Lots of Links . . . Some Informative, Others Just For Fun

Who do you write like? Find out @ I write like. My son introduced me to this site. After you type in a writing sample, it will give you the name of the author it thinks you write like. When I typed in a passage from one of my... novels, it told me I wrote like Stephen King. If you try it, let me know your results . . .

Some great advice HERE from Author Tananarive Due. Among the things she mentions in this speech are 4 ways writers sabotage their work: 1) You want to write, but you don't write; 2) You write, but you don't finish what you write; 3) You finish what you write, but don't submit for publication & 4) You submit what you write, but you don't re-submit. Check out the link for details.

Lots of useful info for newbie writers in the following Youtube clip. In Ask Marita!, Author Marita Golden provides answers to the following: 1) How do I write with regularity; 2) What do I do after my manuscript is finished? 3) What does an agent do?; 4)How do I get an agent?; 5) Is self-publishing a viable option? Check out the clip for Ms. Golden's responses.

The following is a clip of my favorite Muppet, Grover, doing a spoof of the Old Spice Guy commercial.

Horn-Tooting Links . . .

The following is a link to an article about me that appeared a couple of Sundays ago in the Charlotte Observer: "SoMeck writer sets appearances." One small correction though, even though I am from Memphis, I relocated to Charlotte from the Cleveland area. I know, it's confusing (smile).

Did you know After The Dance was available on the Kindle reader? See Amazon.com for details.

The audio version of After The Dance recently went on sale. A digital version is available via Griot Audio (an imprint of the Recorded Books Library Site) on something called a Playaway for the tidy sum of $56.75. If that's too rich for your blood, why not ask your local library to make it available for all of your area's library users?

You may still be able to pick up signed copies of After The Dance at the following locations: The Barnes & Noble (The Arboretum Shopping Center, Charlotte, NC); Joseph-Beth BookSellers (SouthPark Mall, Charlotte, NC); Park Road Books (Park Road Shopping Center, Charlotte, NC); The BookMark (Uptown, Charlotte, NC): Joseph-Beth BookSellers (Legacy Village Shopping Center, Lyndhurst, OH); and possibly SeneAfrique in Cleveland, OH.

Actually, at last report there was only one signed copy of After The Dance left at SeneAfrique. But the African arts store is still worth a visit anyway, if you're in the area (smile). Here's a link to a recent Cleveland Plain Dealer interview with one of the owners, Waly Sene.

A FEW LINKS . . . FOR THE SISTERS, THE SOUTHERNERS AND SOME OF THE REST OF Y'ALL TOO . . .

Torch showcases the poetry, prose and short stories of African American women. The journal's current call for submissions ends on August 31st. For additonal details go to www.torchpoetry.org/

SisterPower is about to launch a new magazine. Check your newstands and bookstores in August. View a sample issue of the magazine HERE.

PMS: Poetry, Memoir and Story will publish a special Black women's issue in the Spring of 2008. Both established and emerging writers are urged to apply. The deadline is October 1, 2007. The poet Honoree Fanonne Jeffers will serve as the editor of the special issue. See HERE (Niggerati Manor) for details.

The deadline for the Tennessee Writers Alliance 2007 Literary Awards Competition is July 1, 2007. The Alliance offers monetary awards ($500, $250 & $100) for short fiction and poetry. The contest is open to all, but requires a $10 entry fee for members and $15 for non-members. Additional details can be found HERE.

A Gathering of the Tribes Magazine is sponsoring a short fiction contest. The deadline is September 15, 2007. Publication in the magazine and monetary awards of ($500, $200, & $100) are being offered to the winners. A $10 entry fee is required. For more information, visit their site HERE.

The DeadMule: School of Southern Literature recently published a short story penned by my friend (and fellow former Memphian) FeLicia Elam. Checkout "Loretta Shine" HERE.

LINKS . . . & A FEW OTHER INTERESTING/ODD TIDBITS

A WRITING WORKSHOP: My agent passed along this link to the Hurston/Wright Writers' Workshop. (Thanks J.) I, personally, know 4 people who have attended the week-long workshop and they all rave about the experience. The deadline is April 20, 2007. Only serious writers need apply. A few scholarships are available.

POETRY: Did you know April was "National Poetry Month?" The folks at Knopf do. In honor of the occasion, they will send you a free poem (and other extras, like audio clips and info about your favorite Knopf poets) every day through the month of April if you visit their site and register.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: My friend MR sent me a link to a site that showcases and explores African American heritage via the world of classical music. The site--http://www.africlassical.com contains audio links and other informative tidbits.

A NEW PUBLISHER: Have you heard? Tina McElroy (author of The Hand I Fan With, Ugly Ways, & You Know Better ) has launched a new publishing company. DownSouth Press won't start accepting submissions until July 1, 2007. Check the site for details.

A NEW LITERARY FORUM: Mat Johnson (author of The Great Negro Plot, Hunting in Harlem and Drop) has launched a new literary discussion board. Niggerati Manor Forum is the name of the spot.

ARETHA FRANKLIN: Currently, I'm working on a novel that incorporates the title of one of my favorite Aretha Franklin song's "A Natural Woman." In the course of my research about the Queen of Soul, I stumbled across this brilliant piece by "the literary thug" that delves into Aretha, her music and her demons. "The Portrait of An Artist As A Young Woman" is essential reading for any serious R & B and/or Aretha fan.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO, "Hmm . . .": I wish I could remember where I saw this comment about the whole Michael Richards and the "N" word incident, so I could provide the link. But essentially, someone pointed out that we, as African Americans, appear more upset with Richard's repeated use of the word nigger than we are by the fact that he also openly suggested his African American hecklers be sodomized with a fork and lynched. And all I can add to that is, "Hmmm . . . "