 |
 |
|
|
|
|
 Author Showcase |
 Featured Articles |
 Lifestyles |
WELCOME Thank you for visiting EDC Creations'
Black Pearls Magazine online! The EDC Creations Magazine
is a proud bi-weekly publication that both showcases and celebrates the positive
Black image through motivating articles and intimate interviews. We are proud to
boast that we represent emerging writers and poet as well as the household names, in the
publishing industry, who recognize the importance of celebrating African
American heritage and our voice. Ella Curry, President of EDC Creations
Black Pearls Celebrations
Get Caught Reading
Month
Black Writers on Tour
Los Angeles Black
Business Expo Sistahfaith Garments of Praise
Conference
For
Sisters Only 2009 in Charlotte
Authors
on Tour
Black Pearl Favorites
| ||||
|
|
Black Pearls Celebrates Book Clubs and Reader's Groups 
As We Celebrate Our Mothers On
Sunday, May 10, 2009, mothers all over the world will be celebrated in honor of
their special day. As we celebrate our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and those
special women in our lives, let’s keep in mind that they’re worthy of our love
and appreciation each and ever day.The calendar gives mothers one special day out of the year but by God’s grace, mothers give us 365 days strong. Who makes sure the home runs smoothly; the house, no matter how big or small is kept clean, and there is always food? Yes, mother does all that and more. Let’s celebrate these special women in our lives each and every day and remember that being a mother isn’t all about giving birth; it’s all about sacrificing a part of yourself for the benefit of another human being. After the gift of life, the greatest gift I’ve received is prayer. Never underestimate the power of prayer. This Mother’s Day, be inspired to share stories of love, hope, and triumph- Somebody Prayed for Me is available now at online retailers and should be requested at every bookstore and library in the country. Happy Mother’s Day and God bless! Linda R. Herman, Author of Consequences http://www.lindarherman.com
Featured Author Michele Andrea Bowen Book Spotlight: Up at the College
Ella: Michele, Tell us about your
passion for writing. Ella: Where are you from? How did you start your writing journey?
Ella: I read in a previous interview that you have children. How do you balance being a mom in terms of your life as a writer? Does the rest of your life enhance your work as a published author, detract from it, or do these things barely factor in career-wise? Being a mom forces me to balance my life and put everything, work, career, in the proper perspective. My children are proud of their mother. But as my oldest daughter said to her friends a few years ago..."My mommy writes novels, but she is always our mommy and she never forgets that. She makes sure we are okay and remembers what is important to us." My life's work does not detract from writing. Life for me is pretty down-home. It fuels my writing.
Ella:
Introduce us to your new
book Up at the College. He can not understand what all of this "God is the source and the strength of my life...He moves all pain, misery and strife" talk is about. It seems like to do that is to be weak, and certainly not man enough to command a team of basketball players at an historically black university. But as we used to say back in the day--"He thought like Caesar" right before the ill-fated monarch met up with a very disgruntled Marc Anthony. This book is a story of renewal, restoration, love, and finding your strength and joy in the Lord. Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book? I want readers to walk away with joy, less stressed because they laughed so hard, and some insight to what living a life where God is in control looks like. Ella: Finish this sentence: I
am Powerful because... Ella: What is the most
surprising thing you have learned in creating books? Ella: What would you say has
been your most significant achievement as a writer? Ella: Name 3 things that it
takes to make a successful author, in your opinion? Ella: What can we expect from
you in the future? Ella: Share with us your latest
news, awards or upcoming book releases.
This love affair with words took an interesting turn when she responded to a small newspaper ad for people interested in radio. It contained the only three words she needed to see in order to apply-no experience necessary. Attending that first meeting led to a broadcasting certification, an FCC license and a radio career that lasted more than ten years; as a morning-drive disc jockey, award-winning Saturday morning talk show host and eventually program director. During this time she also became involved in theatre, and along with acting began writing and producing stage plays.. These days, Lutishia is rarely far from her computer, having just finished book five of the Hallelujah Love Series. And just to keep it interesting, she sometimes dons an alter-ego, Zuri Day, and writes romance. When not working, Lutishia enjoys travel, theatre, concerts, and whipping up yummy vegetarian dishes for her family and friends. She is based out of Los Angeles, but currently lives in Barcelona, Spain. Ella: Can any one of us be truly content with only our dreams? What action steps did you take to help your dream, of being a writer, become a reality? Well, Ella, the first step I took was to pick up a pen and write! But those first pieces, poetry, weren't even written because I thought I wanted to be a writer, it was just what I loved to do...create. When I began to seriously entertain a writing career, I read a lot and wrote a lot, honing my craft. I joined writer groups, and looked for various ways I could get experience and exposure: news/entertainment reports (radio), newspaper articles, magazine articles, etc. By the time I wrote my first novel, Sex In The Sanctuary, I had been writing professionally off and on for almost ten years. Regarding the first part of your question, I believe dreams are simply Spirit's way of showing us what's possible. If we believe, and take appropriate action, our dreams can become our reality. And believe me, the reality is better than the dream! Ella: There are moments in life, that will inspire the rest of your life. Tell us about the moment in life, that inspired you to become a writer for life! This is going to sound interesting, but losing a job I loved was the inspiration, and the best thing that could have happened! I was working as the managing editor and senior writer of a holistic magazine and I loved what I did. It was a small but vibrant publication and being involved in it was very rewarding. Unfortunately, the owner ran into problems and the company folded. I panicked, and began sending out resumes for not only writing jobs, but other areas where I thought I'd find work faster: sales, marketing, administrative, PR. Girl, I started sending out those resumes and almost got sick to my stomach! The thought of going back into a regular 9-5--all due respect to 9-5ers--but that thought didn't make me feel good at all. I'd gotten spoiled with waking up every day and loving what I did. One day, something happened, something snapped in my spirit. While sitting at my computer, I declared out loud, "I am a writer!". At that exact moment, I decided to put all of my energies into my dream, and let the chips fall where they may. From that day on, I sent out only writing resumes, and watched my meager savings dry up, the bills pile up, my fear creep up, but my faith leap up! Whenever I faltered, I'd remind myself of who I was and whose I was...a writer, and God's beloved daughter. All things are possible, Spirit would whisper. And I believed, Ella! Several weeks later, I got my first ghostwriting client. That project fed me, led to other ghostwriting opportunities and lasted almost a year. I got my first publishing contract a year later. Ella: We are who we are, our actions
define who we really are. Our actions create our brand! What are some of the
actions you have taken, in life or in your writing, that will create an
impact on your readers? When the stories for my series first came to me, I censored the voices as I wrote. The plots were complex, sometimes inspirational, sometimes erotic...sex and scripture often coming within pages of each other! Having grown up in church I knew this would be controversial, but I also knew these voices were reflective of an aspect of "churchanity", they reflected the reality of some people's lives, and dealt with topics that few in the religious community openly discuss. I believe these voices, these stories came through me because I was unconstrained enough to write them. There is a scripture that says "he whom the Son sets free, is free indeed". I think my readers are impacted by the fact that I'm free!
Ella:
In your new book, A Preacher's Passion,
what is the overall message you hope to relay to your readers. Why was it so
important to bring out this message? Ella: What is the best way for readers
and the media to contact you for event invitations or to share reviews? A Preacher's Passion--Available Now! Intimate Conversations with Award Winning Book Clubs Read all of the special interviews 
Intimate Conversation
with Sharon Haynes
Coordinator of Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary Group – Tulsa Chapter Ella: Welcome, Sharon Haynes,
coordinator for the Sisters Sippin’ Tea Literary Group – Tulsa Chapter. -- The Known World by Edward P. Jones -- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison -- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin -- Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe -- My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due Ella: That is a wonderful selection of books! What do you define as Quality Literature? Quality Literature encompasses style, characters, plot and the ability for the written words to come to life and embrace you in a way that totally consumes you. We know the characters personally and can visualize the settings and after reading the book we’re wishing for more. For more details, read the entire article. 
Book Club Presidents Tribute Featured here are the book club presidents that will receive appreciation gifts from Ella Curry, EDC Creations, our publishing partners, authors and community leaders. We want to thank each of the presidents for taking the initiative to create strong foundations in the publishing industry. Each group will receive new books, a exclusive radio interview and a special visit from our featured authors. Join us on BAN Radio May 4-6, 2009 for the celebration ceremony . Enter here.
Meet Marina Woods
President of GoodGirlBookClubOnline ™ Meet
Diana Glasgow President of Essence Of Books Book Club Our goal is to read, discuss
and reenact the events of the book. Our monthly meetings are held on Friday
night where we get together for a fun filled sisterhood night of discussion,
debating, eating, drinking and bonding. We have had authors attend our meetings
to discuss their books, we have also indulged in a pole dancing experiment when
the book we read main character was a stripper. Our members put 110% into their
meeting. Each book and theme is scored monthly and hostess of the year and book
of the year receives a beautiful crystal plague. We also end the year with a
spectacular Christmas gift exchange and outing to a local restaurant to
celebrate another year of books! We travel once a year with a weekend spa
getaway, our favorite spa getaways have included Las Vegas , NV and Palm
Springs, Ca. We have a Vice President, Gina Gray and an event coordinator, Euvon
Cox who are extremely important to the operations of the Essence of books book
club. Meet Book Reviewer Terri Schlichenmeyer and owner of The Bookworm Sez, LLC
My then-husband was loudly complaining about my "book habit". I was working at a radio station at the time, so I thought maybe I could put my books to good use. I asked if I could do radio reviews. A couple months later, a friend-of-a-friend asked me to do a newspaper article. I saw that there was a market for low-cost, reliable book reviewers so I started marketing myself and here I am... Ella: Did you have any formal business training? I spent 5 years as the copywriter at that radio station. Because I was considered a part of the sales dept., I was expected to attend all sales training (even though it had no direct use for my job at the time). After I started writing my column, I took what I learned from my former job and applied it to my own business. Ella: What separates you and your firm from the competition? I have a style all my own. I'm reliable and professional. I can churn out four or five quality columns each week, ON TIME and within word count, spell-checked and ready to go. Because I offer so many options, editors can choose what they want to run. And I'm inexpensive. Read more details about this organization by clicking here
Ella:
Share with us what iZania is and why you started it. Read more details about this organization by clicking here
Meet Yvonne
Perry is a freelance writer, newsletter publisher and editor
Yvonne
Perry is a freelance writer and editor, award-winning, bestselling Amazon.com
author, podcast host, blogger, newsletter publisher, Internet marketing guru,
and the owner of Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services (WITS). She
graduated from American Institute of Holistic Theology where she earned a
Bachelor of Science in Metaphysics.
Meet Editor and
Reporter Rhonda Crowder Offering
developmental, content, and copy services to authors and publishers, Rhonda
Crowder is a freelance editor who has worked on seven novels in less than three
years with two appearing on the Essence bestsellers list. Currently, she lives
in Cleveland, Ohio and is a general assignment reporter for the Call and Post
Newspapers as well as a contributing writer for magazines and trade
publications. Rhonda is also an aspiring novelist and has been featured in Who's
Who in Black Cleveland. Meet Tasha
Martin President of SistahFriend Book Club
Currently, Tasha is a marriage
and family counselor, practicing in South Carolina. She is also a freelance web
designer. In hopes to further promote quality African-American literature, she
plans to soon establish an editing firm and transform the SFBC into an
international book club. She resides in Columbia, SC with her husband and
daughter, Blu. Meet Circle of Essence Book Club President- Lauren Yoni Benson
She is also the co-founder of The Good Book Teens, a book club for local teen girls. The teen book club serves as a tool to enjoy literature of diverse genre and to give to the community through youth. Yoni is also active in Galveston Reads, an effort to get the community of Galveston Island to read. Yoni was born on
Galveston Island. She attended public schools in Galveston and LaMarque.
She attended Texas Southern University of Houston Texas where she received her
undergraduate and graduate degrees in Urban Sociology.
Read more details about this organization by clicking
here Meet SBS Book Club President- Mashawn
Meet Angelia Vernon Menchan, Author, Reviewer and Publisher
Give us a deeper understanding of how important
reading is to you.
Meet Tiffany Rainey President of the Distinct
Ladies Book Club As President of the club I try to bring
new and exciting authors to meet our ladies. I try to keep their interest peeked
to come them coming back for more. I wouldn't trade DLBC for nothing in the
world.
Meet Dayna Turner President Nubian Queens Book Club
Meet Nikkea Smithers President of Readers With Attitude Book Club
Read more details about this organization by clicking here
Meet Sharney Thomas
President of Xpress Yo'self Book Club
Share
with us the history of the organization.
Meet
Keyonda Campbell - President of Kreative Readers
Intimate Conversation with the Women of Character Book Club Welcome Black Authors Network, join me in welcoming Jenelle of the Women of Character Book Club. Please take a moment and read the exciting Intimate Conversation and leave your questions or comments below.  EDC: Tell us how The Women of Character Book Club was developed.WOC: I was introduced to Christian fiction in 2004 by an angel in disguise, Pamela, who suggested that I read Jamellah Ellis' book, "That Faith, That Trust, That Love." This novel was given to me at a time in my life when I was going "THROUGH IT" both spiritually and emotionally! It was as if the Lord spoke directly to me through this novel. Soon after, I began reading so much that it had become like oxygen; I needed it to survive. This divine intervention caused a new-found interest in Christian fiction, which was very empowering and inspirational because I was able to see myself in many of the characters with a spiritual lesson being revealed in each one. I believe that because of the seed that was sown into my life, it is now my ministry to share the word of God by blessing others with the opportunity of experiencing God's love through Christian fiction. Read more details about this organization
Meet C. Jay founder of Risque Cafe
Featured Community Inspirations Book Spotlight: In the Land of Cotton  Ella: Martha, tell us a little bit about your life and career. I am a sixty year old grandmother of four. My writing career, until the last few years, has been one of those “don’t quit your day job arrangements”. I am a tax professional who discovered early on that my creative writing skills came in handy when writing client letters to the IRS. Ella: Share with a peek inside your passion for writing. My passion for writing becomes evident in my books. It is a blessed opportunity to give birth to a character and watch them grow throughout the development of the story. Ella: Please introduce us to your new book, In the Land of Cotton. SLAVERY IS MORE THAN CHAINS AND SHACKLES SLAVERY IS A STATE OF MIND Immerse yourself in this highly anticipated political docu-drama set in the Deep South amidst the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement. Martha was a young white girl living in the Deep South, inundated with the racist sentiments of the times. But Martha's natural curiosity and generous heart led her to question this racial divide. When she discovered a primitive Negro family living deep in the woods near her house, everyone's life changed forever. Take the journey of a lifetime alongside Martha as she forges relationships that lead to self discovery and a clearer understanding of the world around her. In the Land of Cotton provides an outstanding snapshot of life in the South during those troubled times - a snapshot everyone should take a close look at, regardless of era or color. The year was 1956. Ella: Do you think Black History should be celebrated year round? Black History should be a daily celebration. Everyone should celebrate the sacrifices that have been made for the sake of freedom. Black History has rich roots that have woven the very fabric of equality. It has positioned every Black American to make history and not just be a part of history. Ella: What makes your book stand out and would entice a reader to pick it up? I hope the cover represents the book well. I wanted it to preview the contents and draw the reader inside. It makes the reader curious. Readers will love the depth of emotion that flows through this book. As a child growing up in Memphis I could not have known that the Boyd family, the main characters in In the Land of Cotton, would have such a haunting effect on me. Last fall, their indelible personas became overwhelming. They were all I could think about. I sat down one afternoon and the book began to flow to paper. I still had vivid memories of Cypress Grove, a primitive farm the Boyd family had lived on since the days of the Civil War. They had no electricity, no running water and certainly no refrigeration yet they wanted for nothing. It was a step back in time but, as a child, I wanted to be part of that. As the reader journeys through the 1960's, they travel along side the Boyd family as they experience the historic events of that decade. You will find as a reader that you will become immediately vested in the characters. The Boyd's have the voice for every Black American that lived through those turbulent times. Ella: Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book? Ultimately, if you lived through the 60's, I want you to revisit all the history that decade produced. If you weren't alive in the 60's, you need to learn about that decade from someone who had a ringside seat. Ella: What advice would you give a new writer? There are so many things I would share with a new writer but these are my top three. #1- Pick a topic you know well or that you have enough interest in to do the research. Most new writers write on subjects that are mostly autobiographical in nature. There's a reason for that. #2-Don't write and rewrite your work. Complete it, start to finish, then go back through it with fresh eyes. You won't loose your chain of thought and you won't loose your momentum. This tip will really improve the flow of your work. #3- You have to be true to your characters- even the ones you do not like. Your readers have to be able to relate to them on some level. You want someone to be able to “see” your characters and think, “Yeah, I know someone like that.” Ella: What can we expect from you in the future? I am very committed to the Boyd’s and bringing the various family stories to life. The next book, Dixie, will begin right before the Civil War and end at 1900. I can hardly to see how the historical events of those years will unfold and how they will effect the Boyd family. Martha A. Taylor Author "In the Land of Cotton" ISBN:978-1432734718 Buy the Book Today Email me at Dixiewriter@aol.com
Book
Spotlight: Body by Night by
Zuri Day D'Andra Smalls has had enough. She's tired of being overweight, she's had it with her overbearing family, and she's fed up with settling for any guy who'll have her-especially since she caught her boyfriend cheating with her best friend. But working out and avoiding delicious food is easy compared to resisting the charms of Los Angeles' hottest personal trainer, JaJuan "Night" Simmons. Six feet of chiseled muscle and fine chocolate, he's challenging her body in all the right ways-and proving there's a sensitive, caring guy under the good looks. Their shared career goals of promoting health and fitness bring them even closer together. But D'Andra feels it may be too much of a good thing. After succeeding in taking command of her life, can she risk losing control of her heart? BiographyZuri Day has been enthralled with the wonder of words since mouthing her first one-Tuffy, the name of the family dog-at less than a year old. When not penning novels, she's a voracious reader and world traveler, always ready to search out the next exciting locale for a juicy story plot. When she comes home, it's to Los Angeles, CA, where she enjoys theatre, sports, working out, and whipping up vegetarian meals for her family and friends. Buy now.
Resilience
With the newly developed Black Authors Network Culture Center we've created an innovative platform that encourages people world wide to stop and partake of our literary gifts. The blog community for The Black Authors Network Talk Show will unite readers from around the world. We will explore important issues and engage in debates about how we should move forward, while empowering readers to learn more--and do more--to make a difference in the global African American community. I can not do this alone, I need YOU! Each of you plays a vital part in helping reshape who and what we are as a people. Each one of us represents the entire population--let that statement help you to make wiser decisions and to encourage you to bring your collective families into the fold. We can do this people! We can become a force that the world recognizes as brilliant and resourceful, Barack Obama has opened door, let's follow his lead! Enter the Black Authors Network Culture Center.
Return to EDC Creations Media Group Home
| |||||||
Ella
Curry, the CEO of Black Pearls Magazine, sits down with author Michele
Andrea Bowen to discuss her career and new book. Michele graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with
an M.A. in History and a M.P.H. in Public Health. She lives in Durham, North
Carolina. For more information please visit
Ella Curry, the CEO of 
Marina
Woods is a graduate of North Park University in Chicago where she received a
B.A. in Communication Arts. With a strong desire to utilize her gifts in writing
and speaking, Woods began pursuing her dream of working in Radio/TV. Upon
graduation, Woods worked for Clear Channel Radio as a communications
coordinator. Soon after, Woods began seeking the Lord for direction of how best
to integrate her creative strengths and passions while working in the media. She
began freelancing for various advertising and public relations agencies. Two
years later she landed the position of syndicator for The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Still feeling unfulfilled spiritually and professionally, Woods again sought the
Lord for direction, this time inquiring about her passion for books, her
aspiration to have an enlarged territory and a medium to encourage women to
spend their leisure time in a rewarding way. Stepping out on faith, in 1999
Woods founded www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com, the #1 Destination for Today’s
Aspiring Woman where she serves as President and Chief Marketing Officer. She is
a trailblazer for bringing Christian and inspirational books to a national
audience when Christian books were unheard of and unpopular. To her credit she
has inspired hundreds of writers to become Christian and inspirational author’s
and countless others begin ventures publicizing Christian and inspirational
books.
Diana
Glasgow founded the Essence Of Books book club in March 1997, due to her love of
books. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA where she attended elementary, middle and
high school. Mother of two daughters and a granddaughter. Board of directors for
a local mentoring youth foundation and full time job skills training specialist
for a major utility company.
Ella: 
Ella:
Roger, welcome to Black Pearls. Please tell us a little about you.
Tasha
Martin's love for African-American literature began in high school when she
secretly read under her mother's nose, All For Love by Raynetta Manees. Her
interest was further piqued after taking an African-American Literature class
during undergrad at the University of South Carolina. She remembers thinking,
"There must be more!" In a span of three months, she read over twenty Arabesque
romances, and sought desperately to spread her newfound love. Sending out
handmade pink and black invites to close friends and family in November of 2004,
here passion sparked the beginning of the SistahFriend Book Club, a sisterhood
dedicated to promoting literacy and women empowerment in the community.
An
introduction to reading by her mother at an early age has afforded Yoni Benson a
relationship with reading that has spanned over forty years. She is the founder
of Circle of Essence Book Club. Through the book club she has gained a
tremendous amount of knowledge regarding the literary world including, writing
and publishing vs. self-publishing. The book club has celebrated five
years of reading, discussion, fellowship, and author signings. Ms. Benson
participated in the first African American Book Club Summit at Sea. 
Share
with us the history of the organization.
Hello
Black Pearl family, I am Angelia Vernon Menchan, Author, Reviewer, Publisher, I
review books for Amazon Vine Review team at www.amazon.com and APOOO BookClub at
www.apooobooks.com.
Share
with us the history of the organization.
In
November 2000 the Nubian Queens Book Club Meeting had its first Book Club
Meeting. I had moved to Riverside in 1995 and wanted someone to discuss the
books I would read. I prayed and ask God to send me the right women to get the
book club started. Each member chose a book for us to read. We meet
monthly and feature a good news segment, a journal segment and a Sistah Circle
where we can discuss issues that are relevant to the ladies. We have done The
Riverside Black History Parade, Moreno Valley Black History Parade and the
Revlon Breast Cancer Walk/run. We have donated toys and food to the homeless and
less fortunate families at Christmas time
Nikkea
Smithers is a dynamic writer and spoken word artist originally from Connecticut
currently residing in Richmond , VA. She is also the president of the award
winning Readers With Attitude Bookclub which has been recognized as a force to
be reckoned with in the literary industry. Her vision with RWA has been achieved
with being able to introduce the world to both self published and traditionally
published authors. She has released several novels and poetry compilations. Her
writing style is unique as she uses her ability to play on words throughout each
project. Her novels flair with the explicit details of life told through her
characters eyes. Her novel Sweet Dreams shot up the Essence Magazine’s
Bestsellers list within five months of its release proving that her stories are
provocative, fresh and truthful making her reader’s lifelong fans. Her readers
have fallen in love with her ‘tell it like it is’ approach to writing and she
has been crowned ‘Author of the Year’ for 2008 by Xander Magazine. Nikkea’s
books address issues that need to be discussed but are not overly saturated
making her stand out in the literary industry. 
Share
the History of the Kreative Readers
