FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2008
CONTACT:
Richelle Zizian
Sr. Publicist
800-654-5126 x119
rzizian@hayhouse.com
TAVIS SMILEY, PUBLISHER OF SMILEYBOOKS, INVITES SUBMISSIONS FOR INSPIRING VOLUME OF “UNCONDITIONAL LOVE STORIES”
“Love Wins,” Edited By Smiley, to be Released in Fall 2008
New York, NY (BlackNews.com) - SmileyBooks, the publishing company founded by Tavis Smiley, has launched a national campaign to generate submissions for his next book Love Wins: True Stories of Transformation and Triumph. Smiley is the New York Times best-selling author of What I Know for Sure and The Covenant. “I believe, just as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did, that love is the most powerful and transformative force in the world; the only thing capable of turning an enemy into a friend,” Smiley asserts.
Smiley envisions Love Wins as a collection of inspiring real life stories that give voice to the transforming power of unconditional love. “Too often 21st century living has a way of disconnecting us from that divine power within,” says Smiley. “Love Wins is an expression of faith that we can reconnect with love’s power - to positively transform each other and the world we live in.” Love Wins invites people to reexamine their lives through the lens of love and share the one story that most compellingly reveals how giving or receiving love changed their life.
During Tavis’ travels across the country over the years, he has been captivated by the stories of everyday people whose lives have been affected by the quiet, simple beauty of love in all of its remarkable facets. The true stories featured in Love Wins will range from 500 to 1,200 words in length. Contributors’ bios will be included along with their selection and each author will receive a complimentary autographed first edition copy of Love Wins. In addition to the entries included in the book, SmileyBooks will feature additional selections on www.tavistalks.com. Details on the Love Wins submissions guidelines can be found by clicking on the Love Wins banner at the bottom of the page at www.tavistalks.com/media/smileybooks
In the fall of 2008 when the book is scheduled for publication, Tavis Smiley will undertake a Love Wins “unconditional love” tour, inviting regional contributors to join him at events around the country. Love Wins is Tavis’ gift to those who understand and appreciate the power of unconditional love. “We believe that this book can generate a lot of healing conversation,” says SmileyBooks president, Cheryl Woodruff, “because when we dare to talk about the power of love, Love Wins.“
Tavis Smiley is one of the most familiar faces and voices in America. He can be seen on his PBS television program, Tavis Smiley, and heard on his PRI radio show, The Tavis Smiley Show.
Tavis Smiley Expanded Smiley Books
Good books. Thoughtful books. Intellectual books. We needed something to counter the smut and slut books out there like a hairy dog needs flea spray after a romp in the woods. Not that I think the books are completely horrible.
OK, so there’s more than a hint of what I really think about some of these books in the creative labels I’ve chosen. But seriously, I don’t think the books are wrong in themselves. I’ve met and admire some of the authors. They’re nice women and moms just like me. And there’s a time and place for everything.
But c’mon, people, do we have to have so many of them? I know that we’ve been denied the right to have our thoughts published for far too long but do we gotta air all our dirty laundry now just because we can?
OK, rant off. Now for the good stuff.
Tavis Smiley hosted a reception in October to announce the expansion of his book publishing company, Smiley Books, and to introduce new company president Cheryl Woodruff and a very impressive lineup of authors. Woodruff comes from a long line of publishing goodness including a stint at Random House, where she founded and headed up one of the first black imprints at a major publisher. Smiley Books’ new authors include luminaries Iyanla Vanzant and Dr. Cornell West. Others who attended the affair: Ruby Dee, Terry McMillan, Walter Mosley and Charlie Rose.
Top Photo: Connie Briscoe and Cheryl Woodruff
Mid Photo: Ruby Dee and Walter Mosley
Bottom Photo: Tavis Smiley, Ruby Dee, Unknown, Benilde Little, Connie Briscoe, Walter Mosley
Way Too Much Weight Snuck Up On Me
I finally quit smoking in late 2006, and 2007 was the year of weight gain. Every time I got on my scale I did a double take. I thought the thing was broken, so I secretly weighed myself on other people’s scales whenever I came across one. They were all broken, too. Or so I thought until my annual checkup rolled around and the doctor weighed me.
OKaaaay, so every scale in America isn’t broken.
Fortunately I was always a skinny thing and could afford to add a few pounds but I’m approaching the keep-this-up and you’ll-be-wobbling- around stage. Unfortunately, I now have to watch the pounds and I’m none too happy about that. I used to be able to eat anything anytime and now I’m paying a hefty price while I learn to count the calories….
So I Learned to Cook a New Low-Cal Pepper & Onion Dish
Two Red Bell Peppers
One Orange Bell Pepper
One Yellow Bell Pepper
One Package of Mushrooms, Sliced
One Red Onion
Kosher Salt
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Remove seeds and stem from the peppers and peel the onion. Cut peppers and onion into bite size pieces and place into a baking dish (I use a glass dish). Add sliced mushrooms and sprinkle with a dash of kosher salt. Dribble olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste (if desired). Stir it all up to coat the peppers with the olive oil.
Roast at 425 degrees for about 20-25 minutes depending on your preference for crispiness. Serves 4-5.
Delish!! And peppers are loaded with vitamin C.
Met Some Folks I Really Admire
Ruby Dee, Terry McMillan, Tavis Smiley, S. Epatha Merkerson, Marian Wright Edelman. OK, so I met some of them in 2006 but I didn’t have a blog then and couldn’t brag to y’all. Now I do.
