On behalf of Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club, thanks to everyone who made the visit of New York Times bestselling author Wahida Clark to Mississippi a success.
The historic event on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 began at Subway Restaurant in Brandon, MS with "Breakfast with Books".
There Conversations President Cyrus Webb and book club member Jacque Jones met Ms. Clark and her team and talked about the day's activities and, of course, books!
"I have been waiting for this day for quite a while," says Webb. The 35 year old began Conversations Book Club in November 2006 as a co-ed reading group for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. After interviewing Wahida Clark on his radio show Conversations LIVE in December 2007, he knew she was someone he was going to remember for some time. This visit was the first time the two had met in person.
Jones, who was with Conversations Book Club in Jackson, MS back in January 2007 when it hosted its first author (New York Times Bestselling author Carl Weber) was thrilled to be with the group again as it hosted its 100th author Wahida Clark. "I'm a big fan," Jacque told the prolific author. "It's such an honor and a privilege to be here with you." During the event, she was also able to get her books signed.
After the official kick-off the group headed to Wal-Mart Supercenter in Pearl, MS to sign their stock of Clark's new title JUSTIFY MY THUG. The store was sold out.
Conversations and Clark then headed to Target in Flowood, MS to sign their stock. After doing so the books were placed at customer service where they began to sell before Clark could even leave the store.
From there it was on to Books-A-Million in Jackson, MS where Clark signed what stock the store had left and even met with members from other book clubs who had heard the news about her visit.
Also in attendance at this event was Conversations Book Club co-founder Stanley Clark and Mississippi authors Jerome Cooper and Mississippi Slim.
Leaving Books-A-Million was not easy, but with a jam-packed schedule the group had to move on. Next stop was a sit-down interview with Christian Vance of The Jackson Advocate Newspaper in Jackson, MS. There Ms. Clark shared pieces of her story, and Cyrus Webb presented Christian with a copy of JUSTIFY MY THUG to read and review for the newspaper.
The next stop on the trip was a meet and greet at Medgar Evers Library in Jackson, MS.
When the touring group arrived there were almost a dozen avid readers waiting to greet the bestselling author. After hugs were given and books signed, Wahida Clark sat down amongst the group and discussed the books that they loved so much. Joining this group were authors Felita McElroy, Linda Stokes and Latesha W. Thomas.
The last event of the day was held at the host bookstore for the visit: Borders Bookstore in Flowood, MS.
Thanks to General Manager Judy Wolf and the staff, this was the perfect ending to a productive day. Wahida was met with waiting fans who had books in hand and more than half of the books in the store bearing her name flew off the shelves and the signing table.
For Webb, this was more than welcoming his group's 100th author. It was able recognizing the talent of an amazing woman. "There is really no one else like Wahida Clark," he says. "Mississippi was fortunate to have her, and I know this is something that readers will be talking about for quite some time."
For more information about Wahida Clark and her upcoming events, visit www.wclarkpublishing.com. To see what is next for Conversations Book Club, visit www.thebestbookclub.info.
