JULY 2009
I'm Going To Be At the Harlem Book Fair!
Let me start off by saying that I am a New Yorker, born and bred, in the lovely big hamlet known as Jamaica, Queens, New York. Anyone who is a faithful fan knows that all of my stories takes place in New York, and more times than not, either my main character or a secondary character lives in the borough of Queens.
Okay, so Queens isn't Harlem (nowhere is Harlem, but Harlem), but the heat, the beat and the rhythm of the City beats in the blood of anyone who lives in the outer boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Staten Island.
I left my home state of New York over a decade ago and even though I claim my new home state as 'where I'm from', New York will forever be with me, a part of me, playing a big part in not only who I am, but where I write about. So when I got the invitation to participate in one the biggest book events in New York, I was absolutely delighted. Not only will I have an author's booth where I will be signing books, I will be participating on a panel, discussing something that has been talked about for years, but is finally getting center stage - how the publishing industry is impacting black readership and not in a good way.
Aptly titled: Killing Me Softly...How Publishers Are Killing The Black Reader Market, the discussion will be take a closer look at what is going on in the publishing industry with regards to black fiction.
There are always two sides of a story and I am not faulting anybody for reading what they read. But there has been a slow death of some of the most prolific black writer voices for a while and the bloodletting is fierce. On Saturday, July 18th, at 12 noon, at the Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture, I will get the chance to have a real conversation about it with some of my most favorite authors friends. Gloria Mallette and Bernice McFadden will be joining me on stage and the wonderful Jewel Parker Rhodes will be the commentator. For those folks who can't make it to Harlem, it will be broadcasted live on C-SPAN, so set your DVR's and Tivo's if you aren't going to be home.
Prior to the panel, (from 9:30 am to 11:30 am), I will be signing copies of my newest release "Red Light Green Light" (Booth Location: Y25 - West 135th Street between Frederick Douglas Blvd and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd.)
I've shocked readers, pissed them off, and had them rooting for my main character Craig. In the end, I made readers feel something and that's all I ever want when people read my stories. I want them to think, respond and have a little more knowledge about a subject than they had before they opened my book. The Midwest Book Review stated "Red Light Green Light" is “A book so memorable it will become a classic in years to come” and R.A.W.S.I.S.T.A.Z. declared it a "Must Read". I happily concur with them both...
Check out my site http://www.mjhredlightgreenlight.com/, go to Amazon.com, or come on up to Harlem on July 18th to the Harlem Book Fair and get a signed copy. Whatever way you do it, make sure you pick up a copy. Brenda, James, George, Evelyn, Tina, Valerie, Stephen, Maxine, Millie, Vincent, Cynthia, Emma (Esmarelda) Al, my BJ Alumni, Hannah and all my long time NYC friends, I hope to see you there!
Every now and then, life presents a wonderful opportunity and I just want to take time to thank Max Rodriquez of the Black Quarterly Review and fellow author friend Gloria Mallette for making my participation happen.
As always, I invite you all to drop me a line at: mjhodge@bellsouth.net. Until next time, may your life be filled with love, light, and understanding. Until next time,
Peace and Blessings,
Margaret
