LaConnie Taylor-Jones

It took twelve months to complete the first draft of my manuscript. Five revisions and six months later, those three hundred and ten pages circled through the literary community in search of a home. Days turned into weeks and before long, twelve months had come and gone. My manuscript was still homeless. Finally, I received ‘the call’ in the fall of ’06 and thought I’d won the battle, right? Aah!!

The war hadn’t begun, yet.

Read the rest of this entry �

Here we go…again!

It appears yet another tell-all book is slated for our reading pleasure with the January 2010 release of “Game Change” by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann. Of course, this comes on the heels of Sarah Palin’s December 2009 “Going Rouge”.

Haven’t enough of these books landed on bookstore shelves? Remember when Scott McClellan dropped an atomic bomb on the world with his version of the White House under George W. Bush? And who can forget Barbara Walters recap of her ‘secret’ split-the-sheet sessions with former Senator Ed Brooks. Of course, Star Jones got busted in the process and fired back. Mind you, some of her anger was really directed at Al, who hinted his side of the story is on the way.

Folks maybe it’s me, but does it seem as though the publishing industry has become inundated with celebrities or wanna-be spot lighters coming from underneath every rock to share their stories? Not only do they land multi-million dollar advances, they’re on the television circuit before the book lands on the shelves, which by the way easily finds its way to the top of the NYT Bestsellers List.

Stay with me, people. It gets even better.

These books are published by the same publishers who’ve recently reported record losses resulting in staff reductions, moratoriums on manuscript acquisitions, and cuts to author advances and print-runs, or all of the above. If things are so bad in the industry, how is it they can cough up seven figures for three hundred pages of ‘he said, she said’, sponsor lavish events for their sales force, but send me and you a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ form letter for a potentially quality manuscript?

Somebody please tell me I’ve got this picture twisted!

Until next time – stay well and be blessed.

Imagine the struggles of those early pioneers in African American literature. Whether they penned fiction or non-fiction, the manuscripts they’d poured their heart and soul into was ready for the world to read. The only way this would happen was through publication. Led by courage and on the wings of faith, they strolled proudly toward the literary door. Many knocked long and hard, while others no doubt had to kick. Finally, entrance was granted. Fast forward to now. Every African American writer whether self-published or under contract with a traditional publisher should remember the struggle in celebration, not complacency. Although African American authors have come a long way, we still have a long way to go.

Until 2003, my link to the literary world was that of reader. However, in 2007, after the publication of my debut novel, When I’m With You, I see things from an entirely different perspective. While the struggles from yesteryear may have lessened, African American authors are still faced with challenges, nonetheless.

My last statement doesn’t come from what someone told me, but from personal experience. Three and a half years ago when I knocked on those same doors, I stood firm in the belief that the story burning deep in my spirit was worthy of publication. The most defining moment on my literary journey came when someone behind the desk said, “We don’t think readers would be interested in reading this story.” Okay, another rejection, which I was use to by now. Thankfully, I was able to ask why not and got an answer. “Well, it touches on issues black readers aren’t used to reading.” Whoa Nellie!! Yes, folks, that’s when I discovered that stories written by African American authors are categorized and scrutinized to a large degree based on profitability. But for me, the deeper implication was that either Black folks won’t read outside of what has already been published or they don’t read, period.

Sorry to disappoint you America, but Black folks read!! While African Americans make-up only 13 % of the total U.S. population their buying power is incredibly strong. Annually, nearly three hundred million of our dollars are spent on books. That single incident coupled with trying to find an editor who didn’t view the story through “colored glasses” made me even more determined to continue on the path of getting my story on store shelves.

Today, African American authors enjoy the benefit of better advances and royalties (although there still isn’t parity with white writers), savvy marketing plans, and effective book tours. Despite all of this, challenges remain. While I can’t speak for others, I’m resolved to continue the struggle of those who came before me. After all, our forefathers endured immense suffering and many died just for the chance to learn how to read. And authors before me were deprived of the opportunities I now enjoy. I owe them that much.

But how? Thanks for asking!

I must embrace the commitment and preparation needed to continually do the one thing that will keep me in the published world—write the stories of the heart. Of all the challenges I face as an author who happens to be African American, coupled with all the other components that shape the literary world; this is the only element I have complete autonomy over.

Okay, I realize I’m twenty-one days early, but it’s never too early for this topic to come up on the radar screen. Think about it, at the start of each New Year, we sit down with pencil and paper in front of us, gung ho to come up with a laundry list of resolutions. Oftentimes, before the thirty-one days in the month of January are over, our resolutions are forgotten and blowing two winds south of the Bermuda Triangle.

Well, my New Year’s resolution is not to come up with any resolutions especially when it some to my career as an author. Time out for the meaningless promises to writing X number of pages a day or Y number of chapters per week. Authors, it’s time for us to get serious, if we’re going to sustain our careers. The launch parties are over. The giddiness that bubbled inside of us when we held our debut novels in our hands for the first time is gone. We’ve made too many investments and sacrifices to get to where we are to turn back now.

So, this year instead of writing resolutions, I’ve opted to set writing goals. I discovered ‘SMART’, a goal setting technique in my profession a few years back. I plan to implement it to achieve my literary goals.

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

Now tell me, what are your literary goals for the New Year?

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!

Yep, there are four two-legged humans residing in my house. And I’ll answer the question before you ask. Yes, I was insane. A surge of maternal hormones overruled what little intelligence I possessed. While most Americans had the good sense to stop at two-point five kids, I felt it was my patriotic duty to contribute to the national average.

No, seriously, my four munchkins are my greatest accomplishment and most cherished asset. In a lot of ways, I’ve learned as much from them, as hopefully, they’re learning from me. There weren’t any books to purchase or courses I could enroll in that could truly prepare me for the role of parenthood. All I had was the desire to become the best doggone parent possible. My job is to provide my children with guidance, wisdom, and unconditional love, so that they can one day become independent, and survive in this world. So, with four distinct personalities to manage, I find that my parental beliefs never change, but the way I parent each child does.

Of my three boys, my youngest is the most sensitive. I’m always careful to maintain a calm, steady voice with him, unless I want a flood of tears to follow. On the other hand, that nine-year old she-devil, masquerading as my daughter can work my last good nerve. On more than one occasion, I’ve contemplated running away from home. The other two fall somewhere in between.

My leap into the literary arena was much like my jump into parenthood. I had zero writing talent, but a deep rooted passion for the romance genre. My desire was simple: write the best story possible. And I find that my approach to writing is similar to the way I parent. Each of my stories is different as well as the characters. In a lot of ways, I’m the parent to my stories. After all, I birthed them and my job is to nurture, give complete and undivided attention, and work to ensure they mature so they can one day leave the nest to find a new home called a bookshelf.

Yesterday, I got the revisions for my upcoming release from my editor. She’s a wonderful editor and has challenged me to make a good story better. Folks, I’ve got some work to do! After reading her comments, I was drained and stressed to the max. I shut off the computer for an extend break and said to myself, “I can’t do this!” Then, I thought back on the day my first child was born. As soon as the nurse wheeled him inside my room, I heard a soft grunt. His face was twisted slightly and his shoulders hunched a bit. He was in the middle of his first poop. Panic set in big time because I’d never changed a diaper in my life! When he finished, he looked at me like, “Well, Mom.” Maternal instinct took over. Even though he ended up with a crooked Pamper, his bottom was clean and dry, and I hadn’t been transferred to the psych ward. We made it through, together.

After reminiscing on that event, I decided my revisions were similar to my crooked diaper experience. My story needs me to get it from infancy to adulthood.

I’m the parenting author.

After reading an article by Wendy Coakley-Thompson, one of my author colleagues and Sorors, I was speechless and appalled at the behavior displayed by those who share the same title as me—author. Hence, it reminded me of an article I wrote a few months back. Maybe now is a good time to revisit the context of that message.

~ ~ ~

Blessed is the author who enjoys the present. Yesterday is gone. We can’t change the mistakes of the past, but we can learn from them. And since we don’t know what the future holds, all we can do is step out on faith. Today is an author’s best shot at happiness. Learn to enjoy the experience of the story you’re currently writing.

Blessed is the author who understands there are forces beyond their control, for they shall be comforted from the story that pours from their soul. There are so many things an author can’t control. From the distribution of their books, to the reviews they receive, down to the editors assigned to them are only a few examples of forces outside of an author’s control. But there is one thing an author has complete autonomy over — the story they write.

Blessed is the author who is meek, for jealously will never disrupt their career. Lunacy can overrule lucidity when authors begin to envy the success of a fellow author. Folks, it’s time to cease the hating. Imagine what could happen if authors took the time they spend envying someone else’s good fortunate and channel it into writing a better story. Maybe, just maybe they’d achieve the same, if not greater success, for themselves.

Blessed is the author who hungers and thirsts for knowledge, for they are knowledgeable of what’s going on the publishing industry. You’d never consider a cross-country trip without planning the best route to take, right? Well, the same holds true for an author’s career. How can authors aim for success if they don’t know what direction to take? Forget the negative happenings in the publishing industry, but stay in the know. Knowledge is the only guide that will get us from point A to point B.

Read the rest of this entry �

It’s the weekend b-a-b-y and you’re invited to . . .
A Love For All Times Conference Call Celebration
featuring award winning author, LaConnie Taylor-Jones
hosted by Reader’s Paradise Book Club, Chicago, IL

When: Friday, August 8, 2008
Time: 7 PM CST/ 8 PM EST
How: Dial-in Conference Call Celebration number 1 (218) 936-7999; enter Participant Access Code: 325446#

The first 2 guest (non Reader’s Paradise Book Club Members) to log into the teleconference celebration with LaConnie Taylor-Jones will receive a copy of When A Man Loves A Woman.

Note: This is a recorded session so dial in early!*

About Reader’s Paradise Book Club, Chicago, IL . . .

Reader’s Paradise Book Club is a group of spiritual sisters who live in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. The club meets once a month (usually the last Saturday) at a club member’s home. Book discussions start at 3pm and end around 5:30pm. Reader’s Paradise reads a variety of books: mystery, comedy and fiction; they’re open to read anything that holds their interest. To learn more about this very special group of avid readers, visit their MySpace Profile and their detailed book club profile at Book Club Central!

Hi Everybody:

Check out the article press release from Random House.

Now granted, I applaud their efforts, but ain’t this what a lot of we as authors having been doing for a long time??

On-line promotion is not a new phenomenon, but unfortunately, many authors refuse to consider the features, advantages, and benefits it will bring to their marketing campaign.

God, I’m happy I’m not one of them – LOL!!

Until next time – stay well and be blessed.

Hi Everyone:

The last couple of days have been hectic, but fun!!

Hope you can join me today over at Romancing the Blog. I think you’ll enjoy the post on the ‘too touchy topic’ issues. The discussion is going strong, so hop over and check it out.

This just in: the lastest review for When A Man Loves A Woman over at eHARLEQUIN.com. Thanks to my Shelfari buddy, Tiffany for the wonderful post.

Saturday, June 14, 2008 was such a special day. I had the wonderful opportunity to sign with my author mentor, Beverly Jenkins at Borders in Emeryville, CA. To say the signing was a huge success is an understatment. We sold out!!! Not only that, I received three invitations from local book clubs in the Bay Area to be their feature author and discussed When A Man Loves A Woman. How cool its that??

Okay, it’s Father’s Day and there’s a very special man living with me who deserves my attention – hubby of twenty-four years, Colin.

And to all the wonderful fathers out there, Happy Father’s Day to each of you.

Have a great day and I’ll see you tommorow.

Until then – stay well and be blessed!!

Happy TGIF!!

Is it just me or did the week speed by faster than a jet?

Join me today for the final stop of my week long visit at The Long and the Short of It and at Virtual Book Tour de ‘Net.

And if you’re in the Bay Area, I’ll be signing with one of my all-time favorite authors, Beverly Jenkins at Borders in Emeryville, California from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.

A special thanks goes out to the other tour hosts for the week: Alison Kent and Reading Mama.

Folks, it’s been a blast!!

Until next time – stay well and be blessed