New African American Books: Self-Published
May 24, 2009
By Elham Khatami
CNN
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(CNN) — “Still Alice,” written by Lisa Genova, is a novel about a 50-year-old Harvard professor’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also a book, Genova was told, that nobody would want to read.
Lisa Genova, author of “Still Alice,” found success after self-publishing her novel.
Lisa Genova, author of “Still Alice,” found success after self-publishing her novel.
After spending 1½ years writing “Still Alice,” Genova spent just as much time trying to find a literary agent. “I never heard a response from most of the query letters I sent,” Genova said. “Four literary agents asked to see the book. One of them said she just didn’t think there was a general audience that would want to read about Alzheimer’s.”
When she was turned down by several traditional publishing houses, Genova decided to follow a different route: self-publishing via Web-based companies. When she informed one of the literary agents of her decision, his response was daunting.
“He said, ‘Don’t do that, you’ll kill your writing career before it starts,’ ” said Genova.
But she decided to press forward. Turning to the Author Solutions self-publishing brand, iUniverse, Genova published her book for $450, a cost that included an ISBN — the International Standard Book Number that uniquely identifies books — and the ability to sell on Amazon.com.
Months later, after receiving positive reviews on Amazon.com and a favorable review in the Boston Globe, Genova’s book was picked up by Simon & Schuster and is in its 12th week on The New York Times Bestsellers List.
“If you believe in your book, I think you should give it a chance,” Genova said. “Still Alice” “was a book that people already identified with and [Simon & Schuster] saw the book’s potential in a very real way.”
Genova is not alone. As the economy takes its toll on traditional publishing houses — HarperCollins dropped its Collins division in February, losing major executives and editors, and Random House continues with cutbacks — more authors are looking to online self-publishing companies.
See more art http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/04/06/print.on.demand.publishing/index.html#cnnSTCText
February 2, 2009
Manjani by Freedom Speaks Diapsora
“A revolutionary work well worth reading!”
–The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Manjani Jackson is a mouthy New York teenager who believes her life’s purpose is to lead her “deaf, dumb, and blind” brothas and sistahs into The Revolution. On one of the worst days of her life, tragedy strikes, landing her at an all white school. Although she is working on getting along, the racist students make it impossible, and before long, the administration crosses the line, forcing Manjani into political action. Then one of her events gets out of hand, sending her on the run. Her journey leads to a place where bittersweet lessons about liberation are learned as her comrades turn against her. Only tough love, spiritual revelations, and self-determination will help her find her place in the struggle.
www.Manjani.com
www.SunCyclePublishing.com
January 18, 2009
Carmelo Miller is a retired NBA player who has game on and off the court. He has a large appetite for women, and the means to satisfy his hunger. He is often envied by the average man because unlike them he is able to juggle three ladies.
Cynthia
His high school sweet heart. She was with him before he had a pot to piss in. On their first date, he knew she was the one. She was the finest girl in school. She had it all 34-26-60 just the way he likes it.
Monique
A young vixen with the dreams of one day making it big and becoming a video girl. She lap danced her way right into his heart. This is how he fell in love with a stripper. She is currently the reigning 2008 Miss New Booty of club MO Booty aka the hottest strip club in the south.
Augustine
An old school cutey. She is a flight attendant who believes a woman should always cater to her man. Her favorite saying is, “Whatever you like.”
If this sounds border line impossible, Carmelo can teach you the game inside Cheating on my Mistress because nothing is out-of-bounds for this baller.
check out my blog:http://cheatingonmymistress.blogspot.com/
September 28, 2008
A Cuban Terrorist Training Camp Through The Eyes of a Jamaican
Toronto, ON, September 22, 2008…BookSurge Publishing author Colin Morgan Dennis presents his memoir The Road Not Taken: Memoirs of a Reluctant Guerrilla, which offers a personal and unique perspective of life in a Cuban terrorist training camp. Think Al Qaeda without the religion.
Excerpt from The Road Not Taken: Memoirs of a Reluctant Guerrilla:
I woke up, as if out of a drunken stupor, to the sound of automatic gunfire and for more than a moment I didn’t know where I was. When I had recovered my composure, I was to discover, to my chagrin, I had missed the lesson ‘How to Ambush a Moving Vehicle.’
Originally published 1985 in his native Jamaica in where it was a bestseller, The Road Not Taken has been revised and updated. Morgan Dennis offers a refreshing style –informal and conversational – that belies the strong undercurrents of trauma and emotional tension. This memoir is a must-read.
ISBN 1-4392-0401-2 Format 6X9 paperback SRP: $18.99 ($19.99 CAN)
Genre: Biography & Autobiography/Personal Memoirs
About the Author:
Colin Morgan Dennis was born in Kingston, Jamaica and attended
Manchester High School. He moved to Canada in 1983. In 1991 he
graduated from Concordia University in Montreal with a degree in
political science and in 1993 with a degree in journalism. He later
pursued graduate studies in public policy and public administration at
Concordia and was president of the graduate students association for
two years. His work has appeared in local newspapers. He lives in
Ontario, Canada.
The Road Not Taken: Memoirs of a Reluctant Guerrilla is available now through Amazon.com, BookSurge.com, Alibris.com and Abebooks.com.
Contact Information
Off-Kilter Publishing
905-791-4794
dencoli4@aol.com
Author Colin Morgan Dennis
July 24, 2008
Shelley Parsons is pleased to announce the last installment of a two book series. Rosebud. After reading, “Quieting the Storm”, readers wanted to know more about one of the back characters; Rose.
“RoseBud” is a story that takes the reader through the many ups and downs of life to the beginning days of this dynamic character to the future. Although “Rosebud” is fiction based, the author takes you on a metaphysical journey that will surprise you and make you think twice about our presence on this planet. Rosebud delves into many issues but the most crucial are the ramifications of sexual abuse and the cycle of changes that derive from the pain and different levels of behavior that the consequences manifest. If you thought “Quieting the Storm” was a page turner, be ready to sit down and not get up until the last word is read. “Rosebud” is deep, insightful and exciting.
