The Howard Sisters are Back and Feistier than Ever!

Crossing Sisters is the spin-off of Jessica Tilles's best-selling novel, In My Sisters' Corner, picking up where all the drama left off.

Although China’s life shattered into a million pieces when her husband of twenty years committed suicide, she continues to annoy Maya, criticizing and indulging in monumental arguments, and spewing her hateful venom. However, when ugly secrets are revealed, China and Maya begin to question their relationship and love for each other.

Free is madly in love with Sam, and is elated to accept his proposal of marriage, despite a devastating loss, and Jade is happily in love with Jon.

The sisters are still at each others’ throats, but will an unexpected trip to Montego Bay and a tragic accident change their lives, their love and their attitude toward each other?

Crossing Sisters is a highly entertaining page-turner from acclaimed author Jessica Tilles that explores the meaning of love and sisterhood through tragic life-changing events.

To purchase Crossing Sisters, and other XYP titles, visit www.xpressyourselfpublishing.com!

Celebrating 10 Wonderful Years!

Happy Spring!

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Xpress Yourself Publishing, and we're celebrating with a BANG with 7 new releases, 1 new author and 2 pieces of great news!

Xpress Yourself Publishing welcomes new author Toney Rowe into our literary family. Born a female, but living her life as a male was not an easy road for Toney. Read her fascinating story in her memoir, Trapped Inside A Female's Body.

Some of your favorite authors have returned and have truly written novels that will not disappoint! See them all under New Releases on this month's Newsletter.

Lastly, I am happy to announce that Cost of Our Affairs by Linda R. Herman and Loving Simone by Jessica Tilles was selected by Black Expressions Book Club and are now available in hardback! If you're not a member of Black Expressions Book Club, you can join up and get our books for only $0.50! Whomever heard of buying a hardback book for $0.50? I think it's fantabulous, and I couldn't resist and purchased both books for $1.00! I love a great buy, and I know you do, too. If you're a member of Black Expressions, you can get both books for $12.95 each—an excellent price for hardback, and cheaper than our prices for trade paperpback! :-)

That's it for now, but I'll leave you with words that were given to me at my 6th grade commencement by my 100-year-old aunt:

"Love many, trust few, learn to paddle your own canoe!" —Aunt Fena

Literally yours,
Jessica Tilles
Proud Publisher of Phenomenal Writers

A New Voice in Romance...

Xpress Yourself Publishing announces the debut release of Secrets on Lake Drive by new romance author and Charlotte, North Carolina native Tina Martin.

Will he ever care enough to tell her?
(ISBN: 978-0-9845273-0-4, $14.95)

Monica and Sean clash at a parent-teacher conference when Monica accuses Sean of being too occupied with making money and chasing women to take a real interest in his son’s life. But Sean is no pushover. He knows how to hold his own and deal with Monica, but after the incident at school, he’s also come to realize that he can use Monica’s devotion to his advantage. He propositions her to move into his home to babysit five-year-old Roman for the three months of summer break, offering her a substantial amount of money, hoping that she’ll accept. But is babysitting the only reason he’s so anxious to get her into his mansion?

Monica accepts his offer against her better judgment, knowing the rumors of Sean and his womanizing ways. She tells herself that she’s doing this for Roman – that she can avoid her new, sexy, summer boss – his chiseled chest, pretty green eyes and charm that just won’t quit. But after only a few weeks, Monica finds it a struggle to keep her eyes off of Sean. Can she handle staying focused on her babysitting gig for three months without being swept off of her feet by Milwaukee’s finest? Or is Sean’s game too much for the young, conservative teacher to handle?

Having been heartbroken in the past, Monica is reluctant to play this dangerous game with a confirmed heartbreaker. But it’s what she doesn’t know about Sean that she should be concerned about. Sean knows her well – too well, and it’s those secrets that have the potential to make her love him or hate him.

Secrets On Lake Drive is an emotional story about a woman looking to correct wrongs in her life that could easily be solved by the secrets Sean quietly carries with him. The question is, will he ever care enough to tell her?

Fresh, real and exciting, Tina Martin is making her mark on the literary scene and is striding to take her seat next to some of the industry’s great Romance writers, with her debut novel, Secrets on Lake Drive.

* * *

Jessica Tilles, best-selling author and award-winning publisher of Xpress Yourself Publishing, chats candidly with Tina Martin.

Jessica: So, Tina, tell us about your passion for writing. What drives you? What impact do you want your book to make on the readers?

Tina: My passion for writing stems from my vivid imagination and an insatiable desire to have others see life through my creativity. I have a philosophy that I write to create my own world, and it’s my goal as a writer to take the reader out of their world and into mine.

I want readers to be entertained by stories of love & relationships, hope, failures and successes.

Jessica: Introduce us to your book, Secrets on Lake Drive.

Tina: Secrets On Lake Drive is a story of two people, Monica and Sean, who both have had failed relationships. She’s his son’s teacher. He’s a single father. They clash over what Monica considers to be child neglect, but after the matter is settled, they get to know each other on a personal level, finding out slowly that nothing is what it seems in any circumstance. It is an emotional, suspenseful romance about a woman looking to correct wrongs in her life that could easily be solved by the secrets Sean quietly carries with him.

Jessica: What inspired you to write this story?

Tina: I wrote this story because appearances are not always what they seem. Monica seems to have her life together, but she doesn’t by any means. Sean is rumored to be a womanizer and a dog just because he’s handsome (and single) with a lot of money. I think it’s important for people to not judge one another and find deeper meaning in friendships and relationships.

Jessica: Why a romance novel?

Tina: Why do we breathe? Why do we live? Why do we wake up in the morning? In some way or another, we all want to be loved, and my novels epitomize the desire within us all to love, to be in love and to be loved.

Jessica: On a personal note, what are your hobbies when you’re not weaving great stories?

Tina: I enjoy writing, bike riding, relaxing at the beach, writing poetry and spending time with family.


TINA MARTIN was born in Ahoskie, North Carolina. She took an interest in writing in high school. After graduating she wrote her first poem A Love So Extraordinary, and from that point forward, she used writing as an outlet to express all the drama going on in her life during that time.

It wasn’t until enrolling in college that she decided to explore fiction writing. In a Creative Writing course, she gained more knowledge on how to be creative and expressive through words. She cruised through the course with a perfect grade and from that point forward, she knew she had found her calling.

Tina has always been very talented and comes from a rich background of learning – Creative Writing, Arts, Acting, Desktop Publishing and Web Design. Graduating from college with a degree in Computer Technology and a certification in Accounting, her professors urged her to keep going to school to pursue even more technical knowledge, but Tina had other plans.

In 2007, Tina self-published her collection of poetry called Love Like Yours. Friends and family praise her for deep thoughts and expressions in her work which motivates her to continue doing what she loves.

Tina resides with her husband and son in Charlotte, North Carolina where she finished her novel, Secrets On Lake Drive, which is available in bookstores everywhere and at your favorite online retailer.

You can read more about Tina Martin at http://www.tinamartinbooks.com/

For more information, to order book, or to schedule an interview or appearance, please call (301) 390-3645 or email info@xpressyourselfpublishing.org.

Xpress Yourself Publishing, LLC
P.O. Box 1615, Upper Marlboro, MD 20773

Ph. 301-390-3645
www.xpressyourselfpublishing.com

Proof is in the Mail!

Hello Everyone!

A sincere THANK YOU to The Pantheon Collective for acknowledging me and The Writer's Assistant in their daily blog! I'm elated to have another satisfied client!

Read the blog: Proof is in the Mail! — The Pantheon Collective (TPC)

Also, I ENJOYED getting a sneak peek at SELLOUT by James A. Lewis. Once this book has been released, I urge you all to pick up your copy. Believe me, it is an excellent read. James is a dynamite storyteller; reminds me of Eric Jerome Dickey.

The Writer's Assistant is offering a 20% discount on all services to ALL CURRENT EDC-Creations clients. If you're working with Ella Curry, I would love to work with you, too!

For more information on The Writer's Assistant, visit www.TheWritersAssistant.com or email me directly at JTilles@aol.com. We've added great new services, so check them out!

All the best,

Jessica Tilles
Award-winning Publisher, Xpress Yourself Publishing
www.xpressyourselfpublishing.com

Founder, The Writer's Assistant
www.TheWritersAssistant.com

"It is much easier to walk as a winning woman, amongst winning people who encourage you to pursue your winning destiny." — Tanya White, author of Girl, You Can Win!

Touched by Mama

Touched by Mama
by Brenda Anderson

ISBN: 978-0-9845273-3-5
Retail: $9.95
Available June 1, 2010

Have you ever been exposed to the wondrous miracle of death? Better yet, what is death? For many people, death is accompanied by deep sorrow, silent fear, tremendous pain and hollow emptiness. So, one might ask, “How in the world can anyone associate death with a miracle?”



Touched by Mama was written from our family to yours about what we experienced and learned about the beauty of life and death. Before we can attempt to comprehend the mysteries of death, we must first explore the aspects of life. The process of death is the same for all of us; however, the depth of our experience with death, like childbirth, is as different as we are unique. It is our prayer that everyone who reads this book will first be blessed and filled by the Glory of God and secondly understands that death is a miraculous process, just like the amazing metamorphosis of a butterfly.

"Brenda Anderson writes with unflinching honesty and and clear-eyed compassion.
I was brought to tears, and was touched by Mama, too."

— Jessica Tilles, Award-Winning Publisher and
Best-Selling Author of Loving Simone.

Read more about Touched by Mama and Brenda Anderson at www.xpressyourselfpublishing.com!

The kind of book that wives will love to read and husbands love to hate...

Some wives have wondered why their husband won’t listen to them. And some have resigned to themselves that he never will. Maybe with some understanding there is hope:

—A husband tends to use only half of his brain while listening; a wife tends to use both sides of her brain.

—Men tend not to be emotional. They also tend not to talk as much as a woman. So they don’t provide women with the kind of feedback that they desire.

—There is a tendency in some people to resist while listening to others.

—The Bible exhorts husbands to love their wives and dwell with them with understanding. There are also examples of husbands who listened to their wives for their benefit or their own peril.

Using real-life and personal examples, a famous model of communication, and Bible references, popular Internet talk show host S.B. Redd offers a practical approach to improving marriage by encouraging husbands to listen to their wives.

Husbands, Listen to Your Wives (ISBN: 978-0-9845273-2-8, Xpress Yourself Publishing) is the kind of book that wives will love to read and husbands love to hate. But, on June 17, 2010, if a husband dares to read S.B. Redd’s eye opener, he just might learn a trick or two in avoiding the doghouse.

XYP Author Chosen as Relationship Expert on Urban Singles Connection

Greetings, Book Lovers!

Congratulations are in order for Xpress Yourself Publishing author Tinisha Nicole Johnson! Tinisha has earned the honor of being the relationship expert for Urban Singles Connection. Click to read more: http://wwww.xpressyourselfpublishing.com/promo_usctnj.htm.

To browse Xpress Yourself Publishing titles or to sign up for our newsletter, please visit http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.com/.

Regards,

Jessica Tilles
Publisher

--------------------------------

We also recommend visiting:

The Writer's Assistant for all of your book production needs
http://www.thewritersassistant.com/

Erotic Expressions, an online eZine
http://www.eroticexpressions.net/

Live Your Best Life!

A Tell All Book That Has Black Women Living A More Passionate and Fulfilling Life

Xpress Yourself Publishing announces the release of Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman by Denver, Colorado author Tinisha Nicole Johnson.

Statistics for black women range from status in careers, single parenting, and negative relationships with black men, to name a few. They are the minority of the minority and are put into a stand-alone category, facing challenges that other races of women may never face. Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself As A Black Woman is a revolutionary book into the culture of Black women, revealing how to live a more passionate and fulfilling life, as well as addressing key issues such as self-worth, the definition of true happiness, and the five most common types of Black women.

Tanya White, empowerment speaker, life enhancement strategist, relationship coach, and author of Girl, You Can Win! says, “Lessons Learned serves as the medicine that heals the women stuck in their past failures, the motivation that encourages women to overcome their present fears and the inspiration women need to position themselves for a productive future.”

Tinisha is taking a stand by introducing to Black women a new way of thinking that has people talking and women everywhere viewing life in a different light.

Tinisha will appear at the All-Star Author Showcase hosted by The Black Academy of Arts and Letters being held on Saturday, February 13, 2010, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT, at the Dallas Convention Center Theater Complex, 650 South Griffin Street, Dallas, Texas 75202.

On Monday, February 22, 2010, Tinisha will speak at Page-Walker Arts & History Center, 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary, North Carolina 27512, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST.

Tinisha Nicole Johnson is an author of several published titles, freelance writer, poet and public speaker residing in Denver, Colorado. She holds an Associates Degree in Business Studies, a Paralegal Certificate and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. To learn more about Tinisha, visit http://www.tinishanicolejohnson.com/.

For more information, to schedule an interview or appearance, please call Jessica Tilles at (301) 390-3645 or email JTilles@aol.com.

We're Nominated, Please Vote!

Last year, my publishing company, Xpress Yourself Publishing, was nominated for and won the 2008 African American Literary Award for Independent Publisher of the Year and we've been nominated AGAIN this year. I have to admit, we REALLY want to win again this year! I, along with my talented authors, have worked very hard this year. Currently, we have over 60 titles in print and an author roster of 30 that is rapidly growing.

Just like last year, in order to win, we are asking you to cast your vote for Xpress Yourself Publishing and its authors. Last year, the turnout to vote for us was phenomenal, and we would like to have the same turnout. Could you please, if it's not too much to ask, forward to your friends and family and ask them to vote for us too?

PLEASE go to http://www.literaryawardshow.com/voting.html and cast your vote for the following:

Independent Publisher
Xpress Yourself Publishing

Romance
Victoria Wells, author of When Love Comes Around (and A Special Summer)

Short Stories/Anthologies
Somebody Prayed For Me by Linda Herman, Allyson Deese and Tinisha Nicole Johnson

Author of the Year (Female)
Linda Herman, author of Consequences

For authors, it is a wonderful feeling to have their body of work recognized and nominated for an award. It truly makes the long nights writing and the struggles with re-writing all worth it! As a publisher, it is equally rewarding to see my authors shine!

We are so very excited, and we congratulate all nominated artists, authors, and publishers.

Thanks so much for your continued support of Xpress Yourself Publishing, and we look forward to showcasing our 2010 releases, and bringing you some of the best in the world literature!

Warm Regards,

Jessica Tilles
Publisher, Xpress Yourself Publishing
http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/

P.O. Box 1615
Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20773
Phone: 301.390.3645
Fax: 202.478.3447
Email: info@xpressyourselfpublishing.org

TOP 10 Bestsellers!

TOP 10 Bestsellers!

1. When Love Comes Around by Victoria Wells
2. Reflections of a Quiet Storm by Patricia A. Bridewell
3. A Special Summer by Victoria Wells
4. The Reunion by John R. Williams
5. Loving Simone by Jessica Tilles
6. The Food Temptress by Rekaya Gibson
7. The Hive by Chris Berman
8. Somebody Prayed For Me by Allyson M. Deese, Linda R. Herman & Tinisha Nicole Johnson
9. Temptation.com by S.B. Redd
10. Anything Goes by Jessica Tilles

The Ants Are Coming!

With three years warning, could we defend ourselves from an invasion by a horrific alien race?

The Hive
By Chris Berman

Suppose for a minute that the Aztecs or the Incas knew that Cortez or Pizzaro was on his way with the Conquistadors. They knew it weeks in advance and instead of welcoming them as gods, they met them with every weapon they had at their disposal. Don’t you think history would have been different?

The Hive is hard science fiction set in the near future of 2019. The effort to defend the Earth uses actual technology tested in the US and Russia up until the 1970s but never put into production and proposed weapons programs currently under development. There is Political intrigue involving a duplicitous People’s Republic of China, a self serving reporter and a horrific unstoppable enemy whose only goal is extermination of the “soft-life” (human beings) that inhabit the third planet of the sun. The Hive is the story of humanity at last finding common ground and unification in our struggle to defeat a technologically superior enemy. It is also a story about the triumph of the human spirit as seen through the eyes of American aerospace engineer, Colin Hewette, who had lost his fiancée six years earlier and Russian/Ukrainian radio astronomer, Marina Asamova, who find love against a countdown to invasion. Read More...

Meet Chris Berman...

Dear Reader:

THE HIVE is a science fiction novel with a little bit of a twist. When I wrote it, I wanted to combine an edge of your seat science fiction action story with a love story between my two main characters, one Russian and the other American. I am one of a group of men who found wives in the former Soviet Union. I am inspired by my wife every day. I'm not the type of man who drifts in serial marriages until they run out of domestic women who are wise to their ways, then go trolling off-shore, rather, I came from a strong, long term marriage of over 19 years. My first wife died of breast cancer. My second wife, Lareesa, from Ukraine was not opportunistic in any way as she had lost her husband to a medical error during a minor surgical procedure. She is also a brilliant woman who graduated Summa Cum Laude, first in her class here in America with a BA in psychology. I was not looking for a house servant or eye candy but someone with high intelligence as well as both inner and outer beauty and I found her. I felt there was a real story to tell here, set within an epic struggle of survival for the human race, showing that despite our many differences, we can come together. Somehow, I feel I successfully combined these two divergent genres (science fiction and romance) into an interesting book.
Here is my web site. www.freewebs.com/chrisbfla Please visit and drop me a note. I would love to hear from you.

Warm regards,

Chris Berman

Chris Berman resides in Saint Augustine, Florida with his wife, Lareesa Polyakova and daughters Marina and Sabrina. Chris has an extensive background in astronomy and is a spaceflight enthusiast; familiar with the space programs both here in America and in Russia.

Hurricane Katrina Transplant Turns Her Love for Food into a Novel

Upper Marlboro, Maryland, January 14, 2009 – For Rekaya Gibson, hurricane Katrina transplant, her love of food is evident throughout her new fiction release, THE FOOD TEMPTRESS (Xpress Yourself Publishing; January 15, 2008). Who knows how to convert a gay man into a straight lover using a pineapple upside-down cake? Only Ambrosia Bourgeois, THE FOOD TEMPTRESS, can accomplish such a task. The New Orleans Goddess of Gastronomy uses food to seduce men in hopes of creating Mister Right. Paralleling southern cuisine, each short story captures the hearts and minds of different men.

In the “Power of the Pudding” chapter, Ambrosia realizes that her bread pudding cannot withstand the demands of an associate minister’s plans to make her a dutiful wife. When she decides to forget about him and travels to Atlanta to visit her friend, she ends up in the bathroom with Black Thunder, a local stripper. It is not her fault; the peach cobbler was intended for the birthday girl.

Ambrosia perfects her craft by using traditional recipes from her deceased grandmother and occasionally consulting her mysterious aunt. When she discovers that her meals fall short of converting the man to her specifications, she moves on to the next one—a total of 16 ranging from the local police chief to a Bourbon Street musician. Will she reach her goal before the monstrous hurricane hits her city? THE FOOD TEMPTRESS serves a delectable treat connected by Ambrosia’s continuing quest for both romantic and culinary perfection.

Praise for The Food Temptress

"Jammed pack with unforgettable characters, The Food Temptress is filled with delicious crafty twists and delectable turns that left me completely filled and satisfied. A novel with best-seller written all over it."
— Erotic Expressions

“A tempting read that is sure to satisfy any palette.”

— Black Men In America

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

REKAYA GIBSON is a consultant and freelance writer. As a writer, she is not limited to writing about only one genre. Her love for food is evident throughout her fiction work, The Food Temptress, and her children's book, Are There French Fries in Heaven? Her nonfiction articles have appeared in the “Lake of the Ozarks Second Home Living Magazine,” “Relocating in Saint Louis Magazine,” and the “Times Picayune” newspaper. In 2006, she self-published an e-Book, Wow Them With Your Grant Proposal, and other grant-related e-Special Reports under her own e-publishing company, Gibson Girl Publishing Company.

Recently, the federal government selected her to review and score grant applications on underage drinking. Rekaya has spent ten years working in the violence/drug prevention fields and several semesters teaching a communication course at a community college. In addition, she has taught employees at a local casino how to write in English. This encouraged her to start her own nonprofit agency that focuses on language skills and literacy.

In the near future, Rekaya plans to dabble in politics - or at least write about it - as she completes her doctoral degree in political science. She holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Indiana University. Although a transplant to Nevada because of Hurricane Katrina, she now calls Las Vegas her home. She was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. You can reach Rekaya by going to her websites at www.rekayagibson.com, www.gibsongirlpublishing.com, www.foodtemptress.com, and www.grantsgaloreandmore.com.

Title Specifications:

The Food Temptress
By Rekaya Gibson

ISBN: 978-0-9779398-3-1
Publication Date: January 15, 2009
Trade Paperback; 244 pages
Qty/Case: 32
Retail: $14.95
Distributed by: Ingram Books and Baker & Taylor

This title is available wherever books are sold, as well as all online retailers.

For more information on this title, and other Xpress Yourself Publishing titles, visit http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/.


We look forward to speaking with you regarding Rekaya Gibson's The Food Temptress! Please contact Erica Hart at the contact information below.

Xpress Yourself Publishing, LLC
Contact: Erica Hart, Public Relations
P.O. Box 1615
Upper Marlboro, MD 20773
Phone: 301.390.3645 Fax: 202.478.3447
Email: erica.hart@xpressyourselfpublishing.org Web site: http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/

XYP's Got the Book Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Served Up on a Tray
By Darlene Denise


ON SALE SEPT. 23, 2008


Price: $14.95

Format: Trade Paperback

ISBN13: 978-0-9818094-8-9; ISBN10: 0-9818094-8-0

Xpress Yourself Publishing

Washington, DC marketing mogul, R'Tist Hayes has it all—success, a thriving business, prestige and no drama.
With ulterior motives that could shatter their friendship, her business partner, handsome Quentin Simond, introduces R'Tist to Tray Bishop, 1st round NBA draft pick for the Washington Wiz, and the most sought after bachelor in the world.
After becoming Mrs. Tray Bishop, the mask comes off and R'Tist is confronted by the real Tray Bishop, as she endures his physical abuse and cheating ways.
Determined to free herself from the emotional jail built by Tray, R'Tist finds that she was merely a pawn in this game of love and basketball. Read an Excerpt of Served Up On A Tray!

Who is Darlene Denise?

DARLENE DENISE is the newest addition to XYP, with her debut novel, Served Up on a Tray, to be released September 23, 2008, on her birthday!
With twenty years of experience in entertainment, promotions, public relations, marketing and event management, in 1990, Darlene founded six degrees mgt., an entertainment/marketing firm. Personal service and strict attention to detail has become the trademark of six degrees mgt., spreading the company’s impeccable reputation nationwide. six degrees mgt. provides an array of management services, including commercial marketing, marketing programs, event management, media relations, philanthropic consultation and personal assistance.
Currently, Darlene is the Executive Director for Big Tigger's Street Corner Foundation, working to eradicate HIV/AIDS in the community. Visit Darlene at www.MySpace.com/dblonde_boss


Jessica Tilles
Publisher, Xpress Yourself Publishing
http://www.xpressyourselfpublishing.org/

...release your inhibitions

Greetings, Everyone!

I love bringing you fantastic news! I've just launched my brand new web site, EroticExpressions.net. EE.net is a potpourri web site featuring relationships, romance, and other life-related lessons by some of the industries well-known experts!

At EE.net, you will find the EE.net bookstore, poetry, book news and reviews, feature spotlight, erotic stories, dating tips, relationship advice, romantic ideas and more. If you want to nurture that portion of your soul that seeks to stretch and grow, then throw caution to the wind, release that inhibition and visit EroticExpressions.net.

Attention Men: EE.net has something for you too. Enter The Gentlemen's Lounge, and play for a while.

We are currently seeking submissions to showcase aspiring, new and seasoned talents. Please review our Submissions and Rules of Engagement and then submit your stories, poetry, commentary, etc., to EroticExpress@aol.com.

All the best,

Jessica Tilles

http://www.jessicatilles.com/

Please Vote for Us!!

Xpress Yourself Publishing is proud to announce that it has been nominated for Independent Publishing House of the Year for the 2008 African American Literary Awards.

Also nominated in the category of Erotica is XYP's Hazel Mills, author of Bare Necessities: Sensual Tales of Passion.We are asking everyone to please go to the 2008 African American Literary Awards and place your vote for Xpress Yourself Publishing for Independent Publishing House of the Year and Hazel Mills for Erotica.

Please pass on to all of your friends too!Even if XYP does not win, to be nominated is truly a blessing!

Jessica Tilles
Publisher

Hammer- How You Do It?

About 2 am this morning I finally gave up on writing. I had been surfing the net for hours, building my website, blogging, and generally making a nuisance of myself - leaving so many unnecessary comments and email messages. Wasting time on so many levels.

Anyhoo, as I was preparing for bed, a new ESPN commercial aired. I luv ESPN at night, its reliable, no boring, scary, unforeseen program to hammer away at my subconscious. And I also get a kick out of their commercials, my favorite being King James (LeBron) trying to figure out if his neighboring cubicle buddy has stolen his throne.

Last night ESPN featured a new Hammer commercial - and Hammer was working it. That man can still dance. I found myself cheering for him, thrilled by his fortitude, his unwillingness to just bow his head and disappear.

Remember the first MC Hammer video - with him on the street in front of a graffitti'd building working it out with 3-5-7? The quintessential pioneer. A major label wouldn't pick him up so he hustled the album himself. Sold books - er, hum, albums -out of the trunk of his car. Put together his own video and worked tirelessly getting it aired. It took years. But once those videos hit - he was an instant star (years in the making and struggling). Hmmmm - do I need to specify how this is relevant?

A cosmic rise and a devastating fall, Hammer is back. And I wish him no ill will. He tried to give back, tried to support his own and others, extended charity even if he did it in an unwise manner. And a good heart must be rewarded.

So try to get a glimpse of Hammer in new Hammer specific pants (again) dancing like he is still 18. "I Got Gigs" from his forthcoming album, Dancejamthemusic, is featured in the new commercial for ESPN. Says Hammer, "My approach is, even before people know about it [the forthcoming single], to pound it into their subconscious with this commercial," MC Hammer tells Billboard exclusively. (taken from Billboard.biz)

Take a word from the wise. Implement the strategy. Cuz Hammer knows how to get it started! (o.k. corny - i know - but I couldn't help it )

Chloe R