New African American Books: Inspirational/Self-Help
January 27, 2012
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Smart, Competent, Dynamic, Phenomenal, Unforgettable… just a few words that you would be proud to be called. In spite of your best efforts, how often does that happen? Do you know that by making a few minor changes or different choices, you can have those qualities and the success you want in your personal and professional life?
With the right guidance from the world s greatest mother and a loving, supportive family, Dawn Baker went from a small town in the rural south to an award-winning television news anchor. Now, she shares her secrets to success as only she can.
In Dawn’s Daughter, she not only offers sound advice, but also gives you an intimate look at life through real world stories and examples that could very well make the difference in whether you land that dream job or watch your dreams fade into the dust. Nicknamed, the queen of common sense, just like the mother or best friend you never had, Dawn teaches invaluable lessons on relationships, career, and how to be the best you can be.
In Dawn’s Daughter, learn how to:
Become strong and independent
Make decisions that are right for your life
Define yourself; know who you are and take responsibility for your life
Set and achieve realistic goals
Understand the value of a good education
Become more successful in the workplace
Avoid destructive behavior in personal relationships
Understand the value of saving money and becoming financially sound
Gain an appreciation for serving your fellowman
Become the BEST woman you can be
ebonylotus Creatives | Xpressions & Publishing
November 30, 2011
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January 26, 2012
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Inspiring insights, advice, and style for every woman who admires the popular and poised First Lady Michelle Obama
Embodying style, class, and intelligence, Michelle Obama has quickly become an American icon. Rising from modest beginnings, she went on to earn an Ivy League education, a position at a top law firm, and a pivotal role beside President Barack Obama. Yet Michelle still faces the same issues as most women today. As they watch her juggle kids, marriage, and a seemingly nonstop calendar without breaking a sweat, American women are asking, What Would Michelle Do?
Award-winning Newsweek journalist Allison Samuels, who has interviewed the First Lady numerous times, follows the trajectory of Michelle’s life to illustrate the determination, intellect, and charm that drove her success-and reveals how women can incorporate those same attributes to get everything Michelle has, from her toned arms to her grace under pressure to her happy marriage. With the 2012 elections looming, Michelle continues to be in the public’s eye. Covering a range of lifestyle topics-from creating a distinctive style to conquering obstacles to managing a household-What Would Michelle Do? combines solid advice with a fun package that will appeal to style mavens, soccer moms, and career women alike.
Gotham Books
April 19, 2012
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December 11, 2011
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The Oprah Winfrey Show came to an end on May 25, 2011, after 25 years on television. Arguably the most influential television personality of all time, Ms. Winfrey and her show have had an impact on American culture that cannot be overstated. This beautifully illustrated book will explore and celebrate the legacy of the show using essays and tributes from a stellar group of contributors including Maya Angelou, Bono, Ellen DeGeneres, Nelson Mandela, Toni Morrison, Julia Roberts, Maria Shriver, Gloria Steinem, John Travolta, and more. The book will feature photographs from the Harpo archive, spanning the 25 years the show has been on the air, including the farewell season.
Essays within the book will be dedicated to different themes (e.g., personal growth, social action, and literature) and will explore how the show has touched people’s lives and impacted the conversation around those issues. The essays will be followed by narrative text, which will guide the reader through the history of the show’s involvement with each topic and will include stories about the events, people, and organizations that have acted as touchstones or provided insights along the way. Accompanying the essays and narrative text will be images from the show, behind-the-scenes photographs, as well as signature portraits of the contributing celebrities taken by noted photographers.
The book will allow Oprah Winfrey Show fans to understand the broad cultural impact of the show, while revisiting favorite guests, episodes, and stories.
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September 4, 2011
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The perennial New York Times bestselling author helps readers discover how to put money in its place and use wealth-building as a tool for joy and fulfillment.
Hill Harper is uniquely poised to guide readers through tough times and offers bestselling advice for reaping the rewards of a truly happy life. With The Wealth Cure, he does more than that: He presents a revolutionary new definition of wealth, motivating readers to not only build financial security but to also achieve wealth in every aspect of their lives.
Using his own journey as a parable, Harper inspires the reader to evaluate their values while explaining the importance of laying a sound financial foundation and how to recognize the worth of your relationships and increase the value of your interactions with the people in your life. Drawing on his personal recollections and true stories from family and friends, Harper helps readers begin to see money not as a goal but as a tool that provides freedom for following their passions. The keys include investing in yourself, tapping the resources you need, and taking responsibility for how those resources are used. Far from a get-rich-quick primer, The Wealth Cure brims with inspired wisdom for building a lasting bounty from the experiences, loved ones, and achievements that really matter.
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August 28, 2011
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Cherise “Reese” Charleswell is a self- and- internationally published author, describing her self as a poet/spoken word artist, bookworm, fashionista, penny-pincher, accessories designer, music lover, and sista-friend, who has been described as the “Mad Scientist”, due to her varied interests and passions.
She is of West Indian descent, with heritage from numerous Caribbean islands, such as St Thomas, St John, Puerto Rico, Tortola, St Kitts, and Anguilla. Despite her love for the arts, Cherise actually has an educational background in the fields of the biological sciences and anthropology, with degrees from California State University Northridge.
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Cherise has also been a fixture in the historic Leimert Park district of Los Angeles, where she stepped in as a producer for the weekly venue Poets Jazz House; which she produced as a member of Liquid Whine Entertainment. The venue was an open mic, literary workshop, and showcase. Cherise is also the Executive Producer of the erotic poetry showcase “The Oralgasm.”
Cherise is also CEO & President of Eclectic Life & Eclectic Life Books.
(1) Real Talk TIPS sounds ambitious. Is it too simple to call it a self-help guide?
When I began the book project, I did realize that it was an ambitious undertaking, midway through I wondered if I actually had enough TIPS to share. I spent more than a year working on the project, when memories of past experiences, mistakes, or wisdom shared with me came to mind, I quickly jotted them down. When I came across something or someone that stood out to me, whether it be in person or via the news and entertainment media, I would write numerous TIPS based on that single observation.
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I would say that referring to the book as a self-help guide would be too simple. It is more of a work book, that leaves it up to the reader to identify core areas that they may need to improve in their lives. Each TIP does not pertain to everybody, but everybody should be able to identify a TIP that pertains to and motivates them to make some necessary changes in their lives.
(2) How much of your experiences are reflected in the book?
I would have to say that my experiences, whether it was from direct involvement or direct observation, are reflected in this book. I admit that I have been guilty of a few TIPS, or I have observed family, friends, and acquaintances make a number of mistakes, missteps, and endured setbacks; and I have learned from their experiences.
(3) How are you promoting Real Talk TIPS? Who is the audience that you are targeting?
I actually just published Real Talk TIPS in May of this year, so I am in the early stages of promoting. I have been utilizing word-of-mouth, social media, the blogosphere, and have just begun to directly contact book distributors regarding the book. I am also finding it beneficial to join associations for writers and other authors. Exhibiting at the Los Angeles Black Book Expo will actually be the first event that I use for promotion purposes.
Real Talk TIPS target audience is actually quite diverse. The book is not reflective of any age group or racial and ethnic background, and I believe that this is due to the fact that the TIPS cover such a wide range of topics that many can relate to.
(4) What has been the response to Real Talk TIPS?
Thus far I have had many positive responses to Real Talk TIPS. The initial response that my readers have shared is that the book was hilarious, and I was a bit amused by this assessment. Although, I did write in a manner, where I used some humor, so the tone of the book wouldn’t seem preachy; I had no idea that what I was writing would be considered that funny.
August 19, 2011
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Denise L. Cook brings to the stage a wealth of experience as a choreographer, producer, assistant director, published author, actor, dancer, spoken word artist, singer and motivational speaker, and is well known as a healer in the field of massage therapy. Asked what motivated her to pursue such a wide range of interests, she answers, “my father always said ‘anything worth doing is worth doing well. And anything you put your time and effort into, you may as well get credentialed’. I believed him, so doing anything less wasn’t an option. With Daddy excellence was the first line of defense against the big bad wolf of life.”
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Denise began her career in the arts at an early age establishing her first dance company at the age of eight. Ms. Cook went on to receive her B.A. in Dance and MFA at U.C.L.A. and later a MEd at National University. She has studied, performed and worked alongside such notables as Carmen De Lavelaude, Chester Whitmore, Fayard Nicholas, Debbie Allen, Steven Simeon, Shirley Martin, the U.C.L.A. Dance Company, Hal DeWindt, Eddie Beale, Peter Long, Curtis Gadson, Saul Bernstein, Delilah Williams, H. B. Barnum and Mark Swinton. Stage credits include producer, choreographer, assistant director, lead, principal, and supporting lead roles in known plays, for coloured girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf, Tell Hell I Ain’t Coming, Dream Girls, A Chorus Line, Shades, West Side Story, Oklahoma, Legends and Traditions Claim It and the Special Program, and dramatic plays A Shrine To Junior, Love Makes No Sense, and Looking For A Man. Two years on tour with Vickie Winnans in the award winning gospel, Somebody Oughtta Tell God Thank You, and two seasons on BET television sitcom, The Blackberry Inn as Ms. Laura’s evil sister Ruthie Anne and her one woman show titled “Lena Horn Elegance With Lady Day Style” circa 1945. To top it all off, Denise has ventured into the exciting eclectic realm of Spoken Word Artistry. Denise is a prolific writer and captivating performer bringing to life words penned by her hand and others; she invites in, then envelopes her audience with memorable performances.
Her first book and CD, FULL CIRCLE Balance In Life: A collection of poetry and prose chronicling self-love and self-awareness, was nominated for several awards.
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(1)What was the effort like in preparing and producing The ORACLE Speaks?
There really was no effort at all in preparing and producing.
The ORACLE Speaks… just because. After having walked through the publishing process with Cullen Chambers of Back To One Publications on my first book, FULL CIRCLE Balance In Life, this one was a breeze. It took six months to publish the first book, only three with The ORACLE Speaks…
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(2)Who (what?) is The ORACLE?
The ORACLE is a wise woman who gives no advice save to hold the mirror of life that you may see your own truth. Like the masterful Oracle of Delphi or Malkeventa Melchizedek, I simply point out the truth as I see it. No agenda, just the truth, sprinkled with love, understanding and unconditional acceptance of who and what you are. Pure love. My claim to fame is that I make people feel good about themselves. My hope is to envelope them with my word and love of self and life, that they may find their own truth.
(3)What are the inspirations behind doing both a book of poetry and a music CD? Who inspires you?
The inspirations behind doing both a book of poetry and music CD came from a deep seeded desire to share my word with the world. What better way than to speak the language of Havona (heaven); MUSIC. So, as with the first book, for which I have a companion CD, I set out to do just that. Only the second CD, I Gotta story To Tell, became more than just spoken word with music. Each piece is stand alone and worthy of radio airplay. They are finger-snapping and toe-tapping in additional to being inspirational. Not churchy, just a real feel good experience.
My inspirations are varied, from the candid truths shared by Kahlil Gibran to the sultry honesty of Nina Simone, to the veiled and hidden messages of life shared by Kurt Vonnegut. As a child I really liked e.e. cummings because he broke the standard “writing rules” and David Frost, simply because I liked his style. I would be wrought not to mention Maya Angelou because she’s bold and in your face, which I can tend to be.
(4) How are you promoting The ORACLE Speaks?
I am promoting The ORACLE Speaks, along with my CD, inspirational booklets and other products via the internet, Social Media, book signings, Amazon.com, mostly word of mouth. I don’t have the budget to do a full out publicity blitz, so I rely heavily on the net. I am also a Motivational Speaker and find I am able to promote from the stage. It’s tricky though, you never want to come across as being “salesy”, so you find a balance. Final answer, word of mouth and lately lots of radio interviews.
(5) With such a variety of interests and experiences, what is next for you?
What is next for me is the next book, Facing The Demons. Although the first two books speak to my life experiences, they are camouflaged in the commonality of life experiences we all share; love, death, hardships of life. This third book will speak specifically to some of the incidents in my life which helped to make me who and what I am. An honest shedding of the mask I, we all wear as a way to protect our inner child (innocence). At 53, I certainly can’t be considered an innocent, but I beg to differ and my writing opens the door to the fantasy of innocence that we all strive to cling to.
August 18, 2011
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Lorna Clarke Osunsanmi aka Lorna O. is not your average love coach. She is a life changer with an uncanny knack for vividly identifying self-help strategies. Her witty yet practical style underscores a nurturing demeanor that is a gateway way to big advice. A film and television host and producer of her own show “Yin N Yang” in Hollywood, Lorna O. graduated magna cum laude from Texas Woman’s University. The native Christiansted, St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands is the byproduct of parents who have sustained a 40-year marriage. With two older and younger siblings in 20 and 10-year marriages, respectively, Lorna has seen and heard the gamut of ups and downs in both relationships and marriages. The happily married advice diva continues to live bold daily and has plans for a series of additional inspirational books. Be BOLD and uncover Lorna O’s guidance at http://www.lornaonline.com and http://www.mylobsterforlife.blogspot.com.
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Becoming Bold unleashes a straightforward guide for delving deep and mining one’s inner audaciousness. With the goal of unmasking and releasing latent deterrents to success, “Becoming BOLD” serves as the definitive guide to self-actualization and transformation. By going for the gusto, we set the pace for achieving ideal love and life.
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(1) Among the many volumes of self-help, self-improvement, and self-sustaining that
weigh heavy on the store shelves, what makes Becoming Bold stand out?
The Orange Lady! Most people love the cover and people have told me how compelling it is. It encapsulates how they feel either as a person stuck in the row or the Orange Lady breaking out of the mold to become the person they want to be. Personally, I am inspired by the Orange Lady!
(2) What were your inspirations in writing it? What is the message that you want to
impart to your readers?
I always wanted to be writer growing up. I wrote articles for my school newspaper, I wrote poems, and short stories, but I got serious about having a career as a writer after college. It then decided to pursue a career as a television film writer and ended up working as as Assistant to Executives on a variety of popular shows and on the movie “Get Him To The Greek”. My career expanded early on as a talk show host/producer and with each episode I researched for Yin N Yang, I came up with more and more ideas about how to help people have healthier relationships and fuller lives with themselves and others. I drew from my own journey and my own struggles on how to achieve success, and knew if I was having to become a stronger, bolder person and overcome challenges, that others were going through the same thing. I wanted to tell people that they could change. I wanted to share what I discovered: that with a little bit of courage, fearlessness, your entire life could change for the better. Mine’s did! This is where the idea for Becoming Bold was sparked.
(3) What does “mining one’s inner audaciousness” mean?
Audacious means invulnerable to fear or intimidation, which is essentially being bold! Boldness also includes being direct, clear and honest even in the face of opposition. But I believe everyone has a level of boldness and audaciousness inside of them except the fire burned out. The switch was turned off. Fortunately, that switch is still there. It exists! The ability to be bold, audacious is possible, it’s just deep inside of us. It calls for us to make choices and moves that ignite those bold fires so we can turn that switch back on. When we do we’ll our life will change for the better. I love the quote that I use in the book because it so true and encompasses the ideas in Becoming Bold: “Courage [Boldness] is the greatest of all virtues. Because if you haven’t courage, you may not have an opportunity to use any of the others.” (Samuel Johnson, Novelist, Poet)
(4) What are you doing to promote Becoming Bold?
I’ve been doing radio interviews across the U.S. I’ve also been sited in news articles. I was featured on Tom Joyner’s Black America Web.Com with Erica Taylor; and I’ll be a part of the Author’s Circle at the Tom Joyner Family Reunion in Orlando, Florida next month. With my own dating and relationship talk show, Yin N Yang, I’m able to promote my book and discuss different ideas that I talk about in Becoming Bold. I’m also planning a book tour. Basically, I’m promoting my book in every way possible!
(5) What has been the response like to Becoming Bold?
The response has been fantastic! A friend told me that just by looking at the cover she felt stronger. She made a “bold” decision that she was vacillating on that ended up saving her $3000.00 dollars and she was motivated by the cover of Becoming Bold. Stories like that are what I’ve been hearing. It’s truly a blessing to be a blessing to others. It makes every second I spent writing the book worth it!
August 14, 2011
Press Release — Book Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (August 12, 2011)
Eclectic Life Books Exhibiting at the Los Angeles Black Book Exposition Saturday, August 20, 2011
Los Angeles, CA– Author Cherise Charleswell, President of Eclectic Life Books will be exhibiting at the annual Los Angeles Black Book Expo. Ms. Charleswell will be there to debut her book, Real Talk TIPS: Laugh-Out-Loud Pointers & Suggestions For The Morally Challenged, Socially Inept, & The People Who Love Them.
The Los Angeles Black Book Expo is being held on Saturday August 20, 2011 from 10AM to 6PM, inside the Los Angeles Convention Center #403. The LA Convention Center is located at 1201 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
The book, just published in May 2011, is a non-traditional, sassy, tongue-in-cheek, and painfully honest self help guide and workbook for the morally challenged and socially inept members of society; as well as those who want to improve on their quality of life. The Adinkra image that graces the book’s cover is called “Mate masie” and it loosely translates to “What I hear, I keep”. The book draws on my experience as a West Indian child, where wisdom was often imparted as a series of “old time” sayings, tips, and proverbs; leaving one to interpret the true meaning and come to their own conclusion and understanding.
The book has always garnered the following praises and reviews:
“Cherise Charleswell is a fresh and funny young voice with wisdom for the ages. The author takes aim at the morally challenged, the socially inept and everyone else and skewers them to hilarious new heights. Highly recommend. ”
Robyn McGee
Author and Educator at California State University Dominguez Hills
“Bug in your ear wisdom, you have lint in your hair or you missed a
button. A good read intent on being more cautious of our attitudes
behavior and Appearence. Whimsical light hearted Examanation
of pop culture from a concerned sister prospective. Real Talk Tips
Is full of timeless tips, Critiques, and Compliments. Noteworthy
Thoughtful solutions , tuff love with a hug. Its Funny Bitterly
Honest The way family is. A must read for all ages that actually
builds self esteem and self worth.”
Yawo Watts
Writer, Poet, Spoken Word Artist
CONTACT:
Contact Person: Cherise Charleswell
Company Name: Eclectic Life
Voice Phone# 818-521-8422
Email Address: eclecticlifediva@yahoo.com
Website: www.createspace.com/3550362
August 14, 2011
August 12, 2011 – For Immediate Release
Real Talk TIPS: Laugh-Out-Loud Pointers & Suggestions For The Morally Challenged, Socially Inept, & The People Who Love Them.
“Who Are The Morally Challenged?”
Los Angeles, CA–They walk among us, are related to us, and may be that reflection that one views in the mirror. Moving about in ill-fitting clothing, wearing questionable hairstyles, and consistently making poor decisions in life. They are the morally-challenged, and they are often ignorant of their predicament.
Author Cherise Charleswell uses biting wit and a great sense of humor to identify and mentor these individuals. She discusses her motivation for writing this book,
“I began this book after posting a series of daily words of wisdom, or TIPS as they became known on a social networking site. These TIPS were based on daily interactions, observations, and self reflection.”
Real Talk TIPS, just released in May 2011, is a non-traditional, sassy, and painfully honest self help guide and work book for the morally-challenged and socially inept members of society; as well as those who want to improve on their quality of life. The book draws on the author’s experience as a West Indian child, where wisdom was often imparted as a series of “old time” sayings, tips, and proverbs; leaving one to interpret the true meaning and come to their own conclusion and understanding.
Real Talk TIPS: Laugh-Out-Loud Pointers & Suggestions For The Morally Challenged, Socially Inept, & The People Who Love Them offers readers a chance to Laugh-Out-Loud at the witty social commentary, as well as motivate them to conduct a honest self evaluation. The book is published through Amazon Publishing, and is available for purchase at:
Direct from the author at: www.createspace.com/3550362
Amazon.com
Barnes & Nobles
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cherise Charleswell is a poet, author, accessories designer, and President of Eclectic Life Books. Contact Cherise at eclecticlifediva@yahoo.com or 818-521-8422.
CONTACT:
Contact Person: Cherise Charleswell
Company Name: Eclectic Life
Voice Phone# 818-521-8422
Email Address: eclecticlifediva@yahoo.com
Website: www.createspace.com/3550362
July 4, 2011
Just over a decade ago, prolific, national bestselling author John A. Andrews moved from New York to Hollywood to pursue his acting career. Now, with almost two dozen published titles under his belt. He releases the biographical romance thriller – Whose Woman Was She? Giving readers a glimpse inside his True Hollywood Story, a biography etched in two volumes.
Andrews, once as a struggling actor found his niche, writing, in 2002. This career, nucleated out of a divorce, setbacks, and in addition to meeting the attraction, Eve.
Eve Butler is the embodiment of genuine beauty. In search of a modeling career, she eagerly embraced Hollywood. Ironically, her vision takes a backseat upon meeting the man who would sign her, and she would not let up until she seduces him.
Andrews a devoted businessman, refusing from mixing business with pleasure, is in pursuit of Eve to become his franchise model. He inadvertently falls for Eve, and finds himself entangled in a web of sexual attraction and duplicity. Andrews soon wakes up to the realization that Eve is not only a devil in disguise, but she is wanted.
Andrews, not only delivers his story in a colorful dramatic documentary, but allows it to satisfy all the five senses.
The upcoming Spanish edition ¿Cuya Mujer Fue Ella?, is set for a summer release, according to Books That Will Enhance Your Life its publisher. As well as part II of his bio, When The Dust Settles – I Am Still Standing. This inspirational and motivational saga will be previewed at Book Expo America, May 24-26, 2011.
John A. Andrews’ complete biography: When The Dust Settles – I Am Still Standing and Whose Woman Was She? Is a blend of The Pursuit of Happyness and Devil in A Blue Dress.
An A L I project. Visit: www.AndrewsLeadershipInternational.com
By Teen Success
818-297-2189
Email: theauthor@therudebuay.com
