|
|
|
"Literary Divas are passionate about writing every day, are great communicators, know what they want and go after their dreams."
-Heather Covington |
 |
| Click here for biography. |
|
|
 |
| Heather Covingyon hosting YGA Awards Show and the day she landed a tv show! |
|
|
- April 28th- April 29th
-
Small Press Center 2nd Annual Writers' Roundtable Conference
-
Ascend the Platform: Marketing & PR
-
Marketing & PR Professionals discuss how books can gain more media awareness and buyer attention
-
Guests:
-
Larry Davidson- Writers on the Vine- WORL 1240AM Radio
-
Janet Goldstein- Publishing Consultant
-
Sara Graham- Executive Producer of FOX 5 Good Day New York
-
Heather Covington- Disilgold Soul
-
Greg Godek- Author of Romantic Questions
-
Carol Hoenic- Author of Without Grace, Moderator
-
May 19th
-
BookExpo -Washington, DC.
-
Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature
-
Debuts at Traditional Author Signing Area- Table # 30
-
12pm- 12:30pm
-
and the ACGI BOOTH (African American Pavilion)
-
-
JULY 22
-
Harlem Book Fair- ACGI Publishing Booth
-
Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature
-
Debuts at Harlem Book Fair all day outdoors
-
11pm-7pm
-
-
-
AUGUST-17th
-
THURSDAY- 6pm
-
HUEMAN BOOKSTORE- Harlem, NY
Join Heather Covington as she debuts Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature IN HARLEM, USA!
Includes 2 HOUR Self-Publishing & Mega Marketing Workshop-Part 1
CRM Executive- KHALILA
Manager- RITA EWING,MARVA ALLEN
-
AUGUST-18th Barnes & Noble-
-
(Co-op City- Bronx, NY's Bay Plaza Center) (TBD) Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature
-
Booksigning & Press Conference
FRIDAY- 7pm
-
AUGUST 19, 2006
RUFUS KING PARK
153rd & JAMAICA AVENUE, NEW YORK
This year's book fair will be held on August 19, 2006 at Rufus King Park in Jamaica, New York. Last year the Queens Book Fair was held on April 30, 2005 and was featured in Newsday, May 3, 2005, article "This book fair's for the self-published" New York City Edition Neighborhoods sect section pg. A52. Self-published authors from around the country flocked the 2005 Queens Book Fair, along with book lovers around the tri-state area. Queens Borough President Helen Marshall proclaimed the month of April as Book Month in Queens. www.cbbooksdistribution.com.
|
|
What is your new book about?
My new book is called Literary Divas:™ The Top 100+ Most Admired African-American Women in Literature ($16.95, ISBN# 0-9767735-3-8). It’s published by Amber Communications Group, Inc., founded by Tony Rose and Associate publisher, Yvonne Rose. (www.AmberBooks.com)
How did you derive at the development of Literary Divas and acquire a book deal with Amber Communications Group, Inc.?
I was at the QBR: Phillis Wheatley Awards in 2005 which is one of the most respected Harlem based literary award shows in the literary arena and founded by Max Rodriguez. A lot of great people have attended the show annually. While I was there, I met Rosa Guy and Ruby Dee at the end of the award ceremony. That’s when Tony Rose appeared and the idea sparked for the makings of a historical book. I did not come up with the title until after The Katrina Literary Collective. I called Tony who entrusted my vision, and he and Yvonne approved. I was totally shocked and really began to pull all of my research together when I realized this was the real thing. The rest is history.
How did you come up with the cover?
I didn’t. Yvonne was the genius behind that. I procrastinated for several weeks. I proposed the idea of featuring great Literary Divas™ on the cover, but I could not make up my mind from 25 divas so I asked Yvonne to help me narrow down the titles to a select few. You have to understand that I have more than 27,000 members to date of my organization.
What is Literary Divas™ about?
It is a compilation of biographies about powerful African-American women who made their mark in the book publishing industry and all I can say is readers are in for a treat, especially writers who have been craving inspiration. I am so proud of each and every one of the Literary Divas™ featured. These Literary Divas™ lives are going to inspire a whole lot of people. I encourage everyone literary to READ THE BOOK! There are plenty of surprises.
Who is featured in Literary Divas™?
There are Literary Divas™ featured across the genres. I was able to add quite a few self-published authors, print-on-demand authors, and even editorial divas who work in the literary and media industries. I also researched Literary Divas™ of the past in homage of great pioneers who paved the way for many writers of today.
What else is featured in this work?
Literary Divas™ include photos and historical information well suited for aspiring authors, poets, scholars, parents and teachers dedicated toward promoting Black history. Literary Men will also get to research the lives of their counterparts who have supported them as well. It is the responsibility of both genders to know about each other. Literary Divas™ also has a developing website directory and is expected to hit bookstores nationally which made the difference for me in putting this work together. I believe it is already listed on Barnes & Noble right now if you search for Heather Covington’s book titles.
What makes Literary Divas™ different from other books on the topic?
As an educator of youth, historian, avid reader, book reviewer, promoter and journalist, I felt honored to complete this work and decided that I would transfer my experience of 5 years learning, getting to know and interview authors to a work that would share these great author’s lives with the world. Writing this book was truly my calling.
What age range of readers will enjoy Literary Divas™?
I would say readers from 16+ age range because titles of books from authors are listed, and yes, we do feature authors of Erotica. I believe in embracing authors of all genres. It’s all creative expression. Literary Divas™ is also, very entertaining. I am from the Bronx, so I made sure people would enjoy this work and consider purchasing it as a gift for loved ones. However, many authors can also be studied in early childhood classes.
Explain the Disilgold network.
The site, www.Disilgold.com is the online showcase of the YOUnity Guild of America Award Members. Disilgold Soul Literary Review serves as the trade award publication of the YOUnity Guild. You can expect to view a quarterly electronic publication each season. I also have a hand bag I designed that I expect all of the Literary Divas to rock who know they can write their pens off.
What else do you feature on your sites?
We now feature our Bestsellers List based on referrals from the YGA at large, plus event updates, interviews, new books, top links and our Fashion, Film and Music Review is in development. There is something for everyone and visitors can connect to all of our sites from www.Disilgold.com. Other sites are DisilgoldBooks.com, (our online bookstore), DisilgoldSOUL.com (Home of A YOUnity BookClub), Disilgold.Citymaker.com (Home of the HOLLER Anthology Project and Poetry Contests), and Literary Diva.com (Dedicated to Showcasing Interviews of Literary Divas™). Our online brochure is featured at www. HeatherCovington.net. It sounds intricate, but our base of loyal visitors discover everything going on at Disilgold.
What is your next tour stop?
Literary Divas™ is scheduled to make its debut on May 19th at the Author Signing area of the BookExpo. I’ll be there from 12pm to 12:30pm, and also signing at the Amber Communications Group, Inc. booth at scheduled times. A new site, www.LiteraryDiva.com will feature interviews of supporters of this work who are either authors, poets or in the literary arena. Hopefully, this will encourage more supporters to write a book. I have also completed a Thank you planner which features people who have supported the work. It will be updated as more supporters arrive each season. It’s my way of staying true to what I do, and that is support authors.
Are you still promoting your other works?
Of course, Disilgold Books and all I do go hand in hand. Sales of my books not only support literacy and educational programs since 2001. It is imperative that I sell books or there would be no Disilgold which is mostly supported by direct book sales of my work. I give away copies of my book with membership to the YOUnity Guild upon request and this frees up my time to continue promoting literary artists which I love to do. I also provide discreet consultation on self-publishing. Very smart literary artists have caught onto this feature and now realize why I am so relaxed as a book promoter of my own works. It is true, when you support others, your blessings come back to you.
So what’s next for the Literary Diva herself?
Do look out for Literary Dons:™ The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Men in Literature which is due out in the Fall of 2006. This book will be just as exciting. I am also working on the makings of HOLLER: An Anthology Project of a Decade Project Summer 2006. I truly want people to know that my poetry roots are back! As I said in my book, The Disilgold Way: Countdown 101 From Writer to Self-Publisher many years ago, " I live, breathe and think poetry everyday!" I don’t want people to forget that a poet built Disilgold.
|
| INTERVIEW WITH BAHIYAH MAGAZINE |
|
SG: Please enlighten our readers about you and your background.
H.C: Thank you for inviting me to Bahiyah Woman’s Magazine for an interview. I respect your publication and time Sharon. Bridgette Hollingsworth is lighting up the internet Bahiyah Style, and the Disilgold Soul family loves the publication.
Literary background wise, my works include 9 completed and published books like PerSOULnalities:™ Poems For Every Kind of Woman (Author House, 2003), PerSOULnalities:™ Poems For Every Kind of Man (Author House, 2005), Li’l PerSOULnalities:™ A Children’s Book For Parents & Teachers (AuthorHouse, 2003, Revised 2005), The Disilgold Way: Countdown 101 From Writer to Self Publisher (Author House, 2003, Revised 2005), God’s 24 Hour Makeover: 24 Power Moves to Joy (Disilgold, 2006), PerSOULnalities:™ Poems For Every Kind of Woman: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3: The Collector’s Book Series (Disilgold, 2001), and my most recent work, Literary Divas:™ The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature (ACGI, June 2006) which was just released. Finally, when I am not teaching kindergarten youth and penning book after book, I am holding down my duties as the owner and founder of Disilgold.com, home of Disilgold Soul Magazine, A YOUnity Book Club, and the YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America, my passion, my life, my joy and owned 100% by a Black women from New York. It’s been 6 years since we opened, and I am still standing.
SG: The "writing" bug: When did you first get bitten by it? Was writing something you've always wanted to do?
H.C. I was going through a very awkward stage of my life at ten years old. All of the sudden every boy wanted to go out with me. I should have been enjoying myself, but social injustices greatly disturbed me and I chose to write poetry. This is when I also, discovered Langston Hughes’ poetry. I channeled all negative energies and reflections on the gangs, murders, crime, drugs, and poverty around me into poetry as a form of escapism and perhaps, denial, but also as a means to stay out of trouble. I promised I would not become a statistic, shot, stabbed or mordantly wounded, nor become a part of the social fabric of my own troubled environment or anyone who became entrapped in this world. From then on, I began writing tons of poetry to reflect world issues as a budding poetical activist and haven’t stopped since. There are some great people around me who are too many to mention here that have helped me to stay focused. You will see them all loading on to www.Disilgold.com very soon.
SG: Are you a 'people person' or more introverted? What are some of the challenges you faced in this industry?
H.C: I was THE WRITER as mentioned in the Disilgold Way: Countdown 101 From Writer to Self Publisher who decided to try print on demand despite skepticism over the form of publishing because I understood it. It was never meant for p.o.d. books to be marketed in bookstores initially, but independently through author’s own channels or markets and those stores that accepted 40% discounts. At the time, p.o.d. books were not returnable, but today they are if you invest in return programs. The wait is now over. I am placing all of my p.o.d. books in bookstores. I understand a lot of small press companies do not want to see p.o.d. books succeed because it’s direct competition, but don’t knock a form of publishing you haven’t learned how to make it work and understand absolutely nothing about. Ask me questions and I will show you how to make it work for YOU as it did for me. Seeing is believing. It’s all about providing helpful seminars and including books with valuable information. Give people information they want, but don’ t give it away. Value your worth.
SG: Are you writing full-time? How do you juggle writing with your everyday life?
H.C: No, I write part-time and I don’t juggle writing, but rather plan my writing excursions to see to it that projects are semi-completed. There are many other books written that I have not traditionally published yet, but still market on the streets of New York. I don’t mind using pseudonyms either as a very versatile writer who gives people what they want. The goal is to get out there on a good day and market your works via the channels you can be successful at. Every day is an opportunity to promote books. I have trained many authors who say they wish they knew The Disilgold Way of getting published before opting for other channels of self-publishing their books. When I write, it has to be meaningful, nevertheless. I am not going to throw a book together to earn big books. There are millions of people out there who want to read my books and your books too I tell authors. Stay true to yourself. Write the book, sell the book and enjoy promoting the book to various channels that accept your work.
SG: Is there a process to your writing? Like, do you sketch out characters, write an outline, and go chapter-by-chapter..., or do you venture out into your writing and let the chips fall where they may?
H.C: I not only map out my characters, but I sketch a picture of them, become them while I am writing, design their entire inner and outer being, and make them believable for the time period of which they exist. This is why it has taken me over five years to complete my first novel due soon called Tekila Nika, but under my pen name, Babe Charisse Worthington.
It is something that I must get out there. Producers are already interested in developing a movie from this work.
SG: Your latest publication looks like a great page turner. Tell us about the book.
H.C: Literary Divas: The Top 100+ Most Admired Women in African American Literature salutes more than 100 Literary Divas who have impacted our nation's culture. IT captures the essence of more than one hundred Literary Divas who have shared their pain, struggles, desires, and triumphs, through their written words as messengers of time and circumstance. By representing the voices of past & future generations, Literary Divas marks the historical turning point of a new century of African-American women in literature. It is available from Amber Communications Group, Inc. , the no.1 African American publisher of Self-help books, career guides and celebrity bios as featured at www.AmberBooks.com. SG: What sparked this idea for the book? Did you ever want to 'give up' and what/who propelled you to stay on track?
H.C: I am not a quitter. It is my style to keep working at something until it is completed without fail. I also surround myself with great people. You can visit me anytime at www.myspace/HeatherCovington.com to see a few of the people who are propelling me. There is no time limit on becoming the no.1 author in the nation and I am not talking about just sales figures, but one of the most respected.
The Literary Divas who inspired me for this work are:
Alice Walker, Alicia Keys, Angel Hunter, Angela Davis, Anita Doreen Diggs, Artist C. Arthur, Barbara A. Custer, Barbara Reynolds, Bea Joyner, Bebe Moore Campbell, Bernice L. McFadden, Bertha Davis, Brenda Hampton, Brenda Thomas, Camille Yarbrough, Candice Dow, Cassandra Darden Bell, Celise Downs, C. F. Hawthorne, Cheryl Willis Hudson, Cheryln Michaels, Christine Young Robinson, Corey Sue Ward, Crystal McCrary Anthony, Crystal Lacy Winslow, Crystal Rhodes, Cydney Rax, Cynthia Highsmith-Hooks, Darcel P. Williams, Darline Dorce-Coupet, Dawn Breedon, Deborah Gregory, Deborah Smith, Debra Clayton, Dee Freeman, Deirdre Savoy, Delores Thornton, Denise Campbell, Denise Turney, Donna Hill, Dorothy Ford, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Dorrie Williams Wheeler, E. Hill, Edith Holmes, Electa Rome Parks, Elizabeth Nunez, Erica L. Perry, Evelyn Palfrey, Francis Ray, Gina Cox, Gloria Naylor, Gwynne Forster, Harriette Cole, Ida Greene, Iman, Iyanla Vanzant, Jada Pinkett Smith, Janet West Sellars, Janine A. Morris, Jel Lewis (Jones), Jessica Care Moore-Poole, Jessica Tilles, Jewelene Banks, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Jill Nelson, Joylynn Jossell, Juanita Bynum, Karen Ligon, Karen E. Quinones Miller, Karen White-Owens, Kashamba Williams, Kelly Kenyatta, Kelly Starling Lyons, Kim Robinson, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Lenaise Meyeil Williams, Leslie Esdaille Banks, Lexi Davis, Margie Gosa Shivers, Mari Evans, Marita Golden, Marti Tucker, Mary B. Morrison, Maxine Thompson, Maya Angelou, Nancey Flowers, Natalie Darden, Nea Anna Simone, Nikki Giovanni, Ntozake Shange, Pam Osbey, Pamela DeLeon-Lewis, Pat G’orge Walker, Renee Daniel Flagler, Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Rewa Marie Fyles, Rita Dove, Rita Ewing, Rosa Guy, Sammie Ward, Sheila Goss, Shelley Parris, Sonia Sanchez, Stacy-Deanne Reed, Star Jones, Tajuana "T. J." Butler, Takesha Powell, Terrie Williams, Terry McMillan, Terry a. O’ Neal, Toni Morrison, Tonya Lewis Lee, Tracy Price- Thompson, Tyra Banks, Vickie Stringer, Victoria Christopher Murray, Wendy Williams, Yolanda Joe, Yolantha Pace, Zane,Adrienne Ingrum, Alicia Marie Rivers, Angela P. Dodson, Carol Mackey, Carole F. Hall, Caroline Rogers & Brenda Piper, Cherise Davis, Cheryl Woodruff, Clara Villarosa, Dawn Davis, Denise Stinson, Emma Rodgers, Faith Childs, Faye Childs, Gwen Richardson, Heather Elitou, Janet Hill, Kim McClarin, L. Peggy Hicks, Linda Gill, Lottie Gooding, Malaika Adero, Marie Brown, Marilyn Ducksworth, Niani Colom, Oprah Winfrey, Pamela Yvette Exum, Rachel Breton, Rockelle Henderson, Shunda Leigh, Susan McHenry, Susan Taylor, Sybil Wilkes, Tee C. Royal, Vivian Stephens,Yvonne Rose, Alice Childress, Coretta Scott King, Gwendolyn Brooks, Lorraine Hansberry, Octavia Butler, Rosa Parks, Shirley Chisolm and Zora Neale Hurston.
As far as what propelled me to continue... I am aspiring to become a great writer and the Literary Divas have given me the motivation to succeed as I know they will for many others.
SG: How long did it take to complete? What was your favorite part of this process--interviewing, etc?
H.C: I have been working on this project for a decade so it seems, but did not compile all biographies until my publishers, Tony Rose and Yvonne Rose of Amber Communications Group, Inc. gave me their blessings and confidence in my writing. I have been so self-fueled for so long, but I needed the motivation to take that next step as in putting it all together. Yvonne Rose helped me before the deadline due date for publication. This work would not have been completed without Yvonne Rose. She is the most down to earth person and a very talented writer and editor. She likes to stay in the back wings, but I have learned so much from her, a truly phenomenal soul, and literary diva of all divas.
SG: Tell us about your website, magazine and other projects?
H.C: I publish an electronic trade literary and media award publication over at www.Disilgold.comhttp://www.Disilgold.com called Disilgold Soul Literary Review which celebrates, honors and recognizes the achievements of award members of the YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America. The publication is hosted by the Disilgold Book Mobile Express Award Catalog E-Newsletter which features Magazine Award cover tributes, books that have received stellar reviews and new award announcements. Sometimes our guests have more exciting news to share so we have designed www.DisilgoldSoul.comhttp://www.DisilgoldSoul.com to feature Disilgold Literary Network Association Awards Newswire tributes, up-to-the-minute press releases and an archival of 5 star reviews of books listed by alphabetized title order.
Today, major media, bookstores, agents and publishers refer to this site. A third website further archives and provides a direct online shopping store to award winning featured author’s web sites over at www.DisilgoldBooks.comhttp://www.DisilgoldBooks.com We also, provide a more in depth overview of our promotional and advertising services at www.HeatherCovington.nethttp://www.heatherCovington.net where members can submit promos for us to distribute live at events to our guests which includes our new catalog media mail campaigns to bookstores and media.
Award members can also look forward to attending an annual YOUnity Reviewers Guild of America Infusionary™ Awards "Literary & Media" Legends Ball and The Disilgold Literary Convention. Some years, we’ve held our ball online on New Year’s Eve via a press release powered by the Disilgold PressReleaseBlaster™. This is pretty much all that I do as the president of the YOUnity Guild and Editor-in-Chief of Disilgold Soul and aside from being a dedicated kindergarten teacher by day, owner of a Bronx Business Advertising circular and photojournalist.
SG: What has been the best part about being an editor, poetess, writer?
H.C: All of these roles go hand-in-hand. I respect editors, but by editing my own work all of these years, I have become a stronger writer. Every writer should work at becoming a better editor before publishing their poetry and owning up to their own talent and not someone else. Own up to your own editing, and grow with your audience. This is what becoming a better writer is all about. Your true-die-hard fans will stick by you. No one is perfect, but God. Keep going.
SG: WHO do YOU read?
H.C: I am reading a lot of spiritual and motivational books now more than ever. This is my need. Other than that, I read a novel everyday. I don’t have to look at the cover or read the back matter. I will grab a bunch of books off the shelves of bookstores from my favorite sections and just read them. I easily spend about 200 or more on books and then I will give them away as gifts.
SG: What are your top three guilty pleasures?
H.C: I never have guilt for any pleasures I delve into. Absolutely none. Some things I like for the record are working out, reading books when I should be working on writing the next book and eating dinner at someone else’s expense every week.
SG: If you were not a writer, what would be your dream career?
H.C: Well, I would like to have my own television show one day. I was born to interview people and love thinking of show ideas for shows that are already on television.
SG: Who inspires you as a writer?
H.C: My YOUnity Guild members inspire me, my students and a few dear friends who know who they are.
SG: What is something that your fans don't know about you and you're willing to share?
H.C: I built my business with my own two hands, sweat and tears without any loans, sleeping around, selling my soul, becoming a video ho, stepping on anyone’s toes, having to be a adorned sex object or harming anyone... just hard work. Sometimes I get depressed because there are things in this world I would like to change. Most people have no idea how deeply profound of a thinker I am, but will once they discover my poetry.
SG: What projects are you working on now?
H.C: Right now, I am working on Literary Dons:™ The Top 100+ Most Admired African American Men in Literature (ACGI). I am also compiling HOLLER: Heather On Literary Lives of Excellence Revisited: An Anthology of a Decade Project since 2001. It is a poetry compilation due 2008 and dedicated to youth. I had to return submissions that do not fit the concept for this publication. I now know why I procrastinated on this project for so long.
SG: How can readers learn more about your books and get in contact with you?
H.C: I have 2 author websites, www.LiteraryDiva.com , and www.heather-Covington.com. My latest book, Literary Divas™, may be purchased at www.AmberBooks.com . You’ll see me at all major book fairs and trade shows this year as featured at www.Disilgold.com. I look forward to taking Literary Divas to number one. Nice girls may finish last, but I am content with this. I’m going to do this with integrity and absolutely no controversy. It’s the Literary Divas time to shine.
|
| Baltimore Black Heritage Tours Invite Heather Covington as Guest Honoree and Literary Ambassador Post Harlem Book Fair at Sylvia's Restaurant |
| Everyone is Reading Literary Divas |
|
|
|
 |
