seattle - eric jerome dickey on black love in literature panel

[Raha]

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2006

CONTACT: Denee McCloud or Rahwa Habte
PHONE: 206-323-4032



The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas presents:
Black Love in Literature
Featuring Eric Jerome Dickey



Seattle, WA – The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas presents Black Love in Literature, on Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 7pm at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, located at 104 17th Avenue S near Yesler Street, Seattle, WA.

Black Love in Literature will tackle the complex and provocative subject of the depiction of Black love and relationships within literature and feature a panel of authors discussing the topic of Black love in an open and realistic way. For many African-Americans, the idea of combining books, love and sexuality is a radical notion within their more traditional society. This program brings people together and uses literature to broach subjects that are considered off limits.

Each author, chosen for their unique literary approach to topics ranging from romance to erotica will provide their own perspective on how Black relationships are depicted in literature. Are these depictions a reflection of the state of Black love and relationships in our society today? Do these depictions create stereotypes or reflect reality? Why is it important (or not) to show the full range of Black relationships and sexuality in literature and what are the larger implications? Why do authors choose to write about these complex relationships at all and what or who influences them to do so?

The CD Forum wants to give the topic of love, and in particular Black love, a full and engaging exploration, especially as these topics relate to African-American culture. This discussion will be a celebration of African-American relationships in literature and the wide range of authors broaching this topic in their writing. Join the CD Forum and moderator Nisi Shawl, author and critic and our panelist of authors Laurinda D. Brown (2005 Lambda Literary Award Finalist), Eric Jerome Dickey (national best-selling author) Travis Hunter (ESSENCE® Bestselling Author) and Edwina Martin-Arnold (Harlequin Romance Label) as we tackle these questions and discuss the topic of Black love in literature in a realistic and open way. (Bios Attached)

Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $7 for CD Forum members/students/seniors. Order tickets on-line at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4246 or call 1-800-838-3006.

The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization that advocates and promotes greater awareness of African-Americans in the arts, humanities and public affairs. We offer a glimpse into the lives and accomplishments of African-Americans contributing to the vibrancy of contemporary American thought and culture.

For more information please contact Denee McCloud or Rahwa Habte at 206-323-4032 or via e-mail at info@cdforum.org.


This program was made possible by a grant from, City of Seattle, Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, Breneman Jaech Foundation, The Boeing Company, Fales Foundation Trust, and the Horizons Foundation.

Special Thanks: Life Enrichment Book Store and Seattle LGBT Community Center


Arts Coalition Member |www.takepartinart.org

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Black Love in Literature
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Bios


Moderator

Nisi Shawl is the co-author, with Cynthia Ward, of Writing the Other: A Practical Approach. Her short stories have been published widely, including in _Wet: More Aqua Erotica_ and the groundbreaking Dark Matter anthology series, which focuses on speculative fiction by people of African descent. Her reviews and essays have appeared regularly in the Seattle Times since the turn of the millennium. In 2004 and 2005 she edited BEYOND magazine, an online magazine of Afro-centric speculative fiction by teens. Nisi is a founding member of the Carl Brandon Society, an organization which supports the presence of people of color in the fantastic genres, and is currently a board member for the Clarion West Writers Workshop. She has been a guest lecturer at Stanford University. Web Site: www.sfwa.org/members/shawl/


Panelists

Laurinda D. Brown (2005 Lambda Literary Award Finalist)
Divine destiny is what motivates mother, daughter, author Laurinda D. Brown to do what she does – write novels that portray real people in real life situations. “Growing up in Memphis, TN and graduating from Howard University exposed me to diverse sides of human nature and gave me the opportunity to observe people and their situations. I wrote to work through my own emotions, to find explanations for other people’s circumstances and to try to humanize their idiosyncrasies. Writing expresses my take on the world.� Look for Laurinda’s thought-provoking insights in stores now through Strebor Books International/Simon & Schuster. Her titles include Fire & Brimstone, the 2005 Lambda Literary Award finalist for Best Debut Lesbian Fiction and UnderCover. Her third title, The Highest Price for Passion, will be in stores December 2005. Walk Like A Man, an underground release available exclusively from the author, is Laurinda’s return to self-publishing with a foray into lesbian erotica. The author currently resides with her two daughters in Hampton Roads, Virginia, where she continues to write about life…not lifestyles. She firmly believes that one day we will love one another not for what we are but who we are. Web Site: www.ldbrownbooks.com


Eric Jerome Dickey (New York Times Bestselling Author)
Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Eric Jerome Dickey embarked on a writing career in the 1990s and quickly found out that writing was something he could do and do well and in 1994 he published his first short story, Thirteen. Eric kept writing and sending out query letters for his novels for almost three years until he finally got an agent which led to a successful writing career. Eric’s novels have placed him on the map as one of the best writers of contemporary urban fiction. Eric’s novels, Liar’s Game, Between Lovers, Thieves’ Paradise, The Other Woman, and Naughty or Nice have all been on The New York Times bestseller list. Liar’s Game, Thieves’ Paradise, and The Other Woman have been nominated for NAACP Image Awards in the category of Outstanding Fiction. Eric has contributed to New American Library’s anthology Got To Be Real: Four Original Love Stories and his books have been featured in many publications, including Essence, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Dallas Morning News, and Publishers Weekly. His newest novel is titled Chasing Destiny and he is currently developing a six-issue mini-series of comic books for Marvel Enterprises featuring Storm (X-Men) and the Black Panther. Website: http://www.ericjeromedickey.com


Travis Hunter (ESSENCE® Bestselling Author)
Travis Hunter is an author, songwriter and father. The Hearts of Men was self-published in 2000 by Travis' own company, Jimrose Publishing House. During the 2000 Book Expo America in Chicago, Travis was signed by Random House's imprint, Villard Books for the re-release of The Hearts of Men, Married but Still Looking and his current release Trouble Man. Travis is a native of Florence, S.C. He was also reared in Philadelphia, Pa. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he attended Clark Atlanta University and subsequently enrolled in Georgia State University where he majored in Psychology. During his tour of duty in the military, he discovered his interest in music, ultimately writing his first song for a Sony recording artist. Always an avid reader, Travis parlayed his interest in music into a passion for story-telling that led to his critically acclaimed debut novel. Travis lives in a suburb outside of Atlanta with his son Rashaad. He is the founder of the Hearts of Men Foundation, through which he mentors underprivileged children. Web Site: www.travishunter.com

Edwina Martin-Arnold (Nationally Acclaimed Urban Romance Author on the Harlequin Romance Label)
Edwina Martin-Arnold is the nationally acclaimed author of Chocolate Friday, Jolie's Surrender and Eve’s Prescription. Edwina was born in Texas and grew up in Washington State. After working for two years as a buyer at Boeing, Edwina left to attend law school at the University of Puget Sound. Upon graduation, Edwina became a prosecutor. She enjoyed a seven-year career before she left to spend more time with her three children. It was during this time that Edwina was able to fulfill her life long fantasy of becoming a romance writer. Edwina’s next title, The House Guest, published by Harlequin (Kimani Press) comes out on May 1st. This is Edwina’s first book with the historic Harlequin romance label. In addition Ms. Arnold has a 2nd Novel (yet to be titled) with Harlequin scheduled in 2007.
Web Site: www.edwinamartin-arnold.com



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