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8 Questions for Ta'Shia Asanti sci-fi/fantasy writer, poet,

Posted by A J Harper on December 22, 2008 at 10:00pm

To borrow from an insightful blog Obama is representative of the Black american we seldom see in publishing. Meaning, he is not a whore-monger, drug-dealer, drug user or absent baby-daddy. He is not a slave to designer labels and he does not wear bling. We have not seen him ducking into a bodega to buy a forty, he does not congregate on street corners, and no source has come forward to reveal that he smoked a blunt before his debates with John McCain. If he wears a "wife-beater" it's hidden beneath his shirt, exactly where it's supposed to be. He does not wear his pants down around his knees, nor does he throw up gang signs at the end of his wildly televised speeches.OK so after nearly a decade of the market being deluged with books focusing on the aforementioned stereotypes what happens now?Will publishers change gears and begin publishing works written by African American that speak to a multitude of people? Or will they remain stagnet and committed to a shattered belief system?

Publishers may remain committed to a shattered belief system, but its the Black writing community's job to expose our own talents, which is one of the many things that will happen on this blog starting with sci-fi/fantasy writer, poet, filmmaker, producer, and founder-your world tv Iya Ta'Shia Asanti who talks about her newest novel

the-seer2The Seer Legacy of Stone & Spirit-

Correction officer by day, psychic by night, Violet Brown struggles to understand her medium abilities while her dreams lead her to a fourth world where ancient African dieties perform miracles in every day life. Violet's main spirit guide materializes to take her on a journey to rediscover her African roots and reconnect her with the last living descendent of her tribe. As she searches for Olokun, her ancestral sister, Violet finds herself in the middle of a deadly ring of human traffickers who have kidnapped Olokun. As she tries to make sense of the magic and mysticism that has become her reality, Violet meets the love of her life, a handsome attorney, named Darryl Collins who will one day be her saving grace. Will Violet find Olokun before she is sold off into human slavery? Will the Orisa's, the God's of West Africa, be strong enough to protect Violet from a regime more deadly than anything she could ever imagine? Is Darryl the man she thinks he is or is he a lying, cheating dog like her ex, David? There is only one person who knows the answers to these questions. And she is Violet Brown, the world's most gifted Seer....

Q. Where did you find the original impulse to write The Seer?

Ta'Shia. The Seer is based in theory on my own life experiences as a seer and medium, as well as my journey is exploring African history pre-slavery and becoming a Yoruba priestess.

Q. Who inspired the characters of your novel Ta'Shia. The characters in my book were inspired by the Orisa, dieties of the West African spiritual tradition, Ifa, as well as the ancesters who came to visit me in my dreams for nearly 20 years. Q. Looking at the book now, what surprises you?

Ta'Shia I thought mainstream America would really have a problem with this book but so far, it has touched all who've read it.

Q. Many writers describe themselves as "character" or "plot" writers.Ta'Shia. Which are you? What do you find to be the hardest part of writing?

I would classify myself as a Character writer though I love a strong and moving plot.

Q. Who has influenced you in your writing?

Ta'Shia. Eric Jerome Dickey, Octavia Butler are two of my greatest influences though I'm a fan of Robin Cook and a huge lover of all things Sidney Sheldon.

Q. What was the book that most influenced your life and why?

Ta'Shia. One of the books that really moved me was Robin Cook's Outbreak as well as Sydney Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes.

Q. What are your 2 favorite books and why?

Ta'Shia. Two of my favorite books are The Other Woman by Eric Jerome Dickey and The Interruption of Everything by Terri McMillan. I also love EJD's newest hitman series, Sleeping With Strangers etc.

Q. What are you currently working on?

Ta'Shia. I am currently working on the sequel to The Seer. It’s called, The Bones Do Talk.

To order The Seer click here

Visit her at Black Science Fiction Society

or at http://www.tashiaasanti.com

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Canaan's Labyrinth is Available in Stores!

Posted by Fumi Bankole on December 22, 2008 at 5:41pm
Finally! Canaan's Labyrinth is available in paper back for $14.95 at the following stores and websites:Esowon Books4331 Degnan Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90008(323) 290-1048Small World Books1407 Ocean Front WalkVenice, CA 90291Amazon.comwww.myspace.com/fumibankoleThanks everyone for your support and interest in Canaan's... If you have positive feedback upon finishing your reading adventure, please post it in cyberspace. :)
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Great sites to add to your google reader or rss feed

Posted by Carole McDonnell on December 22, 2008 at 1:43pm
http://thedarksalon.blogspot.com/http://evileditor.blogspot.com/http://edittorrent.blogspot.com/http://www.writingexcuses.com/http://thewritingcast.com/blog/http://www.floggingthequill.com/flogging_the_quill/http://practicing-writing.blogspot.com/http://anthologynewsandreviews.blogspot.com/http://www.placesforwriters.com/http://hopeclark.blogspot.com/http://queryshark.blogspot.com/
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In Like Flynn - 11:30pm CST - www.blogtalkradio.com/Penelope_Flynn

Posted by Penelope on December 20, 2008 at 10:38pm
Join Penelope and Otto as they discuss the best and worst of this week's TV news and entertainment. In the tradition of this great entertainment market, Penelope and Otto tell you what to buy, sell or hold and where you should spend your valuable TV minutes.Listen to In Like Flynn on internet talk radioTHIS WEEK: Who throws shoes?! Why you should know the name "Elizabeth Warren" and Why we shouldn't be asleep at the wheel as Obama announces his first round draft picks for his cabinet and other appointments!!Call in at 718/508-9683 and tell us about your week and your week's favorites! Click on the blogtalk icon, listen in and join us in the Chat room! We talk All Things Social and Sexual - and so should you!!
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WHOOPI BRINGS 'STRANGE' SERIES TO INTERNET: 'View' co-host to star and exec produce miniseries for FEARnet.com.

Posted by L Martin Johnson Pratt on December 19, 2008 at 11:41am
Whoopi Goldberg will executive produce and play the lead character in "Strange," a new science-fiction miniseries to debut next month on the Internet.The Oscar-winning actress and co-host of ABC's "The View" will star as Jodi, a woman trying to come to terms with her lifelong fears, reports Variety.The series, airing in six five-minute weekly segments, will debut online at FEARnet.com and on video-on-demand beginning Jan. 15.This will be the sixth original series for FEARnet, which is a joint venture between Comcast, Sony Pictures Television and Lionsgate. VOD is available on Comcast, Time Warner and Cox cable operators.
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OPEN FOR COVER ART & COMMISSIONS

Posted by Big Dave on December 15, 2008 at 3:30pm
COMMISSIONSI always get ask about how much I charged . so here it go's .BustsPencils: $8Inks: Add $10Marker(grays): Add $2Half-bodyPencils: $10Inks:Add $15Marker (grays): Add $5Full-bodyPencils: $25 - $100, depending on complexity (group shot etc).Inks: Add $10 - 15Marker (grays) Add $5 - $10ALL DIGITAL COLORS: Add $20 - $35 depending on complexity. we'll decide the price from there.All other services such as *BOOK COVERS* CHARACTER DESIGN* STORYBOARDS * LOGOS * CD PACKAGE DESIGN * BUSINESS CARDS * T-SHIRTS * COMIC BOOK DEVELOPMENT * COVERS Etc... Please contact me @ biggdave30@aol.com for all pricing.I also reserve the right to refuse any offer that I feel I can't do a good job on. This is more of a precaution for you than I, though.Process:Send me a note describing what kind of commission you are looking for and a description of what you'd like me to draw. After we agree on a price and everything, I'll send you small copies of the sketch to make sure the drawing looks like what you want, then proceed with any other progress images necessary from that point on (if you wish). I will not send the final copy until I receive full payment, however I will NOT START on project until HALF of the agreed PAYMENT is PAID.Right now, I only use Pay Pal, but if you really want a commission and can't use Pay Pal, note me and we can discuss an alternate form of payment.If the image is exceedingly simple, I might lower the cost a bit. However, I will NOT charge more at the end if I feel the drawing was more difficult than previously expected.I HOPE TO HERE FROM YOU ALL SOONThanksBig Dave

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Call for Submissions - Writer's Market

Posted by Penelope on December 13, 2008 at 2:44pm
I found this in my email as I was clearing them out. It is dated 9/2608 but didn't have a closing date so I decided to post it for those who might be interested.CALL FOR SUBMISSIONSAlice Pope, who will be editing the 2010 edition of Novel & Short Story Writer's Market, welcomes submissions for the next edition of NSSWM. Alice would like pitches for articles and interviews that fit the following sections in the book: The Writing Life, Craft & Technique, Getting Published, For Mystery Writers, For Romance Writers, and For Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Writers.To get an even better idea of what is wanted, you should check out a copy of the 2009 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market at your local bookstore or library. Queries can be sent to Alice's attention at nsswm@fwpubs.com.
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Black Science Fiction Store -Prototype Ready We Need Your Products

Posted by Administrator: Jarvis Sheffield on December 13, 2008 at 2:00pm
CALLING ALL PRODUCERS –SELL YOUR ITEMS IN OUR STORE The Black Science Fiction Store is almost ready to launch.We want to promote your products to sell on consignment in the store. If you have products to sell such as books, comics, movies, toys, games, art, clothing, sculptures, music, posters etc, please email us at bsfs@thedigitalbrothers.com It’s simple we charge a $35 annual setup fee. We will promote your products on BlackScienceFictionsSociety.com as Well as our sister site www.UrbanSavvy.com We look forward to working with you to give your products a venue to be promoted, as well as increasing your bottom line by selling more products and maximizing your revenue! http://www.blacksciencefictionstore.com
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YES THE BIRTH OF THE STIL- MOTION COMIX IS HERE!!!!!!!

Posted by AnimArkaneStudios on December 10, 2008 at 9:27pm
Definition: A STIL-MOTION COMIX is a comic book online or downloadable that has some animated sequences and some sound fx. The trick is not to over do,( creating to much animation or sound fx that takes the READER away from the comic format.)or under do, ( Not enough animated action to entertain the animation geek in you) the comic. The GLASCO FORMAT IS REQUIRED TO BE A STIL-MOTION COMIX. YES THE STYLE IS COPYRIGHTED. SO BITERS BEWARE.
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Sites to help write synopses, queries, proposals

Posted by Carole McDonnell on December 9, 2008 at 9:06am
PROPOSALShttp://www.rsingermanson.com/assets/pdf/O2Proposal.pdfhttp://www.alivecommunications.com/main.asp?a==SampleProposal/http://bigscoreproductions.com/Agents.htm#proposalsSYNOPSEShttp://www.sff.net/people/kanago/synopsis.htmhttp://www.mkdesigner.com/synop.htmlhttp://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/9534/barebones.htmlwww.sff.net/people/alicia/artout.htmhttp://www.charlottedillon.com/synopsis.htmlhttp://www.fictionwriters.com/tips-synopsis.htmlhttp://il.essortment.com/synopsiswriteb_rqmx.htmwww.eclectics.com/articles/synopsis.htmlwww.fictionwriters.com/tips-synopsis.htmlwww.gailmartin.com/secrets_of_the_heart_synopsis.htmwww.writing-world.com/publish/synopsis.shtmlwww.author-network.com/synopsis.htmlbrendacoulter.com/BrendaCoulterSynopsis.htmwww.vivianbeck.com/writing/tips/mewrite.htmwww.gryphonbooksforwriters.com/WTFS.htmwww.geocities.com/hotclue/barebones.htmlhttp://www.sfwa.org/writing/OP71.htmhttp://www.pammc.com/Synopsis.htmhttp://www.aboutwords.org/writers/tipssynopsis.htmlhttp://www.kathycarmichael.com/synopsis.fiction.handout.clearwater.htmlSAMPLE SYNOPShttp://www.sfwriter.com/syia.htmhttp://www.steampunk.com/sfch/writing/ckilian/http://members.aol.com/hrwdebhale/Shortandlongsyn.htmhttp://fmwriters.com/Visionback/Issue9/GBI.htmhttp://www.noveltalk.com/Brief%20Word%20on%20Synopses.htmlAlso remember the following sites for queries:http://www.floggingthequill.com/flogging_the_quill/http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com/http://thedarksalon.blogspot.com/http://edittorrent.blogspot.com/A list of major characters' names (with brief descriptions) can sometimes be helpful in keeping the story straight; if used, such a list usually goes at the beginning of the synopsis.A background section sometimes precedes the synopsis itself, especially if the story's context requires some explanation. (This seems especially true of science fiction, fantasy, and historical novels, where the plot may hinge on unfamiliar story elements.) Otherwise, such explanation simply crops up where required in the synopsis.http://www.steampunk.com/sfch/writing/ckilian/#3
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Juggernaut Awake

Posted by Valjeanne Jeffers on December 8, 2008 at 10:30pm

Juggernaut AwakeMy techno-surgeons could notswipe my hard drive pristinenor transform meinto a mindless automatonof artificial intelligencetheir gigabyte missionaryHer timeless murmurs…that oblivioncould not silencehave resurrected meShe spoke from beyond the abysssweeping away stagnant dimensionsof software chaosher voice echoes in my circuitryConquering:dismembermentdeathdesignNow a humanoid odysseyrests upon my turbine shouldersMars and Venus’s progeny --galaxies of wanderersentrusted to my succorAnd I --flesh and future!penumbra and past!I am Leviathanand I am…Reborn!Copyright 2008 Valjeanne Jeffers all rights reservedThis is the beginning piece of another Leviathan poem and prose collaboration b

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