking here.

CBC Makes News again--- Read How!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Waldenbooks Metrocenter Shows Its Staying Power in Jackson with History-Making Discussions"

Contact: Lisa and Pam, Store Managers
Waldenbooks Metrocenter
601.969.6949

When it seems as though business and residents are moving from the city of Jackson, taking with them culture and productive activities, Waldenbooks Metrocenter is gearing up for months of new endeavors and partnerships.The bookstore has teamed up with Conversations Book Club to spread the encourage message of "Getting Hooked on Books". The first signs of the partnership began in January 2007, when the bookstore was chosen to be the ONLY BOOKSTORE IN MISSISSIPPI to host New York Times Bestselling author Carl Weber in his first visit to the state. Since then the store has opened up its doors to Bestselling authors Alisha Yvonne, Alphonso Morgan, Reshonda Tate Billingsley and K. Elliott and has planned for over half a dozen other authors to vist the store in person throughout the rest of the year, including Bestselling author Jihad (seen below).


During the month of July 2007, evidence of the union will be evident as Conversations Book Club works with the store in its activities centered around the release of the 7th and final Harry Potter book that will be released the night of Friday July 20, 2007. Beginning at 9:30p.m. CST the book club president will be taking part in games for the young attendees and will use the entire 11p.m. hour to read excerpts from the six previous books. All of these activities are free to the public.

The President of the book club has reached out to several well-respected authors that cross racial boundaries and genres--- and they have responded overwelmingly.We are excited to announce that among the authors that will be joining Waldenbooks via conference call are internationally known authors JERRY JENKINS (of the LEFT BEHIND series), FATHER ANDREW M. GREELEY (The Cardinal Sins), JOHN SAUL (When the Wind Blows and Suffer The Children), RICHARD JEANTY, TREASURE BLUE and many more.

For more information about any of the above, call Waldenbooks at 601.969.6949 or visit www.thebestbookclub.info.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Conversations Book Club prepares to welcome two bestselling masters: John Saul and Jerry Jenkins

What a better way to begin the week. We are happy to report that Conversations Book Club has snagged two more exclusives for 2007: discussions with Bestselling authors John Saul ("SUFFER THE CHILDREN") and Jerry Jenkins (The LEFT BEHIND series)!


JOHN SAUL

John Saul was born in Pasadena, California on February 25, 1942, and grew up in Whittier where he graduated from Whittier High School in 1959. He attended several colleges—Antioch, in Ohio, Cerritos, in Norwalk, California, Montana State University and San Francisco State College, variously majoring in anthropology, liberal arts, and theater, but never obtaining a degree.
After leaving college, he decided the best thing for a college dropout to do was become a writer, and spent the next fifteen years working in various jobs while attempting to write a book someone would want to publish. Should anyone ever want to write a novel concerning the car-rental industry or the travails of temporary typists, John can provide excellent background material.


Those years garnered him a nice collection of unpublished manuscripts, but not a lot of money. Eventually he found an agent in New York, who spent several years sending his manuscripts around, and trying to make the rejection slips sound hopeful. Then, in 1976, one of his manuscripts reached Dell, who didn't want to buy it, but asked if he'd be interested in writing a psychological thriller. He put together an outline, and crossed his fingers.

At that point, things started getting bizarre. His agent decided the outline had all the makings of a best-seller, and so did Dell. Gambling on a first novel by an unknown author, they backed the book with television advertising (one of the first times a paperback original was promoted on television) and the gamble paid off. Within a month Suffer the Children appeared on all the best-seller lists in the country and made the #1 spot in Canada. Subsequently all 32 of his books, have made all the best-seller lists and have been published world wide. Though many of his books were published by Bantam/Doubleday/Dell his last fourteen books have been published by Ballantine/Fawcett/Columbine.


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On Thursday, September 6, 2007, Conversations Book Club will speak with internationally recognized author Jerry Jenkins of the LEFT BEHIND series! This will take place at 6p.m. CST at a location in Mississippi to be announced at a later date!

JERRY JENKINS

Jerry B. Jenkins is the author of the Left Behind novels, the fastest-selling fiction series ever. These books have garnered millions of readers since the series began in 1995. Jerry has written more than 150 books, including the Underground Zealot series: SOON, Silenced, and Shadowed.

Sixteen of Jerry's titles have reached the New York Times best-seller list and have also appeared on the The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly best-seller lists. The last six books in the Left Behind series...including Glorious Appearing...debuted at #1 on all four lists.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

JUST IN: Martha Stewart thinks Conversations Book Club is 'A good thing'


Those who know me are aware that I am a little more than obsessed with the work ethic of four people: Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey and Martha Stewart. Last year, it was an honor to have some correspondence with Oprah. This year I am being blessed with some feedback from Martha Stewart.

Later this month I was going to be announcing a FIRST for the Conversations Branches: I had chosen our first NON-FICTION book to read: THE MARTHA RULES by none other than media Mogul Martha Stewart. On Wednesday, June 20, 2007 I enjoyed a nice conversation with Ms. Claire Cunningham, a publicist with Susan Magrino Agency in New York that represents Ms. Stewart. I had ambitiously asked for a 30-minute interview with Martha with the book club, even offering to do a first and script the questions so there wouldn't be any surprises. Claire actually talked with Martha about the idea, and called me back yesterday afternoon with an explanation that right now her schedule is just too crazy and she couldn't commit. What made my day however was this from Claire:

"Please know that Martha appreciates the offer, and that you all are considering her book, THE MARTHA RULES. Also know that she loves what you (Conversations Book Club) are doing to spread the message about reading in your state and she wishes you continued success."
Though I REALLY wanted the interview (smile), this means so much to me.

In the July 2007 issue of the Conversations Magazine you will find a little something else about Martha that is truly "a good thing".

Stay tuned!

C. A. Webb

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

CBC Schedules Book Discussion with Mississippi author Craig Alexander--- Wednesday, August 15, 2007


In its pursuit to continually support the best of Mississippi and to encourage reading and writing, Conversations Book Club is pleased to announce that it will be hosting Mississippi author Craig Alexander in a special book club discussion of his book THE NINEVAH PROJECT on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at the Pearl Library in Pearl, Mississippi.



This special literary event will be taped for the Arts & Entertainment program "Conversations". The meeting, which begins promply at 6:00p.m. will focus on Aexander's beginnings, what led to his interest in writing and the story behind THE NINEVAH PROJECT. Though the discussion will be led by the Conversations Book Club President, those in attendance are welcome to get involved in the Q&A. Books will be available.


Admission to this event is FREE. For more information about Craig Alexander, click here. To contact the Conversations Book Club, email us at thebestbookclub@hotmail.com or call 601.896.5616.

JUST IN: CBC Teams up with Bestselling author Lovell Brigham

THIS NEWS JUST IN TODAY (June 19, 2007) --- Conversations Book Club has partnered with Bestselling author Lovell Brigham and her upcoming visit to Mississippi!

Ms. Brigham was already scheduled to be do a booksigning at the Barnes & Noble (County Line Plaza Shopping Center in Jackson, MS) on Saturday, July 7th from 2-4p.m. She will be signing her book NO MEN NEED APPLY.

Now CBC will be scheduling additional stops for the authors first events in Mississippi.
On Saturday, July 7th at 11a.m., Ms. Brigham will the special guest of the "All For One" Statewide Book Club meeting in Mississippi that will take place at the Medgar Evers Library. Later that evening, she will be the special guest of the "Spoken Word Saturdays at Subway" that takes place at the Subway in Pearl, MS (3000 HWY 80 E) beginning at 7p.m. She will be doing a reading of her book NO MEN NEED APPLY. For more details, contact Conversations Book Club at thebestbookclub@hotmail.com. You can also visit the >"Subway Conversations" program.

For additional information about this author, simply click here.

Conversations Book Club releases schedule for Bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray --- September 2007


It is with great pleasure that Conversations Book Club presents its schedule for National Bestselling author Victoria Christopher Murray's visit to Mississippi Friday, September 7-9, 2007. When we initially reached out to Ms. Murray, she eagerly accepted our invitation, and now thanks to the partnerships of many special organizations within the state, we are ready to proceed with our plans to make history once again.

Conversations wishes to especially thank Shida Carr of Simon and Schuster, Rose Wright of The Savvy Book Club, Ms. Laura Turner of Medgar Evers Library, Ms. Debra Gilbert of Richard Wright Library, Dorothy and Chris Lawson of Subway Restaurant (Pearl, MS), Waldenbooks Metrocenter, Northside Library, Margaret Walker Alexander Library, Wal-Mart Supercenter (HWY 18), Wal-Mart Supercenter (Pearl/Brandon), McDonalds inside the Pearl/Brandon Wal-Mart Supercenter and all book lovers.

All events have free admission and are open to the public, including any other book clubs that wish to participate. For more information, contact Cyrus A. Webb at 601.896.5616 or via email at cawebb4@juno.com/ thebestbookclub@hotmail.com. You can find this information online as well at www.readingmylips.com/ www.thebestbookclub.info.

_______________________________________________________________________________
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2007
10-11a.m. --- "Breakfast with Books" at Medgar Evers Library (4215 Medgar Evers Library * Jackson, MS--- 601.982.2867)
12:00p.m. --- "Meet & Greet" @ Northside Library (807 E. Northside Drive * Jackson, MS --- 601.366.0021)
1:30-3p.m. --- "Meet & Greet" @ Peeples Middle School (Jackson, MS
4p.m. --- "Meet & Greet/Booksigning" @ Richard Wright Library (515 McDowell Road * Jackson, MS) --- 601.372.1621
5:30p.m. --- Booksigning @ Books-A-Million (4949 I-55N, Jackson, MS--- 601.366.3008)
7:30p.m. --- Dinner @ Subway in Pearl, MS (3000 HWY 80 E) "Read Well While you Eat Well" with "Subway Conversations"

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2007
9:30a.m.-10:30a.m. --- "Breakfast with Books" @ McDonalds inside Pearl/Brandon Wal-Mart
11-12:00a.m.-- Meet & Greet @ Margaret Alexander Library (Jackson, MS)
12:30-2p.m. --- Booksigning @ Waldenbooks (Metrocenter * Jackson, MS --- 601.969.6949)
3p.m. ---Book Club discussion with the Savvy Book Club (Willie Morris Library * Jackson, MS --- Ms. Rose Wright, contact 601.750.2357)
7-9p.m. --- "Spoken Word Saturdays @ Subway Pearl (3000 HWY 80 E * Pearl, MS), spoken word and reading featuring special guest Victoria Christopher Murray --- 601.936.4803

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Acclaimed author Pamela Samuels-Young visits with Conversations Book Club--- Saturday, October 27, 2007

It is her first trip to Mississippi, and Celebrated author Pamela Samuels-Young will be spending time with Conversations Book Club* and others in October 2007.


On Tuesday, October 23, 2007, Ms Samuels-Young will join us via conference call at 6p.m. for the regular Conversations Book Club meeting at the Medgar Evers Library. She will talk about her book FIRM PURSUIT, her journey as an author and her upcoming visit to the state.

Then you are encouraged to join us on Friday, October 26th, when she will be having a lunchtime book club discussion at 12:30p.m. at Subway Restaurant in Pearl (address below), followed by a meet and greet at Richard Wright Library at 4p.m. CST. Both events are free admission.

On Saturday, October 27th, you are then cordially invited to join us at Subway Restaurant (3000 HWY 80E in Pearl, MS) for a meet and greet with Pamela Samuels-Young, bestselling author Francis Ray and other lovers of words for their "READ WELL WHILE YOU EAT WELL" campaign to promote healthy eating and regular reading. The event begins at 5p.m. Admission is free, however Ms. Young will have copies of her book FIRM PURSUIT available for purchasing.

* On Saturday, October 27th, Pamela Samuels-Young will be signing her book FIRM PURSUIT at Lemuria Book Store in Jackson, MS.

To find out more about Ms. Young, click here.

JUST IN: Bestselling authors Treasure Blue & Richard Jeanty join CBC Lineup

This is an update that just developed over the past few days. Thanks to Random House, Conversations Book Club will be hosting a live telephone book discussion with Bestselling author Treasure E. Blue.

For those who don't know, his book HARLEM GIRL LOST became an instant bestselling, and his sophomore project, A STREET GIRL NAMED DESIRE, due to be released in a few weeks is already garnering critical acclaim.


His interview with Conversations Book Club is slated for Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 6p.m. CST.
***********************************************************************
Also joining the lineup for book discussions is Bestselling author Richard Jeanty, whose novels NEGLECTED SOULS, NEGLECTED NO MORE AND SEXUAL EXPLOITS OF A NYMPHO have all been heating up the charts of book lovers all over the country.





He will not only be talking exclusively to Conversations Book Club on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 6p.m. via conference call, but he will have an interview featured in the July issue of the magazine as well. STILL NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU? You can meet Jeanty live and in person with author Nishaunda Ellis in August 2007! For more information about the work of Jeanty and his organization, click here.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

A CONVERSATIONS EXCLUSIVE: Our interview with author Monica P. Carter



Monica, it’s been about 3 years since you and I first connected, and the book that you were promoting at that time, SACRIFICE THE ONE, is still resonating with readers today. What do you think the appeal of the book is?
Sacrifice the One has a simple appeal in that it’s about one family’s struggle and well, we all come from families, so we can all relate. Some of us are estranged from our families, some of us have to pray for patience concerning our families, some of us just shake our heads at our families. Sacrifice the One is about a man embittered by the loss of his wife – and so he can’t see through the anger and resentment. And it’s a story of a daughter who chases her father’s love and when that isn’t forthcoming, she looks for affection anywhere she can find it. That, sadly, is a story that plays out across America every day, as young girls fall into bad situations because they are missing something at home. But this story isn’t just about a hard reality; it is about the hope of the heart. Can love truly overcome?


Are you at all surprised that a story like yours has managed to easily cross over ethnic or economic groups when it comes to how your readers can relate to it?
No, I’m not surprised because family struggles transcend the things that divide us. No matter your race, no matter where you are on this planet, no matter how much money you have – or don’t have – you can face the heartbreak of broken promises.

Take us back to your life before SACRIFICE. Where were you mentally and emotionally, and what helped to give the story life?
Sacrifice the One helped me grow a lot as a person. While the story isn’t about my life, the issues Seta, the main character, had with her father certainly made me think of my own relationship with my father. Like Seta, I went through a period where I threw him away – he seemed to reject me, so I rejected him. Now, I’m a more mature person and so I’ve “reclaimed” him. I just meet him where he is, as I know all of us have a choice of what baggage we will hold onto and what we will release. Sacrifice the One relates very well to a lot of our lives, in some way.

You are not only a successful author but a journalist as well. Have you always been creative, and how have those close around you reacted to your gifts over the years?
I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by people who do not hold God’s grace against me. They have embraced what he has done – and is doing – for me and they celebrate me. And I in turn celebrate others. I know that someone else’s success does not hurt me, nor does my success hurt someone else. Too often we spend time downplaying another’s success because we think their success diminishes us. That’s the exact opposite of truth. When someone around me succeeds, I am happy. And when I succeed, those around me are happy. And for those who aren’t happy for me, well, I don’t let their issues distract me because clearly their negativity is about them, not me.

A lot of times we find that art closely imitates life. When it came to your debut novel, how much of yourself did you include in AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED and your second novel? Where can we find you within the pages?
Well, I am in all of my characters, because I shape them based on some element of how I see the world. Of course I show up in varying degrees – some of my characters are far from who I am, or at least I couldn’t admit just how closely we resemble each other. 

For those that don’t know you self-published your first book and initially your second one through your company Root Sky Publishing. Why did you make that decision, and can you walk us through your journey to bring your words to life.
Oh, definitely. I chose to self publish because I like to be in control of my own life. I was not willing to wait to find an agent and then wait while that agent found a publisher who would “accept” my work. To me, that meant time lost. So I chose to publish my books when I was ready and then subsequently, solicit publishers. That worked well for me because it allowed me to get my books out when I wanted, develop a readership, and then also gain the publishing deal. Self publishing for me meant pursuing my dream now rather than later.

We have many aspiring writers that join our discussions and read our interviews, Monica. What would you tell them to do when it comes to promoting themselves and following through on their goal of being a published author?
I would tell them to be like the Nike commercial and “Just do it.” The number one thing I hear from aspiring writers when I have book signings and other events is: “I want to write a book.” But then so many have not sat down to write the book or have not pursued the publication. Nobody is going to write the book for you (well, unless you have a ghostwriter). Stop wishing and wanting and start doing. Get it on paper. And figure out your option. Are you going to solicit agents and publishers right off or are you going to self publish? Whichever way you go, you’ve got to know that you will be the main one promoting book. Many people think if they get a book deal, then their responsibility of promoting somehow ends because the publisher will do that. That is not true. You must still promote your own book. So get the words on paper and then get in front of readers.

If you choose to self publish, remember it’s a business like any other. So you must approach your book projects and publishing company with that in mind. In my case, my publishing company, RootSky Publishing, started as a place to produce my books and as a freelance copywriting business where I provided writing and editing services for clients. Then, after I got my publishing deal and did not need to spend those resources publishing books, I focused more energy of the company on the client projects. In fact, I’ve added a partner in my husband and we’ve changed the name to RootSky Creative, LLC, becoming a full-service writing and design firm. We may publish other books in the future, but the way business is growing, our hands are full with client communication projects. And so what started out as a book dream has evolved into both a literary career and a full-time, real business. So your “little” book dream could end up doing something really big on the business side even. It’s possible.

We talked about at the outset that your book is still picking up steam after three years on the market. One thing that has contributed to that has been it being picked up by Urban Christian (a subsidiary of Bestselling author Carl Weber’s Urban Books) and repackaged. Can you tell us about how your path crossed with Urban and what contributed to your decision?
Yes. Urban Books launched a new inspirational line called Urban Christian. I was fortunate enough to be one of the first authors published under this imprint.

The story of Rosetta (Seta) is unfortunately not so uncommon today. All too often young women and even young men find themselves looking for love in all the wrong places, especially when they feel as though they can’t get it where they feel as though they should. What have been some of the stories you have heard from people who have read your book and found themselves in it?
Well, the stories may be different – and I’ve heard many – but the themes are pretty constant. Many of those who have shared with me their impressions of the book tell their own tales of rejection and how they overcame – or struggled with – that. I have been touched to find that the book has helped heal many hearts or to help people see things in a different way. When I hear something like that, it feels like a bonus. Imagine, being able to use fiction to heal real-live people.

As a busy entrepreneur, Monica, one of the things that strikes me about you is your willingness to give back, especially through your blog and newsletter. Why is that so important to you? In the literary industry, how have you looked to as guiding lights?
Well, it’s a cliché, but it’s true: giving back is important. None of us is on this planet alone. And we must all share at some point. The sooner we realize that, the happier we will be. When you share, you find the world opens up to you – your heart is full because of what you gain in return. I do this on a social level by maintaining my blog, http://monicacarter.com. It’s where I address current events and social and political concerns. My newsletter is where I share a bit about my work, true, but also share what I hope are inspirations for others. Other projects of sharing include being a mentor/instructor at a summer camp for students interested in journalism and being an organizing board member of The Divine Literary Tour, which raises money for scholarships for disadvantaged – but deserving – students.

What can we expect next from you?
Well, I’m working on my next Urban Christian/Kensington project. It’s tentatively titled Scandalous Truth and it’s the story of a woman who is living the “perfect” life when her past comes back to haunt her. Suddenly the “perfect” life she has built comes tumbling down around her and she is faced with one question: who am I, really? I know a lot of readers face this same question at varying points in life. Can we truly change who we are – or do we just pretend to be someone else until something scratches the surface and the paint starts to peel?

Thank you so much for your time. How can readers get in touch with you and keep up with new projects?
Thanks so much for allowing me this opportunity to speak to your book club members and others. I appreciate it. And I do hope readers drop in on me sometime at my blog, http://monicacarter.com or visit my company’s Web site . Say hi, while you’re there. 

Get "In The Know" about Conversations Book Club's newest guest: author Teresa Rae Butler


On Friday, June 15th, Conversations Book Club will welcome its latest guest: author Teresa Rae Butler (Click here for the full schedule of events)!

Make plans to join us for a weekend of good conversation, good book discussions and great company! Butler is the author of DON'T EVEN TRIP and GOD, I RESPECT YA GANGSTA. Not familiar with them? Here is some information to prepare you for the visit:

DON'T EVEN TRIP
Coraz Sade Singleton has had it with Black men! She has watched and lived
the cold realities of how society had Black men thinking and acting, from
birth to manhood in her town. In her opinion, the City of Milwaukee had
turned out some bad seeds, and her students were facing self-execution.
The jails and funeral homes were abundantly rising, and the educational
system was corrupt. Realizing that she couldn't raise someone who was already
grown, she put her energy into the troubled youth. They needed her more
than ever. While leading the minority to the right path, Coraz has
constantly been confronted by having chosen the wrong one. During her
whole adult life she had desperately tried to make a family life with a
dependable man, which is a dying breed, but all that men have proven to
her is that the statistics are right.
The bro-thas in her town are all screwed up, mainly because Milwaukee WI
was one of the deadliest cities for minorities in America. She heard some
say that it was one of the most prejudiced.

Single, in the city at age thirty-two, and all of her three kids had
different fathers, all crass, abusive, and Black. Needing to try a new
approach in her search for successful white skin, she's sidetracked by a
twenty-six-year-old college 'Bro-tha' with the same-old agenda.

She suspects that he's really a thug in disguise, and during her fight
for the welfare of her students and a fair education for all, she finds that
Mill is trying to bend her heart with his intellect, charm, and old-soul
mannerisms that are fairytales in Milwaukee.

Will Coraz continues to blow Mill off, or will Mill blow her away,
literally? This book is followed by a sequel called, God I Respect Ya
Gangsta, in which Coraz confesses all of the tragic details of her life
as the character, "Rainia". Having developed a lottery for the poor, she has
a deep wish for the future of young, colored people everywhere. Don't even
trip to walk through the pages of the first novel detailing the
interesting life of Coraz Singleton, who may one day be worthy.


GOD, I RESPECT YA GANGSTA
What if "O" suddenly gave every poor person in the impoverished streets
of America a chance to be rich? In, GOD, I RESPECT YA GANGSTA by Teresa Rae
Butler, winning participants of this story must prove low-income status
to claim winnings. Rainy Dae Harris picks up where dead Coraz, a.k.a. Rainia
Harris has left off by organizing a lottery for the poor with famous,
talk-show host, Ophelia Windsor, 'Baddest in the Windy.' They are only
giving the money to the unfortunate, meaning anyone can buy a ticket
however you must be poor to win. Miss Harris helps fix individual's
credit and educational problems alongside their winnings with an assisting
program, RE-RAISE 4 PRAISE. It is a story within a story that goes even
deeper as to why and how many people suffer in the struggle. Join Billy
Jacksin, the pimp; Ms. Jack, the cross dresser; O.B., the drug dealer;
Anmarie, Coraz's mother who used to be just the white stripper with
three,mixed kids for an extreme adventure. You as a reader will find ghosts,
the State Street suicide, murder, tremendous wealth and poverty, all of the
spirits that take them on this journey of death for a glimpse of eye
opening revelations about God, world love, forgiveness and more that are
sure to make you laugh until you cry, cry until your eyes swell, get so
upset and finally walk away from the novels feeling POWERFUL! There are
also over twenty illustrations that help to bring this fierce title to
life. If the belief in GOD does not grab you from the beginning, then HIS
unbelievable ending will!


For additional information, visit Teresa Butler's website by clicking here.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

CONVERSATIONS GEARS UP FOR AN EXCLUSIVE OF A LIFETIME: A LIVE discussion with bestselling author Father Andrew M. Greeley


This is really bigger than can even be imagined: Conversations Book Club has been in direct contact with Father Andrew M. Greeley (author of PRIESTLY SINS, CARDINAL SINS, CARDINAL VIRTUES and WAGES OF SIN), and he has agreed to a LIVE ONE HOUR INTERVIEW with the book club later this year.


For those that don't realized the magnatude of this, Greeley's interview is the biggest thing we have done since the live discussion with International Bestselling author Andrew Neiderman (THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE and the ghostwriter for the famed V. C. Andrews novels).

The date of the book club discussion is Tuesday, September 18th at 6p.m. via conference call.

Below you will find a condensed bio of Father Andrew M. Greeley:
One of the most influential Catholic thinkers and writers of our time, priest, sociologist, author and journalist Father Andrew M. Greeley has built an international assemblage of devout fans over a career that spans five decades. He is the author of over 50 best-selling novels and more than 100 works of non-fiction and his writing has been translated into 12 languages. A Professor of Sociology at the University of Arizona and a Research Associate with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, Father Greeley is a respected scholar whose current research focuses on the Sociology of Religion.


In addition to scholarly studies and popular fiction, this prolific writer pens a weekly column that appears in the Chicago Sun-Times and other newspapers. He is also a frequent contributor to The New York Times, the National Catholic Reporter, America and Commonweal. Known for his mischievous Irish wit and trenchant commentary, Father Greeley is interviewed regularly on national radio and television. He has also authored hundreds of articles on sociological topics, ranging from school desegregation to elder sex to politics and the environment. His articles appear in a broad cross-section of scholarly publications.

In 1986, Father Greeley established a $1 million Catholic Inner-City School Fund, providing scholarships and financial support to schools in the Chicago Archdiocese with a minority student body of more than 50 percent. In 1984, he contributed a $1 million endowment to establish a chair in Roman Catholic Studies at the University of Chicago. He also funds an annual lecture series, “The Church in Society,” at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois, from which he received his S.T.L. in 1954.
Father Greeley has received many honors and awards, including honorary degrees from the National University of Ireland at Galway, the University of Arizona and Bard College. A Chicago native, he earned his M.A. in 1961 and his PhD in 1962 from the University of Chicago. He is a penetrating student of popular culture who is deeply engaged with the world around him.