Blog Archives
“Must Read” #MichLit Author, @DesCooper, Know The Mother…. will touch the soul! #MotownMom
Detroit, Michigan, journalist and author, Desiree Cooper, has released her wonderful book of poems and prose with Wayne State Press called Know The Mother. A beautiful literary work of art that will touch the soul.
Buy your copy now : http://amzn.to/1VKxXTS
ABOUT THE BOOK:
While a mother can be defined as a creator, a nurturer, a protector-at the center of each mother is an individual who is attempting to manage her own fears, desires, and responsibilities in different and sometimes unexpected ways. In Know the Mother, author Desiree Cooper explores the complex archetype of the mother in all of her incarnations. In a collage of meditative stories, women-both black and white-find themselves wedged between their own yearnings and their roles as daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and wives.
In this heart-wrenching collection, Cooper reveals that gender and race are often unanticipated interlopers in family life. An anxious mother reflects on her prenatal fantasies of suicide while waiting for her daughter to come home late one night. A lawyer miscarries during a conference call and must proceed as though nothing has happened. On a rare night out with her husband, a new mother tries convincing herself that everything is still the same. A politician’s wife’s thoughts turn to slavery as she contemplates her own escape: “Even Harriet Tubman had realized that freedom wasn’t worth the price of abandoning her family, so she’d come back home. She’d risked it all for love.” With her lyrical and carefully crafted prose, Cooper’s stories provide truths without sermon and invite empathy without sentimentality.
Know the Mother explores the intersection of race and gender in vignettes that pull you in and then are gone in an instant. Readers of short fiction will appreciate this deeply felt collection.
Buy your copy now : http://amzn.to/1VKxXTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A 2015 Kresge Artist Fellow, Desiree Cooper is a former attorney, Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and Detroit community activist whose fiction dives unflinchingly into the intersection of racism and sexism. Using the compressed medium of flash fiction, she explores intimate spaces to reveal what it means to be human. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in Callaloo, Detroit Noir, Best African American Fiction 2010, and Tidal Basin Review, among other online and print publications. Her first collection of flash fiction, Know the Mother, was published by Wayne State University Press in March 2016. Cooper was a founding board member of Cave Canem, a national residency for emerging black poets. She is currently a Kimbilio fellow, a national residency for African American fiction writers.
Check her out at descooper.com.
Buy your copy now : http://amzn.to/1VKxXTS
Connect with this author at:
http://www.facebook.com/descooper
(see upcoming events and signings on facebook)
http://instagram.com/descooper
LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW
New Michigan Literary Network podcast w/guest @DesCooper, author of “Know the Mother” at http://tobtr.com/s/8790883.
Get YOUR book at: http://amzn.to/1VKxXTS
Author of AbandonedProperty, Kai Mann’s Writing Life & Family Support #motownmom #motownlit @kaiology #mwn
Welcome Readers to our Featured Author Blog tour for:
Kai Mann
Author of her second release: Abandoned Property.
Get your copy, click here.
Abandoned Property
By Kai MannRating: Not yet rated.
Published: June 09, 2013
Words: 92,516 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9780984828135
Short Bio
Kai Mann is the author of 30 Day Notice and her newly published book Abandoned Property. She is an independent contract writer forExaminer.com as Detroit’s Best Friend Examiner,a member of the Motown Writers Network, and a contributor to the online poetry community. Kai’s purpose is to inspire thoughts pertaining to the themes of love, friendship, self-love, and self-progression.
Author’s Website
About Abandoned Property
These characters all have something in common; they’ve been abandoned.
Even though their issues of abandonment stem from some of the same situations, how they play out is different in nature.
Will they go to the extreme opposite to ensure that the cycle ends with them? Or will they realize the blessings in being abandoned by people who never knew how to care for them in the first place?
Get your copy, click here.
WRITING LIFE & FAMILY SUPPORT
Writing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I can’t remember a time not being supported in my writing. When I was young, my mother’s support began when she bought me my first composition notebook. Now, as an adult and being in a relationship, I think that my partner understands the importance of me getting thoughts and ideas out of my head. I do a lot of writing at 2 am or 3 am. That could be a problem in most relationships because I literally wake up reaching for my phone to write. I used to have a notebook and pen by the side of my bed until one day when I couldn’t understand what I had written I decided to do something different. Evernote and I are inseparable now.
I use Evernote to place my wee hour thoughts there. When the thoughts are flowing faster than my fingers can type on my phone and I know that my writing may disrupt my partner’s sleep, I’ll get up and get to my laptop in my office. Earlier in our relationship my partner didn’t understand what I was doing; the writing in the middle of the night, getting up, moving around but as I was publishing my first book she understood that was just my writing style.
My children support me and think it’s cool that their mother not only writes but is a published author. It’s important to me to have my children see that even at my age that you can begin your dreams, work hard, and bring them into fruition. I’ve since found out that my children too are writers. I support them just as much as they support me.
~~~~~~~~Please post a comment below about Kai Mann’s article! ~~~~~~~~~
Get your copy, click here.
Blog Tour for Kai Mann, Author of Abandoned Property.
- JULY 8TH – Author & Book Interview with Kai Mann on Motown Writers Network… Michigan Literary Network http://motownwriters.com #mwn #michlit #motownlit
- JULY 11TH – Kai Mann’s Writing Life & Family Support Article on Motown Mom Musings http://motownmommusings.com #motownmom #motownlit
- JULY 15TH – Going The Opposite, but Getting The Same w/Abandoned Property Article by Kai Mann athttp:/LoveABlackWoman.tumblr.com #labw #motownlit
- JULY 18TH – Writing – An Essential Part of Me Article by Kai Mann at Michigan Murder & Mayhem http://michiganmurderandmayhem.com#motownlit #mmm
- JULY 22ND – Book Feature of Abandoned Property by Kai Mann at 3Chicks and Some Books. http://3chicksandsomebooks.com #motownlit #3dchicks
- JULY 25TH – Author Feature of Kai Mann at Literary Voicehttp://facebook.com/literaryvoice #literaryvoice #motownlit
- JULY 29TH – repost Friday 1st Chapter of Abandoned Property by Kia Mann at Motown Writers Network http://motownwriters.com #mwn #motownlit #michlit
- AUG 1ST – ANNOUNCEMENT : Winner of $25 Amazon gift card! on Motown Writers network http://motownwriters.com
Books by this author:
Ways to connect to Kai Mann
- Website: http://kai-mann.com
- Twitter: kaiology
- Facebook: Facebook profile
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kai-mann/22/27a/685
- Wattpad: KaiKaiologyMann
- MySpace: https://myspace.com/243971422
- Blog: http://kaiologywetyourintellectualtastebuds.blogspot.com
GET TO IT! by Chris Lee @lifepathllc. From Frustration to Fulfillment #FF2F #michlit #blogtour #mwn
Today we have our first male author on our blog and Chris Lee gives us great advice in his first sentence. GET TO IT! How many times we as mom’s tell ourselves this advice and how many of us listen.
You’ll love what Chris has to say and at the end, please take a moment to comment and join him on his blogtour through the Michigan Literary Network!
Get To It!
BY Chris Lee
I had taken mini-getaway’s and overnight trips to light the
fire of creativity. I’d set aside entire days to writing my
story. I would get up in the wee hours of the morning to
write. About 14 months later I was 90% done with my book.
I had visions of packed book signing events and hundreds
of ebook sales. I was truly excited. What I did next was
something really incredible…I sat on it…for two whole years!
“See, what had happened was…”
I had spoken with several vanity publishers (a publisher that
charges a fee to produce a book) and several authors that
had published through vanity publishers and I was scared
off by the vanity publisher’s five-figure cost of design,
publishing and marketing of my book.
I totally shut the project down, until I got a package in
the mail. A couple of weeks earlier, I had spoken with my
cousin Harold. Harold is a retired, high-level executive.
He’s also a jazz enthusiast. We had a brief conversation and
he promised to send me a few CD’s that he made for me.
Included with the CD’s was a not that said in part “…there is
so much that you can offer to the world, your family and to
God…get to it”
Those words had a huge effect on me. I realized that
I really did have a purpose to fulfill and that purpose
was bigger than any of my issues; including my fear of
publishing my book.
I also set forth the intent to publish my book, this time
around I decided to let God work out the “how” and I stayed
focused on the end result of a book that I was proud of and
a book that would help a lot of people.
I forwarded a draft of “From Frustration to Fulfillment” to
Harold. He read it and forwarded it to a couple of friends
that knew a thing or two about writing. All three people
offered some great suggestion about how to improve the
book.
Around the same time I connected with my publisher,
Literary Loft, and was able to reach an outstanding win-win
agreement to get the book published for a fraction of the
prices quoted to my by many of the vanity publishers.
I credit my cousin Harold for helping me find my “why”.
Why did I write my book? Why do I want the world to hear
my story? Why should I keep going when I’m ready to quit?
Once again, my purpose is bigger than me or any of my
problems, so as suggested by Harold I’m ‘getting to it’!
We all need that little push toward our dreams and goals
to get us started. I knew I had something important to
share with the world, but I had talked myself out of it. I
needed a reminder. The most reassuring part of it is that
the reminder and encouragement to ‘get to it’ came from a
family member.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
On a sunny July morning a freak accident changed Chris Lee’s life forever. In addition to physical injuries, Chris was diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury. Years of alcohol 
abuse, poor eating habits and a newfound addiction to prescription pain-killers thwarted his recovery efforts. His days became filled with group therapy, prescription drugs and the red-tape hassle of an inefficient and inept healthcare system. He felt hopelessly trapped until he discovered a positive approach to life that would shape and mold him into a better father, husband and person.
Chris gives the reader a brutally honest, soul bearing glimpse into the day-to-day recovery efforts of a brain injury survivor. Follow the author on his gripping journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance and ultimately self-love. Learn how alternative health and energy therapy changed Chris Lee’s life and how he empowered himself to change his reality for the better.
JOIN THE BOOK TOUR ON MICHIGAN LITERARY NETWORK
Readers can join us through blogs revealing in Chris Lee’s book, From Frustration to Fulfillment.
Writers can learn from Chris Lee’s experiences of being a first time author and learning to ins and outs of the literary world.
Authors can connect with Chris Lee’s struggles and frustrations, not only in his writing, but life as well.
You can also connect with Chris Lee below and if you’re interested in your own blog tour through our Michigan Literary Network, please see below at the end of the post.
Would you like your copy now of From Frustration to Fulfillment?
Connect with Chris:
“I was riveted by Chris’s story, he had me reading as fast as I could to see what was going to happen next. Anyone who feels they have something more to give will benefit by hearing Chris’s story. If we choose not to hear our inner guidance when it’s a whisper, it may take a whack upon the head to get our attention!”
“Chris’ story and book not only moved me but also inspired me to continue evolving and expanding. I feel very fortunate to have had the pleasure of working with him in person. He is a gifted and talented human being that the world is blessed to have.”
About Chris Lee
Chris Lee, the author of “From Frustration to Fulfillment”, has a passion for helping people 
to identify and successfully manage the self-imposed limitations that hold us back from pursuing and achieving our dreams, goals and ambitions.
Chris wrote “From Frustration to Fulfillment” to help anyone that has ever faced a seemingly hopeless situation. The book started as a diary to help him cope with his brain injury. He found the writings to be a vital part of the healing process and thus decided to share his story with the world.
Using warmth and humor to help people to ‘open the doors of change’, Chris is a dynamic speaker and energetic workshop facilitator. Chris has put his unique skill set to use helping numerous people throughout the United States and Canada. He combines the Law of Attraction and the philosophy of energy medicine to offer a very unique and powerful experience for those that attend his various workshop and coaching sessions.
Chris is a Specs Howard School of Media Arts graduate that currently holds certifications as a 365-Degree Manifestation Consultant, Certified Law of Attraction Facilitator, Certified Natural Health Professional and Body Talk™ Access technician.
Chris loves spending time with family including his son, daughter and granddaughter. He loves fine food, baseball and is a music enthusiast. He can occasionally be spotted around town enjoying live jazz.
Self-Massage for New Moms: 3 Great Tips
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When I was young, I was taught that to touch myself was sinful. Forty years later, I am amazed at how many mis-educated women are still afraid the boogie man will get them if they think of performing a breast self examination that lasts more than sixty-seconds. For these deprived women (who somehow manage to become moms without the experience of exploring their own bodies) and liberated women alike, this article is for you.
Contemplating why my grandmother and the church would teach me that my body, my transporter, my communicator, my vessel, my temple was somehow God’s worse creation has lead me to the following conclusion, “the truth shall make you free.” So what is the truth about our amazing bodies and how we interact with them via touch? Well it sure isn’t ignore it, disconnect from it and it will grow strong and healthy. In fact, the opposite is true. Nurture, protect, explore and connect with your body and it will serve you well.
New Mom Self Massage Tips
- When your breasts are extra tender, try gently applying baby powder on your dry skin with your fingertips. Glide your powdered left hand from your right arm pit inward toward your heart then switch sides applying the same gentle strokes. (Supports lymphatic system)
- When massaging your abdomen, lie flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat for best results. (A bolster or pillow under your knees can add comfort to your low back) Draw large circles counter-clockwise using a moisturizing cream to promote skin elasticity.
- Use a wall mirror (if possible) when exploring/touching your body. Then try the same exploration with your eyes closed. Redness, darkness, new moles may be visual signs you should share with your doctor. Heat, clamminess or indentations that remain after you touch should also be brought to your doctor’s attention.
#touchtuesday #mmm #mwn
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