Topics Include:
- How to Manifest Your Destiny
- The Art of Setting Goals
- How to Find Your Calling
- How to Idenify Your Career Path
- How to Effectively Market Yourself

About Georgia Woodbine: Dale Carnegie once said, ?The person who has technical knowledge plus the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership, and to arouse enthusiasm among people?that person is headed for higher earning power.? Who would have thought that working in the fast-paced entertainment industry would lead to personal transformation and purpose to encourage, motivate, and empower others to implement their knowledge to live their dreams.

Sparking an inspirational phenomenon wherever she goes, national bestselling author/motivational speaker, and marketing expert - Georgia Woodbine shares her experiences, secrets to success and strategies from the entertainment industry that transitioned into her successful publishing company Spiritual Focus Publishing.

Ms. Woodbine is author of National Best Selling book ? How To Make Big Bucks Without Selling Your Soul?, and has produced audio CD?s ?Make it Happen? and ??Grab Your Destiny? as well as other motivational products that empower many in communities near and far.

Ms. Woodbine is one of the most sought after keynote speakers in the areas of personal, spiritual and business development. Ms. Woodbine has appeared on 98.7 Kiss FM Wake Up Club, Conversations With Mayor Ernest D. Davis, of Mt. Vernon, New York, , Air America Radio, 93.5FM, 90.3FM - other credits include, Mt. Vernon Inquirer, Star Ledger Newspaper, Hempstead Times, Black Star News, Roll Out Magazine Moving Forward Magazine, and many others. She has also been listed as one of the top ten books in 2006 by the #1 book club in the country.

Ms. Woodbine has appeared as a guest speaker at Georgian Court University , Stony Brook University, Rutgers University, Howard University, Megar Evers College, Black Expo New York, as well as a long list of other churches and network organizations, just to name a few. She has also seved as fellow panelist with other well renowned speakers such as: Dr. Dennis Kimbro, Dr. Farrah Gray and Terrie Williams.

Her credentials include 15 years of entrepreneurial business success as well as an extensive marketing background. She worked in the entertainment industry with over ten years of experience working for a variety of companies such as; Def Jam, PolyGram, WNYU Radio, WQHT-Hot 97, Black Enterprise Magazine, and the Apollo Theatre, where she honed her management, promotions, and marketing skills.

She has an amazing desire to be a servant for our Heavenly Father and touch the lives of millions through empowerment and inspiration. She wants to live by example and show others how to discover their inner strengths, tap into their spiritual power, and embrace their destiny.

To book National Best Selling Author Georgia Woodbine at your Historically Black College & University contact Phil Andrews, PA Public Relations Company at 718.380.2062 or email philandrews2001@yahoo.com or to purchase Georgia Woodbine's National Best Selling Book How to Make Big Buck$ Without Selling Your Soul! Log on to

Using Socio-Political Issues as Backdrops in Your Writing

Dr. Maxine Thompson
http://www.maxinethompson.com
http://www.maxineshow.com

As I drove to the seventh annual L.A. Community Day Expo 2007 on 1-13-07, I heard a radio show discussing the mounting problem of gang violence and its negative affect on the Los Angeles community. It was a sad commentary as to how LA mothers whose children have been murdered are now holding up pictures of their deceased children, begging the gang members not to kill anymore. In addition to black-on-black gang violence, this situation has been further exacerbated by a war between the Black and Latino gangs in LA areas.

For those who are unaware of the crisis, the acrimonious relationship between African Americans and Latinos in Los Angeles has been stewing for years. And unfortunately, the black-versus-Latino race riot at Chino state prison on January 1, 2007 was not a first. The December 15, 2006 murder of 14-year-old Cheryl Green, an African American, allegedly killed by members of a Latino gang is another racial-hatred crime, which has plagued LA in recent years.

So where am I going with this line of thinking? As African American writers, many of us are not interested in running for politics, but there is something we can do about the racial strife we see. How? By writing about the issues in our non-fiction and in our fiction.

As writers we are accountable to our communities to try and heal problems when we see them.

There are a plethora of topical issues stripped from the news that would layer our stories with realism. The destructive powers of crack. (Alex Tyson's Compton Chick.) Michelle McGriff's Obsession 101, which dealt with the date rape drug.

Even movies that resonate in my memories are the ones which deal with our little known history. I've always admired how John Singleton had the courage to direct the movie, "Rosewood," regarding the, at the time, little known history of the African American town in Florida's 1923 massacre, or how Spike Lee filmed "Malcolm X," before he was finally accepted as an American hero or icon.

Recently I watched an old rerun of Spike Lee's "Jungle Fever" and saw how the same interracial dating issues plague us in the 21st century. As usual, Spike was a visionary and ahead of his times.

There are other issues that can be reflected in your writing. The foster care system. Gang violence. Government corruption. Police brutality. The epidemic of HIV in the African American community. The prison problem.

For example, I try to involve social issues in all of my stories.

In my novella (found in anthology, Secret Lovers) Second Chances, the love story, the politics of racism/economics was alive and well even in a small business, when the protagonist owner, Caprianna, was shot by her former white male employee whom she layed off work.

In my novella, Summer of Salvation, (found in anthology, All in the Family, published in April 2007), one of the subplots involve the current Los Angeles Black-Latino gang wars.

In my novella, Katrina Blues, (last story in anthology, Never Knew Love Like This Before, which was released by Urban Books in June 2007) to name a few topical issues, the story illustrates racial profiling, and the disparity of black treatment in the wake of the Katrina Hurricane. The story takes place in 2005 before and after Hurricane Katrina. My main character, Deni Richards, is your typical 35 year old African American lawyer who pulled herself up by her bootstraps to partake of the American Dream. Oddly, she feels alienated from other black people and she does not believe racism exists anymore since she's now middle-class. However, when she is discriminated against at a fancy white restaurant, sexually harassed by the police department, and reprimanded on her job for reporting the police department for fondling her, she has an epiphany. She is connected to her people who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina and she has to come out of her little cloistered illusion of racial equality and reach out and help some of the victims. When she meets Coleman Blue, a displaced jazz saxophonist, needless to say, Deni goes through a character arc.

I wrote this story because often, as a literary agent, as well as a story editor, when I read some of the new African American literature, there is no mention of racism, discrimination, or racial profiling. I wonder how you can be African American in this country and not experience any or all of the above? Moreover, how can your characters not experience what it is like to be Black in this country? I'm sorry but many times, characters sound as if they are white in black face. And I'm not just talking about if the dialogue uses Standard English or urban vernacular.

Even urban fiction often neglects to tie the drug trade in our community with the Iran/Nicaragua Contra Affair scandal. It's depicted as though the drugs originated in the black community without aid of CIA, planes to bring the drugs into this country or other government assistance to destroy Black people.

One of my favorite novels written by the late Bebe Moore Campbell was Brothers and Sisters, which was about the aftermath of the 1992 Uprising in Los Angeles. She captured the racial tension, which led to the Rodney King explosion, in her fictional Los Angeles landscape.

The truth is, it takes courage to speak out about racism, discrimination, and bigotry. Because we now have more material things, I think we've been lulled into thinking that disenfranchisement no longer exists.

So writers, don't just write about our complacent girlfriend/boyfriend concerns or straight-out drama, but include the larger world around us in your writing and watch how your story will resonate with your readers and endure the test of time. Last, adding these issues will give your written work historical and social significance that critics love.

This will also help you to find a way to not only entertain our readers, but educate them as well.

Dr. Maxine E. Thompson is the owner of Black Butterfly Press, Maxine Thompson's Literary Services, Thompson Literary Agency and www.maxineshow.com. She hosts Internet radio shows on www.artisfirst.com and on www.maxineshow.com. She hosted on Voiceamerica.com from 3/02 to 12/06 and is currently taking a break. She is the author of nine titles, The Ebony Tree, No Pockets in a Shroud, A Place Called Home, The Hush Hush Secrets of Writing Fiction That Sells, How to Publish, Market and Promote your Book Via Ebook Publishing, The Hush Hush Secrets of Creating a Life You Love, Anthology, SECRET LOVERS, (with novella, Second Chances,) and Summer of Salvation. SECRET LOVERS made the Black Expression's Book Club Bestselling list on 7-8-06 (after a 6-6-06 release date.)A new anthology, All in the Family, (Summer of Salvation) was published April 2007l Another new anthology, Never Knew Love Like This Before,(her novella, Katrina Blues,) was published in June 2007. It has been a hotseller on Black Expressions Book Club and it has been no. 13 on Amazon's Multicultural Bestseller's list.

You can sign up for her free newsletter at http://www.maxinethompson.com

**MARC'S WEEKLY MUSE ** - August 3rd, 2007 A highly requested poetic medium of uplift...to brighten your day!!!

Last week's stint at The National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta was a blast. I had the pleasure of signing with the likes of Pearl Cleage, Mother Love, Miasha and a host of other wonderful authors.

Don't forget to check out the Anointed Authors Tour which will pay Atlanta a visit this weekend. Please peep their schedule and see if they'll be venturing to a place near you:

IT'S ON TONIGHT!!!

**ROCK AND FIRE BOOK RELEASE - ATLANTA - TONIGHT!!! Come out and absorb the sounds of HBO Def Poet Abyss and Poseidon Band. Also there will be some authors and other HBO Def Poets to grace the mic. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9...strictly for the grown and sexy...Mocha Match Coffee Bar - Decatur (627 E. College Ave. Suite F).

*******
*INTRO*
*******

Like Atlanta rush hour I want my words to back you up... Stop you up... Then let the vibe flow and unclog like Drano subsequently makin' you erupt like a volcano... And like geometry my lyrical telemetry will hit you from all angles... Give your understanding of poetry various hats like Fedoras and Kangols... Makin' that head warm so hot creative thoughts will never get cold thus creating the air that poetry and spoken word will never grow old...

****
*OJ*
****

Legal modern crucifixion... The perfect definition... Only dumb is exposing himself and dumber is amplifying the exposure as the racial punching bag gets hit with haymakers, Takers of the opportunity understand that human unity and togetherness only exist within text... Other than that, A convenient shot is what it is... and as long as we live nothing will seem to ever give...But we still must try...

********************
*APPLE BOTTOM JEANS*
********************

SOS! THIS JUST IN!!
All fashions were not meant for everybody... Mirrors give the clearest and closest dosage of reality than any other instrument known to man... Summertime capri pants enhance attraction...if they are truly for you... But oh...If fashion has to be a forced fit (not your style?)...then that fit may not be legit... If it's not legit... Don't crack...just move to the next rack... It's as simple as that...

**************************
*PARENTS ABUSING CHILDREN*
**************************

Yes... It's a proven fact that kids can get on your nerves to the point that you want to light up the nearest thing that you can roll-up!! But hold-up...Our children are our responsibility and taking any personal hostility out on them cannot go unnoticed... People leavin' children to burn up and suffocate in cars should be put behind bars after receiving whipping scars from other children... To add to that...the system allows pleas for insanity which lessen sentences... The oppressor is given lighter treatment while a child is six feet under and the guilty have no repentance(s)... Kids deserve their fair shot at life...like we had...

***************************
*WHAT'S REALLY NEWSWORTHY?*
***************************

Is it Paris, Lindsay, Britney? Or Vick, O.J., or the economy? Bottom line... It's not an issue until the news reports it reporter distorts it and the headline contorts it... Who cares about what's right? It's all about what's hot... During the time for ratings hating(s) go up...and contracts go out... Just like a flat tire is a flat tire in reality...but to the media it's a blowout... The word "blowout" is catchy and clingy to the eye that's looking for dirt and gossip like that which existed between Bobby and Whitney... Everyone has a right to their views... But it just goes to show ...no news is good news and good news has no media value...or does it?

************************
* UPCOMING APPEARANCES *
************************

Friday August 3rd 8pm
ROCK AND FIRE BOOK RELEASE CELEBRATION - ATLANTA
Mocha Match Coffee Bar - Decatur
627 E. College Ave. Suite F
*Featuring HBO Def Poet Abyss and Poseidon Band

Saturday August 4th 11:30am
GROWN FOLK'S LITERARY CIRCLE BRUNCH
Cheesecake Factory - Peachtree Street - ATLANTA

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
a good piece o f furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend w ithout; ruining the friendship...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in th e woods... when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

[New York, NY] Wendy Williams, the Queen of Media, threw down the literary gauntlet when she dissed the ‘Divas of Literature Tour 2007’ during her show today (August 1st) on WBLS. The five divas form part of a groundbreaking tour starting Saturday August 4th at King’s Plaza Mall in Brooklyn,

Wendy Williams was supposed to read a pre-written PAID promotion that highlighted this innovative and dynamic tour. She was supposed to say:-

‘Calling all book lovers and book clubs, come out to the Divas of Literature Tour 2007 on Saturday August 4th at Kings Plaza Mall, Brooklyn from 12 noon till 4pm. Five authors, five genres, a little something for everyone. For readings, signings, giveaways. For more information check out www.divasofliterature.com ’

But instead, Williams ATTACKED the divas verbally, RUBBISHED their work, DISRESPECTED their vision, INSULTED the tour visionary and DEVIATED from a PAID FOR PROMOTION. This is what she actually said:-

1) ……from 12pm to 4pm, HOPEFULLY THE DIVAS WILL EVEN SHOW UP ON TIME
2)……five authors across all genres, a little something for everyone, WELL IT CAN’T BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, THERE’S ONLY FIVE AUTHORS
3) …….MAYBE THEY’RE ORGANIZED, BUT IT IS WHAT IS…………

Surprised and shocked by the outburst from the legendary media queen, all five divas of literature declared they were ‘writers not fighters ‘, but they would not take this attack lying down. They argued their INTEGRITY had been QUESTIONED, their REPUTATIONS DAMAGED, their CHARACTERS had been DEFAMED. And they had one question: Why? Why would a woman and a sister at the top of her game, ruling the radio airwaves and published author disrespect, besmirch, insult and offend five authors, five black women, five sisters she doesn’t know.

Renee Flagler, a best-selling author who penned ‘Miss-Guided’ and ‘Mountain High Valley Low’, founding director of Aspicomm Media Inc and the vision behind the tour had this to say in response.

“How dare she attack us this way? She doesn’t know us. This is a paid for promotion,” Renee explained stunned by Ms Williams’ outburst. “We are five sisters, five authors, five divas using creative marketing to get our work out there to the public. She is also a sister doing a job for which she is paid. Today, she didn’t do her job. She did a job on us. At the end of the day, I’m a business woman, and when it comes to business I expect it to be done right. I paid for this service to be done right, it wasn’t. Someone owes me - and

Four divas of literature - an explanation, an apology and some compensation.” Ms Flagler added.

“We are the Divas of Literature, so the show will go on. But damage has been done. Our reputations have been hurt. Wendy’s opinions are listened to and her show has a major audience. That’s why I chose to spend serious money for a promotion in this slot. I am therefore shocked that she did this, and stunned that WBLS would allow this on the air. Is that how this station treats its black clientele?” Ms Flagler concluded.

‘Divas of Literature Tour 2007’ is a literary vision where five authors are traveling to five malls in cities all across America, starting Saturday August 4th at King’s Plaza Mall from 12 noon till 4pm in Brooklyn. The five authors write across a range of genres, including non-fiction, romance, erotica, urban, contemporary fiction and inspirational writing. For full tour, author and date details see www.divasofliterature.com

The ‘Divas of Literature Tour 2007’ took to New York’s city’s sweltering streets to ask the public for their thoughts on Ms William’s inappropriate comments:-

Jhelisa, 25 said : « Maybe she’s intimidated and jealous by the idea of five ladies doing their thing and being out there. »

Keisha, 30 exclaimed: “Wendy’s just a hater! Why else would she do this? She has no right. You ladies keep your heads up. “

William, 29 added: “I’m really surprised to hear that. That is so unprofessional. You paid for a promotion, she got to read it, that’s her job. She can’t do that, you need to fight this.”

Tyrone, 45 concluded: “What’s she got against you Divas anyway? It just makes me wanna come check y’all out and find out what the fuss is about.”

For interviews /comments on this story, email/call Esther Armah 1 347 993 9192, or email estherarmah@centricproductions.co.uk .

· 5 AUTHORS!
· 5 MALLS!
· 5 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS!

NEW YORK! ATLANTA! MARLYAND! HOUSTON! CALUMET!

Esther Armah joins the groundbreaking 'Divas of Literature' tour launching next month August 07. Armah joins tour visionary Renee Flagler, Mahogany Star and two others creating literary magic in malls across America.

Armah's debut work is Can I Be Me? It's a powerful, provocative piece of non-fiction looking at making it in mainstream media, paying the price for trying to maintain your authenticity and trying to decide how far will you go as a journalist to make it in the lily white world of mainstream media?. Armah's book uses her assignments in London, South Africa, Washington DC, Ghana to reveal her story about identity, belonging and finding your way in the world of media, where compromise and the corporate shuffle is the name of the game. Armah is a journalist and junkie - her fix is applause and approval. But it's getting her into trouble and through her assignments, she reveals how deep the trouble gets and how far she has to go to find herself. She has to decide; call it quits or call the shots. Armah's book has now been adapted into a two hour one woman show. Armah is a Black British author who has moved and now lives in New York.

About The Author:
Esther Armah is an international award nominated journalist who has worked in the UK, US and Africa. Her work spans print, radio and television. She is a published author, a public speaker, a playwright and director of a creative media company; Centric Productions. In print journalism, she has written for 'The Guardian' newspaper in London; 'Pride' a UK magazine for women of colour; 'Essence' magazine in New York; 'The Africa Journal' in Washington DC and 'West Africa' magazine in Africa and Europe on issues including race and media; creative leadership, Black British culture, literature and Africa. She has a monthly column on creative leadership and rebranding Africa in the US newspaper 'The New Ghanaian'. In radio in the UK, she has made award winning documentaries for BBC Radio; and hosted 'Up All Night', a BBC Radio live talk show on international current affairs. In US radio, she co-hosts 'Wake Up Call' every Thursday on WBAI in New York; has co-hosted 'What's At Stake' on WPFW in Washington DC. She hosts the brand new radio show about the world of books called 'Off The Page' also on WBAI every Thursday from 12 noon until 1pm. In television in London, she has worked in front of and behind the camera for BBC and commercial television. As a reporter, her work has taken her from Peckham in South London to Pretoria in South Africa including Washington DC, Philadelphia, Ghana, Nigeria, Lesotho and Kenya. Her first book Can I Be Me? has been adapted into a one woman show. She's currently writing her second book.

About Centric Productions:
She’s founding director of the London and New York based creative media company ‘Centric Productions’ which does creative marketing around literature, incorporating the dynamic literary media kit featuring visual trailers for books and dramatized readings as part of its creative tools. Armah is a dynamic public speaker addressing personal, emotional and creative leadership, defining success in mainstream media and rebranding Africa to a mass audience. She now lives in New York. Centric Productions website is www.centricproductions.co.uk

DIVAS OF LITERATURE 07!
Five authors spanning a broad range of literature hit malls all across America, meeting readers, selling books, talking about the themes of their work and creating mall magic This very first ‘Divas of Literature’ 2007 tour is the vision of Renee Flagler, author and director of Aspicomm Media Inc. Writing across urban fiction, non-fiction, romance, erotica, self-help, the five divas offer a genre for every kind of reader as Divas of Literature laces up its boots and hits malls across America.

It all begins August 4th at Kings Plaza Shopping Center in Brooklyn. The timetable:-

AUGUST 4TH - BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
King’s Plaza Shopping Center & Marina Inc, Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn

AUGUST 11TH - MARYLAND, WASHINGTON
Bowie Town Center, Emerald Way, Bowie, Maryland

AUGUST 18TH - HOUSTON, TEXAS
Galleria Mall, 5135 West Alabama Street, Houston, Texas

SEPTEMBER 8TH - CALUMET CITY
River Oaks Center, 96 River Oaks Center, Calumet City

SEPTEMBER 15TH - ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Perimeter Mall, 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road Suite 1360, Atlanta, Georgia

MEET ESTHER ARMAH - A DIVA OF LITERATURE AS SHE CREATES MAGIC IN THE MALLS OF AMERICA!
For more information about Divas of Literature, go to www.divasofliterature.com

For interviews re the Divas of Literature Tour 2007, contact RENEE FLAGLER at rflagler@aspicomm.com or call her on 1 516 642 5976.

· 5 AUTHORS!
· 5 MALLS!
· 5 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS!

NEW YORK! ATLANTA! MARLYAND! HOUSTON! CALUMET!

Five authors spanning a broad range of literature hit malls all across America, meeting readers, selling books, talking about the themes of their work and creating mall magic as Aspicomm Media Inc launches the very first ‘Divas of Literature’ 2007 tour. The tour is the vision of Renee Flagler, author and director of Aspicomm Media Inc. The Divas of Literature Tour brings a new creative tool to the world of marketing literature. Presenting five dynamic, innovative authors to a captive market in the malls of America, Flagler has devised a creative formula to elevate author profile, expand and build an audience, connect to that audience and enable the reader to get a glimpse of the women behind the words.

Divas of Literature is a book tour with a unique vision. Writing across urban fiction, non-fiction, romance, erotica, self-help, the five divas offer a genre for every kind of reader as Divas of Literature laces up its boots and hits malls across America.

It all begins August 4th at Kings Plaza Shopping Center in Brooklyn. The timetable:-

AUGUST 4TH - BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
King’s Plaza Shopping Center & Marina Inc, Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn

AUGUST 11TH - MARYLAND, WASHINGTON
Bowie Town Center, Emerald Way, Bowie, Maryland

AUGUST 18TH - HOUSTON, TEXAS
Galleria Mall, 5135 West Alabama Street, Houston, Texas

SEPTEMBER 8TH - CALUMET CITY
River Oaks Center, 96 River Oaks Center, Calumet City

SEPTEMBER 15TH - ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Perimeter Mall, 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road Suite 1360, Atlanta, Georgia

MEET THE AUTHORS AS THEY CREATE LITERARY MAGIC IN THE MALLS OF AMERICA!

Renee Flagler is the vision behind Divas of Literature. She is an author and a literary entrepreneur. She is one of the Literary Leaders, who feature on the weekly hour long radio show ‘Off The Page’, every Thursday from 12 noon till 1pm on New York’s WBAI 99.5FM. She has written two books ‘Miss-Guided’ and ‘Mountain High, Valley Low’. Her third book ‘In Her Mind’ will be launched during the Divas of Literature tour. Flagler is founding director of Aspicomm Media Inc which was established in 2001 to provide essential information to empower, educate, entertain and inspire. There are three divisions of the company; events, fee-based publishing, marketing consultation. In 2005, the Aspicomm events division launched the Self-Publishing Symposium, an annual business conference for self and independent publishers. For more information about the events and the authors for Divas of Literature, log on to: www.divasofliterature.com . For more information about Renee Flagler and Aspicomm Media, log on to www.aspicomm.com

For interviews re Divas of Literature, contact RENEE FLAGLER at rflagler@aspicomm.com

· 5 AUTHORS!
· 5 MALLS!
· 5 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS!

NEW YORK! ATLANTA! MARLYAND! HOUSTON! CALUMET!

Mahogany Star joins the groundbreaking ‘Divas of Literature’ tour launching next month August 07. Star joins tour visionary Renee Flagler, and three other authors creating literary magic in malls across America.

Star is an urban novelist whose debut work is ‘Where Secrets Lie’. It’s a fast paced urban drama about love, friendship, sisterhood and the corrosive effects of deceit as a young girl from the streets tries to find herself amongst the newfound wealth and status her marriage brings. For Gigi, the heroine of Where Secrets Lie, and her best friends, the goal for the attractive young urban girl is wealth and a man, with an added bonus if the two come together. These are the prizes in the game they play and how they define their own success and happiness. Gigi finds herself scoring on both counts, but when her husband’s wealth throws her into a new social class she finds herself grasping for the person she used to be. The book delves into the world of secrets and lies that surround a growing segment in today’s society, the Buppie (Black Urban Professional, the African American spin on the Yuppie), where wealth can be a dangerous veil over a world of pretense and deception. The story addresses not only class, the changing role of modern women and “Buppie” society, but also the destructive powers of dishonesty as the heroine’s hidden skeletons turn deadly.

PRAISE FOR ‘WHERE SECRETS LIE!’ A must read! Fabulously entertaining! Urban love at its very best!

About The Author:
Born of a single working class parent in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, Star was raised by her maternal grandmother. Although she spent most of her childhood living in the “projects”, she enjoyed her childhood growing up in Brooklyn. Where Secrets Lie is the debut work by a writer driven to create an unforgettable, unputdownable collection of urban novels for her growing audience. The second part of Where Secrets Lie, ‘Saying I Do’, will be released this Fall. Star lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two children.

About Mahogany Star Publishing:
Mahogany Star Publishing weaves interesting tales about life, love, deceit. It creates stories readers can relate to, believe in and draw lessons from - entertaining readers, and always leaving them wanting more. For interesting tales of love, life and deceit visit us online at Mahoganystarpublishing.com

DIVAS OF LITERATURE 07!
Five authors spanning a broad range of literature hit malls all across America, meeting readers, selling books, talking about the themes of their work and creating mall magic This very first ‘Divas of Literature’ 2007 tour is the vision of Renee Flagler, author and director of Aspicomm Media Inc. Writing across urban fiction, non-fiction, romance, erotica, self-help, the five divas offer a genre for every kind of reader as Divas of Literature laces up its boots and hits malls across America.

It all begins August 4th at Kings Plaza Shopping Center in Brooklyn. The timetable:-

AUGUST 4TH - BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
King’s Plaza Shopping Center & Marina Inc, Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn

AUGUST 11TH - MARYLAND, WASHINGTON
Bowie Town Center, Emerald Way, Bowie, Maryland

AUGUST 18TH - HOUSTON, TEXAS
Galleria Mall, 5135 West Alabama Street, Houston, Texas

SEPTEMBER 8TH - CALUMET CITY
River Oaks Center, 96 River Oaks Center, Calumet City

SEPTEMBER 15TH - ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Perimeter Mall, 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road Suite 1360, Atlanta, Georgia

MEET MAHOGANY STAR - A DIVA OF LITERATURE AS SHE CREATES MAGIC IN THE MALLS OF AMERICA! For more information about Divas of Literature, go to www.divasofliterature.com

For interviews re the Divas of Literature Tour 2007, contact RENEE FLAGLER at rflagler@aspicomm.com or call her on 1 516 642 5976.

Radio Host Nicole Stevenson

Radio Host Nicole Stevenson has had been awarded and recognized for her poetry. Her poetry is on over six sites...she is also former colunnist for Fireside Chat Story Time Tapestry, Where Are All The Good Men http://www.heartswithsoul.com/ newsletter. Straight Talk coffee magazine. Nicole Stevenson has done book reviews and band reviews as well as writing and contributing to several sites, and magazines. She was also, Opinion Editor for Vainqueer Teen magazine in Singapore!

Nicole Stevenson is the founder of First Cut's newsletter around since 2003 and currently working on an online magazine as well as upcoming anthology"UnBlock" which is bound to inspire many talents as well as bring the thought back to the established to create is to live".

Publications that published poetry

"I'm A Woman" in my August 10th magazine issue The Cat's Meow for Writers & Readers Ezine

Books
Gumbo For African American Soul
O.G by Lena Scott poetry used as the voice of one of the characters

Featured Poet
http://www.poetry4jesus.com/
http://www.mommytoo.com/
http://www.blackrefer.com/

Interviews made cover
Vainqueer Teens Interview with Playwright Wambui Bahati 2004
Disgold literary magazine interview with Author Donna Hill 2006

Print Interviews
sisterdivas magazine
Consciouness magazine
Heartswithsoul newsletter
First Cut online newsletter
Disgold magazine
AMAG
Let's Talk Honestly

Interviews Radio
Feel free to click on this link http://www.tangimiller.com/ check out interview with Actress/Producer Tangie Miller.

ZANE! AUTHOR & PUBLISHER

LIVE FROM THE BOOK EXPO IN

DIVAS OF LITERATURE NEW YORK KICK OFF A HUGE SUCCESS!

(New York, NY) Aspicomm Media () successfully kicked off the very first Divas of Literature Tour () on Saturday, August 4, 2007 at the Kings Plaza Shopping Center. Scores of readers and book clubs came out to meet and greet the five divas whose writing styles span the literary landscape. Participating authors include contemporary fiction novelist, Renee Daniel Flagler (), non fiction author, Esther Armah, (), Erotica novelist, Naija () urban novelist, Mahogany Star () and inspirational fiction author Ebony Dawn ().

“This is great, we really need to do more events like this!” said John Scaturro, Marketing Manager at the Kings Plaza Shopping Center. Attendees and authors alike enjoyed a day of literary fun with readings, signings, and photos with the authors as well as enticing giveaways from various tour sponsors. Between readings, music charged the atmosphere as children danced to some of the latest tunes courtesy of tour sponsor, WBLS 107.5 FM. Other sponsors included AALBC.com Booking Matters Magazine, RAWSISTAZ, CushCity.com, Mosaic Books.com, C& B Books Distribution and Elasta QP.

The big winners of the day were the members of the S.T.C.J book club from Jamaica, New York. As the winners of the book club prize pack, they received a basket full of great reads from authors like New York DJ, Ms. Jones, Bishop TD Jakes, and many other well known writers across various genres. “This is so exciting and so much fun,” said book club member, Mrs. Timyiaka Waithe. Some attendees sat nearby and began reading their new books just minutes after purchasing their autographed copies.

“The first tour stop was phenomenal! It was nice to get a chance to meet some readers who had previously read my novel "Where Secrets Lie". It was also exciting to meet all the avid readers who were excited to pick up the great books that all the Divas of Literature have to offer. I look forward to our next stop in the DC metropolitan area,” said author Mahogany Star, one of the divas on tour.

Esther Armah, Non-Fiction author of “Can I Be Me,” said, “What an amazing day! New York brought this amazing energy to the kick-off and launched the tour in a DIVA-licious style. Thoroughly enjoyable, this breakthrough event can't help but redefine marketing for books!”

The tour is the vision of Renee Daniel Flagler, author, President and CEO of Aspicomm Media Inc. The Divas of Literature Tour brings a new creative tool to the world of literary marketing, presenting five dynamic authors to a captive market in a variety of malls of America. Flagler has devised an inventive formula to elevate author profiles, expand and build audiences, connect to that audience and enable readers to get a glimpse of the women behind the words.

In the coming weeks the tour will move to four other cities on the following dates:

AUGUST 11TH – MARYLAND/WASHINGTON METRO AREA
Bowie Town Center, Emerald Way, Bowie, Maryland

AUGUST 18TH – HOUSTON, TEXAS
Galleria Mall, 5135 West Alabama Street, Houston, Texas

SEPTEMBER 8TH – CALUMET CITY
River Oaks Center, 96 River Oaks Center, Calumet City

SEPTEMBER 15TH – ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Perimeter Mall, 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, Georgia

ABOUT RENEE DANIEL FLAGLER

Renee Daniel Flagler is the vision behind Divas of Literature, an author and one of the Literary Leaders featured on the weekly hour long radio show ‘Off The Page’, every Thursday from 12 noon till 1pm on New York’s WBAI 99.5FM. She has written two books ‘Miss-Guided’ and ‘Mountain High, Valley Low’. Her third book ‘In Her Mind’ will be launched immediately after the Divas of Literature tour. Flagler will also be honored this year for accomplishment in business at the Black Star News’ 10th Annual Awards Gala, hosted by Doctors Bill and Camille Cosby.

ABOUT ASPICOMM MEDIA, INC.

Aspicomm Media Inc which was established in 2001 to provide essential information to empower, educate, entertain and inspire. There are three divisions of the company; events, publishing and marketing consultation. In 2005, the Aspicomm events division launched the Self-Publishing Symposium, an annual business conference for self and independent publishers. For more information about the events and the authors for Divas of Literature, log on to: . For more information about Renee Flagler and Aspicomm Media, log on to and .

For interviews regarding Divas of Literature and the five authors on tour, contact RENEE DANIEL FLAGLER at rflagler@aspicomm.com .

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:
Nicole Ranger
(516) 642-5976
info@aspicomm.com

Harlem Book Fair on Long Island Commemorative Journal
Venue: The Freeport Recreation Center
130 East Merrick Road
Time: 12-6pm

In Celebration of this year's 5th Annual Harlem Book Fair on Long Island, scheduled Saturday, September 29, 2007, we are producing a special Commemorative Journal. The journal will be a colorful, very festive, and educational 42-page 7 ½ x 10 size booklet celebrating the literary achievements of the participating authors and the milestone of the 5th anniversary of Harlem Book Fair on Long Island.

The journal, a MUST-HAVE souvenir, will be distributed at the Book Fair on Saturday, September 29. We are currently soliciting journal ads. Deadline for submission is September 15. You don’t want to be left out!!!

Harlem Book Fair was established in 1999 by Max Rodriguez, publisher of QBR The Black Book Review, to bridge the literacy divide in the black community and the urban areas around the nation. Each year, since its inception, noted African-American and Hispanic authors have appeared for book-signings, panel discussions, readings, workshops, and “open mike” sessions about their work.

The community event, designed to promote literacy and literary endeavor on Long Island, is also an opportunity for authors to encourage our youth and dialogue with the community. This year even proves to be better, as a variety of merchants have been earmarked and will be on hand to exhibit their products/services.

What started in Harlem has found permanent grounds here on Long Island, courtesy of The African Atlantic Genealogical Society (http://www.aagsinc.net), with whom Mr. Rodriguez joined forces to début the first Harlem Book Fair on Long Island in 2003. Since then, Harlem Book Fair on Long Island has been a mainstay and continues to receive much acclaim. Each year Black and Hispanic writers, venders, residents, and politicians alike, along with several thousand consumers, continue to grace their presence at the Book Fair.

Much is expected this year and your journal ad and/or information about you will reach hundreds and thousands of avid readers and potential consumers who continue to make their presence known at this wonderful event.

Let’s hear from you. Any questions, please email me at hutimes@aol.com . Reach us via phone at (516) 379-0237 (Elseah) or (718) 380-2062 (Phil)

Elseah Chea, Coordinator
Harlem Book Fair Commemorative Journal 2007

Phil Andrews, Co-coordinator & Publicist

Download a file for Souvenir Journal Advertisement Rates & Contract