LaConnie Taylor-Jones

My author colleague at Red Rose Publishing is known in the literary world as the “Queen of Tease!” for her interracial romance books featuring Black women and White men. In a little over two years, she has nineteen books to her credit. Marie is definitely an author to be on the lookout for. Be sure to swing by her blog and check out her latest release, Love Play.

Read the rest of this entry �

Three years ago, I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting veteran reviewer, Pricilla Johnson. Since then, our bond has strengthened and we’re as close as two blood sisters could ever be. So when she agreed to review my latest release, If I Your Woman, I was absolutely thrilled.

Here is what Pricilla, aka ‘Cilla – the book maniac from Baltimore, MD, shared with me about reading romance . . . .

Why did you decide to read romance novels?
I am late bloomer when it comes to reading romance novels. I began reading them after i discovered Beverly Jenkins. I discovered that finally there were a lot of romance novels with characters that looked like me.

What are the elements of a great romance for you as a reader?
Elements of great romance – female and a great hero. He doesn’t have to be gorgeous (even though that helps), but he has to be considerate, loving respectful. A story line that is realistic and not so-o predictable.

What is the hardest part of reading a romance/the easiest for you?
The hardest part is the formula many authors use ( in know it is standard) but it gets to be old and it doesn’t hold an interest long.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a romance reader?
The most rewarding part is the adventures, introduced to many different types of romance authors and readers

Join the celebration and show ‘Cilla some love by listening to her review of IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN.

Dyanne is my Romance Slam Jam partner in crime! I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Dyanne at the 2005 RSJ in Dallas, TX and we’ve been glued to the hip ever since. And you absolutely, positively must stop by her website to check out her latest release, On My Knees.

Read the rest of this entry �

Beverly is a woman after my own heart—she’s a romance-a-holic, too! Our paths crossed when we both became members on the LiveLaughLoveandBooks yahoo group. Since then, she’s become one of my most avid fans. Let me take this time to publicly thank Beverly for her love and support. Smooches!

Here’s what Beverly, aka BeachLover, shared with me about reading romance . . . .

Why did you decide to read romance novels?
I enjoy reading about positive love relationships.

What are the elements of a great romance for you as a reader?
Strong hero and heroine while doing well before they meet by getting together they are even better.
A secondary storyline and secondary characters that often preview an upcoming story (yes, I prefer romance series) and a great sense of location.

What is the hardest part of reading a romance/the easiest for you?
I would say the hardest part is if a romance is part of the series waiting for the next book in the series to be published. The easiest part is that it is a great way to relax after a stressful day.

What is the most rewarding thing about being a romance reader?
All of the wonderful friends I have made – readers and authors. I cannot think of a more awesome group of people than romance readers and authors.

Join the celebration right now and show Beverly some love by listening to her review of IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN!

I’ve had the pleasure to work with Monica for the past few years. Not only is she one of my favorite romance writers, she’s also a wonderful friend. This award-winning author of nine books has the ability to pen a sizzling romance and she doesn’t disappoint her fans in her latest paranormal release, Charm Me Baby.

Read the rest of this entry �

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.

FOUNDER SPOTLIGHT

Bertha Pitts Campbell - born in Kansas, Mrs. Campbell became a teacher there after graduating with distinction from Howard. In 1917, she married Earl Campbell and they became parents of a son, Earl Jr. The family lived in Colorado before moving to Seattle in 1923. In Seattle, Campbell was a committed activist and organizer as well as a Charter Member of the Christian Friends for Racial Equality. She was the recipient of a YMCA Achievement Award. At the age of 92, she led 10,000 Deltas in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the Founders of Delta Sigma Theta’s participation in the 1913 suffrage march.

~ ~ ~

1913 Women Suffrage March
Less than two months after their founding, Delta Sigma Theta’s first public service act took place during the 1913 Women’s Suffrage March on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. The twenty-two founders marched with honorary member, Soror Mary Church Terrell under the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority banner on the day prior to Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration. They felt Black women needed the right to vote in order to protect themselves against sexual exploitation as well as promote quality education, assist in the work force, and racial empowerment.

However, Delta’s founders and other Black female marchers were subjected to racism, not only by people who were opposed to the enfranchisement of women, but by march organizers reluctant to advocate suffrage for Blacks. For example, Soror Mary Church Terrell recalled how she and Delta Sigma Theta’s founders had to assemble in an area specifically allocated for Black women. Although the young twenty-two founders were criticized, none regretted their participation in the march. Years later, Founder Florence Toms commented, “We marched that day in order that women might come into their own, because we believed that women not only needed an education, but they needed a broader horizon in which they may use that education. And the right to vote would give them that privilege.”

Read the rest of this entry �

Before I became a writer of romantic fiction, I was a sucker for a great love story. Later, when I was on line as a pyramid, I was instantly fascinated by the marriage of Edna Brown Coleman and Frank Coleman.

The long-standing relationship between the sorors of Delta Sigma Theta and the brothers of Omega Psi Phi began when Edna Brown and Frank Coleman came together at Howard University. Edna Brown, valedictorian and class president at Howard University, became one of the twenty-two founders of Delta in 1913. Two years earlier, Frank Coleman, quite an accomplished brother in his own right, had joined three other progressive Howard men to found the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. Through Edna and Frank, the purple and gold of Omega Psi Phi and the crimson and cream of Delta became inextricably linked. Coleman Love, the name for that special relationship, was born.

One can only imagine the challenges that Edna and Frank, as a couple of color, had to endure during that time in our nation’s history. World War I broke out during the decade in which Delta Sigma Theta and Omega Psi Phi were founded. Opportunities were limited. Jim Crow was in full effect; this was, after all, way before the freedoms of the civil rights movement loosened the yoke of second-class citizenship. Nonetheless, their love, along with the cohesion of a sisterhood and brotherhood rooted in traditions, must have galvanized them. After all, they were like-minded individuals who recognized the power of love and of the collective to foster change.

Read the rest of this entry �

Here’s another example of the power of social networking.

Last summer, I connected with a reader on Shelfari by the name of LaTessa Montgomery. Not only did I discover another romance-a-holic who shares the same passion I have for the romance genre, I also learned she was one of my Sorors (Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc.) as well as a senior reviewer for Romance in Color. We continued to stay in touch and in May of 2008, met each other in person at the Romance Slam Jam conference in Chicago.

Since that time, we’ve stayed in touched via blogging and several social networks. Last week, I had the wonderful pleasure of being one of the featured authors at Romance in Color. This would not have been possible without us connecting on a social network. Thanks, LaTessa for a wonderful interview!

The power of social networking can’t be emphasized enough. Every author should be engaged in some form of social networking, whether they have an upcoming title release or not. If an author is serious about their career, then they understand the importance of viewing it as a business, and every successful business engages in some form of networking. A recent post by Marion Freijsen and Adrie Reinders underscores the importance of social networking for authors, perfectly.

Network, network, network!! You never know how that chance meeting with a literary colleague will benefit you down the road.

Until next time – stay well and be blessed.

In my March 16, 2009 post on Readersroom.com, I addressed the utilization of libraries by authors. Of course, the placement of their titles in libraries is just one benefit. In order to better understand the other opportunities libraries can offer authors, I spoke with Marlive Harris.

Many of us know Marlive as one of the best on-line promoters in the literary industry through her company, The GRITS.com. However, Marlive began her career as a librarian. During a recent interview, Marlive shared some great opportunities authors can take advantage of with libraries in their local community. Whether you are an aspiring author or a seasoned veteran, once an author becomes a visible entity with one library, word will quickly spread to surrounding libraries.

• Become familiar with all of the libraries in your local area and pay them a visit. It’s amazing how authors want recognition from readers across the country, but they are virtually unknown to the audience in their own back yard- readers in their local communities. Be sure to you provide the librarian with a press kit and offer free books

• Participate in summer reading programs. Librarians actively seek authors, particularly those who write in the Young Adult genre to assist with this program. This is a excellent way for authors in this genre to become acquainted with their target audience

• If you’re a children’s writer, offer to be a reader for the children’s story time hour

• Consider doing workshops on the craft of writing, how to find an agent, or tips for aspiring authors

• Inquire if the library has a writer’s group that meets on-site. Again, this is a perfect opportunity for author’s to connect with their target audience

• Connect with Friends of the Library or similar non-profit groups

• If you’ve established a relationship with a local book club, asked the members to contact the library and request for your book to be stocked

Finally, Marlive shared four aspects an author must have to be successful:
Time
Energy
Imagination
Lots of Information

Many thanks, Marlive for your insight. And authors, if you haven’t done so already, build a relationship with your local library. It could prove to be advantageous to your career!

TheGRITS.com is a leading online reading and book promotion community for readers and writers of all ages. Our reading communities for adults and children collectively consist of author interviews, book reviews, reading guides, book club listings, and interactive elements such as author podcasts, blogs, email discussion lists, online book chats and virtual book parties. Our web publicity service designs online book campaigns tailored to fit an author’s special interests, talents, books, and readership.

Until next time – stay well and be blessed,
LaConnie