~ Fabulous Author Lineup ~
 
 The California Book Club Summit
 September 9-12, 2010
 San Ramon Marriott, San Ramon, CA

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Let me start out by saying that we are indeed blessed, privileged and honored to welcome each of the fabulous authors who have agreed to grace this second annual California Book Club Summit with their presence and their literary genius. 

We will meet and greet: 

Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant, Mary Morrison, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Tananarive Due, Steven Barnes, Victoria Christopher Murray, Kimberly Terry, J. California Cooper, Trice Hickman, Lolita Files, Bernice McFadden, Pamela Samuels Young, Omar Tyree, Mary Monroe, Brenda Jackson, James Guitard, Dr. Julia Hare, Lutishia Lovely, Phillip Wilhite, Eric Snow and James Jimason

The energy that each one brings to this event adds to the synchronicity of this awe-inspiring gathering. The Summit would not, indeed could not, be what it is sure to be without any one of them.  You will come to this event with wide-eyed anticipation of what the weekend will hold - and you will leave with the soul satisfaction of having glimpsed into the creative minds of some of your favorite authors.  You will gain a better understanding of why they write - what tugs at their souls; what they write - what life altering experiences go into the making of their characters - and who these authors really are:  people, just like you and me - who had the courage to step out on a limb, do what they love to do, and know that God would do one of two things; either grow a tree under them or give them wings to fly.  These Fabulous Authors are some of the most important people in the African American experience today.  They write for us, for you and me - and they depend on us to read them.  Equally important, they each extend a helping hand to the other.  Someone once said that success if not defined by how quickly you make it to the top, but rather how many people you help get to the top along the way.  I personally think it can be defined as any one of our Fabulous Summit Authors.  I strongly urge you to go the websites of all the authors and learn more about them. 

Very few writers get rich from writing books.  Many eventually give up and fade by the wayside.  Most never quit their day jobs.  These and the precious few who actually do "make it big" all deserve to be read and supported by the people they write about.  The people whose lives they touch, alter and uplift with the characters reminiscent of our own lifes, our childhoods, our families, our hopes and dreams.  If we don't support these authors - trust me - no one else will.

Please join me in welcoming these Fabulous Authors to the second annual California Book Club Summit.

Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant

This dynamic duo never rests.  Both Trying to Sleep in the Bed you Made and Far From the Tree are in pre-productions, which says that in addition to being fantastic writers, they are also familiar with the professional savvy needed to turn their books into movies.  Their new book, What Doesnt Kill You,  was released in 2009.  Hats off to these two for a job well done!!!  If youve read one of their books, you'll love all of them.  Check out their website for updates on these wonderful ladies:  www.deberryandgrant.com.

Mary B. Morrison

A Summit Featured Author.  A true Diva in every sense of the word.  Ms. Morrison adds new meaning to everyday sexy.  Easily one of the most important authors in the hot new "erotica" genre.  Her first book, (and self-published by the way) Soul Mates Dissipate took off and the rest is history.  With titles like Sexcapades;  Sweeter Than Honey; Whos Loving You, and She Aint the One, is there any wonder why erotica fans flock to her latest releases.  No matter the genre, Ms. Morrison is an inspiration to women everywhere.  Her statement, Id rather die a failure, than to have lived never knowing whether I would become a success, has inspired many a novice to keep going the extra mile to fulfill their dream.  Go to her website for more on Ms. Mary Morrison, www.marymorrison.com.

J. California Cooper

A Summit Featured Author.  An all time favorite of many book lovers.  Ms. Coopers books warm  your soul, force you to think about areas of your own life that resonate with her fictional characters and always leave you with hope and wanting more.  She doesnt just write, she converses with you and tells you a story like no one else can.  In addition to her several novels, she has authored seventeen plays.  She doesnt have a website, but she will be at the Summit. Her titles include, Some People, Some Other Place; Family and In Search of Satisfaction. 

Tananarive Due

A Summit Featured Author.  Ms. Due is an American Book award winning author of nine books.  If you havent read Blood Colony, the long awaited sequel to her 2001 thriller The Living Blood and  1997s My Soul to Keep, you are indeed missing the most thrilling, entertaining supernatural series on the market today.  Publishers Weekly says of The Living Blood, [it] should set the standard for supernatural thrillers of the new millennium.  Joplins Ghost, The Good House (recently sold to Fox Searchlight Studios) are also among her supernatural titles.  Her latest collaboration is with her novelist, screenwriter husband, Steven Barnes.  Casanagra: A Tennyson Hardwick Novel, was written in collaboration with actor Blair Underwood; it continues with In the Night of the Heat.  The 3rd collaboration with Blair Underwood on the Tennyson Hardwick Series will be released in the Spring of 2010.  This steamy, hard hitting series has quickly become a favorite with book clubs across the nation.   Go to her website for more info: www.tananarivedue.com. 

Steven Barnes

A Summit Special Awards Presenter.  Mr. Barnes is a whirlwind of inspiration unto himself.  He is an author, a teacher, a screenwriter and an inspirer of dreams.  He is a collaborator on Casanegra and In the Night of the Heat.  The 3rd collaboration with Blair Underwood Tennyson Hardwick Series will be released in the Spring of 2010.  Steven says "If there is any single thing which I believe most strongly, it is that we all have the capacity to bring our most cherished dreams to life.  What is required is motivating goals, discipline, honesty and sufficient personal power to ACT".  More of Steven Barnes inspiration (especially for those of you wanting to write) can be found on his website, www.lifewrite.com. 

 

Bernice McFadden

ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Motivated by her love for telling stories, this talented author stepped out on faith establishing her own publishing company early on and released her debut novel My Brothers Keeper.  The rest is history.  She keeps us all well entertained with titles (14 in all) like Can I Get a Witness; Let the Church Say Amen; The Pastors Wife and I Know Ive Been Saved.  Several of her books have transitioned to the silver screen.  Her inspirational teen series is a breath of fresh air for our young sisters with too much time on their idle hands and not enough positive role models to emulate.  Six of ReShonda's books have been optioned for film and she is currently in production for Let the Church Say Amen, the movie, which is being directed by Regina King.  Her 2009 release is entitled "The Devil Is A Lie".  For more go to www.reshondatatebillingsley.com.  

Trice Hickman

A new author who hit the ground running.  This woman is truly an inspiration to the aspiring writer. After an unfortunate layoff from her day job, she turned her passion for writing into her newfound career.  Unexpected Interruptions, her debut novel is a thought-provoking, colorful novel that you wont soon forget.  Her newest, Keeping Secrets and Telling Lies was released in May 2009.  Read more about this new talent at www.tricehickman.com.