Internet Marketing For Writers & Businesses: [Motown Writers Network] Magic Pencils, Songs in The Night & The Church Becoming

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1. Guest: Karen Dabney Call-in Time: 5:00 p.m.

Guest summary: Dabney is a returning author, her first interview was in November last year. She is author her latest book, a young adult book, "The Magic Pencil;" other publications as author or artist include: 44^th Barack H. Obama The Commemorative Edition, Michigan Chronicle, For My People newspaper, Journal of Non-White Concerns, The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Newsletter, The University of Michigan Dearborn's The Michigan Journal, To the Poet in You, and Necessary Roughness: a self-published book of poetry.

Karen Eileen Dabney Bio

Karen Eileen Dabney resides in Detroit, Michigan.

She possesses a BFA from The University of Michigan and a BA from the University of Detroit Mercy. She currently attends the College for Creative Studies. Karen also works with youth in many capacities; thereby keeping her inner-child well-fed.

Publications as author or artist include: 44^th Barack H. Obama The Commemorative Edition, Michigan Chronicle, For My People newspaper, Journal of Non-White Concerns, The University of Michigan Institute for Social Research Newsletter, The University of Michigan Dearborn's The Michigan Journal, To the Poet in You, and Necessary Roughness: a self-published book of poetry.

Karen attended writing workshops with the Voices of Our Nation's Arts Foundation and The Hurston/Wright Foundation. She is a member of the National Conference of Artists, the Motown Writers' Network and freelances as an artist and writer.

The Magic Pencil is Karen's first novel for young adults. She also wrote and illustrated her first book, Unhappiness Is, at 14 years of age. The book sheds a comedic light on everyday situations and challenges. An updated version is in progress.

About the Book "The Magic Pencil"

I began writing The Magic Pencil after noticing how important pencils are to children in school. They are considered as special as any other status symbol. This knowledge caused me to reflect upon my own experiences and I stated writing about them in the voice of an eleven-year-old boy. I wrote about ten pages in a small note book and didn't pick it up for some time. It wasn't until years later after I was accepted to a writing seminar that I found the note book. It was one of those times when one is guided to something forgotten based on what some may call divine intervention. I lengthened the writing to thirteen typewritten pages in preparation for my seminar. I felt the story had promise but I didn't realize how much until the instructor, a well-renowned author, told me I would make a million dollars if I would turn those thirteen pages into about 120! I was so excited I managed to get the book to about 166, 8.5 x 11 pages.

2. Guest: Tracy L. Moore Call-in Time: 5:25 p.m.

Guest summary: Moore's latest book Midnight Blue, a crime/drama book. She is also author of Songs in the Night.

About Tracy L. Moore:

Tracy L Moore is a student of the human condition, wielding the written craft to enrapture the mind much like an artist wields a brush. The pages are a blank canvas on which to draw from a talent heralded by many and matched only by an imagination that rises to the task. MIDNIGHT BLUE is the first in a series of recent pursuits, with work progressing quickly on the follow-up. This book is the first in a trilogy. Born in Kansas, TRACY L. MOORE has been writing since the age of 8. This book will heighten your awareness of what a few corrupt officers can do to tarnish the reputation of an entire department but what driven and honest people will do to set the record straight. It is a story of overcoming adversity and shame despite the odds.

About the book

MIDNIGHT BLUE is a work of fiction, set in New Jersey. It is composed of part crime drama and romance narrative, centered on the life and actions of the protagonist Khalil Petersen. Petersen is a sergeant in a police department, corrupt by greed of a few dishonest men in power. Petersen is working on a rape/murder case of a 15-year-old runaway, which takes place on New Year's Eve. He has also rekindled the love he had for a woman from his college days by the name of Athena Gibson who has uncanny ties to the victim and has vital information that will help solve the case! MIDNIGHT BLUE is written in the third person which aids the readers to become more involved in the story as they experience the thoughts and emotions of each of the characters, allowing for different perspectives. Finally, MIDNIGHT BLUE is a detective drama that includes several story lines into a story of the triumph of a sincere and honest cop in his professional and personal life. This book is a must-read for those who enjoy crime narratives with a romantic subplot.

3. Guest: Dr. Deborah Smith-Pollard Call-in Time: 5:50 p.m.

Guest Summary: Smith-Pollard is author of the non-fiction book When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music. Dr. Deborah Smith Pollard enjoys an exciting dual career as Associate Professor of English Literature at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and host/producer of "Strong Inspirations," a contemporary gospel music program that has been heard on FM 98 WJLB-Detroit since 1994.

Deborah Smith-Pollard bio:

Pollard, who has lectured internationally on gospel music, has published articles in both academic and popular journals. Her latest research is featured in her award-winning book, When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music (Wayne State U. Press, 2008), which was named a "2009 Notable Book" by the Library of Michigan. She also has her work featured in the anthology: More than the Blues (University of Illinois Press) and Rhythms of the Atlantic (U of M Press, scheduled for 2009).

"Dr. Deb" was named "Gospel Announcer of the Year" during the 2005 Stellar Awards (called "The Grammys" of Gospel). An Emmy Award-winning producer (for "GodSounds" which aired on WDIV-TV Channel 4), Pollard has also produced events, including the McDonald's GospelFest and the Motor City Praisefest, since the 1980s.

About the book When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music:

When the Church Becomes Your Party examines some of the more controversial aspects of today's gospel music, including praise and worship in the urban church, the gospel musical stage plays, the changing dress code within the church and gospel music arena, women gospel announcers, and Christian rap/holy hip hop. . The critics of these forms denounce them for breaking with tradition as they feature new aesthetics in attire, language, and other aspects of performance. But this book argues that if we go beyond the unconventional packaging, we can find that these contemporary performances are as tied to the time-honored principles of the gospel as is more traditional gospel music.

4. Guest: Ivory Williams Call-in Time: 6:10 p.m.

Guest Summary: Williams is the host of the Grown Folks Concert series.

Background info/Talking Points:

Who are we?

Team of professional storytellers dedicated to preserving the oral tradition of African/African American storytelling. All are members of the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS). All are members of Toastmasters International.

What we do:

We have FUN! We entertain and educate by sharing the storytelling experience with all audiences through storytelling performances and workshops.

What are these Grown Folks Concerts?

Our target audience is grown folks…adults. These concerts provide an elegant night out for grown folks to hear some good old fashioned storytelling. These concerts are hilarious and a lot of fun.

Grown Folks Storytellers' History:

Master Teller Ivory D. Williams created the Grown Folks concept in 2005 to give adults a venue for good, clean fun that they can not only listen/watch, but participate in. A different form of entertainment. Initially designed as a one shot deal, it has expanded to two major concerts each year since 2005.

2010 Grown Folks Concerts:

"Grandma's Lickin' Stick" was this past February 13th at the Virgil Carr Cultural Center.

"I Ain't Lyin'!" is scheduled for October 2010 at the Charles H. Wright Museum this Fall.

The Special March 19th Concert at the International Instituted:

"The Night the Stylish Folk Came Out" is a special free concert to thank the community who have supported us over the years. So we're doing something fun on the night of March 19th at 6pm.

Previous Concerts:

"Our Stories", "Mo' Stories", "Grown Folks Talkin'…HUSH!", "Grandma's Biscuits", "He said, She said", "Cuz I said so!", "The Good Ol' Days", "Mama said there'd be days like this", "Biscuits Again", "Listen up…I ain't sayin' it again!", "Grandma's Lickin' Stick".

5. Guest: Venus Mason Theus Call-in Time: 6:30 p.m.

Guest Summary: Mason Theus is the host of the upcoming workshop, "The Annointed Pen"