Walter Dean Myers New York Times Article

I ran across this article through a Facebook post today and had to share.  

Author Walter Dean Myers speaks very candidly about the lack of people of color in children's books today in a New York Times article.  With so many advancements that have been made in society, our image is not represented in literature.  Is it because there are a lack of African-American writers?  Interest about the African-American community as a whole? Could it be there is a quiet effort to prevent our story from being told and preserved in print for generations to come?  You be the judge after reading this article from this prolific author.  

Where Are the People of Color in Children's Books? by Walter Dean Myers

K'Wan Is Coming To Chicago!

K'Wan is coming to Chicago!

- K’wan has been featured in: Vibe, Pages, King, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, and Time Magazine, to name a few.

- K’wan was also the recipient of the 2012 and 13 Street Lit Book Award Medals (SLBAM) in adult fiction for Eviction Notice and Animal.

- His credits also include featured commentary in the award winning Documentary Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp (produced by Ice-T) as well as a reoccurring guest role on TV-One’s Celebrity Crime Files.

- K’wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.

K'Wan also has appeared on TV One's 'Celebrity Crime Files' along with author Karen Quinones Miller.  Below is a direct link to my favorite episode where they both give an ACCURATE account of the life of Bumpy Johnson.

Brooklyn's In the House!

If you are in the Brooklyn area next weekend, be sure to check out this event!

            The symposium “Street Literature: Love it or Loath it” will take place November 15 at the Central Library of the Brooklyn Public Library from 9:30am to 12:30pm.  We will debate the central question whether the genre gives voice to a sector of society that has been traditionally neglected as proper literature or does it perpetuate stereotypes and glorify the underbelly of urban living?  What is the answer to that age old adage “any reading is good reading”.

Vanessa Irvin Morris, author of the definitive guide to street literature “The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Street Literature,” will set the table for this symposium with a comprehensive review of street literature and moderate a panel discussion of experts to examine the nuances of this genre from a range of perspectives. The symposium will also feature a panel of prominent street literature authors, including Wahida Clark and K’Wan to discuss their work, answer questions, and meet and greet attendees.

Cool Quotes

If there's one thing I love is someone advocating and speaking positively about Street Literature.  Check out these quotes below.  I just love those brothers from Cash Money Content.

#LatePost: Wahida Clark Visits Chicago

Yes it's been a long minute since I've posted.  Just check out my other blog, The Audacious Librarian and you will understand why.  Moving forward, I'm playing catch up on several posts that should have been up for a long time.

Me with the Queen of Street Lit, Wahida Clark

This is a #LatePost from a book signing where the always working Queen of Street Lit, Wahida Clark visited Chicago.  During her stay she signed copies of her April release, "Honor Thy Thug." This event was hosted by Da Book Joint owned by Verlean Singletary a Chicago online bookseller.  I cannot wait to check out these signed copies of Wahida's books to my students this fall.  My students are in love with the THUG series

The Keysha Diaries - Volume 1

I really like how Kimani Tru Publications has supported the popular Keysha's Drama series over the years.  Recently, Kimani Tru released The Keysha Diaries - Volume 1 in March.  Cleverly done, the publisher has packaged book one and two of the series into one volume for sale.  

Written by author Earl Sewell, the series chronicles the life of teenager Keysha as she struggles with family and friends while learning valuable life lessons along the way.   Sewell's books are classified as young adult yet they have a strong audience as young as fifth grade.  Currently there are seven books in the popular series with an eighth book to be released in July. This series is a very popular one in my Library Media Center as multiple copies of all of these books are constantly checked out.

Overall I think this this book release is great because readers can enjoy 'Keysha's Drama' and 'If I Were Your Boyfriend' in one sitting.   Below is a really cool video of Sewell performing a re-enactment of 'If I Were Your Boyfriend.'  This skit was performed at the Chicago Teacher Librarian Association meeting.  Enjoy!
CTLA Meeting - Earl Sewell from K.C. Boyd on Vimeo.

A Nod to School Librarians

I had to share this.  The quote below is from young adult author, Ni-Ni Simone and it just warmed my heart...

"We need more school librarians who understand that we must get our children to read.  The way we do that is to give them books that make them want to read and never stop!" 

             Author, Ni-Ni Simone

          http://ninisimone.com

Honor Thy Thug Video

I just love this interview of author Wahida Clark on the Simon and Schuster website.   Clark discusses the characters in her Thug series and her strong fan base of loyal readers.   I can truly say this is one down to earth sister and she really does listen to the feedback that her fans give her about her books.  That's why they are so good!  I know one thing, I can't wait to get my hands on my copy on April 13, 2013.   Take a look at the video below and see for yourself.

P.S.  Are you looking for another book series to read?  Wahida Clark Presents author NeNe Capri's books are REALLY hot and page turners.  Trust and believe, you will read her books in ONE sitting.  You can buy her books off of the website as well.

Author Spotlight: Earl Sewell

Teen/Adult Author, Earl Sewell

Chicago native Earl Sewell knew he always wanted to write.  Even after receiving more than forty rejection letters from several  New York publishing houses, Sewell pursued his dream.   He started his own publishing company which he named "Katie Books" after his late mother and the rest is history.   
Today, Earl Sewell has written over seventeen novels over the past eleven years and has a strong flowing of teen and adult readers.  These novels have held steady positions on national bestseller lists and has been featured in numerous popular magazines.   His new teen novel, "Back to Me," will be released June of 2012.  

Miss Domino:  First let me tell you from a Librarian’s perspective, my students are in love with your books. Why do you think pre-teens/teens are so drawn to your character Keysha?
Earl Sewell:      Sometimes I ask myself the same question. I believe there is a combination of factors that draw teens to Keysha. Followers of the books have probably been waiting for something they could identify with for a long time. Next is the emotional connection readers have to the character. They want to meet Keysha and hang out with. They want to discuss their problems with her and treat her as their best friend because they feel she understands what they’re going through. 

Sewell speaks to teens.

Miss Domino:  Your book, “Mya’s Choice” has a Hispanic female protagonist. What did you do to learn more about the Hispanic/Mexican American culture while developing the character Mya?
Earl Sewell:      I read a book entitled, "Images of America, Mexican Chicago" by Rita Arias Jirasek and Carlos Tortolero. The book follows  the rich history of Mexican people and their culture in Chicago. I visited the Mexican American Museum and visited the Pilsen community where I spoke business owners about the history of the community. I also spoke with several friends of Hispanic descent who provided me with useful information.

Miss Domino:  Not to give any part of the book away, Mya’s sister experiences a life threatening event. Some may say that this is too much for teens to handle, while others believe that the discussion is warranted. How did you come to a final decision to tackle tough or sensitive subjects in your books?
Earl Sewell:      No one wants to read a boring story where everyone is happy, nothing is wrong and the fictitious characters live in absolute bliss. No one would read the book. In fact, I’d argue that the reason many people read fiction is to take away some life lessons. Any good parent of a teenager would tell you that they spend a lot of time trying to teach their teens similar lessons. The world around us isn’t filtered. Turn on the news in Chicago and nearly every day the report is about a teen being shot, a drug bust, or political scandal. Jump on the Internet and you’ll see everything else television networks refuse to air. We live in a world where information on any subject is just a few key strokes away. So for those who believe that certain subjects for teens are taboo I would say the 1950’s are gone and the Leave It To Beaver, philosophy is ancient. Welcome to the 21st Century. 

Sewell gets the students excited about reading.

Miss Domino:  What has been the response from teens, parents and librarians about the books?
Earl Sewell:      All of the responses I’ve received have been very positive. So far so good. Librarians love it when they can locate a book that kids will enjoying reading. 


Miss Domino:  You visited my school last year and I observed something very interesting. Teen boys that were hyped and amped just as much as the girls about the Keysha series and hearing you speak. As you know, teen boys can be a challenging audience because they generally enjoy reading other genres, i.e. fantasy, sports, science and not realistic fiction. Why do you think you receive this type of response from teens?

Earl Sewell:     I think for young men who saw me at your school were excited because seeing an African American male author was something they hadn’t been exposed to. I enjoyed them just as much as they enjoyed me.

Miss Domino:  What are some of the challenges have you experienced from a writer’s position while developing these books?
Earl Sewel:      Coming up with storylines that don’t seem repetitive is the biggest challenge. I find myself pushing my creativity beyond its boundaries. I keep searching for the stories that I know are there, but hidden deep within. 


Miss Domino:  Do you believe it was easier to produce a book for a teen audience than an adult audience?
Earl Sewell:     Oh no each of them are equally difficult.

The Keysha Saga Continues!

Miss Domino:  How do you balance writing for your adult audience and teen audience.
Earl Sewell:      Good question. My adult audience is just as demanding as my teen readers. Once they’ve completed a book they’re ready to read the next one and don’t like waiting. At times I feel as if I can’t produce the titles fast enough. I balance everything through discipline and good time management. 

Miss Domino:  How do you balance writing, your personal life and fatherhood?
Earl Sewell:      It’s a grind. Although I have tight deadlines, I can never lose sight of my daughter who is now seventeen. I always take the time to pull away from my work to connect with her. Soon she’ll be away a college and will mostly likely not have much time for me because she’ll be too busy maturing into adulthood.

Miss Domino:  Writing for the Teen audience is tough. A writer must be very observant of content and messages conveyed in the story. On average, how long did it take to develop and produce your books for publication?
Earl Sewell:      My upcoming book entitled, "Back To Me" comes out in June of 2012. I began writing that book on August 8, 2011 and completed it November 27, 2011. That’s about 15 weeks. 

Miss Domino:   Yes, I checked Amazon and have already pre-ordered my book.  I really like the book trailer promoting the book.  
Earl Sewell:       Thank you!  I'm glad you liked it.

Miss Domino:  Earl, it has been a pleasure speaking to you today.  Good luck on your upcoming release of "Back to Me."  Please continue to write stories for teens that entertain and inspire them.

*Meet Earl Sewell at the Harlequin/Kimani Tru booth at the American Library Association Conference this June in Anaheim, California.

Author Spotlight: Wahida Clark

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

If you are fan of adult Street Lit., then you are familiar with Wahida Clark’s books.  Penned the “Queen of Thug  Love Fiction,” Clark’s style of writing has set the standard for Street Literature.  Some of her best selling novels include:  Payback is a Mutha, The Golden Hustla and Justify My Thug.  Now she has ventured into another arena:  young adult literature.  The new book series is called, “The Wahida Clark Presents Young Adult Series (YA)” targets readers from ages 14-18.  Teens will now have a series of their own that will feature realistic characters and problems that they can relate to.   The overall goal of this series is to carry the message that every deed has a consequence. 

Author, Wahida Clark

I’m excited about this series because like Tamika Newhouse, Ni Ni Simone and Earl Sewell, Clark is committed to presenting a responsible solid story that teens can learn from.   Below is a brief interview between myself and the very busy Wahida Clark.  

--------------------------------------------

Miss Domino: First let me tell you from a school librarian’s perspective, my 12th grade girls are in love with your books that you have written from your adult catalog.  Why did you create Wahida Clark Presents Young Adult?

     Wahida Clark:  One of my inspirations for writing was that I saw how I could inspire our youth to read. This applies to my Young Adult Line as well.

Miss Domino:  Wahida tell me about some of your new Young Adult authors, how you discovered them and a brief synopsis of their stories?

     Wahida Clark:  - Rashawn Hughes, the author of Under Pressure, at the age of twenty-two, was convicted and sentenced to twenty years in prison for a shooting in a street altercation where a man lost his life.  While in prison Mr. Hughes has dedicated himself to being responsible, to showing that life once set on its course can change. He began honing his writing skills in 2000 after taking a brutally honest look at his life and situation. He wanted to create a way to keep the memory of his victim alive and do something that would make his family proud of him. So he decided to pen Under Pressure.

     - Charmaine White is an 18 year old student at Spellman.  She simply reached out to me with her manuscript and we liked it.  She simply enjoys writing.

     - Gloria-Dotson Lewis currently pursuing her degree in Social Work. She is a married mother of three and is dedicated to creating a non-profit organization geared specifically toward African-American teen girls. Her goal is to create an environment that will empower, encourage and educate young women with the skills they need to make responsible choices that will lead to a healthy, successful future. 

     We have other new Young Adult writers that will be debuting soon.

Miss Domino: Writing for the Teen audience is tough.  A writer must be very observant of content and messages conveyed in the story.  I've read all three books and they are page turners that teens will enjoy.  On average, how long did it take to develop and produce the books for publication?

     Wahida Clark:  It takes us 5-6 months per title.

Miss Domino: What has been the response from teens, parents and librarians about the books?

     Wahida Clark:  Great responses! Looking forward to touching more lives. 

Miss Domino: What are some of the challenges have you experienced from a publisher’s position while developing these books?

     Wahida Clark:  There haven’t been a lot of Young Adult book lines in the black community. My challenge is to increase the availability.

Miss Domino: Do you believe it was easier to produce a book for a teen audience than an adult audience?    

      Wahida Clark:  They are about the same.

Miss Domino: Your writers did a really good job in relating to the teens today.  Their references to speech/language, music, interests and most importantly problems that teens experience were well researched.  Why do you think it is important for today’s writers to relate to their audience?

     Wahida Clark:  You won’t sell books if you can’t relate to your audience.  Simple as that!

Miss Domino: With three books in your teen catalog, what can we expect from Wahida Clark Presents in 2012 for teens and adults?

     Wahida Clark:  A lot more!

Miss Domino:  What Street Lit titles are sitting on your bookshelf right now?

     Wahida Clark:  The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah, Standing at the Scratch Line by Guy Johnson, some Donald Goines, Tracy Brown, Nikki Turner, the list goes on . . . I am a book junkie with all genres on my shelves.

Miss Domino:  What is in the near future for you?  i.e. – speaking at conferences, book fairs, webinars etc.

     Wahida Clark:  All of the above and then some! I must admit, I have grown my company at a pace faster than I can keep up with.


School and Public Librarians:  Wahida Clark Presents - Young Adult Series books are now available through Children's Plus in library binding!  

Author Spotlight: Vanessa Irvin Morris - Part II

As promised, here's Part II of my interview of author Vanessa Irvin Morris.  Enjoy!

Earlier this year you created, “The Street Lit Book Award Medal Booklist.”  Why did you create this award and why is this honor so different from book awards?

Author, Vanessa Irvin Morris

Well, I was noticing how literary awards come out during the first quarter of the year (for the most part – especially in library world) and that there was no recognition for literary excellence in Street Lit. Street lit is a prolifically published and read genre, yet there was no measure for acknowledging the best of the literature for various reading levels (best teen, best adult, etc.). I felt this was an unnecessary void. I also felt that the Street Lit Book Award Medal would be a good way to advocate for the literari-ness of Street Lit and to also act as a collection development tool for librarians seeking to adequately add titles to their collections.

The SLBAM Committee considers books that are popularly read and requested in libraries across the U.S. We have committee members from every region of the country. This way we get a good coverage of what patrons are requesting and reading. We take those lists of titles and read or re-read the books. We discuss the books. We then do a series of rounds to advocate for the Medal ranking.

Many people reading this interview would be surprised to hear that you are currently working on your Ph.D.  How were you able to write a book and work on your Ph.D. at the same time?

Morris at her 2011 Book Signing

Well they are both related. The book is about helping librarians (and teachers) understand Street Lit; my dissertation research is about learning how librarians read Street Lit and how their reading responses inform their professional practice.

What Street Lit. titles are on your bookshelf now?

Lorton Legends by Eyone Williams

Eviction Notice by K ’wan

The Robbin’ Hoods by Ericka Williams

I’m also looking to dig into TTW3 by Takeera Allen. If you go to my blog, at www.streetliterature.com, I have a Shelfari widget of all my current reads.

What's in the near future for you?  i.e. - speaking at conferences, webinars, etc.

The Reader's Advisory Guide to Street Literature, ALA Editions

There is going to be a public book launch event for The Readers Advisory Guide to Street Literature on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, at the VivantVivant Art Collection Gallery, located at Gallery Row, 60 North 2^nd Street (2^nd and Arch Streets) in Philadelphia, 6pm-9pm Eastern Time. It is going to be a wine and cheese event; free admission (and parking!). J We are going to offer an open forum for people to discuss the book and the genre. There are additional media plans in the works, to promote the book, but they are still tentative at this time.   You can read more about this event by checking the events page on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/events/116218215156764/.    You can click ‘LIKE” and “SHARE” to spread the word!

You can email me at  VANIRVINMORRIS@GMAIL.COM   to RSVP, friend me on Facebook (Vanessa Irvin Morris) or follow me on Twitter (@vanirvinmorris) for latest announcements..  See you there!

Morris is the Assistant Teaching Professor at The iSCHOOL at Drexel’s University’s College of Information Science and Technology in Philadelphia. She is the country’s foremost Street Literature Scholar and writes frequently on her blog, Street Literature.   Morris is the creator of “The Street Lit Book Award Medal Booklist.” 

Her book “The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Street Literature,” published by ALA Editions has recently been submitted for nomination consideration for the NAACP Image Award – Outstanding Literacy Work. 

Author Spotlight: Vanessa Irvin Morris

Today I am featuring my fellow Warrior Librarian, colleague and friend, Vanessa Irvin Morris on MissDomino.  Morris is the Assistant Teaching Professor at The iSCHOOL at Drexel’s University’s College of Information Science and Technology in Philadelphia. She is the country’s foremost Street Literature Scholar and writes frequently on her blog, Street Literature.  Her research of the genre is thorough and extensive.   
Morris is also the author of “The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Street Literature,” published by ALA Editions.  She is also the creator of “The Street Lit Book Award Medal Booklist.” and explores what Street Lit does to and for us, and what we do to and for it.  This interview will be presented in two parts for your reading enjoyment. 

When did you fall in love with Street Lit and why is it one of your most favorite genres to read?

As a kid, I was exposed to Street Lit during the DonaldGoines/Iceberg Slim period. In 1999, I was reintroduced to the genre by new teens coming in to the library asking for titles and teaching me about this new wave in the genre. Street Lit is one of my favorite genres because of its honesty and unapologetic storytelling. Street lit tells stories from a space of courageous truth, and I like that, and I respect that. Also, I was born and raised in the inner-city, so as a reader, I can relate to the stories, as well.

Morris at her book release party, Nov. 2011

I read your book, "The Reader's Advisory Guide to Street Literature" and really enjoyed it.    I know that you have written articles, blogged and spoke at conferences on the subject. What prompted you to finally write a book about Street Lit?

I felt there was a real need for a text that fully unpacks the genre for educators.  I was seeing how teachers and librarians were resisting the genre while its readers, teens and adults, were embracing it.  I wrote the book to provide a bridge of understanding between readers of this genre and the educators who serve them.

Readers often think that Street Literature began with Claude Brown’s "Manchild in a Promised Land" (1965).  In your book you discuss the roots of Street Literature which may be a surprise to many.  Can you explain this further?

In the book I talk about how previous generations also had literature that told the gritty realities of street life. I talk about how this brand of street literature that we ostracize today actually has canonical counterparts in Western literary tradition. I date street literature in novel format back to the 18^th century.

Vanessa, what frustrates you most about the critics, librarians or those who don't understand Street Lit.?

What frustrates me most is that people actually think they have the right to determine what qualifies as literature and what does not, for whole populations of readers. As a public librarian, such an elitist stance astounds me. Of course we all have our preferences in what we deem appropriate or interesting to read. However, I don’t agree with the idea that just because I am a librarian or a teacher or an author or whatever, that I can say this literature is bad or this literature is better or this literature is good for others. If that were the case, I would personally dictate that the entire horror genre be banned, because that genre is not my particular preference to read or engage. But you see how silly that sounds, right? I guess I am most frustrated at the silliness of some of the anti-street lit rhetoric that is out there.

Stay tuned for Part II, coming Friday, November 25, 2011