CBC Updated Schedule, New Authors to MS

Everyday the mission of the Conversations Book Club is realized---and it wouldn't be possible without you. Thanks to a close alliance with For The People Productions, more people have been finding out about the new channel to connecting readers with the authors they love. Nothing made that more clear as when CONVERSATIONS BOOK CLUB took the Number 1 and Number 2 spot for most searched Book Clubs in Mississippi on Google Search Engines! (See this press release that appeared on Mississippi Political website: http://www.mississippipolitical.com/conversations.htm

Now we are pleased to pass on more valuable information! Please note that the schedule for the 2007 authors has been updated on the right side of this site, and you are sure to notice some obvious exciting additions. Here's a recap:

After the Carl Weber on Tuesday, January 23, 2007, the book club will be enjoying an exclusive conference call with bestselling author Theresa Gonsalves, the real-life "Billy Jean" in Michael Jackson's life. This will take place on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 6p.m. CST at the Medgar Evers Library in Jackson, MS. She will be discussing her book OBSESSIONS that chronicles their relationship and her own obsession that nearly killed her! This is one for the history books--- and Mississippi's CONVERSATIONS BOOK CLUB brings it to you!


In February we have added noted hiphop historian and bestselling author Bakari Kitwana! We first talked to him last year about his book WHY WHY KIDS LOVE HIPHOP. Now we bring him live to Mississippi via conference call to discuss this book, the new VH1 reality program THE (WHITE) RAPPER SHOW and why hiphop has been able to survive through its many evolutions. He'll take your questions on Friday, February 9, 2007 at 6p.m. CST at the Medgar Evers Library.

Our final interview of February 2007 will be another one that will attract both music and book lovers. Conversations Book Club proudly presents hiphop artist/author Corey Miller (aka C-Murder). He will join the book club discussion LIVE via conference call on Tuesday, February 27, 2007--- and this is definitely an EXCLUSIVE. Join us at 6p.m. CST as we discuss his life, what led him to read 500 books in 2 years as well as his first novel DEATH AROUND THE CORNER and upcoming album that will be released in March 2007!


Moving into March 2007 we have two surprises to our impressive roster. First, we will be hosting National Bestselling author Reshonda Tate Billingsley to Mississippi for a three-day tour of the state with Conversations Book Club. Capitalizing on our statewide appeal, We will be participating in the Grand Opening of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter in Meridian on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, hosting book signings in Jackson on Thursday, March 15, 2007 and then visiting libraries and holding a forum on Friday, March 16, 2007! Look for more details soon. Thanks Reshonda for answering the call to encourage the love of books in our state!

LAST but certainly not least, Conversations Book Club ends the month of March 2007 with an incredible development: Bestselling author K. Elliott, one of the hottest voices in Urban Fiction who has signed a deal with G-UNIT BOOKS (headed by 50 Cent in a partnership with Pocket Books) will be in Mississippi Friday, March 30th and Saturday, March 31, 2007 in a carefully-scheduled series of events brought to you by Conversations Book Club. Keep visiting the site, www.thebestbookclub.info for all the details.

"CONVERSATIONS BOOK CLUB Spearheads Aggressive Fight Against Illiteracy in Mississippi"

"CONVERSATIONS BOOK CLUB Spearheads Aggressive Fight Against Illiteracy in Mississippi"

Contact: Stanley Clark, President
For The People Productions
forthepeopleproductions@yahoo.com
www.thebestbookclub.info
773.344.7220

After introducing itself in December 2006 with an exclusive interview with bestselling author Carl Weber via conference call at Medgar Evers Library, Conversations Book Club (aka CBC) let it be known that it was not going to be just another discussion group. Not only does it tackle books that are relevant to events of the day, but CBC also allows its members and visitors to talk directly to the author (either in person or via conference call) at each session, thus enhancing the conversation. Conversations Book Club teamed up with the Medgar Evers Library (Jackson, MS) to make this accessible to all who are 18 and up and interested in participating. The book club meets on Tuesdays and Fridays at the library, each day at 6p.m. (see website www.thebestbookclub.info for a complete schedule of events and authors.)

"It was important for CBC to be something anyone would want to attend," says Stanley Clark, 34, President of For The People Productions, the public relations firm that is working with the fledging book club. "Thanks to Ms. Turner at the (Medgar Evers) Library, it we have already had two successful book discussions with two bestselling authors." (The second one was on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 with author Nancy Bush, author of "Candy Apple Red" and "Electric Blue.")

The main goal of Conversations Book Club is to make reading interesting for young adults as well as those who have been longtime readers. "When you are reading a book how many of us have wanted to ask the author what they were thinking when they wrote something or created a character? With Conversations Book Club, book lovers can do just that. It has even partnered with Waldens Bookstore (Metrocenter) and Wal-Mart superstores in Hinds and Rankin County to bring these authors to the masses when they are in town.

According to published statistics Mississippi still ranks high in illiteracy cases. As the Conversations Book Club selects its authors that is kept in the forefront: to promote reading and the enjoyment that can come from books. Though most of the authors the book club discusses are joining the discussions via conference call, some are taking the extra step and actually visiting Mississippi to support the work of Conversations. Confirmed visitors to the state include bestselling authors Carl Weber (Tuesday, January 23, 2007), Keith Lee Johnson (Friday, March 9, 2007), Mary B. Morrison (Friday, April 4th and Saturday, April 21st, 2007), Clarence Nero (Friday, June 8th and Saturday, June 9th, 2007), Jihad (Friday, July 27th and Saturday, July 28th), Travis Hunter (Friday, August 10th and Saturday, August 11th) and Victoria Christopher Murray (Friday, September 7th and Saturday, September 8th).

"There is something for everyone," Clark explains. "We don't want to exclude anyone who enjoys books or wishes to learn more about the authors we are discussing." The book club is free to join, however, purchasing books are the responsibility of each member. Each discussion does include a book giveaway by that author. "At the end of the day, Conversations just wants to do its part in helping others enjoy the power of the written word."

Conversations will end the month of January 2007 will be on the 26th with an exclusive telephone interview with bestselling author Theresa Gonsalves, the real life "Billy Jean" of Michael Jackson's popular song. She will be discussing her book OBSESSIONS that chronicles her friendship with the pop star and her own obsession that nearly killed her.

During the month of February 2007, Conversations Book Club will use its influence with authors to highlight the importance of self-awareness. It is being heralded as "Know Thyself Month" for the book club. This will feature EXCLUSIVE interviews with authors HICKSON (whose book of poetry GHETTO HEAT has been featured on the hit series The Wire), Bakari Kitwana (whose book WHY WHITE KIDS LOVE HIPHOP has been highly praised on BET, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC), Mary B. Morrison (the erotic storyteller of SOMEBODY'S GOTTA BE ON TOP and co-wrote SHE AIN'T THE ONE with Carl Weber), Derrick L. Briggs (whose innovative Book Club "BOOKS ARE SEXY" has gained attention for targeting men, especially same-gender-loving-men, to read) and Gloria Mallette (the National bestselling author of WHAT'S DONE IN THE DARK and IF THERE BE PAIN.)

For more information about the book club and upcoming events, visit www.thebestbookclub.info or contact Stanley Clark at 773.344.7220.

Conversations Book Clubs Kicks off 2007 with a BANG!

Ladies and gentlemen: If you weren't a part of the interview/discussion with bestselling author Nancy Bush on Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at the Medgar Evers Library then you really missed out! Conversations Book Club hosted her first interview of the year--- and what an interview it was! Look for more of it to be posted here later this month. Thanks again, Nancy, for being such a good sport with us! We appreciate the opportunity to be your first interview of the new year and hope it set the standard for those coming after us. (www.nancybush.net)

To our loyal online supporters we have a nice surprise for you: the domain name to get to us is now SHORTER. You can now just type in what we are: www.thebestbookclub.info ...

Our next event will feature bestselling author Eric Pete (www.ericpete.com). He will be with Conversations on Saturday, January 13, 2007. This will begin with a booksigning at Wal-Mart on HWY 18 in Jackson, MS and conclude with dinner at Real Roots in Pickens, MS. For details, visit http://realrootsbarandgrill.blogspot.com

After that, make sure you prepare yourself for the arrival of the "Prince of Drama", Mr. Carl Weber himself (www.carlweber.net). That is going to be one for the record books for Conversations Book Club and the state of Mississippi.

Want more? Then return to the Medgar Evers Library on Friday, January 26th at 6p.m. CST for an exclusive interview with the real-life "Billy Jean" from Michael Jackson's hit song: Theresa Gonsalves! She will be discussing her book OBSESSIONS, talking Michael Jackson and answering YOUR questions. Admission free.

Thank you for supporting Conversations Book Club: All Bestselling authors. All the time.

Urban Fiction, Drama, Erotica and Internal Struggles top list of CONVERSATIONS book discussions in 2007

Conversations Book Club (CBC) is committed to bringing you the authors you want and the books you can't get enough of. Over the weekend up until today---Monday, January 8, 2007---the moderator of the book club has been busy confirming author discussions and visits that are sure to educate, entertain and inform.

The listing of authors to be discussed has been updated on the right side of this site. Additions include the following:


Carl Weber (the "Prince of Drama" will be spending the day with the Conversations Book Club on Tuesday, January 23, 2007) --- www.carlweber.net




HICKSON (will be discussing his projects to encourage urban youth as well as his life as a hip-hopreneur in February 2007) --- www.ghettoheat.com




Keith Lee Johnson (will be visiting the Conversations Book Club in March 2007 and debuting the new chapter in Alabama) --- www.keithleejohnson.com



Mary "Honey B" Morrison (will be visiting the Conversations Book Club in April 2007) --- www.marymorrison.com





M. W. Moore (will be discussing the power of inner struggles in April 2007) --- www.forwhatihateido.com




Clarence Nero (will be visiting Conversations Book Club in June 2007)--- www.clarencenero.com




Jihad (will be visiting the Conversations Book Club in July 2007) --- www.jihadwrites.com




Travis Hunter (will be visiting the Conversations Book Club in August 2007) --- www.travishunter.com




Victoria Christopher Murray (will be visiting the Conversations Book Club in September 2007) --- www.victoriachristophermurray.com




Terry E. Hill (will be visiting the Conversations Book Club in October 2007 to discuss his political drama INSIDE THE FALL)



Continue to visit this site and look for the "official" domain name of the Conversations Book Club shortly, as it will do much to show the "best" of what we are doing.

CONVERSATIONS EXCLUSIVE! TYLER PERRY: Building success from pain

Playwright/actor/director Tyler Perry is a man of many faces whose talent has graced the stage and screen. Coming from humble beginnings and becoming a force to be reckoned with as an artist, he sets an example for so many who strive to follow in his path. In 2005 he stunned critics when his movie DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN, based on his like-titled hit play, grossed $50million and sold about 2.4 million in DVDs during its first week of release. In 2006, Perry brought his play MADEA GOES TO JAIL to Mississippi to rave reviews. Perry's first novel, Don't Make a Black Woman Take Her Earrings Off: Madea's Commentaries on Love and Life, hit bookstores last April 11, 2006. The book is written from Madea's point of view, and offers commentary about love, relationships, and family. In its first five days in stores, the book sold more than 25,000 copies to send it up The Book Standard's Nielsen BookScan charts. The hardcover hit Number One on the New York Times Best Seller list and stayed on the list for twelve weeks. It was voted the Book of the Year and Best Humor Book at the 2006 Quill Awards.

The New Orleans native suffered abuse as a child and rejection as an adult, but he drew from his past and is using it to entertain the masses. Perry shares his story in this CONVERSATIONS exclusive.


CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE FROM YOU IN THE BEGINNING.
Lady luck wasn't to me in the beginning. As a poor kid growing up in New Orleans, my childhood was quite depressing due to poverty and physical abuse. I was the middle of four children. I was unhappy and miserable during the first 28 years of my life. The things that I went through as a kid were horrendous. And I carried that into my adult life. I didn't have a catharsis for my childhood pain, most of us don't, and until I learned how to forgive those people and let it go, I was unhappy.

WHAT WAS YOUR THERAPY, IF ANYTHING DURING THIS TIME?
It was writing in my journal. This actually began my career as a playwright. I tell people I was watching the Oprah show one day and she said that it's cathartic to write things down, so I started writing down the stuff that was happening to me. I started using different characters' names, because if someone had found my journal, I didn't want them to know I had been through that kind of stuff. That's how my first play [I Know I've Been Changed] started, which features a character who confronts an abuser, forgives him and moves on.


DID YOU FIND IT WAS EASY TO BE FORGIVING?
It's nothing like real forgiveness, a deep-down forgiveness where you don't hold any grudges against people. I forgave [everybody] for the things they didn't know and for the things they didn't know to do."

HOW DID YOU GO FROM PLAYRIGHT TO ACTUAL PRODUCING YOUR OWN PRODUCTION?
In 1992 I saved $12,000, rented out a theater, wrote, directed, promoted and starred in my own production of I Know I've Been Change--and it failed miserably. I think during its entire weekend run, only 30 people showed up. When the show was over I was broke, broken and homeless. For about six years after that, I held a string of odd jobs in order to finance the show, and lived on the streets when I couldn't afford to pay the rent. There wasn’t a lot of support during this time. Almost everyone, even my own mother, begged me to quit the theater and find a steady job. But I refused to give up.

AND YOUR NEXT PRODUCTION?
In the summer of 1998 I financed the production once again. And this time, I said it would be the last time, if the production failed. That production was I Know I've Been Changed, and it opened at the House of Blues in Atlanta and sold out eight times over. Two weeks later, it moved to Fox Theater and sold out 9,000 more seats. After the show, every person who had told me no, every promoter who had turned me down, came to me with an offer.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL WHEN YOU ARE PUTTING TOGETHER A PRODUCTION?
With my shows, I try to build a bridge that marries what's deemed legitimate theater and so-called 'chitlin' circuit theater,' and I think I've done pretty well with that, in bringing people in to enjoy a more elevated level of theater. At one point, the criticism made me feel ashamed of my productions. Then I got some advice from playwright August Wilson. He said, “Do what you do. Don't worry about these people, do what you do because I don't think it's bad at all."

HAS IT BEEN HARD TO COMBINE YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS?
I plan on writing a new chapter in my journal of life. You know, Tyler Perry, the family man. That's my next major goal, to find a wife who's balanced and have four or five kids. I’ve already been furnishing the nursery. As I’ve said before, I've put my private life on hold for too long because I wanted success. I wanted something to offer to my woman and my children. Now that I'm at that point where I feel like I have a little bit to offer, I'm ready to be a good husband and a good father, I know I can do it.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHERS WHO ARE ASPIRING TO FOLLOW YOUR LEAD OR BLAZE THEIR OWN TRAIL?
For me if you have a natural talent to do things, and then nurture it, educate it into making it better. Do everything you can. Whatever your gift is and it's given to you no matter what's going on in the world, no matter how many singers, no matter how many writers, your gift will make room for you in that situation. So, I always believe that. If it's your gift nurture it and make it the best that it can be.

Find out more about Tyler Perry and his future projects by visiting www.tylerperry.com

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