Monday, January 11, 2010
Give It Up For The Fellas!
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Being Prepared For The Unexpected . . .
A Few Members of the Jackson, TN Branch
of the Page Turners Book Club
Memphis, Dec. 2009
THE original plan had been for us to meet-up at a local downtown eatery, but for some unknown reason, the owner of the eatery decided not to open his doors at the pre-arranged, appointed time. From what I understand, dude wouldn't even answer his phone . . . However, a few folks swore they spotted ole boy cruising by and gawking at the crowd gathered outside the closed doors of his establishment . . . LOL.
Hey, sometimes, it's like that and the best you can do is say, "Lord have mercy! My people! My people!"
Interestingly enough, MY original plan hadn't even been for Stan to assist me with that particular event. But my dear old friend not only showed up, he came through for me in a BIG WAY and for that, I will be forever grateful.
In the end, I had a wonderful time meeting with the ladies and the gentleman of the Page Turners Book Club (Jackson, TN Branch) and discussing my work with them. In spite of the unexpected turn of events, each and everyone of them keep their cool and sense of humor about the situation. Now, that's what I call "CLASS" . . . somthing ole boy from the eatery could probably stand to learn a thing or two about.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Just An Overview . . . From My 2009 Mid-South December Book Signings
Just in case you're wondering, my hair in these pic is unstraightened and chemical free. Thanks to Angela at Jazz It Up hair salon in Memphis, my hair is pulled back into flat-twists. So you see, I am still very much A Natural Woman . . .
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Still On Holiday . . .
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
A Natural Woman News
In case you're wondering, I've been a bit busy, but I'm still here. I do have a few items to share with you on the A Natural Woman front.
First, on Saturday, November 7, 2009 from 1pm-3pm, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers (SouthPark) in Charlotte, NC., I will be siging copies of A Natural Woman. If you are in the area and not too busy, come on out and keep me company. Even if you already have a copy of the book, I'd love to hear your impressions and chat with you about the novel.
While I'm on the subject of impressions, the following is another nice review of A Natural Woman. If you visit Namari's site, and check out the review, don't forget to leave her a comment and let her know you were there.
Last, but not least, I will be posting another "hair story" soon. Michelle Davis Petelinz, our artist-in-residence, steps forward with her unique perspective on the topic of "natural hair." Check back, 'cause you don't want to miss it . . .
Oh, I almost forgot. I'm scheduled to do a blog radio interview with Pearl, the Hair Deva who resides in my old hometown of Memphis and who holds a "A Kinky Konversation" every Wednesday at 3pm (central time). I'm not sure if I'll be on tomorrow or next Wednesday. I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Believe it or not, while I was surfing the net one night, I stumbled upon a site where someone with a signed copy of my novel, After The Dance, was asking $60.00 for it. Huh? LOL! I'm saying, you can buy the durn thing at any bookstore for $15.00 (or less if you go through Amazon) and if you send it to me, I'll sign it and send it back to you for free.
Yes, the offer is, indeed, still open. If you mail me your copy of After The Dance, I'll sign it and pay the postage required to have it mailed back to you. The offer has been extended and will remain open until Friday, December 12, 2008. If you're interested, email me (go to my blog's "view my complete profile" page for the contact info/email address) and I'll tell you where to mail your copies.
Hey, Michelle F. from Memphis, if you're reading this, your copies arrived in my mail today! (smile) Thanks for supporting my efforts. I'll sign the books and get them back to you ASAP. Also, I'm looking forward to seeing you and all of my other Memphis friends, family members and associates in the coming weeks.
Monday, November 03, 2008
THE INFO
My website (lorijohnsonbooks.com) is undergoing a few tweaks and adjustments, so if you visit and discover it down, please check back again later.
THE OFFERS
If you own a copy of my book and you'd like it signed, feel free to send it to me. I'll sign (or personalize) your copy (or copies) of After The Dance and pay the costs involved in having it (or them) mailed back to you. You'll find my email address on my blog's profile page. Email me and I'll let you know where to send your copy or copies. Books, signed or unsigned, do make great holiday gifts (smile). I'll keep this offer open until the first week of December and I'll post periodic reminders.
For my Memphis Peeps or anyone who plans to be in the Bluff City over the Christmas holiday, I have a special offer for you. I'm having two signings at the Brentano's Book Store in Memphis (Oak Court Mall), one before Christmas (Tuesday, December 23, 5pm-7pm) and one after Christmas (Saturday, December 27, 2pm-4pm). The first person to show up at either signing and who purchases TWO OR MORE COPIES of After The Dance (a single copy is only $15.00 plus tax) will receive a FREE AUDIO version of the book. The audio book is regularly priced at $82.75 and the actors do a wonderful job of giving voice to Carl and Faye. So, come on out and do some holiday shopping or else just snag a really nice gift for yourself (smile).
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Yeah, I know, this event took place way back in July and I'm just now getting around to posting the pics! What? Can't a sister be busy? Anyway, my son took most of these pictures and I think he did a fairly decent job.
I truly enjoyed my visit to the Warrensville Public Library. Not only did I finally get to meet Emanuel Carpenter of Thumper's Corner (AALBC) fame, but I was also treated to my first real taste of in-the-flesh feedback. It's simultaneously an odd, humbling and heady experience when folks you don't know show up at one of your events in order to express their praise and appreciation of your work.
Again, I'd like to thank Elayne Jackson for insisting that I visit the branch and for making it all happen. Also, my hat goes off to Mr. Carpenter who drove all the way from Westlake in order to assist me with a reading of After The Dance. Not only is Emanuel an excellent writer, he is an all around cool and level-headed guy. He's been toiling in the background for a few years now, but I have no doubt that he's destined to make a BIG SPLASH on the literary scene one day soon.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Mary Oluonye (pronounced alone-yay) and her husband, Waly Sene are the proud owners of SeneAfrique Trading Company, located at 12206 Larchmere Boulevard, Cleveland OH 44120. Upon learning of my pending visit to the Cleveland area, Ms. Oluonye, who is also a Shaker Heights librarian, invited me to her store and graciously hosted a reception in my honor.
If you are ever in the Cleveland area, I strongly encourage you to visit SeneAfrique. The section of Larchmere upon which the store sits is home to a number of quaint businesses, antique shops and eateries and has a distinct "artsy" feel about it. The store itself offers a wide variety of imported African art, crafts, clothing and other cultural items. In addition to author signings, the owners intend to host art exhibits and other cultural events which promote African & African-American culture.
I had a great time at SeneAfrique and definitely plan to visit again the next time I'm in the area. The following are a few of the pictures from my July 2008 signing in the cozy little courtyard behind SeneAfrique. Just so you know, I'm the one in the hat (smile).
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Joseph-Beth (Legacy Village / Lyndhurst OH)
July 2008
*from Lori's Picture Collection*
Thursday, August 07, 2008
A Cleveland Celebrity . . . In The House . . .
She was the first person I spied when I strolled over to the area in the bookstore where I would be signing and discussing my novel, After The Dance. She was a well-dressed, little old lady who'd taken a seat in the very last row and who from a distance put me in mind of the one and only Ms. Rosa Parks. The expression on her face was pleasant and inviting and as I approached her in order to say, "Hello," I immediately recognized that she was someone other than just a curious visitor or a weary senior citizen in need of a seat . . . she was most definitely somone of stature and importance.
I didn't reside in the Cleveland area long enough to learn all its history. I'd be hard-pressed to come up with more than a few names of the areas movers and shakers, African American or otherwise. But even I had heard of The Judge. While still residing in the Cleveland area, I'd following the news story about the senseless theft at her home and I'd shared her sadness and outrage.
So, as I was walking toward the dignified woman seated in the back, who'd from the looks of things, had arrived early for my event, my brain was working over-time trying to process what kept popping to the forefront of my mind--Hmm, she looks an awful lot like that judge I saw on TV years ago. Why on earth would a judge, who has to be well into her 90s be interested in attending my book signing?
Well, turns out it was indeed the retired Cleveland Municipal Court Judge, Jean Murrell Capers, who, by the way is a good-looking, sharp-minded 95 year old and who, believe it or not, had driven herself to my event (smile). To give you a bit of history--in 1949, Capers became the first African American councilwoman for Cleveland and from 1960 to 1964, she was an assistant Attorney General. In the late '70s she was appointed by the then Governor James A. Rhodes to an unexpired term as Cleveland Municipal Judge. Later, she won election to the post and went on to serve a full six-year term.
Thank you Judge Capers for being such a sweetheart, a woman of substance and a role model. I was truly touched and honored by your presence.
(In the coming days, look for me to share a few more of the pics from my Cleveland visit).
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
On Saturday May 10, 2008 from 2:00-3:00, I will be signing copies of my debut novel, After The Dance, at Park Road Books (located in the Park Road Shopping Center, 4193 Park Road ) in Charlotte, N.C.
On Friday, May 16 from 12:00-1:30, I will be signing copies of my debut novel, After The Dance, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers (located in the Southpark Mall, 4345 Barclay Downs Drive) in Charlotte, N.C.
I'm waiting on confirmation of an additional signing in Charlotte for May. I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Me and my Cool Cousin Mike, who recently earned
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
On Saturday, April 12, 2008, I held two signings for my debut novel, After The Dance. More than 50 folks showed up at both events--approximately 51 at the first one and 58 at the second. According the my calculations, close to 100 (99) copies of After The Dance were sold and signed within the span of 4 hours.
Forgive me for being glib, but really I have to say this to the bookseller who declined to arrange a signing of my book at his store because in his words, Memphis isn't a big enough town for two launch parties . . . What the?! Who said anything about?! Anyway, maybe, just maybe what's lacking in size Mr. Bookseller Ole Boy is your vision. Free your mind and your @$$ just might follow (LOL).
In any case, there are a few things I will definitely do differently the next time out. We actually ran out of books at the 2nd signing--something which could have been easily avoided, but that's all right. Like I said, now that I know who's willing to work with me and who's not . . . (LOL).
Hey, it was and is still all good (smile). Approximately 20 minutes into the 2nd affair when it looked like we were about to run out of books, my quick thinking niece and sister-in-law called the bookstore at the mall across the street. On locating another ready supply, they went and bought a handful and brought them back over for me to sign. A couple of other folks did the same. Wow! How's that for being "resourceful?" You've gotta love it, dontcha? Shortly after that little stunt, another boxful of my books suddenly materialized (LOL).
A great big ole shout out to everyone who bought a book and/or in some way lent their time, energy and support to making the launch of my debut novel in Memphis a success. Thanks for helping me prove that Memphians of all racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds will turn out and support a sister who dares hold two book signings at two different venues on one day (smile).