That Literary Lady

Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant, also known as That Literary Lady, is an author, freelance writer, public speaker and consultant. Yolanda became a published author in 2004, with her debut novel “My Daughter’s Keeper.” She followed up with her sophomore novel in 2005 with “Circumstances.” In 2012 she released “Revelations” and is pegged to release “27 Flagship Cove” in January 2013.

Yolanda began writing at an early age. She wrote poetry as a child and wrote lyrics to songs performed by her high school girl band. She knew this writing thing was more than just a hobby when, in 1999, she entered a short story contest sponsored by Playboy Magazine and Fastweb.com. Yolanda won the first place prize of $1500. From there she started her first manuscript and nearly a dozen story lines were created.

After sending letters to agents and getting a rejection letter from one agent and no response at all from another, Yolanda set out to learn everything she could about the publishing and literary industry and decided to self-publish her work. After experiencing various growing pangs in the industry, she decided to be a resource and help other writers and authors who sought to self-publish. She consults writers in the processes of self-publishing, marketing, social media and entrepreneurship.

Having an educational background in computer sciences and information technology, Yolanda has also been fascinated with the evolution and advances of technology and social media venues. She always strives to be on the cutting edge of technology and social promotion.

Yolanda often offers consultation, workshops and classes advocating both youth and adult literacy. Through her company, Literary Wonders! and Literary Wonders Kids!, she conducts scholarship and anthology projects and considers herself a valuable resource to the literary and publishing communities.

Yolanda gives workshops and classes in the community to promote literacy and entrepreneurship. She has participated with such organizations as the Greensboro Public Library, Christians in the Marketplace, The Nussbaum Center of Entrepreneurship and Women’s Entrepreneurship Learning and Leading, (W.E.L.L.). She currently volunteers with Junior Achievement, the Volunteer Center of Greensboro and is a mentor for The Women’s Resource Center’s New Choices Program.

Yolanda is the Area 42 Governor for North Carolina District 37, Division E Toastmasters. She serves as Vice President of Education for Speakerpreneur Toastmasters, is a current and charter member of MprovMasters Toastmasters and is the Assistant Division Governor of PR for Division E Toastmasters.

Connect with Yolanda on these social networks:

Facebook Fan Pages - https://www.facebook.com/YolandaJohnsonBryant, https://www.facebook.com/ThatLiteraryLady
Twitter - @ymjauthor, @thtliterarylady
Blog: http://lwtheauthorshideaway.blogspot.com/
Podcast/Radio Show - http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-air-with-that-literary/id498160831

Websites:
www.yolandamjohnson.com
www.thatliterarylady.com
www.bryantconsultingonline.com
www.lwmediagroup.com
www.literarywonders.com
www.literarywonderskids.com
www.sweetheartsofthetriad.rr.com

Author Interview

Would you like to introduce yourself to readers?

Hello all! I am Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant, also known as that Literary Lady. I’m originally from Denver, Colorado but currently live in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina with my wonderful husband. I am the author of several books, the latest being Revelations. I am currently working on a few titles due out in 2013. I am a freelance writer and columnist. I am also the host of “On the Air With That Literary Lady” which is podcasted on iTunes. I am the mother of two grown children and three beautiful grandchildren.

What is your current or most recent project?

I have several projects in the works. I recently created Sweethearts of the Triad, an organization that recognizes women entrepreneurs and community servers. We will be having our first annual Sweetheart of the Year Luncheon in December. I am working on 27 Flagship Cove, my first novel in the Tommie Lane Christian Thriller Series; Someone to Watch Over Me, my first teen book and the first book in my That Literary Lady Knows Series, that will address everything from public speaking to publishing, to social media.

What are you planning to write next?

I will continue with my Tommie Lane Christian Thriller Series, the That Literary Lady Knows Series, and a novel about domestic violence. In addition, readers have told me they’d like to see more of Renee Matthews, so I will be penning that at the end of 2013.

Are you a member of a writers group? Have you attended writing courses or seminars? Have these been helpful to you?

Currently, I a member of several online writing groups. I have weaned off most of my offline writing groups due to my busy schedule. I attend writing workshop on a regular as well as conduct them. I find that some are helpful, while others aren’t helpful. That isn’t to say they are not helpful to someone that is less experienced.

Have you other interests outside of writing? What do you do with your spare time?

I know this is an oxymoron for a writer to say, but I also love to read. In addition, I love to spend time with my husband, talking trash about sports—he’s a Broncos fan and I’m a Cowboys fan. I love interior decorating, so I’m always doing something around the house. I also do a lot of community work.

What’s the most useful ‘how to’ advice you’ve encountered?

Being a business owner, my writing often takes a backseat to my clients. With that being said, the most useful advice, not necessarily how-to, came from my husband recently. He said, “Babe, you’re always helping everyone else. You’ve helped people that were less experienced than you, now they have more books out than you. You need to take some time to do you.” And, this is so true. It’s okay to help others, but not at the risk of losing your dream.

Tell us a little about your book(s).

Circumstances – Renee Matthews is desperately searching for inner peace and her rightful place in life. She is daunted by a mentally abusive, self-proclaimed spiritual mother—Barbara Jean Jackson—who keeps her torn between her personal insecurities and her desire to love and to be loved.

She succumbs to fear as she turns down the proposal of long-time friend, Charlie Thatcher, in fear of his racist mother. Trying to reclaim her life, Renee falls in love with Stuart Humphries, a man she met over the Internet. Within Stuart’s past, lies a secret that even he has yet to learn while within Renee’s past, a secret lies in wait for its resurrection, with hopes of destroying everyone, including Renee.

Revelations – In Circumstances, Renee Matthews left behind the painful memories of Denver and her mother, Barbara Jean, for promises of happiness in San Diego. With a prominent position at one of the country’s largest securities firm, Renee has found financial security, self-acceptance, friendship, and love with Stuart Humphries—this is until Barbara Jean interrupts her wedding with a bombshell of a secret that will change everyone’s life forever.

Now, the tables have turned. Barbara Jean has fallen ill, and the only person she can count on is her daughter. In spite of all Barbara Jean has done to destroy Renee, she is at her mother’s side. Being ill doesn’t change Barbara Jean’s feelings for her daughter and Renee soon finds out why it is that her mother despises her so much.

The more time Renee spends in Denver with her ailing mother and her family, the more family secrets are revealed. Renee wonders if she will survive the revelations that make up her world, or if her mother will ultimately destroy her.

27 Flagship Cove – Detective Tommie Lane is a veteran of the Greensboro Police Department and following in her father’s footsteps. A serial killer is on the loose and he’s targeting prominent Christian women and leaving a trail all the way from Denver to Greensboro. Det. Lane and her crew must catch the killer before she becomes one of the “Holy Roller” killer’s victims.

What genre do you consider yourself?

I hate putting myself in a box because you’ll never know which direction I’ll come from, but if I absolutely had to put myself in a category, it would simply be women’s issues. Everything I write is geared towards women, whether it is a fiction title, a non-fiction title or a business title, but it can be utilized by all.
Why do you write? Is it something you’ve always done, or always wanted to do? Or is it something that you started fairly recently?

I write because it enables me to express myself and be creative. In the interim, I am able to help others. God has given me many revelations and things to write about, not to mention, my life is full of great material. If I could do nothing else, I would write. If I didn’t get paid for it, I’d still write. Writing is who and what I am.

Where can we purchase your books?

My books can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and on my websites: www.yolandamjohnson.com, www.thatliterarylady.com.

For other outlets, just “Google me!”

The Book Tree Radio Show Returns TONGHT!!!

I'm personally inviting you to call in TONIGHT AT 8 PM (est) for the relaunch of the Book Tree Radio Show. Let us know what you’re doing, tell us what you’re writing about and where our audience can get your projects. Take down this number - (718) 506-1699 and don't miss this great promotional opportunity!!!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/johntwills
 
You're invited to call Silver Rae Fox and John T. Wills TONIGHT for what is going to be an exciting evening on the night that The Book Tree Radio Show returns to the airwaves… You don’t want to miss this great promotional opportunity!

Call in: (718) 506-1699. You don’t want to miss it!

http://johntwills.com/

 

Listen to Silver and John

WNL Virtual Blog Tours

I am proud to invite and share with the great news about WNL Virtual Blog Tours. WNL is a place that loves helping author’s promote their books. Over the years they’ve built great relationships with media, bloggers, and literary people who love books. They will help you connect with your audience through radio interviews, guest blogging, and book reviews.

WNL offers virtual event packages to meet your needs. WNL ONLY coordinate blog tours for authors, both fiction and nonfiction. 

FICTION: Our niche is the Christian or Inspirational Fiction market, but we are open to other genres since we work with a wide range of bloggers. WNL prefers to ONLY promote books that are considered “clean” fiction (PG-13).

NONFICTION: Nonfiction authors must have a solid platform.

Guidelines:

Attn: Because I want this website and its authors to be taken seriously, I must make sure that the novels that come though WNL are edited and they are a novel I would be proud to put my website’s name behind. Therefore, I or one of my reviewers must read your novel before I agree to accept your novel for a blog tour. The ones I most prefer to promote are Christian Romance, YA, Children, Christian Fiction and Non-Fiction.  

WNL is now accepting paperbacks, e-books and PDF for review.

Visit: http://pauletteharper.blogspot.com/ 

We will not accept any book that has profanity, erotic poetry or any book that goes against our morals and values.

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The Book Tree Radio Show Returns September 5th!

Listen to John T. Wills' interview with co-host Silver Rae Fox

http://johntwills.com

THE GODFATHER AND KING OF SOUL

I was reading the New York Times book review section where I came across a new book that got my attention titled “The One: The Life and Music of James Brown,” by RJ Smith. Since I am old enough to remember Mr. Brown’s impact on African America and dare I say the world I found myself realizing that his untimely death in 2006 has left a void in what was once called “Soul Music”.

Young people today don’t realize the relevance of Mr. Brown’s accomplishments, although I doubt if brown himself ever doubted his own significance as a historic figure and an undeniably game-changing artist. It was quoted in the Times article that “his showmanship and art altered the music world. But James didn’t bring blacks to the mainstream; instead, he brought the mainstream to blacks and made them appreciate and internalize black music and culture themselves.”

Everybody who has ever heard a song by Mr. Brown has attempted to tell his story and try to dissect his complex and multilayered life. Regardless of the opinion most have failed to fully capture the depth of value that Brown and his music played in transforming American life. The article said:

“Smith not only effortlessly highlights James’s unmatched musical career, but also provides a well-studied historical context for the basis of his artistic expression. Chronicling the legacy of resistance through music, Smith explains how James’s artistry was closely linked to the struggle for civil rights as well as the cultural expression of blacks, from Africa through slavery and the journey into the 20th century. It would after all be impossible to discuss 20th-century music and the civil rights/black power movement without putting James Brown at the top of that list. And “The One” is the first serious book to explain precisely why.”

“When you reflect on the life and legacy of James Brown, it cannot be explained without taking into account the period in which he was raised and the experiences that shaped his identity. But just as important is how he incorporated his social/political views into his music in a way that was soulful and entertaining beyond belief.”

James Brown was an enigma and I would imagine by his own design, which could very well be the price of fame. Brown who grew up in the harsh and segregated south could not have been born into the multitude of success obtained throughout his career. This was accomplished by hard work, grit, and dogged determination. His life by virtue of being in the entertainment business was made up of constant challenges and hurdles, but his perseverance and tenacity — coupled with sheer talent — provided the world with a lens on the American black experience.

The article stated that “The One” thrives in highlighting how James’s irrefutable genius and artistry transcended social blockades and eventually drew audiences from all sectors of society. The funk originator never compromised his roots and never sold out in order to be accepted; rather, he made the world revolve around him. But despite his tremendous achievements, his success was still limited.”

The ­hardest-working man in showbiz not only made us black and proud, but he also possessed a soul rooted deeply in equality and justice for his people. I will not attempt to rewrite a story that has already been well written nor have I read the book but I am suggesting that to understand the greatness in a man that so many have tried to tarnish - maybe we should read the book.

I don't believe there are any perfect men but there are men with perfect intentions. Therefore, I’m going to overlook any faults or frailties the man may have had and just say as Mr. Brown said so boldly in a recording at a time when he could have ended his career - “Say it Load I’m Black and I’m Proud”. And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective…

http://johntwills.com

The Huge Shoulders Of Hal Jackson

It’s hard to imagine that not too long ago, and even today, there were and are still firsts with respect to the first Colored, Negro, Black, or African American to do this or that. The amazing radio personality Hal Jackson did it before it was believed possible.

He broke through the color wall on the radio in Washington in the 1930s, pushed the District’s major clothing retailers to let blacks into their dressing rooms and restrooms in the ’40s and became the first black host on a national broadcast network in the 50s – and I for one honor him.

Through most of the second half of the last century, many black New Yorkers grew up knowing Mr. Jackson as a radio DJ whose smiling face appeared on billboards across the city. Decades before that, Mr. Jackson was a household name in black Washington, which is what impressed me about him. Being from the area I remember the broadcasting giant and civil rights pioneer who repeatedly found ways to smash through barriers.

In the mid-1930s, he won free entry into Griffith Stadium as a volunteer to clear trash during Washington Senators games where no blacks were allowed to enter the press box. The Negro League’s Homestead Grays also played there where Mr. Jackson eventually was allowed to narrate some Gray’s games to the crowd in the ballpark. At the time, Negro League games were not broadcast on the radio in Washington.

He wrote a proposal to present “The Bronze Review,” a program of entertainment, interviews and news, but Mr. Jackson said nothing about having a black host. The station’s white executives had no idea that “bronze” was then the classy term for “negro” in Washington’s black community.

On his debut night, Mr. Jackson arrived at WINX with his first guest, Mary McLeod Bethune, President Franklin Roosevelt’s director of Negro affairs. They waited outside until 15 minutes before airtime to minimize the chance that station managers might bar them from the air. The show went on, devoted to a discussion about Washington’s blighted black neighborhoods. “The Bronze Review,” hosted guests such as first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, entertainer Lena Horne and Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (D-N.Y.) becoming a nightly must-listen show for black Washington.

By the mid-1940s, Mr. Jackson was doing sports and his late-night talk show on WINX and spinning “race records,” as songs by black artists were then known, during morning drive time on WOOK in Silver Spring. He performed commercials in rhyme and urged listeners to join his Good Deed Club, collecting toys and books for charities.

In 1949, Mr. Jackson by then was the host of a television variety show broadcast from the Howard Theatre. He organized a picket on Connecticut Avenue, then the city’s most prestigious shopping boulevard, against retailers who sold to black customers but refused to let them use the dressing rooms or restrooms. The protest worked: Stores changed their policies.

In 1954, a New York station, WMCA, lured Mr. Jackson to Manhattan to create the city’s first integrated air staff. Mr. Jackson’s “All-American Revue” was designed to appeal to black and white listeners with music by Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Xavier Cugat.

Within a couple of years, Mr. Jackson was again on the air virtually around the clock at white- and black-owned stations. By the late 1950s, Mr. Jackson had added a children’s TV show that featured New York’s first integrated studio audience. It was round this time that Irving Rosenthal, the owner of Palisades Amusement Park, asked Mr. Jackson to host weekend concerts at the theme park and the DJ’s face was plastered on billboards around New York.

Mr. Jackson worked as a popular DJ up and down the east coast; Washington, New York, a midday show at WANN in Annapolis and an evening gig on Baltimore’s WSID as well as owning several radio stations. In 1995, Mr. Jackson was the first black elected to the Radio Hall of Fame. Every black or minority working on radio or in television owe this man a debut of gratitude. Or maybe I’ll say it this way – “They stand on the shoulders of this Giant”.

After paying homage, and much deserved, I will use Mr. Jackson’s nightly sign-off reflected his peripatetic life: “I’ve got to pack the shellac and hit the track, but I’ll be back.” And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective…

http://johntwills.com 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 AM EST, May 24, 2010
Contact: John T. Wills
author@justaseason.com

Introducing the “John T. Wills Chronicles”
http://johntwillschronicles.com
"The Book Tree Radio Show"

I am proud to announce the launch of a powerful information portal “The John T. Wills Chronicles” designed to be a potent source of empowering knowledge for the enhancement of community and the minds of mankind. I will be using this online information source as the new home for my blog “Thought Provoking Perspectives” to include its use as a vehicle for other contributors who share my passion for the written word. I am also extending an offer to all authors, writers, poets, and progressive thinkers to become a contributor as a way to promoter yourself, your skills, your work, and to benefit others with the enlightenment of your stories.

“The John T. Wills Chronicles” will also introduce an exciting new Blogtalkradio Show called “The Book Tree” hosted by the dynamic SILVER RAE FOX. Silver will be the Literary Ambassador during on-air conversations with authors, poets, and literary minds every Wednesday starting June 2, 2010 at 8:30 - 9:00 PM (est) http://www.blogtalkradio.com/john-t-willschronicles. Silver Rae Fox will also be one of the main voices for The Book Tree Literacy Project designed to promote literacy.

"The Book Tree Internet Radio Show" is intended to showcase authors, writers, wordsmiths, poets and other relevant content to empower the minds of a broad base community who are interested in a variety of genres. The show will serve as inspiration to those individuals who aspire to develop writing skills and have a desire to publish their material. A project soon to follow, "The Book Tree Literacy Project", will focus on the importance of literacy, as well to promote and advocate literacy for children and adults in every community.

These initiatives will be sponsored by “The John T. Wills Chronicles” and the hugely successful BLACK EMPOWERED MEN Radio Show. If interested, please contact John at author@justaseason.com or Silver at silverraefox@gmail.com or the BEM at hosts@blackempoweredmen.com for more information. We invite you to strongly support these literacy eradication initiatives and join this EMPOWERMENT REVOLUTION!!!

http://johntwillschronicles.com
www.justaseason.com