Women’s History Month’s Feature: Nikki Giovanni, Renowned Poet, Writer, and Civil Rights Activist

Hello book lovers! In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present to you, renowned poet, writer, civil rights activist and winner of several awards including the Langston Hughes Medal and NAACP Image Award, Nikki Giovanni. She has been dubbed the “Poet of the Black Revolution” for her early work bearing a strong, militant African-American perspective and addressing racial, gender, sexual equality, social and other issues.

She has also written children’s literature, non-fiction essays, and made poetry recordings. Of note, in 2004 she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for her poetry album, The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection, a selection of poems she read against the backdrop of gospel music. She has taught at various universities and is currently a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

A few months ago, I tuned into the Well-Read Black Girl (“WRBG”) Virtual Festival where Giovanni was the keynote speaker. She was in conversation with Glory Edim (Founder, WRBG, a Brooklyn-based online book club). Giovanni delighted her virtual audience with stories about life, love, politics and race. She also talked about her latest book, Make Me Rain: Poems & Prose. During the conversation, she said as writers we should continue with our own growth and not be afraid to contradict ourselves. I needed to hear that. She is truly a trailblazer!

WRITING TIP: When writing poetry remember to write prose structured in a way that is either symbolic and/or rhythmic and conveys imagery of your feelings which evoke different emotions in your readers.

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Interview with Jacqueline Seewald, Author of THE INHERITANCE

Author’s Bio: Multiple award-winning author, Jacqueline Seewald, has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media specialist. Sixteen of her books of fiction have previously been published to critical praise including books for adults, teens and children. Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous anthologies. What inspired you to write your book? I enjoy writing romantic mystery fiction. The idea for this particular novel just seemed to evolve organically from my imagination. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? I would have to say reading the Bible was influential. As far as regular books go, I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and

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Poet’s Bio: Jahi Minkah Trotter was born in Atlanta, GA, and moved to Alabama when he was six years old. He has been writing poetry since he was 11 years old. He has written two poetry books: It Was Already Written (2016) and Adapting To Life: Poems and Quotes by Jahi Minkah Trotter (2020). He developed a love for filmmaking while receiving his bachelor's degree in social science. Jahi decided to continue his quest for filmmaking at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, GA. During his final two years at SCAD, Jahi was encouraged by his professors to go into acting while continuing to work behind the camera as well. This was a crucial time for Jahi. He lost his father in 2019 a month before taking an elective acting class that lead him into acting. He lost his mother in 2021 and continues to act and create films, including his thesis film "The Last Job," in which he acted and starred in. Jahi graduated with a master's degree in film and television from S

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Debbie Stokes, author of The Stranger He Knew

Author’s Bio: Debbie Stokes was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She has always had a desire to be a published author of a fiction novel, but fear stopped her. She often shares how her story ideas come to her in her dreams, and how she jumps up to write them down. Finally, one day, she pushed past her fear and allowed her vision to come to past. She is now a published author, and The Stranger He Knew is her first book. Debbie is a former CEO, blogger, and interviewer for her previous women's empowerment blog called, 3 Women Voices, where she shared empowering stories of how people overcame odds to live their best lives. She is also a former contributing writer for FEMI Magazine, a cultural lifestyle magazine, where she interviewed and shared people’s stories. When not writing, she enjoys singing, dancing, inspiring others, and spending time with family. Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? Debbie Stokes: That is a funny story. One day, I went

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