-
One author’s journey
This is a two post day.
I love to write about love. I also write in different genres, like middle grade, YA, NA and IR (interracial romance), in addition, scifi/fantasy, paranormal romance, crime fiction, contemporary fiction and non-fiction.
But self publishing also affords me the opportunity to use the proceeds of my books in the manner I see fit, which, in my case is to fund my other endeavor, film making.
I say all this in an effort to introduce readers who may not be aware of the unique struggle authors of color have, to a fascinating article by Zetta Elliot regarding her indie publishing journey. Ms Elliott brings up a number of issues that don’t just apply to African American authors, but many authors of color. Lack of representation and exclusion within the publishing industry, with a focus on children’s publishing:
Black Authors and Self-Publishing
“Despite the fact that the majority of primary school children in the U.S. are now kids of color, the publishing industry continues to produce books that overwhelmingly feature white children only. The message is clear: the lives of kids of color don’t matter.”
Read the full article here:
http://www.slj.com/2015/03/diversity/black-authors-and-self-publishing/
I have to thank the site Dear Author for making me aware of this riveting post by Ms. Elliott.
One of many childrens books by author Zetta Elliott. Ms Elliott also writes YA novels. Her website is http://www.zettaelliott.com/ -
Hey Soul Sista
My Wednesdays will never be the same now that EMPIRE is on hiatus until the fall. I’m so happy for Taraji P. Henson, as well as the other stars of the show.
Only Cookie can tame the supernaturals of NIGHTSTALKERS As I mentioned in a previous post, I need to get back to a few of my older novels in order to take them forward with their sequels. JUKEBOX II is also on that list:
Simone Westwood goes solo during the 1970s, releasing her inner funk diva in JUKEBOX Volume II I’m going to include JUKEBOX One in the MARCH MADNESS deals that kick off this week:
-
Simply Stunning Nigerian Bride photos
While I ready The Player and HUI for release, I thought I’d share something I found via Dear Author (by way of BuzzFeed). Please take a moment to look at these (which are just a few of many) stunning photos of Nigerian Brides! I’ve left the instagram account info on the photos, so if you want to pop over to bellanaijaweddings to leave a comment, you can.
-
March Madness Marches On!!
Hold on, because Hui and The Player are coming.
North Korean defector falls for African American ballerina in the interracial romance HUI I didn’t meet my own deadline of this weekend, but the books will be out in the coming days (this week).
I’ve decided to put The Player in play during MARCH MADNESS, as well as a few other novels. The novels will be .99 cents and also be available via Kindle Unlimited. Only HUI will be priced at $2.99.
I’d like to once again thank everyone who purchased AT LAST. Torii Theas is also in The Player, but I made sure to focus on the main couple, Kyle and Harlow.
Since I’m so close to releasing these two books, I’m not putting up anymore excerpts from these two novels, however an edited excerpt from
RUSH: The Book of Aaliyah is now up:
RUSH: The Book of Aaliyah continues where RUSH: Suicide Kings left off. Interracial romance featuring a Somali Bantu and a member of an Outlaw motorcycle gang -
Going back in order to go forward
I’m busy working to get HUI and The Player released this weekend, as I try to figure out which novels will be part of MARCH MADNESS
I’ve decided that after HUI is released, I’ll complete the next round of edits on books that need to go on sale.
I haven’t forgotten about my book sequels. The excerpt for RUSH 2 will be up this weekend:
RUSH: A Suicide Kings motorcycle gang novella, featuring Aiden and Aaliyah. 
Aiden and Aaliyah’s story continues in RUSH: The Book of Aaliyah Ebooks related to this series :
Click the image for an excerpt
Anatomy of a Seduction is Rory’s tale. Rory is a character first introduced in RUSH 
Make Me Yours. African American divorcee falls for her Somali Bantu college professor, Daniel Semboga, who was first introduced in RUSH 
Unforgettable, a spin off novella from The RUSH: Suicide Kings Motorcycle Gang series -
Love is a Battlefield
So these are the last excerpts before the ebook THE PLAYER is released, and I thought I’d start with the scene where Harlow puts on her old costume from Carnival. I decided to do a quick edit in order to keep it clean enough to put on this site (I’d rather not use an 18 and over rating):
Harlow and Kyle from the ebook THE PLAYER. Click the photo to read how their love story began, in an extended excerpt. EXCERPT:
“Do you still have your outfit?”
“It’s around here somewhere. I don’t know why I kept it. There was a time I really could’ve used the money if I’d sold it. I guess it brings back memories, because winning that contest was one of the high points of my life.”
“I wish I could’ve seen you back then.” He was sprawled on her bed with one of his long legs cocked up while the other was diagonal, his heel along the mattress edge. The way his legs were divided gave her a clear view of what lay heavy and thick between his thighs . . .
After what seemed like an eternity of getting hollered at because he kept trying to peek, she told him to open his eyes.
And what he saw, it was . . . it was beyond words. She was beyond words.
There were green feathers, diamonds – at least he thought they were diamonds – they could’ve been that other stuff women wear to make outfits like that sparkle. Whatever the hell they were, the little buggers really popped in just the right places. Her headdress was adorned with feathers and silvery, shiny little beads also. Fuck. Why couldn’t he recall what those things were? All he knew was what stood before him, dressed like the women in the comic books he liked to read as a kid, her body curvy and soft and spilling out of a very skimpy superhero outfit like it was painted on. God, she was beautiful. So gorgeous, that his dick reacted in a salute.
“Would you like to see how I danced?” Harlow’s voice was practically a purr.
Kyle licked his lips in anticipation. “Oh yes, I’d like that very much.”
-
March Madness!!
March Madness is back, and its not just on the basketball court.
Stay tuned to this spot, where I’ll announce which books will be on sale this month.
First though, let me thank all the readers who took the time to purchase and read AT LAST, the interracial love story of a paraplegic male and an older black female. In keeping with the theme of diversity, HUI, the interracial romance set in the world of ballet will be released shortly, as well as The Player.
HUI (pronounced Hway) the interracial romance set in the world of ballet, between a black ballerina and a North Korean ballet dancer 
Trinidad beauty queen falls for NFL quarterback in the ebook The Player Already released:
Ethan and Torii, from the ebook At Last “I could go down on you forever” – Ethan, from the erotic romance At Last
At Last – May/Dec erotic romance between a paraplegic male and a businesswoman ** Proceeds from my novels are used to purchase FILM Equipment. Now is the time for minority writers to become screenwriters, and to be the change we want to see. **
-
Play on, Player
Harlow and Kyle’s love story THE PLAYER is up for release along with another interracial romance titled HUI. I’d recreated several covers for The Player, and decided to use this one:
The Player Here are the other covers (I’m still planning on using them for promos):
Kyle and Harlow from the interracial romance The Player. 
Harlow and Kyle, the main couple in the interracial romance The Player This post is in development, but when I get the chance tonight I’ll post a riveting excerpt. There are two new couples who are introduced in this book. One couple’s story has already been released (Torii and Ethan from At Last) The other couple is Adam and Eva. Adam is a Veterinarian, and Eva is a veteran of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. That’s all I’ll say for now.
