Category Archives: african american authors

african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, poems, poet, poetry, romance, romance novel, romance novels

2008 Motown Literary Meet and Greet for Readers and Writers

Literary Meet and Greet for Readers & Writers
FREE TO THE PUBLIC

WAYNE STATE
BARNES AND NOBLE
http://wayne.bncollege.com

82 West Warren
Detroit,  MI 48202

SEPTEMBER 13, 2008
10:30am – 1:30pm

In a literary community that needs a pick up, join readers and writers in an wonderful celebration of the written word.

Motown Writers Network hosts the 2008 Motown Literary Meet and Greet, where readers can find out the latest books that are out, check out other Michigan authors and book swap or donate books. Writers can come to network and learn about the business with other professionals.

Find out the latest events and organizations that are working to create a stronger literary community for Michigan. Supporting events such as this benefits and encourages everyone.

Light refreshments will be served.

Guest Authors will include:

  • Paula Tutman, suspense author & WDIV Anchor
  • Poet, Men-Tal, author of Silent Screams
  • Greg O. Jones, urban contemporary author, Destiny Interrupted
  • Kimberly Brooks, Christian Fiction author of He’s saved…But Is He For Real? & The Little Black Survival Book for Single Saints
  • Jessica Care Moore, Poet and Publisher
  • Monica Marie Jones, Young Adult & Urban Contemporary Author of The Ups and Downs of Being Round & newly released, Floss.
  • Sylvia Hubbard, Suspense Romance Author of  Secrets, Lies & Family Ties
  • John Jeffries, author of Stone+Fist+Brick+Bone

Invited literary community guests:

  • Margaret Williamson, President of Pro-Literacy of Detroit
  • Heather Buchanan, founder of Aquarius Press
  • Tracey Frazier, Coordinator of Steps in Faith Writing Challenge
  • Andrea McCatskill, coordinator of the Southeastern Bookclub Mix and Mingle

If you write or read – COME!

If you’ve published or getting published – COME!

If you know a friend who’s a reading fanatic or a writer, bring them and you COME!

If you don’t like to read or write, still COME!

This event is sponsored by
michigan-murder-mayhem

If you would like to sponsor this event or provide media coverage, please contact us at: motownwriters@yahoo.com

5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, get in get out, interview, mitanni entertainment, myspace, salim amir, urban fiction, urban lit

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Salim Amir, author of Get In Get Out

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Salim Amir, author of Get In Get Out
(Mitanni Entertainment)

Get In Get Out chronicles the life of Marquise Jackson – son of a hustling father, his tumultuous trek into manhood and the journey of a soul that is torn between what is right and what is necessary. In choosing the same life that took his father, he soon realizes that once a person is in the game it’s never as easy as one wishes to Get In Get Out.

This is the introspective story of a young man. Marquis Jackson is forced into manhood prematurely because of a tragedy that threatens the life and welfare of his family. He finds himself trying desperately to get out of the life before he’s claimed by the same fate that claimed his father.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Get In Get Out?

Salim Amir: I got the idea and inspiration from my life experiences and the unfortunate death of my comrade Kareem Williams.

JP: What sets Get In Get Out apart from other urban fiction novels where the main character is torn between crime and love?

SA: In order to big my project up without belittling other urban authors, I’ll tell you what makes this book special. The characters have depth, and they’re real. Not every hustler pushed keys. Some people hand-to-hand their entire drug career.

My characters reflect that realistic polarity of the game. You’re in their minds as they contemplate life. When they cry, you’ll probably cry or come close to it. I also focused on making sure my narration could be distinguished from my dialogue. I think that’s an important thing for street lit authors to do.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Get In Get Out getting out to the public?

SA: Studying your market. Anything you get into you should study. It’s like the stock market. You don’t just buy a stock without first researching the company whose stock you’re about to buy into. You learn all the tricks of the trade.

As an author and CEO of my own publishing company, Mitanni Entertainment, I feel it’s imperative to learn everything Random House, St. Martin’s Press and other major publishing houses know and use to stay on top of this game. Especially considering the top is my destination.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Get In Get Out?

SA: My writing process varies. Sometimes the thoughts and ideas come scattered like a collage and I put the pieces together like a puzzle. Other times it just flows. Get In Get Out took almost 2 years to perfect because I was new to writing. But I have a novel called Politics as Usual that took all of two months in the hole up state to write. So it all depends.

JP: What’s next for Salim Amir?

SA: Dying To Live! The sequel to Get In Get Out.

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5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, apricot books international, down low sistahs, interview, myspace, street lit, urban fiction, urban lit, urban/street lit, wakiem freeman

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Wakiem Freeman, author of Down Low Sistahs

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Wakiem Freeman, author of Down Low Sistahs
(Apricot Books International)

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Down Low Sistahs?

Wakiem Freeman: The idea came from an ex-girlfriend who confessed to me that she was sleeping with her cousin who was a female. Years later, I was going through old photos. I ran across her picture and was inspired to tackle the touchy subject.

JP: What sets Down Low Sistahs apart from other urban fiction novels?

WF: Down Low Sistahs is innovative. It stands alone with a unique twist.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Down Low Sistahs getting out to the public?

WF: Discipline, distribution and word of mouth. I’m focused and screaming “they on the down low and you don’t even know, they on that lo-lo” every time I hit the streets of N.Y.C. The public has spoken. I’m on my ninth print run.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Down Low Sistahs?

WF: First, I pick a topic. Then decide if I want my brain to tackle the topic. Next is research, which can take any where from 2 to 4 months. Next is designing a book cover. Then I write my outline of all chapters, which takes about two weeks. I finished Down Low Sistahs in 4 days.

JP: What’s next for Wakiem Freeman?

WF: The re-release of Down Low Sistahs, re-edited, with a NEW cover, summer 2009

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