NEW RELEASE: BETRAYED By Suzetta Perkins

Title:  Betrayed


Author: Suzetta Perkins


Publisher:  Strebor Books




Mimi Bailey, if she had it her way, would never ever step foot back into Durham, North Carolina. Of course, Durham is used to be Mimi's home and she has plenty of good memories of growing up with family and friends in this southern town.


But there is one memory that Mimi  will never be able to erase. It is a nineteen year old secret that Mimi thought she would never have to revisit physically until her college bound daughter, Afrika, chose to attend  Historically Black College, North Carolina Central.


Not willing to allow her daughter to go to school alone, especially in a city full of dangerous secrets that need to stay hidden, Mimi reluctantly returns home to the scene of a crime so horrific that years can not diminish the pain. She has tried her best to outrun the secret, but there is no use. Little by little, the truth is revealed: nineteen years ago, Mimi was brutally raped by her best friend's fiance, Victor Christianson, who years later appears to be a pillar of Durham society, a loving father, an administrator at North Carolina Central and the husband of her former best friend, Brenda. After the rape, a distraught Mimi subsequently flees Durham and tries to start a new life with the bitter memory of the assault never far from her mind.


But, that is only the beginning. Mimi's daughter, Afrika, is the product of that crime. Only Mimi knows this. She has kept this secret from her husband, Raphael, who believes that Afrika is his child. And in an even stranger twist of events, Afrika meets and befriends a young woman on campus named Asia, whom bares a striking resemblance to herself which raises more than a few eyebrows and suspicious glares. Questions are forming that begs answers to. The truth about what happened nineteen years ago bubbles to the surface despite Mimi's efforts and Victor's sinister plans. A campus shooting threatens to reveal everything and nothing will ever be the same for Mimi, Raphael, Afrika, Asia, Victor and Brenda.


BETRAYED is a novel about friendships and how the act of betrayal is played out in relationships and the destruction it can cause. BETRAYED is a pretty good and solid read. There are brief instances where there is a slight lull, but the story regains momentum at just the right points.

Doubleday Acquires Three Walter Mosley Titles! From Publishers Weekly

Doubleday has brought Walter Mosley into the fold, acquiring two new books in the author's Easy Rawlins series, as well as a standalone novel. 

Gerald Howard bought world rights in the deal from Gloria Loomis at Watkins/Loomis, and the first first Easy Rawlins book, which is currently untitled, is scheduled for 2013. The standalone novel, scheduled for 2014, will be, per the publisher, a "noirish account of a porn star’s determination to escape her dangerous milieu." 

The second Rawlins book in the deal is set for 2014. Howard edited some Rawlins books, years ago, when he was at Norton.

Mosley's last Easy Rawlins book is 2007's Blonde Faith, which was published by Little, Brown. The author launched the Rawlins series in 1990 and now, according to Random House, over 3.5 million books in the series have been sold worldwide. Also, a television series based on the character is currently in the works.

Black Classic Press Cancels Acquisition of Howard University Press Titles - From Publishers Weekly

In a perplexing development, African American independent publisher Black Classic Press is withdrawing from an agreement with Howard University to acquire 84 titles from the Howard University Press backlist, complaining that the university has inexplicably failed to communicate with BCP since announcing the deal back in May.

W. Paul Coates, publisher of Black Classic Press, a reprint house for classic works of African American literature as well as a print-on-demand digital vendor, told PW that he has had almost no communication with the university since the university announced the agreement. Indeed, the situation seems perplexing since Howard University not only issued a press release announcing the transfer of the titles but also held a reception for former HUP authors and Coates to mark the acquisition. Founded in 1972, Howard University Press has published a long list of distinguished academics, however the press has essentially been defunct for about the past five years. In the original press release Howard University provost James H. Wyche called the deal a “win-win proposition for Howard.”

 

A former HUP title acquired by BCP in a separate deal.

However, Coates, who is also a former board member of the National Book Foundation, told PW that after nearly six months of attempting to carry out the agreement, the university has left him no choice but to cancel and withdraw from the deal. In a release announcing BCP’s withdrawal from the agreement, Coates said BCP, “initially accepted the proposed transfer based on the belief that it would provide cost-saving benefits to the university and that BCP would benefit from its association with the distinguished legacy of Howard University Press.”

 

Coates said that since the announcement of the agreement, “the university’s representatives have not provided the assistance or communication necessary to complete the transfer. Further, they have not signed or returned the agreement formalizing the transfer that their attorneys negotiated with BCP. Despite their attempts to finalize the agreement, BCP’s representatives have been frustrated by the university’s silence.”

 

Attempts by PW to contact Howard University provost James H. Wyche have not been successful. Coates told PWthat, “All inquiries about Howard University Press and titles it previously published should be directed to Howard University.”

 

BCP was able to acquire the title How Europe Underdeveloped Africa by Walter Rodney, Coates said, originally published by HUP in 1981. The title continues to be one of the press’ best known and best selling titles. It was part of the transfer deal but BCP was able to acquire the title from the Rodney estate, which had retrieved the rights before the closure of HUP. BCP’s new edition of the book will be published this month.

 

Coates said that the during negotiations for the HUP titles, he had emphasized to university officials, “that a successful integration of Howard University Press into Black Classic Press depended on responsive communication and cooperation. In absence of either, it is best to make known to all interested parties that Black Classic Press is not a partner with Howard University in any agreement to acquire Howard University Press.”

Title:   Mogul
Author: Terrance Dean
Publisher: Atria




Is he? Is she? Rumors and innuendos of a gay or lesbian lifestyle have plagued many Hollywood actors and actresses for decades. Underground acceptance of homosexuality helped form secret, exclusive gay communities in Hollywood in the 1930's and through to the 1950's. However, a few names would slip past the guard of secrecy. Rock Hudson. Tab Hunter. Talluelah Bankhead. Marlene Dietrich. Rudolph Valentino. Some famous actors and actresses, although privately living as gay or lesbian, slipped a little of their homosexuality into their work such as Marlene Dietrich who is famous for dressing in a tux and top hat or Valentino, whose on screen wardrobe was attacked in the media for appearing "pansy-like," or Katherine Hepburn whom wore tailored pants and a fitted shirt in most of her movies until the 1950's when her sexuality was put on front street and she found a 'beard' in Spencer Tracy, who was rumored to be bisexual.


Yet, there was a steep price to pay for being outed as gay/lesbian in Hollywood. More than likely it could mean the end of veteran career or a promising one. Or it could mean marriages of conveniences and the constant feeling of dread; waiting for the other proverbial shoe to drop. Movie studios and executives could lose public interest, experience public outrage and revenues and profits would be affected. The bottom line, money, would be threatened.


Fast forward ninety plus years to the world of Hip Hop. A genre of music that is hyper-male, Hip Hop in this day and age share many similarities to Old Hollywood. Hip Hop is respected the world over with millions of fans crossing racial, cultural, and religious divides. Hip Hop generates billions upon billions of dollars for music industry distributors and executives. Hip Hop is driven by a male majority that write and rap lyrics that relegate women to 'females' and money hungry sex objects, flaunt and symbolize metaphorically male sexuality, and sensationalizes materialism and violence.


In the world of Hip Hop, there is no apparent place for homosexuals but on the receiving end of lyrics that are violent and hate-filled. There isn't a male Hip Hop artist on the top of charts today that will admit that he is gay. However, like Old Hollywood, we know they exist! Terrance Dean, author of HIDING IN HIP HOP, pulled the curtain from behind scenes to shed light on gays in the music industry. With his latest book, MOGUL-A NOVEL, Terrance introduces readers to Aaron Tremble, aka Big A.T., an aspiring Hip Hop artist and producer who wants to seek his fortune and place in the world of Hip Hop.


On his ride to the top, Big A.T. learns how to keep his sexual predilections to himself and a select few, while engaging in a very public relationship with his girlfriend, Jasmine. As Big A.T. ascends the ladder of fame and notoriety in the Hip Hop world, he also finds himself caught in a net that draws him deeper and deeper into the down-low world of Hip Hop and the music industry. Once reaching the top of the charts and Hip Hop, Big A.T. discovers the emotional turmoil that comes with being famous, powerful, and in the closet. So he tries to keep his double life a secret until a tragedy, a nosy blogger, and a scorned lover create the perfect storm of revelation.


MOGUL keeps readers guessing with each page.  A few of the characters in MOGUL mirror real life Hip Hop stars and that is what makes reading it so much fun! Once the reader finishes MOGUL, an intensive scouring of All Hip Hop, Global Grind, and Mediatakeout.com is recommended! You'll be surprised at what you uncover.

Title: 
One Day It'll All Make Sense   
        
Author: 
Common w/ Adam Bradley




Many Americans who had never heard of Hip Hop artist and actor Common before this past spring, received a pretty unsettling portrait. 


The perception painted for America of Common, courtesy of FOX News' Bill O'Reilly and Sarah Palin, was that of a violent militant radical rapper. Left wing pundits and ill-informed journalists paid to smear President Obama, found the perfect vehicle when the White House invited Common to participate in a poetry reading. 


Deliberately misconstruing an entire line or two of one of Common's songs, turned a beloved "conscious" Hip Hop artist into cable news outlets villian of the year.


But those who know and love Common's music were not fooled. Outraged is more like it. How could a Hip Hop artist as positive and progressive as Common be slandered as a "cop killer lover," a "vile rapper that incites violence against women," and a potential threat to George W. Bush? While "Daily Show" host John Stewart boldly defended Common, Common himself remained silent. Why? Simple. If one listened to any of Common's eight albums, it would be fair to assume that what was publicized about him was totally out of character and not an accurate depiction of who the man is. And there is something else.


Unbeknown to most, Common was putting the finishing details on his autobiography, ONE DAY IT WILL ALL MAKE SENSE. Called "a magnificent memoir" by Maya Angelou, ONE DAY IT WILL ALL MAKE SENSE is an autobiography with a twist. Common's mother, Dr. Mahalia Ann Hines, chimes in with important facts and details about her life and that of her only child, Lonnie Rashid Lynn. She is very frank and does not hold back her personal feelings about different milestone periods of Common's professional, private and romantic life. As a single mother, Dr. Hines was very well aware of the dangers of the streets that could swallow her young son. Always being present in Rashid's daily life and providing much needed structure and guidance aided Dr. Hines in successfully raising her son on her own until her second marriage brought a step-father into Rashid's world during the pre-teen years.


ONE DAY IT WILL ALL MAKE SENSE begins at the end of an unhappy marriage between Common's parents. Dr. Mahalia Hines becomes a single parent responsible for raising a young boy in the middle class neighborhoods of the South Side of Chicago. She does so through consistent discipline and love. It is through this educated, no nonsense African American mother and the foundation that she created that Rashid thrives and becomes the man she always hoped him to be.


From his very first days of discovering Hip Hop, the ups and downs of being an artist, the perils of falling completely and totally in love, fatherhood, and reconciliation with his own father, Common paints an emotionally charged portrait of a man who had a dream and didn't let anyone or anything get in his way of making that dream come true. Sometimes, the obstacles that were in front him were self-made, but determination and faith propelled Common beyond his dreams. Today, you can find Common on vinyl, cd, mp3, video and now the movie screen. The JUST WRIGHT star is enjoying a promising career as an actor having already shared the silver screen with Denzel Washington and Queen Latifah.


ONE DAY IT'LL ALL MAKE SENSE is a fascinating memoir into the life of Common and gives readers an insightful and profound blueprint of what exactly makes Common tick and builds an authentic appreciation of the complexities that make up Rashid, the man.

BOOK SALES UP IN THE MONTH OF APRIL

Bookstore sales rose 1.8% in April, to $887 million, according to preliminary estimates released Tuesday morning by the U.S. Census Bureau. Boosted by a major revision in March sales which changed a 5.8% decline to a 1.1% increase, bookstore sales for the first four months of 2011 were up 0.2%, to $4.98 billion. Sales include the going-out-of business sales conducted by Borders during the spring.

For the entire retail segment, April sales rose 7.4%, to $389 million, and sales in the first four months of the year were ahead 8.0%.

Black Classic Press Acquires Howard University Press

After 39 years of distinguished scholarly publishing focused on African-American life and history around the world, the Howard University Press is closing its doors. The university has reached an agreement with Baltimore-based Black Classic Press, an African-American independent press and print-on-demand vendor, to acquire a selection of the press’s backlist of more than 175 scholarly titles with plans to reissue most of them in new editions under BCP’s new line of Howard University Classic Editions.

W. Paul Coates, president of Black Classic Press, is a former Howard University librarian and a former street book vendor who began his publishing career selling books on the streets in front of Cramton Auditorium on the Howard campus. “It’s humbling to have the opportunity to extend the awesome legacy of the books created by Howard University Press because, for decades, Howard was the ‘gold standard’ that advanced Black publishing beyond the realms of any other press,” Coates said.

 

Howard University provost and chief academic officer Dr. James H. Wyche, said the closing of the press is “related partly to the significant changes that have transformed the publishing business,” and said, “after nearly four decades of unparalleled service to the scholarly publishing field, we have made a difficult decision.” But he also said, “This is a win-win proposition for Howard, HUP, Black Classic, and the many scholars, faculty, and students around the world who have benefited from the insightful and much-needed scholarship published by Howard’s scholarly press over the years.”

 

In a phone interview with Coates he outlined big plans for Howard University Classic Editions and said he plans to “immediately incorporate the titles into Black Classic Press’s digital database.” BCP will acquire about 84 of HUP's 175 backlist titles. John Hopkins University Press will continue to distribute HUP Classic Editions and the press will begin rejacketing about 6 titles a month in preparation for uploading them into the Black Classic Press’s POD database for reprinting. BCP is short-run and print-on-demand publishing house that specializes in reprinting classic works of African-American literature and keeping them in print. Coates said he expected to upload “the best selling titles first. We’ll eliminate on-hand titles through sales and remaindering.”

 

Founded in 1972 under the director of Charles Harris, at the time a former editor at Random House, the Howard University Press published about 12 titles annually during its best years. Among the press’s best known and best selling titles are Walter Rodney’s 1981 How Europe Underdeveloped Africa; and Dr. Joseph Harris’s 1993 seminal work, Global Dimensions of the African Diaspora.

 

HUP Press also sponsored the HUP Book Publishing Institute, an annual summer workshop that specialized in training African Americans, other minorities and women for careers in magazine and book publishing. Coates plans to revive the work of the publishing institute through an intern program at Black Classic Press.

 

“There will be an opportunity for Howard University students to intern at BCP to provide experience in print and an increasingly digital world. Students can grow as we grow in this sector,” Coates said. Coates also intends to extend the HUP’s publishing legacy by continuing to publish scholarly works by Howard’s and other faculty, particularly in the field of black/African studies as well as works on Africa and on African diasporan life in Latin America, the Carribean and elsewhere. “The acquisition will strengthen the BCP list in those areas and make BCP visible to everyone as a place to submit manuscripts,” he said.

 

Noting a long association with Howard University that dates to the 1970s, Coates said his acquisition of the list is the culmination of a dream to become a publisher that began on the campus of Howard University when he used to go to Founder’s Library to warm up on cold days when he was a street book vendor. “My whole idea to be a publisher began at Founder’s Library,” he said, “that’s where the idea that I would develop a press and be a publisher began. This is a unique opportunity. HUP is the only black academic press to turn its titles over to an independent black publisher and we will work to maintain an important black legacy. “

 ***From Publishers Weekly***