Writer's Life Chats

Urban fiction, also known as street lit or street fiction is a literary genre set in a city landscape; however, the genre is as much defined by the socio-economic realities and culture of its characters as the urban setting. The tone for urban fiction is usually dark, focusing on the underside of city living. According to Publishers Weekly Street lit, urban lit, or hip-hop lit—whatever you may call it—the popular and controversial genre generally focused on crime, sex, and violence set in African-American neighborhoods.  It is also a multi million dollar industry. Join Kisha Green as she chats with Best Selling Author, Al-Saadiq Banks, Shaun Sinclair and Aaron Bebo.  

Jae L. Pettigrew is an innovative and award winning poet.  Raised on the Southside of Chicago, experiencing the trials and toils of inner-city living, Jae was affected but not defined by her upbringing.  She chose to channel her energy in a positive direction.  Her intent was to touch and inspire liberal minds through her God-given talent, writing.  Jae is truly an inspiration.Being an intellectual and driven writer, Jae was destined to become an author.  In 2009, she shared her first work, “Through Her Eyes”, a collection of raw but riveting unabridged poetry.  This work is a compilation of thought-provoking quotes providing the reader glimpses into her soul. Jae’s most recent work is entitled, “Tranzparent”.  This jewel was birthed out of events, situations and circumstances taking place over a 7-year period in Jae’s life.  With zeal and a commitment to share both the authentic rawness and unbridled truth of these experiences as they poured out from the depths of her being, has once again allowed her reader

Dawn Michelle Hardy has been called a “literary lobbyist” by Ebony magazine for her ability to help authors reach their readership using strategic promotions, win awards and garner national and local media attention. She has dual roles in the book publishing industry as both publicist and literary agent. She founded Dream Relations, PR & Literary Consulting Agency in 2004. Additionally, in 2011 she joined Serendipity Literary Agency where she aids in shaping  the careers of platformed writers. Some of her clients at Serendipity include Jean McGianni Celestin, co-writer of the Nat Turner biopic The Birth of a Nation, Kent Babb, Washington Post sports writer and PEN Literary Award finalist for Not a Game: The Incredible Rise and Unthinkable Fall of Allen Iverson, Clay Cane, entertainment editor at BET.com and director of Holler If You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church. As a publicist she works with both fiction and non-fiction authors including New York Times bestseller D. Watkins, author of The Beastsi

Former drug addict, ex-con, kidnap victim and stripper…serious titles, huh? Yeah, well, with over 17 arrests, and 23 years of addiction, Cynthia Miller-Scott has worn them all, at one point or another, but none of it, absolutely NONE of it, even    BEGINS to describe this awesome mother of 5. Cynthia Miller-Scott is just a go-getter. She’s a wonder on heels and a hustling giant who literally knows what it means to take nothing and build it into something.          Cynthia isn’t one of those who grew up wanting to be an author, or who felt that she’d write a bestseller and live happily ever after. No. Trust me, Mrs. Miller-Scott is much too practical and down to Earth for that. This isn’t the tale of some sweet little ghetto angel who grew up AROUND the madness; it wasn’t her cousin, a boyfriend or her brother and them that she SAW in the mix. This isn’t a woman who went to school and got good grades then lived a basicly normal life in the ghetto AROUND all of the madness. No. Cynthia is one of those rare hoo

  Join Kisha Green as she chats with Publisher, Aaron Bebo about his new anthology, NEW YORK SHORTIES. The contributing authors will also be announced on the show. New York Shorties is a collective of short stories in which New York is the backdrop to each plot. Each author leads you into the mind state of a resident from The Rotten Apple. Each story will thrill you, engage you and without a doubt provoke thought. So tune out the loud sounds of the city, and tune into New York Times, in New York Shorties.

Ordained into ministry in 2001, Marcia L. Boynton is the Owner-Operator of Marcia L. Boynton Publishing located in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The self-publishing company is pleased to provide original, humorous, inspirational Christian literature, including fiction, non-fiction and bible studies. Visit www.marcialboyntonpublishing.com for more information. The author studied theology at Georgian Court University, New Jersey, and serves in the global, online Christian women's ministry, BWE, Inc. as a prayer intercessor and teaching Elder of Saturday morning's "Women of the Bible Teaching Series and Bi-Monthly Book Club." An anointed psalmist, Marcia released a compilation of original psalms entitled "Psalms From The Gap - Glory To God," in 2014, which followed up a #1 international gospel house tune, "Leave It To Me," both on Trower Music Group. She is currently writing psalms and hymns for release in the near future. Marcia gives all glory to God for blessing her abundantly, more than she could ask or imagi

Writing under the pen name of Peter Mack, literary genius, Isiko Cooks celebrates women and their desire, motivation and dedication in the pursuit for peace, power and position in life and love. Isiko Cooks encourages the discovery of a woman's self worth through his writing. The sex, violence, money and murder detailed in his novels merely serve as a hook for a larger conversation about life and its reward in the struggle. Coining the hash tag #LiveRichDieReady, he’s become a master of the urban narrative. After being arrested for drug trafficking and distribution in 2005, Peter Mack penned his first novel, HoodSweet (Seaburn Publishing Group, 2007) while in solitary confinement. He has gone on to author and publish 15 novels which span popular genres while canvassing the tapestry of his upbringing and exploring the dynamics of the relationships between men and women. Isiko counts Walter Mosley as one of his early influences for his topical narratives and varied styles of writing. Mr. Cooks

Imani Wisdom is the founder of Pink Noire Publications.  Based in Indianapolis, IN, Pink Noire is a groundbreaking company with an unpredictable brand of literary storytelling.   Wisdom is also the creator of Pink Noire Blog, which hosts inspirational posts for the soul, along with social commentary.  Born and raised in “Indy,” Wisdom spends her days overseeing a family of five, writing short stories and books, cooking vegan dishes, running 5Ks and mini-marathons, and enjoying quality time with her friends and family. Wisdom is a graduate of Ivy Tech Community College, earning a degree in Paralegal Studies. She is a prolific storyteller whose works depict an honest portrayal of societal issues. As a blogger and author, she has received numerous honors including 2012 nominee for Poet of the Year (AAMBC Book Club), March 2012 Up and Coming Author (The Writer’s POV Magazine), September 2011 Blog of the Month (The Writer’s POV Magazine), and February 2011 Editor’s Pick (BlackShortStories.com) for her short story

Teresa B. Howell is an Educator residing in Durham, NC. Originally from Boston, Mass.She decided to make her literary appearance in 2015, after years of writing personal journals and songs that she kept solely to herself. In July of 2015 she stepped out boldly on faith to make use of her pen for everyone to read. That Church Life was born and completed in March of2016. Teresa contemplated to publish but made it happen once again on May 26th, 2016. Teresa will continue to formulate creative and intriguing novels to provide page turners and eye openers for her readers. In less than 30 days, her book has soared in several states and is now being sold in 3 major book stores. It is also being cataloged in a local community college. Teresa B. Howell the Author has proven herself to be a creative, unique writer of fiction Christian romance and suspense.

Twenty years ago, broadcast journalist Rolonda Watts was all over the OJ Simpson trial, the first talk show to cover it and gain exclusive access inside the courtroom. While her counterparts in the talk show world were throwing chairs, breaking noses and popping paternity tests, Rolonda was getting kids out of gangs, saving teens from suicide, and going live in state prisons talking about moms beyond bars on her internationally syndicated show “Rolonda”. Since her days as a daytime TV show host and nightly news anchor, Rolonda has branched out as actress, voice-over artist, comedian, and novelist. Today, she draws on of her real-life experiences as a journalist, as a black woman, as a woman looking for love and proves herself a player in the romance genre. Rolonda’s recent novel Destiny Lingers (iUniverse; 978-1-49176-862-4; $27. 95) explores the love affair between former childhood friends from different socio-economic and racial backgrounds. It’s a story of sacrifice, racial divide in the South, betrayal a

Omar Tyree, is a New York Times best-selling author, journalist, lecturer, poet, screenwriter, songwriter, playwrite, host, blogger, publishing consultant and literacy advocate, who has won a 2001 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature in Fiction, a 2006 Phillis Wheatley Literary Award for Body of Work in Urban Fiction, a 2008 Citation from the City Council of Philadelphia for the African-American Children's Book Fair, and a 2010 HBCU Legends Award for his tiresome work in urban literacy. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from the prestigious Central High School in 1987, Tyree first attended the University of Pittsburgh as a Pharmacy major and an aspiring football player. After spending his first two years at Pitt, he found his new passion and calling as a writer and storyteller, penning his first published series, “The Diary of a Freshman” along with two novels; Colored, On White Campus, (now titled College Boy in his Urban Griot series) and Flyy Girl, which became a co

Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she would become an author, even as she was taking an unlikely path to that destination. A native of Queens, Victoria first left New York to attend Hampton University where she majored in Communication Disorders. After graduating, Victoria attended New York University where she received her MBA.Victoria spent ten years in Corporate America before she tested her entrepreneurial spirit. She opened a Financial Services Agency for Aegon, USA where she managed the number one division for nine consecutive years. However, Victoria never lost the dream to write and when the “bug” hit her again in 1997, she answered the call.Victoria originally self-published her first novel, Temptation and in 2000, Time Warner published that novel. Temptation made numerous best sellers list and remained on the Essence bestsellers list for nine consecutive months. In 2001, Temptation was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literature.Since Temptation, Victoria has written over twen

Shaun Sinclair is the author of Forbidden, Flame In Lust, and Skin Deep. He is the creator of Gangsterotica, a sub-genre of books that seamlessly blends Crime Fiction with Erotica. A native of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina , he has also worked as a Law Clerk for six years. He uses his experience as a law clerk to make his stories pop with authenticity. Mr. Sinclair is the founder and owner of Pen 2 Pen Publications. His company's motto, "Putting Power into the Pen" is also its mission statement, as Mr. Sinclair rediscovered his gift of penmanship while incarcerated. He strives to use his success as motivation for others to triumph over adversity, and gives back to his community through the Sinclair Literary Scholarship, which awards worthy high school students for literary achievement. He is also a contributor to the legendary Urban Lifestyle Magazine, Don Diva . The father of two resides in North Carolina.

Stacey Fenner born December 1, 1970 and raised in New Haven, Ct the youngest of three. Relocated to Atlanta GA in 1999. Resided there for a year and relocated to Baltimore Md to care for her parents with her two daughters. Overcoming many trials and tribulations. Writing since a child as a way to express herself but never pursued her gift until 2008.Although she obtained her degree in accounting and currently works in that field her passion is writing. Her writing career is focused on writing novels about relationships. Her first book A toxic love Affair published on April 23,2015 which landed her in the #37 spot on the Woman’s Urban Best Selling list. She is currently finishing up Part 3. Be on the lookout as this Author plans to take her writing career to the next level!

Inquiring minds want to know are sex toys necessary to keep the spice alive in relationships? SPECIAL Sex Toy Specialist will be on the line to give the 411 on this sexy topic.

Yvette Hayward is the president of Y. Hayward Inc, a public relations company that has been a powerful resource in the literary field for over seven (7) years.  She has represented well-known authors such as, Essence Best-selling authors, Lolita Files, Victoria Christopher Murray, five-time NAACP award recipient, David E. Talbert, New York Times Best-selling author, Wendy Williams, and LaJoyce Brookshire, author of Soul Food.  The company’s primary mission is to bring recognition to African American authors throughout the country. In addition to Y. Hayward Inc, Yvette Hayward is the co-chair of Flowers & Hayward Publicity & Entertainment, Inc.  F& H Publicity has worked with the preeminent publisher, Simon & Schuster, as well as Culture Plus Books Distributors, the leading distributors of African- American books in the country.  With an established client base of best-sell authors, the company is able to carry out its mission through developing client specific tailored programs such as book s

Sadeqa Johnson, a former public relations manager, spent several years working with well-known authors such as JK Rowling, Bebe Moore Campbell, Amy Tan and Bishop TD Jakes before becoming an author herself. Her debut novel, Love in a Carry-on Bag is the recipient of the 2013 Phillis Wheatley award for Best Fiction and the 2012 USA Best Book award for African-American fiction.  She is a motivation speaker, inspirational blogger, wife and mother of three incredible children

Join the TLB Crew as they discuss the pros and cons of polyamory as well as chat with someone who lives this lifestyle live on the show.

Love Below Radio: Sex Addiction, is this real or fake?

AL-SAADIQ BANKS DISCUSSES HIS NEW BOOK AND SELF PUBLISHING.