African-American Women Writers

What can Toni Morrison's work teach us about christian fiction and the womanist movement?

Oct 12, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

Discussion on Ellease Southerland's Let the Lion Eat Straw and ways women create conflict in their storylines.

Sep 15, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

African American women short story authors have found a way to publish their own works, not as self-publishers, but small press publishers. Meet Jasai Madden of Lorraine & James Urban Lit Journal

Aug 30, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

n March 31, 2006, the North Carolina Black Book Festival will present the Writer's Achievement Award to Jacquelin Thomas during the Opening Night' literary gala

Aug 28, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

Victoria Christopher Murray agreed to let me interview her about her bestselling, watercooler buzz novel, Grown Folks Business.

Jul 21, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

A short discussion on a new trend in African American Women's Lit. Black upper class (buppies) women in their forties having more to say than Oprah.

Jun 27, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

A discussion about creating meaningful characters in writing fiction.

Jun 5, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

Part Two of Cheri Paris Edwards Interview

May 4, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

Edwards speaks to me about Christian Fiction’s April Book of the month selection, Plenty Good Room, her writing process, and how Writer’s Edge helped her get her book deal. This interview is a three part series with a review of Plenty Good Room as well.

Apr 29, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

Award winning Christian fiction author, Vanessa Davis Griggs speaks to the Suite about her motivation, Promises Beyond Jordan sequel Wing’s of Grace and about successfully buildings two internal story line

Mar 20, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

Alvin Romer of the Romer Review gives a touching account of the 2005 Romance Slam Jam and why this book lover's event is so successful and why you should be there next year.

Mar 14, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

Last year, I began to seek literary agent referrals. Two friends in the writing community- Christian fiction, author, Jacqueline Thomas and RAW SISTAZ Book Club President, Tee C. Royal both referred me to the same person—Kimberly T. Matthews. For me I found that coincidence very interesting and so, I had to make contact with her and she has been kind enough to grant me an interview to post here.

Feb 23, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

So you want to become a serious christian writer, then check out this directory of publications to help you get started.

Feb 21, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

Three African American Authors sit on the New York Times Bestseller's List this week. Although my writing cronies applaud this feat, I question its deeper meaning. As I read which books made the list I see a peculiar similiarity, two of the books premise concerns black ministers with dirty secrets. Now I know scandal sells, but I wonder does christianity do as well?

Feb 12, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

My friend, Christian marketing professinal Pam Perry allowed me to reprint a wonderful article on Christian marketing and why it is important.

Feb 7, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

Last month faith based small press publisher and author, Lamonica Smith sat down with me and shared her vision for her book and her company, and advice for those wishing to follow in her footsteps.

Feb 1, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

This year each month the Suite will feature a buzzworthy self-published author. January's pick. Dallas's best selling author, Shelia M. Goss.

Jan 5, 2005 - Dee Y. Stewart

I am highlighting Michigan native, suspense author Sylvia Hubbard for this year’s series, because she is more than just an author she is a sphere of influence in Detroit.

Dec 29, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

List of African American Women Agents and some of the publishers they represent.

Dec 21, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

I spoke to Pam Perry, a principle for Ministry Marketing Solutions, Inc. a few months ago about doing me the honor of a mini-interview on publicity in the Christian marketplace and she graciously acquiesced.

Dec 7, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

This month I aspired to host a series on self published women authors. I have received an overwhelming response from all the women who have contacted me about participating. This week I am highlighting Marcelle Morgan Payne whose book Degrees of Grace is a fresh approach on writing in this genre.

Dec 5, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

Author, Attorney Laverne Gaskins holds a dual love for both the written word and the law. Yet, she hadn’t had time to share her creative self until now.

Nov 16, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

Linda Dominique Grosvenor is the Best Selling author of several novels including The Hamptons, BLOOM, FEVER and LIKE BOOGIE ON TUESDAY (that is now in its 3rd printing). She is affectionately known as the Princess of Guerrilla Marketing. She has also been gracious enough to contribute to this month’s series by sharing with us how writers can promote their own books.

Oct 13, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

Atlanta's premier publicist Regina Lynch-Hudson has been profiled for an avalanche of publications, including Black Enterprise magazine, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Sister-2-Sister magazine, and countless newspapers and radio stations nationwide graciously spoke with me about the importance of book publicity and how to find a great publicist

Oct 7, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

African American Independent Publicist Directory. Check back often this database is added monthly.

Oct 1, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

As I complete my first draft of my novel, edit my query, write my synopsis and prepare to read the last 20 book reviews for the year, I hesitate at the thought of writing my marketing plan. Six years in corporate journalism and the past five years freelancing in Christian presses I know first hand that making your name a brand is hard, hard, hard. And ridiculously hard for African American women authors to become household names. Therefore, this month I have created a series which comprises an independent publicist directory, and three interviews from Publicist and PR Professionals. The first interview is with Ayana Glaze, an Atlanta Based PR Firm, then Regina Lynch-Hudson, celebrity publicist and owner of The Write Publicist & Co., and Christian Marketing Professional, Pam Perry of Marketing Solutions.com. They will discuss the difference between a PR Rep and a Publicist and why authors might need them all. I will also have a bonus conversation with Author, Linda Dominique Grosvenor about her PR workshop for prolific writers.

Oct 1, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

On January 29, 2003 BET/Arabesque Books offered Katherine D. Jones a two-book deal for her Special Corruption Unit Series. After reviewing both A Love Worth Fighting For and Worth the Wait, I asked Ms. Jones if she could talk to me about this series, her upcoming projects and to share her thoughts about independent publicists.

Aug 20, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

Olympia Vernon’s first book, Eden, is a tragically written struggle of an adolescent girl fighting against nature, her maturity and her mortality. Receiving rave reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and the American Library Association Vernon's debut novel has been compared to such acclaimed authors as Toni Morrison and Alice Walker. This year alone she has received the 2004 American Academy of Arts and Letters Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Award, the Robert O. Butler Award for Fiction in 2000 and two Matt Clark memorial scholarships. This summer she releases her second novel, Logic, which is already receiving buzz and critical acclaim. Ms. Vernon graciously chatted with me about her writing philosophy, the fact that she has no literary influences and how she can’t sleep for the voices haunting her thoughts.

Jul 21, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

I did some snooping of my own and found a wealth of information that I will pass on to you. More importantly, I will pass on an interview I had with literary agent, Sha-Shana Crichton.

May 22, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

Why are so many African American women authors self -publishing?

Mar 19, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

This discussion will take a look at this new archetype-the black diva socialite- and how other writers respond to the change in women writing.

Jan 26, 2004 - Dee Y. Stewart

Atlanta based novelist and editorial consultant to Booking Matters Magazine Kendra Norman Bellamy is fast becoming an inspirational romance publishing powerhouse. She just signed a deal with "Lift Every Voice", the African American interest imprint for Moody Press, one of the nation's most prestigious Christian publishing houses as landing a three book deal with BET Books under the New Spirit Imprint.

Dec 2, 2003 - Dee Y. Stewart

Outside of describing a sexual act or fantasy are there any women writers addressing the issue of black female sexuality on a psychological basis, the effects of societal pressure in sexual behavior, the struggle to gain intimacy between two people of African descent, the power of marriage? Are there any African american women writers currently working on a novel that discusses this theme?

Oct 30, 2003 - Dee Y. Stewart