I'm still waiting for my new blog to match my new website. She still has to upload all of my pictures and move my blog to Word Press. But the website is pretty much done. So go on over check it out and let me know what you think. I also changed my blogger blog to somewhat match the new site while I wait patiently for my new improved--with smiley faces I hope--Word Press blog. Check out my new website here:
Tyhitia the “Demon Hunter” will be honoring four African American poets during Black History Month.
"In celebration of Black History Month, I have decided to feature four poets whom I admire. I'll feature a different poet each week during the month of February. I love poetry and will post my favorites by each poet. Please remember that Black History is everyone's history."
Check out her post on her blog:
The dynamic ladies of APOOO Book Club are doing big things for Black History month with an amazing celebration of Black Authors. Each day of the month they will feature words of wisdom and inspiration from some of today's hottest authors. Be sure to check them out!
Have you registered for Romance Slam Jam yet? What are you waiting for? Check out the announcement below and then go to the website and register today. :-)
You are cordially invited to attend the Romance Slam Jam to be held in Chicago IL from April 30, 2008 - May 4, 2008. Come on and welcome new members to the family, catch up with old friends and have a great time!
Here is the tentative list of the authors schedule to attend:
AC Arthur
Alice Wootson
Altonya Washington
Ann Clay*
Barbara Keaton*
Bettye Griffin
Beverly Jenkins
Carol Ann Culbert Johnson
Celeste O. Norfleet
Cheris Hodges
Cheryl Bonner
Crystal Rhodes
Deatri King-Bey*
Deborah Mello
Deirdre Savoy
Denise Jeffries
Donna Hill
Dr. Monica Anderson
Dyanne Davis*
Elaine Overton
Earl Sewell
Evelyn Palfrey
Farrah Rochon
Francis Ray
Gloria Mallette
Gregory Morris
Gwyneth Bolton
Gwynne Forster
J. Jermayne
J. J. Michael
J. M Jeffries
Karen White-Owens
Kayla Perrin
Kimberly Kaye Terry
Kimberly White
Kim Louise
Kim Robinson
LaConnie Taylor-Jones
Linda Beed
Lisa G. Riley*
Lutishia Lovely
Marilyn Tyner
Mary B. Morrison
MBridges
Melanie Schuster
Michele Cameron
Michelle Larks
Michelle Monkou
Mr. Talley
Natalie Dunbar
Nathasha Brooks-Harris
Pamela Leigh Starr
Pam Osbey
Patricia Sargeant
Pat Simmons
Rhonda Jackson Joseph
Rochelle Alers
Roslyn Hardy Holcomb
Sean Young
Seressia Glass
Sylvia Hubbard
TaMara Dillard
Tanisha Grayson-Hooks
Tracee L. Garner
Todd Stone
T. Rhythm Knight
Wayne Jordan
For full details, visit the website at:
I got the book blurb and release date for the third Hightower book The Law of Desire . The book is slated for December 2008. So that's three Hightower books in '08. Yay! The 4th book won't come out until late 2009 though. I like the blurb. What do you think?
THE LAW OF DESIRE
GUILTY PLEASURES
Decorated police detective Lawrence Hightower's instincts click into high gear when a beautiful but suspicious stranger appears in his stakeout zone. Soon he realizes Minerva Jones is in danger and needs protection. He can’t trust her. But he can’t get this tough, feisty, stubborn siren out of his head.
Desperate to keep a low profile, the last thing Minerva needs is a sexy cop getting too close for comfort. Not that she’s guilty of anything, except her own intense attraction to the too fine detective. But she’s got a few secrets, and trouble is closing in. Dare she surrender to the promise this sensual hero holds in his strong, protective embrace?
HIGHTOWER HONORS
Four brothers on a mission to protect, serve, and love…
2008 RSJ Aspiring Author Contest
This contest is open to all aspiring authors of Black romance/women's fiction.
Contest Registration Form
Genre: Black Romance/Women's Fiction
Prizes:
1st Prize: This winner's manuscript will be reviewed by Editor Hilary Sares from Kensington Books for possible publication.
2nd Prize: This winner's manuscript will be reviewed by Agent Michelle Grajkowski from Three Seas Literary Agency for possible representation.
3rd Prize: This winner will receive the Book Cents Critique Package, which includes a critique of a Query and Partial (the same story), notes and suggestions from Literary Agent Christine Witthohn and a 5-10 minute conversation with Christine about the 2nd place winner's story.
Submission Package:
To help prepare contestants for submitting to publishing houses and agents, the entries will resemble a submission package sent to agents and publishers. Submissions are electronic (sent via email). The file should be a Microsoft Word document.
Format:
- 1 inch margins all around
- Font Times New Roman, 12pt
Include:
- 1 page query letter single spaced addressed to Ms. C. Judge
- 3 page synopsis double spaced
- 20 sample pages double spaced
- Place the author�s Contact information on the Cover page (this page does not count toward your 20 sample pages)
- In the header, place the Novel Title, Author Name and Page Number
- If you have an extra page or two to complete a scene, that's okay.
- Contest registration form
Important Dates: Submissions are open. All submissions must be received by March 14, 2008. The winners will be announced at the Emma Awards Banquet to be held at the 2008 Romance Slam Jam Conference. Attendance is not necessary.
Contest Fee: $20 by money order, cashier's check or via PayPal
Please make a $20 money order or cashiers check payable to: Romance Slam Jam
Mail payment and Contest registration form to:
Romance Slam Jam
c/o Deatri King-Bey
P.O. Box 822
Tolleson, AZ 85353
To pay by credit card please use PayPal. The fee is increased when using PayPal to $23 because of the processing fees. http://romanceslamjamconference.eventbrite.com
Once payment and the Contest Registration Form have been received, instructions will be given on where to send the submission. Please note, registration fee is non-refundable.
Refer any questions regarding the Romance Slam Jam Aspiring Authors contest to deatri@romanceslamjam.org
You are cordially invited to our 1st Holiday Explosion. On Sunday, December 16, 2007 @ 7pm EST, join us for a lively discussion with the prolific erotica author, Kimberly Kaye Terry as we discuss her latest release, Ridin' the Rails. 
Kimberly Kaye Terry
Most of you know that I have been thinking about the pros and cons of starting a Yahoo Group for a minute now. And I've finally decided to dive into the land of Yahoo with three other sister authors. I think it will be a wonderful chance to connect with readers and other authors and really promote the genre of African American romance, everything I want to do on this blog, but with the help of three dynamic authors. Here's a blurb about the group:
Four romance fiction authors: Gwyneth Bolton, Shelia Goss, Michelle Monkou, and Celeste O. Norfleet have combined resources and positive energy to form a readers/fans group. Lively discussion is encouraged about the latest romance book, to current events, to anecdotal messages. Authors will also share book release news, contest information, and their point of view of a variety of topics. Jump on board.
I think it will be a really exciting venture and hope to see some of you there. We plan to kick things off in January with lots of discussions, contests and fun. If you're interested in joining check us out here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LiveLoveLaughandBooks
much love and peace,
Gwyneth
Hi all,
It’s been over a year since I decided to start a blog devoted to reading and writing African American romance. Since then, I’ve had interviews with one author a month in an effort to highlight the amazing writers in the genre. And I’ve also posted about the amazing stories I’ve read from my fellow authors. This month, I wanted to try something different and highlight more than one author. I thought it would be wonderful to provide a showcase spot for debut authors still basking in the glory of their first novel. So I decided that this November would be the first Debut Authors Week. Each day this week I will introduce you to a new author. The line-up is diverse. So make sure you check each day to meet a new writer and find out more about them and their work.
Here is the line-up:
Monday – Paranormal Romance Author Stefanie Worth
Tuesday – Erotic Romance Author Sapphire Blue
Wednesday – Christian Fiction Author Pat Simmons
Thursday – Contemporary Romance Author LaConnie Taylor-Jones
much love and peace,
Gwyneth
RHYMES, VIEWS & NEWS Talk Radio with your host DuEwa M. Frazier this Sunday features Novelist, Gwyneth Bolton, author of Sweet Sensation !
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4th, 2007 @ 5pm EST
Gwyneth Bolton will discuss Sweet Sensation , the author's latest novel, as well as her forthcoming projects and events!
LISTEN LIVE! or CALL-IN at (646)716-9474!
Instant message your questions or comments for Gwyneth Bolton on Y! Messenger at dfrazier_show
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:
Deatri King-Bey has an excellent post on the Romance Slam Jam on Dionne Galace's blog. You can check the post out here:
I found out about this via e-mail and thought I'd pass it on... See below:
Hello Sisters,
Recent events in the United States have moved us to action. Violence against women is sadly, not a new phenomenon in our country or in the world, however, in the last year women of color have experienced brutal forms of violence, torture, rape and injustice which have gone unnoticed, received little to no media coverage, or a limited community response. We are responding to:
The brutal and inhumane rape, torture, and kidnapping of Megan Williams in Logan , West Virginia who was held by six assailants for a month.
Rape survivors in the Dunbar Housing Projects in West Palm Beach , Florida one of whom was forced to perform sexual acts on her own child.
A 13 year old native American girl was beaten by two white women and has since been harassed by several men yelling “white power” outside of her home.
Seven black lesbian girls attempted to stop an attacker and were later charged with aggravated assault and are facing up to 11 year prison sentences.
In a Litany of Survival, Audre Lorde writes, “When we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak remembering we were never meant to survive.” These words shape our collective organizing to break the silence surrounding women of color’s stories of violence. We are asking for community groups, grass-root organizations, college campus students and groups, communities of faith, online communities, and individuals to join us in speaking out against violence against women of color. If we speak, we cannot be invisible.
Join us and stand up to violence against women by wearing Red on October 31, 2007.
I have attached two important documents detailing the "Be Red Be Bold Wear Red on October 31st Campaign."
Please send questions to beboldbered@gmail.com.
For updated information, please visit our website http://documentthesilence.wordpress.com on Wearing Red on October 31, 2007.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
Who’s Your Mama: The Voices of Unsung Women and Mothers
Looking for women writers in the U.S. who are mothers, trying to become mothers and who are childless by choice or circumstance.
There are so many books published about the motherhood experiences of affluent, married, White women, books that often revolve around the "mommy wars," the raging debate between mothers who work and those who stay at home. The fact that this small demographic is represented in the media as the face of U.S. motherhood has effectively removed the voices and stories of the true majority of mothers from the public dialogue. The true majority includes mothers who are: women of color, low and middle income, single, bisexual or lesbian.
This anthology proposes to gather women’s writings about motherhood that addresses race, class, sexuality, identity and intimate partnership. We have chosen to use the words women and motherhood, but it’s being used to focus on the female experience of parenting under patriarchy, not to exclusively define it.
Gen-X/Hip Hop generation women, those born between 1965 and 1984, grew up in the aftermath of social and political revolutions of the 1960s and 1970s that sought to re-define marriage, sexuality and motherhood. While the primary societal messages continue to trumpet traditional values and heterosexual marriage as the preferred norm, on the ground, women are actively engaged in crafting identities and family structures (including remaining single and/or childless) that speak practically to their personal beliefs, intimate relationships and economic realities.
Demographically, this generation of mothers looks different from its predecessors. Many did not even have children until they were 25 years old or older and on average they are having only two children. Therefore in comparison to their mothers and grandmothers they are older and have fewer children to look after. Having come of age in the 1980s and 1990s these women also grew up taking feminism (and the benefits it bestowed) as a given. For Gen-X and Hip Hop generation women, they believe that they can choose to raise healthy happy children and still be true to themselves.
Unlike previous generations, Gen-X women are represented by a diversity of contexts for motherhood that include heterosexual marriages, single parenting, committed partnership and gay marriage. Furthermore we recognize that the ability of a woman to have the option to be a working mother or a stay at home mother is frequently dependent on her socio-economic standing as demonstrated by her access to informational and financial resources, nearby, reliable and affordable child care and good fortune to work in a flexible work environment.
Furthermore, more women are consciously choosing not to have children and it is necessary to understand the remaining societal costs or the unexpected freedoms that are the consequence of choosing to remain childless. Lastly, every mother was someone before she had children. Therefore while motherhood is a significant life event, this book wants to examine how women develop other aspects of themselves alongside their identities as mothers, including their careers, friendships (particularly with other women), sexual personas, intimate relationships, familial and community bonds.
Many Gen-X women, although they were brought up and encouraged to "have it all" have a thorny relationship with feminism. Many understand that the freedoms that they take for granted, including the right to: work in nontraditional jobs; receive equal work for equal and; have reproductive choice were the result of feminist agitation. Nevertheless while many young women eagerly embrace the feminist label, far more equate feminism with angry, unattractive, affluent, man-hating, White women and do not believe that feminism represents their perspectives on religion, sexuality, culture, class or race. We are interested in ascertaining whether a woman choosing to become a mother or not is influenced by her identification with feminism (even if that identification is oppositional) and its perceived tenets, how does a woman’s acceptance (or rejection) of feminism or its principles inform her mothering or extend her focus on social and political issues such as parental leave, affordable childcare, court enforced child support, etc?.
We are seeking honest essays written in the first-person from Gen X/Hip Hop generation women of all classes, races, sexualities and religions. Submissions from emerging as well as established writers, activists, scholars and everyday women will be accepted. The personal narrative should record how your decision about motherhood empowered you and in some way made you reconsider a way of being, a personal truth, political ideology or cultural norm or community standard that you have never previously questioned. Additionally, we are interested in essays that explore how new definitions of motherhood and female empowerment are pushing women toward new thinking around social and political change. We welcome and will consider new ideas in addition to the topics suggested below.
the emotional and financial costs of motherhood
mothering and sexual identity
how becoming a mother changes your politics
daycare and childcare
single motherhood
lesbian or bisexual mothering
motherhood and marriage/committed partnership
gender and care of the children
health care and motherhood
motherhood and poverty
what does having it all really mean?
what makes a feminist mother different from others?
balancing motherhood and work
discrimination against mothers in the workplace
negotiating societal expectations about motherhood
race, class and motherhood
raising bi-racial children or children of a different race
childless because you do not want children
childless because you do not have a committed partner (and you do not want to be a single mom)
childless because you believe that having a child would adversely affect your career or finances
infertility
adoptive mothers/guardians/ foster parents
incarcerated mothers
DEADLINE: February 1, 2008
WORD COUNT/PAGE LIMITS: Personal Narratives - 20 pages/5000 words.
FORMAT: Essays must be typed, double-spaced, and paginated. Please include your address, phone number, email address, and a short bio on the last page. No simultaneous submissions. Previously published essays will be considered if the writer owns the copyright. Essays will not be returned. Essays will not be published without the writer's consent.
SUBMITTING: Electronic submissions are preferred. Send essay electronically as a Word format file (with .doc extension) to Yvonne@YvonneBynoe.com. Write "Motherhood Anthology" in the subject line. If email is not possible, mail two (2) copies of the essay to Yvonne Bynoe at PO Box 14068, Washington, DC 20044 attn: Motherhood Anthology. Please direct any inquiries to info@yvonnebynoe. com.
EDITOR: Yvonne Bynoe is a Senior Fellow at the Future Focus 2020 Center at Wake Forest University and the author of Stand & Deliver: Political Activism, Leadership and Hip Hop Culture and the Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip Hop Culture.
PUBLISHER: Soft Skull Press (New York)
REPLY: Please allow until March 1, 2008 for a response. If you have not received a response by then, please assume your essay has not been selected. It is not possible to reply to every submission personally.
The deadline has been extended for the Shades of Romance Magazine On-line conference! You now have until this Saturday to register. So hurry and register today!
The conference takes place during my first week of classes. So, I'm not sure I'll be able to participate this year. But the on-line conferences and other events that I have participated in with SORMAG have been top-notch. I highly recommend them for aspiring writers and seasoned writers as well. They're perfect for networking.
The conference takes place August 26th-September 1.
Learn more about the conference here:
SORMAG Online Conference
Check out Shades of Romance Magazine's blog here:
Shades of Romance Magazine
much love and peace,
Gwyneth
There's a new book club in town:
Here's some info: Black Butterfly Review is announcing the formation of the Black Butterfly Review Book Club. In this clubs our mission will be to read and celebrate the written word.
If you feel that this is something that might interest you, we invite you to join us at : www.blackbutterflyreviewclub@yahoogroups.com.
If you are an author and would like to have your book considered for our book club; please send an email to blackbutterflyreview@gmail.com with a synopsis of your title.
You can join here:
Black Butterfly Review Book Club
In case you haven't heard, the 2008 Romance Slam Jam will be held in Chi-town. (My favorite city to visit right after Hot-lanta and NYC of course... Heck, I just love cities. And I love citylines when they are all lit up at night. Isn't that a cool picture of Chicago at night? Anyway...) The dates for the conference are April 30-May 4. And if you haven't checked out the website for the upcoming event, you should. There is so much history about the event and how it came to be posted on the site. And there are lots of authors already confirmed and lots of really innovative activies planned. For this romance loving girl, the end of April can't come soon enough...
Check out the website and register! Hope to see you there...
I just found out that the Urban Reviewers featured my MySpace page on their site. They called me a "hot romance novelist." How cool is that?
Check it out here:
Has it been a year already?
I just realized that I missed my one-year blogging anniversary. I made my first post on this blog on June 28, 2006. I’m very bad with dates and remembering anniversaries. I realized this when I was sixteen and had to find out from my first boyfriend how many months we’d been dating. He looked at me kind funny and said, “Aren’t girls supposed to remember stuff like that?” And I hate it when people ask me how long I’ve been growing my locs. I don’t know. Four years? Five years? Something like that... But, my husband taught me how to remember our wedding anniversary. I just have to think 3/3/99. Now how many years is that? I guess I’m just bad with numbers... But I so wanted to remember my blog anniversary. I was going to do a special post and every thing. But it’s gone now. Oh well, it’s been a little over a year and I’m still blogging. I may have to cut back some due to deadlines. But I think I’ll keep the ole blog a little while longer. So, all together now, “happy (late) blog anniversary to me…” Thanks for hanging with me so far blog buddies.
Much love and peace,
Gwyneth
Romance at the river's end. . .
WHO:
Four of Central New York's finest romance writers will read from and sign copies of their latest works. Come meet:
Nancy Henderson, author of Ghost of a Chance
www.nancyhenderson.com
Gwyneth Bolton, author of Sweet Sensation and Divine Destiny
www.gwynethbolton.com
Ellen Hartman, author of Wanted Man
www.ellenhartman.com
Chris Wenger, author of Not Your Average Cowboy
www.christinewenger.com
WHEN:
Saturday • June 16 2:00 - 4:00 pm
WHERE:
The River’s End Bookstore
19 West Bridge Street
Oswego, NY 13126
Ithaca, NY, June 24th, 2007: Romance at Bookery II: The Naked Truth, Sunday, June 24th at 2:00 pm. Whether you like to read romance, write it, or just to have it, Bookery II presents an afternoon of fun as Diana Holquist, Ellen Hartman and Gwyneth Bolton, three award-winning, multi-published romance writers dish on what it takes to make it in the most successful genre in publishing. Book-signing to follow discussion. Special Door Prize: Critique of the first 25 pages of your romance manuscript! For more information email bookeryevents@yahoo.com or call 273-5055. Bookery II, Dewitt Mall, 215 N. Cayuga St.
About the authors:
Diana Holquist burst onto the romance scene with her debut novel and National Readers' Choice 2006 finalist, Make Me a Match. She has since sold three more paranormal romantic comedies to Warner Books. www.dianaholquist.com
Ellen Hartman's debut novel, Wanted Man, will be out this June from
Harlequin Superromance, one of the longest-running, most successful of the Harlequin lines. She is hard at work on her second Superromance novel, Truth or Dare. www.ellenhartman.com
Gwyneth Bolton’s newest book is Sweet Sensation. She’s the winner of the 2006 Romance in Color Reviewer's Choice Award for New Author of the Year, the 2007 Emma Award Winner for Favorite New Author and the2007 Emma Award Winner for Book of the Year. www.gwynethbolton.com
Bookery II is the city’s largest and oldest independently owned bookstore and is located in the DeWitt Mall, in the heart of downtown Ithaca. The friendly and knowledgeable staff invite you to enjoy the bright open space, fresh coffee, stylish music and a great selection of books, CDs, DVDs, maps, cards, and more. Bookery II is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday 9:30 am to 6 pm.
