Happy New Years from Conversations Book Club!!!

For many of you 2008 will be starting when you read this email, but I
didn't want to let 2007 get away from me without sharing with you how
much I appreciate all of the support you have given me this year.

We have much to be thankful for in the literary world. Many new authors
have joined the ranks, and some of our favorite authors continue to give
us books that we can't help running to the stores to purchase.

For me, 2007 saw the fulfillment of an idea that has mushroomed into its
own entity---and for that I am thankful. I was able to bring readers
together in person with over 30 authors this year---without charging one
cent. This made history among book clubs nationwide, being the most
authors a single group has been responsible for in one year. That also
means a great deal to me, because that allowed people to see and
associate with authors that otherwise they wouldn't have had the
opportunity to meet.

In 2008, however, Conversations will be going above and beyond---offering
freebies throughout the year that even the most casual of readers will
want to be a part of.

In the next 12 months, I will be introducing you to an astounding 60
authors ( 38 women and 22 men) LIVE AND IN PERSON, many of whom are
bestsellers that have never been in Mississippi, Memphis, Montgomery or
New Orleans before. I will also be moderating a series of forums
throughout the year as well as the 2nd Annual Statewide Book Club Meet &
Greet--- again, each being free and open to anyone and everyone.

The challenge, then, is with you. Will you be an active participant in
the opportunities ahead, or will you sit on the sidelines focusing on
what could have been? There will be 60 authors coming in 2008--- how many
will you meet?

I leave the answer up to you, but I hope that you will take advantage of
every literary opportunity that comes your way.

As always--- Enjoy your day. Enjoy your life. Enjoy your world. And
please, enjoy 2008. Believe me: the best is yet to come!

Cyrus A. Webb, President
Conversations Book Club
http://www.thebestbookclub.info

Bring the New Year in with Conversations in January 2008

CELEBRATE JANUARY 2008 WITH CONVERSATIONS!

After a history-making first year, Conversations Book Club has major plans for 2008...and no matter where you live, you have the opportunity to take part. The following is our schedule for the month of January 2008 and includes all of our events. Make sure to save this email for future reference and bookmark our main site: http://www.thebestbookclub.info:

*     Wednesday, January 2, 2008, 6p.m. CST --- C. A. Webb will hold a live discussion of his novella DESTINY'S CHILD at the Richard Wright Library in Jackson, MS (515 McDowell Road * 601.372.1621)

*     Thursday, January 3, 2008, 6:30p.m. CST --- C. A. Webb will hold a live discussion of his novella DESTINY'S CHILD at the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS (601.932.2562)

*     Saturday, January 5, 2008, 11-5p.m. CST --- Conversations Book Club will host "Book Lovers Day" in Tupelo, MS (Quality Inn and Suites (1011 North Gloster St. * Tupelo, MS 38804) There will be a special meet and greet from 1-3p.m. with Bestselling author Shelia E. Lipsey

*     Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 6p.m. CST --- live taping of "Conversations LIVE!" at Barnes and Noble in Jackson, MS. Joining us via conference call will be bestselling authors Jerry B. Jenkins and Kevin Weeks.

*     Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 6p.m. CST --- C. A. Webb will be discussing his novella DESTINY'S CHILD at Richard Wright Library (601.372.1621) in Jackson, MS.

*     Wednesday, January 11, 2008, 7p.m. CST --- Join Conversations at Barnes & Noble for the "Conversations Hour, talking about your favorite authors and books;

*     Tuesday, January 15, 2008, 6p.m. CST --- live taping of "Conversations LIVE!" at Barnes and Noble in Jackson, MS. Joining us via conference call will be bestselling author Pat Simmons.

*     Thursday, January 17, 2008, 6p.m. CST --- Conversations will hold its monthly discussion group at Pearl Public Library discussing the topic "Should Love Ever Hurt?"

*     January 18-19, 2008 --- Bestselling author Lacricia Peters (author of GIRL, NAW) will be joining Conversations IN PERSON. See http://www.thebestbookclub.info for all the details.

*     Friday, January 18, 2008, 7p.m. CST --- Join Conversations at Barnes & Noble for the "Conversations Hour, talking about your favorite authors and books; our special guest will be author Lacricia Peters.

*     Saturday, January 19, 2008 --- Join us for the debut of our "Conversations Book Club * New Orleans". We will meet every 3rd Saturday at 1p.m. at the Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown (346 Baronne St.). For our first meeting we will be joined LIVE AND IN PERSON by Bestselling author C-Murder (author of DEATH AROUND THE CORNER) and Lacricia Peters, and joining us on the phone will be bestselling author Wahida Clark (THUGS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM).

*     Sunday, January 20, 2008 --- INSPIRATIONAL CONVERSATIONS meets every 3rd Sunday at 6p.m. at the Subway Restaurant in Pearl, MS (3000 HWY E). We will be reading BROTHERLY LOVE AND BETRAYAL by Daphine Glenn Robinson.

*     Tuesday, January 22, 2008, 6p.m.CST --- live taping of "Conversations LIVE!" at Barnes and Noble in Jackson, MS. Joining us via conference call will be bestselling authors Che Parker and Allison Hobbs.

*     Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 6p.m. CST --- The Cut Society Book Club will be reading STREET FAME by K. Elliott at the Richard Wright Library in Jackson, MS.

*     Thursday, January 24, 2008, 6p.m. CST ---C. A. Webb will be discussing his novella DESTINY'S CHILD with the Subway Conversations Book Club in Pearl, MS at Subway (3000 HWY 80 E)

*     January 25-26, 2008 --- Bestselling author L. A. Banks will be visiting with Conversations LIVE AND IN PERSON

*     Friday, January 25, 2008, 7p.m. CST---  Join Conversations at Barnes & Noble for the "Conversations Hour, talking about your favorite authors and books; our special guest will be author L. A. Banks.

*     Saturday, January 26, 2008, 1p.m. CST --- Join us for the debut of our "Conversations Book Club * Montgomery". We will meet every 4th Saturday at 1p.m. at the Quality Inn & Suites (2705 E. South BLVD * Montgomery, AL) For our first meeting we will be joined LIVE AND IN PERSON by Bestselling author L. A. Banks.

*     Monday, January 28, 2008, 6p.m. CST --- Nonfiction Conversations Book Club returns to the Pearl Public Library to discuss FROM PIECES TO WEIGHT by 50 Cent.

*     Tuesday, January 29, 2008, 6p.m. CST --- live taping of "Conversations LIVE!" at Barnes and Noble in Jackson, MS. Joining us via conference call will be bestselling author Rodney Lofton, author of THE DAY I STOPPED BEING PRETTY.

For more information, contact Cyrus A. Webb at 601.896.5616 or via email at cawebb4@juno.com. All the information is available through our main website at http://www.thebestbookclub.info.

REVEALED: Conversations' "Most Fascinating Author of 2007"

From The Desk of Conversations Book Club President Cyrus A. Webb:

"Absolutely fascinating.

"That is the only way I know to describe the author who helped Conversations Book Club begin its journey as a leading authority in the literary world. After all, thanks to our literary partner TRICOM PUBLICITY (http://www.tricomweb.com), he was the first author who we hosted in 2007, beginning what would be a whirlwind first year for our book club.

"Though he only spent one day with us back in January 2007, his visit is still talked about today. There are so many ways to describe him: Bestselling author (New York Times and Essence), Publisher (Urban Books and Q-Boro Books), Visionary (the man behind the nonfiction publishing of Percy "Master P" Miller's book and Trailblazer. Think about it: out of the 32 authors we have hosted in 2007, six of them have worked with him or alongside him. And if you consider the 68 conference call discussions our book club has had this year with authors, 15 of them are published by him! To top that off, two authors who have nothing to do with his growing franchise (namely Travis Hunter and Wahida Clark) sing his praises as someone who helped them either break into the business or give them a boost to their careers.

"I remember the first time I spoke with him on the phone. I was doing an interview for Conversations Magazine, and it amazed me at how he managed to be both humble and confident about the success he had experienced. At that time, near the end of 2006, he was promoting a novel he co-wrote with another New York Times Bestselling author (Mary B. Morrison). As we go into 2008, this individual has already set his sights on new accomplishments: a new book as well as a new series featuring Flynt, Michigan that is sure to put the world on fire.

"It is with great pleasure that I present to you my pick as "Most Fascinating Author of 2007", Bestselling author Carl Weber."

http://www.thebestbookclub.info   http://authorswelove.blogspot.com

Exclusive Video Interviews with authors by Conversations

Looking for something to watch this weekend about authors you have enjoyed or heard about? Then watch these special interviews provided by Conversations Book Club and our literary partner the PEG Network (Channel 18) in Mississippi.

 

Bestselling Christian Fiction authors Shelia E. Lipsey (INTO EACH LIFE an SINSATIABLE) and Daphine Glenn Robinson (BROTHERLY LOVE & BETRAYAL):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWZBtd95Kv4

 

Exclusive interview with Corey "C-Murder" Miller about his blockbuster debut novel DEATH AROUND THE CORNER:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-WqRmiVj-Zs

 

Jonathan Richardson, author of the thought-provoking nonfiction book THE COMPLICATED LIFE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29BEa4a7n8U

 

 

As always: Enjoy your day. Enjoy your life. Enjoy your world.

 

Celebrate 2008 with "Authors of Conversations": See how!

Want to connect with your favorite authors during 2008, either in person or via conference call? Then let Conversations Book Club help.

 

Currently the marketing side of Conversations is representing bestselling authors Doug Dixon, Shelia Lipsey, Craig Alexander, C-Murder and Lovell Brigham. (Visit http://authorsofconversations.blogspot.com)

 

Are you reading any of their titles and want them to be with you either on the phone or in person? Then contact Cyrus A. Webb at 601.896.5616 or via email at cawebb4@Juno.com with your date and the details of your request.

 

Conversations Book Club is committed to excellence in the arts, and looks forward to working with all organizations to help others get hooked on books.

 

Are you an author looking for representation? Visit http://authorsofconversations.blogspot.com for all the details and email us at cawebb4@juno.com with any questions.

 

Enjoy your day. Enjoy your life. Enjoy your world.

 

 

Author of "The Complicated Life of the African American Man" speaks

2007 has been such a poweful year for Conversations Book Club and its literary partners. One of the things we did this year was host our first nonfiction author, Jonathan Richardson, who wrote THE COMPLICATED LIFE OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN. During his visit, Conversations Book Club president, Cyrus A. Webb, sat down with him in an interview you will only see here!

 

To view this history-making event, click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29BEa4a7n8U

 

Conversations Book Club: Connecting readers with authors everyday.

 

 

BREAKING: C. A. Webb ushers in 2008 with his "DESTINY'S CHILD"

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From Alabama to Mississippi, DESTINY'S CHILD combines fact with fiction in C. A. Webb's newest journey

 

Contact Information:

Cyrus A. Webb

601.896.5616

cawebb4@juno.com / http://cawebbonline.blogspot.com

 

(NOTE: There will be a press conference to discuss the process behind his literary project on Friday, December 28, 2007. It will be held at the Richard Wright Library (515 W. McDowell Road in Jackson, MS) at 4p.m. It is open to the media and book lovers as well.)

 

MS author C. A. Webb releases the novella that everyone will be talking about for years to come. The true-to-life story of one man's journey from nothing to everything. Meet Kaleel Yant: C. A. Webb's most intriguing character to date.

 

"The character of Kaleel Yant was not a real stretch for me," Webb, 32, confides. "Kaleel is me, but he is also so many others that I have seen who have strived for success and came up with what they sought after and more."

 

Kaleel Yant is a man that begins a company that has tentacles in the worlds of the arts and business. Through DESTINY'S CHILD, you will see the ends and outs of man whose desire for something could cost him everything. He is the no-nonsense creative out of Montgomery, AL that finds himself following his dreams as an artist and entrepreneur. His ambitions join him with Catha Ayers, a young woman who sees his vision and vows to help him carry out his plan to lead an artistic revolution in the South. She is attracted to his confidence and search for power, yet finds out too late exactly what he will do to end up on top.

Kaleel Yant's personal and public lives mesh and collide in a series of events that affects the lives of people in Alabama, Mississippi and soon the entire nation.

 

"He's a complex creature who gives so much to his dreams and finds himself running on empty sometimes," Webb explains. "There is no handbook to the course that he sets out on. Everything is based on his being true to himself."

Set between Alabama and Mississippi, "Destiny's Child" will leave you wondering what is real and what is imaginary in this tale that questions the various degrees of passion and what one man will do to experience them all.

 

About C. A. Webb:

C. A. Webb has been a supporter of the arts for over a decade. He has contributed to articles for the Clarion Ledger Newspaper, Jackson Advocate, Mississippi Link, Blagazine.com and Books2Mention Magazine. He is the President of the Rankin County Arts Alliance and a board member of Genesis and Light and Kindling Spirits. He has won praise for his work with the arts, and in 2005, Millsaps College recognized him as one of the most influential people in the city of Jackson (MS).

 

 Apart from being an author, Webb is also a radio and television show host, public speaker and a poet. In November 2006 he began Conversations Book Club, a literary organization that now has seven chapters in Mississippi as well as a chapter in New Orleans, Montgomery and Memphis.

 

DESTINY'S CHLD will be made exclusively online and through select locations beginning January 2008 and retails for $5.00. It is the first chapbook release under Shadow Play Publications' "Shorts" selections. For details about Webb and his upcoming projects, contact him at 601.896.5616 or visit http://cawebbonline.blogspot.com.

 

Conversations Reveals Its Picks For Its 2008 Roster

Hello all!

Before I reveal who Conversations Book Club has selected to discuss in its 9 book club chapters in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the authors and book lovers that has made 2007 a year to remember. To the authors: if your book wasn't chosen for the new year, it doesn't mean that it wasn't noteworthy. Look for additional books to be added to various listings as the year progresses.

 

To the authors who were selected, we look forward to discusssing your work over the next 12 months.

************************************************************

 

CONVERSATIONS BOOK CLUB (Barnes & Noble in Jackson, MS)

http://www.thebestbookclub.info

 

Nonfiction Conversations Book Club (Pearl, MS)

http://nonfictionconversations.blogspot.com

 

Subway Conversations Book Club (Pearl, MS)

http://subwayconversations.blogspot.com

 

Wednesday Conversations Book Club (Jackson, MS)

http://wednesdayconversations.blogspot.com

 

Inspirational Conversations Book Club (Pearl, MS)

http://conversationswithapurpose.blogspot.com

 

The C.U.T. Society Book Club (Jackson, MS)

http://thecutsociety.blogspot.com

 

Conversations Book Club * New Orleans

http://conversationsneworleans.blogspot.com

 

Conversations Book CLub * Montgomery

http://conversationsmontgomery.blogspot.com

 

Conversations Snags Exclusive with Bestselling author Wahida Clark

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On Monday, December 10, 2007 Conversations Book Club--- Mississippi's largest book club and literary organization---ended the year with its 68th conference call discussion, with one of the year's most influential bestselling authors: Wahida Clark.

 

The woman who has pen four bestselling novels (beginning with THUGS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM) left her 6-month stay at a halfway house on Friday, December 7, 2007, after an 8 1/2 year prison sentence---and her first event was with The Best Book Club at Waldenbooks Metrocenter in Jackson, Mississippi.

 

She is a remarkable woman, grounded by her knowledge of who she is and what she represents. Wahida is first wife and mother, but she excels as a businesswoman in all she does. The writing career that has taken the literary world by storm only began in 2002 or 2003, yet you would think by the accolades she has received that she has been in the game for over a decade.

 

What led her to writing while in prison? Her answer was simple: "My husband was locked up, I was locked up and we needed money. People don't realize it, but it takes money to live even in prison, and I also needed money for my family on the outside." While in prison she worked in the law library, normally by herself, and she would do a great deal of reading during that time. It was during one of these occasions that she was reading XXL Magazine and read about an author who also had their beginning while incarcerated. "I said to myself that if he could do it then I could as well."

 

There was a literary agent who was also in prison that decided to teach a course on writing, and Wahida signed on. She wrote on legal pads and let others read it for input. They devoured the pages and were always asking for more. I asked her if she ever worried about not being able to make it in the business. "I knew I would get published," she said confidently. "My work was going to see the light of day."

 

At that point we had to reflect on the career that she has which is still foreign to her. "I have only been out a few days. I've never done a booksigning or met with fans. This (the interview with Conversations) is the first thing I have done. To me it is like I am just getting started."

 

Who inspired her before she wrote what became THUGS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM? "I read everything from Donald Goines, Iceberg Slim to James Patterson." When asked who she was initially writing for, she answered that it was the hood market. "My husband told me that if I was going to do this that I had to do my research. He told me what was popular: thugs, drugs and pimping."

 

Not long after writing her book, Wahida happened to read "Married Men" by Carl Weber. She noticed that he was getting praise from critics and writers alike so she decided to reach out to him. "I wrote him and told him that I had just finished writing a book and wanted to know what I should do next. He asked me to send him my manuscript. It was from there that he submitted the book to Black Print Publishing. They told me it was too big so I would have to cut it down. The publisher ended up splitting the book, and that manuscript became THUGS AND THE WOMEN WHO LOVE THEM and EVERY THUG NEEDS A LADY."

 

Wahida told us that she can still remember the first time she saw her name on the cover of a book. "I was in Lexington, Kentucky and it was mail call. Some of the ladies on lock down with me had ordered some copies, and they had come in a big envelope with about seven or eight books in there. It was like 'Wow, this is my book.'"

 

Little did she know that readers all over the world were wowed by her as well.

 

After her relationship ended with Black Print, Wahida---with the help of her literary agent----was signed to a deal with Dafina, an imprint of Kensington. Ironically, becoming a label mate of Carl Weber, the author who helped her get started in the industry. Her other titles include PAYBACK IS A MUTHA and THUG MATRIMONY.

 

Today Wahida's focus is not only her own career as an author, but helping others as well. She has begun her own literary agency to groom new authors, and she is now signed with Warner Books. I mentioned to her that in one interview she said that her writing is meant to entertain. She stood behind that, but added that her agent likes the fact that there are consequences to the things that her characters do. "Once I start writing and get in their heads, they take on a life of their own sometimes. If you get a message from what I write," she said, "then that's wonderful."

 

A workaholic in every sense of the word, Wahida is working on the 4th book in the THUGS series as well as what she calls her "crossover" book. "I want to get some of those James Patterson" dollars," she told us with a laugh. Also in the works is an anthology with author Kiki Swanson and her novel PAYBACK WITH YOUR LIFE. Robin Garder, a member of the book club asked Wahida if she had thought about writing her autobiography. "People have asked me that," she answered, "but I honestly hadn't thought about it."

 

With everything that she has been through in the last decade, Wahida related that she can't even look at her jail time as a bad thing. "I can't say it was a negative. Without it there is no way I would've written a book."

 

When asked what authors have been on her reading list, she told the group that they are diverse as the rest of her life: James Patterson, Guy Johnson, Maya Angelou, Omar Tyree, Dean Koontz and Nikki Turner. Ironically, it was Turner who gave Clark the title of "Queen of Thug Love Fiction." I asked her was there any pressure with titles such as that or "bestseller." Wahida's answer was short and to the point. "I really don't think about that, not as long as I can back it up. It's flattering, but it just means that I have to stay on top of my game everyday."

 

As we wrapped up the discussion, Wahida was asked what advice would she give those who say they have a story in them. "I would tell them to write. I have had people tell me that they have five books in their head. What I tell them is they need to put them down on paper, because they aren't doing you or anyone else any good while they are just in your head. Do your research and make sure it is the best it can be."

 

And what did Wahida have to say to her growing legion of fans? The bestselling author actually became emotional before answering. "Thank you so much for your support. Thank you to everyone who wrote me, telling me how much they enjoyed the books. It meant so much for me to get that encouragement."

 

The future is bright for the author who had no intention of being a writer, but whose literary star is one of the brightest on the market at this time. She has a fan base that at this point is hard to fathom, and has made an impact that will probably take some time to wrap herself around.

 

One thing that is clear at this point, however, is that Wahida Clark is a fighter in every sense of the world. She is not one to allow her circumstances to define her, but the lives she has introduced us to through her characters will remain with us for years to come.

 

To find out more about Wahida Clark, visit her on-line at http://www.wahidaclark.org or http://www.myspace.com/wahidaclark.

 

 

CBC Report: Bestselling authors Gregory B. Williams & DeiIra Collard, Mission Accomplished

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our authors this weekend. Bestselling authors Gregory B. Williams and DeiIra Collard enjoyed themselves as they moved from place to place, participating in events in Hinds and Rankin County.

The day began at the Pearl Public Library, where once again Jennifer Vess helped us have a productive event.

From there it was on to the Richard Wright Library in Jackson, MS where members of the Savvy Book Club came by to show their support as well as others--thanks in part to the continued support of Ms. Debra Gilbert.

We had a slight break before we headed to the Subway Restaurant for our book discussion and poetry event. Author Voncele Savage was with us for the day, and it was great to hear her share her experiences.

It was a perfect end to a great weekend---and we have made two lifelong friends with these two.

Please continue to support these authors when you are ordering books online as well as in bookstores.

To get more information about Gregory B. Williams, visit his website here.
For information about DeiIra Collard and her book, you can visit the link here.

CBC Report: Author DeiIra Collard, Day One

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Conversations Book Club wishes to thank everyone who made day one of author DeiIra Collard's first visit to Mississippi a complete success. This is the last stop on her tour that has taken her from her home in Houston, Texas to all over the U.S. this year. Her book LOVE, LUST AND A WHOLE LOTTA DISTRUST is striking a chord with men and women alike.

The day began with a visit to Crystal Spring Elementary School and Crystal Spring High School. Collard spent over an hour at each location, talking about her book and then answering questions about her writing career, how she got started and what led her to write the book that now has many people in DeiIra's life asking if they are included in the exciting debut.

After having lunch with Elementary School Principal (and book club member) Cheryl Haynes, we were off to the Pearl Public Library in Pearl, MS. There Collard met with Reference Supervisor Jennifer Vess and toured the library where Conversations Book Club holds two of its monthly meetings.

From there it was on to the Jackson Advocate Newspaper to meet with Publisher Alice Tidale and staff writer Christian Vance. Vance will be writing a review of the book in the next coming week. Look for us to post it online at http://www.thebestbookclub.info when it becomes available.

From there it was on to Northside Library in Jackson, MS to meet with James, the branch manager and then to Willie Morris Library where the staff was "teased" about the book and encouraged to get their copy soon.

At 4p.m. Richard Wright Library was the next stop for the author. She was met there by dozens of patrons, selling books to interested individuals and striking up several conversations.

The day ended with an hour-long discussion at Waldenbooks Metrocenter in Jackson, MS. Book lovers who may have come to the store with another book in mind were able to add LOVE, LUST AND A WHOLE LOTTA DISTRUST to the titles they will be reading in the upcoming days.

A full day for an author who is as humble as she is talented. Look for her to be busy in day two when she will be joined by Bestselling author Gregory B. Williams on Saturday, December 8, 2008 who will be donating 100% of the sales from his books to the family of the slain JSU student, Latasha Norman.

For a listing of the Saturday schedule, look below:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2007 (with author Gregory B. Williams)
12p.m.---Booksigning @ Pearl Public Library
2-3:30 p.m. --- Book Signing @ Richard Wright Library (Jackson, MS)
6p.m.--- Book discussion @ Subway Pearl --- 601.936.4803
7p.m. --- Reading during Spoken Word Saturdays @ Subway Pearl

Conversations Presents... "2007: A Year of Words" (Thursday, December 6, 2007)

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Whoever said "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" wasn't expecting a year like 2007. Many of the hot button issues that have been brought to light over the past 11 months have had to do with words---and it is for this reason that Conversations Book Club wants to discuss it.

We are pleased to invite you to attend our town hall-style forum: "2007: A YEAR OF WORDS." This will take place on Thursday, December 6, 2007. Moderated by Conversations' President, Cyrus A. Webb, the distinguished panel will discuss some of the topics that have made 2007 a year we won't soon forget.

See the details below:

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2007
Richard Wright Library
(515 W. McDowell Road * Jackson, MS)
6p.m.

PANELISTS:
* Voncele Savage --- Minister/Author
* Diane Johnston --- Bible Teacher/ Missionary
* Jokah the General --- Hiphop artist/activist
* Dana Hampton --- Mother/ Retail Supervisor
* Stanley Clark --- Promoter
* D.J.Downsouth --- Producer/ Hiphop artist
* Darden North, MD--- Physician/ Author
* Cheryl Haynes --- Elemenatary School Principal
Moderated by Cyrus A. Webb, Conversations Book Club President

TOPICS TO BE ADDRESSED:
6:05p.m. --- "What's In a Word?"
6:25p.m. --- "Suicide: Is it ever the Answer?"
6:45p.m. --- "Abuse: Should love have to hurt?"
7:05p.m. --- "Sex, Drugs and Violence in Entertainment: How much is too much?"
7:25p.m. --- "Are we locking up our freedom of speech?"

Admission to each session is free. For more information, contact Robin Gardner at 601.664.8805 or email Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com. You can also visit http://www.readingmylips.com.

Bestselling authors Kendra Norman-Bellamy & Brittney Holmes--- MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

(If you missed out on the first day's activities, then click here.)

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Thank you to everyone who made the historic visit of Bestselling authors Kendra Norman-Bellamy and Brittney Holmes to Mississippi a success. I typically get so much credit for arranging the events, but they would be nothing withoutall of the loyal book lovers and fans that come out to support.

On Saturday, December 1, 2007--- World AIDS Day---we began the day with Rose Wright, President of the Savvy Book Club. She escorted us to our first four stops of the day: a meet and greet at Northside Library, meeting fans at Willie Morris Library and then a booksigning at Barnes and Noble. Thanks to the management of Barnes and Noble for their continued support as well. We look forward to working with them more in the future.

From there it was on to Waldenbooks Metrocenter where we met many more individuals who were fans of both authors, however, the highlight for me was an exchange between members of the book club "All That Jazz" in Jackson, MS. One of the members passed by their table at Waldens, waved and then circled back around to say hello. After realizing who they were, she proclaimed that her book club had just read books from Bellamy's "Grace" series, and she immediately called her book club President. "Girl, guess who is at Waldenbooks," she proclaimed to her excitedly. "Kendra Bellamy, girl... Yeah girl, she here right now grinning in my face!" Within minutes the President, Vanessa, was at the library with a tote bag full of Kendra's books---and even both the only one of the author's ten titles that she didn't already own.

Brittney didn't fair bad herself. When we left the mall for the day she only had 3 copies of her debut novel LIVING CONSEQUENCES left. Those have been autographed---along with a few of Kendra's books---and are available at Waldenbooks Metrocenter.

From there we took a break to eat (finally) at the mall's food court before Mississippi author Voncele Savage joined us at the mall to take us to our final location of the evening: Subway Restaurant in Pearl, MS.

Voncele was one of three individuals being honored by the "Best of Mississippi" committee for our outstanding work in the community, and of course the conversation veered into her books and that of our speical guests. Also joining us was Q.U.E.E.N.S. of Mississippi Book Club President Adrienne Bailey and later Diane Johnston and Stanley Clark.

The evening concluded with excerpts of Kendra's and Brittney's books being read and Diane sharing a poem she had written as well as a song.

CBC Report: Bestselling authors Kendra Norman-Bellamy & Brittney Holmes--- Day One

It is with great pleasure that I report the first day of activities for Conversations Book Club and its hosting of Bestselling authors Kendra Norman-Bellamy and Brittney Holmes.

The day began at 9:30a.m. with the authors and book club member Robin Gardner in Crystal Springs. Our first visit was to visit the 600 students at the elementary school before speaking to 3rd graders about how to pursue their goals and dreams. As always school principal and book club member---Cheryl Haynes---made us feel welcome.

From there it was on to the Crystal Springs High School where the authors sat down in an intimate setting with the Creative Writing and Public Speaking class, headed by Mr. Chad Bradford. This was an excellent opportunity for the authors to discuss their writing careers as well as how they come to develop the stories they write.

After an energetic Q&A session, we were back at the elementary school for lunch with Ms. Haynes and the students there before heading to the Jackson Advocate Newspaper to meet staff writer Christian Vance who will be writing a review of both IN GREENE PASTURES and LIVING CONSEQUENCES.

At 1:30p.m. we were at the Pearl Public Library for a meet and greet. Though it was a slow day for them, we were able to meet some of the patrons as well talk with the supervisors about ordering copies of their books for the library---which they happily agreed to do! Thanks to Jennifer Vess for your continued support.

At 3:30p.m. we were at Richard Wright Library in South Jackson for a meet and greet/signing. It was great to see some new faces as well as some familiar ones---including members of the Savvy Book Club!

At 5:30p.m. the authors were off to their booksigning/discussion at Waldenbooks Metrocenter Mall in Jackson, MS. This was our final event for the day, but was full of tidbits about the authors, their inspiration and how they feel about the publishing industry.

Another great start to a history-making weekend... and with a full schedule of events planned for Saturday, December 1, 2007---this is only the beginning.

For details about where you can find the authors on Saturday, December 1, 2007, please call Robin Gardner at 601.664.8805 or email Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com.