Spring 2007 Issue - Defining Historical Fiction
April 17th, 2007
Western lore as it pertain to Blacks has been rife with negative diversity and troubled backdrop where any accomplishment and assimilated joy has been far and in between. Reconstruction after the Civil War was turbulent and transitional for people of color, wrought with a false sense of security of emancipated sovereignty. This we already know. My intent with this piece is to bring to fruition a few triumphant trials that were manifested between two worlds – fictitious and the truth. Thus, the slogan, ‘Western Ho’ didn’t just apply to mainstream America at the time, Blacks in overwhelming numbers sought refuge among a like people (American Indians) west of the Mississippi, especially in the Oklahoma territory. Read the rest of this entry »
Sheilia E. Lipsey is a native Tennessean, residing in the city of Memphis. She attended Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi, graduating magna cum laude with a BBA degree. Lipsey, a published author and inspirational speaker has been actively writing and speaking most of her life. Prior to being noticed by Kensington/Urban Christian, she self-published a fictional title, Always Now and Forever, about love, loss, and grief. Then just two years later, she followed up with a nonfiction book, A Christian’s Perspective—A Journey Through Grief, and the rest is literary history. To give you more on this exciting Christian author, read the interview below: 
Another heavyweight on the Western Frontier is that of Art T. Burton. Lesser known, but no less formidable in his own right, Mr. Burton forged a name for himself on the lecture circuit and upholding the need to be knowledgeable about AA contributions to the making and maintenance of the West. He’s a distinguished member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) since 1973, Burton has shared musical experiences with Dizzy Gillespie, Muhal Richard Abrams, Chico Freeman, Amina Claudine Myers, Lester Bowie, Henry Threadgill, and Elvin Jones. In 1996, Art played percussion on saxophonist Vandy Harris’ recording PURE FIRE. In 1998, he played percussion on a critically received recording by noted Chicago saxophonist Ari Brown titled VENUS for the Delmark label. Burton is currently the Corresponding Secretary of the AACM. He has played the bongo and congo drums professionally for over 30 years. 
I admit to being a history buff, loving Native American lore, cowboy stories, and the Wild Wild West specifically. More than anybody else, William Loren Katz epitomizes my idea of telling the stories, documenting fact, and dispensing knowledge about the culture of the west the way it should be told. He is best known for his 40 exciting history books — including such award winning classics as 
Sean Chandler comes highly recommended! The old adage of it being a small world reverberates in my first inclination of this writer who’s rapidly making an impression on the type of storytelling that can be innovative pertaining to perceived awareness of what people are NOT reading. I first heard of this author from a mutual friend who intimated to me that there was an author writing historic fiction using the Wild West as a backdrop, an that he was the nephew of one of her business partners. She told me that he was quite talented and all he needed was a chance in the industry. My immediate reaction was – WOW! A Black author writing westerns?! This idea and knowledge stayed with me awhile simmering on a back burner, but nonetheless still holding enough space in my mind not to forget it. 
ACR: If someone were to ask you to give three adjectives to describe you, what would they be? 
Dwayne Murray, Sr. author of the critically acclaimed debut book, ‘The Mouse That Roared’ shares a moment with the Editor with candid and introspective reasons why he feels his book should be read for those who want more than just a story. There’s a message here, but the book is no slouch! 
Love Mosaics: Indigo Blue is a book written by three friends with the singular name of TATU. Their story is about a no nonsense single woman on a mission for stability to give meaning to a meager life and truth to living a life of hope. This contemporary romance has its good and bad points, but doesn’t suffer from the usual bumps and bruises that young writers contemplate getting from one end of the spectrum to the other. In this case for the good, the authors has great understanding tapping the pulse of the dynamics of dating and the dramatics that are inevitable in this day and time. 
Ann Clay’s latest batch of short stories is one that should make a difference to those that are having issue with matters of the heart. Entitled WAVING FROM THE HEART, it bridges imagery and realism in different ways to tell stories that are insightful and nurturing. From the beginning it was evident that the stories offered in this book were personal and pervasive. Throughout it there were nuggets that screamed for attention, and as you read forward nothing was left unbarred and unresolved. Waving from the Heart is full of characters you’ve seen, heard of, and may have come in contact with.