Coming to A Bookstore Near You

So many of us writers are struggling these days for a variety of reasons; lack of support from publishers, flooding of the market the list goes on. It's up to us to work even hard to get the word out to our readers about our book and try to maintain their support year after year.

I've been in the biz since 1990. I've had my share of successes and flops! LOL. But I have not thrown in the towel, at least not yet.

Most times, I'm so busy promoting and marketing other authors books that I've left my own books in the backseat and now it has finally caught up with me. I've slipped into the abyss of "midlist" author.

So, as much as I don't like being in the spotlight, or tooting my own horn, I've gotten pushed back out there kicking and screaming. Which brings me to the point of this post.

On Oct. 2, my latest hardcover novel from St. Martins Press, WICKED WAYS will hit bookstores nationwide. It should be a good thing, a time to rejoice. But I've discovered that I'm pretty much on my own with this one.

As we all know, the success of a book is the result of that first week of sales. So I want everyone who checks my blog to mark your calendars for OCT 2. and make it a point to go to your local bookstore and get a copy of WICKED WAYS. The early reviews from Publisher's Weekly are excellent. I do hope that the trend continues.

If you didn't read Getting Hers, it is now available in trade paper. But its not necessary to read GH in order to understand Wicked Ways (although it does help).

As a matter of fact it's not too early to put your order in now. The store will contact you when the book comes in.

I guarantee you will enjoy it!

So, run don't walk to your nearest bookstore and place your order for Wicked Ways. The supply is truly limited so don't miss out!!!

What's a Writer to Do?

With so many books on the shelves and so many authors fighting for shelf space, what do you do to move from mid-list to front list?

That is the question I have been pondering as my new contract is up for renegotiation. I am at a point in my career when I have to not only look at the current book I'm writing and the marketplace but five books down the road and what the marketplace will look like when book five is ready for publication.

Everyone talks about branding, nurturing your readers, building your fan base--and while you are at it, write a damned good book.

The writing life is not all roses, rather it is filled with sweet smelling blooms with hidden thorns. It is a business that can change at the drop of a hat. You are only as good as your last book.

These are all the thoughts that are running through my head. What to do, how to do it and when?

Sometimes, the writing life is a lonely life because there are so many decisions only the writer can make.

Soul Expressions Bus Tour

History was made when 19 African American Authors embarked on the first ever bus tour sponsored by Levy Home Entertainment.

The authors, all selected by their publishing houses to participate when on a whirlwind bus ride through Indiana and Chicago stopping at the Wal-Mart outlets.

The crowds were incredible. I was so thrilled to be a part of it all! We were treated like rock stars with cameras flashing and fans screaming our names.
The authors included:
Donna Hill
Francis Ray
Rochelle Alers
Brenda Jackson
Trisha Thomas
Naleighna Kai
Nikki Turner
Nina Fox
Terri Woods
Stephanie Perry Moore
Lori Woodbridge
Selena Montgomery
Traci Howard
Beverly Jenkins
Crystal Hubbard
Earl Sewell
Rashonda Tate Billingsly
Grace Akallo

To say that we were treated like royalty would be an understatement: receiving door to door pick up service, wonderful accommodations, more food than we could ever eat and the biggest treat of all was a private session with the one and only Billie Dee Williams.

I will be glowing from this trip for a long time. I made new friends and connected with old ones. I can never thank Pam Nelson of Levy for putting the wonderful project together and making it happen in stellar fashion!!!