EDC Creations Virtual Book Tours--We Love African American Literature and Book Clubs!

Spotlight Author: Sherryle Kiser Jackson
Give the Gift of Knowledge Campaign

EDC Creations, The Sankofa Literary Society and The Black Authors Network announced the launch of their 2009-2010 "Give the Gift of Knowledge Campaign," bringing readers and authors together to help improve literacy. In 2004, during the Christmas holidays, Ella Curry, the founder of EDC Creations, reached out to women's groups and literary organizations to help promote early literacy by giving new books to children from low income homes.

Today, the "Give the Gift of Knowledge Campaign," seeks to expand even further! “Based on the “each one teach one,” model, our goal is to help people introduce reading and new books to their family and friends,” says CEO and founder of EDC creations, Ella Curry. “Instead of giving expensive gifts that don't shape lives----let's “Give the Gift of Knowledge” and help to strengthen our future generations!” We now invite you, the readers, to join us by supporting the authors below and buying books as gifts!

Each year thousands of people — educators, concerned parents, community leaders, authors, poets and publishers — devote their time and resources to presenting the reader with great books! However, too many outstanding books do not get the attention and reader support that they deserve. It is our mission to connect readers with these hidden gems and bring them books that will change their lives.

Each week EDC Creations will sponsor bookclub chats, live readings from authors, podcast presentations, seminars, community relations discussions, and radio shows that deliver the best our writers have to offer. All we ask is that the readers of the world spread the word. Check out the information below and invite this author to chat with you and 5-10 friends via Skype, tele-conference or a speaker phone meeting. If you would like to spotlight this author on your blog, website, magazine or radio show, email Ella Curry at: elladcurry@edc-creations.com
If you have already read the book, share your reviews with us by clicking here.

Who said there isn't a manual for love, relationships and raising kids?

With a chance to confront their past with the hindsight of adulthood,
two high school sweethearts must forgive and forget to raise their teenaged son.

The Manual by Sherryle Kiser Jackson
Website: www.sherrylejackson.com

"Blessed are the children, for they shall inherit the earth."
Need a manual on raising children and having healthy relationships? Refer to the Bible. That's what Deidre Collins' inner spirit is telling her to do now that Andre, her son's father, is back in town after deserting them eight years ago.

At fourteen years old, her son, DeAndre, is struggling with his own issues-peer pressure, problems at school, and figuring out how to navigate his first crush.

When DeAndre gets suspended from school for ten days, Andre sees it as the perfect opportunity to get to know his son-and to get closer to Deidre. Can this couple overcome the past for the sake of their son's future?

Now available on Amazon-The Manual (October 2009)
ISBN-10: 1601629354; ISBN-13: 978-1601629357
www.sherrylejackson.com

Author Sherryle Kiser Jackson is a fresh voice in Christian fiction. Her style reflects an honest commentary on her life with Christ. Soon and Very Soon is her debut novel. She anxiously awaits the publication of her second novel, The Manual, October 2009. Experience her too real to be preachy, Biblically based, out-the-Christian-box fiction at www.sherrylejackson.com

Soon and Very Soon (Urban Christian) by Sherryle Kiser Jackson
Everyone thought the ten month courtship and marriage between Willie Green, the strait-laced pastor of the traditional Harvest Baptist church, and Vanessa Morton, the dynamo preacher-pastor from the contemporary Mt. Pleasant Baptist church, was too soon. Neither pastor realized that after the nuptials, all heck would break loose as they planned to combine their respective churches.

The honeymoon abruptly comes to an end as Willie tries to maintain control of his congregation as the staunch Deacon, Charley Thompson, and a group of dissenters go to extreme lengths to keep their religious routine going at Harvest. Meanwhile, Vanessa struggles with the new balancing act of being a competent co-pastor and a nurturing first lady to her husband. The price of having too much too soon leads them both to deal in their own way with letting go of the way things used to be.

Purchase the book today! (Book info: ISBN-10: 1601629354; ISBN-13: 978-1601629357)

The Manual Video Preview by Sherryle Kiser Jackson

Author Sherryle Kiser Jackson is a fresh voice in Christian fiction. Her style reflects an honest commentary on her life with Christ. Soon and Very Soon is her debut novel. She anxiously awaits the publication of her second novel, The Manual, October 2009 Experience her too real to be preachy, Biblically based, out-the-Christian-box fiction at www.sherrylejackson.com or on www.myspace.com/sherrylejackson

The Manual (Urban Christian)
Who said there isn't a manual for love, relationships and raising kids?
The second novel, The Manual from author, Sherryle Jackson who brought you Soon and Very Soon will be released in October 2009. With a chance to confront their past with the hindsight of adulthood, The Manual, takes a realistic look into the lives of two unequally-yoked high school sweethearts who must forgive and forget to raise their teenaged son.

Website: www.sherrylejackson.com      Purchase the book today!    (Book info: ISBN-10: 1601629354; ISBN-13: 978-1601629357)

Follow the author as she chronicles the journey on her blog: www.makingthemanual.blogspot.com

Soon and Very Soon Video Preview
A twist on the classic love story. Two pastors meet, marry and combine everything, including their churches. Sundays will never be the same.

Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Urban Books (December 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601629494
ISBN-13: 978-1601629494

The Manual Video Preview
Author Sherryle Kiser Jackson is a fresh voice in Christian fiction. Her style reflects an honest commentary on her life with Christ. Soon and Very Soon is her debut novel. She anxiously awaits the publication of her second novel, The Manual, October 2009 Experience her too real to be preachy, Biblically based, out-the-Christian-box fiction at www.sherrylejackson.com or on www.myspace.com/sherrylejackson

The Manual (Urban Christian)
Who said there isn't a manual for love, relationships and raising kids?
The second novel, The Manual from author, Sherryle Jackson who brought you Soon and Very Soon will be released in October 2009. With a chance to confront their past with the hindsight of adulthood, The Manual, takes a realistic look into the lives of two unequally-yoked high school sweethearts who must forgive and forget to raise their teenaged son.

Website: www.sherrylejackson.com      Purchase the book today!    (Book info: ISBN-10: 1601629354; ISBN-13: 978-1601629357)

Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Urban Books (September 29, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1601629354
ISBN-13: 978-1601629357

Radio Interviews with author Sherryle Kiser Jackson

Soon and Very Soon
Everyone thought the ten month courtship and marriage between Willie Green, the strait-laced pastor of the traditional Harvest Baptist church, and Vanessa Morton, the dynamo preacher-pastor from the contemporary Mt. Pleasant Baptist church, was too soon. Neither pastor realized that after the nuptials, all heck would break loose as they planned to combine their respective churches. The honeymoon abruptly comes to an end as Willie tries to maintain control of his congregation as the staunch Deacon, Charley Thompson, and a group of dissenters go to extreme lengths to keep their religious routine going at Harvest. Meanwhile, Vanessa struggles with the new balancing act of being a competent co-pastor and a nurturing first lady to her husband. The price of having too much too soon leads them both to deal in their own way with letting go of the way things used to be. Book info: ISBN-10: 1601629354; ISBN-13: 978-1601629357

The Manual (October 2009)
"Blessed are the children, for they shall inherit the earth."
Need a manual on raising children and having healthy relationships? Refer to the Bible. That's what Deidre Collins' inner spirit is telling her to do now that Andre, her son's father, is back in town after deserting them eight years ago.

At fourteen years old, her son, DeAndre, is struggling with his own issues-peer pressure, problems at school, and figuring out how to navigate his first crush. When DeAndre gets suspended from school for ten days, Andre sees it as the perfect opportunity to get to know his son-and to get closer to Deidre. Can this couple overcome the past for the sake of their son's future?

ISBN-10: 1601629354; ISBN-13: 978-1601629357
www.sherrylejackson.com

By Sherryle Kiser Jackson

Friendiligence is one of those Internet buzzwords up for consideration to be added to the upcoming edition of the Merriman Webster Dictionary. Google it. It loosely means the time and energy used to establish and maintain friends and friend requests mainly on social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. As an author trying to navigate the vastness of the World Wide Web in order to market and promote my book, friendiligence most surely is an action verb. It is the type of action that can take the man hours of two full time jobs to complete effectively.

I must admit I haven’t been a very good friend this year, virtual or otherwise, being reprimanded by my oldest and dearest buddy for being aloof and insensitive because I told her about my mom’s surgery in a blanket Reply-All email. I’ve even been guilty of sending condolences in a text message, albeit, a sincere and well written text message. I had to check myself on that one. I would have pressed less characters dialing the ten digit number, speaking the sentiment to a live person and would have registered more sincerity points. I told myself that I can’t be that busy.

Bottom line, the people we interface with everyday in person and those we connect with through the Internet want to be treated like real friends, not spam. It takes due diligence to establish and maintain those connections. As an educator and citizen of the world I’m keenly aware that social skills and a certain amount of tooting your own horn (self-marketing and promotion) is the new literacy. Making connections with people is and will always be the most important skill set for every career path.

My pastor quoted last week that theoretically your less than five people away from getting in contact with anyone. Like six degrees of separation. I contemplated the probability of getting my next novel, The Manual to Oprah’s producers as soon as I get it in galley form. Now, we are talking about people that on any giving day are in between attitude adjustments, reality checks and lattes. There are a lot of variables to take into consideration, but I think we’ve all witnessed a miracle in our own lives when everything aligns, you make that nearly impossible connection and doors open. Even if it only happens about as frequently as a total eclipse.

So there is something to this friendiligence thing. Verizon wireless says your service is only as good as the network your on. I think the key to success is rooted in what you already know about establishing good friendships. You learned it from Grandma. I have compiled a few do’s and don’ts to help you beef up your network.

Choose your friends wisely Momma didn’t let you just play with anyone. Many of us join these social networks to help build a brand or image. We shop through graphics, create slideshows and pimp our profiles to coincide with that image. You can’t accept everyone’s friend request. Do a little investigation to see if the potential friend meshes with your brand, image and values.

Check in What’s the matter? Did your fingers fall off? You can’t call, email of text a person? I was that person that used my email inbox as a caller id of sorts. I would see that some left me a message on My Space and think to myself, “That’s nice.” Or, screen my messages to see who I wanted to reply to. I figured out that it won’t shave time off my life to comment to a blog post about a new pet or to send out a birthday greetings. Remember it’s about connection. Relationships are reciprocal. I wouldn’t want to be guilty of calling on my friends only when I need something.

Treat others the way you want to be treated Before you capture gazillion friends or even capture that ma many email address and inundate them with comments, bulletins and messages like a telemarketer, think about it. Do you like it when you return to your page and find a bulletin the size of Mt. Rushmore on your space (My Space). Similarly, you want other people to get a word in on your wall (Facebook) in between the continuous post of an overzealous cyberfriend. Less is more. Work on a brief constructive response.

Ask for help I admitted my weakness. Friendiligence was kickin’ my butt. A good friend of mine, Ella Curry, internet publicist, and founder and host of the Black Authors Network radio show sent me an email this summer that gave me an epiphany. It said that she had some assistants answering her accounts and that she was away from her business for a time and estimated the time she would get back to me. I appreciated the time line. At least I didn’t feel like I was being ignored. I found out later that she had hired some tech savvy teens in her family to help her keep up with emails and requests on her My Space account. I got to thinking about how empowering this was for a young person to be outsourced for certain administrative duties. This wasn’t your typical paper route and lemonade stand gig.

Friendiligence, write it three times and use it in a sentence. I’m sorry, that’s the teacher in me. Social networking sites are not an accidental phenomenon. People are making the necessary contacts to get discovered, to gain exposure, and to stay connected. Friendiligence is not something you can just talk about. You have to be about it.

Sherryle Kiser Jackson is a fresh voice in Christian fiction. Her style reflects an honest commentary on her life with Christ. Soon and Very Soon is her debut novel. She anxiously awaits the publication of her second novel, The Manual, October 2009. Experience her too real to be preachy, Biblically based, out-the-Christian-box fiction at www.sherrylejackson.com or on www.Myspaceom.c/sherrylejackson

The second novel, The Manual from author, Sherryle Jackson who brought you Soon and Very Soon will be released in October 2009. With a chance to confront their past with the hindsight of adulthood, The Manual, takes a realistic look into the lives of two unequally-yoked high school sweethearts who must forgive and forget to raise their teenaged son.

Follow the author as she chronicles the journey from conception to the printed page. Paperback: 304 pages ISBN-10: 1601629354 ISBN-13: 978-1601629357

Thrifted, Not Re-Gifted?
By Sherryle Kiser Jackson

Thrifted, Not Re-gifted

A funny thing happen to me at the thrift store. As I was scanning the bookshelves for the latest literary cast-offs my daughter cried out to me after unearthing a slightly worn copy of my debut novel, Soon and Very Soon-with a signature, no less. I haven't done many of these. This gave me pause. I was insulted. I felt the way I did when I found my favorite cassette tape of all time, New Edition's NE Heartbreak album in the bargain bin at Sam Goody record store. Surely, it was a mistake. The owner must have been like those clueless sad-sacks who give away one-of-a-kind artwork only to find it out its worth later on the Antique's Roadshow.

I made my daughter take me to the exact same spot where she found it. I examine the void it left on the shelf between an outdated volume of the Childcraft encyclopedia and another book as if it would give me some clue as to who could have given my baby away. I want to know this person's identity more than anything. See, my book only came out seven months ago, and we were in my neighborhood. I was sure I could crack the case. That's only a twenty-five to thirty mile radius to cover. Not exactly a case for Scotland Yard. I narrow the field of known residents that I had told about the book or sold the book to. Just when I think I have a list compiled, I think how ridiculous this whole thing is. How do you tactfully ask someone, did you happen to pitch my book out with your argyle sweater and Hammer pants? Was there no one you could personally give the book to? Ever hear of paperback swap, for goodness sake.

There had to be a logical explanation. The writer in me had me sit down at the kiddy desk set they were selling for just $7 to ponder a few possible ones. Maybe this person had a husband like mine who constantly threatens, "Don't bring another book in this house." But of course this person couldn't resist my realistic tale about two pastors that marry and combine their churches. So she took the risk and discarded the evidence immediately after the last page. Yeah, that's it.

Just when I thought I could rest a bit after a major signing at my sorority's convention at the end of this month. Yeah, maybe I'll do the Baltimore Book Festival in September, then the Capitol Book Festival. I've got a sequel to write. I can't possibly create and promote simultaneously. Soon and Very Soon will do alright. Wrong. I got a few more calls to make, connections to follow-up on and weekends to book with signings.

"Look mommy, you've got that book."

That's my six year old who has gotten good at reading the spin of books. She gets caught up on the last syllable of Terri McMillan's last name as she spots the hardback copy of A Day Late and a Dollar Short. I do own that book. I stood in line for hours while pregnant to get it signed at the crowded-to-overflowing Karibu books in the Bowie Town Center (Don't get me started. That's a whole nother lament). I would have loved to get it for $2.10. Just thirty more cents than my book was going for at the Waldorf Thrift Store.

God has a sense of humor. Just as I was about to grab my book up and discreetly pay for it at the counter like it was the last scandal sheet written about me left on the newsstand, I realized I've gotten some real good books here. I wasn't thinking, poor Audre Lorde when I picked her book of poems up and added it to my library. I've found, read and treasured, Grisham, Jakes, Gaines, and Steele.

I could take it home, wipe the red colored pencil price tag off with a bay wipe and add it to the other books packed to go to Florida-for sale for $15 a pop. Generic signature could easily be personalized on the spot. Dead wrong-maybe, maybe not. ( I put this is print so I wouldn't be tempted to do that)

I left the copy of Soon and Very Soon on the shelf next to the outdated volume of the Childcraft encyclopedia and the other book. God has plans for that book right there. My goal was that it would be widely read and that it would be a blessing to the reader. I couldn't think of a better place for that goal to be accomplished.

###

ABOUT SHERRYLE
Sherryle Kiser Jackson is the author of Soon and Very Soon and the soon to be released novel, The Manual (October 2009), which is dedicated to her only living aunt, Janette. Her passion is to one day preserve the graceful elegance of her nine aunts and their churching traditions in a Black Memorabilia collection called Church Lady Ways. THE MANUAL: 304 PAGES/ ISBN: 1601629354/ OCT. 2009/ URBAN CHRISTIAN

Sherryle Jackson describes her novels as too real to be preachy, Biblically based, and out-the-Christian-box. She has also branded herself as a book club’s best friend, making sure to be accessible to book club’s either in person or by phone conferencing during her 2009 book tour schedule. To schedule speaking engagements, book signings, online/telephone conference contact Author, Sherryle Jackson at www.sherrylejackson.com or email: sherrylek@aol.com

Buy Books by author Sherryle K. Jackson at Amazon

Amidst writing deadlines and the constant booksignings, and promotions, I took time out to revisit the journal and the well of words I call, Recurring Thoughts. These are my emotions in written form-in the form of poetry. I found unrequited love, lust, passion and prayers in the shuffle. Some of my fellow authors and fans of my Christian fiction might be surprised. I surprised myself as I was reflected back to the origin of each poem while reading them.

I pulled them out to be a participant on Literary Pizzazz, a Blogtalk radio show promoting the Literary Word. They featured what they called Poetic Shots. Then again with my Black Authors Showcase family. I was heard with other very prolific poets. I shared the poem I wrote for my mother while she was going through chemotherapy for her bout with cancer.

My Momma's Bald Head

I can see faith in it's purest form
in my momma's bald head, I see
beauty and bravery
dignity and grace

I see assurance that only God can give
in my momma's bald head, I see
places infection can't evade
and doctors can't cut

I see a new definition of femininity
in my momma's bald head, I see
perseverance as her best asset
rather than breast or hair

I see a strength that was unclear
amidst the hair tangled with her immortality
in my momma's bald head, I see that
disease doesn't not mean demise!

ABOUT SHERRYLE
Sherryle Kiser Jackson is the author of Soon and Very Soon and the soon to be released novel, The Manual (October 2009), which is dedicated to her only living aunt, Janette. Her passion is to one day preserve the graceful elegance of her nine aunts and their churching traditions in a Black Memorabilia collection called Church Lady Ways. THE MANUAL: 304 PAGES/ ISBN: 1601629354/ OCT. 2009/ URBAN CHRISTIAN

Sherryle Jackson describes her novels as too real to be preachy, Biblically based, and out-the-Christian-box. She has also branded herself as a book club’s best friend, making sure to be accessible to book club’s either in person or by phone conferencing during her 2009 book tour schedule. To schedule speaking engagements, book signings, online/telephone conference contact Author, Sherryle Jackson at www.sherrylejackson.com or email: sherrylek@aol.com

Buy Books by author Sherryle K. Jackson at Amazon

Who knew there was a standard size as far as word count for trade paper back novels? I found out when my editor announced to the listserv of talent on the rooster after our inaugural year (2007) that our books are as a whole too wordy. Apparently a good size for a novel like mine was between 65,000-85,000 words. Wow, I thought, my first novel, Soon and Very Soon, was over that at 96,205. Some brought to question the contract that said up to 100,00. As it turns out that wasn't a suggested marker, but it would be mine.

I was writing The Manual, I mean - THE MANUAL, as the name suggests I was already at that point at 147,000 words and counting as I wasn't finished that draft. I must of thought I was Wally Lamb as the book neared 400 pages. A corporate manual was thick, right? I was in the thick of it, totally attached and in love with every character, every line, every word, and in its precise order. It was a blow. I was on point with my deadlines and I even considered sending it in and hoping my editor wouldn't notice the extra verbiage.

Alas, sensibility took over and I sent her a courtesy email. I told her my dilemma and asked very graciously did she want to read it and tell me what she thought could be cut or did she want to give me more time to bring it in under count. Guess which one she choose?

We all know it's the author's job to clean up their manuscript as much as possible. SO, here began the arduous task of cutting the fat of the book by 40,000 words. It wasn't like I could just whack off the last 4 chapters of the thing. The characters had revealed where they were going and the ending was set in stone. I just had to go through every line of dialogue, every event in the plot, every thought and piece of narration and relentlessly get to whacking. At first it felt as if I was losing an appendage, an appendix or something similarly vital. I literally made the decision, used the highlight feature with my mouse and closed my eyes as I pressed delete. I must have re-read the novel over 5 times with edits each time and it was still too lengthy.

I checked in with my editor and she told me to go through this time and think about the flow of the novel. Each chapter should advance the plot, not slow it down. There are only certain chapters that you camp, meaning where you take up residence and give the needed background information or research that either reveals motivation of characters or explains phenomenon occurring in the novel. The other chapters you march right through with fast pace, page turning narration. Her advice reminded me about the writing reference, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, with such pearls of wisdom such as, 'Readers don't require direction, but rather distraction,' and don't be afraid to cut anything that doesn't fit or make sense, even it is your favorite line, or as my editor Joy says, " even if it really happen to your best friend."

It all became clear to me, and easier. I became Edward Scissorhands with the copy and delete button. I stripped down minor characters who were morphing their way to major character status. I cut out a date scene set at a posh DC dessert bar that had decadent items to drizzle under a Godiva chocolate fountain. This wasn't your classic Ice cream and malt shoppe. I remember painstakingly describing the ambiance down to the track lighting and the delectable down to the buttery coating-all gone. The guys she was dating was gone so the spot had to go also. It was liberating, and I found a leaner, more concise story with only my basic plot structure and themes remaining.

ABOUT SHERRYLE
Sherryle Kiser Jackson is the author of Soon and Very Soon and the soon to be released novel, The Manual (October 2009), which is dedicated to her only living aunt, Janette. Her passion is to one day preserve the graceful elegance of her nine aunts and their churching traditions in a Black Memorabilia collection called Church Lady Ways. THE MANUAL: 304 PAGES/ ISBN: 1601629354/ OCT. 2009/ URBAN CHRISTIAN

Sherryle Jackson describes her novels as too real to be preachy, Biblically based, and out-the-Christian-box. She has also branded herself as a book club’s best friend, making sure to be accessible to book club’s either in person or by phone conferencing during her 2009 book tour schedule. To schedule speaking engagements, book signings, online/telephone conference contact Author Sherryle Jackson at www.sherrylejackson.com or email: sherrylek@aol.com

Buy Books by author Sherryle K. Jackson at Amazon

For more information about Sherryle Kiser Jackson go to
http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/sherrylejackson.htm

Sherryle Kiser Jackson author of The Manual
Website: http://www.sherrylejackson.com

Twitter:       http://explore.twitter.com/sherrylejackson
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sherrylej
Myspace:   http://www.myspace.com/sherrylejackson
Shoutlife:   http://www.shoutlife.com/sherrylejackson

Fanclub on Facebook

Amazon.com: The Manual (Urban Christian)

Barnes and Noble.com: The Manual (Urban Christian)

Buy Both Books by Author Sherryle K. Jackson at Amazon

A Book Club’s Best Friend
By Sherryle Kiser Jackson

And, the number one reason why you should make Soon and Very Soon your book club selection is . . . Sherryle Kiser Jackson is a book club’s best friend! That’s me, and that along with reasons 2-10 ala David Letterman style was printed in my promotional material for my debut novel.

Book Clubs were my target in my marketing plan and I courted them with my words like Cyrano de Bergerac did Roxanne. I started with the list on Mosaicbooks.com (the quintessential place for booklovers) and started relaying the message of my self-proclaimed title. I also had success with meeting with area book club’s to do what I coined, a book tasting. Much like a chef/baker would have a tasting for potential clients I used this as an opportunity to read and share excerpts of my upcoming novel the first fifteen or the last fifteen minutes of their gathering. I was prepared to also take them through my literary journey from manuscript to the printed page and have tons of giveaways just to make an impression. It made sense to me. Out of all the people who pass by a Borders bookstore in their daily travels, book club members would nine times out of ten drop in with their Rewards card and buy something. I believe book clubs are imperative to books for and about our people.

Aww, the naivety of a debut author, I didn’t understand the form and function of different book clubs and like Cyrano I didn’t really know how to court them. I was spending lots of money and not sure to this day if some of the clubs I tried to woo with dramatic readings and baked goods ever chose my book as a monthly selection. I was starting a grassroots campaign with the type of book clubs that meet monthly and discuss a pre-selected book. I call them the page turners. I knew this type. I personally own a copy of Go On Girl!: Book Club Guide for Reading Groups by Monique Greenwood, Lynda Johnson and Tracy Mitchell-Brown when I revamped my sorority’s book club in the late nineties. After my book came out I met with many like the Black Women’s Reading Group that have been in existence in Washington DC for over thirty years. I was surprised to find another entity in the book club world though with an amazing scope of influence-the Online Book club. These powerhouses such as The Grits Online Reading Club.com, the Good Girl Book Club and R.A.WSistaz are of the book-promoting, book-reviewing, and book-selling variety. I call them the mini publicist brigades. They have mastered the art of networking to a target audience and can draw thousands to their site in search of recommendations on what to read next. Promoting with these groups and sometimes even getting your book reviewed may cost you, but selecting the right online book club can be well worth your marketing dollars.

As authors, we sometimes have arrogance about us. Don’t make the mistake like me and presume that since you’ve cranked out 261 pages of narrative you can tell an established book club when and where to function like they’re on your pay roll. Most book clubs whether the grassroots page-turners or the publicist brigades have websites and guidelines. Use them. Remember there are truly too many books and too little time. Keep this in mind when marketing to book clubs.

Research book clubs. As I’ve said before many of these groups have been together for a long time and have established criteria for selecting monthly reading selections. Target book clubs that read your specific genre. Inquire with online book clubs about the range of services provided from reviews to banner ads on their web page.

Capture information about these book clubs to add to your contact list. Do not inundate them with emails, a monthly correspondence to tell them about your new literary projects and signings in their area is effective in keeping them updated.

Be assessable. Let book clubs know you are available to meet with them to discuss your book. Offer to meet with clubs in different cities before or after a signing. Use freephoneconfere.com to “appear” at club gatherings via the phone. Many book clubs have blogs or radio shows through blogtalk radio. Pitch an idea for a show or guest appearance to really relate to readers from the comfort of your own home.

Attend the National Book Club Conference. This is where literary giants and those authors like me with emerging notoriety walk among avid readers and adoring fans. I’ve been told its more like a family reunion. http://www.nationalbookclubconference.com. See you there.

Courting has not gone out of style. A bookmark and a review copy goes a long way.

ABOUT SHERRYLE
Sherryle Kiser Jackson is a fresh voice in Christian fiction. Her style reflects an honest commentary on her life with Christ. Soon and Very Soon is her debut novel. She anxiously awaits the publication of her second novel, The Manual, October 2009. Experience her too real to be preachy, Biblically based, out-the-Christian-box fiction at www.sherrylejackson.com or on www.Myspaceom.c/sherrylejackson

Read the original article on BWChristianLit

Buy Books by author Sherryle K. Jackson at Amazon

For more information about Sherryle Kiser Jackson go to
http://www.blackpearlsmagazine.com/sherrylejackson.htm

Sherryle Kiser Jackson author of The Manual
Website: http://www.sherrylejackson.com
Join the Fanclub on Facebook

The Manual by Sherryle Kiser Jackson
ISBN: 1601629354
ISBN-13: 9781601629357

"Blessed are the children, for they shall inherit the earth."

Need a manual on raising children and having healthy relationships? Refer to the Bible. That's what Deidre Collins' inner spirit is telling her to do now that Andre, her son's father, is back in town after deserting them eight years ago.

At fourteen years old, her son, DeAndre, is struggling with his own issues-peer pressure, problems at school, and figuring out how to navigate his first crush.

When DeAndre gets suspended from school for ten days, Andre sees it as the perfect opportunity to get to know his son-and to get closer to Deidre. Can this couple overcome the past for the sake of their son's future?

EXCERPT: Chapter 1

Deidre Collins was enjoying the click of her freshly manicured nails across the keyboard of her personal computer. She did not know what she enjoyed more about her day off, the invigorating wash, blow dry and curl at Prim Rose Beauty Salon, the luxury of having someone else do her nails or the leisure time she had to delete old e-mails and drift through cyberspace. By the third page of e-mail scams and spam, Deidre was saving time by clicking the button to select all the mail on that page and purging them unless something in the message line prompted her to open it. The top line of page four read, Finding Nympho. She wondered how the web master of this site could get away with exploiting a wholesome Disney title to sell filth. That would be all her fourteen year old son, De Andre, would need to see before his curiosity would have him viewing a lot of things she has tried as a God fearing parent to keep him from. Lord knows he was on the computer more than she cared to be. The devil is everywhere, she thought to herself as she checked the parental control options.

Just as Deidre was about to delete page four, an email caught her attention with a message bar that read, Tardy Notice from Pemberton Middle School. She had remembered thinking how progressive the school systems had gotten when they asked for e-mail and cell phone information on the parent contact form at the beginning of the year. She read the informing her that De Andre was tardy for school on March 19th. That was over a month ago. She wondered why they hadn’t called. Then she remembered that DeAndre typically came in two hours before her. Naturally he had erased the message with no intentions on telling her. She knew her son, he wasn’t a saint. Lately his behavior wasn’t even close.

Deidre examined her e-mails more closely. She found two more tardy notices, March 28th and April 15th. Despite feeling angry, she couldn’t help but feeling a little guilty about not checking her messages more regularly. And when was the last time she had been to his school to check on him? She had only been to Pemberton Middle school twice since he started there last year as a seventh grader.

Deidre couldn’t understand what was stopping DeAndre from getting to school on time. After winning the battle of getting him out of bed each morning, all he had to do was walk a few yards to the bus stop and get on. She purposely worked the swing shift, from 11a.m. to 7p.m., at least three times a week to make sure he was prepared for the day. Most of the time she left nothing to his imagination in regards to what she expected from him when he came in by himself in the afternoon. Head nods and barely audible grunts let Deidre know he had at least heard her to-do lists. God knows how many other notices she had deleted in her haste to empty her e-mail box.

Deidre was up before DeAndre this morning to make her nine a.m. hair appointment and was sitting in the nail shop by 12:30. Her best girlfriend’s wedding was the next day for which she was an attendant. The latter didn’t thrill her in the way she would have been in her twenties or if she was married herself by her present age of thirty eight.

The single phone line she used for both the telephone and the computer rang the moment she logged off of the internet. It was probably Sheila asking her to pick up yet another thing she or her overpriced wedding coordinator forgot.

“Hello, I’m trying to reach Mrs. Hicks. This is Jeff Riley, the principal at Pemberton Middle School where her son, DeAndre, attends.”

“This is Ms. Collins. I am DeAndre’s mother.” Deidre’s upper body tensed the way a person would in preparation for receiving a shot.

“Ms. Collins, DeAndre has gotten himself into trouble and I was wondering if it were possible for you to come down to the school and pick him up.”

“I don’t understand. Are you saying he’s been kicked out of school?”

“Yes ma’am, he will be suspended.”

“Excuse me.” Deidre yielded to a short coughing spell from the lump rising in her throat. “What did he do?”

“This is why we want you to come in. When a child has been suspended, we have what is known as an exit conference where the school explains the circumstances surrounding the suspension.”

“That is what I am asking you. Why was he suspended?”

“It allows you to meet with a team that includes DeAndre’s teachers and counselor, so that there are many perspectives on how DeAndre can be more effective when he returns to school.” He continued as if he didn’t hear her question.

“And when will he be able to return, Mr. Riley?”

“The day De Andre will be permitted back to school will also be explained at the conference. Rather than upset you further on the phone, it would be best if we sit down and discuss his conduct in detail.”

“Are you telling me you’re kicking my child out of school, but cannot tell me why over the phone?”

“Calm down, Mrs. Hicks. Is transportation a problem?”

“It’s Ms. Collins, DeAndre’s father and I aren’t married. To answer your question, transportation is not a problem. Mr. Riley, I am a supportive parent and I am also a Christian. You can be assured that before I leave for the school I will be praying for an outcome that aligns with my faith. Just like you have prepared your team to be a united front when I arrive, I would like to be equally prepared.

“He’s being suspended for sexual harassment.”

“I’ll be right there.”

About Me
I am a child of God seeking to edify the world. I have been blessed to be a educator, wife and mother of two (One girl, one boy). I strive to be a fresh voice in Christian fiction. My style reflects a honest commentary on my life with Christ. Soon and Very Soon is my debut novel and I am proud to say is a Black Christian Book Distributor's Best Seller.

I invite you to experience my too real to be preachy, Biblically based, out-the-Christian-box fiction. I have also branded myself as a book club’s best friend, making sure to be accessible to book club’s either in person or by phone conferencing during her 2009 book tour schedule.

To schedule speaking engagements, book signings, online/telephone conference contact Author, Sherryle Jackson at sherrylek@aol.com

Buy Books by author Sherryle K. Jackson at Amazon