Show Notes

• Featured Episode

  The Conversation with Hill Harper, NAACP award-winner and NY Times Bestselling author

  Chocolate Pages

  Date / Time: 9/10/2009 10:00 PM UTC

  Category: Books

  
  

  In his first book for adults, the NAACP award-winning, New York Times Bestselling Hill Harper sparks honest dialogues about the crisis in African American relationships.
  Only 34% of African-American children today are raised in two-parent households. That is down from 1966, when 85% of black children were raised by two parents. Harper brings a variety of issues out of the shadows in THE CONVERSATION: How Black Men and Women Can Build Trusting Relationships (Gotham Books, September 8, 2009; $20.00)
  see www.theconversationonline.com

  <embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fchocolatepages%2fplay_list.xml?show_id=691339&autostart=false&shuffle=false&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=215&height=108" width="215" height="108" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false"></embed>

• On Demand Episodes           6898          

  Original Air Date: 6/25/2009 10:00 PM UTC

  New York Times Bestselling Author, Kimberla Lawson Roby & Christian Publicst Dee Stewart

  Let's talk fiction. Let's talk books. Let's talk what makes a best-selling "Christian fiction" book. "You mean GOD just won't make it happen for Christian authors? You mean I gotta do some research, take some courses, listen to PR Coaches and learn some internet marketing?" YEPPERS!
  
  This is a show I've wanted to do for a long time. It's the "skinny" on what it takes to make it as a full-time author - from an author's perspective and a gospel publicist.
  Meet Kimberla Lawson Roby and Dee Stewart. They will give it to you straight. Praise the LORD!
  
  See Dee's blog: http://www.christianfiction.blogspot.com/ and JOIN www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com too!
  And visit Kimberla at www.kimroby.com
  <embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fchocolatepages%2fplay_list.xml?show_id=585107&autostart=false&shuffle=false&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=215&height=108" width="215" height="108" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false"></embed>
  • Tags:
  • kimberla roby
  • dee gospel
  • christian fiction
  • new york times best-seller
  • Ministry Marketing
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• Date / Time: 6/25/2009 9:48 PM UTC

  Meet NY Times best-selling author Kimberla Lawson Roby and Dee Stewart

  
  
  

  New York Times Bestselling Author, Kimberla Lawson Roby, has published twelve novels which include, THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, ONE IN A MILLION, SIN NO MORE, LOVE & LIES, CHANGING FACES , THE BEST-KEPT SECRET , TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING, A TASTE OF REALITY, IT’S A THIN LINE, CASTING THE FIRST STONE, HERE AND NOW , and her debut title, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS , which was originally self-published through her own company, Lenox Press. Her novels have frequented numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times and those in The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Essence Magazine, Upscale Magazine, Emerge Magazine, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, The Dallas Morning News, and The Austin Chronicle to name a few and both BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and CASTING THE FIRST STONE were #1 Blackboard bestsellers for four consecutive months in both 1997 and 2000. BEHIND CLOSED DOORS was the #1 Blackboard Best-selling book for paperback fiction in 1997.

  In addition, Ms. Roby’s first novel was nominated for Blackboard’s 1998 and 1999 Fiction Book of the Year Award, and she received the Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2001 for CASTING THE FIRST STONE. She is also the 2006 and 2007 recipient of the Author of the Year – Female award presented by the African-American Literary Award Show in New York , the recipient of the 1998 First-Time Author Award from Chicago’s Black History Month Book Fair and Conference, and her fifth novel, A TASTE OF REALITY, was a 2004 finalist for the Atlanta Choice Awards sponsored by the Atlanta Daily World. Additionally, TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING received a 2004 Patron Choice Award from the Central Mississippi Regional Library System.

  Each of Ms. Roby’s novels have dealt with very real issues---in BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, social status, gambling addiction, and infidelity; in HERE AND NOW, single motherhood, infertility, and sibling rivalry; in CASTING THE FIRST STONE, the first of the Reverend Curtis Black series, corruption within the church; in IT’S A THIN LINE, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and care-giving of a parent; in A TASTE OF REALITY, racial and gender discrimination in the workplace with subplots exploring sexual harassment; TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING and THE BEST-KEPT SECRET, continuations of the Reverend Curtis Black series; in CHANGING FACES, overweight issues, a female illness, damaging secrets and a devoted friendship between three women; in LOVE & LIES and SIN NO MORE, the Reverend Curtis Black saga continued; in ONE IN A MILLION, a woman learns the best news and the worst news of her life all at the same time, and in THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, the Reverend Curtis Black's daughter, Alicia, deals with a serious shopping addiction which causes major marital problems.

  Ms. Roby resides in Illinois with her husband, Will. Her thirteenth book, A DEEP DARK SECRET, will be released in the fall of 2009.

  To share your thoughts with Kimberla regarding her work, please e-mail her at: kim@kimroby.com

  Good Book News You Gotta Hear Now!

  

  What I'm Tweeting about Now

  

  

  About Dee

  Posted by Dee S. Labels: about me

  
  

  
  Hi, I’m Dee Stewart and I write Christian Fiction Blog to support writer’s of Christian Faith. I started Christian Fiction Blog in 2004 to help other writer’s deal with the sometimes overwhelming prospect of book promotion and book events marketing while still running a household and increasing in spiritual maturity. Today Christian Fiction Blog receives on average 10,000 hits a month. We have a strong subscriber base, 47 member blogging community and writer's network of more than sixty published authors. You are welcome to join.
  
  Thanks to your support I am a one stop author source. I'm an editor, publicist, book marketing consultant, the Atlanta satellite for Mocha Readers Books, an Essence Magazine Reporting bookseller, and for the past three years I have served as a Christys Book Awards Judge. Learn more about me and my clients here at www.deestewart.com.
  
  I have been an editor, book reviewer and Christian journalist for ten years. My writing has appeared in: Gospel Today, Precious Times, Anointed, Hope for Women, Rejoice Atlanta, Romantic Times, Spirit Led Woman, Mosaic Literaty Journal, Atlanta Christian Family and Spirit Led Writer to name a few. Prior to raising my daughter, Selah(7.) I have spent over ten years as a publicist, events marketing consultant and public speaker.
  
  If you want to connect with me about book-selling, your book, or your book marketing campaign or how to incorporate social media in your book marketing campaign, there are various ways to contact me via(just click on the logos:)
  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  Meet up with them at www.ChocolatePagesNetwork.com  too!
  
  
  
  
  
  • Tags:
  • Christian fiction
  • writing
  • publishing
  • new york times best
  • ministry marketing
  No Comments

• Original Air Date: 6/18/2009 10:00 PM UTC

  Fact & Fiction: Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant plus Patti Lacy talk about telling good stories

  With six novels to their credit, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant, best friends for 25 years, have turned a friendship into one of the most successful and enduring writing collaborations in contemporary fiction.
  
  And Patti Lacy: Patti’s first novel of women’s Christian fiction, An Irishwoman’s Tale, explores the first memories of a feisty woman grappling with scars inflicted by living in two dysfunctional homes. What the Bayou Saw, a novel of deception and secrets that will take a chatty Southerner from Normal, Illinois, back to a Louisiana swamp.
  
  All authors will discuss how to tell a good story, create a best-selling book, what inspires them and what holds them.
  <embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fchocolatepages%2fplay_list.xml?show_id=576043&autostart=false&shuffle=false&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=215&height=108" width="215" height="108" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false"></embed>
  • Tags:
  • Patti Lacy
  • Virginia DeBerry
  • Donna Grant
  • Christian Fiction
  • African American Fiction
  Comments (1)

• Date / Time: 6/18/2009 3:30 PM UTC

  Meet Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant and Christian fiction author Patti Lacy

  With five novels to their credit, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant, best friends for 25 years, have turned a friendship into the most successful and enduring writing collaboration in African American fiction. Donna and Virginia first met as plus size models vying for the same assignments. They were both featured in catalogs, ads, magazines and made national television appearances. Their modeling careers led to the opportunity to launch Maxima, a fashion and lifestyle magazine for plus-size women, where Virginia was editor-in-chief and Donna the managing editor. When publication of Maxima ceased, Virginia and Donna decided to try writing a book together. The result, Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made, was a critical success, an Essence Bestseller, as are all three of their books, and won the Merit Award for Fiction from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, as well as the 1998 Book of the Year Award from the Blackboard Bestseller List/African American Booksellers Conference-Book Expo America. More than that, it hit an emotional nerve with tens of thousands of readers from all over the world who continue to write to Virginia and Donna nine years after the book's publication. Far From the Tree became a New York Times Bestseller, and Better Than I Know Myself received two Open Book Awards, and been included on the Best African American Fiction of 2004 lists of both Borders and WaldenBooks.

  Donna attended Barnard College and is a graduate of New York University. A Brooklyn native, she currently lives in the borough with her husband. Before becoming a novelist, she spent more than a decade as a plus size model, represented by the 12 + division of Ford Models. During that career, Donna was featured in catalogs and national ads, on the pages of such magazines as Essence, McCalls, Family Circle and Woman's Day, and has made appearances on "Today," "Good Morning America," and "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee." Virginia is a former high school English teacher from Buffalo, New York attended Fisk University and is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo. After almost 10 years in the classroom, she moved to New York and started a successful career as a plus size model. She was frequently featured in catalogs, advertising, magazines and appeared on several television programs including "The Today Show." She retired from modeling after two years and became Vice President of BB/LW, an agency for plus size and petite models as well as a spokeswoman for Hanes hosiery. Virginia now lives in New Jersey.

  
  

  About Patti Lacy

  My family moved frequently when I was a youngster, so I was blessed to call Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana home. In 1977, I graduated from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, with a B.S. in Education, science and English teaching fields. That summer, I married Alan Lacy, a junior high teacher and basketball coach.

  A year later, Alan and I packed up a U-Haul and moved to Arizona, where Alan attended Arizona State and I worked as a junior high school teacher and coached a boys' tennis team. Then we switched roles, and I attended and graduated from court reporting school while Alan taught and coached. For five years, we made a home, along with a Dalmatian and a Sheltie, in the Southwestern desert.

  In 1981, we returned to our Texas roots. As a certified court reporter, I tore about the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex with the help of my shorthand machine, taking depositions of high-powered executives, expert witnesses, and divorce-minded couples. Then our lives changed in a wonderful way! By 1988, we had two children, a girl and a boy.

  After fourteen priceless years surrounded by our Texas relatives, we moved again, this time to Terre Haute, Indiana, where I worked on my master's in literature at Indiana State University. Now we live in Normal, Illinois, a strange place for wacky Southerners! Last year, I resigned from my community college teaching job to embark on a full-time writing career. To satisfy our need for children since our two are grown, Alan and I recently "rescued" a dog from the Humane Society. Laura, an interesting mix of at least ten breeds, accompanies me on daily jogs and then lies peacefully at my feet (or in my favorite chair) while I write.

  In my spare time, I enjoy volunteer work at Ministries & More, a food distribution ministry. I've also enjoyed hiking and sightseeing in most of the fifty states, Canada, Ireland, and Switzerland.

  My Faith

  God gifted me with Christian parents who proclaimed the gospel of Christ Jesus, tucked me in with Bible stories, and woke me with a prayer on their lips. I accepted Christ at the age of twelve and was baptized in a Southern Baptist church in Monroe, Louisiana.

  During my teenage years, I veered away from my Savior and chose to live to please myself. For years, I became mired in a cycle of repentance and regression. I had to experience both physical and mental struggles to come to a place where I could declare God as sovereign and allow His Holy Spirit to begin the miraculous process of sanctification on my life. Through God's Word, the Holy Bible, and God's gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ, I can live assured of God's promises and have the hope of heaven.

   

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

   I'm Patti Lacy, author of the Christian novel, An Irishwoman's Tale. My passion? Exploring the secrets women keep and why they keep them. Now my second baby, What the Bayou Saw, is hitting stores and websites. What the Bayou Saw grapples with racism's ruinous stain, rape's emotional and physical aftermath, and the high cost of lies and repressed memories. Pick up a copy today!

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Tags:
  • Chrisitan Fiction
  • African American Fic
  • contemporary fiction
  • writing
  • publishing
  No Comments

• Original Air Date: 6/11/2009 10:00 PM UTC

  And How does one Find True Love, Joy and Peace with Tracey Lewis-Giggetts and Joy Turner

  Author Explores the Issue of Generational Curses with Latest Novel Release & Joy is Content where she is.
  On June 9, 2009, one of Summer’s most highly anticipated books in Christian fiction will hit the shelves. Interruption: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine by Tracey Michae’l Lewis is the long awaited sequel to 2004’s The Gospel According to Sasha Renee. It is the 2nd in the trilogy. Each book examines the spiritual attack that has plagued 3 generations of women in attempt to thwart their destiny and prevent the manifestation of God’s long ago promises to their family.
  And author Joy Turner says, "More specifically I have a burden to minister to women of all ages and walks of life who have been abused or hurt in any way and may suffer from low or even no self-esteem. I believe that women are precious in God’s sight but we don’t always view ourselves in that light. I didn’t always view myself in that light and struggled with these insecurities for a very long time. Helping others to realize their full potential is my life’s mission." BOTH AUTHORS will talk about how to find true love, joy and peace.
  Both are Chocolate Pages Members! www.chocolatepagesnetwork.com - check them out there too.
  <embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fchocolatepages%2fplay_list.xml?show_id=566915&autostart=false&shuffle=false&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=215&height=108" width="215" height="108" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false"></embed>
  • Tags:
  • Joy Turner
  • Tracey Michae’l Lewis
  • Gospel
  • Christian Fiction
  • Generational Curse
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• Date / Time: 6/11/2009 5:34 AM UTC

  Meet Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Griggetts and Joy Turner

  Tracey Michae’l Lewis…http://traceymichaellewis.blogspot.com/
  
  An author and entrepreneur, Tracey Michae’l Lewis offers
  those who hear her speak or read her writing an authentic
  experience; an opportunity to explore identity, faith, and
  purpose at the deepest level. Serving as an adjunct professor
  at several universities in PA and NJ, Lewis holds a Bachelor of
  Arts degree in Communication from the University of
  Kentucky and an M.B.A. from Montclair State University in
  New Jersey.
  

  
  Interruption: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine

  
  …WRITER
  As an author she has published two award-winning poetry collections (Collapsed and
  Divine Nepotism) and is the author of three additional books, including the celebrated
  Christian fiction "Gospel' series. Her newest novel, Interruption: The Gospel According to
  Crystal Justine, is a dynamic and compelling exploration of the role of generational curses
  in one young woman's pursuit of love and destiny. Additionally, Lewis’ writing has been
  published in local, regional, and national publications such as Philadelphia Weekly, Legacy Magazine, African American Career World, and Workplace Diversity. This Louisville, KY native and regular blogger also co-penned the critically acclaimed stage play, KHEPERA, which ran off-Broadway in 2002 and is the publisher of ANOINTED MAGAZINE ONLINE.
  
  …SPEAKER
  A dynamic and compelling communicator, Lewis has spoken in national venues across the country on a number of important topics and platforms. In 2007, she was the first African American female to ever be a break-out speaker at the MINISTRYCOM conference in Nashville, TN and her dynamic presentation on Marketing Ministry to a Multi-cultural Audience still garners positive reviews today. Lewis has also spoken in her local community at various schools in the Philadelphia school district and has provided keynote addresses for organizations such as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
  
  …ENTREPRENEUR
  Maximizing her unique mix of creative genius and business savvy, Lewis is the owner and
  managing consultant for her own Lewis Consulting Group, a Philadelphia-based business & educational consulting firm that provides business writing services, professional
  development training/seminars, and small business consulting to businesses, non-profit
  organizations, churches, schools, and individuals. With clients such as Continental Airlines, Wedge Medical Centers, and the African American Museum in Philadelphia (to name only a few), she has been able to empower organizations and individuals with both the theoretical and practical tools necessary to accomplish both success and significance.
  
  …AND MORE!
  Tracey Michae’l Lewis will no doubt be an inevitable public figure whose wit and
  transparency will continue to bless audiences and readers across the country. The following quotes are just a couple indicators of the excitement building around Lewis:
  
  
  “It is always good to see flowers spring up from the density of the forest. Tracey Michae’l Lewis is the newest flower on the forest floor. It will be wonderful to watch her grow.”
  - Nikki Giovanni, Legendary poet and professor at Virginia Tech University
  
  “Tracey Michae'l Lewis has been given the gift to create a living, breathing reality that does not simply cause you to identify with her words. No, [she]…leads you to the highest Truth there is. And it is that ability, to weave together so many different pieces, from intellectual stimulation to spiritual enlightenment that propels Tracey past simply being good...If she continues on her path, she will be known as great. Indeed, even now, she is nearly there.”
  -Minister John Gray, Inspirational Speaker and Singles Pastor at New Birth
  Missionary Baptist Church - Atlanta
  
  Meet Joy Turner
  
  

  1) Please supply us with your website and/or any other background materials you feel may be helpful in our research. 

  www.joyturner.net

  www.rawcstar.blogspot.com

  recently invited to become featured blogger on www.gospelwebcast.tv

  I am also an active member of the Facebook and Twitter communities!

   

   

   

  2) Tell us about your mission in life, and how your body of work and/or experiences will impact our audience.

  My mission in life is directly tied into ministry which can be two-fold: first drawing people to Christ and secondly encouraging, uplifting and inspiring those who are already walking in Christ. More specifically I have a burden to minister to women of all ages and walks of life who have been abused or hurt in any way and may suffer from low or even no self-esteem. I believe that women are precious in God’s sight but we don’t always view ourselves in that light. I didn’t always view myself in that light and struggled with these insecurities for a very long time. Helping others to realize their full potential is my life’s mission.

   

  I believe that God has called me to spread “joy to the world” henceforth my name (Joy)!

   

  3) What kinds of people do you make the most difference for? Mostly adult women and young girls but not limited to these two groups.

   

   

  4) What do you do that is the most effective? Learn. Throughout my life I’ve been able to soak up a vast amount of knowledge (as a writer, a musician, a minister in training and even a single parent) through instruction and by way of experience. I believe that my ability to learn also gives me leverage as an effective teacher, leader, speaker and motivator. I believe that we are most effective when we are beneficial to someone else so I would definitely say that what I have learned in life (good and bad) is going to be utilized for God’s glory to bless someone else through my books, music, teachings, workshops, blogs, etc.

   

   

  5) How does your story begin? Very humble beginnings. My dad worked, mom stayed home and raised us children. We never had a lot of things (material possessions) but our needs were met, we had food on the table and mom invested her time into finding activities for us to get involved in without spending a lot of money. She was and still is very resourceful. I was a very quiet and awkwardly shy little girl growing up in a household with four brothers. I began playing the piano at the age of 4 and went on to add writing, composing and singing by the time I was 12. I didn’t start out with intentions of becoming an author as music was my “world”. Somehow my plans, goals and aspirations of becoming the “next best thing” in the secular music industry gradually shifted once I gave my life to Christ and traded my agenda for His perfect will. Still love music, may even incorporate it with book writing somehow but for now, I’ll continue to allow God to be the author and finisher of my “story”!

  
  thank you JOY. Visit her at http://www.joyturner.net
  
  
  
  • Tags:
  • joy turner
  • Tracey Lewis
  • Christian authors
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• Original Air Date: 6/4/2009 10:00 PM UTC

  Critically acclaimed by New York Times author Kekla Magoon & motivational speaker Larry Jemison

  These two authors believe children are our future and are investing wisely! Plus they are setting an example of excellence for them to follow in the literary world. They are more than authors, they are a breath of inspiration for anyone who endeavors to communicate their message to the masses. If they can do it - and inspire youth - you can too. Hear Kekla and Larry talk about their journey in the publishing biz and how they are impacting the next generation of creative souls.
  <embed src="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/BTRPlayer.swf?displayheight=&file=http://www.blogtalkradio.com%2fchocolatepages%2fplay_list.xml?show_id=558561&autostart=false&shuffle=false&volume=80&corner=rounded&callback=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FlashPlayerCallback.aspx&width=215&height=108" width="215" height="108" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="high" wmode="transparent" menu="false"></embed>
  • Tags:
  • Larry Jemison
  • motivational speakers
  • literary awards
  • publishing business
  • Kekla Magoon
  Comments (1)

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