I made my first book trailer. And entered it into a Pitch Wars contest. I’m practicing the art of being afraid and doing it anyway.
While you’re there, check out all other book trailers at the Cavalcade of Authors Book Pitch Wars.
17th ANNUAL CAVALCADE OF AUTHORS
JOIN US FOR A WEEKEND OF PANELS, INTERVIEWS, WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS, GIVEAWAYS, FUN & GAMES DURING THE 17th ANNUAL CAVALCADE OF AUTHORS™
October 8-10, 2021 featuring New York Times Bestselling Authors: Brenda Jackson, Mary B. Morrison, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Sylvia Day, Steven Barnes, Victoria Christopher Murray, and National Bestselling Authors: Naleighna Kai (host), Beverly Jenkins, Shakir Rashaan, Pat G’Orge-Walker, Pat Simmons, Vanessa Riley, Piper Huguley, and award-winning authors J. L. Woodson, Stephanie M. Freeman, NK’s Tribe Called Success and many authors . . .
REGISTER FOR FREE.
Free Author workshop is on Sunday Afternoon.
https://bit.ly/COAVirtual2021
17th Annual Cavalcade of Authors
JOIN US FOR A WEEKEND OF PANELS, INTERVIEWS, WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS, GIVEAWAYS, FUN & GAMES DURING THE 17th ANNUAL CAVALCADE OF AUTHORS™ October 8-10, 2021 featuring New York Times Bestselling Authors: Brenda Jackson, Mary B. Morrison, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Sylvia Day, Steven Barnes, Victoria Christopher Murray, and National Bestselling Authors: Naleighna Kai (host), Beverly Jenkins, Shakir Rashaan, Pat G’Orge-Walker, Pat Simmons, Vanessa Riley, Piper Huguley, and award-winning authors J. L. Woodson, Stephanie M. Freeman, NK’s Tribe Called Success and many authors . . .
REGISTER FOR FREE. SPACES ARE LIMITED.
Free Author workshop is on Sunday Afternoon.
https://bit.ly/COAVirtual2021
A New Book Series is Coming!
THE QUEENS ARE COMING!!! Please help us spread the word by signing up for our cover reveal blitz in October 2021.
Book Spotlight – Moment of Truth
My book baby is in the Spotlight over at Queenie Clem’s blog. Check it out below:
Who Wants Books? You Do!
JOIN US THIS WEEKEND AT THE 26th ANNUAL BLACK WOMEN’S EXPO IN CHICAGO.
Members of NK’s Tribe Called Success are featured at the Cavalcade of Authors Exhibitor Booths for the Friday, Sunday, and Saturday event at McCormick Convention Center.
Amazon Gift Cards and a flash drive with 200 free ebooks will be given away every hour to one lucky reader (per hour) who visits the booth and drop their information in the vase.
Autographed copies will be bundled for quick sales. And a free copy of 5 books from Naleighna Kai, Shakir Rashaan, J. L. Campbell, and the rest of the Tribe. See you soon!
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TRIBE, a collective of NYT, USA Today and National Bestselling authors who guide first time writers on their publishing journey:
https://bit.ly/COASociaTap
New Release Alert- The Love You Save by Christine Pauls
Miranda Norwood is well into twelve years of an ideal marriage with her college sweetheart husband, Curtis. They have successful careers in law and advertising, a beautiful home, and two children, fraternal twins, Cameron and Candace. Life is good.
This all changes in one day when she comes face to face with her husband’s infidelity. Even after five years, the scars of that tragic day continue to harden her heart and belief in love to a distant memory.
But after her best friend, Mia, sets her up on a blind date, with the handsome, HR manager, Roy Grander, sparks fly and Miranda’s wall comes down just enough to peer over the top.
Roy Grander is a mystery. Grappling internally with guilt from a past that’s keeping him stuck, meeting Miranda has struck a chord in his heart and as much as he tries to fight it, the battle to resist his insatiable desire for her is slipping through his hands.
Can two people, dealing with issues that are keeping them from moving forward, find a love that will save them?
http://bit.ly/TheLoveYouSaveAMZN
Writing What You Know
What I’m Reading: The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
What’s on the Spotify Playlist: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” – Whitney Houston
Since I’ve started this writing journey, the one piece of advice I get the most is “write what you know.” But what does that really mean? Is it referring to occupations? If the writer is an attorney like John Grisham or Pamela Samuels-Young, your character is also an attorney. Or could it be as simple as a situation that your character faces?
In my novel, “Moment of Truth,” Adrienne has a three-year-old son with sickle-cell anemia. His disease requires doctor’s visits and one scary emergency room stay. Now everyone has been to the doctor’s office and the hospital, and I thought I did a decent job describing the scene and emotions. That is until real life intervened.
One night my nephew was rushed to the emergency room. He spent two weeks in ICU and even more time in a regular room. During my frequent visits to the hospital, I found myself taking mental snapshots of sights and sounds. I cataloged smells and noted the presence of machines, and watched hospital personnel. This was the type of thing used to enhance my own story. My personal experience allowed me to transfer it to my character.
But I felt guilty about it. While I was focused on my nephew’s recovery and being a source of comfort to my sister, I was also thinking about my book.
Then I had a conversation with a former editor. When I told her my dilemma, she said, “You are a writer! All of your experiences are fodder for your craft. You should use all of your feelings and experiences to fuel your manuscripts.” Her words resonated with my artist self and confirmed something I knew all along. To create these well-rounded characters and make believable worlds, the artist has to use everything within them.
Write what you know is an adage to explore the world and embrace it to breathe life into a story.
What’s Your Theme Song?
I believe that everyone should have a theme song.
In fact, I have several. Depending on the month, day or moment, a song can help you cope.
The song should capture an emotion or motivate you to live your best life. I came across an oldie but goodie today. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. The words capture where my head is at now and serves as motivation and prophecy. Some of the words are “I am unwritten, can’t read my mind. I’m undefined. I’m just beginning, the pen’s in my hand, ending unplanned.” This song is an excellent metaphor for my calling as a writer. Just listen to the chorus: “Staring at the blank page before you, open up the dirty window, let the sun illuminate the words that you cannot find…..Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten.”
Back on my writing grind. 56,912 words down. The end is nearing and this book will be done.
So, what’s your theme song? What are some lyrics that help to get you going?
International Kissing Day – July 6, 2021
Now, this is a holiday everyone should be able to get behind. Or in front of. Depending on your personal preference.
Which makes me wonder, what’s your favorite kiss or kissing scene in a movie or book?
Is it the Spiderman (hanging upside down kiss)? Or what about the Bad Boys 2 kiss when Will Smith navigates a drug lord and loaded mines to rescue and kiss Gabrielle Union?
How about the kiss on the pages? My favorite one is between Kimba and Ezra in Kennedy Ryan’s Queen Move. You can feel the heat between these two characters. It’s better than watching a visual display because there’s the added bonus of the words letting you feel the chemistry. I aspire to write a scene this good.
Please share. What’s your favorite kiss in a book or movie?
#obscureholidays #best kiss #internationalkissingday