Cyrus Webb Presents Conversations Book Club's Top 100 Books of 2009

It is one of those lists that is a way of recognizing great books and also the authors who write them: Conversations Book Club's "Top 100 Books of 2009". Compiled by Cyrus A. Webb, this is just one way that the literary organization shows why it is one of the best for those looking for best in literature.

TOP 50 FICTION TITLES OF 2009

1. "Faces of Fear" by John Saul
2. "Mudville" by Kurtis Scalletta
3. "Lifestone" by Gary Kaschak
4. "Too Tall Alice" by Barbara Worton
5. "Kill Me Twice" by Jerry Bayne
6. "Change Up" by John Feinstein
7. "No More Tomorrows" by Rodney Lofton
8. "Lesson Learned" by Portia Cosby
9. "Mexican Whiteboy" by Matt de la Pena
10. "Battered Clergy" by Dr. Joseph Howard, Sr.
11. "The Girl Who Threw Butterflies" by Mick Cochrane
12. "Pieces of the Hole" by Tony Lindsay
13. "When Lightning Strikes" by Keya
14. "The Dyodyne Experiment" by James Doulgeris and V. Michael Santoro
15. "The Fox" by Arlene Radasky
16. "The Green Eyed Butterfly" by Kiffany Dugger
17. "Greenwood" by Herbert McCann
18. "Tatto Tears" by Mr. Mean Mug
19. "The Circulary" by J. C. Thompson
20. "Sunday Morning Secrets" by Shirlita McFarland
21. "Sense of Love" by Sheryl Mallory-Johnson
22. "Cheating On My Mistress" by S. Dodson
23. "Liquid Sunshine" by Justin C. Hart
24. "Children of the Waters" by Carleen Brice
25. "Breakneck" by Erica Spindler
26. "Loitering with Intent" by Stuart Woods
27. "Sweet Deception" by Patricia Sargeant
28. "Traitor" by Mark Eller
29. "Excess Baggage" by Sean Gardner
30. "Jena's Choice" by Beverly Scott
31. "Home Repair" by Liz Rosenberg
32. "Married Lovers" by Jackie Collins
33. "The Osiris Alliance" by Jack Ford
34. "Numbers" by Dana Dane
35. "A Misrepresentation of Myself" by Mary E. Gilder
36. "My Husband's Fiance" by Kaira Denee
37. "The Last Block In Harlem" by Christopher Herz
38. "Unsigned Hype" by Booker T. Mattison
39. "Deviations: Covenant" by Elissa Malcohn
40. "Pulling Me Back" G Starr
41. "Flames of Deception" by Marcia Woodruff
42. "Cowgirl Dreams" by Heidi M. Thomas
43. "Don't Hate The Game", Anthology edited by Michael T. Owens
44. "The Magic Bullet" by Andrew Neiderman
45. "Secrets Unveiled" by Sheshena Pledger
46. "Black Dogs" by Jason Buhrmester
47. "East Garrison" by G.M. Weger
48. "Lotto" by Joe McDonald
49. "Fatal Waters" by Iris Moss
50. "Louisa" by Richard Emmel

TOP 50 NON-FICTION TITLES OF 2009

1. "Cheaper" by Rick Doble and Tom Philbin
2. "Down At The Docks" by Rory Nugent
3. "Memories of Times Past" by Marta Hiatt
4. "Satchel" by Larry Tye
5. "The Pixar Touch" by David Price
6. "The Sky Rained Heroes" by Frederick Lacroix
7. "Promotion: Denied" by Joseph Hoffler
8. "A Mighty Long Way" by Carlotta Walls Lanier
9. "Young Professional's Guide To Success" by Ryan Kohnen
10. "Hope, Change and Obama" by Norma Lavonne Smith
11. "Step Out On Nothing" by Byron Pitts
12. "Leaving Johnny Behind" by Anthony Pedriana
13. "My Goodness: My Kids" by Nesta Aharoni
14. "The Catch" by Gary Myers
15. "Angels Among Us... Even In Iraq" Diane Hassan
16. "Innocent War" by Susan Violante
17. "Brothers Kept Apart" by Walter Phillips
18. "Moonwalk" by Michael Jackson
19. "Cancer Vixen" by Maria Acocella Marchetto
20. "The Smartest Way To Save" by Samuel K. Freshman and Heidi Clingen
21. "Parallel Play" by Tim Page
22. "One and The Same" by Abigail Pogrebin
23. "In My Heart" by Ursula Hanks
24. "Lessons For The Living" by Stan Goldberg
25. "The Anatomy Of Buzz Revisited" by Emanuel Rosen
26. "Shattered Reality" by Kimberly Cheryl
27. "Babe Ruth and The Baseball Curse" by David A. Kelly
28. "The Weight Of Silence" by Shelley Seale
29. "The First 30 Seconds" by Stephen Armstrong
30. "The Happiness Factor" by Kirk Wilkinson
31. "Trust God and Buy Broccoli" by Gerri Helms
32. "The American Evolution" by Matt Harrison
33. "Giants Among Men" by Jack Cavanaugh
34. "Border Crosser" by Johnny Rico
35. "Man-Up" by Ricky Spann
36. "Living In The Rear View Mirror" by Kim Vazquez
37. "Looking For Closure" by Maria Stewart
38. "She and I" by Michael R. Brown
39. "My Heart Has Wings" by Kris King
40. "Step By Step" by Bertie Bowman
41. "Miracle On The Hudson" by William Prochnau and Laura Parker
42. "Perseverance" by Carolyn Robenstein
43. "We Were Relentless" by Martin J. Levin
44. "Bittersweet Journey" by Anthony Littlefield
45. "Look Me In The Eye" by John Elder Robison
46. "You Gotta Dance" by Bryant Daluz
47. "Lucy's Story" by Larry Hamilton
48. "Shh...Don't Tell" by M. A. Moorer
49. "Hidden Butterflies" by Nikki Ransom
50. "Red Grange" by Gary Andrew Poole

Missed our list from the past years? You will find them at www.thebestbookclub.info.

The Literary Community Unites To Promote A National Day of Reading In Each State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Literary Community Unites To Promote A National Day of Reading In Each State

Contact: Cyrus A. Webb, Founder of The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign

cawebb4@juno.com / 601.896.5616



Earlier this year, ABC News reported that over 30 million Americans ages 16 and up were unable to read or write well. This proves what many have said for some time: Illiteracy is an epidemic that is spreading daily, claiming victims of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds.

Shadow Play Entertainment, Conversations Book Club, The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign and their literary partners are excited to announce a historic event geared towards sharing the gift of reading and books across the United States under a show of united support in each state. On Saturday, November 21, 2009 between the hours of 10-6p.m., The Write Stuff founder and host Cyrus A. Webb is working with others in scheduling Reading Parties (see http://tinyurl.com/readingparties ) throughout the country geared towards 1) speaking in one voice in support of encouraging reading, 2) supporting local authors and their books and 3) providing a positive outlet that is sometimes overlooked with all the chaos going on in the world around us.

Each Reading Party will be designed for that particular area by that particular area. Webb and his supporters will only act as a means to promote the event and help strategize where their is a need for assistance. During the time frame selected by each Reading Party, there will be booksignings, book discussions or whatever seems appropriate to that host. The events are part of the Art, Books & Beats movement (www.artbooksandbeats.com) which combines the power of visual/literary art, books and music. Those participating will be listed online at www.thewritestufftv.com identified by their state along with what type of event they are hosting as well as the time of their event. All Reading Parties are free to the public.

If you are in a position to do so, The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign is asking that you bring a new or used book to the event you attend. Book donations will benefit CityKids Foundation, Common Ground Foundation, Everybody Wins, Reading Tree, Adele's Literacy Library and NEA's "Read Across America".

Have questions about this National Day of Reading? Are you an author, book lover, book club or entertainer that would like to coordinate an event in connection with our historic literary event? Contact Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

(Sun. Oct. 11th on Conversations LIVE! Radio): C-Murder: The Man, The Music, The Movement & The Mission

A CONVERSATIONS LIVE! RADIO EXCLUSIVE...

(NOTE: To listen to the show live online visit this link: http://tinyurl.com/krvl39)
In August 2009 he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Before and after the verdict opinions and even jokes about the platinum-selling recording artist/bestselling author were found in conversations, on television, radio and all over the internet. You've heard the rumors and read the headlines, but who really is the man born Corey Miller but who came to fame as C-Murder? On Sunday, October 11, 2009 @ 6p.m. CST (7p.m. EST/4p.m. PT) we examine that question and more in this special 90-minute live presentation that you will find nowhere else...

C. A. Webb Presents... "C-Murder: The Man, The Music, The Movement & The Mission"

Hosted by Conversations LIVE! Radio host Cyrus A. Webb, the discussion will begin at 6p.m. CST (7p.m. EST/4p.m. PT) with an in-depth interview with Kernell Reynolds, VP of TRU Records. He will talk about the man he knows as Corey Miller, what music meant to him, how they dealt with the controversy around C-Murder and how TRU will continue on while their President is away. Reynolds will also discuss the things being said about Miller and talk about what he hopes people will take away from his career, his commitment to the people of New Orleans and young people in general as well as how he encourages Cee's fans to continue the work he has begun.

This discussion will be followed up at 6:30p.m. CST (7:30p.m. EST/4:30p.m. PT) when Webb will talk with authors Jermnine Demouchette (JAMES DEMOUCHETTE VS. THE STATE OF TEXAS and Mr. Mean Mug (TATTOO TEARS), both of whom were inspired by C-Murder's desire to overcome bad with good and became writers because of his example.


Lastly, Webb will discuss C-Murder's bestselling novel DEATH AROUND THE CORNER and address these issues which are discussed in the book:
* Why is hate something that has to be addressed early in life before it festers and grows in ones heart?
* What happens after you die? Do we all have guardian angels that want to help us do what is right?
* When it comes to hiphop, can it break down the racial barriers that exist?
* To what extent do you show loyalty to those who you feel as though have been with you through the good and the bad?
* When we hear someone has been arrested or charged with a crime, do we automatically assume their guilt?
* At what age should youth be educated about sex, pregnancy and how you get sexually transmitted diseases?
* When it comes to the truth, is everything always cut and dry--- black and white?
* The book has what is considered a "mercy killing" by some. How do you feel about it and can you understand the reasoning behind it?
* Is abortion ever a solution in a relationship between consentual adults? What if the two were using some form of protection and it failed?
* When it comes to people like Pam (one of Daquan's sexual partners), what does it show for the reason why some young ladies are quick to have sex with the "bad boy" or "rough neck" on the block?

Webb will be taking YOUR CALLS AS WELL, so this is one show you don't want to miss! Save the date: Sunday, October 11, 2009. To listen to the show live online visit this link: http://tinyurl.com/krvl39 . For more information, contact Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.


RELATED ARTICLES
10/07---"Mississippi should be honored": C-Murder Visit to Mississippi in Oct. 2007
“The TRU Story of How Conversations Partnered with Platinum-selling Recording Artist /Bestselling author C-Murder” by Herschel Dixon with Stanley Clark of For The People Productions
"Book Club President Vows To Continue The Dialogue Started by Platinum-Selling Recording Artist/Bestselling Author C-Murder"

New league of comic book superheroes bring message of hope and change to the world

New league of comic book superheroes bring message of hope and change to the world
By Cyrus A. Webb


At a time when the world is dealing with a recession, high umemployment, problems with illiteracy, teen pregnancies and other day-to-day situations, a new comic book series brings not only entertainment but a powerful message for those young and old.

The Legend of LIONMAN and the SEVEN KURODOS is the first culturally diverse league of Superheros with education as a focus. The series was created to inspire, delight, uplift and educate millions of children and adults all over the world. LIONMAN and his culturally diverse team of young superheroes perform heroic and moral deeds, both real and fictional, to help create a better world.

"We all need a Superhero to help us stand strong and make good choices," says LIONMAN founder, Grand Master Eric O'Neal, Sr. "This series of stories will help students strengthen their self-esteem and make appropriate choices in life."

Grand Master Eric O' Neal, Sr. has been an integral presence in martial arts for over 30 years and has been working with the youth of New Orleans for over 20 of those 30 years as a Grand Master of Karate. Raised in the Desire housing project and introduced to martial arts at a young age, Master O' Neal grew up admiring Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris for their outstanding contributions to the world and aspired to be amongst their ranks. At the age of eleven, he won his first karate tournament in Lake Charles, Louisiana and went on to win the All South National Karate Championship for three years straight. And this was only the beginning. Soon after, Master O' Neal embarked upon his travels throughout the country, competing and winning hundreds of coveted titles.

When Lionman was officially introduced early in 2009, it was with the message that change was not only possible. It was here. O'Neal has been taken advantage of every opportunity to share the hope that Lionman brings, going to colleges and universities as well as sharing his students and teachings at powerful venues such as the Essence Music Festival. Whether it is speaking to a small group of hungry individuals in the inner city or traveling to California to be a keynote speaker at the Masters' Karate Hall of Fame, there is no place the mission of Lionman will not reach.

O'Neal has already implemented the skills taught by the superheroes in his programs in New Orleans, LA, but that is only the beginning. He is taking the project nationwide and beyond. He explains: "In the near future LIONMAN and the SEVEN KURODOS will provide an online tutorial program (located through www.thelegendoflionman.com) where students can receive help via the website in various school subjects from pre-k through 12th grade. Students can receive wise counsel and support with problems that arise in school, at play, at home or within themselves to guide them in making good, appropriate choices. In addition, we have created positive songs that instruct kids in their decision making process."

The ancient legend of LIONMAN is a timeless saga that teaches lifelong lessons, amidst the drama and turmoil of the 21st century. Join us as we join forces to help our children begin to say, "Yes I Can!"

Grandmaster Eric O'Neal joins Shadow Play Entertainment and its family of authors encluding Tray Chaney (The Truth You Can't Betray), Jacki-O (Grown & Gangsta), Jermnine Demouchette (James Demouchette VS. The State of Texas), Mr. Mean Mug (Tattoo Tears) and Sherry Hill (The Marquise Hill Story) in promoting literacy worldwide.

To find more more information about The Legend of Lionman, visit www.thelegendoflionman.com. To see how you can bring Grandmaster Eric O'Neal and the program to your area or have him speak at an upcoming event, contact Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@Juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Jermnine Demouchette: Using Family History of Crime and Tragedy to Offer Hope and Advice

Jermnine Demouchette: Using Family History of Crime and Tragedy to Offer Hope and Advice by Cyrus A. Webb

(NOTE: Jermnine Demouchette appeared as a guest on Conversations LIVE! Radio on Wednesday, September 16, 2009. You can hear the exclusive interview here: http://tobtr.com/s/699262 .)
Jermnine Demouchette is a man who understands what it means to appreciate every day of his life. The 34 year old Houston, Texas resident spends much of his time today with his family and marketing his book JAMES DEMOUCHETTE VS. THE STATE OF TEXAS. Though he appreciates each day and looks forward to a promising future, he understands that this is a luxury that many in his family have not had the privilege to do.

His book is a perfect example of that. It chronicles the life of his brother, James Demouchette, and the life that he lived which resulted in his being convicted of murder and executed in 1992.

“I grew up in Houston, TX,” Jermnine says, “but there wasn’t a lot of violence around me at that time.” Being the baby of 14 children, though, he saw several members of his family fall victim to crime throughout his life. “I know my daddy used to drink, and when he did he could be abusive to the kids,” says Demouchette. “He also used to lash out at animals and abuse them as well. My oldest brother was a pimp years ago. He is now a family man who has learned from the mistakes and decisions of his past. Another brother was convicted of bank robbery in 1982. He is scheduled to be released in Oct. 2009. My oldest sister’s son (my nephew) has been sentenced to 50 years in jail for murder, and I have another brother that has a life sentence, too.”

Jermnine’s father passed away in 1983. His momma remarried in 1985.

When it comes to his brother James Demouchette, Jermnine seems at a loss as to how to explain the man he became. “I’m not sure why James turned out the way he did,” he says. “I do know that he got his first gun when he was seven years old, and it seemed as though he always had one after that. James’ life was a revolving door in and out of prison. Before the murders in 1976 that eventually were the cause of his being executed, he had gone to jail in 1970 for burglary and was out on parole in 1974.”

Unlike the reform that it offers many, James’ crime spree continued even behind bars. He was cited many times for fights and even committed rapes and murders while in prison. Taking on the name Doom, the young man was described in turn by prison officials as the meanest man on death row.

Jermnine said that in conversations with her son his Momma found out more about how James felt about his life while locked up. “When he returned to prison and was sentenced to die,” he says, “James told Ma that he had been raped. Explaining why he was abusing other inmates he told her ‘It’s either going to be them or me.’ Later he would say that the things he was doing was ‘not something I wanted to do but had to do.’” Jermnine pauses and then adds: “He also told ma that he felt as though he was Satan’s child.” She last saw her son James in 1988.

James Demouchette was executed on September 23, 1992 after the United States Supreme Court twice declined to intervene. The 37-year-old inmate had no final statement, but his lawyers had argued that psychological tests describing him as a sociopath should have been introduced at his trial.

His life of crime included stabbing a fellow prisoner to death and wounding three guards during his 15 years on death row. The loss of Jermnine's brother was compounded by the death of his mother just three weeks later after a long fight with cancer.

To date 20,000 copies of JAMES DEMOUCHETTE VS. THE STATE OF TEXAS have been sold online, in select bookstores and through person-to-person marketing. It is getting the attention of people in the streets, those in the public eye like international rapper Slim Thug (seen here) as well as individuals all over the country.
Why did Jermnine decide to write the book and release it now? “I was inspired by C-Murder’s book DEATH AROUND THE CORNER when it came out in 2006,” he says. “Cee wrote about things I could relate to, and I knew that if he could use his experiences to write something that powerful then so could I. In 2007 I got over 700 Disciplinary Records about my brother from the Attorney General, and after reading through them I knew that this was something I had to share with the world. I wanted them to see exactly how things can happen.”

In sharing the rocky background of his family, Jermnine Demouchette is not afraid to share details about his own life in the process. “I’m not perfect. Though I never killed anyone, I got into trouble and was locked up in 2005 for theft and credit card abuse and served nine months. That taught me a lot. I didn’t want to turn out like my brother. I don’t care how hard you are, how gangsta you are or how much of a man you think you are, jail is a place that no one wants to be. I am hoping to use my story to help influence kids in a positive way. A life of crime is not fun and games. That is not a life that anyone should want, or that I would want for anyone.”

To find out more about Jermnine Demouchette visit http://www.myspace.com/jamesdemouchette. To schedule the authors for interviews or events, contact Cyrus A. Webb either at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

C. A. Webb Presents... "Separate But Equal: African American Authors in Today's Bookstores, Part 2"

Join Cyrus A. Webb of Conversations Book Club and Conversations LIVE! Radio for Part 2* of his discussion "Separate But Equal: African American Authors in Today's Bookstores". Joining Webb will be authors Evie Rhodes, Carleen Brice, Joey Pinkney, Tony Lindsay and Roy Glenn.

The discussion will take place live on Sunday, September 13, 2009 @ 6p.m CST (7p.m. EST/4p.m. PT) for the hour and will include your thoughts through the phone line and chatroom. Among the issues talked about will be the following:

1)How do you think a segregated section has affected your sales and audience personally?
2)How is any form of segregation accepted today as a "good thing"?
3)For readers who say it provides convenience, is it really just a sign of laziness that is negatively affecting book sales?
4)What role does the publisher play in making the playing field in bookstores more level?
5)How far are you willing to go to reach out to a wider audience of readers?

To listen to the show live and let your voice be heard, simply tune in to Conversations LIVE! Radio at this link: http://tinyurl.com/lasbje Want to email questions or comments for the panel? Send them to Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or leave them on his voicemail service at 601.896.5616.


*If you missed part two of this important topic with authors Gloria Mallette, Bernice McFadden and Margaret Johnson Hodge, visit this link: http://tobtr.com/s/673420 . Previous episodes of Conversations LIVE! Radio can be found here.

Our Conversation With Terry E. Hill, author of INSIDE THE FALL

He has been called my some the next E. Lynn Harris, but the path for Terry E. Hill to superstar status as an author has been slow in coming. The power he has for the craft, however, could not be stronger. His debut novel INSIDE THE FALL has been repackaged, and now may be just the thing he needed to blaze his own trail on the bestseller's list.

TERRY, THANK YOU FOR TAKING OUT THE TIME TO TALK WITH CONVERSATIONS. THERE IS SO MUCH I WANT TO LET OUR READERS KNOW ABOUT YOUR BOOK INSIDE THE FALL, BUT I WANT TO FIRST INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.
There's really not much to tell. I, by design, live a very simple and uncomplicated life. I'm 46 years old and a native of Southern California. For the last 10 years I've lived in Oakland California. I am recently separated from my partner of 15 years who is still my best friend. We co-parent our two dogs Parker and AJ. I have worked in the social services industry for over 15 years as a director of homeless programs and as an advisor to the Mayor of San Francisco on homelessness and poverty issues. I attend the theater as much as possible. The last play I saw was Gem of the Ocean. Loved it but fell asleep and missed half of the second act. I'll watch any Woody Allen until the grooves rub off the DVD and, I might be the only person in the country who loved Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct 2.

THE BOOK WE ARE FOCUSING ON IN THIS INTERVIEW IS ACTUALLY YOUR FIRST NOVEL. WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU WERE EVEN INTERESTED IN WRITING? AND TAKING THAT INTEREST INTO ACTUALLY WRITING A NOVEL? HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT? I discovered writing relatively late in my life. I wrote Inside The Fall when I turned 40. One Sunday morning my partner and I were in Church waiting for the service to start. While waiting I mentioned something that happened at work. He thought it was interesting and suggested that I write it down. The following Monday morning I naively sat down at the computer and began to write what I thought would be a short story. Three months later I had the first draft of Inside The Fall.

BEING A FORMER POLICY ADVISOR TO THE MAYOR OF SAN FRANCISCO DEFINITELY GAVE YOU ALOT OF BACKGROUND INTO WHAT WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME A FIRST NOVEL. WERE YOU AFRAID OF PEOPLE WHO KNEW YOU OR KNEW OF YOU TRYING TO FIND WHAT TRUTH THERE MIGHT BE IN YOUR FICTIONALIZED ACCOUNT?
Never. As you said, it is a work of fiction. Even though I had access to situations that gave me the opportunity to observe politicians in action, none of that ended up in the book. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have a pretty vivid imagination. Once I had formed the personality of a character in my mind, they took on a life of their own. The characters become independent of my experience which allowed me to passively observe how they behaved in a given situation. For example, Elijah Farrow, the Mayor of San Francisco, is the most dominant character in the book. His personality is a composite of powerful men I've known, including my father. I had a clear picture of who Elijah was before I wrote the first word. His personality dictated his behavior. I became a voyeur. Some of the things Elijah did even shocked me.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE CLOSE TO YOU, TERRY. WHEN YOU SHARED WITH MAYBE FAMILY AND FRIENDS YOUR PLANS TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT WERE THEIR THOUGHTS?
Let's start with my Mother. I didn't tell her about the book until it was actually published. I sent her a copy and the first question she asked was "Is this book about you?" To her relief I said no. While writing the manuscript I had two friends read it as I progressed. My hidden motive in having them read it was to get them to say "Poor delusional Terry. Why are you wasting you time on this?" so I could pack up my lap top and get on with my life. Neither of them said it though. Instead they pushed me to write more. So I was stuck. Chained to the computer by their seemingly insatiable need to find out how the story would end.

AFTER YOU HAD FINISHED WRITING INSIDE THE FALL, HOW DID YOU DECIDE WHAT PATH YOU WOULD TAKE AS FAR AS PRESENTING IT TO THE WORLD?
Writing the book was the easy part. It took me a year to find an agent and another six months for her to find a publisher. Then there was another six month wait for the book to come out. Since then I've had two great publicist who got exposure for the book.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU, TERRY, THAT I TRY TO DO AS MUCH RESEARCH AS I CAN ABOUT THE PEOPLE I INTERVIEW BEFORE I TALK TO THEM SO I HAVE A MORE COMPLETE PICTURE OF THEM. IN YOUR CASE IT SEEMS AS THOUGH YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STAY UNDER THE RADAR, SO TO SPEAK. WAS THAT SOMETHING CALCULATED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN MUCH WRITTEN ABOUT YOU? Calculated? I've done everything short of standing naked in front of the White House with a lit sparkler sticking out of every hole in my body to get on the radar. It seems you have to be very rich or very famous to become very rich and very famous. I've had luck with local publication and television interviews that have helped get the word out. Word of mouth has been great. I've probably sold more books just from readers recommending it to friends.





LET'S GET INTO INSIDE THE FALL. FOR ME THE BOOK WAS AN INTRICATE SERIES OF EVENTS THAT WAS STILL AN EASY READ. I WANT TO BEGIN BY TALKING ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL ANTAGONIST, CAMILLE FARROW. DID YOU KNOW WHEN YOU WERE CONTRUCTING THE STORY THAT SHE WOULD HAVE THE QUALITIES THAT WE DISCOVERED ABOUT HER?
Not completely. Camille, the mayor's wife, evolved with the story. You know when you first meet her that she is capable of stooping pretty low to get what she wants. But as the story progresses you begin to wonder if she even has a soul. She's not someone you'd want to run into in a dark alley. She was a fun surprise for me. You either love her or hate her. There's no in-between.

WHAT ABOUT HOW IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IN THE END SHE HAD A CHANGE OF HEART?
Without question, my favorite character is Camille Farrow. She's manipulative, power-hungry and conniving but there are hints throughout the book that she has another side; a side that cares deeply about the plight of disenfranchised people; a side that loves her man even though she outed him and inadvertently contributed to his suicide. She's also vulnerable, lonely and afraid. One has to admire, and in this case, fear a woman who believes so passionately in her goals that she is willing to go to such great lengths to achieve them. I believe she strikes a chord with the book's readers. They feel it socially correct to hate her but I suspect most secretly relate to and are intrigued by her.

THE BACK OF THE BOOK GIVES AWAY THE CRITICAL ELEMENT OF THE STORY WHICH IS THAT THE MAYOR HAS A MALE LOVER. WHAT I FIND INTRIGUING ABOUT IT IS WOULD IT HAVE BEEN HANDLED DIFFERENTLY BY THOSE ON HIS STAFF IF HE HAD A DIFFERENT DEMEANOR?
I think the only way the situation would have been handled differently by staff is if they had found out before the media. The mayor could have been a serial killer who specialized in nuns, but if the media didn't know about it the staff would have simply scheduled his appointments around his killing sprees.

AND DORIAN SINCLAIR? HOW ARE WE TO SEE HIM IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT HE BECAME A WILLING PARTICIPANT IN AN AFFAIR, REGARDLESS WHETHER IT WAS WITH A MAN OR WOMAN?
People are complex and Dorian, like all characters in the book has a flaw or flaws. The good in Dorian definitely outweighs the bad. Even though he is a willing participant you can't help but feel a little sorry for him.

CYNTHIA FULTON AND SANDRA KELLY ARE ALSO PIVOTAL CHARACTERS IN MY OPINION. THEY BOTH REPRESENT EXTREME LOYALTY, YET THE HUMAN DESIRE TO WANT TO EXCEL. IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, DO FIND THAT WE NORMALLY FALL IN THE SAME CATEGORIES AS THEY DO WHEN IT'S SOMETHING WE BELIEVE IN?
I made every attempt to construct each character as a multifaceted, multi-dimensional entity. No one is all good or all bad in real like and I tried to do the same in the book. Loyalty and ambition on the surface appear paradoxical. But as you have observed they can, and often times do, exist in the same person. What we see in the book is the internal struggle between these two very powerful forces.

I NOTICED IN THE DEDICATION YOU MENTIONED THOSE WHO "HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES, RESOURCES, CAREERS AND PASSIONS TO SERVING PEOPLE LESS FORTUNATE THAN THEMSELVES." IN INSIDE THE FALL, DO YOU THINK THE REAL VICTIMS WERE THE CHARACTERS WE GOT TO KNOW, OR THE HOMELESS PEOPLE AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE AT THEIR MERCY?
In my opinion everyone in the book, is to some extent, a victim and victimizer.

I FINISHED THE BOOK, TERRY, WITH THE THOUGHT THAT THEIR WERE REALLY SEVERAL "FALLS". WOULD YOU AGREE? You are correct. No one emerges unscathed. For me, "Inside The Fall" is about the demystification of high profile, very powerful American icons. Like many people, I am attracted to men and women who have the ability to accumulate power. It is an admirable skill to be able to convince the masses that you possess some special ability, insight, or absolute sense of what is right simply through the artful manipulation of words and force of your personality. "Inside the Fall" is my attempt to transform two bigger-than-life characters into multi-faceted, complex and vulnerable human beings who, behind closed doors, hurt, cry, hate, make mistakes, fall in love, and fail just like everyone else.

THE BLURB ON THE FRONT OF YOUR BOOK BY TERRIS MCMAHAN GRIMES CALLS YOU "THE NEXT E. LYNN HARRIS." THAT IS A HUGE HONOR AND GREAT PRAISE TO LIVE UP TO. HOW DOES SOMETHING LIKE THAT MAKE YOU FEEL AND WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT YOUR BOOK?
It felt great when I saw the cover for the first time. I am a big fan of E. Lynn Harris's work. The best comment a reviewer made was that she skipped a concert because she didn't want to stop reading it. The worst thing said was that it was "clunky". I'm not sure what that means but I don't like the sound of anything "clunky". Considering the source it might have been a compliment.

FINDING A BOOK LIKE YOURS THAT IS BOTH ENTERTAINING AND THAT ADDRESSES SOCIAL ISSUES IS NOT AN EASY FIND ALL THE TIME. DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE SET A NEW STANDARD WITH YOUR TYPE OF WRITING?
I'm glad you found it to be an entertaining. And yes I did try to make a social statement; but, I would never see myself as a trend setter.

WHO ARE SOME OF THE AUTHORS YOU HAVE ENJOYED READING?
I don't like to read any writer whose sole mission is to remind me of all that is negative in the world. I'd don't need to read about it because I see in everyday. I also have grown weary of books that chronicle how tough it is to be anything that I am. Black, Baptist, gay, etc. Trust me I already know about it. I leave those type books to those folks who are White, straight and atheists and in need of enlightenment. I'm a big mystery fan. Chester Himes, P.D. James, Louis Edwards, Agatha Christie, and Eleanor Taylor Bland are some of my favorites.

AND YOUR NEXT BOOK? IS IT ALREADY IN THE WORKS? WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON?
Inside The Fall is the first book in a series of three about powerful African American men and the troubles they face in relationships. I've just finished the first draft of my next book Come Sunday Morning. It is the story of a wealthy and charismatic Pastor in Los Angeles whose wife has him assassinated so she can take over his church and television ministry.

I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT CAMILLE FARROW WILL DO SINCE THINGS DIDN'T WORK OUT EXACTLY HOW SHE ORIGINALLY PLANNED. DO YOU THINK YOU WILL REVISIT HER AGAIN?
I didn't plan to write a sequel but at every book signing, someone wants to know what will be Camille's fate. Will she be the first female African American mayor of San Francisco? Will she suffer the tragic end they feel she deserves? Will she have an affair with Sandra? So there will be a sequel to Inside The Fall but it won't be released until the trilogy is complete.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS, TERRY?
First I would say to write about what you know. If you knit write about knitting. If you live in Dowagiac Michigan, then place your story in Dowagiac Michigan. If you've lost a spouse then write about the pain of losing a spouse. Also, don't delude yourself into thinking that because you have a good idea or story line that a publisher will overlook poor writing, because they won't. If you can't structure a sentence and clearly convey and idea you should take a course. And finally, edit your work as many times as possible. Then have someone else edit it again before you submit it to publishing houses and agents.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME. HOW CAN OUR READERS FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BOOK INSIDE THE FALL?The book can be found at Barnes and Nobles. If it's not on the shelf just ask for it. It can also be purchased on Amazon.com.