Culturally diverse communities

cj Sez: The nation celebrated Independent Book Sellers Day yesterday. Yay, indies! Indie bookstores are slowly rebounding, and one of the main reasons (I think) is because they take pride in working hard to serve our culturally diverse communities. 

   These small stores are usually shoe-string operations in need of multicultural support.

   For your reading pleasure and support, following is a short list of indie bookstores owned by Black proprietors (most are owned by women and most do mail order sales):

·  Black Garnet Books - Minneapolis, MN
https://bookshop.org/shop/blackgarnetbooks

·  Brave and Kind Books - Decatur, GA  (a neighborhood kids bookstore)
braveandkindbooks.com

·  Semicolon - Chicago, IL
https://www.semicolonchi.com/

·  Brain Lair Books - South Bend, IN
https://www.semicolonchi.com/

·  Harriet's Bookshop - Philadelphia, PA
https://www.harriettsbookshop.com/

·  Eso Won Books - Los Angeles, CA
https://www.esowonbookstore.com/

·  The Lit Bar - Bronx, NY
http://www.thelitbar.com/

·  Cafe Con Libros - Brooklyn, NY
https://www.cafeconlibrosbk.com/

·  Frugal Bookstore - Roxbury, MA
https://frugalbookstore.net/

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Passing along writerly info . . .

   Because I just this week found this “Call for Black Writers,” it’s really time constrained…BUT if you’ve got a manuscript submission ready,

   Harlequin’s Graydon House and HQN Books imprints are accepting unagented submissions from Black writers up until September 8, 2020, and Inkyard Press is accepting submissions until August 31, 202--- as well as all of the month of March 2021. Please go to the link for more information about the specific imprints, how to submit and some frequently asked questions.

https://www.bookclubbish.com/call-for-black-authors/?doing_wp_cron=1598379716.6968579292297363281250

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   From Writers in the Storm blog comes a post that describes something I do when I write…except I call mine a “Character Profile.” Whether you’re writing a series or a stand-alone novel or perhaps a poem, creating this document is immensely helpful for continuity and for dialogue. When you fully know characters, descriptions and backstories, you will know exactly how your characters will react and what they will say in any situation you place them. Not all backstory will be seen on the pages of the book nor should it, but it will definitely be noticed by the reader.

https://writersinthestormblog.com/2020/08/creating-a-bible-for-characters-and-screenwriting/

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  The following post on GetPocket dot com is not your usual “How to” article. That is to say, it doesn’t offer a step-by-step method, but it might make writers feel better about their repetitious use of certain words when they’re writing the next great American novel.

https://getpocket.com/explore/item/one-writer-used-statistics-to-reveal-the-secrets-of-what-makes-great-writing?utm_source=pocket-newtab

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A contest with no entry fee and a cash prize! 

  This from Bienvenue Press: “We are pleased to announce our 2020 Halloween Short Story Contest! 1st place winner receives $50!”  Submission info here: https://bit.ly/3goH3Dj 

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Speaking of Halloween . . .

  This anthology is coming soon from the Mobile Writers Guild: 

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  That’s it for today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same, (Raising prayers for your health and safety.)

cj

FYI gentle reader, part of the proceeds of HOMETOWN HEROES benefits The Cajun Navy--you remember those hometown heroes who, right now, are trailering their boats to Lake Charles, LA, to help the victims of Hurricane Laura. 

  The stories in the anthology may have a Christmas theme, but they are timeless short reads.  The book is available on Amazon or can be ordered through your favorite bookstore.

   Speaking of Independent Book Seller Day…one of my favorite indie book seller is The Haunted Bookshop, and look at some of their specials:  

  TO ORDER my autographed books or any book of your choice on-line from my favorite indie bookstore, contact The Haunted Bookshop here: The Haunted Bookshop  The store has re-opened to limited hours, so you can stop and shop, too.

NOTE: Facebook and its “new and improved” format changed the URL for my author page. So here’s the “new and improved” link to my FB site: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor   

Now all my existing books and short stories have a non-working URL Thank you, Mark Zuckerberg and minions.

➜ Follow me . . .

➜         on Amazon:    Amazon Central Author Page = https://amzn.to/2v6SrAj

➜         on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor  

➜         on BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson

➜         on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6