Posted on May 28, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
Still haven’t left the hotel yet, so I’m taking the time to add that we’re I’m also posting pics from BEA this weekend. But since we haven’t actually left our rooms, the best I can do at the moment is offer a view from my room.
Filed under: Books, Plenary Publishing, Randomness | Tagged: BEA, BEA 2009, BEA NYC, Book expo, Book Expo 2009, Book Expo America, BookExpo 2009, bookexpo america, Bookexpo America 2009, Plenary, Plenary Publishing | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 28, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
BookExpo America, the largest annual industry fair in the US, takes place this weekend in NYC.
Publishers (large and small), authors, retailers, distributors, libriarians, agents, PR folks and just about anyone connected to the publishing industry will be in town to network, showcase, discuss trends and buy and sell all weekend.
We just checked into our hotel [...]
Filed under: News | Tagged: BEA, BEA 2009, BEA NYC, Book expo, Book Expo 2009, bookexpo, BookExpo 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 27, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
I had a great conversation on Tuesday with an African-American literary agent on Plenary Publishing submission needs, as well as the current state of African-American literature and the challenges facing African-American authors. One of the key topics of discussion is the need for writers of color to invest in their craft through attendance at workshops, participation in writing [...]
Filed under: Books, News, The Art of Storytelling | Tagged: black writers, black writers workshops, Hurston Wright 3 Day Writers Wokshop, Hurston Wright Foundation, Hurston/Wright Foundation, Hurston/Wright Foundation 3 -Day Writers' Workshop, three day writers workshops | 1 Comment »
Posted on May 26, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
Last week, The CW announced its fall schedule, which essentially features an updated rehash of the 90’s hits 90210 and Melose Place, and a slate of shows featuring models, vampires, and angst-ridden 20-somethings. Officially gone are the long-rumored-to-be-canceled Everybody Hates Chris and The Game.
The CW’s official reason for The Game’s cancellation is its decision to eliminate half-hour shows. Mara Brock-Akil, who created [...]
Filed under: Entertainment, News | Tagged: ABC Talent Development, CBS Diversity Institute, CW cancels Girlfriends, CW cancels The Game, Fix Diversity Development, Girlfriends, NBC Diversity Initiative, Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship, Screenwriting Expo 2009, The Game, The Game being shopped at BET and TBS, The Game BET, The Game BET TBS, The Game cancelled, The Game CW, The Game CW cancelled, The Game Mara Brock-Akil, The Game TBS, The Game tv show, The Game TV show cancelled, Tribeca All Access Program | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 26, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
NBC news just reported that President Obama will nominate Second Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. The official announcement will come at 10:15 a.m. today.
No word, however, on when the Republican opposition to her nomination will officially begin, or how conservative they will be in their attacks on her (as a [...]
Filed under: Barack Obama, News, The Morning Papers | Tagged: Barack Obama, Judge Sonia Sotamayor, Judge Sotamayor, Judge Sotomayor Supreme Court Justice Souter, Judge Sotomayor US Supreme Court, President Barack Obama, Sonia Sotamayor, Sonia Sotomayor Supreme Court, Supreme Court, US Supreme Court | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 19, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
I got up this morning and did a few miles on the treadmill as part of my training for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk (60 miles in 3 days, pray for me). Since treadmills infamously lead you nowhere, I usually distract myself by alternating between Without A Trace, Cold Case or reading.
This morning, [...]
Filed under: Books | Tagged: Colson Whitehead, Colson Whitehead Sag Harbor, New York Times Sag Harbor review, Sag Harbor, Sag Harbor book review, Times Sag Harbor book review, Touré, Touré Colson Whitehead, Touré New York Times, Touré Sag Harbor, Touré Sag Harbor Colson Whitehead | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 18, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
We’re thisclose to making an announcement regarding our 2010 list. I’m excited and proud to be working with these authors (as soon contract negotiations close), and we’re still knee deep in submissions as we think ahead to 2011.
I get emails in our submissions box regarding our submissions process and writing in general, and I’ve decided to address some [...]
Filed under: Books, Plenary Publishing, The Art of Storytelling | Tagged: Novel Word Counts, Plenary, Plenary Publishing, Word Counts | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 11, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
This weekend, I came across a great Washington Post article on Leah Ward Sears, Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court (a major accomplishment in and of itself), and her unlikely friendship with US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, after he telephoned her to offer support when she faced political attacks in the ’90s :
Many years after that [...]
Filed under: Movers & Shakers, News, Politics | Tagged: Barack Obama, Chief Justice Georgia Supreme Court, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, Clarence Thomas, David Souter, Jeffrey Rosen hit piece, Jeffrey Rosen Supreme Court, Judge Leah Ward Sears, Judge Sears, Judge Sonia Sotamayor, Judge Sotamayor, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice David Souter, Justice Leah Ward Sears, Justice Sears, Justice Souter, Justice Thomas, Leah Ward Sears, President Barack Obama, President Obama, President Obama Leah Ward Sears, President Obama Supreme Court, President Obama Supreme Court nomination, President Obama Supreme Court pick, SCOTUS, Second Circuit Sonia Sotamayor, Sonia Sotamayor, Sonia Sotomayor Jeffrey Rosen, Supreme Court Clarence Thomas, Supreme Court Justice Souter | 1 Comment »
Posted on May 11, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
On Sunday, CNN.com posted an article regarding America’s literacy problem. Last week, I posted about Save The Children’s recent study that found 68% of fourth graders are reading below their grade level, and CNN’s report puts a face on the problems facing adult readers.
About 30 million people – 14 percent of the US population16 and older- have trouble with basic [...]
Filed under: Books | Tagged: 14% of US have trouble reading and writing, adult illteracy, Americans reading, low literacy levels, reading, subprime mortgage crisis, writing | Leave a Comment »
Posted on May 10, 2009 by Tieffa Harper
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms!
Today’s video is an easy one, but I had to play The Intruders for my mom, who continues to be my best friend, my spiritual guide, my voice of reason, my cheerleader and the one who’s not afraid to check me when I need it.
Side note: I feel a Gamble [...]
Filed under: Entertainment, Plenary Video of The Day | Tagged: Better Days, Dianne Reeves, Dianne Reeves Better Days, I'll Always Love My Mama, The Intruders, The Intruders Gamble & Huff, The Intruders I'll Always Love My Mama | Leave a Comment »