2002-2005 The Muse Online
October - December 2005
New and Not so New Writers in
our Midst - The Florida Connection!
by Alvin C. Romer
The topic for this month’s feature for The Muse Online is the connection that Florida has contributed to authors who are now living and thriving in the state. I felt obligated to give them a platform as many of them are friends. A few of them, I’ve had the privilege of bonding with and working together in the industry as I’ve sought a wider degree of legitimacy in the industry.
June - August 2005
Voices for Children’s Literature
Ringing Loud and Clear
by Alvin C. Romer
If you’re like me, you wondered who exactly have been writing for the younger set. Part of my research took me to four distinct authors who have not only carved a unique niche for themselves, but they’ve become icons to this market that I feel may be underserved.
February - April 2005
Black Christian Novels
by Alvin C. Romer
It stands to reason with the proliferation of African-American titles that have rolled off the presses that Christian fiction would want equal billing on the shelves – and they’re getting it! With this in mind, opinionated views pro and con are being articulated. It’s no secret that millions of Christians are reading theologically themed books that pay homage to what’s going in and out of churches.
September - October 2004 Tales From Da ‘Hood and Other Urban Stories!
by Alvin C. Romer
My, how the African-American reading industry has changed! More titles are being published yearly, upwards of 30% according to Publisher’s Weekly. We’re trendy in our buying habits and succumb to the stylistic renderings that move us to support whatever page-turner worthy of our time.
March - May 2004
Author Visibility
by Patt Mihailoff and Alvin C. Romer
How important is author visibility? This question will always come to fore as it pertain to how products are being marketed. In the world of literature websites play an integral part of this process. What’s the first thing any company does with a new product? It advertises.
October - December 2003
Book Club Spotlight: The G.R.I.T.S
and The GRITS Kidz Websites
There's one online book club that stand out, and have made it their business to not only be interactive, but to continue to conduct a club where the fun of reading is still apropos in spreading AA literature. The GRITS Online Reading Club welcomes you....
July - September 2003
Bibliomania And Me!
by Alvin C. Romer
Books are what we are. We carry them as we do our names. They give our lives order and can very well be the storehouse of memories quite apart from their content. The challenge for me is to plan a home for books that does more than accommodate them physically.
April - June 2003
Reflections Of Romance Slam Jam 2003
by Nathasha Brooks-Harris
I had every intent on attending this year’s Romance Slam Jam, I know within myself that this is one big jam session that I didn’t want to miss. Little did I know that my elation would soon be short-lived and that decisions would have to be made. My daddy always said that a bad start makes a great finish and doggone if he wasn't right!
January/February 2003
The Art and Craft of Book Reviewing
by Alvin C. Romer
With the plethora of books that are written, there’s bound to be consternation between how books are reviewed, who should review them, and what constitutes a good book review. Authors are on notice hoping that their work is not castigated in the process, the victim of someone who may be rendering their opinion without understanding the rigors of putting thoughts to paper.
December 2002
Mouthing the Muse
by Linda Dominique Grosvenor
When people discover that I’m a writer they want to pick my brain and tap into the part of me where all of my secrets and creative tendencies are stored. I don’t mind at all, and I smile and humor them because I myself cannot always access this place that they desperately seek.
November 2002
Awestruck Among The Literati
by Alvin C. Romer
The ALA's Black Caucus representing the library industry held their Fifth Annual Conference of AA Librarians in Ft. Lauderdale recently. It was a week of literary exultation and appreciation with authors, vendors, and librarians the nation over striving to take advantage. Wanting to do just that, I steeled myself to weather the storm, if not and incur the wrath of these fine book professionals as I made plans to crash their party!
September/October 2002
Making The Literary Life Work For You
by Alvin C. Romer
How would you, an aspiring writer bent on doing what it takes to be a success, go about making writing work for you? Writing takes heart and it is not easy to do it. The wherewithal to embrace and exemplify this medium can be heartening - the belief that you have something to say and the willingness to stick with it until you find the right words...and then having to face the roadblocks that are in the way.