Authors
Xpress Yourself Publishing is just getting started! We
are building a prestigious roster of talented writers. Want
to be added to this list? Do
you think you have what it takes to be a best-selling author? If so,
submit your manuscript today.
REKAYA
GIBSON
is a consultant and freelance writer. As
a writer, she is not limited to writing about only one genre. Her love
for food is evident throughout her fiction work, The Food
Temptress,
and her children's book, Are There French Fries in Heaven? Her
nonfiction articles have appeared
in the “Lake of the Ozarks
Second Home Living Magazine,” “Relocating in Saint Louis Magazine,” and
the “Times Picayune” newspaper. In 2006, she self-published
an e-Book, Wow Them With Your Grant Proposal, and other
grant-related e-Special Reports under her own e-publishing company,
Gibson Girl Publishing Company.
Recently, the federal government selected her to review and score grant
applications on underage drinking.
Rekaya has spent ten years working in the violence/drug prevention
fields and several semesters teaching a communication course at a
community college. In addition, she has taught employees at a local
casino
how to write in English. This encouraged her to start her own nonprofit
agency that focuses on language skills and literacy.
In
the near future, Rekaya plans to dabble in politics - or at least write
about it - as she completes her doctoral degree
in political science. She holds a
Master's degree in Public Administration
from the University of New Orleans and a
Bachelor of Science degree in Public
Affairs with a concentration in Criminal
Justice from Indiana University.
Although a transplant to Nevada because
of Hurricane Katrina, she now calls
Las Vegas her home. She was born and
raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. You can
reach Rekaya by going to her websites at
www.rekayagibson.com,
www.gibsongirlpublishing.com,
www.foodtemptress.com, and
www.grantsgaloreandmore.com.
NATHASHA BROOKS-HARRIS
lives and works in New York City where she successfully juggles a
government service and magazine journalism career with the demands of
being a romance author. Her latest book is Can I Get An Amen
Again—the sequel to the Emma Award nominated contemporary romance
anthology (with co-authors Kim Louise, Janice Sims, and Natalie Dunbar),
Can I Get An Amen proved to be more successful than she thought
possible. Before its official March 2005 release date, it landed a spot
on two bestseller lists: Amazon's Best-Selling Multicultural Novels and
Amazon's Best-Selling Arabesque Novels. Not long after that, it landed
on two more bestseller lists. In addition, it was chosen as a featured
title for the 2005 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana.
This anthology was also picked up by Black Expressions book club,
exposing it to another audience of avid readers. Most recently, she has
contributed a short story, (“The Mile High Club”), to an erotica
anthology titled Erogenous Zone and an essay about literacy
discussing a part of her experience teaching in inner city schools to an
anthology titled Gumbo For The Soul.
Her debut
romance novel, Panache, was released to her worldwide fans by
Domhan Books in August 2001, earning her the prestigious Emma Award for
Best New Author.
Before a
company reorganization, she was the Editor-in-Chief of Black Romance,
Bronze Thrills, and True Confessions magazine. In
addition, she continues as a Contributing Editor at Today's
Black Woman magazine. Brooks-Harris writes the popular monthly
departments called "Career and Money News," "Career Savvy" and a women's
general information column called "FYI." She has written relationship,
travel, and entertainment articles for Today’s Black Woman and
Black Man magazines for the past nine years. She has written similar
articles for Black Elegance and Belle magazines. Formerly,
her confession stories and novellas for True Confessions Magazine
received enthusiastic response from the publications’ loyal readers.
Beside her
fiction and journalism work, she is a book reviewer for QBR
magazine, SORMag, Romance In Color, and The Romer Review websites. She
also writes articles about romance writing and the publishing industry
for SORMag. Recently, she has become a contributor for the Gumbo For The
Soul website, where she writes about breaking into writing and getting
successfully published. She is the co-founder of the romance writing
website devoted to women romance authors of color, The Wonderful Women
of Romance—a part of The Belles & Beaux of Romance, where she was
formerly a reviewer.
Brooks-Harris
has recently returned to the world of teaching. She teaches the craft of
writing the romance novel or writing the memoir, or creative writing for
New York's prestigious Frederick Douglas Center For Creative Arts. She
is particularly proud to return there to teach aspiring writers because
that is where she studied extensively during the 1980's. Believing that
to whom much is given, much is required, she is honored to have been
asked to share her knowledge with people who will follow her advice and
get their works published.
Her love of
books and writing has been an innate part of her life as far back as she
can remember. She vividly remembers her mother telling her bedtime
stories where she’d add more than the author intended to the plot when
the story was finished. She also recalls frequent trips with her father
to the Brooklyn Public Library, where she was encouraged to choose books
and sit and read them as long as she wanted.
By her
pre-teen years, she formed a girls' group at school and members wrote
short stories based on the titles of the latest hit songs, love letters,
and original songs. She began writing articles for the school paper, and
she soon found another interest: boys, and a full teenage social life.
However, writing has always remained her passion—which is evidenced by
the many awards she won throughout her school years.
Meanwhile,
her home was full of many types of books in the library and an extended
family who told an array of stories proved to be a fertile training
ground for the future journalist/author. She was further inspired
growing up in the midst of New York City—the publishing capital of the
world where she met real writers and authors and she had the chance to
study with them and learn her craft.
It was
inevitable that she became the maverick in her family of educators and
stable professionals and decided to follow her heart and study
journalism. She enrolled in Hunter College and made her mark there as a
feisty student journalist and news editor of the Hunter Envoy.
She didn't have a clue that a brilliant literary career path was in her
future.
She didn’t
veer too far off that path because in 1987, she began her professional
journalism career as the Editor-In-Chief of Black Romance, Black
Confessions, Jive, and Bronze Thrills magazines.
She also completed long stints as Music Editor of Metro Exchange
newspaper, Senior Editor of New York Trend and Sunday Morning
newspapers, Gossip Columnist at Chocolate Singles magazine, and
Editor-In-Chief of Black Hair Digest, Word Up Special and
FLY Magazines. Throughout her career, Brooks-Harris has been a
freelance journalist for numerous publications in the United States and
abroad.
Eventually,
she formed her own music publicity and promotions company, Class Act
Productions. As its CEO, she promoted and provided publicity campaigns
for new recording artists and went on to extend the company’s services
into the area of concert production. One of the largest shows produced
by Class Act Productions was a Jazz Explosion Concert, which featured
the renowned musicians: Billy Taylor, Branford Marsalis, and Sherry
Winston.
Acting upon
her desire to give something back to those less fortunate, she created a
writing program at a South Bronx elementary school. She taught writing
through journalism and Star reading process to a number of gifted
students who were chosen to participate in her program.
Her writing
career has taken her all over the world and she has met heads of state,
celebrities, and many movers and shakers whom her peers have only
dreamed of meeting. However, she is most proud of her platinum record
she earned from promoting Brandy’s self-titled platinum album, and her
Ophelia Devore Award for Excellence in Business and Communication. She
is also extremely proud of instituting the writing program at the inner
city school for underprivileged children. Eleven of the 51 bilingual
students in her program won the Bronx Boroughwide Writing Award, and one
of those students also won the Citywide Writing Award from then-Mayor
David I. Dinkins.
In November
2004, Brooks-Harris was invited to read and make a presentation about
romance writing at the prestigious Miami Book Fair. That honor was
especially meaningful to her because she was the first romance
author to ever appear in that capacity. Brooks-Harris made her
contribution with great pride and hoped that her appearance would forge
the path for future romance authors to be an integral part of that
event.
Nathasha
Brooks-Harris is thrilled to have made a difference in so many people’s
lives because of her writing and/or teaching of it. She is revising her
latest novels-in-progress, In Perfect Harmony and A Love So
Right.
She can be
contacted at nabrooks@aol.com.
Born and raised in Bluefield, West
Virginia, Lawson Brooks migrated to Washington in 1974
to work in the political arena and pursue post graduate
studies. Lawson received his B.A. Degree in
International Affairs at Marshall University in
Huntington, West Virginia and his M.A. in Political
Science at The American University in Washington, DC.
Lawson also studied at the Graduate School of Journalism
at the University of Maryland- College Park. Since that
time, Lawson has worked in various professional
capacities in political, non-profit and corporate
environments. Currently, Lawson works an independent
Government Relations/Business Development Consultant and
Writer.
Inspired by the works of Walter Mosley,
Elmore Leonard and George Pelecanos, From the Waist
Up represents Lawson's first foray into the world
of fiction. Set in 1996, Lawson utilizes his interest
in history, politics and biographies to present readers
with a provocative insight into the culture of
African-American professionals in Washington, DC. A
resident of Washington, DC for more than 30 years,
Lawson currently resides in Baltimore, MD. Both cities
will serve as locations for Lawson's future efforts.
Visit Lawson online at
www.lawsonbrooks3.com.
LAVERNE
ADEKUNLE
is an unsung and upcoming author. She has many
unpublished writings from the age of thirteen. She wrote
a brochure called "He Sent His Word" and co-authored a
training marketing manual. Three years ago, she wrote a
poem, a play, & a song called "The Attributes of the Man
of God" that debuted in her church. LaVerne is an award
winning Community Service Leader, founder of the
Campaign for Christ, Sunday School program, Community
Service Youth Council II, and Kidzpluz+, a childhood
obesity program, just to name a few of her
accomplishments. This woman is creative and inspiring.
Another idea she conceived and brought to reality is the
World's first Bridal & Beauty Brands under the umbrella
of La DivaPillows LLC. Visit LaVerne, and her other
sites, at
www.laverneadekunle.org,
www.beautedemariee.com,
www.divahairpillows.com,
www.kidzpluz.org.com
DARLENE
DENISE is the newest addition to XYP, with her debut novel,
Served Up on a Tray, to be released
September 23, 2008.
With twenty
years of experience in entertainment, promotions, public relations,
marketing and event management, in 1990,
Darlene founded six degrees mgt., an entertainment/marketing
firm. Personal service and strict attention to detail has become the
trademark of six degrees mgt., spreading the company’s
impeccable reputation nationwide. six degrees mgt. provides an
array of management services, including commercial marketing, marketing
programs, event management, media relations, philanthropic consultation
and personal assistance.
Currently, Darlene is the Executive
Director for Big Tigger's
Street Corner Foundation,
working to eradicate HIV/AIDS in the community.
Versatility
was one of author S.B. REDD'S strengths during his fifteen-year career
in print journalism. Although he worked primarily as a sports reporter,
he also wrote capably on topics like religion and politics as a
free-lance writer for a national magazine.
"It used to be back in the dark and dingy days of smoke-filled newsrooms
the sports reporter was regarded as your best and most versatile writer
on the staff," he says. "We were the ones who brought the action before
a reader's eyes. We were the ones whose jobs depended on meeting tight
deadlines. I think out of jealousy, a stigma was affixed to our craft. I
can't tell you how many times I was viewed as just a sports writer
when I expressed an interest in non-sports writing jobs, although I had
proven myself otherwise."
Mr. Redd's debut novel, Temptation.com, to be published by
Xpress Yourself Publishing in 2009, is a scintillating work of erotica
fiction that delves into online dating and sexual and online porn
addictions.
"I think some people who have known me
over the years may not be surprised that I would actually write a book;
they may be more surprised with the genre," he says. "I'm not going to
say writing erotica is the perfect fit for me. I will say that my print
journalism background probably helped me with the ability to write with
detail and putting the reader into certain scenes."
Mr. Redd had aspirations of becoming a sports journalist as a sixth
grader. He worked on newspaper staffs in junior high school, high school
and in college. Upon graduation from Texas Southern University, in his
native Houston, he worked for more than a decade at daily newspapers in
Texas, Florida, Virginia and South Carolina. He earned a reputation for
delivering hard-hitting and cutting-edge news stories. In 1999, he was
nationally recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors for the
best news story for all newspapers with a daily circulation of 50,001 to
150,000.
He currently resides in Columbia, South Carolina, with his family.
Visit S.B.
online at
www.myspace.com/maverickbooks or
www.maverick-books.com.
PATRICIA
ANN BRIDEWELL was born and
raised in Los Angeles, California. A love for reading and writing began
in early childhood. Three years ago, she started attending writers’
workshops and creative writing classes, which influenced her decision to
pursue the challenge of writing her first fiction novel, Reflections of
a Quiet Storm. She is currently working on her second novel, The
Revelation of a Lover, and has also written articles related to health
education and nursing. An article entitled, Permission to Enter, was
recently published in Advance for Nurses Magazine, March 3, 2008 issue,
and another article for future publication is entitled “Different
Doesn’t Mean Odd” – A Closer Look at Autism and Early Intervention in
African American Children.
Patricia graduated from Los Angeles
Southwest College with an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing; she
earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Cum Laude from Holy Names
University, and a Master of Science in Nursing Education from Mount
Saint Mary’s College. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International,
Inc. Honor Society of Nursing – Nu Xi Chapter at Large, and the Zora
Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation. She had worked as a secretary
and then in office management for over twenty years prior to becoming a
nurse. Her 11-year career in nursing has been multifaceted and
includes: the emergency room, medical-surgical, home health, mental
health, and education. Aside from writing books, she also works as an
adjunct professor of nursing for two universities in Los Angeles, CA.
and is a nurse consultant and mental health nurse. Patricia is a member
of West Angeles Church of God in Christ in Los Angeles; she resides in
Lancaster, CA. and has two adult children and one grandchild.
VICTORIA
WELLS is a Philadelphia native. In 1991 she graduated from Community
College of Philadelphia under her legal name Gaye Riddick-Burden with an
Associate Degree in Applied Sciences majoring in Nursing. She furthered
her education and went on to earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in
Nursing from LaSalle University.
Wells (Riddick-Burden) is employed as an adult nurse practitioner at a
center city hospital. She has dedicated her fifteen year career as a
nurse to taking care of patients with sickle cell disease.
In 2005, Wells was nominated for the Nursing Spectrum’s Nursing
Excellence Award in the category of Clinical Care for her work with
sickle cell patients. On May 10, 2005 Wells became the regional winner
of the 2005 Nursing Excellence Award in Clinical Care. On October 24,
2005, Wells was awarded the Nursing Spectrum’s National title, “Nurse of
the Year” in Clinical Care at the Chicago Ritz-Carlton. Nursing Spectrum
wrote, “Riddick-Burden is a strong advocate for patients with sickle
cell disease. She was instrumental in designing and implementing the
outpatient Sickle Cell Day Treatment Unit for these often underserved
patients. The program is driven by Riddick-Burden’s desire to provide
timely and effective care to patients with sickle cell crisis,
decreasing long waits in the ED and avoiding inpatient stays that
separates patients from their families.”
On March 19, 2006, Wells was awarded the Movers and Shakers Award
presented by the American Women’s Heritage Society, National Association
of University Women, National Association of Phi Delta Kappa, Top Ladies
of Distinction and Two Thousand African American Women. This recognition
was bestowed upon Wells because of her dedication to the nursing
profession and community outreach.
Wells has been a lover of books since childhood. As a child she would
spend hours reading. To this day reading remains a favorite pastime.
Wells’ favorite genre is African American romance.
While taking a creative writing course in college, Wells became
interested in writing. The final assignment for the course was to
rewrite the last chapter of The Color Purple. Wells received
not only an A for the assignment, but for the course as well.
Professionally, Wells has written and lectured extensively on sickle
cell disease. However, in 2005 after being encouraged by family and
friends, she decided to pick up her pen and write her first romance
novel.
A Special Summer is Wells’ first novel which she
self-published and will be re-released by XYP in 2008. Wells is married
with three children, she and her family live in the Philadelphia area.
Visit Victoria Wells online at
www.victoria-wells.com.
Allyson
Deese, aka “Caramel Vixen,” is an author and a poet as well as a student
majoring in Medical Office Administration. She resides in North
Carolina. Although only in her twenties, she has been writing poetry
for most of her life and has now began penning her poetry into the pages
of her fictional stories of multiple genres. "Discovering the Joy
Within," an inspirational short story in The Triumph of My Soul (www.thetriumphofmysoul.com),
is Allyson’s first work of fiction to be published.
Allyson has written, along with her sisters of the pen, Linda R. Herman
and Tinisha N. Johnson, an inspirational anthology, Somebody Prayed
for Me due for release Early 2009 with XYP.
www.somebodyprayed4me.webs.com
Please read more on Allyson by visiting her on my space.
www.myspace.com/allysondeese
Caramel Vixen’s first short story “Ready For Love” will be featured in
Shani Greene-Dowdell’s upcoming anthology Mocha Chocolate: A Taste of
Ecstasy. Available March 2008.
www.shanibooks.com
Caramel has completed her debut Novella “Office Affairs” which will be
available soon in e-book format from Lady Leo Publishing
www.ladyleopublishing.org and will be published with XYP in print
late 2009.
You can also
read more on Caramel Vixen works at
www.myspace.com/cookie_delicious
CHLOE
R is a published author and poet. Her short stories can be
found in Erogenous Zone (Xpress Yourself Publishing),
Mental Seductions (Diva Books Publishing) and
Mocha Chocolate (Shanibooks, Inc.). Her article,
Hiding From Erotica?, is
featured in Noire Magazine and she answers the question
What Turns You On?, in the February 2008 edition of
PassionScape. Chloe's debut novel, Discovering Love, is
scheduled for release in 2009 by Xpress Yourself Publishing. For more
information, visit her at
http://www.chloewrites.com.
BABA
EVANS MOORE is an award-winning author of While the
Village Sleeps, The Pastor’s Letter, and Just A Picture in
a Frame. As the recipient of the Falcon Edge Male Taskforce’s Men
of the Millennium award, Baba is now blazing trails in family
literacy. He is a strong advocate for parents to read a variety of books
and to urge their children to read. He resides in Maryland and is
currently a Parent Educator in the DC Public School’s Toyota Family
Literacy Program.
Baba's novel, An Extraordinary
Affair, will be released June 3, 2008 by XYP.
Visit Baba online at
BabaEvans.com.
Lessy’B
was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She began writing in high
school, where her English teacher encouraged her to go into Journalism
because she wrote so well, but she had other career goals; well as you
can see from her work, writing has still been her passion.
Lessy’B writes about things that are
near and dear to her. She has been many places and has seen many things
and a lot of it is reflected in her writing. When she entered college,
her major was Paralegal, but she didn’t think it was challenging enough,
so she is currently working on a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Criminal
Justice.
Lessy'B enjoys interior design,
traveling, but mostly spending time with her family. She is also an
enthusiast of fine arts, museums and plays. She has served in the
military for almost twenty years and looks forward to retiring so she
can pursue her passion for writing novels. She has three beautiful
children, a very special guy and resides in Enterprise, AL.
JOHN R
WILLIAMS-The
Author was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, Illinois
and is the eldest of three sons. A product of a single parent
home, John discovered a deep appreciation for the arts at an
early age through music, poetry and writing. As a child he was
exposed to both the bitter and sweet parts of life growing up in
the inner city.
In 2003, John began writing informally. He wrote in a journal
daily trying to perfect his writing style. His goal was to
master both comedic and dramatic writing. John received no
formal training in literature other than reading urban classics
and masses of poetry that he usually found at book fairs and in
local libraries. He studied the works of urban novelists and
allowed his ability to be influenced heavily by these cutting
edge authors. Over time John developed his own unique style.
John used his shortcomings as a child and experiences as a young
adult to shape his edgy writing style.
The
stimulus for his literary aggression is oftentimes revealed in
his works. If asked, john would tell you that the goal of his
writing is to entertain, educate and assist with the human
spirit's progression.
While pursuing a writing career he also maintained a prominent
position at one of the largest Telecommunications companies in
the world. His hard work brought him success as a Sales
Executive. His profession afforded him the means to truly make a
go at professional writing.
John participates in both charity community events on a regular
basis and attributes his love for hip-hop and the
entrepreneurial spirit as his main motivators. In his free time
John can be seen frequenting just about any Neo-Soul Café,
poetry reading or urban hotspot in any major U.S metropolis.
Please support John’s efforts by visiting him online at
www.theauthor.us and purchasing copies of his books today!
His debut novel with XPRESS YOURSELF PUBLISHING entitled THE
REUNION will be released in 2009!!!
Born
and raised in Sacramento, California, Robin Renee Robinson moved to LA
to pursue a career in front of the camera in the early ‘80s. Although
she had stars in her eyes, Robin was not one to waitress or to starve
for that matter, so her nine-to-five’s included stints at ABC-TV,
Lorimar Productions, Motown Productions, Eddie Murphy Productions, Wing
Records, Ivory Way Productions (Keenen Wayans production company) Sony
Pictures Entertainment, and 20th Century Fox Television. Her
duties were varied and included working in casting, creative affairs,
marketing, post and pre production, and business affairs.
After obtaining her AA from Los Angeles City College,
Robin went on to USC where she majored in Broadcast Journalism. Years
later, Robin reunited with USC when she was tapped to be one of fifteen
(out of a field of 300) who made it into the prestigious Guy
Hanks/Marvin Miller Screenwriting Program after submitting a “Wayans
Brothers” (television series) spec script. Robin eventually earned her
BA in Management from Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga in
2005.
Robin’s first novel: “Chocolate Lemons and Peppermint
Tears: The Bittersweet Life of Xena” will be published by XYP in
2009. Initially, the first chapter “In the Beginning” was an
entry in Essence’s short story contest in 1990. She didn’t win;
however, that chapter evolved into the tome it is today. She has also
penned teleplays, a screenplay, a stage play, an awards show, and
poetry.
In December 2007, Robin completed a run in the original
stage play “The Gift.” She does voiceovers, has done stand-up,
is signed with Cast Images, a local talent agency in Sacramento, and she
enjoys to journal; has been doing so since she was 12 years old. She is
an avid reader, loves to dance, collects refrigerator magnets and will
soon begin work on her next novel.
CHRIS BERMAN
resides in Saint Augustine, Florida with his wife, Lareesa Polyakova and
daughters Marina and Sabrina. Chris has an extensive background in
astronomy and is a spaceflight enthusiast; familiar with the space
programs both here in America and in Russia.
Visit Chris online at
www.freewebs.com/chrisbfla.
Author
HAZEL MILLS knew that she wanted to
be a writer from the moment she penned the first words of a poem titled
“A Tree” when she was in the third grade. Even though she majored in
business at the University of Alabama, writing continued to be her first
love.
Hazel’s
short erotic fiction can be seen in Playgirl Magazine’s Erotic
Encounters (January 2007 issue) and in Best Lesbian Love Stories: New
York City, edited by Simone Thorne. Hazel also has an essay
published in Jolie Dupre’s series in The Blushing Ladies Journal.
PassionScape is her monthly column published online by EDC
Creations and Sankofa Literary Society. She lives in the Birmingham area
with her husband and children. Hazel’s debut collection of erotic
Bare Necessities: Sensuous Tales of Passion will be released summer
2008 by Xpress Yourself Publishing. Visit Hazel at
www.hazelmillsstories.com
and on MySpace at
www.myspace.com/hazelmillsstories.
PÉRON
FITZGERALD LONG was born in Rock Hill, SC, where he also
currently resides. As told to him by his mother, he has always had a
fascination with words and began to teach himself how to read and write
at age 4 and began creating stories by the age of 6.
Since college,
Péron has worked mostly in the field of Social Services, as well as in
the film industry as a production assistant. While working as a
production assistant, he was giving the opportunity to work with some of
Hollywood’s greatest actors such as Ruby Dee, Richard Roundtree, Diahann
Carroll and Lonette McKee, to name a few. While working in the field of
Social Services, he has worked mostly with individuals with some form of
disability, which lead him to design and patent a line of clothing
specifically catering to their many needs to provide comfort to some of
their daily struggles.
If It Ain’t
Right Its Wrong is his first published novel.
Pulpit Confessions will be his
first novel released by XYP!
To learn more about Péron F. Long visit:
www.peronflong.com
VIOLETTE
L. REID,
a happily married mother, writer, painter, poet, and native of
Atlanta,
Georgia,
earned her B.A. in English at
Clark Atlanta University.
Writing since her preteen years, she has written over 1,200 poems
(a few have been published on numerous poetry sites and in poetry
anthologies), and 25 short stories. Her first published book
called Violette Ardor: A Volume of Poetry has received rave
reviews. Violette is currently working on the sequel to her
fantasy novel, a supernatural novel, a life drama novel, and a
screenplay. She also publishes a monthly internet entertainment
newsletter called PeachPublishing on her website that features art,
literature, and miscellaneous features from various artists and
writers from around the globe. The First Chronicle of
Zayashariya: Out of Night is her first novel that will be
released by XYP!
D.L. SPARKS, author of
All That Glitters, lives outside of Atlanta, GA
with her husband and two kids. A passion for reading, which started
at an early age, blossomed into a love of everything literary. D.L.
has a monthly book review column in a local community magazine. In
her spare time, D.L. enjoys spending time with her family and
watching movies. She is an avid reader and a huge Pittsburgh
Steelers fan.
D.L.Sparks
can be reached at:
www.myspace.com/dlsparksonline
or
dlsparks2006@hotmail.com
LINDA
R. HERMAN resides in South Georgia with
her husband and their three kids. While raising two teens and a two year
old as well as holding down a full time job as an emergency 911 dispatcher,
this young woman makes the time to read and write.
Linda dabbles in many writing genres. She
anticipates the release of her first novella, Consequences: When Love
is Blind. Though a work of fiction, the novella will hopefully
raise the awareness of women concerning the spread of HIV/AIDS in our
community. “It’s going to take unity and a lot of faith in God to beat this
deadly disease.”
Born and raised in Beloit, Wisconsin,
DELORSE A. BROWN is a wife, mother and the fifteenth of seventeen children. She
attended Beloit Memorial High and later became a single working mother. In
2000, Delorse married and continued to work for a small company until the
doors were permanently closed in 2005. During that time, she became a
full-time housewife, and decided to take up the hobby of writing. Her debut
novel, All or Nothing, will be released in 2008.
TINISHA
NICOLE JOHNSON lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two
children. She began writing as a hobby at the age of eleven-mostly poetry,
which in later years turned into short stories and then novels.
Searchable Whereabouts is not her first novel, however, it is the first
to be published. Some of her poetry can be displayed on the following site:
www.poetrypoem.com/poetrytnj.
Additionally, Tinisha writes articles for a
local urban community magazine, Denver’s Finest Underground. She
published a short story entitled, Mother and Son Moment, in the
Chicken Soup for the African American Soul in 2004. Lastly, she holds an
Associates Degree in Paralegal and a Bachelors Degree in Business
Management.
When Tinisha isn’t writing, she spends time with
her family and friends, likes to travel and both her and her husband run a
business together.
NATAKI A. SUGGS
is the author of
A Life Beyond Limits: Overcoming Private
Pain, a wife and mother of two. Born and raised in the metropolitan
Washington, DC area, Suggs began writing at a young age. By the age of
eleven, she had already won first place in a poetry writing contest. When
the prime of adolescence hit Suggs’ life, some experiences halted her knack
for writing. However overcoming these same trials caused her to remember and
rebirth her passion for writing.
Over the years, Suggs has used her
writing as a therapeutic expression. Her poetry cries out to
those who feel as if they are alone in their struggles and attempts to give
them feelings of hope and freedom. Although she doesn’t hold a formal
degree, she believes that overcoming trials are her greatest achievements.
Through her works, it is her goal to invoke change in people’s lives.
In her spare time, she reads
motivational books. She also finds time to volunteer for Hospice. Since
another one of her passions is youth, she is currently a substitute teacher
at Laurel High School of Prince George’s County, Maryland. In the midst of
everything in her life, she always gives credence to the Lord Jesus Christ
because without Him, she knows that she wouldn’t have a story to tell, a
poem to write, or a life to live.
MIA A. MOORE
grew up in Illinois approximately thirty miles west of Chicago. She studied
English literature at the University of Illinois at Chicago, earning a
Bachelors of Arts on Mother’s Day. While caring for her young family, she
continued her studies at the university, attending graduate school and
teaching undergraduate English composition.
Mia has been
making up and writing stories of love and romance since as long as she can
remember. She has always had a passion for literature, writing,
communication, rhetoric, and language. Even though, it may seem as if she
was always destined to traverse the path of the romance writer, her vision
was not always so clear when it came to her destiny. Recent life changes,
like Lasik, has brought destiny in clear, full focus. Mia is ready and it is
on! Her debut novel,
Tonight I Give In, will be released June
2007 by Xpress Yourself Publishing, and she is currently working on her
second novel.
As a writer, she
endeavors to create well-developed, multi-layered stories of love and
romance with believable human beings at the center. Mia writes novels with
perfectly flawed, round, dynamic characters located within the framework of
emotionally complex storylines, defined by friendship, romance, intimacy,
sensuality, passion, and love. She desires to entertain with engrossing
stories in which the reader will become emotionally invested, free of
gratuitous drama—drama just for the sake of drama without a well-constructed
purpose. Her ultimate goal is to make you laugh, cry, think, and believe.
On a personal
note, Mia loves spending time with her family. When she is not writing, her
interests include reading, shopping, cooking, and volunteering. She also
likes listening to music, playing an occasional video game, and watching
sports. Mia is an avid sports fan. During March Madness, she is seriously
into “bracketology” and practically sequesters herself at game time (there
really is nothing like the tournament). Her favorite channel is the NFL
Network. Mia really loves football like a man, but truly appreciates certain
aspects of the game like a woman.
KENDA
BELL is an ESSENCE Best Selling author and a self-described cultural sociologist who loves
to dictate the unspoken words of the heart for the masses, with
creativity along with a large helping of sass. She is a member
of the Baltimore Urban League and is active in various
community-based activities for women and children. She is
currently researching and interviewing for a non-fiction version
of For Every Love There Is a Reason, tentatively titled
For Every Love There Is a Reason: Issues of The Hearts.
She has been published in Baltimore Magazine and Honey Magazine.
Currently an online columnist at www.mahoganybutterfly.com,
she resides in Baltimore, Maryland with her king in training,
Keegan.
When Kenda is not writing,
or driving her publisher crazy (love yah), she enjoys exploring the world
with all five senses to learn and grow. She also is a closet TV junkie who
O.D.s on anything from reality television to the History Channel. She can be
reached at
kb621@aol.com or
www.myspace.com/foreverylove. Visit Kenda online at
www.kendabell.com.
Kenda's debut novel,
For
Every Love There Is A Reason will be released February 14, 2007.
MICHAEL J.
BURT is a native of Washington, DC, and the author of Experience
Is Impossible Without a
Chance and Love Changes. Burt has opened
for poet Nikki Giovanni and Def Poet J. Ivy. He is a contributor to
multiple
thought-provoking African American-experience books including Not In My
Family: AIDS in the African American Community, featuring writings by
Patti LaBelle, Mo’Nique, Hill Harper, Al Sharpton, and many more, as well as
a featured poet in ESSENCE Magazine. Visit
Michael J. Burt online at
www.mjburtpoetry.com or
www.myspace.com/poetmjb.
Love Changes will be released February 5, 2007!
MAKENZI was born
and raised in Cleveland, Ohio but has relocated to Norfolk,
Virginia. She majored in Business and has worked in the
financial industry for several years. She has only been writing
for three years and since then she has produced two fiction
novels,
That's How I Like It! and the follow-up
Dangerously, to be released by Xpress Yourself Publishing
September 15, 2006.
Makenzi is a
member of VYSS whose mission is: "To promote, stimulate and
motivate the creativity and vision of African American females."
As
a respected poet, writer and author on the
Philadelphia spoken word scene, ESSENCE Best Seller and Award-Winning
author, BILL HOLMES has
touched many souls through his creative endeavors
by striving towards excellence in everything he does.
His
performances have captivated many audiences
through his unique style of humor, insight, spirituality,
pride, and most importantly, love and appreciation of
a woman. His work has been featured in The Philadelphia Tribune, Essence
Magazine, the spoken word CD Urban Assault, and the anthology
Mine Eyes Have Seen Into the Millennium. Holmes' debut novel,
One Love,
is now available!
JESSICA
TILLES is a best-selling author,
publisher of
Xpress Yourself Publishing, LLC and
founder of
The Writer's Assistant. A native of Washington, DC, she is a
creative writer in all genres of fiction, with several titles in print:
Anything Goes,
In My Sisters' Corner,
Apple Tree,
Sweet Revenge,
Fatal Desire, Unfinished
Business, editor of the best-selling anthology,
Erogenous Zone: A Sexual Voyage,
and contributing author of "Julian's Grace" to
The Triumph of My Soul
edited by Elissa Gabrielle.
Listed in Heather Covington’s Top
100 Literary Divas, Jessica remains humble in her literary endeavors and
continues to assist authors with the business of self-publishing through The
Writer’s Assistant.
As
publisher of Xpress Yourself Publishing (affectionately known as XYP),
she is helping to mold the literary careers of 23 talented authors, which
includes two ESSENCE Best Sellers, an award-winning author, several
award nominees, and a finalist for the 2008 NAACP Image Award nomination
in the Best Debut Novel category. Annually, XYP publishes 10 to 20
titles.
Visit Jessica Tilles online at
www.jessicatilles.com.