Author Jacqueline Turner Banks Links Ancient African Religion to American Romance In New Book: Scented Dreams

Los Angeles, CA (July 28, 2010) – New book publisher Sugar and Spice is quickly establishing itself as a romance novel publisher to watch. For authors, such as Jacqueline Turner Banks, it fills several little-served romantic niches. For readers thirsty for page-turning reads, the electronic literature can be downloaded at economical prices.

Most recently, Banks created a series of fictional novels for the publisher centered on the remote Dogon Tribe of Mali in West Africa. Readers learn about the Hunters lives and loves in Scented Lust and the recently released, Scented Dreams. Readers are swept into a suspenseful journey, immersed in the nuances, complexities, joys and fears of love stories that never fail to surprise.

Based on the remote Dogon Tribe of Mali in West Africa, who mapped sections of the solar system centuries before the invention of telescopes, which they claim to have learned from extraterrestrial visitors. Legend has it the visitors were followed by their enemies, Humanoid bloodsucking beings, who had no natural enemy on Earth. Subsequently, the Dogon had to create Hunters to track and destroy the Bloodsuckers.

From this backdrop, the writer has created an erotic paranormal, interracial romance in Scented Dream, the story of Ian, a Dogon tracker, who finds himself on a hunting assignment in the Chicago area. While there he figures he can spend the time visiting the river casinos or getting some much needed rest. That notion changes when he gets his first look at his driver, the strikingly beautiful Nesta. They’re catapulted into a whirlwind weekend of danger, mystery, and the possibility of mind-blowing sex. Before long, Ian realizes the least of his problems are the bloodsuckers he’s traveled there to eliminate. Not just his life, but his sanity is threatened when their growing relationship is discovered by her protector, a very powerful being, and Ian is forced to take a stand.

“I highly recommend this book (Scented Dreams) to anyone who wants a very enjoyable and exciting ride. It is a love story with a good mixture of humor, thrills, and sex to give the reader one hell of a good read.”

‘Our Heritage And Faith’ Holy Bibles (NIV & KJV) Assist Youth In Dealing With Issues They Face In Daily Lives – Over 100 Pages Of Features; And ‘My Holy Bible’ (KJV) Includes Art From Leading African-American Illustrators

Grand Rapids, MI (February 23, 2010) – African-American children and teens yearning for a full text bible designed specifically for them to understand and celebrate their rich heritage, as well as identify and interact with Scripture now have six inspiring choices available through Zondervan.

“These new Bibles are being introduced fast on the heels of last fall’s debut of ‘My Holy Bible for African-American Children,’ in the New International Version translation,” said Annette Bourland, senior vice president and publisher of ZonderKidzTM, a division of Zondervan. “All are culturally-relevant Bibles that we feel will stimulate Black youth in their spiritual journeys.”
With this month’s release of Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens, readers will focus on the traditions of the African-American church. One-hundred six pages of articles and essays help teens come to know the roots of their lives, their forms of worship, and their faith in God. Photos are included on tip-in pages to aid the teen readers’ experience of learning about their heritage.

Other key features in this Bible align to enhance the full experience of the readings and further its compelling and cultural relevance. Notes on music, the black church and contemporary heroes provide a rich thread to complement the Bible passages. A presentation page includes a family section. Eight pages of maps help readers visualize the lands of the Bible.

Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens is available in both the New International Version (NIV) and King James Version (KJV) translations. Four innovative Italian Duo-Tone bindings are designed for teen guys and girls. A special “question and answer” section in the back of the Bible assists youth in dealing with some of the issues they face in their daily lives. Topics include “Who and What is God Really Like?” “Does God See Me As Black?” and “Why Don’t Churches Allow Christian R & B and Hip Hop?”

NIV selections of this Bible include two hot new teen-friendly combo colors of purple and pink and green and orange. The King James Version (KJV) of Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens is also available in two Italian Duo-Tone designs. Teens and other consumers can choose blue and purple or black with emerald and yellow.
Finding meaningful connections to God through features that speak directly to an African-American child’s life experiences and heritage is a continuing thread with the introduction of Zondervan’s new Bible that is just out in the marketplace this month. My Holy Bible For African-American Children is now available in the King James Version. (In fall 2009, the NIV version of this Bible was first introduced.)

Thirty-two, full-color pages of artwork from leading African-American illustrators help bring up close and personal the meaningful and notable figures of the Bible. From Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the animals entering Noah’s ark, Queen Esther in the King’s palace to Daniel in the den of lions – the rich color palettes of artwork speak to the imagination of children of all ages. Leading African-American illustrators such as Pat Cummings, Nancy Devard, Shane Evans, Cathy Ann Johnson, Anna Rich, Javaka Steptoe and Michele Wood engage readers with more than 30 pages of awe-inspiring artwork.
Book introductions help explain what each book of the Bible is about. Large type for easy reading helps children quickly maneuver through the content. A presentation page is featured for gift giving. An article on “The African-American Worship Experience” provides background on the start-up of African-American churches after years of slavery. It helps children understand the vital role the church continues to play in fellowship and life experiences.

A section of “Inspirational Quotes” from nine celebrated people helps form a fabric of understanding for children, as well. Words from Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Barack Obama, Jesse Owens, George Washington Carver and others provide uplifting sentiments as the words come off the page into the minds of early readers.

Cheryl and Wade Hudson, the nationally acclaimed authors and publishers of Just Us Books serve as general editors for these Bibles and were responsible for their concept and development. My Holy Bible for African-American Children connects the spiritual challenges and triumphs of today’s youth with the journeys of well-known Bible heroes.

“Today’s parents face a major challenge ensuring that their children and teens have viable opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with God through Jesus Christ,” said Wade Hudson. “There are so many distractions that compete for young people’s interests. But, because My Holy Bible for African-American Children and Our Heritage and Faith Holy Bible for African-American Teens include special features that engage and stimulate young people, both books are invaluable resources for churches, church groups and parents seeking tools to help them share their faith with the next generations.”

Bregman’s Likely Story enters into a first-look deal for all new Top Shelf publications

New York, NY (January 13, 2010) — Co-Publishers Chris Staros and Brett Warnock of independent graphic novel and comic book publisher Top Shelf Productions announced today that it has entered into a capital investment deal with new media entrepreneur John S. Johnson, and independent film producer Anthony Bregman.

Johnson, and Likely Story, Bregman’s film production company, have purchased a 33% interest in Top Shelf Productions, Inc. Johnson will join the board of Top Shelf, and Likely Story will get a first-look deal for all new Top Shelf publications for possible film and TV development.

The first project slated for development by Likely Story is Alex Robinson’s critically acclaimed “Too Cool to Be Forgotten,” named one of Amazon.com’s Top Ten Graphic Novels of the Year and considered his best work to date.

“Too Cool To Be Forgotten” tells the story of a 40-something father of two who undergoes hypnosis therapy to quit smoking, only to transport back to 1985 and his formative years as a gangly, awkward teenager. Forced to live through his high school years with all the knowledge of his later life; uncertain whether he is destined to relive the mistakes of his past or if he has been given a second chance to get things right.

Top Shelf Productions is the Atlanta, Georgia and Portland, Oregon-based literary graphic novel and comics publisher best known for its ability to discover and showcase the vanguard of the comics scene. Founded by Co-Publisher Brett Warnock in 1995, and partnered by Co-Publisher Chris Staros in 1997, Top Shelf has produced over two hundred graphic novels and comics that have helped to revitalize interest in comics as a literary art form. Most notably, Alan Moore’s From Hell, Lost Girls, and The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen; Craig Thompson’s Blankets; Andy Runton’s Owly; Robert Venditti & Brett Weldele’s The Surrogates, Jeff Lemire’s Essex County, and Jeffrey Brown’s Clumsy & Unlikely, all of which have garnered critical accolades from the likes of Time Magazine, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, Publishers Weekly, The New Yorker, and the New York Times Book Review.

“The enormous successes of the Spider/Bat/Super/X/Iron Men stories of the world lead one to believe that the world of comic book adaptations are limited to superhero stories – but this couldn’t be further from the truth,” notes Anthony Bregman. “Literary graphic novels and comic books represent the most creative and innovative storytelling around. Year after year, Top Shelf has consistently picked and published the most interesting, playful, and visually stunning stories of this medium.”

Publisher Chris Staros adds “I’ve personally been friends with producer Anthony Bregman for over five years, and have looked up to him as a mentor and advisor. Every time we’d meet in New York or talk on the phone, we recognized the fact that we were kindred spirits, shepherding projects to the world that we simply believed in. Top Shelf and Likely Story both put art before commerce, but also celebrate those magical moments when art meets commerce, and a project that was built from the ground up becomes a success.”

The financing deal was hatched two years ago, when John S. Johnson, a friend of Bregman’s and a big fan of literary graphic novels, mentioned to him that he was toying with the idea of graphic novel publishing, to possibly make it a part of his other new media interests. Bregman had been speaking with Staros at the time about various investment proposals over the years that had been presented to Top Shelf — most of them either proposals to buy out the company, purchase a controlling interest, or use the name of the company to do something different than what they had built their reputation on. Bregman introduced Johnson to Staros, and over the course of two years the three developed a friendship, shared interests and goals, and respect for each other to the point that they decided to work together as partners in the future of Top Shelf.

alt="" style="float: right;">By Marona Lowe

Talent comes in many forms and
Booker T. Mattison is blessed with multiple artistic ones. The
rapper/producer turned filmmaker has added novelist to his résumé.
Mattison, who won acclaim for his screenplay and direction of the
film adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston’s “The Gilded Six Bits,”
published Unsigned Hype in 2009. While Mattison has received rave
reviews for his literary debut, he is not resting on his laurels.
MOSAEC caught up with Mattison to discuss his future plans as well
as his hip-hop infused tale.

What inspired you to become a novelist?

I have to admit that I was not pursuing a career as a novelist. I
am a filmmaker by trade. So when the opportunity to write a novel
came to me, I was working on an original screenplay that I was
planning to direct. However, I have been a writer for most of my
life. I started writing my first novel when I was nine years
old!

Why did you want to tell Tory’s hip-hop infused
tale?

It can be argued that hip hop culture has more influence on youth
and young adults than parents, educational institutions and
religious institutions. And at the same time, the fallout from that
reality has, in many instances, been detrimental to our community.
The deception is so complete, that a lot of folks aren’t even aware
of just how much trouble we are in as a people. For that reason, it
was important for me to tell a story that communicated the
importance of things like character, integrity, truth and faith,
and put those principles in a hip hop context to make them
palatable to a generation that devours media that tends to promote
wanton materialism, win at all costs and a post modern worldview
that says that right and wrong is relative.

"http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800733800/mosaec"> alt="Unsigned Hype" style="float: left;">What appealed to
you most about writing Unsigned Hype?

I enjoyed telling a story that had depth and meaning and that is
set in the world of hip hop. As much bad press as hip hop has
gotten, hip hop is still something that defined me when I was
coming up and continues to define me to this day. Hip hop is not
inherently evil or destructive, despite what some would say. Hip
hop is a vehicle that can be used to reach people. Seeing the
overwhelmingly positive response to Unsigned Hype has been
awesome.

As an adult, how were you able to capture the voices of the
teenagers in your tale? Stated differently, was there a particular
process that you undertook to ensure that the teenage voices and
inner thoughts rang true to your audience?

Not at all, I am a former rapper and hip hop producer who was
seriously pursuing a career in music. The only reason I stopped
rapping and making beats was because I went to film school. The
graduate film program at NYU was too demanding for me to reasonably
do both so I had to choose. That being said, I just tapped into
many of my own personal experiences and recalled the way that I
looked at life when I was a head strong, teenage hip hop head.

I must also add that even though the Tory, the main character, is a
teenager, anyone that is into hip hop, music or African American
literature will enjoy this story. The book has resonated with
people in their 30s and 40s as much as teens and readers in their
20s. That’s because Unsigned Hype presents a realistic portrayal of
the entire African-American community, complete with a diversity of
voices and characters. It grapples with class differences;
generational relationships to hip-hop; and secular and Christian
debates in the black community. All of this is set against a
backdrop of African American music history as seen through the lens
of hip hop.

In what ways does your past inform your novel?

Unsigned Hype flowed out of many of my own personal experiences. I
think that’s why the characters in the book resonate with so many
people. Essentially, each character in the book represents an
aspect of my life or a particular part of my personality. The
beauty of fiction is that you can take snippets of your life, use
them and even embellish them because you’re not “chained to the
facts” as you are when you write non fiction.

Unsigned Hype is steeped in the NYC hip-hop scene. What is the
significance of the neighborhoods and communities that are
highlighted in your novel?

I have a personal connection to every neighborhood and community in
Unsigned Hype. My close friends and family members get a kick out
of reading the book because they know all of the connections! For
example, I was born in Mount Vernon, lived in Harlem, attended
Norfolk State University, and now live in Newburgh. All of those
places are in the book. Furthermore, my dad taught school at PS 175
in Harlem just like Tory’s father did. As a matter of fact, nothing
in the story is arbitrary, even down to the details such as Tory
standing up while he rides the 2 train downtown from 241st in the
Bronx!

In addition to being a novelist and filmmaker, you are also a
teacher. What lessons do you hope readers will learn from Unsigned
Hype?

The most important lesson that readers can learn from Unsigned Hype
is that you can work hard and achieve your dreams without selling
your soul. Our world is so materialistic that riches and fame are
pursued regardless of the cost. A wise man once said, “What does it
profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul? Or what
would a man give in exchange for his soul?” I wish that more people
in our communities would seriously consider these questions.

What advice would you offer to the fledgling Torys and Fat Mikes
that read your novel?

Know your purpose. This will allow you to easily determine if
something is an obstacle or an opportunity to you fulfilling your
God given purpose. If you have no idea why you were put on this
planet (and believe me you were put here for a specific reason)
your life will lack fulfillment and you will constantly be in
search of happiness. There can be nothing worse that getting to the
end of your road and realizing that you were going the wrong way
your entire life. Trust me, no matter how much money you make, you
will feel like your life was a waste. And to a certain extent it
was. God put you here to accomplish something, and the only thing
you accomplished is what you thought was right. That won’t benefit
you in this life or the next.

Any plans to bring Tory’s tale to life on the screen – big or
small?

That is presently in the works. Producer Stephanie Allain Bray
(Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan) is attached to produce. She
is pitching Unsigned Hype to studios and networks as either a
feature film or an episodic television series. We have gotten
interest from a couple of networks and production companies, but
the process is ongoing until we settle on what situation makes the
most sense in the current market.

What other projects are you working on?

My second novel Snitch will be published in the spring of 2011. It
is a social commentary on snitching in the African American
community. I’m really excited about that! I will be finished with
the manuscript in the next couple of months. Parts 2 and 3 of
Unsigned Hype will come out after Snitch. Prayerfully, Unsigned
Hype the TV show will be coming soon to a network near you!

Even with your success in film, did you find that you had to go
the extra mile to establish your “street cred” as a
novelist?

A major part of the marketing for Unsigned Hype has emphasized that
as an ex rapper who became a filmmaker who directed hip hop music
videos, I am versed in the world that I write about in Unsigned
Hype. Fortunately, the book has gotten incredible reviews,
significant press coverage and has won and been nominated for a
couple of awards. So at this point, the novel has developed legs of
its own and speaks for itself.

What are your thoughts on the predicted obsolescence of the
printed word on paper?

Obsolescence will never happen, even as we see a rise in the use of
e-books. There will always be a market that requires and/or desires
bound books. The prognosticators said that radio would become
obsolete once movies came out. Then they said that movies would
become obsolete when television came on the scene. Now they’re
saying that television will become obsolete due to the rise of the
computer. However, what we have seen (and I contend that printed
words on paper will follow a similar pattern) is that the shifts in
the market and changes in the frequency of usage have not resulted
in obsolescence for any of the aforementioned mediums.
M

December 2009

“http://api.ning.com:80/files/vVt-ub0q9BK9uKEXRuYOatDeGy8vsdk0m74YW7REX3c_/stevenfullwood.JPG”
alt=”Steven Fullwood” style=”float: right;”>By Marona Lowe

For long time readers of
MOSAEC, Steven Fullwood is known for his “http://my.mosaec.com/page/fifteen-from-fullwood-on”>occasionally
irreverent arts & entertainment reviews and profiles. As
much a wordsmith today as he was yesterday, Steven also helps
others realize their literary dreams through his work at Vintage
Entity Press. In an exclusive interview with MOSAEC, Steven shares
his views on the business of book publishing, his editorial ethos
and the future of the printed word on paper.

What appealed to you most about becoming a publisher?

In my twenties, I published limited edition chapbooks, primarily my
own. When I made the decision to publish someone else’s work, it
excited me and gave me pause. Being with another writer’s work is
sacred to me. It’s your baby, but it’s not. You are the midwife
assisting in the birth process. There’s a wonderfully complicated
intimacy when sharing space with writers and their works. You read
the manuscript, and envision moving it from manuscript to book. You
meet with graphic artists who will design the covers, you lay the
book out, and you to think about how it will live in the world…who
its siblings are and how the book enters larger conversations about
love, war, sex and death. Although you can bet you’ll lose sleep,
there’s nothing else like making a book. Nothing.

What challenges have you faced in transitioning from writer to
publisher? Have you forever retired you quill?

The challenges are mostly managing time. I will always write—books,
articles, editorials, etc. So, for me, it’s all about making time
to do what I have to do. I have to write. The transition is also
about clearing a space around my author and her/his work so that I
can be faithful to the process, which is not easy because I am
perpetually working on a book, editing a collection, writing
essays, poems, whatever.

“http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0975298712/mosaec”>
alt=”Convincing the Body by Cheryl Boyce Taylor” style=
“float: left;”> What inspired you to start Vintage Entity
Press?

Back in 1985, I was just trying to be heard and become a man of
letters. I revisited the Press twenty years later to publish the
work of Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, a gifted poet and friend. Through VEP,
I have had the good fortune of being around so many talented
authors and the good fortune of knowing that I could aid in the
birthing process.

Up until that time, I had only one other book published, my own,
FUNNY. VEP’s philosophy is that books, regardless of the subject,
should be both informative and entertaining; both educational and
pleasurable. VEP spotlights some of the world’s most gifted
wordsmiths and offers a venue to create high quality books. Our
books can be found in libraries, classrooms, and private
collections, nationally and internationally.

What distinguishes VEP from other publishers?

Several factors. VEP is a sex positive press. We publish works that
push against conventional ideas and beliefs about sex, sexuality,
love and politics. Our books look at these subjects in complicated,
nuanced ways. We want to inform you, but to also arouse you. We are
a sole proprietorship. We do not specialize in any particular
genre, instead we focus on publishing work that breaks ground and
endures. VEP produces beautiful works. We are well connected in the
community. Least of all, you get me, my vision, my editorial skills
and my boundless energy.

What factors influence VEP’s selection of manuscripts to publish
or authors to work with? Also, how do you know talent when you see
it?

Good questions. Initially, it was a one-man show, and so I needed
to be able to visualize the project – see a product in my mind
before engaging the writer in talks about his or her desires and
expectations of an independent press. Now, VEP is a team of editors
reading manuscripts and making decisions about publishing
projects.

As for seeing talent, it’s largely a matter of two things: the work
and how the work comes to us. We appreciate it when an author reads
and follows our submission guidelines. Next, it’s a matter of
reading their work. After reading the work and talking with the
writer, only then can we determine unique talents.

In your book publishing decisions, how do you strike the balance
between commerce and conscience?

That has never been my personal aim, or the Press’s aim. Our
interests are to publish what we know are great books, to offer our
authors the best possible deal, and to get their work out there, in
a myriad of creative ways.

As a publisher, is it possible to be both high-brow and
accessible?

The books that VEP publishes challenge that false dichotomy. You
can write great books for the masses. We know our Press’s primary,
secondary and tertiary audiences; and they all have some interest
in creative coalition politics, using art as tool to engage social
change. As a business owner and thinker, I am aware of the
distinctions between what is considered serious lit and what is not
considered serious lit, meaning accessible. Publishers can look at
the market and see what sells, and cultivate their product to that
end. As our business evolves our goal is to produce great
literature that is accessible, and more importantly useful to the
community.

In thinking of the books that VEP has published, how are you
personally affected by those works?

There is the writer and the work and those are complicated,
sometimes difficult relationships to manage and by that I’ve been
affected in many ways, primarily good. What is readily apparent is
that I’ve become not only aware, but also more critical of the ways
in which information is produced and made available to the masses.
Being a publisher means I get to produce culture, keeping in mind
that books change lives. They help people live better and choose
more carefully and thoughtfully about factors that call for a
healthy, engaged life. Generating knowledge is a privilege and a
right, one that is increasingly becoming decentralized through
self-publishing, print-on-demand services, and low-cost, but good
quality printers. I like the way the market is changing.

What are your thoughts on the predicted obsolescence of the
printed word on paper?

Easy question. The book will always live, period. The new
technologies in the works will find their place alongside every
other technology. A great deal of them which came in the 20th
Century—film, radio, television, the cassette, the video, the
CD-Rom, etc, nothing really killed anything, maybe except for
8-tracks and cassette players. The digital age is upon us and it’s
exciting. The death of the book isn’t going to happen. It has
demonstrated that it is a durable and a comparatively low-cost
technology.

Will VEP Nook or Kindle?

Well, we are still waiting on the industry standard, and so perhaps
in a year or so, we’ll make our choice. “#4D4DFF”>M

Dedember 2009

Check out these classic articles from Steven Fullwood. on MOSAEC
Yes, you are sure to find humor and irreverence, but there is also
a sincere appreciation for the art of entertainment too. Enjoy!

"http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/theaterdance/td_mrushing.htm"> size="2">Swerving With Verve: Alvin Ailey’s Matthew Rushing "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/music/profiles/music_dreevesprofile.htm"> Dianne Reeves – Staying True to Her Artistic Self "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/music/profiles/music_jilljones.htm"> size="2">Jill Jones – Surviving and Succeeding in the Music Biz "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/music/profiles/music_drfink.htm"> size="2">My Appointment with Dr. Fink "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/books/books_elynnretro.htm"> size="2">E. Lynn Harris Explained: A Retrospective "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/books/books_gotell.htm"> "Trebuchet MS" size="2">Go Tell it on the Mountain "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/books/books_sunday.htm"> "Trebuchet MS" size="2">Sunday You Learn How to Box "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/theaterdance/td_evidence.htm"> size="2">The Evidence of Things Seen "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/music/reviews/music_allforyou.htm"> size="2">Janet Jackson (All For You) "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/film/film_bamboozled.htm"> "Trebuchet MS" size="2">Bamboozled "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/music/profiles/music_mphillipsprofile.htm"> Mike Phillips – A Jazz Man for All Generations "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/film/film_getbus.htm"> "Trebuchet MS" size="2">Get on the Bus "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/music/reviews/music_mahaliaxmas.htm"> size="2">Mahalia (Mahalia Sings the Songs of Christmas) "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/music/reviews/music_nkcole.htm"> size="2">Nat King Cole (The Christmas Song) "http://www.mosaec.com/mosaec/music/reviews/music_luthervandross.htm"> Luther Vandross (Luther Vandross)

"http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002AAO/mosaec"> alt="Mahalia Jackson" width="129" height="129" style="float: left;" border="0">

M

Dedember 2009

In “A Blessed Journey” and “A Healing Journey”, Author Cindy Cox Shares Her Riveting True Story of Miraculous Healing

Detroit, Michigan (August 18, 2009) — “A Blessed Journey” by Cindy Cox, from Yorkshire Publishing, is one woman’s true story of miraculous healing and spiritual growth. Her life, reborn to share her story, is recounted in a book for patients, their friends and family, and anyone else who should hear the story of God’s healing grace. “A Healing Journey,” Cindy’s newest book, provides readers with a study guide to lead them step by step through the Bible, revealing God’s perfect will to heal through His very own promises. Written with a goal of providing a foundation for the restoration of body and spirit, Cindy brings her scripture based message to others.

Diagnosed with stage four melanoma in 2002, and given less than nine months to live, Cindy, wife and mother, was consumed with despair. As a mother of three children, Cindy was all too aware of what her diagnosis would mean to her family. Terror and fear became her daily torture. Unable to understand what her future had in store, Cindy reached out to a God she barely knew.

For Cindy, grace appeared through her dear friend, who set her on a path of a meaningful relationship with God. Through God’s healing power, Cindy was lifted above her cancer, and healed beyond the understanding of her doctors. What has been described as a modern day miracle, Cindy’s story will bring hope to those in need.

Cindy’s books describe in detail, the healing power that can be found through scripture, and the way to use this information. Having shared her scripture based healing approach with many people; her message has brought grace and joy to those most in need. With scripture, personal testimony, and experiences of those she has touched, Cindy is spreading the truth of God’s healing strength.

Cindy is a graduate of Life Bible Institute, and co-leader of an Illness Recovery Healing Ministry at Life Christian Church in Troy, Michigan. Speaking often around the country, her account is truly inspirational.

“Cindy Cox has experienced an amazing Healing Journey and she has been called by God to share it with you. Every word of her book and every lesson in her class are anointed to lead you step by step on your walk of faith to healing, health, wholeness and blessing. Awesome!” – Frank Turner, America’s first Evangelical Anchorman, Author, ”Raised from the Dead”

“The simple and clear teachings of Jesus were presented in such a way that I could grasp and understand the concepts of the Lord’s healing power like I never had before.” – Penny Roby, Ann Arbor, MI, Healed of Stage 4 Breast Cancer

“God is doing a great work through Cindy. She is a great inspiration to me and anyone who knows her or has read her book.” – Geri McDowell, Lexington, KY, Healed of Neuroendocrine Cancer

July 28, 2009 — Author Randy Schell recently published a new antislavery novel entitled ‘Freedom’s Shadow’ (http://www.freedomsshadow.com/). 25 years in the making, the novel tells the remarkable story of a 19th century slave who was instrumental in abolishing slavery in Jamaica. ‘Freedom’s Shadow’ is a moving, carefully documented, and compelling account of one man’s heroism and the sacrifices he made to bring freedom to his people.

Schell first developed the story during a trip to Sam Sharpe Square in Montgeo Bay, Jamaica. Intrigued by a statue he saw in the square, Schell uncovered a fascinating story involving Sam Sharpe, a 19th century leader and slave who launched a revolution, resulting in the eventual abolishment of slavery throughout Jamaica.

According to the fictionalized novel, Sam Sharpe was an educated slave, a Baptist deacon, and a valiant leader for his people who sought freedom from a life of enslavement. Sharpe’s simple message of passive resistance spread throughout the island and culminated in Jamaican slaves refusing to work following the Christmas holiday in 1831. When the peaceful protest turned into a bloody rebellion, hundreds of slaves were executed, including Sharpe. Three years following the uprising and Sharpe’s hanging, slavery was ultimately abolished throughout Jamaica.

According to the author, ‘Freedom’s Shadow’ (http://www.freedomsshadow.com/) will appeal to readers who love history, stories of social reform, or a compelling read about heroism and unparalleled courage. “I strongly believe that Sam Sharpe’s story has to be told… Sam is perhaps one of history’s least known, but most intriguing, heroes,” states Schell.

Author Documents Fiery Protests Sparked by Trade Relations Between U.S. and Ecuador

Indianapolis, IN (July 24, 2009) In the eyes of many South American people, the free trade agreement with the United States is a sour deal that has impoverished countries and opened a floodgate of environmental issues. In her new book, They Carry Their Own Water: A Day in the Life of Indigenous Indians In Ecuador (published by AuthorHouse), Nancy Milakovic McGann documents a day of protesting by a movement of outraged people in Ecuador.

They Carry Their Own Water offers a genuine look at the people of Ecuador and their plight. McGann witnessed firsthand a dramatic protest on the Pan American Highway between the town of Ambato and state capitol of Quito, Ecuador, in the Andes Mountains. She shares her experiences and gives readers an intimate glimpse into the lives of Ecuadorians through honest language and compelling photography.

“The year 2006 for Ecuador was not unlike any previous years they experienced,” McGann writes. “Working people were challenged by fraudulent government officials and an American oil company, while having to work under poor conditions. With so much to endure at once on many levels, the volcano erupts in the form of fire and barricades on their roadways.”

As McGann’s journey along the Pan American Highway unfolds, she collects images and insights into the turmoil surrounding the impoverished people of the country–the indigenous people and those impacted by the fiery landscape their country has become. Stunning photography of a seemingly pristine landscape mingles with shots of everyday travelers halted by the long-reaching impact of powerful corporations and government deals.

In her book, McGann calls to task a variety of business arrangements that have scarred entire communities. She cites a letter signed by Jane Goodall and evolutionary biologist E.O.Wilson objecting to oil company road projects threatening a swath of Amazon rainforest in Yasuni National Park. In another instance, pressure from activists persuaded Ecuador’s energy minister to put the American Occidental Petroleum Corporation on alert for alleged illegal business dealings. The contract was ultimately terminated and U.S. officials responded by suspending negotiations.

“The cry of the people rings clear and the resounding peals stand for a life with dignity, equality and compassion for one another,” McGann writes. “A revolt is coming but not in the traditional sense. The next revolution will be an evolution of heart and soul where we help one another in selfless service, and in that process we will be saving ourselves and our world in which we live, love and share.”

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alt="" width="105" height="150" style="float: right;">By Marona
Lowe

Although trained to represent
corporate whistle blowers, Fran Cannon Slayton has shifted gears to
follow a different track.

The lawyer turned novelist has penned When the Whistle
Blows, a coming of age tale set in a railroad town of
yesteryear. MOSAEC caught up with Slayton to discuss her debut
novel.

Why did you want to tell Jimmy’s coming-of-age, train-infused
tale? Why now?

Fran Cannon Slayton: When the Whistle Blows was inspired by
my father’s adventures growing up in a rural, West Virginia
railroad town as the son of a B&O Railroad foreman. Dad used to
tell me stories about the great times he had when he was a kid, and
also about the decline of his wonderful hometown, Rowlesburg, West
Virginia, when the train engines switched from steam to diesel.

Why now? Two reasons, really. So many times we put off the things
we really want to do in life. But when my daughter was born and I
decided to stay at home with her, I figured it was the time to
pursue my writing dreams.

The second reason is really serendipitous: my story is about coming
of age in the face of economic change and unfortunately, as
everyone knows, we’ve got a lot of economic changes going on in our
country right now. Hopefully my book will help people realize that
similar challenges have occurred before, and that people back then
made their way through them. We will too.

What appealed to you most about writing When the Whistle
Blows?

FCS: I loved how it put me in touch with my grandfather – who
really was the foreman of the B&O Railroad in the 1940s. I
never had the chance to meet him because he died when my dad was a
teenager, but this book allowed me to get to know him, in a
way.

Really, writing my novel allowed me to dig into my own family
history – and fictionalize it. The process has brought me closer to
many of my relatives. It’s been a lovely experience.

As a woman, how were you able to capture the voice of a young
boy? Stated differently, was there a particular process that you
undertook to ensure that Jimmy’s voice and inner thoughts rang true
to your audience?

FCS: Really, I am quite a tomboy, so I think that helped an awful
lot. I also infused Jimmy’s voice in the book with my father’s
manner of speaking, as well as with dialect from a particular
region of Preston County, West Virginia. I know the area well,
because my parents both hail from Rowlesburg, and most of my
relatives are from there as well. I’ve visited the town all of my
life; it’s a vital part of who I am.

But essentially, once I found my voice, Jimmy developed a life of
his own. I just followed him.

"http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0399251898/mosaec"> alt="" width="113" height="170" style="float: left;">Did you
write the book with your dad’s blessing? Or, did you tell him later
in the process? How did he react?

FCS: My dad has known about the book from the very beginning, and
he’s been supportive every step of the way. He’s always loved
telling me his stories and I’ve always loved hearing them. They’ve
brought us closer, if that’s possible. I called him constantly as I
was writing to ask him questions, and I think he got a kick out of
it. He’s very proud!

In what ways did family oral history inform your
novel?

FCS: Oral history was my main form of research. The whole impetus
for the book came from the stories my dad told me when I was a kid.
Learning my dad’s history shaped my understanding of myself and
helped me understand where I came from.

Dad and I took a road trip to Rowlesburg, when I was writing the
book. My cousin, Roger, who also worked for the railroad came with
us, as did my Uncle Dick, who worked with my grandfather back in
the days when steam engines reigned. We visited the old M&K
Junction and the office where my grandfather actually worked. We
walked the rails and I heard more of the old stories. The
Championship Football Game chapter of my book sprang from that road
trip. It is something I’ll remember for my entire life.

When the Whistle Blows pays homage to Rowlesburg, West
Virginia. What is the significance of Rowlesburg and similar
communities?

FCS: In many ways, Rowlesburg is representative of small, thriving
railroad towns across the country that were hit hard by the
introduction of the diesel engine. The railroad in these towns once
was the backbone of the community, as well as the primary economic
base of the town. When the diesels came along with their resulting
efficiencies, jobs were lost forever, people were laid off, and
towns became shadows of their former selves. What had been a
thriving little metropolis of work and industry in the 1940s shrunk
from 1800 people to the 600 it is today. When local jobs go, so do
many important things that make up the character of a community.
It’s one reason I believe in supporting small, local
businesses.

In what way is your expression of the father/son relationship in
When the Whistle Blows a manifestation of a daughter’s love
for her dad?

FCS: The whole book, I’d say, is the manifestation of my love for
my father, although my relationship with him is nothing like that
between Jimmy and his father in my book.

What impact do you want your novel to have?

FCS: I’d love for kids to enjoy it, and just have a good time
reading. I’d like for them to take away that there’s always hope
and good to be found, even in the darkest of situations and when
things are happening around them that they cannot control. I’d love
for them to laugh hard when they read it and to have it touch them
the way novels like Sounder by William Armstrong, Roll of
Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor, and A Wrinkle in
Time by Madeleine L’Engle touched me when I was a kid. That
would be a dream come true!

Any plans to bring Jimmy’s tale to life on the screen – big or
small?

FCS: My agent, Laura Rennert of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, is
currently shopping the movie rights. Keep your fingers crossed!

What other projects are you working on?

FCS: I’m working on a fantasy tentatively titled Ship’s Boy,
about a girl who wants to be a pirate. I’ve also got a couple of
picture books up my sleeve.

Early on, before your agent and your book deal, did examples of
lawyer/novelists, like John Grisham, inspire you in any
way?

FCS: Although I did occasionally think “if they can do it, maybe I
can too,” lawyer/novelists didn’t particularly inspire me because I
was writing children’s literature and that’s the field where my
heroes were. I did have an affinity for John Grisham because he was
a lawyer, and a highly successful author who lived in my town of
Charlottesville, VA, and because I knew he shared some of my
political and social leanings – like supporting Legal Aid, for
example.

But frankly, adult books don’t often excite me – I’m not a person
who really sinks her teeth into a good thriller or PI book. I can
appreciate the writing and the techniques an author might use to
spin a good adult story, but a novel has to grab my heart for me to
truly love it. And for me, this happens more in middle grade and
young adult literature than anywhere else.

The people who inspired me most were people who were happy with
their chosen profession. So many lawyers are not. I wanted to be
happy in my career. Writing makes me happy.

Have you taken down your “shingle” forever or just for the time
being?

FCS: One thing I’ve learned in life is to never say never! But I
love writing in a way that I never loved practicing law. So let’s
just say I have no plans to go back at this point in time!

Do you see any similarities between dieselization and the
planned retooling of the auto industry to create green
automobiles?

FCS: That is a good question. Certainly technology is changing and
that will affect jobs. In the steam days some workers were
retrained for the diesels, but many skilled jobs were eliminated
without being replaced. Whether there will be a net gain or loss of
jobs in the auto industry remains to be seen. And whether the new
jobs will be highly skilled and highly paid is another big
question. If auto workers can’t support their families with these
new jobs, a net gain means very little.

The advent of the diesel engine also gave rise to the trucking
industry which was an entirely new form of transport that dealt a
severe blow to the railroad industry. With crude oil plentiful and
cheap, trucks moved goods from city to city effectively replacing
trains as haulers in many cases. In contrast, green cars are just
another type of car – they do not challenge or replace the role of
car travel; they are just made and powered differently. This makes
me think the fate of the auto industry will not likely be that of
the American railroad. But it does make me wonder how the trucking
and railroad industries may be affected by the new technologies.
Who knows, we may find that a “green railroad” is the most
economical way of moving goods!

What general advice would you offer to aspiring authors looking
to follow in your path?

FCS: Write as much as you can and write about what you are
interested in. Passion and love are as much a part of writing as
technique is. Fill your heart with what you love and it will flood
out onto the page. M

July 2009