A little over a year ago, I, along with four of my colleagues in the kid-lit industry, joined together to form The Brown Bookshelf – an online community charged with highlighting both established and...ethnic groups. They’re a benefit to the entire industry. And most importantly, good, well-written, diverse books provide the greatest benefits to our end users—children and teens all across the world.

Be sure to check out the chat tonight (Wednesday, July 23) from 9 p.m. - 10 p.m. eastern on the Brown Bookshelf forum about how indie bookstores can work with authors and their local community to ensure their survival. Both Jenn Laughren from Books Inc. and Jaz Vincent, owner of RealEyes Bookstore , will be checking in.

I'm still in the middle of heavy-duty writing and revising (thus my absence from LJ), but I wanted to let everyone know that my interview on The Brown Bookshelf is up today. The Brown Bookshelf... Lisa Graff for her second novel, The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower (hilarious!) and Siobhan Vivian for her debut, A Little Friendly Advice (captivating!) So please check 'em out! :-

Interested in spreading the word about the authors The Brown Bookshelf is highlighting for Black History Month? Look no further than our handy-dandy widget , created by Jacketflap . It's stylish...is Right model, but you've got to admit, those colors are very Brown Bookshelf. But you can customize them, ya know, in case you're into hot pink and chartreuse. And if you are...I'll reserve comment

  Today's the day ! Since receiving that fateful email from Varian Johnson in September, I've been burning the midnight oil with fellow Brown Bookshelf members gearing up for this day. I don't think...that good kind of tired. The kind that comes from knowing you've done something so satisfying, you're too wired to care about being tired. So, go forth and discover , while I get some shut-eye

 I don't. And it's a darn good thing, too, because things have been jumping in my world. I just turned in the final manuscript for That's What's Up! - book three in the Del Rio Bay Clique series. I'm...26 Celise Downs – Dance Jam Productions & Shane Evans- When Harriet Met Sojourner Feb 27 Valerie Wilson Wesley – Willimena Rules!: 23 Ways to mess up Valentine’s Day Feb 28 Sherri L. Smith - Sparro

...and I know it's been a long time since I've posted. I've pretty much come to the realization that, until I finish up a Vermont College, my blogging volume is going to drastically decrease. But the semester.... Again, be sure to check out the blog posts, as we're always adding content. Okay, that's it for now. Maybe I'll have a chance to post another blog this week. But then again, don't hold your breath

I know I've been gone for a while, but with school / the Brown Bookshelf / work / Thanksgiving / life in general, I just haven't had the time to blog. I've got a few things to announce, but first, some...wrong). I've updated the website to list upcoming author appearances , a new blurb from Booklist , and... the first full chapter of the novel ! Take a look, and let me know what you think

Wouldn't you know it? On a day when I really need the widest audience, my Blogging In Black column fell on a weekend. Weekends are tough 'cause, ya' know, people have lives.  But, check out my round table with The Brown Bookshelf members. I mean, it's not like you're getting any work done or anything.  :-)

Mmmm....smell that? It's the scent of something sweet. Wait, wait...no, that's the chocolate on my fingers left over from nibbling on the Princessess' Halloween stash. Ahh...okay, that, that scent...fave, visit now and then to catch up with what's happening in children's literature and submit a name or ten (if you can name that many) of African American authors who are flying under the radar.