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Features
Native Tampan:
Lucinda Askew Pens Her First Novel
BY SORAYA ROUSE
Lucinda Askew has re- cently released a new book entitled “Joy Comes in the Morning.”
The book’s title is based on Psalms 30, and the main character, Tracey overcomes some Dravidian obstacles due to beauty, charm, education, wit and plain old stubborn will. When faced with the possi- bility of losing her beloved family, she brokers a deal with her boss, a wealthy banker.
“This novel came about because myself and others have held on to past hatred without being able to move forward. In writing these fic- tional characters, I have learned we have got to let go of our past pain and hurt in order to receive the blessings that GOD has for us,” ex- plained Askew.
“Joy Comes in the Morning,” unapologeti- cally pleads with us to come to terms with our own unfor- giveness. There are passages in the book that are “real, raw and insightful,” as stated by Dr. Sheila Tribble in the book’s forward. “The in- timate themes, the explo- ration of love, responsibility and self-worth and empow- erment are what give us the opportunity to grow.”
The book is dedicated to the memory of the late Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Jones, who used to say, “you can’t fix what you won’t face, the truth is messy, and people are messy.” “PJ, (Pastor Jones) encouraged me to pursue my education and fulfill my destiny as an au- thor, playwright, producer and director.”
The West Tampa native is the founder of Talents Blessed By GOD, a local pro- duction company. Her work includes “The Woman and the Alabaster Box,” GOD
LUCINDA ASKEW ...Pens 1st Novel
BOOK COVER
Has the Last Say,” and “Jesus Born in the Hood.”
A married mother of four adult children and grand- mother, she has been a member of Bible-Based Fel- lowship Church in Carroll- wood for more than 25 years. She also volunteers with Jack and Jill of America, In- corporated and Men of To- morrow, a youth group of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
She is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and the University of Tampa, where she received a degree in Film Media and Communication with a minor in Speech, Drama and Theater.
The author will be avail- able on Thursday, April 13 at Mr. B’s Restaurant, 3401 N. Nebraska Avenue, from 4 p. m. to 7 p. m. and Saturday, April 15 at Body Temple Spa- tique, 1499 N. Nebraska Av- enue, from 4 p. m. to 7 p. m for book discussions and signing.
Historical Black Romance Novel Author, Beverly Jenkins To Receive Prestigious Award
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Pick up a copy of Beverly Jenkins’s his- torical romance novels and you’ll notice some things right away.
All of the characters are Black, “great black women and great black men” with names like Archer Le Veq, Ian Vance, and Hester Wyatt. Almost all of the stories are set in the 19th century during significant periods like during the Civil War and Reconstruction and in places like New Orleans and Indian Terri- tory.
Since the publishing of her first book, “Night Song,” in 1994, Jenkins has churned out more than 30 titles featuring her unique formula. Along the way, she’s racked up a slew of awards and recognitions including USA Today bestselling author, a Golden Pen Award from the Black Writer’s Guild, and nominated for a 2013 NAACP Image Award.
The honors continue this summer when Jenkins will receive the Nora Roberts Life- time Achievement Award at this Romance Writers of America conference in Orlando.
It’s a huge accomplishment to sit atop the No. 1 genre in fiction writing, but Jenkins doesn’t see it that way; to her, she’s “just doing history.”
“I call it ‘edutainment’,” Jenkins said. “(Readers are) not getting what you would consider a standard romance novel.”
For Jenkins, ‘edutainment’ means writing historical romance fiction with African-Amer- ican characters that puts them in situations or gives them roles that mirror the Black experi- ence, like a male lead who is a Buffalo Soldier.
“The history books say were slaves,” she said. “You don’t hear about the investment in the cities being built or the Black people who moved west.”
In the mid-1980s, Jenkins was a librarian with a love of reading when she “stumbled” into romance fiction writing.
She was content to work in a library for the rest of her life. But that changed when a col- league read a manuscript Jenkins had writ- ten, but never thought to publish.
The woman “harassed” Jenkins to pub- lish her manuscript until finally she found an agent. But that would be the easy part.
Trying to find a publisher who would pub- lish and promote a historical romance novel set in the 1880s with Black people as the main characters in roles as damsels or bounty hunters or train robbers proved difficult, Jenkins said.
“For (publishers), any 19th century book about Black people had to deal with slavery and this book didn’t address that,” she said.
Beverly Jenkins writes Black romance novels using history as the backdrop.
“They kept saying ‘Great writing, but...’” Finally, Avon Books signed on Jenkins in 1993 and her first book was published the fol- lowing year. She’s been writing full-time since
2001.
While some writers can publish several
books a year, Jenkins says she prefers to write just a couple of titles a year.
Her latest book, “Breathless” was released in January. She’s currently working on her next book, aiming to get it to her publisher by a June deadline.
Writing under deadline isn’t as sexy as some of the scenes in her books. For Jenkins, it means erratic eating and “writing 24/7 and very little sleep.” A widow, neighbors and friends are gracious to check on her and bring her food.
The process can be grueling, but the fans make it worth it, Jenkins said.
“They like to read (the books) as much as I like to write them,” she said. “To be able to do what you love is amazing.”
Writing Tips from
Author Beverly Jenkins
So, you think you’ve got what it takes to be a writer? Here’s some advice from bestselling romance author Beverly Jenkins:
1. Finish that first draft. The satisfaction you’ll get from that is unparalleled.
2. Step away from that first draft for a while. Then go back and do rewrites.
3.Learn as much as you can about the pub- lishing business, including self-publishing.
4. Get a good editor.
5. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Re- member, you’re doing this for the love of telling a story.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017