DeeGospelPR

Author and High School Teacher Shana Burton joins NY Times Bestsellers & National Award Winners this Labor Day at the largest book festival in the country.

Atlanta, Ga., August 30, 2010 — Northeast High school English Teacher Shana Burton, who is also a 2008 Georgia Book of the Year Nominee has been chosen to read at the Decatur Book Festival. The (DBF) Decatur Book Festival is the largest independent book festival in the country. Burton will read her from her new book Flaws & All(Kensington Publishers) Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 4:15 pm EDT at the Local Prose Stage.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival Presented by DeKalb Medical is an annual, free book festival that takes place over Labor Day weekend in Decatur, Georgia. More than 300 authors will be present. Noted authors included to read: National Book Award winner Jonathan Franzen, Pulitzer Prize winners Natasha Trethewey and David Finkel , New York Times best-selling authors Ridley Pearson and Emily Giffin.

Shana Burton is high school teacher at Northeast High School in Macon, Ga. She is also a published author of Suddenly Single(GA Book of the Year Nomination,) First Comes Love and  Flaws and All under Kensington Publishing,  Flaws & All released August, 2010, has been selected as a BlackExpressions Book Club Pick. Her tour kicks off at the DBF as well. She will also appear at the Georgia Literary Festival in Statesboro October 22-23, 2010. 

Chocolate City Magazine calls Flaws & All a “Sex and the City meets Waiting to Exhale meets Christ. Flaws and All is a tell-it-like-it-is saga of redemption, sisterhood, and unconditional love.”yr

• To read an excerpt of Ms. Burton’s Flaws & All visit http://shanajburton.blogspot.com/
• To learn more about The Decatur Book Festival visit http://www.decaturbookfestival.com

About DeeGospel PR

DeeGospel PR is an entertainment pr boutique located in Atlanta, GA. Our clients include(d:) Author, Radio Personality and Movie Producer Reshonda Tate Billingsley, National Recording Artist Destiny Praise, and Georgia Book of the Year Nominated author Shana Burton.

For media inquiries, contact Dee Stewart at deegospelpr@gmail, 770.298.7539 or visit DeeGospel PR online at www.deegospelpr.com/

.

Usually I spend my weekend reading a novel, but The Man Who Left Too Soon: The Biography of Stieg Larsson , the biography of  the late novelist, journalist Stieg Larsson is just as fascinating. With more than 36 million books sold worldwide, Sony’s acquisition of the movie rights to make an American version of his Millennium series(The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, and The Girl Who Played with Fire), and a partial manuscript for the fourth novel in his girlfriend’s possession with rumors about her completing the novel for his legacy, makes this author’s life and fast claim to literary stardom a must read.

Atlanta HIV/AIDS Community Supports Medical Fiction Author  Book Tour

August 22, 2010, Atlanta, GA— The HIV/AIDS medical community met at Michon’s Restaurant in College Park, Georgia to support author, Chizelle’ T. Archie. Not just because this week’s marks the launch of her national book tour, but also because the Atlanta registered nurse has written a book that introduces a new human face to HIV/AIDS survivors…middle class, married women.

Stats:

• Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States.
• 80% of new HIV/AIDS cases among women are contracted through heterosexual contract.
• According to “Killer Sex,” an article in the April 2009 issue of More Magazine eight in 10 newly infected women were exposed to the virus the old-fashioned way: by having unprotected sex with their husbands, boyfriends, or casual flings.

Archie knows these stats well, because she is a registered nurse, who has met these women face to face and have witnessed their disappointments, fears, and secret shame. Because of her experiences,she has become an HIV/AIDS advocate.

“No other disease has the power to strip women of their dignity, their sexuality, and their self-worth like HIV,” states Dr. Melissa Osborn, HIV physician at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. “Rarely do the media portray an HIV positive woman who is a teacher, a lawyer, a flight attendant, for an accountant. But HIV doesn’t discriminate, and success doesn’t protect against infection. I have met HIV-positive patients in all of these positions.”

Archie’s novel The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Diamond(AuthorHouse, August 2010) is the story of an investment advisor who learns that she has contracted HIV from her unfaithful husband the same day she learns that she is pregnant with their child.

For more info visit www.chizellearchie.com.

Realizing Our Greatness in Our Writing Part 2

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” -John 14: 12(NIV)

This weekend I watched the 2010 Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest interview with Barbara Ehrenreich, author of "Bright-sided". As I watched her answer and at times defend her position to the audience, I marveled at her confidence. No. I marveled at her audacity, her strong bold, unashamed belief that she was right.

Audacious. Unfortunately, it is a trait that I see lacking in many authors,especially The Master’s Artists. And that realization bothers me. See. We–like Christ stated– have the right to be bold, to walk and to write in that boldness, because we have the favor of God. So why do we write like we fear our feelings, our faith, our words? I think I know.

Continue reading "Are you Too Week Minded to Write a Good Book?" »

Each year aspiring fiction authors take a step closer to having their dreams come true by entering the Romance Slam Jam Aspiring Author Contest. The winners’ manuscripts are read by an editor or agent with a chance at publication or representation. This contest is the real deal. I entered in 2009 and received my book deal this year.

Genre: Black Romance/Women’s Fiction

Eligibility: If you have not had a full-length novel published by a traditional publisher, you are eligible for this contest. Therefore, if your publishing credits are, short stories, novellas, eBooks, poetry, non-fiction and or you are self-published, you are eligible.

Registration is open:Contest registration form

Prizes:

1st Place: Manuscript reviewed by Editor Latoya Smith from Grand Central Publishing for possible publication.

2nd Place: Manuscript reviewed by Editor Selena James from Kensington Books for possible publication. (my editor)

3rd Place: Manuscript reviewed by Editor Monique Patterson from St. Martin’s Press for possible publication.

Submission Package:
To help prepare contestants for submitting to publishing houses and agents, the entries will resemble a submission package sent to agents and publishers. Submissions are electronic (sent via email). The submission should be Microsoft Word documents. In the body of the email, be sure to give the name you registered in the contest under and the title of your novel.
Format:
• 1 inch margins all around
• Font Times New Roman, 12pt

Include (one email, 3-4 attachments):
• 1 page query letter single spaced addressed to:

Ms. C. Judge

2 Busy St.

New York, NY, 10101

Sign it Contestant.

Your query letter may be the body of the email or an attachment.

• Synopsis double spaced (3 page max).

• 15 sample pages double spaced.

• Cover page (this page does not count toward your 15 sample pages)
• In the manuscript header, place the Novel Title / Author and Page Number
• If you need an extra page or two to complete a scene, that’s okay.

• Contest registration form if you have not already submitted it.

Important Dates: All submissions must be received by 28 February 2011. The winners will be announced at the Emma Awards Banquet during RSJ 2011. Winners not in attendance at the the Emma Awards will be notified by email the first week of May 2011.
Contest Fee:
Please make a $30 money order or cashiers check payable to: Romance Slam Jam
Mail payment and Contest Registration Form to:
Romance Slam Jam
c/o Deatri King-Bey
P.O. Box 822
Tolleson, AZ 85353
If you’d like to pay using PayPal, the fee is $35. Email payment and registration form to deatri@romanceslamjam.org

Once payment and the Contest Registration Form have been received, instructions will be emailed to you on where to send the submission. Please note, registration fee is non-refundable.
Refer any questions regarding the Romance Slam Jam Aspiring Authors contest todeatri@romanceslamjam.org

Good Luck!

Previous winners and prizes

When book trailers work? This one does and it speaks to me, because I am a Formerly. I am Formerly a  Shy Nerd. Really… Watch the trailer and get the book.

Shana Burton will host a live Facebook PJ Chat Party at her Page on her Chat Live tab on Tuesday August 17, 2010 at 6:30 PM EST. She might ask some wild questions that may make you blush, but in a good way. Shana is that kind of lady. We will give away some goodies courtesy of DeeGospel PR, while you share your PJ’s Flaws & All. It will be funtastic!

Click the Facebook Page Button  below to be directed to the Chat this Tuesday.

Book Buyers buying books from Andy Koose of  Barnes & Noble  @ GA Tech Bookstore during the 2010 Faith and Fiction Retreat

Authors are presented  with opportunities to serve as panelists and/or vendors at literary events at least once a month.  They seek guidance from their agent, editor, and peers as to whether or not they should participate, especially when vending is concerned. In the publishing world it is an understood etiquette to be diplomatic in matters concerning Book Events. Thus, contacting a literary publicist for advice—something I’ve done often for free—is  also a wise choice.

We understand that this decision comes with a double edged sword to both the author and to ourselves. If we speaking against an event, it  could cost our clients the opportunities to meet their readership and leverage their value within the reading community and the publishing industry. Likewise, If we don’t speak frankly about challenges with a particular book event provider, it could cost our clients money, time, devalue their brand image and their respect with their publisher and their peers. So which side of this sword do we choose?

The side of common sense. There are at least 3 common sense clues that the book event provider is not right for you. I will share one a day:

1.  The event is mostly comprised of  lesser known authors vending their books.

Please don’t misinterpret this statement. I do not mean that midlist or debut authors have no place at a book event. I mean that the event must be balanced with authors of all types, especially if the event is young is not yet established within the reading community.

 Common Sense: Experienced vending authors want to at least make back the money they spent in vendors fees. First-year vending authors want to at lease introduce themselves to a few bookclubs. Therefore, having book buyers present is imperative to accomplish these goals.

In order to bring a great deal of readers to an event, the event provider needs a marquis/celebrity/celebrated author, to work as a sort of pied piper for it. They are the draw. They automatically get press attention. They leverage the credibility of the event.  They guarantee their fans attendance at the event. They help the vending author sell. And thus, authors will gladly vend, in order to be in the presence of such an author.

Sure. It sounds cosmetic, but it is common sense.

Tomorrow we will talk about #2, so subscribe to our feed, to insure that you don’t miss this informative series. If you have questions about certain events, message me on Facebook. I’ll answer.

We also invite you to like our new Facebook Page. We throw out surprise DeeGospel PR Goodies over there.

It’s August. The year is flying by and I wonder have we accomplished the goals we set earlier this year. If you’re still struggling with meeting your objectives, if you’ve given up, or just plain forgot, join Brian Henderson, Greg Turner and me tonight. Actually in about an hour at 9pm EST on Abundant Life Solutions Hour. We are talking about Winning despite of ourselves. 

The call in# is (718) 508-9600

or click this link below to listen on line.

Realizing Our Greatness in Our Writing Part 1

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” -John 14: 12(NIV)

Last week, as I completed the August 2010 Top Ten Release List for Christian Fiction Blog, I found myself concerned. Although the titles that were chosen deserve to be there, I was hoping for more competitive works to choose from.

I was hoping to read prose better than Mick Silva’s “Upon Being Laid Off” post last week. I was hoping to read something indulging and awe-inspiring like Sharon Ewell Foster’s upcoming historical The Resurrection of Nat Turner.  I was hoping to be moved in such a way, while reading that I would stop and kneel, lay prostrate on the floor, run to God’s voice,  and move on up a little higher, because those words were so caught up in magnifying Him that my soul glowed from the inside out. Selah.

I was hoping for greatness  What I found—what I’ve been finding these last few months– was mediocrity and lots of it, which troubled me(myself included). Because somehow, somewhere we have decided to  settle for less in our writing (myself included.)  We have decided to publish less than  greatness. We have allowed the world to dictate to us what is good.  We  sprinkle itself on us. Unfortunately, I have good news for us.

I don’t believe God created us to be mediocre. I don’t believe He anointed his artists to lack great craftmanship. Even in Christ word’s to us He says that we can do even greater things through Him. So what are we doing? Why are we slipping?

I believe it’s because we do not realize who we are. We have forgotten how GREAT we are. So for a while, I think I need to remind you. But I also have to warn you of a few things.

Continue reading "Are You the Answer to Your Writing Problem?" »