Writer's Life Chats

An ambitious young woman, born, bread, and raised in Dallas, TX, we introduce to you M’Hogany. From a very young age, she’s put thoughts to paper and let her creative side roam free. “I wasn’t like most girls keeping journals or diaries. Whatever I thought, I put to paper.” With a few poems suggested for publishing in her early childhood, she decided to pursue other venues of artistry. “Music is my life. I eat, sleep, and breathe all things musical. You can catch me singing almost anywhere.” As she embarks on the road of literature, she delves back into writing putting it all on paper.  Expect future works from this young writer and keep an ear at the ready as she embarks on her musical and literal endeavors.

Tressa “Azarel” Smallwood, CEO of Life Changing Books and co-founder of The Best Sellers Project is a former teacher who received her BS degree from University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from Bowie State University. Her love for writing sparked a career change in 2002. She resigned from her teaching tenure in the Prince George’s County public school system to fulfill her dream of becoming an author.  After writing her first novel, “A Life to Remember” written in an attempt to help change lives of young men, she launched her own publishing company, Life Changing Books affectionately known as (LCB) under the name of Azarel.  Now with over one hundred titles published to date, LCB is one of the most successful independent publishing companies in the publishing industry.   Best selling titles under LCB’s roster includes Azarel’s titles, Bruised and Daddy’s House, along with the Dirty Divorce series, the Millionaire Mistress series and the award winning memoir, Left For Dead. Azarel is also the publisher of New York Times bestseller, Game Over by Winter Ramos.

Not only a publisher, Azarel is co-owner of The Best Seller’s Project, an international online Publishing BootCamp which teaches aspiring authors how to self-publish their books for PROFIT. She also spends time encouraging and training women to become entrepreneurs. As a wife, and mother of two Tressa “Azarel” Smallwood enjoys spending time with family and friends and lending support to those in need.  Azarel’s greatest wish is for every able body to reach out to help someone in need. Visit her at www.lifechangingbooks.net

Carmen Chloe is passionate about recognizing the discord between males and females as it relates to relationships.  Getting the conversation started in an attempt to discover why there is such a disconnection among the sexes is her mission.  Completely understanding the plight of the single woman, she is dedicated to offering insight and tips to singles worldwide to assist them in making better decisions in life and love.  Never one to preach or offer unrealistic advice, she speaks solely from past experience.

Writer, blogger and upcoming author, Carmen Chloe, first discovered her passion for writing at the age of ten when she was assigned the task of rewriting “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” as a class project.  She earned her Communications degree with a specialization in Public Relations from the University of Miami.  After moving to Atlanta, she became a teacher in one of the cities underserved school districts.  This led her to earn a Master’s  degree in Teaching.  Deciding to walk in her true destiny, Carmen Chloe decided to leave the field of teaching, diligently pursuing her writing career.

The Miami native has served as a contributing editor for digital publication, Globe Connoisseur, in addition to ghost writing for several other publications.  Currently, she is completing her debut, non-fiction book “Single, Sexy and Crazy as Hell”.

Carmen Chloe lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and her two beautiful daughters.

WILLIAM FREDRICK COOPER is the author of the critically-acclaimed SIX DAYS IN JANUARY, the Essence/Black Expressions Bestselling novel THERE'S ALWAYS A REASON; and the author of ONE SEASON IN PINSTRIPES, a sports memoir chronicling the 2009 championship season of the New York Yankees. 

 

dynamic speaker known for giving enlightening radio interviews, he has edited several award-winning novels and contributed to national periodicals such as Ebony Magazine and New York Times Bestselling Anthologies.  A Brooklyn native  and the father of Maranda Nicole Cooper, stop by Cooper's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/wfcooper), listen to some great music and say hello.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in Peekskill, New York, Ty Marshall, is one of the hottest new writers in the Urban Fiction game. His authentic depiction of the streets based off of real life and real world experiences set him apart from the pack. His ability to write fiction from a real place makes him special, but it’s the seamless way he weaves the two worlds together that makes him an undeniable talent.

Ty recently joined Official Writer’s League (O.W.L.) where he will stay true to the company’s mantra and demonstrate the highest level of storytelling with the help of O.W.L. founders Ashley & JaQuavis. His debut novel, Eat, Prey and No Love is scheduled to be released in Fall of 2014. Ty is a proud father and husband that resides in Georgia.

Authors Khara Campbell and Lakisha Johnson

Khara Campbell holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing from Midland Lutheran University. She enjoys blogging about the happenings of life, faith, parenting, her publishing journey, marriage, fashion, and her Bahamian heritage on www.kharacampbell.blogspot.com. She was born and raised in Nassau, The Bahamas. She resides in the Washington, DC metro area with her husband and their three young children. Khara is a contributor to www.theprayingwoman.com, www.blackliteraturemagazine.net and www.theliterarynetwork.com. Not My Will is her debut novel.

 

LaKisha Johnson is a girl after God’s own heart; doing what she believes to be her purpose..writing.  In addition to being a self-published author, she’s also a wife of 15 years, mother of 2 and native of Memphis, TN.   She has 2 degrees from Southwest TN Community College both in Information Technology and has worked in the corporate field for over 15 years.

Tamika Newhouse is a self-published bestselling author who founded Delphine Publications, at the age of 21; Tamika appeared on various bestseller lists and won Self Published Author of the Year at the 2009 African American Literary Awards only 9 months after her debut novel. In 2010 she was inducted into Who’s who in Black San Antonio and she landed a major publishing deal without an agent and still continues to write independent projects. In 2011 her company Delphine Publications won an African American Literary Award for Best Anthology as well as Tamika won for the second time Self Published Author of the Year. She was also nominated by the National Women in Business Association for the 2011 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. In 2013 she was honored with the Author of Distinction E. Lynn Harris Award. Her latest award for the 2013 African American Literary Award for self published author of the year.

 

 

Jamie Dossie was born and raised in the Chicago Illinois. She fell in love with urban novels, after her mom gave her a book by Terry McMillian called-Mama. After reading that book she began to read another and at that very moment she knew that these were the kind of books that she wanted to write someday. She currently resides in Chicago with her children.

Erick S. Gray's climb to success in the literary genre has been fortunate and inspiring, along with a few trials and tribulations. Since his debut in 2003 with Booty Call, he’s been consistent with over 14 books published, participated in many anthologies, novellas and helped co-write the Streets of New York trilogy within the span of ten years. His style of writing has been known to be raunchy, but also prolific. His diversity in story telling makes him one of the most dynamic writers of the genre. His characters are memorable, true-to-life, and Mr. Gray has the drive to become an icon in a growing genre. 

            Signed to several publishing companies from St. Martin’s Press to Black Print Publishing, Mr. Gray has proven to hold his own in the game among literary giants such as Shannon Holmes, Nikki Turner, Terri Woods and K’wan with great story telling and being consistent with great material and other endeavors.

            Born in Jamaica, Queens, the 37 year-old endowed author has brought himself out on a high note with his first endeavor. His first book, Booty Call was published by Black Print Publishing in 2003, and has sold tens of thousand of copies in the past years. He continues bringing you good stories as he shows in his collaboration with Mark Anthony and Anthony Whyte in the Streets of New York series Volume, one, two and three, along with the long awaited “Boyfriend #2” with Caleb Alexander. His other novels include Ghetto Heaven, Love and a Gangsta, Crave All Lose All, Nasty Girls, It’s Like Candy, One Lyfe to Live, Money Power Respect, Booty Call *69, America’s soul and two highly anticipating novels, Gigolo and Nasty Girls 2. Mr. Gray shows longevity and ambition among his peers in the literary genre.

MarSean Jones is an eighteen-year-old single mother and native of Oakland, California. She attended SusquehannaUniversity in Selinsgrove, P.A. on a full academic scholarship, until misfortune struck and she was forced to withdraw and take on the task of raising a child on her own. During the most trying of times, MarSean found an escape through her writing. During a chance email exchange with bestselling crime novelist K’wan, seeking guidance, she ended up with a publishing deal. Her first title to be released under K’wan’s Write 2 Eat Concepts brand is the coming of age tale “California Love.”

MarSean still resides in Oakland, C.A. with her son.

Niles Manning, a native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, discovered his love for creative writing in his early years. He spent his leisure journaling and scripting poetry until he finally tried his hand at novels. He currently has 6 titles in his ‘The Price of Heir’ series, and his first project with Write 2 Eat is the urban thriller, ‘Convince Me To Live’. Niles, the free dreamer and a specialist at wordplay, possess a vivid imagination that is lucid through pages. As an active duty member of the USAF by day, Niles Manning is currently located in Great Falls Mt. where is he actively working on his next novel.