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Other comments on this article.

HIGH RISE IS UP THERE I got High Rise a few weeks ago and I finished it in less than a week. This is a great story that pulled me in right from the beginning. I am attached to the characters. I love some and could slap some but what an exciting tripI was taken on. Good job Ms. Ramos. I hope to see more from you.

-Satisfied Reader

Oops I just saw the other comments on the novel, All I Ever Did was Love a Man by Sharon Allison-Ottey.... at least I agree with the other readers. I didn't mean to be repetitive but obviously a great book

-Sylvania

I wanted to share a novel with sisters that my book club is reading-- I promise you --you will LOVE it. The title, All I Ever Did Was Love a Man, is one that gets you from the beginning and I must say when you see where the author pulls the title from you will be in tears. This book is one that is a must read for all women and men but particularly AA women. Ironically, I heard the author on the Russ Parr show talking about the book and I have to give a shout out to the sister! Especially given the books that are out her

-Sylvania

What's up crew? It's mighty quiet around here.

-Anonymous

I Just Wanted To Share With The Readers A Book That, I Read Over A Month Ago Titled "On Everything I Love" This Book Is "Deep" I Was Really Taken By The Way This Book Ended. I Wanted To Make Share That I Didnt Over Look What I Read, So I Read It Twice. (The Ending) The Author Is Jimmy Dasaint. Ive Emailed Him On Several Occassion By He Never Responded Back..

-Sister From Hampton Rds..

Some idiot put Mrs. King's program on Ebay and is selling it for $450. This program has been generated to hundreds of thousands emails to print for the purpose of historical data. This idiot has taken such a grievous moment and is trying to capitalize off it. Hungry-mouth hippo!

-So Sad

Sorry I said Dr. King was here... correction wasn't should be put there... Dream Sista' Dream.....

-Vikki Benton

Hello I'm a preacher wife and I would like to commend Mrs. King, in sticky by her husband even through he was here in body but she keep his dream going on... Hat's off to her.... It take a special women to stand by a man of God with pride... You set the Mark... I know that you also had a dream.... From one First Lady to Another

-Vikki Benton

Regarding the comments on the book-- All I Ever Did was Love a Man by Sharon Allison-Ottey-- I must agree! It is by far the best book that I have read in years. I've suggested it to my bookclub, my sorors, friends and my book club is going to try to get the author to call in. There's a great reading guide on the website www.allieverdidwasloveaman.com. EVERY woman and man needs to read this one and if you have teens-- a MUST for them as well. Don't sleep on this one it is a great read.

-Renee

Yes we are all blessed and better off to have had Coretta Scott King carry on her husband's work. Now we all need to pick up the torch too. Thank you Coretta for your unselfish service to all of us.

-Donna

Congratulations on a great novel, All I Ever Did Was Love a Man by Sharon Allison-Ottey. I met the author at a conference several months ago and she announced that she was releasing a novel. I was so impressed by her that I put it on my calendar to watch and ordered it from Amazon. Just as she is a FABULOUS speaker-- her book leaves me wanting to read MORE! It is one of the best that I've EVER read... later for the junk that's out there in fiction-- this one MUST be a bestseller!

-Yvette

WE'LL MISS YOU MRS. KING. YOUR COURAGE, DETERMINATION, AND LONGSUFFERING HAS CERTAINLY BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO ME. YOUR WORK WAS NOT IN VAIN.

-A civil rights movement baby

Congratulations to Angela Benson for making the Hardcover Best Seller List with The Amen Sisters!!! This book is really good, so if you haven't already picked it up, you should!

-Tiffany L Warren

Seaburn DOES distribute to BORDERS & WALDENBOOKS. I don't think they distribute to Wal-Mart or Barnes & Noble yet. For those authors looking to avoid payment hassles to even Independent bookstores, as well as to Borders & Waldenbooks, Seaburn is the way to go.

-Getting Right

Thanks Getting Right. Seaburn only distributes to INDEPENDENT book stores and not to major chains likes Wal-Mart, Booksamillion, Walden Books and Barnes & Noble, according to their website.

-Anonymous

For Authors and Bookstores looking for an honest distributor in New York, check out Seaburn Distributors at 718-643-8202. Or, www.seaburn.com. Alot of the publishers are switching over to them.

-Getting Right

Thelma -- My point exactly! The Buckeye State has got it going on with producing great novels from the Plum city's authors. I've noticed this for the past three years or so.

-Books Galore!

Hey Books Galore, You're right about Cleveland authors. I loved this new book called WHERE IS THE LOVE by a brother named Emanuel Carpenter. It's sexy, funny and really deep. He's from Cleveland and the novel takes place mostly in Cincinnati. Check out all the great reviews on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com .

-Thelma-Columbus, OH

"All I Ever Did Was Love a Man" by Sharon Allison-Ottey is the best book I have read in years! The website is also great www.allieverdidwasloveaman.com. My bookclub is reading it in March. I agree with the other comments.... this is one to read. This is an AWESOME novel.... I love RACHEL-- she is ME! EVERYONE needs to get this and read it cover to cover.

-Houston, TX

Cleveland's put out some awesome authors: "A million little pieces," "The darkest child," "Counting raindrops thru stainglass window," "Things she does at night" and many others. Oprah's stint was a publicity matter. She helped to make his book sell even more copies because now people are curious about it. Wish she'd do this for the brothahs and sistahs. Also, I'm tired of reading about books taking place either in Atlanta, L.A. or NYC Can someone take us to a place other than these three cities?

-Books Galore!

Zane has some hot new authors. Check out the new book, Zane Presents: Dangerously In Love by Allison Hobbs. Hobbs two steamy bestsellers,Insatiable and Pandora's Box. Zane fan from Camden, NJ

-Da'lia Mitchell

Check out DEVIL IN THE MIST. A mystery/suspense thriller set in the ATL featuring a black detective taking on the govt, and biological agents threatening the US. IT is off the chain!

-Avid reader

Hello, you have got to check out DEVIL IN THE MIST. I received it as a Christmas gift and this book is really good. A mystery/suspense thriller about an Atlanta detective taking on the government and biological warfare. Interesting characters, fast-paced and thrilling!

-avid reader

Hey Readers, Did Anyine See OPRAH On This Week, When She Had The Author Back On Her Show That Wrote" A Million Little Pieces"? I Havent Read The Book, So I Cant Really Make Any Comments, But It Was Wrong For Him To Deceive Readers That Way, But i Guesshe Could Care Less, Hes Gotten Paid! Oprah Had Him In The Hot Seat, I Can Tell You That! She Wasnt Letting Up On Him!

-Cant Belive Everything You Read.

"BOOKS GALOR" I look forward To Going To The Harlem Bookfair Every Summer. Its Such An Great Event, & The Perfect Haven For Booklovers. The Author "ZANE" Attended Summer Before Last I Think, Her Tour Bus Is Awesome! Happy Reading To All...

-Booklover In Hampton Rds Va

High Rise Sequel I finished High Rise and passed it on to my daughter. She's reading it now and she loves it. I hope the author reads this because I would like for the story to continue. I love these characters, I feel like they're friends of mine. Sometimes I felt like it was me going through the situations. I totally enjoyed this book and am sorry it ended even though its a big book.

-A definite fan

I echo the comments of Taffany with the Book that is ALL That---"All I Ever Did was Love a Man" by Sharon Allison-Ottey. This book is one that pulls you in and you can't put down. I read it,my boyfriend my daughters and one of my sons read it, my mother read it and we all loved it. More than just entertaining-- it could save your life! While I appreciate all of the urban fiction (some of it is great other is just too raunchy!) This book is serious and while it hits it for plot characters that look like me and my sista f

-breyanna

Cleveland?

-Anonymous

I was thinking more along the lines of Mega, as in a huge sum of people. As in T.D. Jake's "MegaFest." The Harlem Book Fair turns out more booksellers, bookclub members and readers than any other AA book event in the USA. Then, on the other hand, Mecca works too as in a place as the center of attraction. But Mecca is more of a "holy" term.

-Books Galore!

Do you guys mean "Mecca"?

-Anonymous

With a Harlem in the north, south and mid-west, what would be the Harlem of the West? I vote for Los Angeles, a mega in many ways, but do you think?

-Itibari M. Zulu

Since Harlem is the "mega" book event in the North, they should do a Harlem-Atlanta since Atlanta is the "mega" of the South and a Harlem-Cleveland since it is the "mega" in the Midwest.

-Books Galore!

On behalf of Disilgold Soul Literary Review and the YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America, we wish to extend a warm thank you for featuring Lettice Graham in a past issue as a Golden Diva. The article is featured in the Kennedy Center in Harlem. She is now on the cover of QUEENS.

-Heather Covington

The YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America is in search of career professionals in multi-faceted industries to serve on the organization's awards committee 2006. If interested, please visit www.Disilgold.com or call 1.718.547.0499 for RSVP. Nomination applications are available.

-Heather Covington

For the person who inquired about QBR Magazine, the publication merged and is called BIBR: Black Issues Book Review. It's is on bookstore shelves all around the nation and ranked 2000 in sales. QBR.com is also the home of the Harlem Book Fair with 15 plus franchises in various cities. Publicity Director 2005- www.Disilgold.com

-Heather Covington

Stop hating. I happen to love urban fiction, it keeps it real and interesting. Who wants to read about the Cosby's? Not me.

-Bookluva

I am a famous black writer and I dislike urban, hip-hop, street fiction writers because: 1. Everyone is buying them. 2. I can't get a publishing deal anymore. 3. My books are collecting dust. 4. Suddenly black kids want to read. 5. I ran out of angry black women stories. 6. Major publishing houses are recognizing them. 7. Those writers pisses off snooty black folks who wants to forget that they really live in reality.

-ANTI-BLACK URBAN WRITER

I can read above 8th grade: Who is Won't Sign My Name?

-Curious

Booking Matters is still in business. Go to their website at www.bookingmatters.com or shoot them an email at bookingmatters@yahoo.com or call (770) 808-2177.

--An Atlanta Author

does anyone know if Booking Matters Magazine in Atlanta is still in business? I'm tryin to advertise with them but get no respond. Guess I'll just have to advertsie in the QBR Magazine but I heard their rates are much higher and doesn't get as much exposure and attention as Booking Matters gave to their authors.

-Fiction Author

I tried that gimmick of ordering my own books. Someone told me about that. But what Booksamillion does is if you don't come pick the book up within 1-2 weeks, they send it back to their warehouse. Authorhouse uses Ingram, but they don't push your book for bookshelf space.

-Thank you for your suggestions

Harlem Bookfair information can be found at www.QBR.com within the next upcoming months. Just click on the HBF logo soon. For now, you can read my 1st ever newswire or shot at journalism before I landed my own "Literary Dish" Column on www.EURweb.com andwww.Bookpitch.com, by visiting the newswire at www.QBR.com dedicated to Dr. Maya Angelou. Do check www.Disilgold.com, home of Disilgold Soul Literary Review and the YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America for all Harlem Book Fair Coverage, photos, author signing times, panel gues

-Heather Covington

QUESTION..HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE HARLEM BOOK FAIR? OR IS IT FREE?I KNOW IT'S COMING UP SOON.

-NEW AUTHOR

So, it is true.Teri Woods did not write Deadly and Vickie didnt write Dirty.Is that not fraud?I am holding Teri's proof in my hand but I didnt see Vickies advertisement yet.And for someone to have served time and make the millions of dollars Vickie has made,sounds like she is a heck of a publisher.Kudos to turning your life around.And about Teri Woods,she's one of the smartest publishers in the business,no-one can touch her.Her craft is her own.

-Not a hater just like the truth

What's the name of your book? Alot of people who frequent this site will go to there retailers and order it. Most of the people here are very supportive of new AA authors. I'll definatley give it a shot.

-MEJ

If you are already w/Ingram you have the biggest most well known distributor carrying your book. They must not be working hard at sellingit though. Don't give up on small independant stores, especially the well known ones: ie B's Books and More, Hue-Man etc. The main thing is to create a demand for your book. Not an easy thing to do but possible.

-MEJ

You are climbing a steep hill but its not insurmountable. I assume you self published. First off, go to your local retailer and have them stock the book, to make sure you're in the database, then call other stores and order a couple of copies, when you don't pick them up they will put them on the shelves. If there is some demand for the book others will start to carry it. Also look into joining PMA, they have a program that can really help if your work is good enough.

-MEJ

Can someone tell me how can I go about getting my books on the shelves of major/traditional bookstores (e.g., Barnes & Noble, Booksamillion, Walton, B. Dalton, Borders, etc). My distributors, CushCity and Ingram are not getting the job done. Most AA buybooks off the shelf. If I can get mines on the shelf, I'm sure I'll sell a lot more.

-Thank you for your assistance

IT, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

-PROUD

HIGH RISE WAS A VERY BRILLIANT BOOK ABOUT 3 WOMAN GOING THROUGH THINGS THAT EVERYDAY WOMEN GO THROUGH. THAT'S WHY I ENJOYED THE BOOK BECAUSE YOU COULD RELATE TO IT!!!!I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS AUTHOR'S NEXT BOOK AND I KNOW THERE'S NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS THAT'S GOING TO COME HER WAY. I HOPE TO SEE HER AS ONE OF THE TOP 5 BOOK SELLERS THIS YEAR, SINCE SHE WAS ON THE TOP TEN LIST FOR JANUARY 2006. THAT IS AMAZING FOR HER FIRST BOOK, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DONNA MICHELE. I SUGGEST IF YOU HAVEN'T READ HIGH RISE TO GO AND PURCHASE

-PROUD

Sister Souljah didn't start anything. If you want to talk about fakes let's talk about call out Vickie Stinger. The only thing she was doing before Carl Weber was serving time. Why was her book Dirty Red previously advertised as being written by a Melanie Robinson? Melanie's name is mysteriously now gone and Vickie's is in its place. And why is Vickie selling a book by an author that was supposed to be scrapped and the author is not getting paid? Who's the real fake? Triple Crooks it is.

-Anonymous

oH iSH! sHE'S baCCCCCK!!!

-Anonymous

Won't sign my name and I can read above the eighth grade: YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL POSTERS! STOP FRONTING AND COME UP WITH ORIGINAL NAMES!!! I know who "Won't sign my name" is, and I am THE REAL I CAN READ ABOVE THE EIGHTH GRADE. I have been quiet up here for three months. Please don't make me bring it!!!

-(REAL) I CAN READ ABOVE THE EIGHTH GRADE

Won't sign my name: The Harlem Renaissance authors are the leaders and trailblazers in urban fiction -- not Sistah Souljah nor Donald Goines. Renaissance authors wrote urban stories right after WWI. Some of these authors include Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, Nella Larson and many more. Even the filmmakers during the black exploitation movement of the 50s, 60s and 70s, wrote urban fiction. Urban fiction laid dormant for a few years and Sistah Souljah gave it restoration.

-Give Credit to Where Credit's Due

I feel you on the Goines, Sistah Souljah and even the early Harlem Rennaisance. Ain't nuthin new under the sun, but I was talking about the newest rush of authors. But still theres no excuse for deciet or passing something like it was written by Vibe.Thats all I was sayin plain and simple. Just my opinion. How could anyone argue with that?

-Former Fan

Just checked the back of Eric Encks book Tell Me Your Name and YES!! It say's Deadly Reigns by Kurt Pacino.That took me for a loop. I never paid it any mind.Question-Is there any other authors out there buying others books placing there name on it as there own work?If so,please expose them.I would hate to be spending my two cents with the wrong author.Where can I find Harlem Renaissance novels and where the heck is "I CAN READ ABOVE EIGTH THE GRADE!!This demands your attention Sweety..

-WON'T SIGN MY NAME

Correction to the Third. Puh-leeze. Urban fiction has been out since the 1920's. Try reading some of the Harlem Renaissance novels. What happened to . . .

-I CAN READ ABOVE THE EIGHTH GRADE?

Correction to the Correction, if wer'e talking about who started it, I beleive credit would have to go to Iceberg Slim and Donald Goins and believe it or not there were others back in the sixties and seventies writing urban fiction. One of my favorites is Broad Street Players. Just wanted to join the convo by adding my1 1/2 cents. You guys have a great day.

-MEJ

Correction.Sista Soulja started it.And if you want to talk about deceit?Okay,in the back of Teri Woods published novel"Tell Me Your Name"in the back of the book where it advertises upcoming novels it clearly states in black and white."DEADLY REIGNS" by Kurt Pacino. Now who's being fake there?Is that why we havent seen more of the Tell Me? Did someone buy out the book and place her name as author?Read it for yourself people. If C.W. SCREAMED OUT tcp. that was bad on his behalf!Fake is pretending to be whoyou are not. The rea

-Anonymous

There are many independent authors that deserve credit even though they may have just one book. Let's show them luv! They not trying to fake. They just trying to survive. All I'm saying is let the people call you the King, like people call Nikki Turner the Princess of Hip-Hop or Teri Wood the Queen, but don't fake it. That aint even right and insults fans like their stupid.

-Former Fan

Kudos for deceipt? You must be Carl Webber. In the article, it said "triple crooks" which I took to be a direct hit at Triple Crown who was doing things long before him but you want to not call him out for his trying to fool readers? Let's keep it real Teri Woods started all the great things in urban fiction. Kudos to her. And while we're keepin it real, Carl made it seem like he got a call out of the blu from his own publishing company? C'mon now. Why we gotta lie about that? There are many independent authors that dese

-Former Fan

Here we go again with the name calling. Kudos to Carl Weber,at least he can afford to advertise in the magazine.Maybe he is being himself, not like one of the people that was named on the be yourself list.She's everyone but herself. I WON'T CALL NAMES!! Good luck to all AA writer's!!

-won't sign my name

I just read a deep book about black family and black love that is different than the books I have been reading. It takes us back to slavery and shows how some of the conflict between black men and women in relationships started in slavery, then continued because of all the things we have gone through since then and how we have been pulled apart purposely throughout history. Really good book, fast read-made me think--the title is They Dance Alone-by Christine Leveaux

-Knowledge Seeking Sister

I can't believe Carl Weber wrote an article on hisself in Vibe Magazine pg74 and tried to make it seem like it was written by vibe. It says right at the top that its Advertisement. Thats low to try to fool fans. I was one. Theres no reason to pretendto be P.Diddy. Be yourself like Teri Woods and Vickie Stringer. And what got me most was he was throwing dirt at others and calling gods name at the same time.

-Former Fan

I just finishing a book that I am getting for ALL my girlfriends (single and married) and the important brothers in my life. The book is a page turner that I literally read in 1 1/2 days-- "All I Ever Did Was Love a Man" by Sharon Allison-Ottey is like that. I would like to see it featured in Essence, the author is well known and I have heard her speak at several women's conferences and seen her on BET but I didn't know that she had the writing thing like that! This book makes you laugh, cry, think about all the stupid me

-Taffany

Don't hate. Kimberla Roby's Changing Faces is brand new this month. Do you even READ Essence magazine, the very magazine's website you are on? Ther is a nice article about her new book CHANGING FACES in the current Ms. Hill issue.

-Boston Book Babe

Congrats to Kendra Norman-Bellamy, Linda Hudson-Smith & Maxine Billings for making #7 on the Essence Bestseller's list for Feb. 2006. THCKER THAN WATER (BET Books)

-Narol

'AVID READER" How Are You? I Got A Call Today From Waldens Boookstore To Tell Me The "Changing Faces" Had Came In, They Swear That This Book Isnt 2 Yrs Old, I Was Told That It, Her Newest Release.So Am Not Sure Whats Going, According To Them, This Book Isnt 2 Yrs Old....

-Soulfuldiva In Hampton Rds.

I just finished High Rise, it was great. I'm waiting for the new book Borrowed Time.

-A reviewer

Kimberla you know you are "The Lady with the Golden Keyboard", your novels are the best,when will Changing Faces be in the bookstores? I need a comfy outfit, fluffy slippers, curl my knees up under my hips, cup of tea kinda night, because your novels are difficult to put down once you pick it up!angelsfly2105

-Wilmington, DE

"Avid Reader" You Said The Kimberla Robys New Book Has Been Out For 2 Yrs? I Throught It Was Her Newest, I Usally Keep Up On All Of Her Books, Musta Been Sleeping on This One."Changing Faces".. I Coulda Sworn It Was One Of Her Newer Ones.

-soulfulDiva In Hampton Rds

Watch out now! Roby's book been out for about 2 years now. Where've you been? Her new book, Changing Faces, has not been released yet. That's probably what you're thinking. The list looks pretty decent, but there are still some questionable books there.

-Avid Reader

How does Kim Roby's book make the Feb list? It hasn't even been released yet??

-Kim

Finally somebody said it, urban writers do deserve their due. To be honest I was one of the naysayers who talked against these"Ghetto Books", but after my granddaughter almost forced me to read a book called Harlem Girl Lost, I saw that I judged these writers unfairly. As a matter of fact, I read all of my granddaughters Teri Woods series of Dutch, and presently reading The Coldest Winter Ever. It actually made me and grandaughter so close that we hang out at the mall and look for new books together.

-an old lady

Happy MLK Week! Congrats to Triple Crown, Terri Woods and UrbanBooks. You are the epitomy of the Essence's Best Seller's list. Also a special congrats to my girl, Mary Monroe, for making the fiction AND non-fiction list with her most recent acclaimed novel, "In Sheep's Clothing. Keep 'em coming, Mary.

--

MUCH RESPECT TO ALL THE URBAN FICTION AUTHOR'S WHO ARE FINALLY GETTING THEIR JUST DUE. AFTER BEING PERSECUTED FOR SHOWING YOU A GLIMPS OF THEIR WORLD, HOW THEY LIVE, AND WHAT PEOPLE AROUND THEM GO THROUGH, AND BEING DISMISSED BY THE CLOSED MINDED MASSES,THEY ARE NOW FORERUNNERS IN THE LITERARY WORLD AND EVIDENT IN THE SALES AND RANKING. A SUGGESTION TO YOU NAYSAYERS....THE SAME THING YOU ALL SAY ABOUT URBAN FICTION, WAS THE SAME THINGS SAID ABOUT BLACK WRITERS AS A WHOLE BY THE WHITE SOCIETY!

-THE ANTI GROUP