Happy New Year

Join Francis Ray And Friends

Celebrate the New Year
with nationally bestselling author
Francis Ray and Friends

Donna Hill
Gwynne Forster
Evelyn Palfrey
Beverly Jenkins

Speak with the authors; ask the things you want to know about their characters; share how much you love their books; find out what each of the authors have coming out for 2008.


This very special New Years chat with 5 fantastic authors, is sure to be a treat for the Romance Lovers of the world!


Sunday, December 30, 2007

8pm CST / 9pm EST

Call in number (1-605-475-6000) enter the pin (942943)


Join us as we discuss a new author's journey, the publishing industry, book promotions, allow readers to ask questions about the books and celebrate the coming of 2008--the year of African-American Literary Excellence.


Authors on the Conference call Sunday Night


Francis Ray--Only You and Not Even If You Begged

Donna Hill--On The Line

Gwynne Forster--Getting Some of Her Own

Evelyn Palfrey--Price of Passion by Evelyn Palfrey

Beverly Jenkins--Deadly Sexy

Don't miss an evening with Francis Ray and Friends!

On The Line

Hey, everybody--just wanted to pop on and give a quick shout out to add my support to the project! It was a BLAST & working with Donna is always fun :) Y'all have a wonderful New Year and I hope everyone had a great holiday... much Philly Love, Leslie!

I was feeling creative this morning

I’m sitting in my library reading my copy of On The Line. I can’t stop reading it. In less than a day I’m almost at the end of the book. This book moves very quickly. As I read the stories I’m trying to figure out which author submitted what story. So far I believe I’ve identified Vincent’s story, Gwynne Forster’s story and TaRessa Stovall’s story. It’s kind of fun trying to determine who wrote what.

When Donna Hill informed me that I could write with complete freedom, I was like “Do you really want me to do that? And she said yes.

I had to change my submission because my original story went something like this.

Harry Potter’s Love for Medea

Ya’ll didn’t know? See what had happened was. Harry Potter wanted to get kinky with Madea. He was going all around Hollywood talking about how Madea helped him get over his break up with the Video Vixen. Apparently the Vixen had case a spell on Harry’s ass that made his glasses fog up. Madea showed up and slapped the fog out of Harry and now he believes he’s in love with Madea. But Martin Lawrence, who secretly have a thing for Madea as well, (something about a man dressing up as woman turns Martin on) ---got up set. So he called up Jerome, the Playa from the Himalayas and the crew from G-Unit Publishing to head up to Hogwarts School to set it off.

But then Harry came out acting like a wanna be gangster and started throwing spells and stuff around. But then the Playa from the Himalayas said ‘oh hell no’ and called up L.A. Banks and the entire Vampire Huntress crew. L.A. appeared out of nowhere sporting her black and purple full-length leather coat complete with a full armory of weapons cancelled on the inside.
“What’s up Jerome baby?” L.A. asked
“Oh, girl, damn you look good,” Jerome forgot all about the war going on around him and L.A. and to block a bolt of lighting that Harry shot his way.
“Oh, snap!” Jerome got his self in order. “L.A. baby. I need you to take care of this Harry Potter situation for me.”
“You got it Jerome. Just step aside,” L.A. said as she turned to her grew. “Let’s do this!” L.A. howled out. “I’ve been waiting to kick some Harry Potter ass for a long time.” Next thing that happened was Armageddon. Guns going off, spells being cast, explosions and all that stuff.

Then Francis Ray tried to step in to put a little in everyone’s heart but she accidentally turn one of Harry Potter’s flying brooms into Billy Dee Williams and said ‘oh boy, it’s Billy Dee. I’ve got to go ya’ll Billy and I are going on tour’----LOL I’m cracking myself up here.

Whew, sorry ya’ll I got a little carried away. But anyway, I’m so happy to be apart of this effort to bring so many diverse voices together between the pages of a grand novel. Thanks for all of your hard work Donna.

Teleconference Information

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE

One More Day! Oh my...

Twas the day before Christmas.... and I STILL have not finished shopping!!! Grrrrr. Each year it seems to get harder and harder. The lines get longer and the money shorter.

But we gotta do what we gotta do. Next year, however, I am going to do what a dear friend of mine (whose name also happens to be Donna) suggested. "Give Love."

Hey how simple and wonderful is that. It fits everyone, doesn't cost a thing and it doesn't need to be gift wrapped and hauled in the trunk of the car to the festivities.

But until next Xmas rolls around.... I gotta get busy.
Enjoy a wonderful holiday and ring in the new year safe and happy

Donna

On The Line Podcast!

Check out the Podcast for the upcoming ON THE LINE!

Wicked Ways Live!

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Intimate Mondays with Gwynne Forster

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Gwynne Forster many years ago and I am delighted and still proud to call her my dear friend. She is always there with sage advice and a good laugh. Truly, the grand dame of romance and women's fiction. And to those close to her she is affectionately called "Miss Gwynne." Welcome to Intimate Monday's with Gwynne Forster.

THE WRITING LIFE

1. What is a typical writing day like for you?

Hurried. I write about four hours in the morning, during which time I drink cups of green tea. Around noon, I read internet mail. I eat lunch around one o'clock, and that takes about forty minutes, unless I get an idea and rush back to the computer to write it down…a common occurrence. I write until four, go to the post office and grocery store. More green tea when I get back home around five or five thirty. I read snail mail and the newspaper, work until six-thirty, cook dinner, eat, and return to work around eight-forty-five, write until ten pm, and call it a day. If I have appointments during the day, my work day is far from satisfactory, and I get nothing done.

2. Do you need anything special to write? Quiet, music, a special place?

I need peace and quiet for high level writing, but I can force myself to shut out every sound and write. If I'm distracted by someone or some unwelcome thing, I will definitely have to rewrite whatever I wrote. When I'm writing, the only welcome sound is the music of Mozart.

3. What is the one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?

Probably that I can't begin my day until after I've said my prayers, but I'm sure there are others.

4. What is your writing process? How does a novel begin for you?

My novels always begin with an idea, which is usually a situation in which a specific character finds himself or herself. I figure out what the story would be about. Then, I spend a few days or weeks wondering if I can build an entire story around that idea, figuring out whether I'll get tired of the characters that keep hopping into my mind and into my mind's eye. (I have to see the characters.)Then I need at title. When I get that far, I'm good to go.

GETTING TO KNOW HER

5. Where did you grow up and do you think it has impacted/influenced your writing?

I grew up in Washington, D.C., but it hasn't had a distinctive influence on my writing. My parents were southerners, and their relatives lived in the south. In visiting them, I developed an appreciation for certain southern manners and behaviors. Most of my novels are set in the south.

6.Do you have siblings? And if so where do you fit into the mix?

I grew up the middle of three children with an older brother and a younger sister. I'm told that I have the 'middle child" syndrome, i.e., independent, comfortable being alone, competitive and an achiever. A lot of that is true.
7. If you could choose a profession other than writing, what would it be?

I've had a profession other than writing. Fiction writing is my second profession. I had an extremely successful career as a demographer, which involves research into the determinants and consequences of population conditions and trends. For seventeen years, I headed a research department on determinants of fertility levels and change at United Nations, New York. I've always had a secret yearning to be a jazz singer, but although I have the voice for it, I don't have the personality for it.

8. What is your definition of success?

I feel that I am successful when I accomplish what I set out to do and accomplish it to my personal satisfaction, and that isn't a simple matter. I set high standards for myself, and if I reach them, I'm satisfied. I don't let other people tell me who or what I am.

FUN FACTS

9. Who did you share your first kiss with and when?

This question brought a huge laugh from me, because after musing over it for about twenty minutes, I still don't remember. Must not have been a very tantalizing kiss.

10. If you could have dinner with someone living or dead, who would it be with and what would you want to know?

What a question! If I had only one choice, I'd ask to meet with Jesus Christ. I have no idea what I'd ask him. It would be enough if he just touched me with his little finger. Given two choices, I'd dine with my mother and ask her if she's pleased with what I've done with my life.

11. Your favorite past time?

Of the many pleasures that are my life, I don't know which I could do without; hence, I don't know which is my favorite. I love listening to music (opera, jazz, blues, symphonic, country, chamber music)… as long as it's top quality. But I also have to read. What can I say?

12. What is your greatest fear?

Extremely violent electric storms. Also, I wouldn't like to outlive my husband.

INFLUENCES THEN AND NOW

13. What writers have influenced you and in what way?

I suppose I've been most influenced as a writer by Langston Hughes, whose writings taught me that serious messages may be best communicated through humor and wit; by Barbara Taylor Bradford, whose first book brought it home to me that great drama occurs within the context of the family; Kathleen Woodiwiss, whose book, Shana, demonstrated that romance can be good literature; and by W. Somerset Maugham, whose fiction covers a variety of topics but whose fast paced stories are always unpredictable from scene to scene. In The Alexandria
Quartet, Lawrence Durrell gave me excellent examples of how to write a fictional account of a culture one didn't necessarily admire and of a teeming political situation with not particularly admirable heroes and heroines and make the work not only palatable but admirable.

14. What is one book that you would insist that everyone read? (other than your own) And why?

John Hope Franklin's book, From Slavery To Freedom. It may be the finest account yet written of this country's behavior, official and unofficial, in respect to its African American citizens, and The Bible, of course.

15. Your favorite fictional character from someone else's book.

Maddie in Linda Howard's book, Duncan's Bride.

16. Who is your favorite character from one of your novels?

To say which is my favorite among the characters that I have created, is like a parent forced to say which child she loves best. I'll put it this way. The only one of my thirty-some stories that I've read from cover to cover in back to back readings after the book was printed is GETTING SOME OF HER OWN. That's because I fell in love with Lucas Hamilton. He's everything a woman wants and needs in a man.

17. What do you want readers to take away from your work--other than being entertained?

There is a message in every book and every novella that I've written, and it is never the same. Nor, is it presented as a sermon. It's there somewhere if the reader is interested in getting it. Otherwise, it can swish right over one's head. I do want my readers to know that I respect and attempt writing of high quality that both entertains and enlightens.

DID YOU KNOW

18. Your favorite saying?

"I can do that".

19. Your favorite curse word?

Damn!

20 What is the best advice you've ever received?

Don't start it if you're not going to finish it to your best ability.

21. One thing that always pisses you off?

Inconsiderate behavior.

ON THE HORIZON

22. What are you currently working on and when can readers expect to see it?

I'm just finishing revisions on a mainstream novel for Kensington Publishing Corp. It's due out in October 2008.

23. Where do you see yourself in five years and how do you plan to get there?

Considering the precarious nature of the publishing business, I'm reluctant to stick my neck out on this one.

24. If there was only one thing in the world that you could change what would it be?

This one is easy. I'd get rid of the differences among people that cause us so much pain. We would all see each other as equals and treat each other that way. And if you gave me a second go at it, I would get the armed forces of the United States of America out of Iraq, Afghanistan and every place where there is fighting, and we would work for world peace.

25. If you had the chance to go back and do something over in your life, what would it be?

I can think of a few, but I suppose the most obvious has to do with education. I stopped with a second master's degree. In another year, I would have had the doctorate, but with a nice job at United Nations dangling in front of me, as Woody Allen might say, I took the masters and ran.

Now, tell us a bit about your current book on the shelves and why should readers buy it?

My current book is GETTING SOME OF HER OWN, mainstream women's fiction. In it, Susan Pettiford has just learned that she has a condition that will make it impossible for her to have children. And although the doctors assure her that her sexuality will not be affected, she doesn't believe them. Moreover, in her limited experience, the earth had never moved for her. Vowing that she will experience what is every woman's right, she invites Lucas Hamilton--who she has seen only once for five minutes--to her home for the express purpose of seducing him and achieving fulfillment with him

A true alpha male, Lucas knows what lovemaking is all about and leaves nothing to be desired. However, he is not a man with whom people play, and Susan soon discovers this. She intends for their tryst to be a one-night stand, but he wants more. He also wants to know why she did it, and she doesn't intend to tell. But she learns that he is as tenacious as a bull.

Lucas Hamilton has problems of his own. An award winning architect, his one goal has been to exceed the achievements of the father he has never seen and who did not marry his mother. But Fate takes a hand, and his father falls ill and needs Lucas. Should he go to the aid of the wealthy father who has never so much as telephoned him? Lucas begins a journey during which he learns what love is. He learns it from the father who he

thought cared nothing from him, from his mother who denied his father paternal rights, and from the woman who took him into her body for selfish reasons and couldn't forget the experience.

Both Susan and Lucas learn lessons about the true meaning of parental love, for it is brought home to Lucas and, through him, to Susan that parental love is boundless.

Thanks so much for the interview.

Gwynne Forster

Visit Gwynne on her Website and on Mypace

Happy Holidays!!

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Intimate Mondays with Francis Ray

INTIMATE MONDAYS WITH FRANCIS RAY

THE WRITING LIFE

1. What is a typical writing day like for you?

Since I have a full-time job as a School Nurse Practitioner, my writing "day" doesn't begin until around 7:30-8pm...if I'm lucky. However, before writing I try to answer email and if a book is coming out within three months, usually work on promotion. Now that I have a MySpace page I have to work that in my schedule as well.

2. Do you need anything special to write? Quiet, music, a special place?

I don't need anything special to write. I have an actual office now instead of the dining room table. My husband is pretty self-sufficient so he gives me the time and space to write. Sometimes the radio is on the Country & Western station or it can be off. If I'm in the story, it really doesn't matter. It's when the story is not coming is when the slightest things will distract me.

3. What is the one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?

I think people would be surprised to know that I struggle to write each book. And the struggle seems to be intensifying. I long for the day that I will just sit down and the story flow. However, I think I have resigned myself to the fact that writing will always offer challenges, but the rewards, and I don't mean monetary, far outweigh the doubts while writing. You can't put a price on a letter from a reader saying she's gotten out of an abusive relationship or decided to go back to get her degree after reading one of your books.

4. What is your writing process? How does a novel begin for you?

I start out with a character, usually a woman, who has been slapped down hard and now has to figure out a way to go on. I like dealing with real life situations - adultery, abuse, being downsizes, unsavory reputation - because readers can relate. Life offers challenges, it is how we respond to them that will determine our quality of life.

GETTING TO KNOW HER

5. Where did you grow up and do you think it has impacted/influenced your writing?

I grew up in a small town in Texas. I don't think it impacted/influenced my writing. My influence came from my parents who prized education, and taught me that I could be whatever I wanted - if I worked hard enough.

6. Do you have siblings? And if so where do you fit into the mix?

I have two older sisters and an older brother. I'm the youngest. They still can't believe I write. I was always the quiet one.

7. If you could choose a profession other than writing, what would it be?

I wanted to be a dancer when I was in high school. In college while studying nursing I became fascinated with Anthropology. If I had to choose, I'd go with Anthropology. Like building a character chart, anthropology lets you discover the how and why of people.

8. What is your definition of success?

My definition of success would be a minimum of 100,000 print run with each book,
consistently hitting the New York Time's bestseller's list, consistently hitting #1 on the Essence bestseller's list, publisher's support with marketing dollars in your contract, and earning very high six figures yearly.

9. Who did you share your first kiss with and when?

I shared my first kiss with Willie Brown, who lives across the street from me. He dumped me for a friend of mine. Since they're now married and happy, and I'm now married and happy, it turned out well for everyone.

10. If you could have dinner with someone living or dead, who would it be with and what would you want to know?

I'd like to have dinner with Octavia Butler. I'd like to know how she stayed strong and true to her craft. She walked a different path and did it well. I met her once. She was a gifted writer who was humble, unpretentious. Many of us are still struggling to be recognized for the craft and not sanctioned for the color of our skin.

11. Your favorite past time?

My favorite pastime is working in my flower garden. We added a couple of new flower beds this year. The downside is that even with the sprinkler system I have to hand water the flowers a great deal, but it's worth it. I enjoy flowers for the beauty they bring, Even with temperature dropping my begonias are still beautiful.

12. What is your greatest fear?

My greatest fear where writing is concerned is that one day the words just won't come. Since I write so slow, I'm faced with my fears with almost every book. I don't relax until I reach the middle of the book.

BEHIND THE BOOKS

13. What writers have influenced you and in what way?

Since I started out in romance the writers who influenced me were Katherine Woodiwiss, and Elizabeth Lowell. Both writers have excellent characterization. You care about the characters long after the last page is turned. I wanted to create the same memorable people in my books.

14. What is one book that you would insist that everyone read? (other than your own) And why?

Besides the Bible, I would suggest Joel Olsteen's Your Best Life Now. Life is difficult at time, when you add being an author, the challenges are many as you try to navigate the unpredictable world of publishing and be successful. You'll need strength to stay the course, to not compare yourself to others, to find joy in what you do.

15. Your favorite fictional character from someone else's book.

Wulfgar in Katherine Woodiwiss' The Wolf and The Dove, the second romance book that I read. His strength of character, his keen intelligence, his unwavering love for his people and his lady love made him memorable. He fought for those he loved and always did so honorably.

16. Who is your favorite character from one of your novels?

Lily Crawford from THE TURNING POINT retitled TROUBLE DON'T LAST ALWAYS. Lily stayed with an abusive husband to take care of his mother, the only woman in Lily's small hometown who believed she wouldn't turn out like her amoral mother. She put her love for her mother-in-law above her own safety.

17. What do you want readers to take away from your work--other than being entertained?

I want to remind readers that life comes at us hard sometimes. When it does don't give up. Fight and fight honorably.

FRANCIS RAY TRIVIA

18. Your favorite saying?

I don't have one. At least I don't think I have.

19. Your favorite curse word?

I try not to curse. It might slip out while I'm at work. If I did it would probably be d---n.

20 What is the best advice you've ever received?

My parents telling me that I could be whatever I wanted. Of course, I didn't always believe them. Life would have been much easier if I would have.

21. One thing that always pisses you off?

People who say anyone can write a book. I wish. The craft of writing is different for every person, but it requires discipline and hard work for most of us to finish a book. If it were that easy then everyone would have a book on the shelf.

22. What are you currently working on and when can readers expect to see it?

I just finished the revisions for THE WAY YOU LOVE ME, a romance for St. Martin's Press. The release date is late 2008. Now it's back to CAMERON'S DESTINY, my NASCAR book. I had the
awesome privilege of going behind the scenes at the Texas Motor Speedway. It really gets wild with 250,000 fans screaming for or booing a driver.

23. Where do you see yourself in five years and how do you plan to get there?

Hopefully, a reasonably successful author. I wish I knew with certainty how to get there. I don't. However, I do know it will take publisher's support with a larger print run, more marketing dollars. I'm trying to do my part to raise reader awareness with my web site, MySpace, book trailers, and touring. I have no idea if any of it will help, but I feel I have to do something.

24. If there was only one thing in the world that you could change what would it be?

Man's inhumanity to man. Life has little value to some. Respect is too often forgotten.

25. If you had the chance to go back and do something over in your life, what would it be?
I would have kept writing when I received those earlier rejection letters instead of feeling sorry for myself and doing nothing for 4-5 months. I wasted time, time I can never regain.

SAVING THE BEST FOR RIGHT NOW

Now, tell us a bit about your current book on the shelves and why should readers buy it?

My current book is ONLY YOU, the 5th book in the Graysons of New Mexico series. ONLY YOU is a sexy romance that will delight readers. Sierra Grayson doesn't have time for a man, until Blade Navarone wins her at a charity auction. Sierra learns that the right man can change the rules.

www.francisray.com
readersoffrancisray@yahoogroups.com
IN ANOTHER MAN'S BED - Feb. 07
IRRESISTIBLE YOU - Mar. 07 - A Grayson Romance
ONLY YOU - Oct. 07 - A Grayson Romance

On The Line

Reply | Get This

Getting Intimate with Victor McGlothin

THE WRITING LIFE
1. What is a typical writing day like for you?
I generally write three to four days a week, starting with a workout while I read over the previous chapter written to stay in the zone. Then, I’ll lock onto the computer from 3-5 solid hours until either my head pops or I finish a chapter. If there is any time left, I catch a movie.
2. Do you need anything special to write? Quiet, music, a special place?
I write to music, usually soundtracks or female vocalists because their pain and growth comes in crystal clear.
3. What is the one thing about you that people would be surprised to know?
Uh… that I get up at 6:30, fix breakfast and get the boys off to school, no matter what time I got to bed the night before.
4. What is your writing process? How does a novel begin for you?
I bang out a one page storyline (what it’s about and how it should affect the reader), then I bang out an outline which usually takes about an hour. Before I write the first word, I know how it begins and ends (in between, things tend to move around a bit).

THE MAKING OF VICTOR MCGLOTHIN
5. Where did you grow up and do you think it has impacted/influenced your writing?
I grew up in Oak Cliff, Dallas… very humble beginnings. It did allow me to see several layers of life from too much illegal money to boosting chickens from the grocer. Also, it taught me too respect people despite their hard times or mine.
6. Do you have siblings? And if so where do you fit into the mix?
I have two sisters, one older and one younger. They really dig my work and hype it every chance they get but both of them are terrified that their personal business will end up in my novels. Never happen… I can lie too good on my own without heisting second-hand dirt.

7. If you could choose a profession other than writing, what would it be?
I’m looking forward to teaching creative writing on the college level. 8. What is your definition of success?
It used to be getting a book deal and keeping the lights on. Ten books later, it’s staying in the game without missing a beat… and keeping the lights on.

SECRETS NO MORE
9. Who did you share your first kiss with and when?
Ooh, for real… first kiss? Fifth grade behind the elementary school with Bobbi Eatman… it lasted 2 minutes. I was timed by my best friends who both wanted next up. Yeah, Bobbi was a hottie.
10. If you could have dinner with someone living or dead, who would it be with and what would you want to know?
I would love to sit down with Jesus, break bread and ask him how hard it was knowing that Judas would dime him out to the Roman soldiers.
11. Your favorite past time?
I really dig old movies… good movies.12. What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is not being able to look out for and provide for my children.

INFLUENCES AND STUFF
13. What writers have influenced you and in what way?
Valerie Wesley Wilson, Walter Mosley and John Grisham because of the way they tell a story by making you walk in the character’s shoes. Regardless of the characters status or lack thereof, readers get something from each of them. No wasted words. No fluff.
14. What is one book that you would insist that everyone read? (other than your own) And why?
Every reader should read Walter Mosley’s “Little Yellow Dog” because it’s a masterpiece and the best of his ‘Easy Rawlings’ series.
15. Your favorite fictional character from someone else's book.
Easy Rawlins.
16. Who is your favorite character from one of your novels?
Baltimore Floyd for “Borrow Trouble” and “Ms. Etta’s Fast House.”
17. What do you want readers to take away from your work--other than being entertained?

I’m a teacher at heart so I want my readers to be enlighten while entertained.
18. Your favorite saying?
When a man is ready to marry, no one can stop him including his mama. If he isn’t ready to marry, no one can make him including his mama.
19. Your favorite curse word?
Ass: as in big and dumb.
20 What is the best advice you've ever received?
Be significant and success will follow.
21. One thing that always pisses you off?
Somebody lying on me. If I didn’t hit it, don’t go around saying I did!

THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
22. What are you currently working on and when can readers expect to see it?
“Women of Newberry” is the current name. It’s my eleventh book and the prequel to my very first. I know, that’s a trip that my career has come full circle. I’ll be finished with this novel by Christmas but it won’t hit the shelves until some time in ‘09. Look out for “Sinful Too” in Oct. 08.
23. Where do you see yourself in five years and how do you plan to get there?

I plan on sitting on at least 5 movies sold by then. Starting this January, I will start writing screenplays.
24. If there was only one thing in the world that you could change what would it be?
Laws about men walking out on their children. There aren’t any.
25. If you had the chance to go back and do something over in your life, what would it be?
I would have taken the movie role offered in “Any Given Sunday” rather than the management position with AT&T that happened to be a joke (that’s why they bombed). Yes, I landed a speaking role with one month of guaranteed pay to shoot on location.

HOT ON THE SHELVES!!!
26. Now, tell us a bit about your current book on the shelves and why should readers buy it?
“Ms. Etta’s Fast House” is my current book, out this October. It was my contribution to the memory of our ancestors (when we were great as a culture). The story is set in St. Louis, 1947. It explores the lives of young black doctors, the women who loved them and what happens when you introduce a handsome stranger to shake things up. Baltimore Floyd changed the city of St. Louis and is sure to do likewise to those who read about him.

Victor McGlothin lives in the Dallas area with his wife and kids. He left a Vice President position with a bank to pursue writing. So far, so good.

http://www.victormcglothin.com

http://www.myspace.com/thewritebrother