Enjoy news, interviews, personal commentaries, publishing buzz from a fresh perspective, chat about the real writing life, events and more. This entertaining space is dedicated to lovers of wordsmiths, regardless if your favorite genre is something mild or a little wild. Information about Grove Street Ezine, our digital publication that is available via http://issuu.com/bloggertime and http://alexhaley.com/grove_street.htm can be found here, too. You never know who may stop by. Ciao!
Showing posts with label African-American. Show all posts
Showing posts with label African-American. Show all posts
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Review of Sistergirls@work.
A MODERN CAREER ADVICE CLASSIC
In these times of an unstable economy, Carol M. Mackey’s Sistergirls @ work: A Devotional is a resource tool that should be in the hands of any female who is a recent college graduate, Christians seeking to maintain high-quality work relationships, females feeling frustrated by current employment situations, stay-at-home-moms who may be contemplating reentering the workforce, or females of faith who wants to feel empowered to balance work, home and spirituality while excelling in their careers. Although Sistergirls@ work was written with African-American women, women of color, and Christians in mind, Ms. Mackey’s heartfelt advice may also resonate with any woman who seeks to keep a strong relationship with Christ, and herself. However, the targeted demographic will certainly be able to relate to the issues that the author presents in her vignettes. If you need help to thinking before you speak in the workplace— to navigate through dicey situations—this book can help you improve your ability to avoid or manage conflicts.
Sistergirls @ work is a gem that I highly regard as a life-long resource tool—and most certainly appropriate for single mothers, too. As Ms. Mackey stated in her book, getting time with a CEO for mentorship and advice is incredibly valuable, since his or he schedule is full of obligations. Ms. Mackey’s solid advice is just as priceless. The editor-in-chief of the award winning, Black Expressions Book Club provides examples of how she resolved challenges at work, shared praise reports admitted personal faux paus, and demonstrated how a finely-tuned career plan can pay off. The author lets us know that she is a real person, capable of mistakes, who still managed to rise to her well-respected position. Each devotion that she utilizes is short enough to read on the go, or the entire book can be absorbed in one sitting. Biblical references set the tone for each succinct chapter. “Power Move” is a nice capsuled summary at the end that gives the reader an actionable moment to note and apply in life. “My Confession” pulls the remaining points together with a biblical thread, without a preachy feel. I felt like Ms. Mackey pulled up a chair to have a chat over coffee or tea. As I flipped each page, I quickly began to realize why she is extremely successful in the publishing industry.
If you’re wondering how to map out a plan to achieve your career goals, or if you feel like you’re lost, floundering, or need to rejuvenate your spirit, Sistergirls@ work: A Devotional delivers all of this and more. It’s not the kind of book that most readers who appreciate self-help or advice books would want to lend. I highly recommend buying the paperback version to keep for times when quick reference is desired. This book kept me up all night, but it was well worth my time. By far, it is the most useful and most engaging advice book that I’ve ever read. I’m incredibly grateful that Carol M. Mackey chose to offer insight regarding how to become a successful Sistergirl. Every female author or aspiring author of faith should also consider placing this on her reading list. It’s a real chance to learn tips from a pro. My only complaint about the book was that I hadn’t found it sooner.
Reviewed by Andrea Blackstone
Five Stars
Would you like to read more of Grove Street's 9th issue? Please cut and paste this link for Moving Forward, BEA news, and Athletes Raise Money For Wounded Warriors.
http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/grove_street_june_issue_moving_forw?&origin=email
Look me up on Twitter: @AndreaBlackston
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Express literary dish! What's happening with some of your favorite authors?
On May 2nd, Carl Weber announced, "Big things happening! Look for a press release on the Family Business TV show sometime next week. Producers are talking to some big people to play key parts. Hint-hint, someone from the Sopranos has agreed to play mob boss Sal Dash. Oh I wish I could tell you more."
This past Tuesday in Washington, DC, a bookstore called Politics & Prose hosted First lady, Michelle Obama. She signed copies of her book, American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America, just in time for Mother's Day.
A.C. Arthur cleans up in 2013, winning suspense of the year, sequel of the year, and hero of the year at the Emma Awards, which acknowledges excellence in African-American Romance.
Momentum is building up as Zane's publishing bootcamp excites aspiring authors, and published writers wanting to brush up on what to do. It's reportedly being slated to be held in Maryland. http://zanebootcamp.eventbrite.com/
Renee Flagler's novel, Raging Blue is now available in paperback.
Follow me on Twitter @AndreaBlackston
Here is our latest edition of Grove Street. http://issuu.com/bloggertime/docs/grove_street_april_2013_nonprofit_edition2
It feature's award winning singer, Y'Anna Crawley, Captain Jas Boothe, cancer survivor Gene Gadd, poet (Lawren Greene), Sister Souljah and more.
We'll see you next time in express literary news!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Hannah D. Spivey stops by The Nook to chat about her book, "Ebony The Beloved."
Hannah D. Spivey is an author from Miami, Florida. I interviewed her about the book, "Ebony the Beloved." It is an urban/ contemporary fiction read that was published through Aziza Publishing. Check out her express blog interview below.
The Nook: What are your feelings about urban fiction?
Hannah: I am a fan and author of urban fiction. No disrespect to some of the authors, but I think Urban fiction has been over saturated with light skin/brown complected women wearing next to nothing or hardcore thugs with cigars dangling from their mouth or they're holding a gun, gracing the front cover of books. Urban fiction is a great market, but I also see similar story premises. Although, most of the authors are very talented, I think Urban fiction can be a very diverse market with something that is refreshing and unconventional, and thankfully I've been witnessing emerging urban lit authors bring something fresh, bold, and new to the table. Kudos to them.
The Nook: What is the story about?
Hannah: My story is about a girl named Ebony Starks, who has been through more hell than Celie and Precious put together. You haven't read a book hardcore abuse until "Ebony the Beloved."
The Nook: Did you self-publish it?
Hannah: No, my book was published through Aziza Publishing. However, I'll be self-publishing my next novel, "The Bold and the Ugly Truth."
The Nook: Who is your target audience, and what would you like them to take away from it?
Hannah: My target audience is women 18+ and I want them to see that any forms of abuse doesn't define who you are and you can transcend beyond anything trials you encounter.
The Nook: What do you feel are two themes in your book that are relevant to teens today?
Hannah: Self-esteem and abuse--including physical, mental, emotional, or verbal.
The Nook: What has the feedback been about the book? Have you also received any feedback from teens?
Hannah: I've been getting rave reviews from people from all walks of life.
The Nook: Where can it be purchased?
Hannah: Amazon, Ebay, Barnes and Nobles, Books-A-Million, and other retailers.
The Nook: Is it available in eBook and paper back book format?
Hannah: Yes, the novel can be purchased for a nominal price of $0.99 on Kindle. :-)
The Nook: How can readers keep up with you?
Hannah: They can follow me on Twitter @Bossladywriter. I also have a fan page entitled "Hannah Dorothy Spivey." They can reach also out to me via my personal Facebook profile: Hannah Bobanna.
We want to wish Hannah continued success with her book, and we appreciate her visit. If you're a fan of the genres that she mentioned, please check out her work. So, what are others saying about "Ebony the Beloved?" Cut and paste or click the link and take a look.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0615516831
Happy reading to my fellow bookaholics!
Andrea @ The Nook
The Nook: What are your feelings about urban fiction?
Hannah: I am a fan and author of urban fiction. No disrespect to some of the authors, but I think Urban fiction has been over saturated with light skin/brown complected women wearing next to nothing or hardcore thugs with cigars dangling from their mouth or they're holding a gun, gracing the front cover of books. Urban fiction is a great market, but I also see similar story premises. Although, most of the authors are very talented, I think Urban fiction can be a very diverse market with something that is refreshing and unconventional, and thankfully I've been witnessing emerging urban lit authors bring something fresh, bold, and new to the table. Kudos to them.
The Nook: What is the story about?
Hannah: My story is about a girl named Ebony Starks, who has been through more hell than Celie and Precious put together. You haven't read a book hardcore abuse until "Ebony the Beloved."
The Nook: Did you self-publish it?
Hannah: No, my book was published through Aziza Publishing. However, I'll be self-publishing my next novel, "The Bold and the Ugly Truth."
The Nook: Who is your target audience, and what would you like them to take away from it?
Hannah: My target audience is women 18+ and I want them to see that any forms of abuse doesn't define who you are and you can transcend beyond anything trials you encounter.
The Nook: What do you feel are two themes in your book that are relevant to teens today?
Hannah: Self-esteem and abuse--including physical, mental, emotional, or verbal.
The Nook: What has the feedback been about the book? Have you also received any feedback from teens?
Hannah: I've been getting rave reviews from people from all walks of life.
The Nook: Where can it be purchased?
Hannah: Amazon, Ebay, Barnes and Nobles, Books-A-Million, and other retailers.
The Nook: Is it available in eBook and paper back book format?
Hannah: Yes, the novel can be purchased for a nominal price of $0.99 on Kindle. :-)
The Nook: How can readers keep up with you?
Hannah: They can follow me on Twitter @Bossladywriter. I also have a fan page entitled "Hannah Dorothy Spivey." They can reach also out to me via my personal Facebook profile: Hannah Bobanna.
We want to wish Hannah continued success with her book, and we appreciate her visit. If you're a fan of the genres that she mentioned, please check out her work. So, what are others saying about "Ebony the Beloved?" Cut and paste or click the link and take a look.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0615516831
Happy reading to my fellow bookaholics!
Andrea @ The Nook
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