Signing in the Midpoint Booth at the Book Expo America

It's the huge Book Expo America and this year it was at the Convention Center in Los Angeles. Yeahhhh! My distributor is Midpoint Trade Books and here I am in the Midpoint Booth with Laurie Little, the Executive Assistant who first contacted me about being a client. A graduate of Pepperdine in Malibu and a musical theater afficianada, Laurie now resides in New York City. I did a book-signing here which was great fun because I got to meet a flurry of book-industry people and sign their copies of "Speak with Passion, Speak with Power!" Among these were librarians, other authors, publicists and several young men and women who said they were frightened of public speaking and grateful to get my book!

Thank you, Laurie, Julie, Chad, Kevin, Alex and everyone in the booth who helped me out and at Midpoint for everything you've done for "Speak with Passion, Speak with Power!"

Rubbing Elbows with the Executive Producer of Leimert Park Book Fair, Cynthia Exum

It's the night before the Leimert Park Village Book Fair and I'm here at the opening ceremonies and awards presentations with the woman who made it happen, Cynthia Exum. Cynthia's vision for the fair was inspired by the 2007 Harlem Book Fair in New York and she did an incredible job of pulling everything together - writers, workshops, entertainment, city officials, celebrities - and an amazing spread of speakers, singers and foods, including chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne. The setting was a lovely Spanish-style patio in the heart of this beautiful and historic neighborhood.

Councilman Bernard Parks Encourages Participation at Leimert Book Fair

Councilman Bernard Parks welcomes

all the speakers, writers, volunteers, entertainers and visitors to the Leimert Park Village Book Fair.

He encouraged visitors to support the local businesses surrounding us in this lovely neighborhood and to buy books. He also shared his vision of combining this book fair with an art fair next year - with the continuing emphasis on African-American writers and artists.

Several acts appeared throughout the day on the stage where the Councilman stands. Although I was at my booth interacting with patrons and zipping around meeting other authors, I did manage to get completely hooked by several wonderful jazz singers and rap groups who were terrific!

Popular Actress and I Share Table at Leimert Book Fair

You've probably seen this adorable actress many times on your television screen. She's Vernee Watson and not only has she been making commercials and appearing on series for years, but she also gives on-camera commercial workshops based on her two books, Kids in the TV Commercial Biz and Commercials, Just My Speed!

Powerful Author and Speaker Joins My Workshop at Leimert Book Fair

Derrick O'Neal generated a shock wave in my morning workshop, "The Secret to Great Speaking: Pour in the Juice!", when he shared the story he depicts in his book, The Game is Ova'. Derrick turned his life around and does the same for youth at risk with his powerful, personal story of having it all, losing it all and transforming it all.

Go to www.thegameisova.com, www.myspace.com/thegameisova and www.amazon.com.

Inspiring Community Leader at the Leimert Book Fair

The halo surrounding Wanda Combs Moore drew me to her table. Wanda is the author of Never, Never Give Up!, which delivers a message of hope and determination that she embodies. She is a coach, inspirational speaker, seminar leader, celebrity and powerful community leader who has received many honors and awards. Wanda began her public service as the Chief Administrative Assistant and Personal Advisor in the 20 year administration of the late Mayor of Los Angeles, Tom Bradley.

Learn more about Wanda at http://www.wandacombsmoore.com/.

Changing African American Attitudes about Health at Leimert Book Fair

When Lottie Perkins shared her book, Eating to Die, with me and her mission of changing African American attitudes about health and food, her passion and power blew me away. She's a prolific speaker and has a weekly radio show, "Step Up to Wellness!" at innerlightradio.com.

Read about Lottie and her ground-breaking book at LottieshealthNwellness.com.

I Meet Up with Another Author from Long Beach at Leimert Book Fair

While buzzing around the fair, I met another author and a book seller from Long Beach, where I live - the dynamic Sunny Nash, Executive Producer of KSUN Inc. and Cindy Patterson, the Community Relations Manager at Barnes and Noble. I'm looking forward to getting to know both of them better, since we're in each other's back yards.

Read about Sunny's book, Bigmama Didn't Shop at Woolworth's, at http://www.amazon.com/ and visit her website at http://www.sunnynash.com/