tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-207555562011-11-14T20:18:29.491-05:00Commentary and musings from the bestselling author of the intoxicating novels - THE GREAT PRETENDER & THE GREAT BETRAYAL - sizzling stories of families in turmoil. Welcome to Millenia Black's corner of the blogosphere!Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.comBlogger661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-74899347007166723212011-10-15T11:18:00.003-04:002011-10-17T10:33:39.727-04:00

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-79955295080119045682011-07-12T14:05:00.010-04:002011-07-12T14:19:34.908-04:00

O. J. Simpson prosecutor Marcia Clark has a very interesting explanation for why the Casey Anthony jurors rendered a not guilty verdict. It's worth a read. My take? It's more reasonable to assume these jurors were bribed than to believe that all twelve agreed such damning evidence failed to meet the State's burden. In the face of the evidence they were given, they will never be able to speak

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-56475144717907113322011-03-08T15:52:00.008-05:002011-04-11T13:00:25.323-04:00

My good friend Darlene over at Peeking Between the Pages is spotlighting the $.99 Kindle sale of THE GREAT PRETENDER and THE GREAT BETRAYAL! Visit her site to enter the giveaway! First prize = $25 Amazon Gift Certificate, and then two paperback copies of TGP and two of TGB to 4 lucky winners! Deadline to enter is 4/2/11. Good luck! Update: Darlene announced the winners on Sunday, April 3rd,

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-49081438580455455722011-02-09T10:25:00.003-05:002011-02-28T10:08:23.332-05:00

Great article by NYC publicist Sherri Rosen: Are Book Publishers Racist?

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-36661717086619058142011-01-03T13:39:00.006-05:002011-02-20T12:02:49.200-05:00

Happy 2011, Readers! Writing to share a thoughtful two-part piece in the Examiner by Wendy Coakley-Thompson. I was featured, along with authors Bernice McFadden, Carleen Brice, Kathryn Stockett, et al. var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; a2a_config.linkname = "Millenia Black - Seg-book-gation"; a2a_config.linkurl = "http://milleniablack.blogspot.com/2011/01/seg-book-gation.html";

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-83415878062628781582010-09-01T11:40:00.018-04:002011-02-20T12:09:12.324-05:00

It sure does. The thoughtful Carleen Brice put together this really insightful video - check it out: And here's a discussion on a She Writes Blog Talk Radio show, hosted by Kamy Wicoff. Carleen Brice and Bernice McFadden are among the authors in the discussion. It's an hour-long show, but has some progressive nuggets. var a2a_config = a2a_config || {}; a2a_config.linkname = "Millenia

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-5747928886990724582010-01-19T19:27:00.004-05:002010-01-30T00:34:50.631-05:00

Yes, it's happened again. Yes, I'm still talking about it. And yes...I'm pissed. Jaclyn Dolamore, author of MAGIC UNDER GLASS wrote a "brown" skinned protagonist. Her publisher "white-washed" the cover: Putting a white person on the cover of a book about a brown-skinned character doesn't merely imply that people of color aren't worth as much to publishers; it pretty much says it outright.  (

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-81122294743043968692009-11-13T13:13:00.005-05:002010-01-30T00:34:15.601-05:00

Reginald Brooks and family continue to demonstrate the universal nature of their story with their arrival in the Czech Republic! My first novel, THE GREAT PRETENDER, is "Zůstaň se mnou" in the Czech Republic. "Rolkesen" in Turkey. "Wielki Klamca" in Poland. Citizens of the world, right? And in other news, check out this great post from author Bernice McFadden. She asks a great question! How are

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-9185952032478638082009-10-05T12:36:00.003-04:002009-10-11T13:26:36.663-04:00

I'm extremely encouraged to see this recent post by author Justine Larbalestier. In my last post on character treatments, I asked who is decent enough to get honest about the literary climate and its effects. Justine Larbalestier certainly is. And we need more writers willing to step up to the plate like her and be honest about the climate and what it means for authors who aren't white...until

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1202154536190007742009-09-01T12:47:00.003-04:002009-09-01T12:54:36.728-04:00

Here's commenter Rowan Michaels' enlightening view on my previous post: Millenia - it is so true what you say about white writers. If they can't even see their characters equally, what does that say for how they see real people? White characters get described to the reader: face features, hair color, eye color, etc. but when the character is not white, they get treated differently. They can't

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-84144570141987340502009-08-26T14:22:00.058-04:002009-09-01T12:52:34.228-04:00

With the news that Oprah’s latest book club selection will be announced on September 18th, the question of where she stands on the indisputable practice of racism in the publishing industry remains outstanding. Her announcements are major events, and play a significant role in the landscape of the book industry and marketplace. In December of 2006, The Wall Street Journal published an article

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-843459829908894592008-11-06T13:27:00.004-05:002010-01-30T00:35:45.125-05:00

Yes We Did By Marianne Williamson America has had a non-violent revolution. As long as there are historians writing about the United States, this moment of fundamental re-alignment of our national purpose will be remembered, pored over and analyzed. It will be seen as one of the shining points along the evolutionary arc of the American story. Yet it will never submit itself to being summed

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-23138198185811003992008-09-11T11:45:00.001-04:002010-01-30T00:35:15.053-05:00

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-2401384536680598522008-05-14T22:49:00.002-04:002008-05-14T22:55:33.932-04:00

Zoe Kravitz, et al. - "We Are the Ones"I love this.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-14588780388333299542008-05-13T10:48:00.006-04:002009-08-26T17:36:12.303-04:00

So I always dreamed of being like Jackie Collins or Danielle Steel. Of having a career that had nothing to do with my color, everything to do with my stories. I dreamed of reaching an audience so large that I, too, would one day sell over 400-500 million novels. Or over 300 million, like Sidney Sheldon. Or over 200 million, like Nora Roberts. Or (even) over 70 million, like Sandra Brown. My

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-27138033000543894932007-08-22T08:31:00.005-04:002009-11-13T12:48:04.289-05:00

As most of you can imagine, I've been experiencing some very trying times, and just haven't had the energy to blog in the last few months. But I had to make a special effort to share the cover of the Turkish edition of THE GREAT PRETENDER (ROLKESEN) with my readers; as I've previously shared the Polish cover (WIELKI KLAMCA). And it's worthwhile to note (though I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-17057003147312615632007-04-07T17:58:00.001-04:002007-04-07T17:58:19.994-04:00

Of course, the deadline has passed. Thanks to all the participants, you were great sports!! I received over 40 entries, but only 4 had the correct answer. Here are the winners:Gladys Howard, WAShelia Goss, LAFaith Covington, UKChristy Hawkes, UTCongratulations! Hope you enjoy THE GREAT BETRAYAL - all copies have been mailed!Now, what was the narrator's secret? The narrator is an unsolved murder

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-28664119468896883292007-02-24T13:56:00.000-05:002007-02-24T14:09:04.599-05:00

Deadline to enter is now Sunday March 25th! Click here for the original post.Good luck!

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-67738039805811590762007-02-19T11:43:00.000-05:002007-02-19T11:49:04.507-05:00

Blogger Karen Scott's conducting a survey. Check out what she has to say about it, and participate if you're eligible.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-80206536122166170272007-02-17T16:51:00.000-05:002007-02-24T14:11:09.837-05:00

But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl."I have to highlight this performance! It left me speechless. I had to join the audience with a standing ovation in my living room the night of the Grammy Awards!JB would be proud. I have a new respect for Christina's talent. Dynamite!Enjoy! And this trio simply stole the show! Beautiful.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-68660633976163053622007-01-25T19:05:00.000-05:002007-09-09T03:55:41.551-04:00

Who's Paying Attention?Want an autographed copy of THE GREAT BETRAYAL? Here's an exclusive chance for 5 blog visitors to win a free copy!Click the link below to e-mail your take on the following poem. What's the narrator's secret? 5 winners will be drawn from all correct replies received on or before Sunday, March 25, 2007, 12:00 a.m Eastern Time. (International participants are also welcome.)

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1165414535259774742006-12-06T09:29:00.001-05:002008-05-13T11:50:06.602-04:00

There's a very interesting article by Jeff Trachtenberg in today's WSJ entitled, "Why Book Industry Sees the World Split Still by Race."Definitely worth reading.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1163904041977442202006-11-18T23:48:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:18:50.370-04:00

Ed Wyatt at the Times reports.Why is O.J. Simpson doing this? Why is there a publisher out there willing to lift so much as an ink cartridge to put something like this in circulation?Moral propriety anyone?Even if the book doesn't contain the implied content, the insinuation of such content is condemnable. They (O.J. & publisher) knew the ubiquitous uproar this would incite - they must've counted

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1163348359595867262006-11-12T14:27:00.000-05:002007-03-26T09:50:45.163-04:00

Oh, joy! Have you heard? Finally! I was so excited to see that Lalita Tademy's next novel is upon us, I had to share! I just loved her first novel CANE RIVER, so I'm one of the first in line to scoop up RED RIVER in January - I've pre-ordered!If you haven't read CR, I highly, highly recommend it. It's out in mass market paperback now. It's a fabulously fictionalized story of Tademy's ancestry and

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1156346382170231212006-08-23T12:37:00.000-04:002007-03-26T09:53:04.289-04:00

I just received copies of TGP from my publisher in Poland. They contacted me after seeing my self-published 2002 edition. I think WIELKI KLAMCA looks great, never mind that the only words I can actually read in it are the characters' names. :) It was released there this past June and I think it's great!Oh yeah....and check out their neat cover. Quite different from that of the 2005 U.S. version,

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1150116870169303362006-06-12T12:36:00.002-04:002009-08-26T17:43:25.029-04:00

Publishing is already a tough business, but it's made even tougher when you're burdened by the pressure to conform. To fall in line with the status quo of racist traditions and expectations. Suffice it to say, I am definitely so burdened - and I get it from both sides of the fence. When I was born, my palette of choices and interests were pre-determined, and God forbid I stray from that palette

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1145121845959303972006-04-15T13:33:00.001-04:002008-05-13T13:34:42.000-04:00

I'm still marveling over how creative some folks can be. I had to share this - it's pretty close to ingenious! Absolutely awesome. They nailed it big time. 'Nuff said.You'll die. Click the arrow, check it out:

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1144686361880031332006-04-10T12:47:00.000-04:002007-03-26T10:19:39.876-04:00

So everyone knows how I feel about Elvis. I'm planning a trip to Graceland for later this year, and I was so proud to hear the buzz surrounding the recent National Landmark news!MEMPHIS, TN, USA -- Elvis Presley's home in Memphis is the most visited private residence in the world. And on Monday it became a National Historic Landmark."American culture and music changed irreversibly because of

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1144083885463664152006-04-03T13:33:00.000-04:002007-03-26T09:50:45.166-04:00

Have you heard about author Margaret Atwood's new invention?It's an electronic pen!Perhaps I'm one of the last to hear about it, but I just got wind of it over the weekend. Authors can actually sign books "live" for fans anywhere in the world---without having to leave their living room!Apparently, the grind of lengthy touring was wearing Ms. Atwood pretty thin, so she invented "The Long Pen".

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1143566856739024382006-03-28T13:45:00.000-05:002007-03-26T09:50:45.166-04:00

Poor Danielle Steel. I felt really bad for her as I read a recent interview she granted. She's lonely at the top.On her website, you can see one of her homes - from the outside it looks more like a hotel, she's sold more than 550 million books (leaves even Nora Roberts in the dust), but she admits she's become a lonely recluse and laments it in a rare, personal interview with journalist Karen

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1143057907883656042006-03-23T00:12:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:22:57.792-04:00

Writing about the title tug-a-war the other day got me thinking about the character name game. In chatting with book clubs I've found that most readers think authors just bestow names arbitrarily - pulling from hats or from baby books.....or just out of thick air. In actuality, the name game varies from author to author.For me, the names of the main characters are absolutely crucial. I have to

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1142567654017003952006-03-16T23:30:00.000-05:002007-04-07T18:04:40.014-04:00

Will it be as sweet?Fortunately, I chose the name of my first book, THE GREAT PRETENDER. It's the title I originally self-published with. When Penguin bought the book they liked and kept that title....thank God.Alas, this was not to be the case with book #2.I got to thinking about the title tug-a-war after reading Tess Gerritsen's entertaining yarn about how her most recent work got its name.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1142276012666628752006-03-13T13:42:00.002-05:002009-08-26T17:44:07.623-04:00

I shit you not... The following is an e-mail I received last week - although the store contacted me over a month ago requesting and scheduling the appearance. I've omitted the identifiers. Referral: From a Friend Subject: Your Race Message: Greetings, my name is [--] and I'm the director of [--], you are slated to do a book signing with us on the 18th of March. I want to know if you are a

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1142015243323432182006-03-10T13:21:00.000-05:002007-03-26T09:50:45.167-04:00

I just got back from the post office - sent a few signed copies of TGP to help the rebuilding and replenishing initiatives. I encourage my fellow authors to do the same, whatever you can spare.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1141833256048029472006-03-08T10:31:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.784-04:00

Huh?I have to throw my hat into the ring of disappointment about this one. I thought it was a mockery. I'm a movie buff, so I watch the Oscars every year (hey, Hollywood isn't what it used to be - no more Cary Grants - but it's all we seem to have left) and I enjoyed Sunday's show....except for the part when the award went to the pimp song over a beautiful song like "In the Deep" from CRASH.Maybe

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1141763172734187292006-03-07T15:21:00.000-05:002007-03-26T09:57:55.938-04:00

When are you going to die? According to The Death Clock I have only 2, 181, 199, 290 seconds to live. Just lost a few typing this line. And this one. And this one, too. ;-) I'm scheduled to die on Sunday, April 21, 2075.Gee. Is that necessarily a good thing? They predict I'm stuck here until I'm 98 years old. Yikes.I suppose this is morbid and scary to folks that are afraid to die. Thank God I'm

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1141600216233812702006-03-05T18:08:00.000-05:002007-03-26T09:57:55.939-04:00

Listen, don't be a hypocrite. What author hasn't felt like sending a letter like this to their editor at one point or another? Gotta love it!

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1141497868484556962006-03-04T13:22:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.785-04:00

Have you heard about the Ali Gilmore case?I just saw it on Anderson Cooper 360 last night. Ali Gilmore is 30, pregnant, and vanished without a trace over a month ago. It's unfortunate it took a month for her disappearance to get national media attention. Will Ali Gilmore become a household name like Laci Peterson? If not, can you guess why?There's a $21,000 reward being offered. My prayers are

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1141062574179454142006-02-27T12:34:00.000-05:002007-03-26T09:57:55.940-04:00

Just got back last night from attending the South Carolina Book Festival. Man, was it cold! I had my jacket, but I needed a scarf, gloves, a fireplace, you name it. Many people said, "But Millenia, this is good weather, it's only like....40 degrees."Hello? I'm from SOUTH FLORIDA. Born and raised. We don't do 40 degrees very well here! LOLIt rained all day on Saturday - and I mean all day - but we

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1141020571849141992006-02-27T01:07:00.001-05:002008-05-13T11:59:31.515-04:00

I've dubbed her "Agent Lynn." See why.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1140622721027296782006-02-22T10:36:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.786-04:00

I knew it!Been meaning to blog on this for a few days now. Ever since she cried us a river on Dr. Phil's "poor lonely Paula Abdul, let's help her find a man" show.I never did believe the virtual consensus that Corey Clark made this entire affair story up. All the while he was getting raked over the coals, I always knew Paula Abdul had to be lying. What with the prescription, the voice mail, etc.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1140194624394297492006-02-17T11:36:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:01:35.218-04:00

Everybody knows I'm a movie buff. I love a great film almost as much as I love a great book. :)Check out Movie Mistakes, it's awesome! Lists all kinds of "uh-oh we screwed up" mistakes in every movie imaginable - i.e., an actress is wearing earrings when a scene starts, but they mysteriously disappear and reappear 10 times before the scene ends......Or, you see the reflection of the camera crew

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1139783583843663082006-02-12T16:45:00.002-05:002009-08-26T17:45:31.570-04:00

You know, God bless Tess Gerritsen. It appears she got a very important ball rolling on what is one of the most important subjects in America today. Here's some of what Tess had to say: In this way, I've been able to slip into mainstream publishing, without the barriers that black novelists, who are often confined to "black niche publishing" have to face. The exception that's been pointed out

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1139529161698213442006-02-09T18:31:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:01:35.219-04:00

Jungle Scan went kaput (or so it seems) and I discovered TitleZ. If you haven't already heard about it, check it out---while it's still free. They mention plans to charge via subscription.It seems to be much better than Jungle was. They even offer some FAQ that include a bit of insight to the meaning behind the Amazon sales rank ranges. So - for those folks that check their sales ranks like

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1139336286642182602006-02-07T13:02:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:01:35.220-04:00

So I jumped on the Amazon Connect bandwagon and I must say that - comparative to some of the more outlandish features they've been coming up with of late - this one's actually pretty good. I appreciate the opportunity to leave messages on THE GREAT PRETENDER'S Amazon page as an avenue to reaching potential, and even past, customers. Wonderful feature.One must, however, be mindful of the content

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1139038778531284692006-02-04T02:32:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:02:56.617-04:00

WTF is going on here?? I'm devastated - just devastated that they did this with one of my favorite movies of all time.....but this sh*t is funny! ROAR!Poor Doc and Marty.Ah, well. For laughs. Click the arrow - check it out,

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1139017783297639092006-02-03T20:35:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.787-04:00

Yikes. Surf over to Lee Goldberg's place for a good laugh! It appears that the director of such blockbusters as "Die Another Day" and "Along Came a Spider" was busted for solicitation while moonlighting....in drag!Hmm. Perhaps it was simply research...uh, for his next film of course.Whatever the case, I'm still laughing at LG's "reporting" on the subject. Hilariously funny. :-)

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1138994652785907082006-02-03T14:21:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:04:32.058-04:00

Take a moment and make A Stop at Willoughby. Chime in on the discussion. My hat's off to Patrick for taking the time to do so.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1138906328961791732006-02-02T13:45:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:01:35.221-04:00

I recorded a Podcast interview this morning over at The Fly Pod. It's a terrific website and a bookmark-favorite for iPod nuts! You can also click & listen to the audio files right there on the site.I also checked out their "Cover to Cover" Podcast with the wonderful Nora Roberts. It was great listening, but I must say that I was struck by her voice. I'd never heard her speak before this, so had

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1138649050129456942006-01-30T14:14:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:06:02.878-04:00

Speaking of Tess Gerritsen, VANISH has been nominated for the coveted Edgar Award. Congratulations to Tess! Though I haven't read the other nominees, I hope it wins, but even if it doesn't - the cliche stands - it truly is an honor just to be nominated. :)Read this one back in September and it's a good mystery. I'm a bigger fan of Dr. Maura Isles than I am Det. Jane Rizzoli, so would've loved

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1138429115328332802006-01-28T01:08:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:06:16.960-04:00

Contest Ends February 10th!Just about two more weeks to help select the cover of Tess Gerritsen's next blockbuster novel - COPYCAT. If you haven't already, surf on over and make your vote count!I saw four designs that I think are outstanding. But you can only vote for a max of three, so I had a helluva time parting ways with one of them. Ah, well.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1138316457085556512006-01-26T17:45:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.788-04:00

Great show. Oprah grilled him good. About the root canal story. Lilly's hanging. Jail time. You could see James Frey squirming. His publisher, Nan Talese, stood by him. She claims the two root canals sans novocaine story didn't raise red flags because she herself had had a root canal without any. Is this to be believed under the circumstances? I wonder. Oprah didn't appear to buy it, as she

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1138295188536677462006-01-26T11:57:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.789-04:00

To Memoir, or not to Memoir?Now Oprah has a million little questions? I can't wait to hear what they are and to whom they'll be addressed.Needless to say I'll be one of the million little pupils glued to today's lesson on Oprah. Memoir? Or mem-bullshit? James Frey. Nan Talese. Oprah. Journalists. And according to Lady O's homepage, it's all going to be live! Dynamite. Nothing like live TV.Stay

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1138036523506749182006-01-23T11:27:00.001-05:002009-08-26T17:46:32.024-04:00

Whilst this author gives his/her reasoning for remaining anonymous - I'm disappointed. They're SO on point it's inspiring! Now, you know my take on this calamity. I'm doing what I can to bring awareness to this problem, and to protect yours truly from being victimized. However - one of the more frustrating aspects of this deal is that there aren't any well-known authors doing anything about it.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137955357769319462006-01-22T12:26:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.790-04:00

Wow. I didn't realize that Barbra Streisand was so...well, so vocal. I've always loved her voice, but by no means has anyone ever accused me of being a Streisand-junkie, no sir. I'm much more of a Judy Garland kinda gal. Streisand's far too stiff a performer, there's no comparison. Too busy making sure lighting and hair are perfect to really put her all into a delivery. But, I digress.I'm seeing

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137767912783350192006-01-20T09:27:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.805-04:00

The Human Lie Detector must have some psych training if you ask me! Check out this dynamite analysis on the ever infamous Jennifer Hagel's Oprah Show appearance. As I've blogged, I saw the show, and although THLD doesn't go so far as to say she killed her husband George, the observations are eerily on point. See for yourself.

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137682252917447422006-01-19T09:16:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.806-04:00

Will NIGHT face an ultra-harsh light of scrutiny?Who plans to read Oprah's latest selection, Night by Elie Wiesel? I do. I've actually had it in mind since seeing her speak about it so passionately, and interview the author, on her 20th Anniversary DVD special.But - it being a memoir by a Nobel Peace Prize winner and all - I wonder if it'll be held up to a magnified and unfair scrutiny in the

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137638227606985822006-01-18T21:17:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:20:51.808-04:00

What do you think?Can't help it. I simply had to blog about this one. Saw Jennifer Hagel's appearance on Oprah today. If her purpose for going on the show was to convince the public (which I happen to be a card-carrying member of) that she had nothing to do with her husband, George Smith's, disappearance and/or murder---it did not work. I saw her previously on MSNBC's Scarborough County (at least

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137551828802484602006-01-17T21:01:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:06:54.812-04:00

I nearly dropped a lung reading Joe Konrath's post on writer's block! The Jerry Springer bit is HILARIOUS! Priceless funny.I disagree with Joe, though. I do believe in writer's block. It happens. That brilliant, original muse of yours just sort of.....well....it disappears. For the life of you, you can't think of a single brilliant scene to write, or plot to dig. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Not a single

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137540610551719572006-01-17T18:03:00.002-05:002009-08-26T17:47:36.524-04:00

Yesterday we observed what would have been the 77th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I always celebrate it by re-reading his unbelievable speech. It is pure linguistic genius. "I Have a Dream." I believe it should be read by every American. Its value is simply immeasurable. 37 years after his passing, it's unfortunate that we're still feeling those "flames of withering injustice" he

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137356932692795092006-01-15T14:35:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:17:35.534-04:00

Where do you get your ideas?This is one of the most popular questions asked of authors. Is it divinity? Epiphany? Are they for sale at Wal-Mart?I was on The Michael Dresser Show yesterday and, of course, the question of where I got the idea for The Great Pretender came up. While there are many, many books centered around cheating mates (gazillions actually), there aren't very many re: dual family

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137020706570171362006-01-11T17:56:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:13:11.848-04:00

This is bad. According to the NY Times, Random House, the publisher of James Frey's "memoir" A MILLION LITTLE PIECES, is offering refunds to all who purchased the book directly from them! Yikes. That's bad.My Take?This speaks volumes of how the publisher's taking the scandal. I wouldn't be surprised if they pull it out of print altogether. After all, this has become BIG news. CNN, MSNBC, etc. I

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137017895933718692006-01-11T17:17:00.001-05:002009-08-26T17:48:19.654-04:00

This is a very delicate, but timely subject. Publishers seem more interested in going after niche markets than they are with being good stewards of equal and impartial opportunity. They do not afford writers of color the same opportunities and potentials that they afford Caucasian writers. Author Monica Jackson is wondering whether or not it would be beneficial to pass herself off as a white

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137017370013668282006-01-11T16:10:00.008-05:002009-08-26T17:49:17.195-04:00

Nick Chiles recently expressed his anger and frustration about the state of our industry, the racial divide in publishing, with an Op-Ed contribution in the NY Times on January 4th. My Take? Mr. Chiles (and others with equally faulty reasoning) should remove his head from his skin—and focus on being an AUTHOR. One who has a book(s) to sell to the book buying public. Period. Why relegate

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1137000567374090452006-01-11T12:19:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:27:21.881-04:00

In making the rounds to my favorite blogs, I noticed Jennifer Weiner's comments about the movie adaptation of her novel, IN HER SHOES. It bombed at the box office. Pity, because although I haven't read the book, I did see the movie with some girlfriends when it came out and we loved it!I think the poor box-office turn out can be attributed to the movie-going crowd these days. It's usually kids

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20755556.post-1136869217933797592006-01-09T23:30:00.000-05:002007-03-26T10:13:11.849-04:00

Why?I succumbed. For the past few months several people have asked me: "So, how come you don't have a blog yet?" Well. Here it is. To kick off 2006, I'm finally joining the ever-popular trend of blogging! I plan to blog about any and everything, so enjoy!Feel free to use the sign-up box to the right to be notified whenever I post updated messages, and to reply with comments of your own by using

Millenia Blackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04946305818793386484noreply@blogger.com0